Conversational Formulas

Ex.5. Use the phrases below in your micro dialogues when asking for detailed information about the room / flat you want to rent: I’d like to get clear about … I’d love to know more … Can I find out some details about …? Could you kindly tell me about …? I really want some detailed information … Would you mind giving it in more detail? Will it be O.K. if I ask you to …?

Section VI

Vocabulary and Pre-Reading Work

Ex.1. Write definitions for the following words:

Belief, environment, to influence, fortune, descendant, to create, harmony, force, to maintain, to adopt, beneficial, access, to avoid, cluttering, vulnerable, to cause, edge, sanctuary.

Ex.2. Read and the text and prepare its written translation.

The Principles of Feng Shui in Arranging Furniture

In ancient China there was a belief that the natural environment of a particular location can influence the fortune of its inhabitants and descendants. The Chinese created the notion of feng shui (“wind-water”) which developed from observation of chronic catastrophies wrought in China by winds and floods. Originally they developed it as a means of planning the perfect agricultural system in harmony with the forces of nature. Feng Shui has been used for centuries to improve the physical surroundings in which people live and to maintain balance in their life.

The Chinese art of Feng Shui has been adopted by modern designers as a way of creating environments which feel comfortable and harmonius. The principles of Feng Shui are beneficial in the organization of outdoor environments and can also be used in the design of areas inside the house such as the bedroom, which is considered to be the most important room in the house.

Finding the best position for the bed is very important. The main rule of bed positioning is never to have the foot of the bed directly facing the door. That is what is known as the “death position”. Traditionally, the dead were laid out with their feet pointing towards the door to give them better access to heaven. (It also made it easier for the living to carry them out.) Ideally, you should position the bed diagonally opposite the door, with the head against the wall, not a window.

Small tables on both sides (not just one side) at the head of the bed help maintain balance, but it is best to avoid cluttering the room with a lot of furniture. Let air flow easily through the space. Those large heavy wooden wardrobes, often with boxes of suitcases stored on top, are a really bad idea. As they tower over the bed, they can make the sleeper feel vulnerable and cause a restless sleep. Do not position tables or other furniture with pointed edges facing the sleeper as their negative energy will cause health problems.

The bedroom should be kept as a relaxing space and should not be used for work or as an office. There should be a feeling of lightness, not seriousness, in the air. Blue curtains and bedcovers are more soothing than brown ones. Soft natural materials are recommended. With Feng Shui in your bedroom, you can create a peaceful sanctuary from the stresses of contemporary living.

Tasks:

Ex.3. Choose the right variant:

1. The article mainly discusses: a) ancients beliefs of oriental people; b) modern applications of ancient notions; c) future developments in interior design.

2. Feng Shui originally was: a) the art of placing furniture; b) the art of playing harmonious music; c) the art of planning outdoor environments.

3. The principles of Feng Shui have been adopted as: a) a way of improving areas of human habitation; b) a means for better orientation in space; c) a technique for house and furniture design.

4. According to Feng Shui the position of the bed is: a) of secondary importance; b) of crucial importance; c) of no importance whatsoever.

5. Feng Shui teachers that in the bedroom one should use: a) dark colours; b) lots of furniture; c) natural materials.

Ex.4. Define the meaning in which the word was used in the text:

Access: a) approach; b) outlet; c) passage.

Soothing: a) softening; b) relaxing; c) convenient.

Ex.5. Translate the following:

1) Очень важно расположить кровать наилучшим образом. 2) Они могут вызвать у спящего ощущение незащищенности и сделать сон беспокойным. 3) Вокруг должно быть ощущение легкости, а не серьезности. 4) Лучше избегать загромождения комнаты мебелью. 5) Очень полезно использовать принципы Фен Шуй в обустройстве прилегающей к дому территории.

Ex.6. Search in the text for the following word combinations in English and recall the sentences in which they were used.

Занавески и покрывала, возвышаться над, поставить кровать, тяжелые деревянные шкафы, в гармонии с силами природы, постоянные катастрофы, сохранить баланс, влиять на судьбу, жители и потомки, определенное местоположение, ветра и наводнения, перениматься современными дизайнерами, помещения внутри дома, загромождать комнату, чувство легкости, складывать наверху, чувствовать себя уязвимым, беспокойный сон, улучшить окружение, чувствовать себя в гармонии, мирное укрытие, мягкие натуральные материалы, место отдыха, негативная энергия, быть обращенным к двери, вызывать проблемы со здоровьем, стрессовые ситуации современной жизни.

Ex.7. Write 15 questions to the text.

Ex.8. Give a title to each passage of the text.

Ex.9. In written form express your attitude to the principles of Feng Shui. Do you try to observe them while arranging furniture in your house or not? Why?