📖 Tom Sawyer – Chapter 13 (Adapted)

Title: Pirates on the Mississippi

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Tom’s Restlessness

After the drama of the trial, Tom felt both proud and uneasy. People praised him for saving Muff Potter, but the shadow of Injun Joe haunted him. Tom needed escape—something bold and adventurous to clear his mind.

He dreamed of being free, far from school, Aunt Polly, and the troubles of St. Petersburg. He wanted to be a pirate.

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Gathering the Crew

One afternoon, Tom whispered his idea to Joe Harper, his loyal friend. Joe’s eyes lit up. “A pirate! That’s better than being a soldier or a robber. Where do we go?”

“An island,” Tom answered. “In the middle of the Mississippi River. We’ll take food, fish, and live like real pirates.”

Huckleberry Finn joined them eagerly. He had nothing to lose and loved the thought of adventure. The three boys met secretly, planning their escape. They gathered stolen ham, bacon, bread, hooks, and fishing line. They even “borrowed” a small raft.

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The Escape

Late one night, under a sky full of stars, the boys slipped quietly out of town. They pushed the raft into the wide, dark river and let the current carry them. The water shone in the moonlight. The boys felt free, wild, and important.

They laughed, told pirate stories, and made plans. Tom declared himself “Captain Sawyer,” Joe was “Lieutenant Harper,” and Huck was “Chief of the Crew.” They promised never to return until they were famous pirates.

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The Island Life

At dawn, they landed on a small island covered with trees. Birds sang, and the river whispered around them. It was their kingdom.

They built a campfire, cooked meat, and ate with great hunger. They swam in the river, explored the woods, and shouted pirate songs until their throats were sore.

That night, they lay on the ground, looking at the stars. The fire cracked beside them. “This is the best day of my life,” Huck said.

Tom agreed. For the first time in weeks, he felt truly happy.

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But Not Without Doubt

Yet, as the fire died and the forest grew dark, Tom’s thoughts turned to Aunt Polly. He pictured her searching for him, worried. For a moment, he felt guilty.

But then he reminded himself: pirates do not worry about old aunts. With that, he pulled his jacket tighter and drifted into sleep, dreaming of gold, ships, and freedom.

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📘 Glossary

Word	Meaning
Restless	Unable to relax, wanting change or excitement
Pirate	A robber who travels by ship, often stealing on the seas
Raft	A flat boat made of wood tied together
Current	The natural flow of a river
Kingdom	A land or place ruled by someone
Crew	The group of people working on a ship
Drifted	Moved slowly with the flow of water or sleep

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❓ Comprehension Questions

1. Why did Tom want to escape after the trial?

2. Who joined Tom in his plan to become pirates?

3. How did the boys prepare for their adventure?

4. What did they call themselves when they reached the island?

5. What made Tom feel guilty at night?

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✅ Answers

1. Because he wanted freedom and to escape the fear of Injun Joe.

2. Joe Harper and Huckleberry Finn.

3. They gathered food, fishing gear, and a raft.

4. Captain Sawyer, Lieutenant Harper, and Chief of the Crew.

5. He thought about Aunt Polly worrying about him.

 ✦ IELTS Topic: Linking Words for Condition – 10 Useful Phrases

1. If
   e.g., If you study regularly, you will improve quickly.

2. Unless
   e.g., Unless you practise speaking, your fluency won’t improve.

3. Provided that
   e.g., You can join the course provided that you register before Friday.

4. As long as
   e.g., I’ll help you as long as you finish your part of the work.

5. Only if
   e.g., You’ll succeed only if you stay motivated.

6. In case
   e.g., Take an umbrella in case it rains.

7. On condition that
   e.g., The manager agreed on condition that we arrive on time.

8. Whether or not
   e.g., I’m going to the party whether or not it rains.

9. Supposing
   e.g., Supposing you moved abroad, how would your life change?

10. Even if
    e.g., I’ll go for a run even if it’s cold outside.

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✦ Why These Words Are Important in IELTS

• They allow you to discuss possibilities, conditions, and consequences, which is very common in IELTS Writing Task 2 essays (solutions, causes, effects).

• In Speaking Part 3, they make your answers more complex and natural (e.g., “Even if people are busy, they should make time for exercise”).

• They boost your Coherence & Cohesion and Grammatical Range scores.

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✦ IELTS Speaking Practice – Linking Words for Condition

Part 1: Introduction & Interview

1. Would you study abroad if you had the chance?

2. Would you exercise more if you had more free time?

3. Do you carry an umbrella in case of rain?

4. Would you change jobs as long as the salary was higher?

5. Do you think students will learn better if they use technology?

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Part 2: Cue Card

Describe a situation where you had to make a decision depending on a condition.
You should say:

• what the situation was

• what the condition was

• what you decided
  and explain how the condition affected your choice.

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✦ Sample Answers Using the Phrases

Part 1

1. Yes, I would study abroad if I had the chance.

2. I’d definitely exercise more unless I was too busy.

3. Yes, I usually take an umbrella in case it rains.

4. I’d change jobs as long as the salary and conditions were better.

5. Yes, students will improve provided that they use technology effectively.

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Part 2 Sample Answer
A few years ago, I wanted to buy a new laptop. I decided to get one only if I could find a good discount. In case I didn’t, I planned to wait until the sales. Supposing I found a cheaper option, I was ready to buy it immediately. In the end, I bought it during a special promotion, which was a good decision.

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✦ Comprehension Test: Linking Words for Condition

1. "If you study regularly, you will improve quickly."
Q: What will happen if you study regularly?

2. "Unless you practise speaking, your fluency won’t improve."
Q: What happens without practice?

3. "You can join the course provided that you register before Friday."
Q: What must you do before Friday?

4. "I’ll help you as long as you finish your part of the work."
Q: What condition must be met for help?

5. "You’ll succeed only if you stay motivated."
Q: What is required for success?

6. "Take an umbrella in case it rains."
Q: Why should you take an umbrella?

7. "The manager agreed on condition that we arrive on time."
Q: What condition did the manager set?

8. "I’m going to the party whether or not it rains."
Q: What will the speaker do even if it rains?

9. "Supposing you moved abroad, how would your life change?"
Q: What is the speaker asking you to imagine?

10. "I’ll go for a run even if it’s cold outside."
Q: What will the speaker do despite the cold?

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✦ Answer Key

1. You will improve quickly.

2. Fluency won’t improve.

3. Register for the course.

4. Finish your part of the work.

5. Staying motivated.

6. Because it might rain.

7. Arrive on time.

8. Still go to the party.

9. Imagine living abroad.

10. Go for a run.

 

📖 Tom Sawyer – Chapter 12 (Adapted for B1+/B2 English Learners)

Title: Tom Tells the Truth

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The Trial Continues

The next day, the courthouse was even more crowded. Everyone wanted to see the end of the trial. The lawyers repeated their arguments, and more witnesses spoke. All the evidence pointed to Muff Potter.

Muff sat quietly, his head bowed. He looked like a broken man. The judge asked if he wanted to speak in his defense, but Muff only shook his head. He believed there was no hope.

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Tom’s Struggle

Tom sat among the crowd, trembling. His secret burned inside him. He looked at Muff’s sad face and felt guilt stabbing his heart like a knife. He remembered Muff’s kind words at the jail and how he had thanked him for being a friend.

Tom’s lips quivered. He wanted to shout out the truth. But Injun Joe was sitting only a few feet away. The thought of those fierce eyes made him shake with fear.

The lawyer for Muff Potter stood up and called the next witness. “Thomas Sawyer.”

Tom’s heart nearly stopped. The whole courtroom turned to look at him. Slowly, he walked to the witness stand. His legs felt like stone.

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The Confession

The lawyer asked simple questions: “Did you see anything at the graveyard that night?”

Tom’s voice was faint. “Yes, sir.”

The courtroom went silent. Everyone leaned forward to listen.

Tom took a deep breath. He began to describe the night—the three men, the digging, the fight. His voice shook, but he went on. Then he cried out, “It was not Muff Potter! It was Injun Joe!”

A gasp ran through the courtroom. All eyes turned to Injun Joe.

In a flash, Injun Joe leapt to his feet, eyes blazing. Before anyone could stop him, he sprang through a window and disappeared. The crowd shouted and rushed after him, but he was gone.

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Muff Potter Freed

The judge declared Muff Potter innocent. The old man wept with joy, hugging Tom and blessing him for his courage. People clapped and cheered. Aunt Polly, who had nearly fainted with shock, kissed Tom again and again.

But deep in Tom’s heart, fear still lingered. Injun Joe was free—and Tom knew the man would not forget who had betrayed him.

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📘 Glossary

Word	Meaning
Defense	What a lawyer says to prove someone innocent
Quivered	Shook slightly, often from nerves
Witness stand	The place in court where a witness speaks
Confession	Admitting the truth about something
Gasp	A quick, surprised breath
Blazing	Burning with anger
Innocent	Not guilty

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❓ Comprehension Questions

1. Why did Muff Potter look hopeless at the trial?

2. Why did Tom feel guilty during the trial?

3. Who called Tom as a witness?

4. What did Tom finally confess in front of everyone?

5. How did Injun Joe react?

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✅ Answers

1. Because all the evidence seemed to prove him guilty.

2. Because he knew Muff was innocent but was too afraid to speak.

3. Muff Potter’s lawyer.

4. He confessed that Injun Joe was the true killer.

5. He jumped up, leapt through the window, and escaped.