News by Levels · Level 1 · For teachers

Teacher guide & answers

In this lesson: Identify the author and separate setting from publication.

George Smiley Returns in a New Spy Novel

How to use these two pages

Give learners the student worksheet. It contains the story and questions, without the answers. Keep this guide for yourself. Use it to lead the activity and explain the answers afterwards.

Student worksheet

A simple 15–20-minute lesson

Before reading · 2 minutes
Show the title. Ask: “What do you think this story is about?”
Read and answer · 8–10 minutes
Give out the student worksheet. Learners read for the main idea, then reread to answer the 2 questions. They can compare answers with a partner.
Discuss and write · 5–8 minutes
Check the answers below together. Ask learners to point to the clue in the story, then finish with the open question.

Adjust the support: Let learners use word help or Level 1 if needed. For a challenge, compare the wording in another level. This activity is not a proficiency test.

Answers to the 2 questions

The question numbers match the student worksheet. Each answer includes a reason and the clue learners can find in the story.

Who wrote The Taper Man?
Correct answer: B — Nick Harkaway
Why: The first paragraph names Harkaway as the author.
Clue in the story: Nick Harkaway has written The Taper Man, a new spy novel featuring George Smiley. Harkaway is John le Carré's son.
What does 1965 describe?
Correct answer: C — The fictional story’s setting
Why: The final paragraph says 1965 is the setting, not the publication year.
Clue in the story: The story takes Smiley to America in 1965. That is the fictional setting, not the book's publication year.

The open question: accept different answers

Ask learners: What is different about 1965 and November 17 in this story?

One possible answer: 1965 is when the fictional story takes place. November 17 is the listed US hardcover release date.

This is an example, not the only correct answer. Look for a relevant idea, a reason and the learner’s own words. Learners can answer aloud or write one or two sentences.

Grammar to discuss

A future listing

is listed for November 17

Is listed for gives the scheduled release date of the US hardcover.