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COMPRÉHENSION ÉCRITE

THE APPOINTMENT
Dr Alfred Richter, a millionaire, is responsible for the death of fifty workers in the explosion of one of his armament factories.

One hot july afternoon as he sat working at his desk he sensed that he was not alone. He was gripped by sudden apprehension. Someone was standing in front of him and he had no desire to know who it was.

«Good afternoon, Dr Richter. »

The chilling voice was deep and sonorous. The millionaire froze at the sound of it, and continued to stare at his desktop.

« I don't know who you are and I have no wish to find out. Go away. »

« Come, come, Doctor, that's not a very polite way to treat someone who has travelled far to give you a message. »

Full of dreadful foreboding, Richter slowly raised his head and stared with amazement at the man who stood smiling before him. There could be not doubt that he was an undertaker, for he was dressed entirely in black and wore a tall top hat.

« How did you get into my house ? » he asked, rising unsteadily to his feet. « Who are you ? »

The undertaker smiled hideously. « A messenger ».

« From whom ? »

« Isn't it obvious to a man of your intellect ? »

« Your ludicrous costume reminds me of an undertaker. »

« Merely a symbol of my work. I've long ceased to be concerned with burial. My work is simply to deliver the message. »

He raised his top hat and bowed gracefully. Richter's terror became rage and he slammed his fist upon the desk.

« Damn you, man. » the shout emerged as a strangled squeak. « What message ? »

« Oh, yes, the message. » The vile-looking man smiled, glanced heavenward and put the top hat reverently to his chest. « Dr Alfred Richter, I am here to inform you that your name has been called and that on the nineteenth day, one month hence, you will have an appointment with death. »

« Another threat! » Richter screamed hysterically. « Another damn threat from the victims of that explosion. So that's why they sent you, dressed in those vulgar clothes and looking like death. You're part of the vile campaign of terror! » He grabbed a small bell and rang it furiously.

« You are wasting your time, Doctor. I have nothing to do with the people you burnt and maimed. I am merely here to inform you of the inevitable fact of your death and final judgement. Remember, one month hence. Prepare well, you have much to answer for. »

Richter turned is head as the butler entered the room. « Call the police, I want this fiend arrested. »

The butler gazed at the millionnaire is astonishment. « Fiend, sir ? »

Richter turned and looked at the empty space before him...

Alan PEMBERTON, The Millionaire, in Journeys of the Mind (1983). D.R.

QUESTIONS
1- Define the document (nature, author, date of publication).

2- Who are the two main characters mentioned in the text ?

Read from line 1 to line 18.
3- Find in the text the synonyms for :

Frightening :
To look at something statically and for a long time :
Terrible, awful :
Great surprise :

4- Say if each of the following statements is true or false and justify by quoting the text.

a- The scene takes place in winter.
b- The scene takes place in the main character's study.
c- Richter is curious to know who is facing him.
d- The visitor lives nearby the Richter's house.
e- Richter thinks the visitor's job is to take care of dead bodies as an undertaker.

Read from line 19 to the end
5- Say if each of the following statements is true or false and justify by quoting the text.

f- In fact the visitor isn't really an undertaker.
g- Richter is extremely angry with the man.
h- The visitor has come to announce Dr Richter's death.
i- The visitor is a victim of the explosion that took place in Richter's factory.

6- Line 38 « you have much to answer ». Explain what the man means with your own words (15-20 words)


7- Line 43. « Richter turned and looked at the empty space before him. » How do you explain that when Dr Richter turned and looked he saw no-one ? (30-40 words)

About the whole text

8- Why do you think this text is called « The appointment »? (20 words)