📖 Tom Sawyer – Chapter 15 (Adapted)

Title: Tom’s Secret Return & The Funeral Surprise

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Tom’s Secret Visit

Life on Jackson’s Island had been exciting, but after a few days Tom began to feel restless. Huck and Joe were content with fishing, swimming, and roasting meat, but Tom’s heart ached for something else. He couldn’t stop thinking of Aunt Polly, and whether she was crying for him.

One night, while the others slept, Tom slipped away. He swam silently across the Mississippi River and crept into town. The houses were dark, but in Aunt Polly’s home a candle still burned.

Tom climbed through the window and hid in a corner. He overheard Aunt Polly talking with Mary and Sid. Her voice was sad and heavy.

“Poor Tom,” she whispered. “I was too hard on him. If only I could see him again, I’d forgive everything.”

Mary wept softly, and even Sid, usually smug, looked serious. Tom’s heart swelled. He wanted to rush into the room, hug Aunt Polly, and tell her he was alive. But he didn’t. Pirates must keep their adventures secret. Instead, he carefully left a note under Aunt Polly’s pillow before sneaking away into the night.

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The Town in Mourning

The next day, church bells tolled. Word spread quickly: the three boys had drowned. Townspeople gathered in groups, whispering about the tragedy. Some remembered the boys’ mischief with a smile, others shook their heads and said they’d warned them often enough.

By Sunday, the church was crowded. Everyone wore dark clothes and spoke in hushed voices. The minister began a solemn sermon, praising the lost boys. People wept openly—especially Aunt Polly, Joe’s mother, and even the Widow Douglas, who felt pity for Huck.

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A Shocking Surprise

Just as the minister’s voice grew more emotional, the church doors creaked open. Heads turned. A gasp ran through the congregation.

There stood Tom, Huck, and Joe—alive, sunburnt, and grinning from ear to ear.

For a moment, silence filled the room. Then there was chaos—people shouting, crying, laughing. Aunt Polly fainted, then clutched Tom to her chest, sobbing with joy. Joe’s mother smothered him with kisses, and Huck stood awkwardly until the Widow Douglas gently took his hand.

The boys had returned at the very moment of their own funeral. Their “pirate adventure” had turned into the greatest surprise the town had ever seen.

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Forgiveness and Pride

At first, Aunt Polly scolded Tom, calling him a wicked, thoughtless boy. But her tears betrayed her joy. “Oh, Tom,” she said, “don’t ever leave me again.”

Tom promised he would try to be good—but inside, he was glowing with pride. The whole town was talking about them. They weren’t just boys anymore—they were heroes, pirates who had tricked everyone and returned in triumph.

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📘 Glossary

Word	Meaning
Restless	Unable to stay still, wanting change or action
Ached	Felt a strong emotional pain or longing
Mourning	Public sadness after someone’s death
Solemn	Serious and formal
Congregation	The group of people in a church service
Chaos	Complete confusion and noise
Triumph	A great victory or success

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❓ Comprehension Questions

1. Why did Tom secretly return to town at night?

2. What did he overhear Aunt Polly saying?

3. How did the townspeople react to the news of the boys’ disappearance?

4. What happened in church on Sunday?

5. How did Aunt Polly feel when Tom came back?

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✅ Answers

1. To see how Aunt Polly was feeling and if she missed him.

2. That she regretted being hard on Tom and wished she could forgive him.

3. They believed the boys had drowned and mourned them.

4. The boys walked in during their own funeral, shocking everyone.

5. She scolded him at first, but was full of joy and forgiveness.

 

✦ IELTS Speaking Practice – Linking Words for Time

Part 1: Introduction & Interview

1. What’s the first thing you do in the morning?

2. What did you do after school yesterday?

3. Do you usually do several things at the same time?

4. What do you usually do before going to bed?

5. Do you often plan your day step by step?

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Part 2: Cue Card

Describe a day you remember well.
You should say:

• what happened

• when it happened

• what you did
  and describe the events in order using at least three linking words for time.

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✦ Sample Answers Using the Phrases

Part 1

1. At first, I drink water, and then I make coffee.

2. I did my homework, and afterwards, I watched TV.

3. Yes, sometimes I study and listen to music at the same time.

4. I usually read a book before sleeping; eventually, I fall asleep.

5. Yes, I often use a diary to plan. Initially, I write my tasks, and finally, I check them off.

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Part 2 Sample Answer
One day I remember well was my first day at university. At first, I felt very nervous walking into the campus. Then, I met some classmates, which made me feel more relaxed. Meanwhile, other students were exploring the library and clubs. Afterwards, we all attended the welcome lecture. Eventually, I felt much more confident, and finally, I realised that university life would be exciting.

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✦ Comprehension Test: Linking Words for Time

1. "At first, I found IELTS listening difficult."
Q: What was the speaker’s first impression of listening?

2. "Initially, the company focused only on domestic markets."
Q: Where did the company focus first?

3. "We visited the museum, then went to the park."
Q: What did they do after the museum?

4. "We had dinner and afterwards went for a walk."
Q: What happened after dinner?

5. "The new law was passed; subsequently, crime rates fell."
Q: What happened after the law was passed?

6. "She was studying in her room; meanwhile, her brother was watching TV."
Q: What was the brother doing?

7. "The two projects started at the same time."
Q: When did the projects start?

8. "We got lost but eventually found the right road."
Q: What happened in the end?

9. "Finally, we reached the top of the mountain."
Q: What happened at the end of the climb?

10. "First of all, let me explain the background of the issue."
Q: What is the speaker going to explain first?

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✦ Answer Key

1. It was difficult.

2. Domestic markets.

3. Went to the park.

4. Went for a walk.

5. Crime rates fell.

6. Watching TV.

7. At the same time.

8. Found the right road.

9. Reached the top.

10. The background of the issue.

 

📖 Tom Sawyer – Chapter 14 (Adapted for English Learners)

Title: Pirates at Play

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Life on the Island

Tom Sawyer, Huck Finn, and Joe Harper woke on Jackson’s Island to the sound of birds singing and the warm sun on their faces. For a moment, they forgot everything about home. They were free—no school, no chores, no rules.

They cooked breakfast over the campfire and then went swimming in the Mississippi River. They played at sword-fighting with sticks, shouting like real pirates. “Surrender, you dog!” Joe cried, as Tom leapt at him dramatically. Huck laughed so hard he nearly fell into the water.

All morning they explored the island, eating berries, climbing trees, and pretending to be fearsome outlaws.

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First Doubts

But by the afternoon, a quiet feeling settled over them. The laughter grew softer. Huck was the first to speak.

“Do you reckon Aunt Polly’s worried, Tom?”
Tom frowned. “Maybe. But pirates don’t worry about mothers or aunts. We’re free men now.”

Joe didn’t look convinced. He kicked the dirt with his foot. “I wonder if my mother misses me,” he muttered.

The boys tried to push away their doubts. They built another fire, roasted fish, and sang songs until night fell.

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A Surprise on the River

The next day, they were swimming again when Huck suddenly pointed to the horizon. “Look!”

A small boat was gliding along the river, and behind it came more boats. People were calling, searching the water with long poles.

The boys crouched behind bushes, watching. Then they heard a voice call out from a boat:

“Poor boys! We’ll find them if we can!”

The boys froze. They realized the truth—these were search parties. Everyone in town thought they had drowned.

Tom’s stomach twisted. He pictured Aunt Polly crying, Sid looking smug, and Mary praying. A strange mixture of pride and guilt washed over him. People were mourning them as if they were dead.

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A Secret Plan

That night, while Huck and Joe slept, Tom stayed awake, staring into the fire. An idea came to him—a daring plan.

He would sneak back into town, not to return home, but to spy on what people were saying. Maybe, he thought, he could even plan a surprise that would make their adventure unforgettable.

Smiling to himself, Tom crept closer to the fire, wrapped his jacket around him, and whispered, “They’ll never forget the Pirates of Jackson’s Island.”

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📘 Glossary

Word	Meaning
Chores	Small jobs at home, like cleaning or feeding animals
Surrender	To give up in a fight
Outlaws	People who live outside the law, often criminals
Reckon	(informal) Think or believe
Search parties	Groups of people looking for someone who is lost
Mourning	Showing sadness for someone thought to be dead
Spy	To watch secretly

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❓ Comprehension Questions

1. How did the boys spend their first morning on the island?

2. Why did they begin to feel doubtful in the afternoon?

3. What did the boys see on the river the next day?

4. Why did the townspeople think the boys were dead?

5. What secret plan did Tom think of at night?

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✅ Answers

1. They cooked breakfast, swam, explored, and played pirate games.

2. They began to think about their families and whether they were missed.

3. Boats searching the river with people calling out.

4. Because they believed the boys had drowned.

5. To sneak back into town and spy on what people were saying, planning a surprise.