12. At the shop

A: Morning.

B: Good morning.

A: How can I help you?

B: I’d like some orange juice, please.

A: Er…sorry. There’s apple juice, but no orange juice.

B: Oh! What’s that? Isn’t that orange juice?

A: Oh, yes. So it is! My eyes! There you are.

B: Thank you. And some potatoes, please.

A: A bag like this?

B: Yes, fine. Now, some milk.

A: Sorry. I sold the last bottle just two minutes ago.

B: Oh, dear! What about some coffee?

A: Yes. There you are .

B: Thanks. Orange juice, potatoes, milk, coffee… A kilo of apples, please.

A: I don’t sell apples.

B: Really? That’s strange. What about cheese? Do you have any cheeses?

A: No, I don’t sell cheese, either.

B: No cheese? That’s incredible! OK. Now. I want some pizza, do you? But I’m sure you don’t sell pizza, do you?

A: Yes, sir. Pizza with mushrooms, pizza with cheese and ham, pizza with sausage, and pizza with tomatoes.

B: Wow! Can I have some… pizza with cheese and ham, please?

A: Sorry, sir. Usually I have pizza but not on Thursdays. Today’s Thursday.

B: I see. I don’t suppose you have any bread.

A: You’re right.

B: Pardon?

A: You’re right. There isn’t any bread.

B: Tell me. Do you do a lot of business?

A: Oh, yes, sir. The shop’s open all the time.

B: What do people buy?

A: All the things you can see.

B: Well, that’s all for me. How much?

A: One pound twenty, please.

B: Thank you. Goodbye.

A: See you again soon, sir.

B: (to himself) I don’t think so.

Reading Texts

1.

Godfather Drosselmeier removed his hat with a flourish, then motioned to a helper, who pulled out a large wooden puppet theatre. As the children and their parents gathered around, Godpapa climbed up behind the theatre and took hold of the puppet strings.

The curtains opened to reveal a prince and princess dressed in white. As they walked together across the stage, the third puppet entered. It was a wicked-looking mouse, wearing a jeweled crown and carrying a sword. The mouse challenged the prince, who drew a sword of his own, and a fight began. With the children shouting encouragement, the prince held off his attacker. Then he moved forward. A moment later, the mouse lay at his feet.

The prince put away his sword and went to the princess. Kneeling, he kissed her hand. As he did, it seemed to Clara that the puppet strings and wooden stage and party guests melted away, leaving only the prince and princess in a land beyond care and time. It even seemed, that the briefest of moments, that Clara could feel the touch of the prince’s kiss on the back of her own hand.

(from “ The Nutcracker”)

2.

The drawing room was dark, but Clara had no trouble picking out the gaily-painted face of the nutcracker beneath the Christmas tree. She went over to her new friend, lay down beside him, and fell into a deep sleep.

As the hour approached midnight, there was a noise in the room. Clara awoke and peered into the darkness.

Slinking toward her was a mouse as big as a man. Its eyes were red, and its fur was a dull, matted grey.

Clara rubbed her eyes, then looked again. The mouse had been joined by ten other just like it. They circled around her, drawing closer and closer. When they were near enough to touch, the clock chimed the first stroke of midnight.

Next to her, the nutcracker moved. Yawning and stretching, he climbed to his feet. Then, as the clock kept striking, he began to grow. By the time the twelfth chime died away, he was no longer a small wooden nutcracker. He was Nutcracker, a real-life soldier standing six feet tall.

(from “ The Nutcracker”)

3.

Clara rushed to the fallen Nutcracker and knelt beside him. She took his hand, smoothed his brows, searching for signs of life. She saw none.

In the silence, there were footsteps, Clara looked up and saw her godfather standing over her.

She threw herself into his arms. “Oh, Godfather,” she cried, “What can I do?”

Her godfather held her close and murmured, “Don’t worry, Clara. Godfather Drosselmeier will fix your dream.” He reached down and touched the fallen warrior’s shoulder.

Nutcracker’s eyes popped open.

“Oh!” Clara gasped, then watched in awe as his face began to change. The bright colours melted together, and the gaping mouth and eyes took on a pleasing shape. Seconds later, Clara was looking at dashing prince.

“Thank you, Godpapa,” she said, hugging the old man tight. “Thank you for saving him.”

“Ah, but Clara,” he replied, smiling, “It was you who saved him with the power of your love.”

“My lady,” said a voice from behind Clara. She turned and saw the new, handsome Nutcracker holding out his hand. She took it, and he pulled her close and kissed her. As he did, her nightdress was transformed into a long silk gown, and the air to shimmer.

(from “The Nutcracker”)

4.

“My lady,” said Nutcracker, “this next dance is the best, for it is ours.”

He took her into his arms, and the music began. As they circled the floor together, sunbeams shone through a window and bathed the couple in golden light.

Then a shadow passed in front of the window, and an icy wind blew. Out of the corner of her eye, Clara saw Godfather Drossemeier standing at the edge of the crowd.

The music grew slow and somehow sad. It began to fade, and with it faded the room and the crowd and finally, no matter how tightly she clung to him, Nutcracker himself faded.

Clara found herself back in the drawing room, alone on the floor beside a small wooden nutcracker. Taking a figure in her arms, she went to the front door and peered out into the night.

Snow was falling in the streets of the village, but Clara didn’t see it. She was looking beyond to a land of dancers and white horses and a prince whose face glowed with love.

(from “The Nutcracker”)

5.

Scrooge found himself face to face with the unearthy visitor. It was a strange figure – like a child; yet not so like a child as like an old man. It wore a tunic of the purest white; and round its waist was bound a lustrous belt. But the strangest thing about it was, that from the crown of its head there sprung a bright, clear jet of light.

“Are you the Spirit, sir, whose coming was foretold to me?” asked Scrooge.

“I am!”

“Who, and what are you?” Scrooge demanded.

“I am the Ghost of Christmas Past.”

“Long Past?” inquired Scrooge.

“No. Your Past. Rise and walk with me.”

They passed through the wall, and stood upon an open country road, with fields on either hand. The city had entirely vanished. It was a clear, cold, winter day, with snow upon the ground.

(from “ A Christmas carol” by Ch. Dickens)

6.

Running to the window, Scrooge opened it, and put out his head. No fog, no mist; clear, bright, jovial cold; golden sunlight; heavenly sky; sweet fresh air.

“What’s to-day?” cried Scrooge, calling downward to a boy in Sunday clothes.

“Why! Christmas Day!” replied the boy, with all his might of wonder.

“It’s Christmas Day!” said Scrooge to himself. “I haven’t missed it. The Spirits have done it all in one night. They can do anything they like. Of course they can. Hallo, my fine fellow!”

“Hello!” replied the boy.

“Do you know the meat shop at the corner of the next street?”

“Of course I do,” replied the boy.

“What an intelligent boy!” said Scrooge. “Do you know if they have sold the big turkey that was in the shop window yesterday?”

“What, the one as big as me?” asked the boy.

“Yes, that’s the one!”

“It’s hanging there now,” said the boy.

“Go and buy it, and tell the man to bring it here. Come back in less than five minutes and I’ll give you three shillings!”

The boy went off like a bullet of a gun.

(from “A Christmas carol by Ch. Dickens)

Зеленская Марина Александровна

Учебно-методическое пособие по практической фонетике английского языка

Под общей редакцией Г.А. Краснощековой

Бумага офсетная Печать офсетная

Издательство Технологического института

Южного федерального университета

ГСП 17 А, Таганрог, 28, Некрасовский ,44

Типография Технологического института

Южного федерального университета

ГСП17 Ф, Таганрог, 28, Энгельса,1