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The Fruitcake Special and Other Stories
[Cambridge Readers Level 4]
Five entertaining stories about the power of discovery set in countries across the globe. A perfume made from some very unusual ingredients becomes more effective than expected. A remarkable change in a woman's life leaves her family to make a decision. The secret and danger of high intelligence are revealed to a university student. A teacher discovers a way of making time stand still. And a book tells a young manager more than he wants to know.
Five entertaining stories about the power of discovery set in countries across the globe. A perfume made from some very unusual ingredients becomes more effective than expected. A remarkable change in a woman's life leaves her family to make a decision. The secret and danger of high intelligence are revealed to a university student. A teacher discovers a way of making time stand still. And a book tells a young manager more than he wants to know.
- GenresFiction
78 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2000
38 people are currently reading
442 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
April 7, 2023
It appears to me that students can reach B2 level by studying, but beyond that, many of them encounter an invisible ceiling that doesn't let them develop their language skills any further. So far, it seems to me that these are students who don't read in English. So I decided to make them read as early as possible. And this means not only the textbook readings, not only articles, but literature as well.
C1-level students tend to be bombarded with Swift's 'A Modest Proposal' when they have to learn how to write a proposal, and with Carroll's 'Jabberwocky' when they get a bit overconfident, but also to show that you don't have to know every word to understand a text. I can also bring them any piece of literature from the last two centuries, but I needed something for the lower-level students. And this is how I came to buy this book.
There are five short stories in this book, for intermediate (B1) students. All of them are excellent discussion starters. I felt the first two ('The Fruitcake Special' and 'The Real Aunt Molly') are more likely to be interesting for adult readers than the very young teens I teach at this level. I'm on the fence with the third one even, 'Brains', as these ethical questions might be too difficult to connect with for this age group. However, I'm quite confident about bringing 'The Book of Thoughts' and 'Finders Keepers' to class. The protagonists are still adults, in business and academic environments, but the magical items they acquire are exciting enough to engage a younger audience as well. I can't wait to try these texts with my students, I will definitely update the review with the experience.
C1-level students tend to be bombarded with Swift's 'A Modest Proposal' when they have to learn how to write a proposal, and with Carroll's 'Jabberwocky' when they get a bit overconfident, but also to show that you don't have to know every word to understand a text. I can also bring them any piece of literature from the last two centuries, but I needed something for the lower-level students. And this is how I came to buy this book.
There are five short stories in this book, for intermediate (B1) students. All of them are excellent discussion starters. I felt the first two ('The Fruitcake Special' and 'The Real Aunt Molly') are more likely to be interesting for adult readers than the very young teens I teach at this level. I'm on the fence with the third one even, 'Brains', as these ethical questions might be too difficult to connect with for this age group. However, I'm quite confident about bringing 'The Book of Thoughts' and 'Finders Keepers' to class. The protagonists are still adults, in business and academic environments, but the magical items they acquire are exciting enough to engage a younger audience as well. I can't wait to try these texts with my students, I will definitely update the review with the experience.
January 6, 2024
3.5 ⭐
Este libro corto consta de cinco cuentos que me parecen una muy buena opción para practicar inglés. Son sencillos, no tienen vocabulario rebuscado y se usan muchas estructuras y modismos típicos. Se lee rápido y son historias de ficción bien construidas e interesantes. Además de aprovechar para practicar, se pasa un buen rato. Muy recomendado.
Actualización por relectura:
- Sigue siendo un libro ideal para practicar inglés. Es entretenido y desafiante para quienes se inician en el idioma.
Este libro corto consta de cinco cuentos que me parecen una muy buena opción para practicar inglés. Son sencillos, no tienen vocabulario rebuscado y se usan muchas estructuras y modismos típicos. Se lee rápido y son historias de ficción bien construidas e interesantes. Además de aprovechar para practicar, se pasa un buen rato. Muy recomendado.
Actualización por relectura:
- Sigue siendo un libro ideal para practicar inglés. Es entretenido y desafiante para quienes se inician en el idioma.
October 3, 2009
I have read the first story out of five which is 23 pages.
Question 15
That story was about a chemist woman who works in perfume company, to mix some mixtures together to discover new perfume. In one day she went to her work with peace of fruitcake from her mother. In that day she was trying to discover new perfume, suddenly she put a little pit of the cake in one of the mixture that she work on. She did not find any thing special in her new mixture, but when her boss saw her and smell her perfume, he start to say some nice things to her, and date her for dinner that night. She could not know what happened for her boss because he never talk to her let alone date her. When she back to her house to prepare for the date, there was her aunt Mimi that always talk to her about marriage. Her mother told Mimi about Armstrong a pizza deliver how he was love her daughter. She told her mother and her aunt about the date that she has tonight. They surprised how the boss can date regular girl like her. when they were on the road to the restaurant the boss looked like he had changed his mined about her. She did not know what the secret. when she go with the boss she has used some perfume, but before they leaving the restaurant she go to restroom then put some perfume from that perfume has fruitcake. When she was walk to the table she got all men attention, also the attention. then the boss girlfriend saw them and did big problem. When she back to her house she knew that perfume has the secret. She asked her mom and aunt about the cake, her aunt told her that just an old woman baked it, but that old woman pass away one week ago. in one day she surprised that Armstrong is delivering some pizza by his own company, and told her that he loves her.
Question 1
Aunt Mimi character reminds me my aunt. My aunt always advise people to marry early.
Question 15
That story was about a chemist woman who works in perfume company, to mix some mixtures together to discover new perfume. In one day she went to her work with peace of fruitcake from her mother. In that day she was trying to discover new perfume, suddenly she put a little pit of the cake in one of the mixture that she work on. She did not find any thing special in her new mixture, but when her boss saw her and smell her perfume, he start to say some nice things to her, and date her for dinner that night. She could not know what happened for her boss because he never talk to her let alone date her. When she back to her house to prepare for the date, there was her aunt Mimi that always talk to her about marriage. Her mother told Mimi about Armstrong a pizza deliver how he was love her daughter. She told her mother and her aunt about the date that she has tonight. They surprised how the boss can date regular girl like her. when they were on the road to the restaurant the boss looked like he had changed his mined about her. She did not know what the secret. when she go with the boss she has used some perfume, but before they leaving the restaurant she go to restroom then put some perfume from that perfume has fruitcake. When she was walk to the table she got all men attention, also the attention. then the boss girlfriend saw them and did big problem. When she back to her house she knew that perfume has the secret. She asked her mom and aunt about the cake, her aunt told her that just an old woman baked it, but that old woman pass away one week ago. in one day she surprised that Armstrong is delivering some pizza by his own company, and told her that he loves her.
Question 1
Aunt Mimi character reminds me my aunt. My aunt always advise people to marry early.
October 29, 2017
This book is for english learners.
My mistake. When I picked it up, I thought it is a short stories novel.
I actually enjoyed reading it. I found the second story "Aunt Molly" quite interesting.
Cheap magazines, love stories, serious newspapers, Russian novels. Really? Were they ordered by seriousness?
"Aunt Molly" is a story about intimidated, shy, so lack of confident, hermit Molly. One day, she had been told to be bolder, more in control of her life by a hypnotis, and only stop doing that when is told by him. After saying that, he had got a heart attact. And the story continued.
The 3rd one, "Brains" could have been a successful science fiction if it was continue well developed.
My mistake. When I picked it up, I thought it is a short stories novel.
I actually enjoyed reading it. I found the second story "Aunt Molly" quite interesting.
Cheap magazines, love stories, serious newspapers, Russian novels. Really? Were they ordered by seriousness?
"Aunt Molly" is a story about intimidated, shy, so lack of confident, hermit Molly. One day, she had been told to be bolder, more in control of her life by a hypnotis, and only stop doing that when is told by him. After saying that, he had got a heart attact. And the story continued.
The 3rd one, "Brains" could have been a successful science fiction if it was continue well developed.
January 26, 2020
B1 veya 4. seviye öykü kitabı. Muadillerine oranla Cambridge kitapları daha hesaplı. Hesaplı olmasının yanı sıra da işlevsel. Ben faydasını görüyorum. Kitap kendi içinde bile seviye gözetmiş, ilk öyküler daha basitken sonrakiler zorlaşıyor. Içindeki 5 öykünün hepsi de sürükleyiciydi. Dil öğrenenlere tavsiye ederim.
June 26, 2011
Enjoyed it as an English teacher. Helpful to teach intermediate students.
January 30, 2020
I found the book really interesting and fascinating. There are 5 stories that are similar but different in their own way. I really enjoyed it.
May 11, 2020
3 ⭐:
The Fruitcake Special
The Book of Thoughts
The Real Aunt Molly
2/5⭐:
Brains
Finders Keepers
The Fruitcake Special
The Book of Thoughts
The Real Aunt Molly
2/5⭐:
Brains
Finders Keepers
April 19, 2018
Anna, a chemist woman who came up with a new perfume out of a fruitcake which has a special effect on men..
I found the story very weird and childish, thought had no problem reading it. I guess im on the wrong level .
I found the story very weird and childish, thought had no problem reading it. I guess im on the wrong level .
April 15, 2021
este libro esta genial por las historias, son cortas entretenidas y cumplen el objetivo de enseñar al lector mas vocabulario, para disfrutarlo al maximo, descargar los audios.
July 31, 2021
The stories were so interesting and I enjoyed a lot while reading.
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February 8, 2023leído para traducción (eng>esp)
January 5, 2017
Bueno para empezar a leer en inglés.
October 2, 2016
1. Cambridge & Level 4
2. 90min.
3. aunt, Molly, cannot, decision, get confidence, hypnotism
4.a)She had never learned to read properly and left school at an early age.
b) When I read this sentence, I thought she wastes the opportunity to study. We are in same situation. In fact, some university students have to choose whether they remain university or not because of their tardiness and absence. Compare with other country children who live in poor country, we are lucky because we have opportunities to do things what poor country's children cannot to do like studying. I thought her action was not good. From this point, this sentence was impressive for me.
5. I think this book is funny because there are four different kinds stories in this book. I want to mention about one story. That story's main topic is making decision. I think it is hard because we don't know whether the decision is proper or not. This spring, I had to decide to quit part-time job or not. Actually, our occupation is student. But I couldn't get good GPA last year. We must study hard but I didn't. I wasted the opportunity to study hard. So I made a decision to quit part-time job and for us on studying. But we need money to hang out with friends. Both of studying and earning money are important for university student. It was difficult decision.
2. 90min.
3. aunt, Molly, cannot, decision, get confidence, hypnotism
4.a)She had never learned to read properly and left school at an early age.
b) When I read this sentence, I thought she wastes the opportunity to study. We are in same situation. In fact, some university students have to choose whether they remain university or not because of their tardiness and absence. Compare with other country children who live in poor country, we are lucky because we have opportunities to do things what poor country's children cannot to do like studying. I thought her action was not good. From this point, this sentence was impressive for me.
5. I think this book is funny because there are four different kinds stories in this book. I want to mention about one story. That story's main topic is making decision. I think it is hard because we don't know whether the decision is proper or not. This spring, I had to decide to quit part-time job or not. Actually, our occupation is student. But I couldn't get good GPA last year. We must study hard but I didn't. I wasted the opportunity to study hard. So I made a decision to quit part-time job and for us on studying. But we need money to hang out with friends. Both of studying and earning money are important for university student. It was difficult decision.
October 16, 2009
4. This is a bad title for the book because it has five different story but title include only one. of course, it can not include five story name but it may more interesting. I guessed all stories about fruitcake but it did not.
5. The book has a five different story. The most interesting part of the book that is one of the story, its called 'The Book of Thoughts'. Chester is a very succesfull guy in his company. Everyone jealouse him. One day he buy a book. A salesman offered him a strange book that it can read people's thought. It is very exciting. He was trying the book and it was working. He can read all people's thought. He love a girl who is his colleague named Dorothy. He want to use this book for Dorothy but he lost book strangly. Then he decided to trust Dorothy.
5. The book has a five different story. The most interesting part of the book that is one of the story, its called 'The Book of Thoughts'. Chester is a very succesfull guy in his company. Everyone jealouse him. One day he buy a book. A salesman offered him a strange book that it can read people's thought. It is very exciting. He was trying the book and it was working. He can read all people's thought. He love a girl who is his colleague named Dorothy. He want to use this book for Dorothy but he lost book strangly. Then he decided to trust Dorothy.
Currently reading
December 5, 200910- i was surprised because of the " delivery man". i am so impress because of he is a good person. He did not see Anna until he was successful. He loves Anna for a long time but he thinks Anna is a goal for his acheive.
2- the story-character Amstrong reminds me about my friend. when i was in middle school, one boy in class liked me. At this time, i did not know but i could predict by his action. However, i was afraid him, i did not know why? he bought gifts, flower for me in each event. However, when i was 13-16 years old, when a boy tells me that he likes me, i am always afraid him. he likes me until now, sometimes, when i am oline on the Internet, he always asks me about my life, and do i like him? the answer always no, because i want he and me are friends.
2- the story-character Amstrong reminds me about my friend. when i was in middle school, one boy in class liked me. At this time, i did not know but i could predict by his action. However, i was afraid him, i did not know why? he bought gifts, flower for me in each event. However, when i was 13-16 years old, when a boy tells me that he likes me, i am always afraid him. he likes me until now, sometimes, when i am oline on the Internet, he always asks me about my life, and do i like him? the answer always no, because i want he and me are friends.
April 21, 2022
Mis alumnxs tienen que leer este librito para rendir su examen final de inglés, yo no lo había leído así que me puse a ello. Para alguien que está arrancando a aprender el idioma y quiere leer algo en inglés. Este libro es súper recomendable.
En cuanto a las historias yo estoy así 😴, todas plantean algo parecido, que la frase del tío Ben responde muy bien "un gran poder conlleva una gran responsabilidad". En fin, es entretenido y cumple su función al momento de leer algo llevadero y entendible para alguien que está arrancando con el idioma
En cuanto a las historias yo estoy así 😴, todas plantean algo parecido, que la frase del tío Ben responde muy bien "un gran poder conlleva una gran responsabilidad". En fin, es entretenido y cumple su función al momento de leer algo llevadero y entendible para alguien que está arrancando con el idioma
November 12, 2012
Frank Brennan; Cambridge Univ Press: level 4
Time: 10/2 30min 10/3 15min 10/4 60min
Summary: Perfume, Company, Fruit, Special, Magic, Medicine, Hyponotist
-Have you experienced to feel in sleep suddenly?
-What kind of smell do you like the best?
I recommend this book for all of woman because the main character was a pretty woman, so I feel difficult to imagine her feeling and feedback
Time: 10/2 30min 10/3 15min 10/4 60min
Summary: Perfume, Company, Fruit, Special, Magic, Medicine, Hyponotist
-Have you experienced to feel in sleep suddenly?
-What kind of smell do you like the best?
I recommend this book for all of woman because the main character was a pretty woman, so I feel difficult to imagine her feeling and feedback
November 28, 2012
7-word-summary: fruitcake, perfume, love, attractiveness, marriage, woman, man
It took 150 min. to read it.
what's your attractive point?
- I think my attractive feature is my eyes because people say my eyes are very nice:)
If a good-looking guy said "I love you" to you suddenly, what would you do?
- I would feel a little happy, but I wouldn't accept his love...lol
It took 150 min. to read it.
what's your attractive point?
- I think my attractive feature is my eyes because people say my eyes are very nice:)
If a good-looking guy said "I love you" to you suddenly, what would you do?
- I would feel a little happy, but I wouldn't accept his love...lol
September 3, 2011
Very fascinating book,I like it!
July 4, 2012
I read this in literature class.It was good.
June 24, 2014
Very original
October 6, 2014
this is a great book, 5 star for it!
February 26, 2014
2013.6.12 18125words
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews