Vocabulary

fatuous – пустой, бессмысленный

serene – безмятежный, спокойный, уверенный

insular – островной, ограниченный

Аrmada – «Непобедимая армада» (военный флот, направленный в 1588 г.

испанским королем Филиппом II против Англии и потерпевший

поражение)

by no means – нисколько, ни в коем случае

conformity – соответствие, согласованность

extraordinary toleration – исключительная терпимость

eccentricity – эксцентричность, странность, оригинальность

astound – изумлять(ся), поражаться

vehemence – страстность, горячность

signs of grave political disturbance – признаки серьезного политического

беспорядка

hitherto – до настоящего времени, до сих пор

hard-headed – искушенный, упрямый

reserve – сдержанность, скрытность, осторожность

confess – признавать(ся)

Ex.1 Translate word-combinations from the text and memorize the English equivalents:

быть значительно ослабленным в результате Второй Мировой войны и изобретения атомной бомбы, бояться потерять работу, жить в постоянной ненависти к соседям, исключительная терпимость, быть в замешательстве, «нация торговцев», особая холодность англичан и их сдержанность всегда отличается иностранцами.

Ex.2 Use dictionary and explain the meaning of these words:

fatuous, gentleman, patriotism, mysticism, neighbours, character, century, discipline, tolerant, orator, poverty, dignity.

Ex.3 Give antonyms:

success, individual, hate, poverty, weak, confess, agreement, reserve, unity, crisis, discipline.

Ex.4 Ask questions to the underlined words.

1. English patriotism is based on a deep sense of security. (3)

2. This national sense of security has been greatly weakened by the WW II (Second World War). (2)

3. Frenchmen are often puzzled by the vehemence of English political debates. (2)

4. Many books on English ways of life were written abroad, by Frenchmen, Americans, Germans and other foreigners. (3)

5. The English tradition in philosophy has always been realistic and hostile. (2)

6. Foreigners confess that they find English reserve not pleasant. (2)

Ex.5 Answer the following questions:

1. What are the main features of the English character?

2. Why do you think so many books about Englishmen are written by foreigners?

3. Do you like reserved people? Why?

4. When can you say that a man is a real gentlemen?

5. What typically English features can the reader find in Jane Ayre’s and Miss Marple’s characters?

6. What are the foreigners usually puzzled by when thinking about English life?

7. What are the three main contrasts of the English nation?

Ex.6 Make up the plan of the text in the written form and retell the text according to it.

Grammar Reference and Practice

Learn the reading and speaking of:

Numbers

Note: “A” [ ] hundred is a less formal USAGE than “one [ ] hundred”

e.g. 101 one hundred and one [

152 one hundred and fifty-two [

2 325 two thousand, three hundred and twenty-five [

Dates

3(rd) January 1995: “the third of January nineteen ninety-five” is often abbreviated to 3 Jan’ 95 (Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, July, Aug, Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec) or to numbers only: 3/I/85

Vulgar fractions	Decimal fractions
¼ a/one quarter	0,25 (nought) point two five
½ a/one half	0,5 (nought) point five
1/3 a/one third	0,33 (nought) point, three three