Photo: David, Fenway Park’s “Lone Red Seat”, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Your turn! Tell the joke step by step with the key words only. Say each step aloud first, then click Show a model to compare with Richard's version and listen. You can choose your own setting: a football final in Paris, a big concert, a tennis match… but keep the structure and the punchline! When you can do all 6 steps without the models, film yourself (check the assessment grid first).
1Set the scene
a ticketthe finalcricketLondonwell in advanceprices went up
The man had a chance to buy a ticket for the final of the international cricket competition in London.
He bought the ticket, well in advance, which is just as well, as the prices went up and up nearer the time.
2At the stadium
arrivedtook his seatabout to beginan empty seat
Anyway, he arrived at the stadium, he took his seat just as the match was about to begin.
He looked to his side and there was an empty seat.
3The remark
turned tositting next to itGosh!an awful lot of moneyturned up
He turned to the man who was sitting next to it and said:
“Gosh, it's amazing, here it is, an empty seat.”
“Somebody paid an awful lot of money for this and they haven't actually turned up.”
4The answer
I bought the ticketmy wifeunfortunatelydied
The man said: “Well, I actually bought the ticket.”
“It was really for my wife, but unfortunately she died.”
5The reaction and the question
awfully sorrycouldn't you have given…?a friend or relation
The man turned to him and said: “Oh, gosh, I'm awfully sorry to hear about that.”
“But, but, you know, tell me, couldn't you have given the ticket to a friend or relation?”
6The punchline
they're allthe funeral
The man turned to him and said: “Well, they're all at the funeral!”