Charles dickens

1. Charles Dickens, one of the greatest English writers, was born in 1812. His family was large. Charles was the eldest child in the family. His mother was a well-educated woman. His father was a clerk.

2. When Charles was 9 his family was put into prison because Mr. Dickens could not pay his debts. These were the unhappiest days in all Charles’ life. The boy had to work at a factory from early morning till late at night to help his family. He learnt at an early age what capitalist exploitation was like.

3. Charles was able to start going to school when he was nearly 12 and his father was out of prison. He wanted to study very much but he did not finish his schooling. He had to begin working again to earn his living. He tried many trades but he did not like any of them.

4. The boy’s dream was to study and to become a well-educated man. He often went to the British Museum to read and study there. He spent a lot of time in. the reading rooms of this great library where he got his education.

5. Charles Dickens began his literary career as a newspaper reporter. He became famous with the publication of the "Pickwick Papers". Later he wrote many novels such, as "Oliver Twist", David Copperfield" and others. All his novels have always been popular with the people all over the world.

Charles Dickens died at the age of 58. He was buried in Westminster Abbey.

Variant а

Part I Reading Comprehension

I. Choose the sentences which best express the main idea of the text:

The text tells us about ... .

l. the family of Ch.Dlckens

2. the work of Ch.Dickens at a factory

3. the life and literary career of Ch.Dickens

4. the school years of Ch.Dickens

5. the dream of Ch.Dickens to become a well-educated man

II. Choose the numbers of the paragraphs you can find the answers to the following questions:

1. How did Ch.Dickens get education?

2. Why did Ch.Dickens have to work hard in his childhood?

3. Why was the family put into prison?

4. What novels did Ch.Dickens write?

III. Choose the numbers the sentences which you didn’t find in the text:

1. B 1821 году семья Ч Диккенса переехала в Лондон.

2. Безрадостное положение народа не было безразлично Диккенсу.

3. В раннем возрасте Ч.Диккенс узнал, что из себя представляет эксплуатация.

4. Никто не смог выручить мистера Диккенса из финансового затруднения.

5. Чарльз был старшим ребенком в семье.

6. Чарльз вынужден был начать работать, чтобы зарабатывать на жизнь.

7. Чарльз читал книги с утра до поздней ночи в кабинете отца.

8. Чарльз очень хотел учиться.

IV. Arrange the sentences in the order corresponding the contents of the text:

1. Ch.Dickens learnt at an early age what capitalist exploitation was like.

2. Ch.Dickens died at the age of 58.

3. When Ch.Dickens was nine his family was put into prison.

4. Charles Dickens was born in 1812.

5. Тhе boy had to work at a factory to help his family.

6. He got his education working in the British Museum.

7. Ch.Dickens wrote many novels which have always been popular with the people.