INSTITUTO SUPERIOR DE CIÊNCIAS EDUCATIVAS

ENGLISH II
Reading, Listening and Writing Activities
The Kugelmass Episode by Woody Allen

2009/2010
Instituto Superior de Ciência Educativas
Curso de 1º Licenciatura em Inglês-Espanhol
ENGLISH II 2009/2010

1 The text presented is the short story The Kugelmass

Episode by Woody Allen.Consider it is a parody of
Gustave Flaubert’s novel Madame Bovary. If you
haven’t read this classic nineteenth-century
novel, click here for a broad outline.

2 Read the text again, considering the following:

a) Professor Kugelmass is unhappily married to

his second wife and wants to have an affair.

b)The character’s life changes unexpectedly

after seeing his wish fulfilled.

c) The text is composed almost entirely of

dialogue, characterized by an informal and
slangy style.
3 Reading Comprehension Activities
a) Why did Kugelmass decide to end
his therapy sessions?
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b) Explain, in context, the meaning of

the expression “two pieces of old
furniture.” (line 6)
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c) What do you infer of Persky’s image

of himself as “The Great Persky”? (line 11)
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d) What are the disadvantages of

Temple Drake and Nana as potential lovers
of Kugelmass?
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e) What is different about Emma’s last

leave-taking from Kugelmass? Explain
your answer.
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f) What is ironic about the ending of the

story?
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 4 Listening Activities

the audio. There are FIVE mistakes in

a) Play

the statements about the plot. Write

them down.
1) _________________________________________
______

2) _________________________________________
______

3) _________________________________________
______

4) _________________________________________
______

5) _________________________________________
______

to the excerpts. Complete the

b) Listen

statements below writing the correct

words and expressions.

1) Kugelmass and Daphne were ____________________ in

their apartment like two pieces of old furniture.
2) Kugelmass stated he wanted to have an affair with
____________________.
3) Perksy threw into the cabinet a paperback copy of
Flaubert’s ____________________.

4) After the initial surprise, Emma reacted

____________________ to Kugelmass’s presence in her
room.

5) Persky didn’t survive the ____________________ caused

by the explosion.

5 Writing Activities
a) The left column below presents some
expressions taken from the text. Make sure
you understand their meaning in context.
Write sentences to show that you understand
their meaning. Use the names, the ideas and
the events suggested in the right column.
Follow the example. Correct the exercise in
the classroom with the rest of the class and
your teacher.

Expressions Line Names / ideas / events

1. go for a stroll 68 Charles, Emma, letter, country
2. have someone tailed 104 Charles, Kugelmass, wife
3. a sigh of relief 120 Persky, cabinet, fix
4. a sheepish expression 124 Emma, Kugelmass, wave goodbye
5. run for one’s life 135 Kugelmass, Charles, chase

Example: After having read Charles’s last letter,

Emma went for a stroll in the country.
2.

3.

4.

5.
b) Having the last paragraph of the text as a
starting point, write a story about Kugelmass’s
possible life inside Remedial Spanish. Write
about 200 words. You are given the opening
idea. Place your text in the “Forum” for
correction and evaluation.