All I Want- Margareth Jonson.pdf

Cambridge English Readers © Cambridge University Press 2009 www.cambridge.org/elt/readers PHOTOCOPIABLE

WorksheetAnswer KeyLevel 5

All I Want Margaret Johnson

SummaryThe story is set in present day Brighton, UK, beginning just before Christmas. Alex Faye, art gallery assistant, oversleeps after her thirtieth birthday party. She is in love with her boss, Brad Courtney, owner of the Courtney Gallery, and is fantasising about him. She rushes to work, but finds the gallery closed. There are problems — the gallery’s best artist tells Brad he does not want to exhibit his paintings. Alex is given the day off.

She meets her friend Diana and confides in her about Brad. Diana knows Alex well and is concerned that it is not true love but lust, but Alex ignores her advice. Diana then takes Alex to see her parents. Alex’s eccentric mother is excited about Brad, and thinks her present boyfriend, Barry, is boring and conventional. That evening, Barry and Alex have arranged to meet at a restaurant. Alex is distracted by the arrival of Brad, with girlfriend Tania. Alex is embarrassed by the arrival of Barry, laden with flowers. It was her intention to tell Barry that their relationship was over, but she is distracted by Brad and Tania’s argument. Barry leaves Brighton to work away, ignorant of Alex’s changed feelings.

The next day, Alex arrives to find some journalists outside the gallery. Brad explains that the story has broken about some forged pictures, and he has been questioned by the police. To escape the press, Brad drives Alex to his country house. She is excited to be alone with Brad, but the feeling is not mutual. Alex is content to be at the house and accepts the invitation to stay. Brad has a studio at the house, but she is disappointed with his abstract paintings, one of which is entirely white.

Alex’s attempts to prepare food end in disaster, and Brad takes over. While eating, he announces he intends to dismiss her. Alex is deeply upset and breaks down in tears, but is reassured when he comforts her. In the morning, there is a surprise visitor — Brad’s

sister and her young son Christopher. Due to marital problems, she wishes to leave him with Brad. Alex notices that Brad is more worried about the gallery than his nephew. However, she cheers up when Brad asks her to stay to look after Christopher, who enjoys the story she tells him.

After Christopher goes to bed, Alex fantasises about romance with Brad, but the evening is dull. Brad is preoccupied with the gallery, and mocks her ambition to be a writer. He goes out, leaving Alex alone with the boy. Alex phones her friend Diana, who says Brad is using her, but encourages her with her writing. She then phones Barry, who also encourages her. That night she completes the first draft of Earth Children. Later, Christopher wakes up and insists she reads him the story, but he is disappointed. Alex realises the style is formal and works through the night to rewrite it.

The next morning, Brad returns with a black eye. He has been attacked by the man who sold him the forged paintings, and has spent the night at the police station. Brad goes to bed. Alex suggests buying a Christmas tree. On the way to the shop, Alex and Christopher meet Barry, but Alex is confused about her feelings towards him. Back at the house, while Alex catches up on her sleep, Barry and Christopher decorate the tree. Meanwhile, Diana has called to visit.

The tree offends Brad, but Alex’s mother, who has just arrived, placates him. Diana organises a party, during which Alex realises Brad looks at all woman in the same way — not just herself. Then, Alex notices how well Barry dances with Diana, and feels uncomfortable. Brad suggests he and Alex should make them jealous and kisses her, but Alex pushes him away. Brad is then horrified to see that Christopher has painted a Christmas tree on his precious white picture. Amid laughter, Brad orders Alex and company out. Now Alex is only too willing to leave. On a walk with Barry, Alex realises her love for Brad was infatuation.




The story ends with Christmas dinner with Alex’s parents. Alex has decided to publish her story, and Barry has planned a skiing holiday. Alex is now convinced that Barry is the man for her.

Before reading 3. a Chapter 4 b Chapter 3 c Chapter 5 d Chapter 2 e Chapter 1




Check your reading

1. 1 d, 2 c, 3 f, 4 e, 5 b, 6 a

1. 1 no, 2 yes, 3 no, 4 no, 5 yes, 6 no

1. Alex’s mother thought Barry was boring, and she wanted to meet Brad. Alex received an unusual birthday present from her mother – a huge vase. Later, Alex went to the restaurant to meet Barry and was only ten minutes late. But Brad walked in with his girlfriend Tania, who made an unpleasant comment about Alex’s dress. Eventually, Barry arrived, carrying a huge bunch of flowers for Alex.

1. a Alex, b Barry, c Brad, d Brad and Tania, e Brad, f journalists, g Alex

1. 1 b, 2 e, 3 f, 4 a, 5 c, 6 d

1. a F, b T, c T, d F, e F, f F, g T

1. 1 e, 2 c, 3 d, 4 b, 5 a

1. a Alex, b Brad, c Christopher, d Alex, e Brad, f Tania’s story

2. c, f, d, g, a, e, b

Chapter 1Chapter 1

Chapter 2Chapter 2

Chapter 3Chapter 3

Chapter 4Chapter 4

Chapter 5Chapter 5

Chapter 6Chapter 6

Chapter 7Chapter 7

Chapter 8Chapter 8

1. Before going downstairs, Alex made ten wishes about her evening with Brad, but the atmosphere in the room was not romantic. She was disappointed that she couldn’t sit next to him. Brad said he wished he hadn’t opened the gallery. When Alex told Brad that she wanted to write a book, he laughed, but then he realised he had upset her. Finally, Brad had to go out, leaving Alex alone with Christopher. Sadly, none of her wishes had come true.

1. a Diana, b Diana, c Barry, d Christopher, e Tania, f Alex

2. Student’s own answer.

1. g, a, b, f, e, c, d

1. 1 e, 2 c, 3 a, 4 f, 5 d, 6 b

1. a Diana, b Brad, c Brad, d Alex, e Tania, f Barry

1. Alex was pessimistic about Brad’s future as Tania was difficult and unpleasant / impossible to please. Alex decided to type her story after Christmas. She gave Barry a painting of a bridge, and Barry gave Alex some ski boots and two plane tickets to Austria. Alex was delighted and she realised Barry could be really nice. Later, on the seafront, Alex asked Barry if they could have a quiet fortieth birthday celebration. Barry told Alex how crazy he was about her. Finally, Barry and Alex played running from the waves.

Chapter 9Chapter 9

Chapter 10Chapter 10





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All I Want- Margareth Jonson.pdf