Variant 2

1. Прочитайте и переведите текст на русский язык. Задайте по содержанию текста 3 вопроса и дайте на них ответы.

In the history of the English literature Jerome K. Jerome occupies a modest place. He cannot be compared with Dickens, Thackeray, or Bernard Shaw, but he is well known as a writer- humorist not only in his country but in another countries too.

Jerome Klapka Jerome was born in England on May 2, 1859 into the family of ruined businessman. Jerome’s childhood was poor and sad. He could not finish school because his father died in 1871 and the boy had to begin working to support his family. First he worked as a clerk. Later he took up teaching journalism and acting. For three years he was an actor and had to play different parts. He had very little money and often went hungry and had no place to sleep.

In his free moments Jerome tried to write. He wrote plays, stories and articles, but nothing was published.

His first literary success was a one-act comedy which was performed in the Globe theatre in London in 1886.

In 1889 a collection of his articles was published. They were published as a book under the title «The Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow». This book became very popular in England, and it was published 105 times in 4 years. In 1889 Jerome’s best book «Three Men in a Boat» also came out.

«The Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow» and «Three Men in a Boat» made the author famous. The books were translated into several European languages.

In the following years Jerome published several books and plays. He went travelling all over Europe and in 1899 he visited St. Petersburg, where he was met with enthusiasm. He knew Russian literature very well.

Jerome K. Jerome also wrote serious books, but the public didn’t like them.He criticized German imperialism and the policy of Britain in China.

Jerome’s last book was his autobiography «My Life and Time». He died in 1927. The works of Jerome are full of humour and they can’t but amuse the reader.

2. Употребите глагол, данный в скобках, в нужной форме действительного залога.

1. I (not/to understand) the sentence. 2. John is away on holiday. He (to go) to Spain. 3. Sally (to work) here since she graduated from the institute. 4. The man sitting next to me was nervous because he (not/to fly) before. 5. I think the weather (to be) nice later. 6. We are late. The film (to start) when we get to the cinema. 7. How often you (to go) to the cinema? 8. I (to buy) new shoes. Do you like them? 9. When I got home, Bill (to lie) on the sofa. 10. Mike (not/to watch) TV yesterday. He had no time.

3. Передайте следующие предложения в Passive Voice.

1. I saw a UFO yesterday. 2. Mike has just read a very interesting book. 3. Angela often writes letters to her boyfriend. 4. They had pulled down the house before the revolution began. 5. He will pass his exam successfully. 6. I must do this work in time. 7. She will send a mail soon. 8. We are giving a party now. 9. I brought the documents last week. 10. He always invites a lot of friends to his birthday party.