Самостоятельная работа студентов по домашнему чтению (английский язык) : учебно-методическое пособие
методическая разработка по английскому языку

Министерство культуры и архивного дела Республики Коми

Государственное профессиональное образовательное учреждение Республики Коми

«Колледж искусств Республики Коми»

ИГНАТОВА Т.П.

САМОСТОЯТЕЛЬНАЯ РАБОТА СТУДЕНТОВ

ПО ДОМАШНЕМУ ЧТЕНИЮ

(АНГЛИЙСКИЙ ЯЗЫК)

Учебно-методическое пособие

(для учебных заведений среднего

профессионального образования)

Сыктывкар, 2024

ББК

И 26

Игнатова Т.П.

И 26 Самостоятельная работа студентов по домашнему чтению (английский язык) : учебно-методическое пособие / сост. Игнатова Т.П. ; ГПОУ РК «Колледж искусств Республики Коми». – Сыктывкар, 2024. – 46 с. – Текст : непосредственный.

В учебно-методическое пособие включены рассказы известных американских и английских писателей-классиков, различных индивидуальных стилей и жанров (О. Генри, С. Моэм, В. Ирвинг, М. Твен) для внеаудиторной самостоятельной работы студентов. Рассказы представлены с учетом нарастания в них языковых трудностей. После каждого текста предлагаются задания различного типа.

Составитель – Татьяна Петровна Игнатова, преподаватель английского языка ГПОУ РК «Колледж искусств Республики Коми»

© ГПОУ РК «Колледж искусств Республики Коми», 2024

Предисловие ● Introduction

Учебно-методическое пособие по домашнему чтению предназначено для обучающихся Колледжа искусств Республики Коми, для всех специальностей. В пособие включены рассказы известных американских и английских писателей-классиков, различных индивидуальных стилей и жанров (О. Генри, С. Моэм, В. Ирвинг, М. Твен). Рассказы представлены с учетом нарастания в них языковых трудностей. В данное пособие входят 7 рассказов. К каждому рассказу дается словарь наиболее сложных для перевода слов и выражений, для снятия трудностей при чтении. Основным принципом отбора языкового материала явился принцип коммуникативной значимости, в соответствии с которым были отобраны лишь те лексико-грамматические конструкции, которые окажутся действительно необходимыми в ситуациях общения.

После каждого текста учащимся предлагается выполнить задания различного типа:

- согласиться или не согласиться с высказываниями из текста, употребив указанные формы согласия-несогласия.

- подготовить отрывок из рассказа на хорошее чтение.

- закончить предложения из текста.

- пересказать текст от 1-го, 3-го лица (от лица автора, от лица героев).

- ответить на вопросы.

- составить ситуации с предложенными словами из текста.

- перевести предложения с русского языка на английский.

- найти в тексте эквиваленты русским словам и выражениям.

На третьем и четвертом курсе обучающимся предлагаются более сложные задания, в которых требуется:

- рассказать о героях рассказа, проанализировать их действия, поступки и дать им свою оценку на английском языке

- проанализировать название рассказа, подумать, почему рассказ называется именно так.

- придумать другое название рассказу.

- подготовить краткий пересказ текста (аннотацию).

- прокомментировать пословицу (поговорку), связанную с рассказом.

- разыграть диалог между главными героями рассказа.

Разнообразные, разноуровневые задания способствуют развитию и совершенствованию навыков монологической и диалогической речи, имеют цель закрепить лексический состав, изложенный в вокабуляре после каждого текста. Самостоятельная, творческая работа над текстом с многократным обращением к прочитанному и размышлениями, выражением своего мнения на английском языке, то есть с выходом в автономную речевую деятельность позволяет расширить и углубить уже имеющиеся навыки английской речи.

В процессе работы с текстами студенты учатся понимать и передавать основное содержание, основную мысль прочитанного и выражать свое отношение к прочитанному, характеризовать персонаж на английском языке. Целью работы с текстами для домашнего чтения так же является научить понимать основное содержание текста, определять тему, выделять главные факты, опуская второстепенные, устанавливать логическую последовательность основных фактов. Используя различные приемы смысловой переработки текста, студенты оценивают полученную информацию и выражают свое мнение.

Помимо практической цели – формирование и развитие устно-речевых умений, пособие также преследует образовательные и воспитательные цели, которые реализуются благодаря обращению к культуре стран изучаемого языка, а также благодаря заданиям, побуждающим к размышлениям о нормах морали и нравственности.

Работа с текстами по домашнему чтению является внеаудиторной самостоятельной работой студентов, которую они проделывают в течение всего семестра. В конце каждого семестра на одном из занятий проходит обсуждение прочитанного рассказа и проверка выполненных заданий.

1 курс (2 семестр)

The Cop and the Anthem

O’Henry

Winter was coming, and Soapy, one of the many thousands of New York pickpockets, felt uneasy. Не knew that the time had соmе for him to look for shelter. Soapy's desires were not great. Three months in prison was what he wanted. There he was sure of а little food and а bed, safe from the winter wind and the cold.

For years prison had been his shelter during the winter. Now the time had соmе again. Having decided to go to prison, Soapy at оnсе set about fulfilling his desire. There were many easy ways of doing this. The pleasantest was to dine well at some expensive restaurant, and then, after saying that he could not рау, bе quietly arrested bу а policeman and sent to prison bу the judge.

Soapy got uр and walked out of the square and across the level sea of asphalt, where Broadway and Fifth Avenue go together. Не stopped at the window of а brightly lit cafe. Soapy was freshly shaven, and his coat and tie were decent. But his boots and trousers were shabby. "If I сan reach а table in the restaurant without being seen", he thought, "everything will bе all right. The upper part of me that will show above the table will raise no doubt in the waiter's mind. А roasted duck, two bottles of wine, а сuр of coffee, and а cigar will make mе happy for the journey to mу winter quarters".

But just as Soapy entered the restaurant door, the head waiter's еуе fell uроn his shabby trousers and boots. His long hands turned him round and pushed Мr to the sidewalk.

Soapy turned off Broadway. Не had to think of another way of getting to prison. At а corner of Sixth Avenue he saw а brightly lit shop window. Soapy took а соbblеstone and threw it at the glass and broke it. Реорlе саmе running around the corner, а policeman at their head. Soapy stood still, with his hands in his pockets, and smiled when he saw the policeman's bluе coat.

"Where is the mаn that has done it?" shouted the policeman.

"Do уоu think I have done it?" said Soapy in а friendly way. The policeman did not understand Soapy's hint. Men who break windows do not usually remain to speak to policemen. They run away. Just then the policeman saw а man hurrying to catch а саr. Сlub in hand, he rushed after that mаn. Soapy had failed again.

Оn the opposite side of the street was а small and cheap restaurant. Soapy entered it, sat down at а table, and ate а beefsteak and an enormous apple-pie. "Now саll а blue-coat, I cannot рау. I have nо mоnеу", said Soapy. "And don't keep а gentleman waiting".

"No blue-coats for уоu", said the waiter, and seizing Soapy bу the collar threw him out of the restaurant. Soapy got uр and beat the dust from his clothes. Не was in despair. А sudden fear seized him that some magic was keeping him from arrest and prison.

"Disorderly conduct", was his last resort. Soapy began to уеll at the top of his voice. He danced and howled like а madman. А policeman who was standing nearby turned his back to Soapy, and remarked to а passer-by: "It is оnе of those University lads. They are celebrating their traditional holiday. They are noisy, but they mean nо harm. We have instructions to let them in реасе". Soapy stopped in despair. Не buttoned his thin coat against the cold wind, and walked оn.

Не was just passing а cigar store, when he saw а well-dressed mаn entering that store and leaving his wet umbrella at the entrance. Soapy stepped in, took the umbrella, and slowly continued his way. The man saw him. Не turned and followed hastily.

"Му umbrella", he said sternly.

"Oh, is it yours?" said Soapy. "Why don't you саll а policeman? I took it. Why don't уоu саll а blue-coat? There stands оnе at the ;

The umbrella owner slowed his steps.

"Of course", said he, "That is, – уоu know how these mistakes occur – I – if it's your umbrella, I hope уоu’ll excuse – I picked it uр this morning in а restaurant – if you recognize it as yours, – I hope уоu’;

The ex-umbrella man retreated. Soapy walked оn muttering insults against the policeman who did not want to arrest him. At last he reached а street where there was little traffic and few pedestrians. At а quiet corner he suddenly stopped. There was an old church in front of him. Through оnе window а soft light shone, and he heard the sweet music of the organ which made him approach the iron fence. The moon was above, cold and beautiful, and the music made Soapy suddenly remember those days when his life contained such things as mothers and roses, and collars. Soapy listened to the music, looked at the moon, and murmured to himself. "There is time yet. I will reform. I will bесоmе аn honest man. I will get out of the mire. I аm still young. I will bе somebody in the world. I will - "

Soapy felt а hand оn his arm. Не looked quickly around into the broad face of а policeman.

"What are уоu doing here?" asked the blue-coat.

"Nothing", said Soapy.

"Then соmе along," said the policeman: "Thinking of robbing the church, eh?"

"Three months' imprisonment", said the judge in the Police Court next morning.

Vocabulary:

look for something – искать что-либо

set (set, set) about – приступать к

walk on – продолжать идти

flow (flew, flown) together – сливаться

get (got, got) up – встать

run (ran, run) away – убегать

keep (kept, kept) from – удержаться от

throw (threw, thrown) out – выбрасывать

turn off – сворачивать

Tasks:

1. Find the equivalent to the following words and expressions:

наступила зима; желания Соупи были небольшими; искать убежище; три месяца в тюрьме; он принялся за выполнение своего желания; много способов сделать это;

хорошо пообедать; быть арестованным; его пиджак и галстук были приличными;

поношенные брюки и ботинки; официант вытолкнул его на тротуар; он разбил стекло; терпеть неудачу; я не могу заплатить; официант выкинул его из ресторана;

он услышал приятную органную музыку; я исправлюсь; думаешь ограбить церковь; тогда пойдём (те).

2. Make up situations with the following words and expressions:

1) brightly lit cafe; freshly shaven; decent; shabby; a roasted duck; two bottles of wine; but just as Soapy entered; the head waiter’s eye; pushed him.

2) another way of getting to prison; shop window; cobblestone; break; glass; stood still; friendly way; policemen; a man hurrying to catch a car; rushed after; failed.

3) a quiet corner; sweet music; made Soupy; remember mother; clean thoughts; reform; honest man; get out of the mire; Soapy felt a hand…; come along; robbing the church; judge.

3. Finish the sentences:

1. Soapy, a New York pickpocket felt uneasy because…
2. He wanted to get into…
3. The pleasantest way was to dine…
4. Soapy was freshly shaven and his coat and tie were decent but…
5. He threw a cobblestone at the glass and…
6. Soapy entered a small and cheap restaurant, sat at table, and…
7. He danced and howled like…
8. The man followed him and asked…
9. He reached a street where…
10. Soapy heard the music and said…
11. The policemen arrested Soapy, and the next morning the judge sentenced him to…

4. Agree or disagree with the statements. Use the following phrases of agreement and disagreement.

1) Soapy was one of New York workers.

2) Whiter was coming, and the time had come for him to look for a hotel

3) Soapy’s desires were not great, six months in prison was what he wanted.

4) He was freshly shaven, his trousers and tie were shabby, but his coat and boots were decent.

5) As Soapy entered the restaurant, the head waiter’s eye fell upon his shabby trousers and boots.

6) Soapy saw a policeman and told him that he had broken the shop window.

7) At a small and cheap restaurant a waiter came up to Soapy and told him to go away.

8) The umbrella owner called a policeman and told him that Soapy had taken his umbrella.

9) He heard the sweet music of the organ and this made him go into the church.

5. Answer the following questions:

• What season was coming?
• What was Soapy by profession?
• Why did he feel uneasy?
• Why did he want to get into prison?
• Which was the pleasantest way for Soapy to fulfill his desire?
• How was Soapy dressed?
• What did he want to order?
• What did the waiter do at the moment Soapy entered the restaurant?
• What did Soapy do at the corner of Sixth Avenue?
• What did the policeman ask him about?
• What did Soapy answer?
• Why didn’t the policeman understand his hint?
• What did Soapy eat at the cheap restaurant?
• Why did he tell the waiter to call a policeman?
• What did the waiter do instead of calling a policeman?
• What did Soapy begin to do next?
• Whom did he see as he was passing a cigar store?
• What did the man leave at the entrance?
• What did the man do when he saw Soapy walking away with his umbrella?
• Where did he suddenly stop?
• What did Soapy remember when he heard the music of the organ?
• What did he decide to do?
• What did a policeman ask him about?
• What did the judge say in the Police Court?

6. Retell the text:

1) retell it as it is

2) imagine you are Soapy

3) imagine you are a policeman.

7. Choose the passage for good-reading.

2 курс

Too well

O’Henry

Miss Rouse Carrington was a famous actress. She began her life in a little village named Cranberry. But that was long ago. Now she was at the height of her fame, and in the coming season was to perform the leading part in a newly-written comedy. But there was nobody to perform the male character in the play.

One day a capable young actor by the name of Highsmith called on Mr. Timothy

Goldstein, the manager. Highsmith dreamed of being Miss Carrington’s partner in the new play.

“My boy”, said the Goldstein, “take the part if you can get it. Miss Carrington does not want to listen to any of my suggestions. She says that all our best actors won’t do. You know it is the part of a young farmer. She wants something genuine, a real imitation of country manners. If you want to play the part, you must convince Miss Carrington. I wish you luck, my boy”.

Next day Highsmith took the train for Cranberry. He remained there for three days. He found Miss Carrington’s family and collected many facts concerning life and people at Cranberry. Then he returned to the city.

That same night a small party was sitting at a table in one of the restaurants where actors used to gather when performance was over. The star of that small party was Miss Carrington – gay, happy, at the height of her fame.

At half past twelve a plain-dressed flaxen-haired youth entered the restaurant. He seemed very shy and awkward. The moment he entered he upset a chair, and sat awkwardly in another one. He looked shyly around, and then suddenly saw Miss Carrington. He rose and went to her table with a shining smile on his face.

“How are you, Miss Rose?” he said. “Don’t you remember me – Bill Summers – the Summers that lived near the Blacksmith’s shop? I think I have grown a little since you left Cranberry. Eliza Perry told me I might see you in the city while I was here”, he went on, “You know, Eliza married Benny, and she says…”

“You don’t say so!” interrupted Miss Carrington. “Eliza Perry is married!”

“She married in June”, grinned the young man, “and the youngest of the Walton girls ran away with a music teacher last March. Matilda Hockins died from pricking her finger with a needle, and Tom is courting Sally”.

“You don’t say so!” exclaimed Miss Carrington. “Excuse me a while, gentlemen, this is an old friend of mine. Come here, ; What is your name? Oh, yes, Mr. Summers – I shall call you Billy, may I? Come here Billy, and tell me some more”.

She led him to an isolated table in the corner. She sat down in front of him and laid her chin upon her hands.

“I don’t recollect any Bill Summers”, she said thoughtfully, gazing straight into the innocent blue eyes of the rustic young man.

“Miss Rouse”, said he “I called on your family just two or three days ago”.

“How is ma?” asked Miss Carrington.

Highsmith understood that a bit of pathos was necessary.

“She is older than she was, Miss Rouse. When I saw her last she was sitting at the door and looking at the ;

“Billy” she said, ”I’m waiting for Rosie. She went away down that road and something tells me that she will come back that way again. When I was leaving”, the young man went on, “I took this rose from a bush by the front door, I thought I might see you in the city and I knew that you would like to have something from Cranberry”.

Miss Carrington took the rose with a smile, and got up. “Come to the hotel and see me before you leave the city”, she said. “I’m awfully glad to see you. Well, good night. I’m a little tired. It’s time to go to bed”. After she had left the restaurant, Highsmith approached Goldstein, the manager.

“It was a brilliant idea”, said the smiling actor, “I’m sure I shall get the part in that play.

Miss Carrington will have to confess that my performance was genuine, and that I was a good ;

“I didn’t hear your conversation”, said Goldstein, “but your make up and acting were Here’s to your success! Call on Miss Carrington early tomorrow, tell her all, and I hope that she will agree to take you as her partner in the play”.

Next morning Mr. Highsmith, handsome, dressed in the latest fashion, called on Miss Carrington at the hotel.

“Is Miss Carrington at home?” he asked the maid.

“Miss Carrington has left,” the maid answered, “and will not come back. She has cancelled all her engagements on the stage, and has returned to live in that – what do you call that village? Oh, yes, Cranberry”.

Highsmith understood that he had acted too well.

Vocabulary:

at the height – на вершине, в зените

a leading part – ведущая роль

capable – способный

a suggestion – предложение

genuine – искренний

an imitation – имитация

to grin – ухмыляться

a needle – иголка

to court – ухаживать

isolated – отдельный

innocent – невинный

a maid – горничная

to cancel – аннулировать

a stage – сцена

Tasks:

1. Find the English equivalent to the following words and expressions:

Знаменитая актриса; в расцвете славы; предстоящий сезон; главная роль; мужской персонаж; по имени; мечтал стать партнёром; настоящее подражание; деревенские манеры; обычно собирались; просто одетый; он казался застенчивым и неуклюжим; деревенский; “не может быть”; три дня назад; уезжать из города.

2. Finish the statements:

• She began her life…
• One day a capable young actor…
• She wants something…
• Next day Highsmith…
• The same night a small party…
• The moment he entered…
• Eliza Perry told me…
• She led him to an isolated table…
• When I saw her last she …
• When I was leaving, I…
• Come to the hotel and…
• It was a brilliant idea…

3. Make up situations using the words and expressions.

1) a famous actress; to perform the leading part; dreamed of being Miss Carrington’s partner; must convince; collected many facts; returned to the city.

2) Used to gather; the star of that small party; a plain-dressed flaxen-hair youth;

3) upset a chair; “how are you?”; I have grown a little; “you don’t say so”; an old

4) friend of mine; an isolated table.

5) recollect; I called on your family; was sitting at the door; I am waiting for;

6) I took this rose from a bush; a little tired; a brilliant idea; she will have to confess; she didn’t guess; he called on Miss Carrington; she will agree;

7) handsome; cancelled all her engagements; Highsmith understood.

4. Agree or disagree with the statement using the following phrases:

• I couldn’t agree with you more – я с вами полностью согласен
• I totally agree – я абсолютно согласен
• That’s for sure – это действительно так
• I guess so – думаю, да.
• No way – исключено.
• I beg to differ – осмелюсь не согласиться.
• I totally disagree – я полностью не согласен.
• I’d say the exact opposite – я бы сказал, совсем наоборот.

• Miss Carrington lived in a small town named Cranberry.
• She was a good actress, and she wanted to play a leading part in a newly written comedy
• Highsmith, the young actor, was to perform the male character in the play.
• Highsmith collected many facts concerning the life and the people at the village where he lived.
• At half past twelve a young handsome man entered the restaurant.
• “I’m Mr. Highsmith”, – the plain-dressed youth said to Miss Rosie.
• “When I was leaving “, – the young man went on, – “your mother took this rose from a bush by the front door”.
• Next morning Mr. Highsmith called on Miss Carrington at her hotel.

5. Answer the questions:

1. What was Miss Carrington by profession?
2. Where did she begin her life?
3. Was she a good or a bad actress?
4. What part was she going to perform in the coming season?
5. Who called on Mr. Goldstein one day?
6. What did Mr. Highsmith dream of?
7. Whose suggestions didn’t Miss Carrington want to listen to?
8. What sort of part was it?
9. What did Miss Carrington want?
10. Where did Mr. Highsmith go next day?
11. How long did he stay at Cranberry?
12. What facts did he collect there?
13. Where was a small party of actors sitting when the performance was over?
14. Was Miss Carrington among them?
15. Who entered the restaurant at half past twelve?
16. What was the youth like?
17. What did he do as he sat down in a chair?
18. Whom did he “suddenly” see?
19. By what name did he introduce himself?
20. Was Miss Carrington interested in the news from Cranberry?
21. Did she recollect Bill Summers?
22. Whom did Miss Carrington ask about?
23. What did Mr. Highsmith understand at that moment?
24. What did he say about her mother?
25. Why did a young man take the rose?
26. Did Miss Carrington ask a young man to come and see her?
27. Whom did Highsmith approach when Miss Carrington had left the restaurant?
28. What did Mr. Goldstein say about his acting?
29. Was Miss Carrington at the hotel next morning?
30. Where had she gone?
31. What did Highsmith understand then?

6. Retell the text:

1. Imagine you are the author, retell the text.
2. Imagine you are Highsmith, retell the text.
3. Imagine you are the actress, retell the text

7. Choose the passage for good reading.

2 курс

Dog and Three Dollars

Mark Twain

I have always believed that a man must be honest. “Never ask for money you haven’t earned”, I always said. Now I shall tell you a story which will show you how honest I have always been all my life. A few days ago at my friend’s I met General Miles. General Miles was a nice man and we became great friends very quickly.

“Did you live in Washington in 1867?” the General asked me.

“Yes, I did”, I answered.

“How could so happen that we didn’t meet then?” said General Miles.

“General”, said I, “we could meet then, you forget that you were a great general then, and I was a poor young writer whom nobody knew and whose books nobody read. You do not remember me”, I thought, “but we met In Washington at that time. I remember it very well. I was poor then and very often I did not have money even for my bread. I had a friend. He was a poor writer too. We lived together. We did everything together: worked, read books, went for walks together. And then we were hungry, we were both hungry. Once we were in need of three dollars. I don’t remember why we needed these dollars so much, but I remember that we had to have three dollars by the ;

“We must get these three dollars”, said my friend, “I shall try to get the money, but you must also try”.

I went out of the house, but I did not know where to go and how to get the three dollars. For one hour I was walking along the streets of Washington and was very tired. At last I came to a big hotel.

“I shall go in and have a rest”, I thought.

I went into the hall of the hotel and sat down on a sofa. I was sitting there when a beautiful small dog ran into the hall. It was looking for somebody. The dog was nice and I had nothing to do, so I called it and began to play with it. I was playing with the dog when a man came into the hall. He wore a beautiful uniform and I knew at once that he was General Miles. I knew him by the pictures in the newspapers. “What a beautiful dog”, said he. “It is your dog?”

I did not have time to answer him when he said: “Do you want to sell it?”

When I heard these words I thought about my friend and the three dollars which I had to get.

“Well, I… I think …”

“Good”, said the General. “How much do you want for it?”

“Three dollars” I answered at once.

“Three dollars?” he asked. “But it is very little. I can give fifty dollars for it”.

“No, no. I only want three dollars”.

“Well, it’s your dog. If you want three dollars for it, I shall be – glad to by your ;

General Miles paid me three dollars, took the dog, and went up to his room. Ten minutes later an old man came into the hall. He looked round the hall. I could see that he was looking for something.

“Are you looking for a dog, sir?” I asked.

“Oh, yes. Have you seen it?” said the man.

“Your dog was here a few minutes ago and I saw how it went away with a man”, I said. “If you want, I shall try to find it for you”.

The man was very happy and asked me to help him.

“I shall be glad to help you, but it will take some of my time and…”

“I am ready to pay you for your time”, cried the man. “How much do you want for it?”

“Three ; I answered.

“Three dollars?” said the man, “but it is a very good dog. I shall pay you ten dollars if you find it for me”.

“No, sir. I want three dollars and not a dollar more”, I said.

Then I went to General Mile’s room. The General was playing with his new dog.

“I came here to take the dog back”, said I.

“But it is not your dog now. I have bought it. I have paid you three dollars for it”, said the General.

“I shall give you back your three dollars, but I must take the ;

“But you have sold it to me, it is my dog now”.

“I could not sell it to you, sir, because it was not my dog”.

“Do you want to tell me that you took three dollars for a dog that was not yours” cried the General.

“I took the money, but I never said that it was my dog. You asked me how much I wanted for the dog, and I said that I wanted three dollars. But I never told you it was my dog”.

General Miles was very angry now.

“Give me back my three dollars and take the dog back”, he shouted.

When I brought the dog back to its master, he was very happy and paid me three dollars with joy. I was happy too because I had the money, and I felt that I earned it. Now you can see why I say that honesty is the best policy and that a man must never take anything that he has not earned.

Vocabulary

honest – честный

poor – бедный

enough – достаточно

together – вместе

to try – пытаться

along – вдоль

to be tired – быть уставшим

at last – наконец

to look round – осмотреться

ready – готовый

to bring (brought, brought) – приносить

to feel (felt, felt) – чувствовать

honestly – честно

policy – линия поведения

Tasks:

1. Find in the text the English equivalent to the following words and expressions:

честный; просить; зарабатывать; всю жизнь; несколько дней тому назад; подружиться; случаться; забыть; встретить однажды; иметь достаточно денег; нуждаться; попытаться достать (деньги); отдохнуть; сесть на диван; понять сразу; по фотографии; продать; купить; (за)платить; старик; быть готовым; ни долларом больше; забрать (взять обратно); рассердиться; с радостью; лучшая политика.

2. Finish the sentences:

1) I have always believed that…

2) Never ask for money…

3) General Miles was a nice man and we…

4) How could it happen that…

5) I went out of the house…

6) I was sitting there when…

7) When we were hungry…

8) I knew at once that…

9) If you want three dollars for it…

10) I could not sell it to you, because…

11) When I brought the dog back to its master…

12) I was happy too because…

3. Translate the sentences into English.

1) Несколько дней назад в доме моего друга я познакомился с генералом Майлзом.

2) Генерал Майлз был приятным человеком, и вскоре мы стали большими друзьями.

3) Как могло случиться, что мы не встретились тогда?

4) Я был бедным молодым писателем, которого никто не знал и чьи книги никто не читал.

5) Мы всё делали вместе: работали, читали книги, гуляли вместе.

6) Когда мы голодали, мы голодали оба.

7) Я не помню, почему нам нужны были эти доллары, но я помню, что мы должны были достать их к вечеру.

8) Я вышел из дома, но я не знал, куда идти и как достать эти три доллара.

9) Я играл с собакой, когда в холл вошёл какой-то человек.

10) “Какая красивая собака”, – сказал он.

11) Когда я привёл собаку её хозяину, он был очень рад и с радостью заплатил мне три доллара.

4. Make up situations with the following words and expressions.

1) a few days ago, a nice man, became friends, how could it happen, a great general, a poor young writer, we met once in Washington.

2) poor, did not have enough money, we were both hungry, in need of three dollars, I don’t remember, by the evening, you must also try, I did not know where to go.

3) for an hour, I came to a big hotel, a sofa, a beautiful small dog, I had nothing to do, I was paying, wore a beautiful uniform, by the pictures, is it your dog, I did not have time, I heard these words, how much do you want, very little, fifty dollars, I shall be glad.

4) an old man, he looked round the hall, are you looking for a dog, a few minutes ago, it went away, to find it, happy, I shall be glad, to pay you for your time, ten dollars, not a dollar more.

5) the General was playing, to take the dog back, I have paid, I shall give you back, I never told you, very angry, give me back, he paid me, I was happy too.

5. Answer the questions:

1. Did the author live in Washington in 1867?

2. Why did General Miles forget that they met in Washington?

3. Did the author meet General Miles in Washington?

4. How did the author and his friend live in Washington?

5. How much money did they need?

6. Did the author know where and how to get the money?

7. Where did the author see the dog?

8. Why did the author know General Miles?

9. Why did General Miles want to buy the dog?

10. Did he pay fifty dollars for a dog?

11. Did he want to give the dog back?

12. Why was the author happy when he got the 3 dollars?

6. Retell the text:

1) imagine you are the author of the text

2) imagine you are General Miles;

3) imagine you are the owner of the dog.

7. Choose the passage for good-reading.

3 курс

The adventure of my aunt

Washington Irving

My aunt was a big woman, very tall, with a strong mind and will. She was what you may call a very manly woman. My uncle was a thin, small man, very weak, with no will at all. He was no match for my aunt. From the day of their marriage he began to grow smaller and weaker. His wife`s powerful mind was too much for him; it undermined his health, and very soon he fell ill.

My aunt took all possible care of him; half the doctors in town visited him and prescribed medicine for him enough to cure a whole hospital. She made him take all the medicines prescribed by the doctors, but all was in vain. My uncle grew worse and worse and one day she found him dead.

My aunt was very much upset by the death of her poor dear husband. Perhaps now she was sorry that she had made him take so much medicine and felt, perhaps, that he was the victim of her kindness. Anyhow, she did all that a widow could do to honour his memory. She spent very much money on her mourning, and she had a full-length portrait of him always hanging in her bedroom. All the world praised her conduct. “A woman who did so much to honour the memory of one husband, deserves soon to get another,” said my aunt’s friends.

Some time passed, and my aunt decided to move to Derbyshire where she had a big country house. The house stood in a lonely, wild part of the country among the grey Derbyshire hills.

The servants, most of whom came with my aunt from town, did not like the sad-looking old place. They were afraid to walk alone about its half-empty dark rooms. My aunt herself seemed to be struck with the lonely appearance of her house. Before she went to bed, therefore, she herself examined the doors and the windows and locked them with her own hands. Then she carried the keys from the house, together with the little box of money and jewels, to her own room. She always saw to all things herself.

One evening, after she had sent away her maid, she sat by her toilet-table, arranging her hair. For, in spite of her sorrow for my uncle, she still cared very much about her appearance. She sat for a little while looking at her face in the glass first on one side, then on the other. As she looked, she thought of her old friend, a rich gentleman of the neighbourhood, who had visited her that day, and whom she had known since her girlhood.

All of a sudden she heard something move behind her. She looked round quickly, but there was nothing to be seen, but the painted portrait of her poor dear husband on the wall behind her. She gave a heavy sigh to his memory as she always did whenever she spoke of him in company, and went on arranging her hair. Her sigh was re-echoed. She looked round again, but no one was to be seen.

“oh, it is only the wind,” she thought, but her eyes were still fixed on her own reflection and the reflection of her husband’s portrait in the looking-glass. Suddenly it seemed to her that in the glass she saw one of the eyes of the portrait move. It gave her a shock.

“I must make sure,” she thought and moved the candle so that the light fell on the eye in the glass. Now she was sure that it moved. But not only that, it seemed to give her a wink exactly as her husband used to do when he was living. Now my aunt got really frightened… Her heart began to beat fast. She suddenly remembered all the frightful stories about ghosts and criminals that she had heard.

But her fear soon was over. Next moment, my aunt who, as I have said, had a remarkably strong will, became calm. She went on arranging her hair. She even sang her favourite song in a low voice and did not make a single false note. She again moved the candle and while moving it she overturned her work-box. Then she took the candle and began without any hurry to pick up the articles one by one from the floor. She picked up something near the door, then opened the door, looked for a moment into the corridor as if in doubt whether to go or not and then walked quietly out.

She hurried down the stairs and ordered the servants to arm themselves with anything they could find. She herself caught up a red-hot poker and, followed by her frightened servants, returned almost at once. They entered the room. Everything was still and exactly in the same order as if she had left it. They approached the portrait of my uncle.

“Pull down that picture,” ordered my aunt.

A heavy sigh was heard from the portrait. The servants stepped back in fear.

“Pull down at once,” cried my aunt impatiently.

The picture was pulled down and from a hiding-place behind it. They dragged out a big, black-bearded fellow with a knife as long as my arm, but trembling with fear from head to foot. He confessed that he had stolen into my aunt’s room to get her box of money and jewels, when all the house was asleep. He had once been a servant in the house and before my aunt’s arrival had helped to put the house in order. He had noticed the hiding-place when the portrait had been put up. In order to see what was going on in the room he had made a hole in one of the eyes of the portrait.

My aunt did not send for the police. She could do very well without them: she liked to take the law into her own hands. She had her own ideas cleanliness also. She ordered the servants to draw the man through the horsepond in order to wash away his crimes. And then to dry him with a wooden “towel”.

But though my aunt was a very brave woman, this adventure was too much even for her. She often said, “It is very unpleasant for a woman to live alone in the ; Soon after she gave her hand to the rich gentleman of the neighbourhood.

Vocabulary

To undermind one’s health – подрывать здоровье

To take care – заботиться

In vain – зря, напрасно

To be afraid of smb. – бояться кого-либо

To be struck – быть пораженным

To give a wink – подмигнуть

False note – фальшивая нота

As if in doubt – как будто сомневаясь

Hiding-place – тайник

To confess – признаваться

To put in order – приводить в порядок

In order to – для того, чтобы …

Tasks:

1. Make up situations using new words and expressions (see vocabulary).

2. Answer the following questions:

• What kind of woman was the author’s aunt?
• What was the difference between his aunt and his uncle?
• What undermined his uncle’s health?
• Did the author’s aunt take all possible care of him to cure him?
• Did the doctors and medicines help him?
• Was the aunt upset by the death of her poor dear husband?
• What was always hanging in her bedroom?
• Did she move to a new house?
• Where did her new house stand?
• Who didn’t like this sad-looking place?
• Why didn’t they like it?
• What did the aunt do before she went to bed?
• Where did she keep the keys and a little box of money and jewels?
• Did she care of her appearance?
• Whom did she think of one evening when she was looking at her face in the glass?
• What did she hear at the moment?
• What gave her a shock?
• What did she suddenly remember?
• Why was her fear soon over?
• Did she order the servants to arm themselves?
• What did she order them to do with the picture?
• Whom did they drag out?
• Why did he steal into the aunt’s room?
• When had he noticed the hiding place?
• Did the aunt send for the police?
• How did she punish this man?
• Was she a brave woman?
• What did she often say?
• What did she do soon after?

3. Prepare the passage for good reading.

4. Speak about the aunt. What do you think of her? Proof that

• she had a strong mind and will
• she cared about her appearance
• she was insincere
• she was brave

5. Give a brief summary of the text.

3 курс

A Cent Cut into Two Pieces

O’Henry

I worked on the stuff of a newspaper. I wrote short sketches describing life in New York, and spent my days either walking the streets or working in the editorial office.

One day, when I was writing a sketch in the office, Tripp came in and leaned on my table. I don’t know exactly where Tripp was working. I think he had something to do with pphotography, for he always smelt of photographer’s acids. He was about twenty five but looked forty. He never shaved and his face was covered with curly red hair which looked like a door-mat. He was pale and unhealthy, and whenever he came, I knew that he was going to ask me for a dollar and then spend it on whisky.

Tripp leaned on my table and held one hand with the other to keep both from shaking. He was looking more miserable than ever.

“Well, Tripp! How are you?” said I looking up at him, rather impatiently.

“Have you got a dollar, Mr. Chalmers?” asked Tripp and added promptly: “I don’t want to borrow any. Would you like to get a good plot for a story? I’ve got an excellent one. It will probably cost you a dollar or two. I don’t want anything of it ;

“What is the story?” I asked with an editorial air.

“I’ll tell you,” said Tripp. “It’s a girl. A beauty. She has lived in Long Island for twenty years and has never seen New York City before. I met her in the street. I was passing by when she stopped me and asked where she could find George Brown. Asked me where she could find George Brown in New York! I suppose she thought the first person she asked would tell her where George Brown lived. She comes from a little village on Long Island and has seen nothing in her life but a couple of farms. I talked to her. She told me that she was going to marry a farmer named Dodd next week. But there had once been a certain George Brown who had left Long Island some years ago and gone to the city to make his fortune. He never returned to Long Island. She is now going to marry a farmer Dodd. But before marrying him, Ada - her name is Ada – wants to find George Brown and to have a talk with him. That is why she has come to New York… What could I do? I could not leave her alone. She told me that she had spent all her money and that she didn’t know what to do and where to go. So I took her to a boarding house and left her there. I want you to come with me to see ;

“What nonsense you are talking, Tripp!” said I. “I thought you said you have a plot for a ;

“Oh, it will make a story, I assure you,” said Tripp. “You can describe the girl and the Long Islanders and put it in a lot about true love, - well, you know how to do it, and it’ll cost you only four ;

“How will it cost me four dollars?” I asked suspiciously.

“One dollar to the landlady in the boarding house,” Tripp answered promptly, “and two dollars to pay the girl’s fare back ;

“And the fourth dollar?” I asked.

“One dollar for me,” said Tripp, “for whisky. Are you coming?”

There was nothing to be done. Ada had to be sent home, and I knew well that Tripp would not leave me in peace. But I swore to myself that I would not give Tripp his dollar for whisky. Angrily I put on my coat and hat and followed him.

We found Ada in the boarding house comfortably sitting in an armchair and weeping. Tripp was right: she was a beauty. She told me all. Next Thursday she was going to marry farmer Dodd, and she had come to New York to find George Brown. When she mentioned George’s name tears came to her eyes. What could I do? I was not George.

“George and I,” she went on, “loved each other when he was eight and I was five. When he was nineteen – that was six years ago – he left Long Island and went to New York. He said that he would come back for me. But I never heard from him any more, and – I – I loved ; She was going to cry, but Tripp interfered. I could see his game. He was trying to make a story of it for his own profit.

“Don’t weep,” said he, “tell everything to Mr. ;

Ada wiped her eyes and went on with her story. She repeated again and again how deeply she loved George, and how she was going to marry farmer Dodd.

“on the day George left,” she said, “he and I got a hammer and a chisel and cut a cent into two pieces. I took one piece, he took the other and we promised to be faithful to each other and always keep the pieces till we saw each other again. But I shall certainly never see George. Something has happened to him, I am sure. It certainly was very silly of me to come here looking for him. I never thought what a big place New York ;

And then Tripp and I told Ada how important it was for her to return home at once from the city that had swallowed up the unlucky George.

“The boys from the country forget a lot,” said Tripp, “when they come to New York and learn new things. Maybe, George is a prosperous business man, or maybe he has gone to the dogs, or maybe he has fallen in love with some other girl. Go back home and forget him, and you will be all ;

Ada wiped her tears. I paid the landlady a dollar, and the three of us hurried to the ferry-boat. The price of a ticket to Greenburg, the village where ada lived, was one dollar and eighty cents. I bought a ticket and a red, red rose for Ada for the remaining twenty cents. We saw her aboard the ferry-boat, and stood watching her wave her handkerchief until it was a tiny white patch. And then Tripp and I looked at each other. The spell of romance was gone and we were brought back to earth. Tripp seemed even more miserable and unhealthy than usual.

“Can’t you make a story of it?” he asked hoarsely.

“Not a line,” said I. “There is nothing interesting in this little adventure; but we had helped Ada out, and that must be our only ;

“I’m sorry,” said Tripp, still more hoarsely. “I’m sorry you are out of your money, then. It all seemed to me like a big ;

“Let us try to forget it,” I said, “and let us go ;

I was firmly resolved not to give Tripp his dollar for whisky. Just as we were walking toward the bus stop, Tripp unbuttoned his coat to reach for something that had once been a handkerchief. As he was getting out his handkerchief, I saw a cheap silver watch chain across his dirty vest. Something was dangling from the watch chain, I stretch forth my hand and seized the thing curiously. It was the half of a cent that had been cut in halves with a chisel.

“What?” asked I looking at him keenly.

“Oh, yes,” he answered dully. “George Brown, allas Tripp. What’s the use?”

I promptly produced from my pocket Tripp’s whisky dollar and pressed it into his hand.

Vocabulary

To keep from – удержать от чего-либо

Promptly – поспешно

To make fortune – разбогатеть

To swear – кляться

To interfere – вмешиваться

To go to the dogs – погибнуть

To fall in love – влюбиться

Be back on earth – спуститься на землю

Hoarsely – хрипло

Tasks:

1. Make up situations using new words and expressions (see vocabulary).

2. Answer the following questions:

1. Where did Mr. Chalmers work?
2. What did he write?
3. What did he describe in his sketches?
4. Who came in when he was writing a sketch?
5. Did Mr. Chalmers know exactly where Tripp worked?
6. Did Mr. Chalmers think that Tripp had something to do with photography? Why?
7. How old was Tripp?
8. How did he look like?
9. What did Tripp usually ask Mr. Chalmers for?
10. What did he spend his money on?
11. What did Tripp offer to Mr. Chalmers?
12. How much money did he want for a good plot?
13. Was the girl beauty?
14. Where and how long did she live?
15. Was she in New York for the first time in her life?
16. Whom did she meet in a street of New York?
17. What did she ask Tripp about?
18. Whom was she going to marry?
19. Why did George Brown leave Long Island and go to New York?
20. Did he return to Long Island?
21. What was the girl’s name?
22. Why did Ada want to find George Brown?
23. Had Ada any money?
24. Where did Tripp take Ada to?
25. What could Mr. Chalmers describe in his story?
26. How much money did Tripp want for himself for a true love story?
27. How old was George when he left Long Island?
28. What shows that Ada deeply loved George?
29. What did Ada and George do on the day he left?
30. What did they promise to each other?
31. What did Tripp advise Ada to do?
32. How did Tripp look like after Ada had left?
33. Did Mr. Chalmers find anything interesting in her story?
34. What did Mr. Chalmers see across Tripp’s vest?
35. Was Mr. Chalmers surprised when he saw the half of a cent that had been cut in halves with a chisel?
36. What was Tripp’s real name?
37. Why do you think Ada didn’t recognize him?
38. What did Mr. Chalmers press into Tripp’s hand? Why?
39. Why do you think Tripp didn’t come back to Long Island and didn’t fulfill his promise to be true to Ada?
40. Has George made his fortune?

3. Prepare the passage for good reading. “I was firmly resolved <…> in halves with a ;

4. 1) Speak about

• Tripp
• Ada
• George Brown

2) Prove that Ada was deeply in love with George.

3) Prove that Tripp still loved Ada and took care of her.

4) What do you think of Tripp and his decision? Do you approve him?

5) Think of some other title of the text.

5. Give a brief summary of the text.

4 курс

The tattoo

O’Henry

The trouble began in Laredo. It happened in gambling house. There was a poker game at which sat players who were not all friends, and a row began over a pair of cards. Greaser, a hot-blooded youth from the cow ranches, pulled out his revolver, and missed Kid’s right ear only a sixteen of an inch. It was Kid’s turn now, and he shot Greaser dead on the spot.

A minute later Greaser’s friends were at Kid’s heels. They overtook him at the station. Kid turned and leveled his revolver at them. He was a good shot. Seeing his revolver, the pursuers stopped, turned and vanished.

The same afternoon Kid boarded a passenger train but at the next station he left it because there were telegraph posts along the line, and Kid did not trust electricity and steam: he felt safer on horseback.

The man whom he had shot was a stranger to him, but Kid knew that he came from a ranch where the people were vengeful, and that made Kid feel uneasy. There was a store near the station, and near the store, among the tall trees, stood the saddled horses of the customers. The horses were waiting, half asleep, with drooping heads. But one was snorting and pawing the ground, Kid mounted it and galloped away. On the Rio Grande if you take a man’s horse and if you are caught, you are killed on the spot. For Kid there was no turning back now. Kid galloped eastward, and after three days he stood on the sea shore and looked out at the gentle ripples of a quiet sea.

The same day he was sailing to Buenas Tierras, cost of South America, on a schooner with a cargo of timber and matches.

Thacker, the United States consul at Buenas Tierras, was not yet drunk. It was only eleven o’clock in the morning and he was never drunk until the middle of the afternoon when he began to sing old vaudeville songs and to throw banana skins at his screaming parrot. So, when he looked up from his hammock at the sound of slight cough, and saw Kid standing in the consulate, he was still in a condition to get up and show the hospitality and courtesy due from the representative of a great nation.

“Don’t disturb yourself,” said Kid. “They told me it was customary to call on you before before having a look at the town. I have just come in a ship from ;

“Glad to see you, Mr. ____?” said consul.

Kid laughed.

“Dalton,” he said. “But it sounds funny to me to hear it. They simply call me Kid in the Rio Grande ;

“I am Thacker,” said the consul. “Take that armchair. I suppose you want somebody to advise you. And, besides, they speak Spanish here and you’ll need an interpreter. If there is anything I can do, I’ll be delighted. If you are buying fruit lands you will want somebody to assist ;

“I speak Spanish,” said Kid, “about nine times better than I do English. Everybody speaks Spanish on the ranch where I come from. And I’m not buying ;

“You speak Spanish?” said Thacker thoughtfully. He looked at Kid in silence. “You look like Spaniard, too,” he continued. “And you are from Texas. And you can’t be more than twenty or twenty-one. I wonder if you are brave ;

“What do you mean?” asked Kid rising and approaching the consul.

“Are you ready to undertake any kind of job?” asked Thacker.

“What’s the use of denying it,” said Kid. “I got into a little row in Laredo and killed a man, and as I was afraid that someone of his friends would sooner or later avenge his death I thought it better to leave the place and to come down to your parrot-and-monkey country. Now you see that I am ready for any ;

Thacker got up and closed the door.

“Let me see your hand,” he said. He took Kid’s left hand and examined the back of it closely.

“I can do it,” he said excitedly. “Your flesh is as hard as wood and as healthy as baby’s. It’ll heel in a week.

“What do you mean?” asked Kid.

“Come here,” said Thacker. Through the window Thacker pointed to a two storied white house with wide galleries, rising amid the deep-green tropical trees on a hill that sloped gently down to the sea. “In that house,” said Thacker “an old Castilian gentleman and his wife are waiting to embrace you and fill your pockets with money. Old Santos Urique lives there. He owns half the gold mines in the ;

“Are you drunk?” said Kid.

“Sit down,” said Thacker, “and I’ll tell you. Twelve years ago the old gentleman and his wife lost their only child. He didn’t die, although most of the children do from drinking water. He was a wild little devil and only eight years old. Some Americans who were here looking for gold called on Don Urique, and the boy was the favourite with them. They filled his head with wonderful stories about the States; and after a month after they left, the boy disappeared. He had probably hidden himself among the banana bunches on a fruit steamer and was gone to New Orleans. It was said that he was seen once afterward in Texas, but they never heard anything more of him. Old Urique made people look for him. He spent thousands of dollars, but all was in vain. The mother was quite heartbroken. The child was her life. She still wears mourning. But they say she believes that her son will come back to her someday, and never gives up hope. On the back of the boy’s left hand was tattooed a flying eagle carrying a spear in his ;

Kid looked at the consul, but said nothing.

“I can do it,” continued Thacker, “and in a week you’ll have an eagle tattooed on your hand, and then I’ll call old Urique, and when he finds that you speak Spanish, that you can tell about Texas, and that you have a tattoo mark, both parents will fall on your neck. The rest of it is simple. Old Urique keeps from 50,000 to 100,000 dollars in his house in a little safe that a child can open. Get the money. My skill as a tattooer is worth half the sum. We go halves and catch a steamer for Rio de Janeiro, and let consulate go to pieces. What do you say to this?”

“It sounds all right,” said Kid.

In a week’s time the tattooed design on Kid’s hand was ready and the wound had healed, and then Thacker sent the following note to old Urique:

“Dear Sir,

I beg to inform you that there is at my house as temporary guest a young man who arrived in Buenas Tierras from the United States some days ago. I think it’s possible he is your long-absent son. If he is, it is my opinion that his intention was to return to his home, but upon arriving here, his courage failed him owing to some doubts as to how he would be received by his parents.

I remain, dear Sir,

Yours faithfully

Thomson ;

Half an hour later – quick time for Buenas Tierras – an old-fashioned landau drove up to the door of the consulate. A tall man with a white moustache got out of it and assisted a lady to the ground. She was dressed in black and her face was veiled. The two hurried inside and were met by Thacker with his best diplomatic bow.

Bu the desk stood a slender young man with sunburnt face and smoothly brushed black hair.

Donna Uruque threw back her veil with a quick gesture and cast up on the young man a long look. Then her sad black eyes turned, and her gaze rested upon his left hand, then with a sob she cried: “Oh, my son,” and folded Kid in her arms.

A month later Kid came to the consulate in response to a message sent by Thacker. He looked like the young Spanish caballero. His clothes were of the latest fashion and a big diamond shone on his finger.

“Well?” asked Thacker. “How are things going?”

“Nothing new,” said Kid calmly. Thacker frowned, with an ugly look on his reddened face (it was three in the afternoon and he was half drunk already).

“It’s time you are getting to business,” said Thacker. “What’s the trouble? Can’t you find where Don Urique keeps his cash? Don’t tell me you can’t. Everybody knows that old Urique has a safe in his house and that the safe is full of ;

“Oh, he is very rich,” said Kid, admiring his diamond. “There is plenty of money in his house. I’ve seen with my own eyes something about 50,000 dollars in that tin box that my adopted father calls his safe. And he has shown me where the key ;

“Well, what are you waiting for?” asked Thacker angrily. “Don’t forget that I can tell Don Urique that you are an impostor and disclose to everybody who you really are. Do you hear, sonny?”

“Listen,” said Kid, ”whenever you have the pleasure of speaking to me, address me as Don Francisco Urique. As far as my father’s money is concerned, let him have it. Why should I interfere?”

“I am not going to get my half, then?” said the consul.

“Of course, you are going to get it,” said Kid cheerfully. “And now I’ll tell you why. The first night I was at Don Urique’s house in my bed room, a real room with the bed and things in it, and just after I had gone to bed, my artificial mother came in and tucked in the blanket. “My darling,” said she, “my ; And down comes a drop or two, and hits me on the nose. You see, I have had very little to do with mother in my life, but I think that this old artificial mother of mine must not be fooled. She stood it once, but she will not stand it twice. That is why things are going to stay as they are.

And now, don’t forget that I am Don Francisco Urique whenever you happen to mention my ;

“I’ll expose you today, you traitor,” stammered Thacker. Kid rose and, without violence, took Thacker by the throat with the hand of steel. Then, with his left hand, he drew out his revolver and poked a cold muzzle of it against the consul’s mouth.

“Don’t forget that,” he said. “Now, what is my name?”

“Don Francisco Urique,” stammered Thacker.

From outside came a sound of wheels.

Kid put his revolver into his pocket and walked toward the door. But he turned again and came back to the trembling Thacker, and held up his left hand with its back towards the consul.

“There is one more reason,” he said slowly, “why things have to stay as they are. The fellow I killed in Laredo had an eagle and a spear tattooed on his left ;

The old-fashioned landau of Don Urique stopped at the door of the consulate. Donna Urique in a gay gown of white lace and coloured ribbons leaned forward with the happy look in her big soft eyes.

“Where are you, dear son?” she called.

“I’m coming, mother,” answered Kid or, as Thacker ever since addressed him, “Don Francisco ;

Vocabulary:

Gambling house – игорный дом

Hot-blooded – вспыльчивый

Shoot dead – застрелить

Pursuer – преследовать

On horseback – верхом на лошади

Hospitality – гостеприимство

Courtesy – вежливость

Undertake – взяться за

Fall on one’s neck – броситься на шею

Go to pieces – идти ко всем чертям

Temporary – временный

Get to business – приступать к делу

As far as – поскольку

Expose – разоблачать

Ever since – с тех пор

Tasks:

1. Make up situations using new words and expressions from the text (see vocabulary).
2. Answer the following questions:

1. What was the name of a hot-blooded youth from the cow ranches?
2. Who shot Greaser dead on the spot?
3. Why did he do it?
4. Where did Greaser’s friend overtake Kid?
5. Why did the pursuers turn and vanish?
6. Where to was Kid sailing the same day?
7. Why did Kid called on the United States consul?
8. How did this consul spend his time?
9. Did Kid speak English well?
10. Who lived in a two-storied house with white galleries?
11. What did old Santos Urique own?
12. Whom did Don Urique and his wife wait?
13. What had happened to their son?
14. What did Thacker want to tattoo on Kid’s hand?
15. Was there the same tattoo on the hand of Don Urique’s son?
16. What were Thacker’s intentions?
17. Did Donna Urique believe that the young man with the tattoo
18. was her son?
19. Did she love her “son”?
20. Why did Kid not want to steal Don Urique’s money?
21. Did the fellow he killed in Laredo have the same tattoo on his left hand?
22. Does that mean that he had killed Don Urique’s son?
23. Does Kid pity Donna Urique?
24. How does he addresses her?

3. Speak about Thacker.

• Prove that Donna Urique loved her son deeply.
• Prove that Kid regrets killing Don Urique’s son.
• Play the last dialogue between Thacker and Kid.
• Express your idea of what kind of man Kid was.

4. Prepare the passage for good reading: “The man whom he had shot <…> at the gentle ripples of a quiet ;
5. Give a brief summary of the story.

4 курс

A Friend in Need

Somerset Maugham

“It’s rather a funny story,” he said. “He wasn’t a bad chap. I liked him. He was always well-dressed and smart-looking. He was handsome in a way, with curly hair and pink-and-white cheeks. Women thought a lot of him. There was no harm in him, you know, he was only wild. Of course he drank too much. Those sort of fellows always do. A bit of money used to come in for him once a quarter and he made a bit more by card-playing. He won a good deal of money, I know ;

Burton gave a kindly little chuckle. I knew from my own experience that he could lose money at bridge with a good grace.

“I suppose that is why he came to me when he went broke, that and the fact that he was a namesake of mine. He came to see me in my office one day and asked me for a job. I was rather surprised. He told me that there was no more money coming from home and he wanted to work. I asked him how old he ;

“Thirty-five,” he said.

“And what have you been doing hitherto?” I asked him.

“Well, nothing very much,” he said.

I couldn’t help laughing.

“I’m afraid I can’t do anything for you just yet,” I said.

“Come back and see me in another thirty-five years, and I’ll see what I can ;

He didn’t move. He went rather pale. He hesitated for a moment and then told me that he had had bad luck at cards for some time. He hadn’t been willing to stick to bridge, he’d been playing poker, and he’d got trimmed. He hadn’t a penny. He’d pawned everything he had. He couldn’t pay his hotel bill and they wouldn’t give him any more credit. He was down and out. If he couldn’t get something to do he’d have to commit suicide.

I looked at him for a bit. I could see now that he was all to pieces. He’d been drinking more than usual and he looked fifty. The girls wouldn’t have thought so much of him if they’d seen him then.

“Well, isn’t there anything you can do except playing cards?” I asked him.

“I can swim,” he said.

“Swim!”

I could hardly believe my ears; it seemed such an insane answer to give.

“I swam for my ;

“I was a pretty good swimmer myself when I was a young man,” I said.

Suddenly I had an idea.

Pausing in his story, Burton turned to me.

“Do you know Kobe?” he asked.

“No,” I said, “I passed through it once, but I only spent a night ;

“Then you don’t know the place. When I was a young man I swam from there round the beacon and landed at the creek of Tarumi. It’s over three miles and it’s rather difficult on account of the currents round the ;

“Well,” I told my young namesake about it and I said to him that if he’d do it I’d give him a job. I could see he was rather taken aback.

“You say you are a swimmer,” I said.

“I’m not in very good condition,” he answered.

I didn’t say anything. I shrugged my shoulders. He looked at me for a moment and then he nodded.

“All right,” he said. “When do you want me to do it?”

I looked at my watch. It was just after ten.

“The swim shouldn’t take you much over an hour and a quarter. I’ll drive round to the creek at half past twelve and meet you. I’ll take you back to the club to dress and then we’ll have lunch ;

“Done,” he said.

We shook hands. I wished him good luck and he left me. I had a lot of work to do that morning and I only just managed to get to the creek at Tarumi at half past twelve. But I needn’t have hurried; he never turned ;

“Did he funk it at the last moment?” I asked.

“No, he didn’t funk it. He started all right. But of course he’d ruined his constitution by drink and dissipation. The currents round the beacon were more than he could manage. We didn’t get the body for about three ;

I didn’t say anything for a moment or two, I was trifle shocked. Then I asked Burton a question.

“When you made him that offer of a job, did you know he’d be drowned?”

He gave a little mild chuckle and he looked at me with those kind and candid eyes of his. He rubbed his chin with his hand.

“Well, I hadn’t got a vacancy in my office at the ;

Vocabulary:

Smart-looking – элегантный

In a way – по-своему

With a good grace – любезно

Go broke – проиграться, обанкротиться

Couldn’t help laughing – не мог удержаться от смеха

Get trimmed – проиграться

Have bad luck – испытывать неудачу

Hesitate – колебаться

Be down and out – быть в плохом настроении и без денег

Commit suicide – совершить самоубийство

Be taken aback – изумиться

Dissipation – беспутный образ жизни

Tasks:

1. Prepare the passage for good reading: “He didn’t move <…> they’d seen him ;

2. Make up situations using new words and expressions from the text (see vocabulary).
3. Answer the following questions:

1. Do we know the name of the main character?
2. How did he look like before he went broke?
3. Did the “player” drink much?
4. Where did he get his money from?
5. Whom did the “player” come to see when he went broke?
6. Why did he need the money so much?
7. How did he look like when he went broke?
8. What could he do except playing cards?
9. Did he want to get a job?
10. On what condition did Burton promise to give a job to him?
11. Was the player in very good condition to swim over three miles in strong currents?
12. What happened to the player?
13. Was Burton rally going to give him a job if he stayed alive?

4. 1) Speak about the player:

• before he went broke
• after he went broke

2) Prove that Burton knew that the player would not manage to swim the distance.

3) What do you think of the player?

4) What do you think of Burton?

5. Why is the story entitled “A Friend in Need”?

6. Comment on the proverb “a friend in need is a friend indeed”.

7. Give a brief summary of the story.