Camping Disaster

Level: B2

When we had packed all the provisions that we would need for our big camping trip, we got in the car and started off. After driving all day, we found the spot we wanted, a wide strip of wooded land that projected into a lake. Since I had just become a tenderfoot scout, I asked my father if I could erect my own tent. At the conclusion of an hour’s work, I finally had it up. As anyone could see, it wasn’t very stable, and I hoped we wouldn’t have a big wind. My younger brother referred to my efforts as a mess. I was unhappy with the tent myself, but I just didn’t have the patience to start all over. I should have asked for my brother’s help, but I was afraid of losing my dignity. As you might guess, a severe storm came up right after we went to bed. But my parents had mercy and didn’t even smile as I crawled into their tent with them.

Glossary

conclusion n. end or the way something ends: I found the conclusion of the film rather irritating.

dignity n. the quality or state of deserving respect, esp. because of being controlled, serious and calm: He is a man of dignity and calm determination. 

erect v. o put up or raise to a vertical position (a tent, flag or other esp. temporary structure): They erected a marquee to accommodate 500 wedding guests.

mercy n. kindness and forgiveness shown towards someone whom you have the power to treat severely or punish: People who are caught drinking and driving can expect little mercy from the courts.

patience n. the ability to wait, or continue doing something despite difficulties, or suffer without complaining or becoming annoyed: You have to have such a lot of patience when you're dealing with kids.

project v. to stick out over an edge: One of the features of the hotel is that its dining room projects (out) over the sea.

provisions n. supplies of food and other necessary things: All provisions for the camp have to be flown in by helicopter.

refer v. to mention, describe or involve (someone or something): He always refers to his wife as ‘the old woman.’

severe adj. causing very great pain, difficulty, anxiety, damage, etc.; very serious: He's suffering from a severe chest infection.

stable adj. firmly fixed or not likely to move or change: Heavier boats are more stable than lighter boats.

Synonyms

conclusion- the conclusion of the meeting: end; finish; close; halting; cessation; termination; discontinuance; (inf.) wind-up.

dignity- pride; self-esteem; self-conceit; self-regard; self-importance; self-respect; amour propre.

erect- put up; set up; set upright; assemble.

mercy- leniency; clemency; compassion; compassionateness; pity; charity; forgiveness; forbearance; quarter; humanity; humaneness; mildness; soft-heartedness; tender-heartedness; kindness; sympathy; liberality; tolerance; generosity; beneficence; benignancy.

patience- calmness; composure; even temper; even-temperedness; equanimity; equilibrium; serenity; tranquility; restraint; self-restraint; imperturbability; inexcitability; tolerance; long-suffering; indulgence; forbearance; endurance; resignation; stoicism; fortitude; (inf.) unflappability; cool.

project- jut; jut out; protrude; extend; stick out; stand out; hang over; bulge out; beetle; obtrude.

provisions- supplies, catering, accoutrement, stock, preparation, store, procurement, equipment.

refer- mention; make mention of; make reference to; allude to; touch on; speak of; cite; advert to; hint at.

severe- fierce; strong; violent; intense; powerful; forceful; very bad.

stable- firm; solid; steady; secure; fixed; strong; fast; stout; sturdy; moored; anchored; immovable.

Collocations

pack provisions

start off

project into a place

a tenderfoot scout

erect a tent

at the conclusion of an event

have a tent up

refer to something as something

be unhappy with something

have patience to do something

start all over

lose your dignity

a storm comes up

have mercy

crawl into a place