Prime Time 1, Coursebook

The GUARDS enter with THE CHILDREN and KIP and some VILLAGERS. Chief Guard: Sir! These strange children picked this jub-jub fruit, Sir! Everyone puts their hand to their mouths and says “Ohh!” together. King: But only I can eat the jub-jub fruit! (he takes the fruit from the Chief Guard) Everyone else must eat cabbage and turnips! Jemma: We’re sorry, Sir. We’re new to Grumpland, we didn’t know the rules. Rory: It’s just, the jub-jub fruit looked so delicious and I was so hungry. King: The fruit is delicious. Rory: W-what does it taste like? King: Hmm. Well … (the King starts to eat the fruit) It tastes of popcorn, and marshmallow … ice cream, yes, (eating) mmm, a little bit like peanut butter, all together. But only I … (he stops and his eyes grow big) But only I can … Only I … The Servants and the Queen and Pembridge and the Guards all look worried. The Children: What’s happening? The King gives a very loud hiccup. ROUTINE (Everyone jumps together.) Queen: (frightened) … The King’s hiccups are back! Pembridge: Oh Sir! Poor Sir! (Pembridge rubs the King’s stomach) The other servants run around with worried faces, and throw their hands in the air. Servants: The King has hiccups, no one knows why. Someone must stop them, or maybe he’ll die! Queen: Lie down, my dear! (The King starts to lie down.) Pembridge: No, Sir, stand over here! (The King starts to stand up.) Queen: No, sit on this chair! (The King starts to sit down.) Servants: Open the windows, the King needs more air! King: STOP!!! …My hiccups have passed! A pause. Everyone sighs together: Ahhhhh! Chief Guard: What do I do with these strange children, Sir? King: Hmm? Oh, put them … put them in the prison under the castle! The Children: Prison? No! Please, don’t put us in prison! Let us go! Questions and answers Answer the questions about this scene. 1. Was it lunchtime? 2. Was Pembridge happy? 3. Were the children sorry? 4. Was Rory hungry? Yes, it was. 5 Grammar See 1 G 30 Talking about the past: Past tense simple – yes/no questions Was the king in the castle? Yes, he was . No, he wasn’t . Were the servants in prison? Yes, they were . No, they weren’t . G 98 12 Unit Adventure in Grumpland – a play ninety-eight Nur zu Prüfzwecken – Eigentum des Verlags öbv