📖 Tom Sawyer – Chapter 10 (Adapted)

Title: Haunted by Fear

Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn tried to act normal the day after the murder in the graveyard. But fear clung to them like a shadow.

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Whispered Promises

The boys met again in a hidden corner of the town. They swore once more that their blood oath was unbreakable.

“We must never speak of it, Huck,” Tom said.
“Not to anyone,” Huck agreed.

They promised that even in their sleep they would stay silent. If they dreamed of it, they would bite their tongues. That was how afraid they were of Injun Joe.

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The Town Reacts

Meanwhile, the town was full of excitement and sorrow. Everyone was talking about the murder. At church, the villagers whispered together. Mothers pulled their children close. Men shook their heads gravely.

Most people believed Muff Potter was guilty. He was known to drink too much and get into trouble. Few bothered to question the story. Only a handful of kind women said they felt sorry for him.

Tom’s heart ached each time he heard the townsfolk condemn Muff. He knew the truth. He wanted to shout it out—but the oath stopped him.

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Muff in Jail

One afternoon, Tom crept down to the jail again. He brought Muff Potter some small gifts—tobacco, a few matches, even half an apple.

Muff was touched.

“Bless you, Tom,” he said. “You’re a good lad. You don’t believe I did it, do you?”

Tom couldn’t answer. His throat closed. He just nodded weakly and left.

The guilt grew heavier and heavier on his young heart.

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Nightmares and Guilt

That night Tom dreamed of Injun Joe. He dreamed those burning eyes were staring at him from the end of his bed. He woke trembling and sweating.

He tried to pray, but the words stuck in his throat. He remembered the oath. Even to God, he couldn’t speak the truth.

Days passed slowly. Tom became pale, thin, and quiet. Aunt Polly thought he was sick. She gave him medicine, scolded him, and even tried to cheer him with treats. Nothing worked.

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The Haunted House Idea

At last, Tom decided he needed to forget his guilt and do something exciting. He whispered his plan to Huck the next evening.

“Let’s go find treasure.”

Huck’s eyes lit up. “Treasure?”

“Yes. Buried treasure. Pirates and robbers always bury gold and silver. If we dig in the right places, we’ll be rich!”

The thought of treasure lifted their spirits for the first time since the murder. They agreed to meet the next night with shovels and try their luck.

But even as Tom walked home, a shadow crossed his heart. He couldn’t escape the image of Injun Joe—or the terrible oath that bound his tongue.

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📘 Glossary

Word	Meaning
Unbreakable	Something that cannot be broken
Condemn	To declare someone guilty or wrong
Touched	Moved emotionally, feeling kindness or gratitude
Trembling	Shaking with fear
Oath	A very serious promise
Treasure	Valuable things like gold, silver, or jewels
Spirits	Feelings or mood (high spirits = happy, low spirits = sad)

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❓ Comprehension Questions

1. Why were Tom and Huck afraid to talk about the murder?

2. How did the townspeople react to the crime?

3. What did Tom secretly bring to Muff Potter in jail?

4. Why couldn’t Tom pray or find peace?

5. What new idea helped lift Tom’s spirits?

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✅ Answers

1. Because they were terrified of Injun Joe and bound by their blood oath.

2. Most believed Muff Potter was guilty, though a few felt sorry for him.

3. Tobacco, matches, and half an apple.

4. Because the oath stopped him from telling the truth, even to God.

5. He and Huck planned to go treasure hunting.

 

✦ IELTS Speaking Practice – Linking Words for Result

Part 1: Introduction & Interview

1. Why do you study English? (Give a result)

2. What happens if people don’t exercise?

3. What are the results of eating too much junk food?

4. What happens if students don’t do homework?

5. What happens when the weather is bad?

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Part 2: Cue Card

Describe a time when your effort led to a result.
You should say:

• what you did

• what the result was

• how you felt about it
  and use at least three linking words for result.

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✦ Sample Answers Using the Phrases

Part 1

1. I study English; as a result, I can communicate with people around the world.

2. People don’t exercise; therefore, they may have health problems.

3. Eating junk food regularly is unhealthy; consequently, people gain weight.

4. If students don’t do homework, they get poor grades. That’s why teachers insist on it.

5. The weather was bad; hence, the outdoor event was cancelled.

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Part 2 Sample Answer
Last year, I prepared very hard for the IELTS exam. I took practice tests every week and improved my writing skills. As a result, I became much more confident. I also worked on my pronunciation; therefore, I was able to speak fluently in the test. Consequently, I achieved the band score I needed.

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✦ Comprehension Test: Linking Words for Result

1. "She studied hard; as a result, she passed the exam with flying colours."
Q: Why did she pass the exam?

2. "It rained all night; therefore, the match was postponed."
Q: Why was the match postponed?

3. "He didn’t prepare well; consequently, he failed the test."
Q: Why did he fail?

4. "The shop was closed, thus we couldn’t buy anything."
Q: Why couldn’t they buy anything?

5. "She lived near the school, hence she was never late."
Q: Why was she never late?

6. "I was hungry, so I made myself a sandwich."
Q: Why did the speaker make food?

7. "The project lacked funding; for this reason, it was cancelled."
Q: Why was the project cancelled?

8. "I didn’t bring an umbrella, that’s why I got wet."
Q: Why did the speaker get wet?

9. "The evidence was clear; accordingly, the judge made his decision."
Q: Why was the decision made?

10. "The roads were icy; in consequence, several accidents happened."
Q: Why did accidents happen?

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✦ Answer Key

1. Because she studied hard.

2. Because of the rain.

3. Because he didn’t prepare.

4. Because the shop was closed.

5. Because she lived near the school.

6. Because he was hungry.

7. Lack of funding.

8. He had no umbrella.

9. Because the evidence was clear.

10. Because of icy roads.

 

📖 Tom Sawyer – Chapter 9 (Adapted for English Learners)

Title: A Secret Oath

Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn could not sleep after what they had seen in the graveyard. Every time they closed their eyes, they saw Doctor Robinson lying dead, and Injun Joe’s fierce eyes shining in the moonlight.

The boys met early the next morning behind the old sawmill, away from everyone’s eyes. They were pale and nervous, whispering instead of speaking out loud.

 

“Huck, we’re in awful trouble,” Tom said.
“Awful? It’s worse than awful,” Huck replied. “If Injun Joe ever finds out we saw him, we’re dead men.”

They both sat in silence, shaking their heads.

“What’ll we do, Huck?” Tom asked finally.
“We swear never to tell,” Huck said. “If we keep our mouths shut, we’ll be safe.”

The two boys agreed that this was the only way. They decided to take a blood oath, the most serious kind of promise they knew.

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The Blood Oath

They found a broken piece of board and used a rusty nail to scratch their words into it:

We, Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn, swear that we will never tell about this night at the graveyard. If we do, may we drop dead and rot.

Then they each pricked their finger with the nail and pressed them together until the blood mixed. It was painful, but it made the oath real.

“Now it’s done,” Tom said solemnly.
“Forever,” Huck agreed.

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Poor Muff Potter

Later that morning, the town was full of talk. Everyone had heard the news: Doctor Robinson was dead, and Muff Potter was in jail, accused of the murder.

Tom and Huck listened silently as people discussed it in the street. Most said it was no surprise. Muff was always drunk, always getting into trouble. But a few people said they couldn’t believe Muff was a killer.

Tom’s heart ached. He and Huck knew Muff was innocent. But the oath bound them. They couldn’t say a word.

That afternoon, the boys crept to the edge of the jail. Through the bars they saw Muff sitting on a wooden bench, his face sad but strangely calm.

“Boys,” Muff said kindly, “you’ve been good friends to me. Don’t stop visiting, will you?”

Tom nearly burst into tears. He wanted to shout the truth, but Huck gripped his arm. The oath was stronger than their courage. They walked away silently.

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Guilt and Fear

That night, Tom tossed and turned in bed. He dreamed of the graveyard again and again. Each time he saw Injun Joe’s cruel smile. He woke up sweating.

He wanted to tell Aunt Polly, or Sid, or anyone. But the words of the oath echoed in his ears: If we tell, may we drop dead and rot.

The fear and guilt grew heavier each day. Tom became quieter, and Aunt Polly noticed his pale face and worried eyes. She thought he was sick.

But Tom’s sickness was in his heart, not his body. He was carrying a terrible secret—and he didn’t know how long he could bear it.

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📘 Glossary

Word	Meaning
Oath	A very serious promise
Blood oath	A promise made by mixing blood as a sign of loyalty
Rot	To decay, to break down like something dead
Innocent	Not guilty of a crime
Accused	Said to have committed a crime, but not proven
Guilt	A bad feeling when you know you’ve done wrong
Tossed and turned	Could not sleep, moving around in bed
Bear	To carry or endure something difficult

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❓ Comprehension Questions

1. Why couldn’t Tom and Huck sleep after the graveyard?

2. What kind of oath did they take, and how did they make it?

3. Who was accused of the murder?

4. How did Muff Potter react to the boys visiting him in jail?

5. Why couldn’t Tom and Huck tell the truth?

6. How did keeping the secret affect Tom?

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✅ Answers

1. Because they kept remembering the murder they had seen.

2. A blood oath—they pricked their fingers and mixed their blood.

3. Muff Potter.

4. He thanked them kindly and asked them to keep visiting.

5. Because they were too afraid of Injun Joe and bound by the oath.

6. He became pale, quiet, and full of guilt and fear.