Agatha Christie. The labours of Hercules, (Labour VI)

A. Vocabulary work.

I. Learn the following words and word-combinations. Give their Russian equivalents. Be ready to use them in the situations from the book and in the sentences of your own.

to resemble smb (to have a resemblance to smb)

to retire

a farewell performance

She was a born secretary

to make an appointment

to investigate smth

to be in the habit of doing smth

to remind smb of smth

to make inquiries

to approve of smth (of doing smth)

to stand firm on smth

to be devoted to smb

to be annoyed (about smth)

to mistake smb for smb

to be absorbed over smth

II. Bring out the meaning:

1. I want vou to get to the bottom of this business and I won't grudge the expense.

2. I was iust about to go home when mv attention was caught bv a babv in a pram...

3. I couldn't help speaking to the nurse ...

4. I went on searching, but at last, of course, I had to come home.

5. How many operations have you carried out successfully?

6. Miss Carnaby said with a faint smile: "And yet I have been found out M- Poirot"

Ш. Make up a list of vocabulary dealing with crime and police.

B. Points for discussion.

IV. Answer the following questions.

1. Comment on the title of the book.

2. What is the plot of the story?

3. What do you know about the Greek myth dealing with the Nemean lion? Who plays the role of the lion in A. Christie's story?

4. Give a short account of the conversation between M. Poirot and Sir Joseph Hoggin.

5. How was the kidnapping organised?

6. What is your attitude to Miss Carnaby and her actions? Can you justify her?

7. Why do you think Poirot didn't tell on Miss Carnaby to police?

I. Learn the following words and word-combinations. Give their Russian equivalents. Be ready to use them in the situations from the book and in the sentences of your own.

to get in touch with

to suspect smb of smth

ruthless

disguise

at first glance

to be involved in

to dismiss smb

to fumble (with the lock of the doort in the doorway to be in smb.'s debt

to turn (to hand) smb over to the police to share out the money

to settle an account

II. Bring out the meaning:

1. If you are willing, you can be of great assistance to me.

2. It would be better not to let him know about your suspicions. Keep vour eve on him, that is all.

3. He could pass as a detective to an outsider - but not to a man who was a policeman himself.

4. He is afraid because the police have got on his track.

Ш. Make up a list of vocabulary dealing with crime and police.

B. Points for discussion.

IV. Answer the following questions.

1. Where does the action of the story take place?

2. What do you know about the Greek myth dealing with the Erymanthian boar? Do you see any analogies with it in Agatha Cristie's story?

3. How did it happen that Poirot took up the Marrascaud case? What was the case?

4. Describe the guests of the hotel at Rochers Neiges. Which of them seemed to be the most suspicious?

5. What happened in the hotel the night when Poirot was attacked?

6. Who turned out to be the killer in the end? Why had he come to this hotel?