🧛 Dracula – Chapter 6 (Adapted, ~600 words)

Title: Sleepwalking and Storms

Mina Murray arrived in Whitby, a quiet seaside town in England. She had come to visit her best friend, Lucy Westenra, who was staying with her mother for the summer. Mina brought her notebook and wrote in it every day.

“Lucy looks so beautiful and happy here,” Mina wrote. “But sometimes she seems tired during the day. She says she sleeps well, but I’m not sure.”

Lucy loved to walk outside. She often sat on the bench near the old graveyard, watching the sea. One night, Mina woke up and saw Lucy’s bed empty. Panicked, she ran out to find her.

She found Lucy outside—sleepwalking! She was wearing only her nightgown and had bare feet. Her eyes were open, but she said nothing.

“Lucy!” Mina cried. “Wake up!”

Lucy did not move. She was standing at the edge of the cliff, near the graveyard. The moonlight made her look like a ghost.

Suddenly, Mina saw something else—something like a tall, dark figure behind Lucy. She blinked, and it was gone.

Mina quickly led Lucy back home. In the morning, Lucy remembered nothing.

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Meanwhile, strange things were happening in the town.

A Russian ship had crashed on the beach during a terrible storm. The ship was empty—except for the dead captain, who was tied to the wheel. His face showed great fear.

“There were no sailors. No one on board. Just a large black dog that jumped out and ran away,” one of the townspeople said.

Mina read the news in the paper and wondered if there was a connection. That night, she again found Lucy missing from her bed.

She ran to the cliff. Lucy stood in the same place, her face turned toward the sea. Again, a dark shape seemed to be near her—this time closer.

Mina rushed forward and grabbed Lucy. Her skin was cold, and she had small red marks on her neck.

“You’re safe now, Lucy,” Mina whispered. But she was frightened.

Back at the house, Mina took care of her friend. Lucy’s mother thought it was only the sea air making her tired.

But Mina wasn’t sure.

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📘 Glossary

Word	Definition
Seaside	A place next to the ocean or sea
Graveyard	A place where people are buried; cemetery
Sleepwalking	Moving around while asleep without knowing it
Panic(ed)	Feeling sudden fear or anxiety
Nightgown	A long, loose dress worn for sleeping
Moonlight	The light from the moon
Blinked	Quickly closed and opened the eyes
Crash(ed)	To hit something hard; in this case, the ship hit land
Wheel	The steering part of a ship
Marks	Small spots or signs on the skin

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❓ Comprehension Questions

1. Why did Mina go to Whitby?

2. What was unusual about Lucy’s behavior at night?

3. What did Mina see behind Lucy during the night?

4. What happened to the Russian ship?

5. What did the townspeople see leave the ship?

6. What marks did Mina see on Lucy’s neck?

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✅ Answers

1. To visit her friend Lucy Westenra.

2. Lucy was sleepwalking and left the house at night.

3. A tall, dark figure, which disappeared when she blinked.

4. It crashed on the beach during a storm and had no living sailors.

5. A large black dog jumped off the ship and ran away.

6. Small red marks.

 

✦ IELTS Topic: Boats & Sailing – 10 Useful Phrases

1. Set sail
   e.g., We set sail just after sunrise for a day trip around the islands.

2. Calm waters
   e.g., The boat moved smoothly across the calm waters.

3. Rough seas
   e.g., The ferry was delayed due to rough seas and strong winds.

4. Sailing trip
   e.g., We booked a weekend sailing trip along the coast.

5. Anchor the boat
   e.g., We anchored the boat near a small beach and went for a swim.

6. Crew members
   e.g., The crew members helped us get settled and explained the safety rules.

7. Luxury yacht
   e.g., They rented a luxury yacht for their honeymoon cruise.

8. Fishing boat
   e.g., The harbour was filled with colourful fishing boats returning at dawn.

9. On board
   e.g., There were around twenty passengers on board the tour boat.

10. Dock at the harbour
    e.g., We returned to dock at the harbour just before sunset.

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✦ IELTS Speaking Practice – Boats & Sailing

Part 1: Introduction & Interview

1. Have you ever travelled by boat?

2. Are boats common in your area?

3. Would you enjoy going on a sailing trip?

4. Have you ever experienced rough weather at sea?

5. Do you prefer travelling on water or on land?

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Part 2: Cue Card

Describe a time you travelled by boat or ship.
You should say:

• where you went

• what kind of boat it was

• what you did on the journey
  and explain how you felt about the experience.

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✦ Sample Answers Using the Phrases

Part 1 Answers

1. Yes, I once took a sailing trip while on holiday in Greece.
2. Not really — we’re far from the coast, but there are a few fishing boats on the local river.
3. Definitely! I love the idea of being on board a small yacht in calm waters.
4. Yes, we hit rough seas on a ferry once. It was a bit scary!
5. I prefer land travel, but boats give a unique perspective.

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Part 2 Sample Answer

A few years ago, I went on a half-day sailing trip while visiting Croatia. We set sail from a small town and spent the day exploring nearby islands.

The boat was a small luxury yacht, and there were about ten people on board. The crew members were helpful and told us about the local area.

The water was beautiful — completely calm — and we even stopped to anchor the boat so we could swim and have lunch.

At the end of the day, we docked at the harbour just as the sun was setting. It was peaceful, beautiful, and truly memorable.

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✦ Comprehension Test: Boats & Sailing

1. "We set sail just after sunrise for a day trip around the islands."
Q: When did they leave?

2. "The boat moved smoothly across the calm waters."
Q: What was the water like?

3. "The ferry was delayed due to rough seas and strong winds."
Q: Why was the ferry delayed?

4. "We booked a weekend sailing trip along the coast."
Q: What kind of holiday did they choose?

5. "We anchored the boat near a small beach and went for a swim."
Q: What did they do with the boat?

6. "The crew members helped us get settled and explained the safety rules."
Q: Who assisted the passengers?

7. "They rented a luxury yacht for their honeymoon cruise."
Q: What kind of boat did they choose?

8. "The harbour was filled with colourful fishing boats returning at dawn."
Q: What kind of boats were in the harbour?

9. "There were around twenty passengers on board the tour boat."
Q: How many people were on the boat?

10. "We returned to dock at the harbour just before sunset."
Q: When did they finish the trip?

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✦ Answer Key

1. In the early morning.

2. Smooth and peaceful.

3. Bad sea conditions.

4. A boat trip along the coast.

5. Stopped it near a beach.

6. The boat staff.

7. A very comfortable, high-end boat.

8. Boats used for catching fish.

9. Twenty.

10. At sunset

 

🧛 Dracula – Chapter 5: Letters from England

Mina Murray’s Journal – July 26th
Today, I received a letter from Jonathan. He is in Budapest, in a hospital. He says he has been very ill, but is slowly recovering. His handwriting is weak, and his words are strange.

He writes, “Come quickly. I need you.”

I showed the letter to Mrs. Westenra, Lucy’s mother. She was very kind and helped me prepare for my journey. I am nervous, but I love Jonathan deeply. I must go to him.

Letter from Lucy Westenra to Mina – August 1st
My dearest Mina,
I miss you already! But I know you must be with Jonathan.

Strange things have been happening here in Whitby. I’ve been sleepwalking again. The first time, Mother found me outside by the old church on the cliff. I had no memory of it.

Last night, I woke up with tiny wounds on my neck. Two small dots. Mother says I must have been bitten by a bug. But I feel very tired, and cold—even in the sun.

Also, there’s a shipwreck! A Russian boat called the Demeter crashed into the harbor during a storm. The whole town watched as it sailed in with no crew—only the captain, found tied to the wheel, dead.

There was only one other thing onboard: a large dog that jumped off the boat and ran away. No one has seen it since.

Whitby is full of mystery.

With love,
Lucy

Mina’s Journal – August 6th
I am now in Budapest. I have seen Jonathan at last.

He looks thinner, pale, but his eyes lit up when he saw me. We cried together. He told me he cannot remember everything that happened in Transylvania, only that it was terrifying.

The doctors say he may recover faster if he is happy. So—we are getting married tomorrow.

I will stay by his side forever.

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📖 Glossary

Word / Phrase	Meaning
Sleepwalking	Walking while asleep, without knowing it
Wound	An injury or cut on the body
Harbor	A place where ships dock near the shore
Terrifying	Extremely scary
Recover	To get better after being sick or injured

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❓ Comprehension Questions

1. Where is Jonathan when Mina hears from him?

2. What does Jonathan ask Mina to do?

3. What strange things are happening to Lucy in Whitby?

4. What does Lucy find on her neck?

5. What happened to the ship called the Demeter?

6. What mysterious animal was seen on the ship?

7. What decision do Mina and Jonathan make in Budapest?

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✅ Answers

1. He is in a hospital in Budapest.

2. He asks her to come quickly.

3. She is sleepwalking and feels tired and cold.

4. Two small wounds like bites.

5. It crashed into the harbor during a storm, with no living crew.

6. A large dog jumped off the ship and disappeared.

7. They decide to get married.