Тексты для чтения и перевода вариант 1

DUMB WIFE

Once there was a man whose wife was dumb, and this made him very sad because he loved her very much. Af­ter some time he went to see a doctor and said. «Can you make my wife speak?» «Perhaps I can», said the doctor, «the operation is difficult, but if I try, I'll do my best». «Of course, you may try», said the husband,-«I'll bring her tomorrow».

The next day the doctor made, the operation and the dumb wife began to speak. She spoke so much and so loud­ly that in a few hours her husband ran back to the doctor and said, «Can you make my wife dumb again?» «No», said the doctor, «there are many, ways to make a dumb woman speak, but no ways to make a woman stop talking». «What must I do? » said the man, «I shall soon die if I have to listen to her all day long». «Well»* said the doctor, «I can't make her dumb, but I can make you deaf and you will not have to listen to her». «Very well», said the man, «you may do so. К will be better than the other way».

Вариант 2

A LESSON IN POLITENESS

Jonathan Swift, the famous English writer and the author of «Gulliver's Travels» was not very generous. He seldom gave anything to the servants or those who sent him presents. But once he received a lesson from a boy who very often carried him hares, partridges, and other game.

One day the boy arrived with a heavy basket contain­ing fish, fruit, and game. He knocked at the door and Swift by chance opened it himself. «Here», said the boy gruffly, « my master has sent you a basket full of things ».

Swift, feeling displeased at the boy's rude manner, said to him: «Come here, my boy, and I will teach you how to deliver a message a little more politely; come, imagine yourself Jonathan Swift, and I will be the boy». Then taking off his hat very politely, and addressing him­self to the boy, he said. «Sir, my master sends you a little present, and begs you will do him the honour to accept it».

«Oh, very well, my boy», replied the boy, «tell your master I am much obliged to him, and there is half a crown for yourself». Swift laughed heartily, and gave the boy a crown for his wit.

Вариант 3

ENGLISH CHARACTER

One of the most-striking features of English life is the self-discipline and courtesy of people of all classes. There is little noisy behaviour, and practically no loud disput­ing in the street. People do not rush excitedly for seats in buses or trains, but take their seats in queues at bus stops in a quiet and orderly manner.

Englishmen are naturally polite and are never tired in saying «Thank you», «I'm sorry», «Beg your pardon». If you follow anyone who is entering a building or a room, he will hold a door open for you. Many foreigners have commented on a remarkable politeness of the English people.

English people don't like displaying their «motions even in dangerous and tragic situations, and ordinary people seem to remain good-tempered and cheerful un­der difficulties.

The Englishman does not like any boasting or show­ing off in manners, dress or speech. Sometimes he con­ceals his knowledge: a linguist, for example, may not mention his understanding of a foreigner's language.

The Englishman prefers his own house to an apart­ment in a block of flats, because he doesn't wish his do­ing to be overlooked by his neighbours. «An English­man's house is his castle».

СПИСОК ЛИТЕРАТУРЫ

1. Выборнова Г.Е., Мельчина О.П. Easy English. Базовый курс. – М.: «АСТ-ПРЕСС».

2. Игнатова Т.Н. Английский язык. Интенсивный курс. – М.: «Высшая школа», 1990.

3. Миловидов В. Английский язык для специалистов по финансовому менеджменту и банковскому делу. – Издательство «Фамилия».

4. Пархина А.В., Чернухин А.Е. Учебник английского языка. Для средних специальных учебных заведений. – М.: «Высшая школа», 1985.

5. Рогова Г.В., Рожков Ф.М. Английский за два года. – М.: «Просвещение», 1978.

6. Химунина Т.Н., Конон Н.В. В Великобритании принято так. – М.: «Просвещение», 1984.

7. Английский язык (как средство делового общения). – М.:РГТК «Тантал», 1998.

8. Методический журнал «Иностранный язык в школе». – М.: «Просвещение».

9. Русско-английский справочник для делового общения. –С.-П. «Альфа», 1991.