Vocabulary

to be reputed	считать, полагать
to hold smth in high esteem	питать большое уважение
Hold on a minute.	зд. подожди минутку.
to reply	отвечать
to pass a test	пройти испытание
triple	тройной
truth	правда
true	верный, истинный. правдивый
on the contrary	наоборот
actually	в/на самом деле, собственно (говоря)
to be certain	быть уверенным
on the contrary	наоборот
goodness.	доброта
though	Зд. однако
usefulness	бесполезность
at all	вообще, совсем
to participate in(take part in)	участвовать
loose talks	досужие разговоры
to curb smb’s boredom	развеять скуку
to be worth	стоить
to avoid	избегать
to talk behind the back	сплетничать

2. Answer the questions:

1. Who was Socrates?

2. What did the fellow the great philosopher met one day say?

3. Why would Socrates like the fellow to pass a test?

4. What kind of test was it?

5. What was the first filter of the test?

6. What was the kea word of the second filter of the test?

7. What was the kea word of the third filter of the test?

8. Do you agree with the lesson of this story?

9. Do you participate in loose talks to curb your boredom?

10. Do you talk behind the back about your near and dear friends?

3. Develop the idea about true friendship, using following “words of wisdom”:

1. A friend in need is a friend indeed. 2. Kindness gives birth to kindness (Sophocles). 3. A man is known by the company he keeps. 4. It is never too late to mend (исправиться). 5. The friends you choose help you win or lose. 6. Friendship doubles your joys, and divides your sorrows.

Text c. Two frogs

1. Read the story and say what is the lesson of this story.

A group of frogs were traveling through the woods, and two of them fell into a deep pit. When the other frogs saw how deep the pit was, they told the two frogs that they were as good as dead. The two frogs ignored the comments and tried to jump up out of the pit with all their might. The other frogs kept telling them to stop, that they were as good as dead. Finally, one of the frogs took heed to what the other frogs were saying and gave up. He fell down and died. The other frog continued to jump as hard as he could. Once again, the crowd of frogs yelled at him to stop the pain and just die. He jumped even harder and finally made it out. When he got out, the other frogs said, "Did you not hear us?" The frog explained to them that he was deaf. He thought they were encouraging him the entire time.

Lessons of the story:

1. There is power of life and death in the tongue. An encouraging word to someone who is down can lift them up and help them make it through the day. So be careful of what you say. Friendship can end in one minute because of a stupid word. 2. Speak life to those who cross your path. 3. The power of words... it is sometimes hard to understand that an encouraging word can go such a long way. 4. Actions speak louder than words.