The Time Traveller picked up a small object from the table. It was a strange little machine, no bigger than a small clock. It was made of ivory and crystal, with delicate metal parts. 'This is a model of my time machine,' he said. 'It took me two years to build.' We gathered around to look at it more closely. The machine had two small levers on it. 'This lever sends the machine into the future,' the Time Traveller explained. 'And this one brings it back, or sends it into the past.' Filby laughed. 'You cannot be serious.' 'I am completely serious,' the Time Traveller replied. 'And I will prove it right now.' He placed the little machine on a table under the lamp. The light shone on the ivory and crystal, making it glow softly. 'Now watch very carefully,' the Time Traveller said. We all leaned forward, our eyes fixed on the little machine. The Time Traveller's finger touched one of the levers. 'I am sending it into the future,' he said quietly. He pushed the lever gently. For a moment, nothing happened. Then the little machine began to look strange. It seemed to become transparent, like a ghost. I could see the lamp through it. Then, with a soft sound like wind, it vanished completely. We all gasped. The table was empty. The little machine was gone. 'Where did it go?' asked the Provincial Mayor, his voice shaking. 'Into the future,' said the Time Traveller calmly. 'It is still on this table, but in a time we cannot see.' 'This must be a trick!' cried Filby. He looked under the table and around the room. But the machine was nowhere to be found. The Psychologist looked deeply troubled. 'If this is real,' he said slowly, 'it changes everything we know about science.' The Time Traveller smiled. 'Gentlemen, come with me,' he said. He led us through a corridor to his laboratory. There, in the middle of the room, stood a larger machine. It was made of brass and ebony, with a saddle like a bicycle. Crystal bars ran through its frame, catching the light. 'This is the real time machine,' the Time Traveller said. 'Tomorrow, I intend to use it.' We stared at him in amazement and fear. 'You cannot be planning to travel through time yourself!' the Medical Man exclaimed. 'That is exactly what I intend to do,' the Time Traveller replied. 'Come back next Thursday, and I will tell you everything that happened.'
B1Chapter 2 / 15417 words47 sentences
The Demonstration
Chapter 2 · The Time Machine · B1 English. Tip: Click on any word while reading to see its translation. Take your time with each chapter and review the vocabulary before moving on.
Chapter Summary
The Time Traveller demonstrates a small model of his time machine, which vanishes before the guests' eyes.
1 / 47
🇬🇧English→🇬🇧English
Linked wordUnderlined wordOther words
Comprehension Questions
4 questions
1
What was the small model of the time machine made of?
2
What happened to the small model when the Time Traveller pushed the lever?
3
What was the real time machine made of?
4