BBC Learning English
How to &
& tell a story
Activity:
Here is a straightforward account of an incident. Imagine you are chatting with some friends,
how could you change the grammar of this paragraph to make it more suitable for informal
spoken English?
The other morning I was having a shower and there was a knock at the door. I was expecting
a package so I jumped out of the shower, dripping wet, and threw on my bathrobe. I rushed to
the front door, which was locked, so I tried to find my keys, which was very difficult because
I still had soap in my eyes from the shower. I finally found my keys and opened the door but
it wasn t the postman at the door. It was my mother and she gave me a very strange look
because not only was I still dripping wet and covered in soap, I was actually wearing my
wife s bathrobe, which is pink and fluffy. When I d jumped out of the shower my eyes had
been so covered in soap that I must have grabbed hers instead of mine. Anyway, my mother
walked in and in a voice that could freeze fire said  I hope you re not taking me out to lunch
dressed like that.
How to & © BBC Learning English 2008
Page 1 of 2
bbclearningenglish.com
Answer:
There are many different ways this could be written. Here is one suggestion based on the
information given in the programme.
The other morning I m having a shower and there s a knock at the door. I m
expecting a package so I jump out of the shower, dripping wet, and throw on my
bathrobe. I rush to the front door, which is locked, so I try to find my keys, which is
very difficult because I still have soap in my eyes from the shower. I finally find my
keys and open the door but it isn t the postman at the door. It s my mother and she
gives me a very strange look because not only am I still dripping wet and covered in
soap, I m actually wearing my wife s bathrobe, which is pink and fluffy. When I
jumped out of the shower my eyes were so covered in soap that I must have grabbed
hers instead of mine. Anyway, in walks my mother and in a voice that can freeze fire
says:  I hope you re not taking me out to lunch dressed like that.
How to & © BBC Learning English 2008
Page 2 of 2
bbclearningenglish.com