1.5 Relationships  (Page 3/4)

“YOU?” barked the alien at Bruce.

Bruce knew he was being questioned. “Well . . . ,” Bruce tried to explain, diplomatically.

” I am a pilot for the United States of Africa . . . and, I think . . .er . . .” He was about to explain that there had been an awful mistake and that things could be sorted out quite quickly and satisfactorily, when the alien burst out in disbelief.

“WHAT THINK?” The alien looked totally puzzled as if he had heard a word he did not know.

Bruce considered how best to cope with this extraordinary conversation and came to the conclusion that straight talking would be best.

“Well . . . to think is . . . er . . . to reason, to come to a conclusion after following certain logical steps.” He stopped long enough to gauge the alien’s response, and when there was none, he continued,” . . er. . . to use previous knowledge sensibly.” Bruce then rushed a question at the alien.

“How do YOU come to conclusions?”

The alien indicated the blinking machinery that surrounded them and moved closer to a large flashing machine as if for back up.

“WE NOT THINK. EASIER. NOT MAKE DECISIONS. NOT COMMIT. NOT CONSIDER ISSUES. NOT THINK ABOUT PROBLEMS. NOT SOLVE. NOT CONSIDER OTHERS. NOT WORRY ABOUT IGNORANCE. NOT USE KNOWLEDGE. NOT BE IMAGINATIVE. NOT THINK OUT FEARS. NOT MAKE CALCULATIONS. NOT DEBATE. NOT GET INVOLVED.”

“But it is impossible not to think,” Bruce interrupted. “ I mean, I must work out the time. I must think about my past and present in order to cope with the future!”

The alien looked at Bruce patronisingly. “WE TOLD TIME. TOLD RESULTS OF CALCULATIONS. PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEMS SOLVED. NOT GET INVOLVED.”

The alien sank into a chair as if he had just won a game.

Bruce wondered which system was better: His system of open, thoughtful communication or the alien’s system of automatic question and answer.

As he stepped into the Interviewing Room with the alien, he knew which system he preferred.

[LO 6.1.2, 6.2.5]

Word choice

Bruce, the flight engineer, has written a report to his superiors back home. Certain words are missing.

• Complete the gaps with the most interesting words you can think of.
• Please check the spelling BEFORE you enter the word and write NEATLY.

“I captured a / an ________ alien yesterday. He was very _________ when we first met, but afterwards he became very .__________ I found his language extremely ________ at first, but later it was not _____________ to understand. The clothes he was wearing were _____________ and his head was rather _________________His fingers were

________________ and his eyes, _________The tone of his voice was very ___________ .

From the choices given, select and underline the word, phrase or clause which is most true.

Bruce had taken a long time / a short time to get into space.

He had trouble / no trouble in capturing the alien.

He was a qualified / unqualified man.

The alien spoke in an abrupt / smooth manner.

Bruce’s manner was polite / impolite.

The alien had no will to choose / had the ability to choose for himself.

The two men found it difficult / easy to communicate with each other.