Learn English through short story level 3 ⭐| Listen and practice

Summary

Aaron, a single mother of three, struggles to find a job but lands one at a lawyer's office. There, she uncovers a massive cover-up by Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), which is poisoning the water in Hinckley, causing serious illnesses. Despite her lack of legal training, Aaron's dedication leads to a historic lawsuit, resulting in PG&E paying $333 million to the affected residents. Aaron's relentless pursuit of justice not only helps the people of Hinckley but also inspires hope for other ordinary people fighting against powerful corporations.

Takeaways

• 👩‍👧‍👦 Aaron was a struggling single mother with no job, no money, and three young children.
• 💼 Despite her hardships, Aaron was determined to find a job to support her family.
• 🗂️ Aaron eventually found a job at her lawyer Ed Mastry's office, where she stood out for her unconventional style and strong opinions.
• 📜 While organizing documents, Aaron discovered suspicious health papers mixed with property documents related to PG&E's operations in Hinckley.
• 🔍 Aaron's investigation revealed that PG&E was poisoning the water in Hinckley, causing serious health problems for residents.
• 💪 Despite not being a lawyer, Aaron was determined to help the people of Hinckley and began gathering evidence against PG&E.
• 🏠 Aaron formed strong bonds with the Hinckley residents, who trusted her and shared their health issues.
• ⚖️ Aaron and Ed filed 634 lawsuits against PG&E, facing a tough legal battle against the powerful company.
• 🎉 After a long and difficult fight, PG&E was ordered to pay $333 million to the people of Hinckley, marking a historic legal victory.
• 💖 Aaron's work didn't stop with the PG&E case; she continues to help ordinary people fight against big companies, driven by her courage and dedication.

Q & A

What challenges was Aaron facing at the beginning of the story?

Aaron was facing financial difficulties, being unemployed, having no husband, and raising three young children as a single mother.

How did Aaron initially try to find a job?

Aaron read local newspapers and called for jobs, but she was unsuccessful in her attempts.

Who did Aaron approach for help in finding a job, and what did she say?

Aaron approached her lawyer, Ed Mastry, and told him that she was smart, hardworking, and willing to do anything for a job.

How did Aaron's behavior differ from other office workers?

Aaron did not always speak politely, did not wear dark suits, and gave her opinions fearlessly.

What unusual discovery did Aaron make while organizing papers?

Aaron found health papers mixed with house papers, which was unusual and made her suspect something was wrong.

What was the initial reaction of the people of Hinckley towards PG&E?

The people of Hinckley initially thought PG&E was a good company because it made their water safe, paid for hospital tests, and offered good jobs.

What did Aaron eventually discover about PG&E and the water in Hinckley?

Aaron discovered that PG&E was poisoning the water near Hinckley, which caused serious health issues for the residents.

How did Aaron gather more information about the issue in Hinckley?

Aaron visited Hinckley, talked to residents, scientists, doctors, and lawyers, and gathered necessary information about the health problems caused by PG&E.

What was the outcome of the lawsuit against PG&E?

PG&E was ordered to pay $333 million to the people of Hinckley, which was the largest settlement of its kind in U.S. history.

What impact did the lawsuit have on Aaron and her work after the case?

Despite having enough money to stop working, Aaron continued to work for Ed's office, helping other ordinary people fight against big companies with her courage and hard work.