Exercises

1. Paraphrase or explain the underlined parts of the following stretches of text.

1) There is little or no craftsmanship or skill involved, except in cooking.

2) A neighbour calls unexpectedly …, and that’s the schedule gone for a burton.

3) So early morning and breakfast time is the usual kind of rush ...

4) You have to hound the older ones to wash more than you do the smaller ones.

5) The general tidying up … is usually done by 11.30 barring too many interruptions …

6) I did try shop work once, during the day, but it was murder – I only stuck it for a fortnight!

7) Apart from that, of course, there’s the money side of it.

8) We rehearse every Sunday night – my only free night and my husband says I’m mad! − but it takes you out of yourself …

9) We have been on the council list for years…

2. Find Russian equivalents of the following words and expressions. Use them in situations based on the text.

- to scrub the floor

- (daily) routine; a routine day/ job etc

- to spill smth (paint, salt etc) over smth

- to plunge into smth; be plunged into smth (routine, chaos, war etc)

- a single bed/ bunk beds

- to put smth (things, one’s hair, house etc) straight

- to reckon to do smth

- to have a snack

- to get proper meals

- outside interests

3. Bring out the meaning of the following phrasal verbs and use them to complete the sentences below. Make up sentences of your own to illustrate the given verbs.

- to tidy up (smth)

- to put smth away

- to drop in on smb/ at some place

- to (get) rid of smb/ smth

- to end up in/ with smth/ doing smth

1) Will you ___ the car ___ while I see to the cases.

2) I doubt if London will ever ___ ___ its terrible housing shortage.

3) Help me ___ ___ the flat before my parents arrive!

4) The general began as a private and ___ a mighty ruler of the country.

5) Let’s ___ ___ on Mary and Paul while we are in the neighbourhood.

6) - Where are my books? – I’ve ___ them ___ in the bookcase.

7) He ran through two fortunes and ___ ___ in poverty and debt.

8) There’s a bathroom on this floor where you can ___ ___ if you wish.

9) You should learn ___ yourself ___ such troublesome thought.

10) If you don’t work hard, you’ll ___ ___ nowhere.

4. Bring out the meaning of the following set expressions and idioms.

- to go for a Burton/ burton

- to have/ with smth on one’s hands

- to stick it (out)

- to pass the time

- to work a tight schedule

- to fall into temptation

5. Use the expressions given above to translate the following sentences.

1) В воскресенье пошел дождь, и все наши планы рухнули.

2) Имея на своем попечении шестерых детей, Джуди не могла пойти на постоянную работу.

3) Невзирая на все трудности, Барт решил, что выдержит все, лишь бы Джен поправилась.

4) В поезде мы разговорились со студентами из Эдинбурга, и это помогло нам скоротать время.

5) Хорас всю жизнь напряженно трудился, в то время как Сидни приятно проводил время.

6) Доктор Лорд долгие годы работал по плотному графику, и вот теперь, когда он мог ожидать заслуженного признания, все его труды пошли прахом.

7) Джулии очень хотелось поддаться соблазну и высказать Тому все, что она думает, но она понимала, что должна стоять до конца.