EDEN
By the time we'd smoked the joint, the sun had almost disappeared. (...) Zeph picked up a handful of
sand and let it run through his fingers. He said: << There is an amazing beach hidden somewhere but no
one knows where it is.
Think about a lagoon, hidden from the sea and passing boats by a high, curving wall of rock. Then
imagine white sands and coral gardens never damaged by dynamite fishing. Freshwater falls scatter the
island, surrounded by jungle - not the forests of inland Thailand but jungle. (...) On the white sands, a
select community of travellers pass the months. They leave if they want to, they return, the beach never
changes. « It's paradise, » Sammy murmured. «< It's Eden. >>
Françoise stood up suddenly. << We leave early tomorrow morning for Ko-Pha-Ngan. Good night, Sammy
and Zeph. It was very nice meeting you. » (...) She got up and we left.
I'd enjoyed Sammy and Zeph's company and knew it was unlikely I'd find them again,even if I did go
back to Ko Samui. Our parting had been too quick, too confused by dope and secrets.
Adapted from «< The Beach » by Alex Garland 1996
I-Compréhension
1) Where are the characters ? Be precise. 2) How many are they? Quote their names if you can. 3) Did they
know each other before this conversation took place ? Explain.
4) Write down what they were doing while talking together. 5) Explain what Ko-Pha-Ngan is. Do you think it
is so very different from the beach mentioned by Zeph ?
6) What is the << select community of travellers » composed of, do you think? 2 pts