The mysterious disappearance of Agatha Christie

ESL Lessons: True Stories

A printable worksheet for story-based English conversation classes.

Difficulty: Intermediate B1

PDF: The mysterious disappearance of Agatha Christie

Warm-up

Have you ever read a detective story? (Yes, I have read...)

Vocabulary Match

abandoned •• police
amnesia •• secret
divorced •• left
unsolved •• forgetting
detective •• separated
affair •• not fixed

Vocabulary Answers

abandonedleft
amnesiaforgetting
divorcedseparated
unsolvednot fixed
detectivepolice
affairsecret

True Story

Listen and fill in the blanks with words from above.

Agatha Christie was born on September 15, 1890, in Torquay, England. She became famous for writing 66 ________ novels and the play "The Mousetrap." In 1912, she met Archibald Christie, and they married in 1914 during World War I. While Archie was at war, Agatha worked as a nurse and wrote her first novel, "The Mysterious ________ at Styles."

In 1926, Agatha's life changed. Her mother died, and she discovered Archie's affair. One night, after a fight with Archie, she disappeared. Her car was found ________, creating a big mystery. Ten days later, she was found in a hotel, not recognizing her own husband. People think she had ________. Agatha and Archie later ________, and she never spoke about what happened. The mystery is still ________, making her life as fascinating as the stories she wrote.

Agatha Christie was born on September 15, 1890, in Torquay, England. She became famous for writing 66 detective novels and the play "The Mousetrap." In 1912, she met Archibald Christie, and they married in 1914 during World War I. While Archie was at war, Agatha worked as a nurse and wrote her first novel, "The Mysterious affair at Styles."

In 1926, Agatha's life changed. Her mother died, and she discovered Archie's affair. One night, after a fight with Archie, she disappeared. Her car was found abandoned, creating a big mystery. Ten days later, she was found in a hotel, not recognizing her own husband. People think she had amnesia. Agatha and Archie later divorced, and she never spoke about what happened. The mystery is still unsolved, making her life as fascinating as the stories she wrote.

Quiz

  1. Where was Agatha Christie born?
  2. What did Agatha do during World War I?
  3. What happened to Agatha in 1926?
  4. How many detective novels did she write?

Quiz Answers (examples)

  1. Torquay, England.
  2. She worked as a nurse and wrote her first novel.
  3. She disappeared after a fight with her husband.
  4. She wrote 66 detective novels.

True or False

  1. Agatha Christie married Archibald Christie in 1914. T F
  2. Agatha Christie was found in her car after her disappearance. T F
  3. People think Agatha had amnesia when she was found. T F

True or False Answers

  1. True
  2. False
  3. True

Conversation

A:Agatha, are you okay? Where have you been?
B:Who are you?! Get away from me!
A:I'm your husband, Archie.
B:Archie? You're my husband? I've never seen you before!
A:We were all so worried! Your car was just left there.
B:I don't remember anything. It's a mystery!
A:Well, I'm glad you're safe. Let's get you home.
B:Yes, please. I hope I never disappear again!

Discussion

  1. Have you ever read a mystery book?
  2. Do you think you could solve a mystery like a detective?
  3. Have you ever forgotten something important?
  4. What would you do if you banged your head and lost your memory?

Further Reading

https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofBritain/The-Curious-Disappearance-of-Agatha-Christie/

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