World Record
Scene: A TV studio
Characters: Michael Moonshine, Albert Hargreaves, Daisy Hargreaves (Albert's wife), Mabel Phillips, a man
Michael: Thank you. Thank you, thank you. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, this is the program that gives you the chance to break a world record. We have here in the studio tonight two people who are trying to break world records. Let's meet them and see what they're doing. Tell me, sir, what is your name?
Albert: Albert Hargreaves.
Michael: Albert Hargreaves. Well, Albert, what are you doing?
Albert: I'm standing on one leg in a bucket of hot soup.
Michael: Ladies and gentlemen, he's standing on one leg in a bucket of hot soup! (The audience applauds.)
Michael: Albert, how long have you been standing on one leg in that bucket of hot soup?
Albert: I've been standing here for six hours and fifty-eight minutes.
Michael: And what is the world record for standing on one leg in a bucket of hot soup?
Albert: The world record is seven hours and three minutes, Michael.
Michael: Seven hours and three minutes! And you've been standing there for six hours and fifty-nine minutes now. Well, Albert, you've only got four minutes to go! (The audience applauds.)
Michael: Albert, you've been standing on one leg in that bucket of soup for almost seven hours now.
Albert: That's right, Michael.
Michael: Tell me - is the soup still hot?
Albert: Yes. My wife's been coming in every half-hour with more hot soup. Here she comes now. (Mrs Hargreaves comes in.)
Daisy: Here you are, Albert. (She pours some hot soup into the bucket.)
Albert: Aaaargh!
Michael: Well, I'm glad it's your leg in the soup. Albert, and not mine. (The audience laughs.)
Michael: Now we have another contestant in the studio, a very charming young lady. Can you tell the viewers your name?
Mabel: Mabel Phillips.
Michael: Mabel Phillips. Well, Mabel, what are you doing?
Mabel: I'm leaning on this brush.
Michael: She's leaning on a brush, ladies and gentlemen! (The audience applauds.)
Michael: Mabel, how long have you been leaning on that brush?
Mabel: I've been leaning on this brush for three hours and seventeen minutes.
Michael: She's been leaning on the brush for three hours and seventeen minutes. What is the world record for leaning on a brush, Mabel?
Mabel: Thirty-seven hours and fifty-six minutes.
Michael: Thirty-seven hours and fifty-six minutes! And you've been leaning on that brush for three hours and seventeen minutes, Well, Mabel, you've got...three, four, five, six - you've got a long way to go! (The audience laughs.)
Michael: Well, Albert has been standing on one leg in his bucket of hot soup for seven hours and one minute, so he's only got two more minutes to go! Poor Mabel's got a long way to go...And here is another young man - and he hasn't got any trousers on. (The audience laughs.)
Michael: Now, sir, what are you doing?
Man: I'm looking for my trousers.
Michael: I can see that. And how long have you been looking for your trousers?
Man: I've been looking for my trousers for five minutes.
Michael: And what's the world record?
Man: Pardon?
Michael: What's the world record for looking for trousers?
Man: I'm not trying to break a world record. I took my trousers off to have a bath, and when I got out of the bath, my trousers were gone.
Michael: I see. Get out of the way! We're on television! The audience laughs.
Michael: Sorry about that, ladies and gentlemen. Now back to Albert Hargreaves. Albert, you've been standing in that bucket of hot soup for seven hours and two minutes. Only one more minute to go, and you will break the world record. And here comes Mrs. Hargreaves with more hot soup!
Daisy: Here you are, Albert. (She pours some more soup into the bucket.)
Albert: Aaaargh!
Michael: Tell me. Albert, how does it feel?
Albert: Hot! (The audience laughs.)
Michael: No, no, no! How does it feel to be approaching the world record?
Albert: Well, Michael, I've been dreaming about this moment, I've been thinking about nothing else.
Michael: Yes, Albert. Albert: I've been practicing every day
Michael: Yes, Albert. Albert: Twice on Sundays!
Michael: Yes - and here comes Mrs. Hargreaves
Albert: Oh no, not again!
Michael: It's all right, Albert, she's only looking at her watch! (The audience laughs.)
Daisy: Albert! Albert! Only ten seconds to go! Ten, nine, eight, seven (Mabel pushes Albert.)
Mabel: (Ironically) Congratulations, Albert!
Albert: Aaaargh! Albert falls over.
Michael: Well, ladies and gentlemen, Albert Hargreaves hasn't broken a world record, but he has broken...his leg!'
A. Complete the following table to extend the words to different word classes.
1. Ironize (verb) - irony (noun) - ironic/ironical (adjective) - ironically (adverb) |
2. charm (verb) - charmlessness (noun)- charming (adjective) - charmingly (adverb) |
3. scorch (verb) - scorcher (noun) - scorching (adjective) - scorchingly (adverb) |
4. sizzle (verb)- sizzler (noun) - sizzling (adjective) - sizzlingly (adverb) |
5. beautify (verb)- beauty (noun)- beautiful (adjective) - beautifully (adverb) |
6. purify (verb) - purity (noun)- pure (adjective) - purely (adverb) |
7. taste (verb)- tastiness (noun)- tasty (adjective) - tastefully (adverb) ) |
8. surprise (verb) - surprise (noun), surprising (adjective) - surprisingly (adverb) |
B. Write True for true and False for false statements.
a. Two people are going to cast their performance to break the world record today. True |
b. Michael is one of the contestants. False |
c. Michael also tried dipping his foot on the bucket. False |
d. Albert broke the world record for standing on a bucket of hot soup. False |
e. The word 'sizzling' is similar in meaning to "scorching". True |
f. The program is a comedy show. True |
C. Answer these questions.
a. Who is Mabel Phillips? |
Answer: Mabel Phillips is a young lady mentioned in the play 'World Record.' |
b. What is she trying to do? |
Answer: She is leaning on a brush. |
c. How do they maintain the heat of the soup? |
Answer: They maintain the heat of the soup by adding more hot soup to the bucket. |
d. How far was Albert from breaking the record? |
Answer: Albert was only one minute away from breaking the record. |
e. How did the man lose his trousers? |
Answer: The man lost his trousers after taking them off for a bath and finding them missing afterward. |
f. Why do you think Mabel pushed Albert? |
Answer: Mabel's push clearly shows that she did it on purpose to make the show funnier. The goal was to make the audience laugh and add a funny twist to the situation. |
Word Meaning
contender /kənˈtɛndər/ |
competitor |
A person who is competing with others in a contest or competition. |
charming /ˈtʃɑːmɪŋ/ |
delightful |
Pleasant or attractive in a way that makes others like you. |
ironically /aɪˈrɒnɪkli/ |
curiously |
In a way that is contrary to what is expected or intended. |
Extra Questions to Practice
Expandable FAQ Section
Q: What is the setting of the play?
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A: The setting of the play is a TV studio.
Q: Who are the characters mentioned in the play?
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A: The characters mentioned in the play are Michael Moonshine, Albert Hargreaves, Daisy Hargreaves, Mabel Phillips, and a man.
Q: What is Albert Hargreaves attempting to do?
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A: Albert Hargreaves is attempting to break the world record by standing on one leg in a bucket of hot soup.
Q: How long has Albert Hargreaves been standing on one leg in the bucket of hot soup?
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A: Albert Hargreaves has been standing on one leg in the bucket of hot soup for six hours and fifty-eight minutes.
Q: What is the world record for standing on one leg in a bucket of hot soup?
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A: The world record for standing on one leg in a bucket of hot soup is seven hours and three minutes.
Q: How does the audience react to Albert Hargreaves' attempt?
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A: The audience applauds Albert Hargreaves' attempt.
Q: What task is Mabel Phillips engaged in?
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A: Mabel Phillips is leaning on a brush.
Q: How long has Mabel Phillips been leaning on the brush?
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A: Mabel Phillips has been leaning on the brush for three hours and seventeen minutes.
Q: What is the world record for leaning on a brush?
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A: The world record for leaning on a brush is thirty-seven hours and fifty-six minutes.
Q: How does the audience respond to Mabel Phillips' activity?
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A: The audience applauds Mabel Phillips' activity.
Q: What is the man in the play searching for?
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A: The man in the play is searching for his trousers.
Q: How long has the man been looking for his trousers?
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A: The man has been looking for his trousers for five minutes.
Q: Why does the man mention taking his trousers off?
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A: The man took his trousers off to have a bath.
Q: What happens when the man gets out of the bath?
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A: When the man gets out of the bath, his trousers are gone.
Q: How does Albert Hargreaves' attempt come to an end?
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A: Albert Hargreaves falls over and breaks his leg.
Q: Did Albert Hargreaves break the world record?
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A: No, Albert Hargreaves did not break the world record.
Q: What does Albert Hargreaves dream about?
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A: Albert Hargreaves dreams about breaking the world record.
Q: How often does Albert Hargreaves practice?
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A: Albert Hargreaves practices every day, twice on Sundays.
Q: How does the audience react when Mabel pushes Albert?
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A: The audience laughs when Mabel pushes Albert.
Q: Who pours more hot soup into the bucket for Albert?
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A: Mrs. Hargreaves pours more hot soup into the bucket for Albert.
Q: What is the outcome of Mabel's attempt to break the record?
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A: Mabel does not break the record as she has a long way to go.
Q: What does the man lose during the play?
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A: The man loses his trousers.
Q: What does the man explain about his missing trousers?
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A: The man explains that he took his trousers off for a bath and they were gone when he got out.
Q: What is the final result of Albert's attempt?
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A: Albert breaks his leg but does not break the world record.