Basics of Life
Москва, 2005
Содержание
Содержание ………………………………………………..……………………2
Предисловие ……………………………………………….……………………3
Labels Used ………………………………………………………………………4
Unit 1. Stages of Life ………………………………………….…………………5
Unit 2. Education ………………………………………………………………..36
Unit 3. Career ……………………………………………………………………62
Unit 4. Women and Their Role in Society ………………………………………91
Unit 5. Crime and Punishment …………………………………………………126
Словари и литература …………………………………...…………………….161
Labels used
The following labels indicate words that express a particular attitude or are appropriate in a particular context. These labels are widely used in the exercise-book and will help you to speak better and more-to-the-point English.
(approv) Approving expressions show that the user feels approval or
admiration, eg cosy, masterly, petite.
(derog) Derogatory expressions show that the user feels disapproval or scorn,
eg brat, fuddy-duddy, pedantic.
(fig) Figurative usage is when language is used in a non-literal or
metaphorical way. The label is used before examples illustrating such
state, eg It makes my heart ache (ie it makes me sad) to see her suffer
(infml) Informal expressions are used between friends or people who know
each other well, in a relaxed or unofficial contest. They are not
appropriate for formal situatuons. Examples are brainy, dad, umpteen.
(fml) Formal expressions are usually only used in serious or official,
especially written, language and would be unappropriate in normal
everyday conversation. Examples are disrobe, redoubtable, alight.
(ironic) Such usage is when words are used to mean the opposite or something
very different from their apparent meaning, as in This is a nice mess
you’ve got us into!
(joc) Jocular expressions are intended to be funny, eg clodhopper, hanky-
panky, long in the tooth, muggins.
(sl) Slang is very informal language, mainly used in speaking and
sometimes restricted to a particular group of people, eg those who
have similar interests or do the same job. Examples are dope (= illegal
drugs), the fuzz (= the police), lolly (=money).
The following labels indicate other restrictions on the use of words and phrases.
(Brit) This indicates expressions used in British English and not in American
English, eg jumble sale, mackintosh, tombola.
(AmE) This indicates expressions used in American English and not in British
English, eg drugstore, sidewalk, turnpike
(saying) Sayings are well-known fixed or traditional phrases, such as proverbs,
that are used to make a comment, give advice, issue a warning, etc, eg
look before you leap; you’re only young once.
There are also such labels as usu = usually; esp = especially; sb = somebody; sth = something.
UNIT 1. STAGES OF LIFE
Reading 1
Pre-reading questions
How would you define happiness: what does ‘being happy’ mean to you?
What should people do to achieve happiness?
Do you know absolutely happy people?
Skim the article (=read it quickly to get the main ideas) and find out:
1) Where are people wrong in their quest for happiness?
2) Why is happiness called ‘a by-product’?
3) What is the best way to find happiness?
Before skimming the article, make sure you know how to pronounce the following words:
pursuit psychotherapist councillor clergy Utopia romance
tranquil exhilaration derivative effort towards cemetery