- •Т.В.Большакова в.И.Быканова Talk around the clock говорим по-английски весь день
- •Дорогой читатель!
- •Lesson 1 Lesson map
- •3. Read and listen to the dialogues.
- •4. Fill in the gaps with the following phrases from the box.
- •5 . Fill in the gaps using the list of “Useful words and phrases”.
- •6. Make up your own dialogues according to the pattern of Ex.2.
- •7. Translate the following dialogues from Russian into English.
- •8. Listen to the tape and pronounce the letters of the alphabet.
- •9. Listen to the dialogue and fill in the gaps.
- •10. Study the use of to be in the Present Simple.
- •22. The verb to have in the Present Simple.
- •23. Read and listen to the dialogue.
- •24. Translate the dialogue into English.
- •25. Fill in the gaps using the list of Ex.1
- •26. Fill in the gaps with an appropriate form of the verb to have.
- •27. Translate into English.
- •28. Fill in the gaps with the words and phrases from the box.
- •33. Expressing the time:
- •34. Useful words and phrases.
- •35. Study the use of the Present Simple.
- •Lesson 2 Lesson map
- •2. Read and listen to the dialogues.
- •3. Fill in the gaps with the phrases from the box.
- •4. Fill in the gaps. Use words and phrases from ex.1
- •5. Make up your own dialogues according to the pattern of Ex.3.
- •6. Translate the dialogues into English.
- •7. Study the patterns.
- •7.1 Pick out jobs and occupations from “Useful words and phrases” of Lesson 1 and Lesson 2 and put them into the columns according to the pattern.
- •8. Complete the following sentences according to the pattern.
- •Useful words and phrases.
- •9.1 Listen to the job advertising and complete the sentences according to the pattern.
- •9.2. Listen to the story about Nick’s interview. Decide if the following sentences are True or False.
- •10. Study the following sentences in the Past Simple.
- •12. Fill in the gaps with an appropriate form of the verb in the Past Simple.
- •13. Fill in the gaps with the following verbs in an appropriate form using the Past Simple.
- •14. Useful words and phrases.
- •15. Listen to the dialogue and complete the sentences.
- •16. Translate the dialogue into English.
- •17. Make up your own dialogues according to the pattern of ex.16.
- •18. Useful words and phrases.
- •19. How to say “goodbye”. Listen to the following phrases.
- •20. Read and listen to the dialogue.
- •21. Fill in the gaps with phrases from Ex.19 and from the list of “Useful words and phrases”.
- •22. Translate the dialogues into English.
- •23. Study the following sentences in the Future Simple for forecasts and predictions.
- •24. Fill in the gaps in an appropriate form of the verb in the Future Simple.
- •25. Translate the following sentences into English.
- •Improve your pronunciation skills.
- •26.4 Listen to the tape and repeat the poems.
- •It only doubles trouble,
- •27. Study the resume. Curriculum Vitae (сv)
- •28. Write your own resume according to the pattern of Ex.27.
- •2. Match the headings with the parts of the text
- •Lesson 3 Lesson map
- •Company staff and departments
- •On the way to the company
- •In company Office manager
- •Visitor
- •2. Study the use imperative sentences.
- •3. Transfer these sentences into negative ones.
- •4. Translate into English.
- •5. Read and listen to the dialogues.
- •6. Fill in the gaps with the phrases from the box.
- •7. Fill in the gaps with words and expressions from Ex.1.
- •8. Make up your own dialogues according to the patterns of ex.2.
- •9. Translate the dialogues into English.
- •10. Match the departments with their functions.
- •11. Useful words and phrases.
- •12. Fill in the gaps with the phrases from the box.
- •24. Translate into English.
- •25. How to ask questions and give replies.
- •26. Read and listen to the dialogues.
- •27. Fill in the gaps with phrases from Ex.25.
- •28. Translate into English.
- •29. Improve your pronunciation skills.
- •Listen to the tape and repeat the poems and tongue-twisters.
- •Study the memo.
- •32. Put the following parts of the memo into the correct order.
- •34. Reading
- •35. Projects
- •2. Read and listen to the dialogues.
- •3. Fill in the gaps with the phrases from the box.
- •4. Fill in the gaps with words and expressions from Ex.1.
- •Make up your own dialogues according to the patterns of ex.2.
- •Translate the dialogues into English.
- •Useful words and phrases.
- •Listen to the story of Mr. Barton about his company and complete the sentences according to the pattern.
- •9. Choose the opposites to the following from Ex.7
- •10. Study the use of the Present Perfect Tense.
- •11. Fill in the gaps with an appropriate form of the verb in the Present Perfect.
- •12. Fill in the gaps with an appropriate form of the verb in the Present Perfect or the Past Simple.
- •13. Translate the following sentences into English. !!!!домой!!!!
- •14. Study the use of the Present Perfect Continuous.
- •Match the numbers and their definitions.
- •21. Listen to the tape and write down the given numbers.
- •22. Useful words and phrases for describing trends.
- •23. Identify the type of the diagram.
- •24. Draw your own diagram according to the contents of the presentation.
- •25. Describe the trend of gardening tools production from 2010 to 2015 according to the diagram. !!!!!!домой!!!!!!!
- •26. Improve your pronunciation skills:[ θ ], [ ∫ ], [ s ], [ z ], [ ð ], [ ʒ ].
- •If a thatcher of Thatchwood went to Thatchet a-thaching,
- •28. Reading
- •29. Projects
- •Lesson 5 Lesson map
- •Arranging a meeting
- •Read and listen to the dialogues.
- •3. Fill in the gaps with the phrases from the box.
- •4. Translate the dialogues into English.
- •5. Useful words and phrases.
- •How to start the meeting
- •Speaking about current agenda
- •Moving on to the next item
- •6. Match the beginnings from column a with endings from column b.
- •7. Fill in the gaps with correct prepositions.
- •8. Match the words from column a with their opposites from column b.
- •9. Choose the words from the box which correspond with the following verbs.
- •10. Choose questions from “Useful words and phrases” to the following replies.
- •Translate into English. Домой !!!!!!
- •12. Listen to the tape and fill in the gaps with “Useful words and phrases” according to the pattern.
- •13. Conditionals. The 1st type.
- •14. Fill in the gaps with an appropriate form of the verb.
- •15. Make up conditional sentences using the clues.
- •16. Translate the following sentences into English. Домой!!!!!!!!!
- •17. Speaking over the phone.
- •Office manager
- •18. Read and listen to the dialogues.
- •19. Fill in the gaps with words and phrases from Ex.17.
- •Translate the following dialogues into English.
- •Study the use of the Future Perfect Tense.
- •Fill in the gaps with an appropriate form of the verb.
- •Open the brackets. Use the Present Simple, Future Simple or Future Perfect Tenses.
- •Translate the following sentences into English.
- •25. Improve your pronunciation skills:[ m ], [ n ], [ ŋ ]
- •I can think of six thin things,
- •27. Reading
- •28. Projects
- •Announcements
- •At the airport
- •At the departure airport
- •On board the plane
- •Passport control
- •At the customs
- •At the luggage terminal
- •Read and listen to the dialogues.
- •3. Fill in the gaps with phrases from the box.
- •4. Fill in the gaps with the words and phrases from Ex.1.
- •Make up your own dialogues according to the patterns of Ex.2.
- •Translate the dialogues into English.
- •Study the use of the Passive Voice in the Present Simple.
- •13. Fill in the gaps with appropriate passive forms in the Present Simple.
- •14. Fill in the gaps with the verbs in the Active or Passive Voice.
- •15. Derive the following sentences from the Active into the Passive Voice.
- •16. Translate the following sentences into English.
- •17. Word building. Prefixes.
- •18. Derive the verbs with prefixes – over and – under.
- •19. Derive the verbs with prefixes – dis, –un, –il, –ir, –im, –in.
- •Prepositions of time.
- •21. Fill in the gaps with the following prepositions: in, at, on, if it is necessary.
- •Translate the following sentences into English.
- •Study the use of the Present Continuous tense.
- •Open the brackets with the Present Continuous forms.
- •Fill in the gaps with the Present Simple or the Present Continuous forms.
- •Translate from Russian into English.
- •Useful words and phrases.
- •How to propose a bargain.
- •How to agree to proposal
- •Ways of disagreement
- •30. Прочтите и прослушайте диалоги.
- •30. Fill in the gaps with phrases from Ex.29.
- •31. Translate the following dialogues into English.
- •Duty of students
- •It is the duty of the student
- •If smarter than his teacher, tact
- •Golden hour
- •Study the e-mail.
- •Translate Svetlana Belova’s answer into English.
- •36.Reading
- •2. Say if these statements are true [t] or false [f]. Correct the false statements.
- •3. Fill in the table with the words from the text relevant to the topic “Travelling by plane. Customs”
- •At the railway station
- •2. Read and listen to the dialogues.
- •3. Заполните пропуски фразами из рамки.
- •4. Fill in the gaps with words and phrases from Ex.1
- •5. Make up your own dialogues according to the pattern of Ex.2
- •6. Translate the dialogues into English.
- •7. Match the words in column a with their synonyms in column b.
- •Around the city
- •How to explain the way
- •13. Read and listen to the dialogues.
- •14. Fill in the gaps with the following phrases from the box.
- •15. Fill in the gaps with the words and phrases from Ex.12.
- •16. Translate the dialogues into English.
- •17. Listen to the record and fill in the gaps.
- •18. Study the use of the modal verbs.
- •19. Paraphrase the following sentences using modals may (might), can’t, must. Use the first sentence as a pattern.
- •20. Translate the following sentences into English.
- •21. How to express confidence.
- •22. Read and listen to the following dialogues.
- •23. Fill in the gaps with phrases from Ex.21.
- •26. Write an informal letter. Use the topics suggested.
- •27. Improve your pronunciation skills.
- •29. Reading
- •4.50 From Paddington
- •Hotel clerk
- •Clarifying the price
- •Clarifying the terms of staying
- •Payment
- •Seeing the room
- •In the room
- •Checking out
- •Hotel staff
- •2. Read and translate the dialogues.
- •3. Fill in the gaps with the following phrases from the box.
- •4. Fill in the gaps with the words and phrases from Ex.1.
- •5. Make up your own dialogues according to the patterns of Ex.2.
- •6. Translate the dialogues into English.
- •Study the comparison of adjectives in English.
- •Open the brackets. Use the appropriate forms of adjectives.
- •Translate the following sentences into English.
- •1 4.1. Which hotel would you recommend for an elderly couple, travelling in their car, for newly-weds and for tourists, who want to live in the city centre?
- •Study the degrees of comparison of adverbs. Part I
- •Make up adverbs from adjectives given in the list below. Fill in the table with an appropriate form of an adverb. In some cases it is possible to derive two adverbs.
- •17. Study the degrees of comparison of adverbs. Part II
- •18. Useful words and expressions.
- •19. Open the brackets. Derive degrees of adverbs from the given adjectives.
- •20. Study the use of the Future Simple for spontaneous decisions.
- •21. Choose the right variant.
- •Adler hotels
- •27. Book a single room in the San Diego hotel from September 1st till September 11th. Ask to hold it till 6 o’clock pm on the day of your arrival. Use the fax.
- •28. Improve your pronunciation skills.
- •To a butterfly
- •I’ve watched you now a full half-hour,
- •I know not if you sleep or feed.
- •The tide in the river
- •I saw a shiver
- •30. Reading
- •Irwin Shaw. The Nightwork.
- •1.1 Match the words in the box with the pictures
- •2. Read and listen to the dialogues.
- •Fill in the gaps with phrases from the box.
- •4. Fill in the gaps with words and phrases from Ex. 1.
- •5. Make up your own dialogues according to the pattern of Ex.2.
- •6. Translate the following dialogues into English.
- •7. Match the words from column a with those from column b to make pairs.
- •8. Suffixes of adjectives.
- •8.1 Derive adjectives with the following suffixes.
- •9. Study the use of indefinite pronouns some, any, no, every.
- •Open the brackets. Use some, any, no, every.
- •Open the brackets. Use something, anything, nothing, everything.
- •Open the brackets. Use somebody, anybody, nobody, everybody.
- •Translate from Russian into English using some, any, no, every and their derivatives.
- •How to order food at the restaurant. Waiter
- •15. Read and listen to the dialogues.
- •16. Fill in the gaps with the following phrases from the box.
- •17. Fill in the gaps with words and phrases from Ex.14.
- •18. Make up your own dialogues according to the pattern of Ex.15
- •19. Translate the dialogues into English.
- •20. Fill in the gaps with the following words from the box.
- •21. Listen to the text “Eating out in Britain”. Decide if the following statements are True or False.
- •22. Improve your pronunciation skills.
- •24. Reading
- •During the break
- •It is wonderful/superb. I have never heard such an accomplished performance of
- •1.1 Math the words in the box with the pictures
- •2. Read and listen to the dialogues.
- •3. Fill in the gaps with the following phrases from the box.
- •4. Fill in the gaps with words and phrases from Ex.1
- •5. Make up your own dialogues according to the pattern of Ex.2.
- •6. Translate the dialogues into English.
- •Cinema films
- •Buying tickets
- •Invitation to the cinema
- •Discussing the film
- •11. Match the genre of the film with its interpretation.
- •12. Match the words with their opposites.
- •13. Fill in the gaps with appropriate prepositions.
- •14. Listen to the review for the film and decide if the statements are true (t) or false (f).
- •15. The Present Continuous is also used for planned actions in the future.
- •Write formal invitations.
- •Improve your pronunciation skills.
- •28. Reading
- •Lesson 11 Lesson map
- •Hobbies
- •Reading
- •Automobiles
- •Going in for sports
- •Expressing opinion
- •1.1 Match the words in the box with the pictures.
- •2. Read and listen to the dialogues.
- •3. Fill in the gaps with the following phrases from the box.
- •4. Fill in the gaps with words and phrases from Ex.1
- •5. Make up your own dialogues according to the pattern of Ex. 2
- •6. Translate the dialogues into English.
- •7. Listen to the text “Healthy hobbies” and match hobbies from the list a-h with skills acquired while doing these hobbies.
- •8.Match the words given in the box with the verbs do, go, play to make pairs.
- •9. Study the use of the Infinitive and the Gerund in English.
- •10. Open the brackets with either gerunds or infinitives.
- •11. Translate the following sentences into English.
- •12. How to express mood and emotions.
- •Annoyance and anger
- •Expressing surprise
- •13. Read and listen to the dialogues.
- •14. Fill in the gaps with phrases from Ex.12.
- •22. Write your own variant. Use the following words and phrases.
- •24. Reading
- •Lesson 12 Lesson map
- •Television
- •2. Read and listen to the dialogues.
- •3. Fill in the gaps with the following phrases from the box.
- •4. Fill in the gaps with the phrases from Ex. 1.
- •5. Make up your own dialogues according to the pattern of Ex. 2.
- •6. Translate the following dialogues from Russian into English.
- •Useful words and phrases. Newspapers
- •On newspaper page
- •Listen to the text and complete the following sentences with the right variant.
- •Fill in the appropriate word.
- •Match the words in columns to make pairs.
- •Fill in the gaps with appropriate prepositions.
- •Study the use of the Passive Voice in the Past Simple, the Future Simple and the Present Perfect .
- •Negative sentences
- •Interrogative sentences
- •Fill in the gaps with appropriate forms of the verbs in the Passive Voice( the Present Simple, the Past Simple, the Future Simple, the Present Perfect).
- •Translate from Russian into English.
- •16. Translate from Russian into English.
- •17. Clipped words.
- •18. What do these acronyms and clipped forms stand for?
- •19. Match the shortened forms in column a with their full forms in column b.
- •20. Abbreviations in e-mail messages.
- •21. How to give advice.
- •Agreement
- •Disagreement
- •Expressing doubt
- •22. Read and listen to the dialogues.
- •23. Fill in the gaps with words and phrases from Ex. 14.
- •24. Make up your own dialogues according to the pattern of Ex.15.
- •25. Improve your pronunciation skills.
- •27. Reading
- •Lesson 13 Lesson map
- •Parts of body
- •Symptoms and illnesses
- •Diagnosis and treatment
- •Medicines
- •At the dentist’s
- •I dentify healthy food and fast food. Do you ever eat fast food? If yes, how often?
- •Read and listen to the dialogues.
- •Fill in the gaps with the following phrases from the box.
- •Fill in the gaps with words and phrases from Ex.1.
- •Make up your own dialogues according to the pattern of Ex.2.
- •Translate the following dialogues into English.
- •7. Useful words and phrases.
- •Exercise
- •8. Listen to the four dialogues and complete the following statements.
- •9. Answer the following questions about healthy eating.
- •10. Study the functions of should and must.
- •11. Fill in the gaps with should or mustn’t.
- •12. Translate the following sentences from Russian into English.
- •13. How to express empathy. Concern
- •Encouragement and empathy
- •14. Read and listen to the dialogues.
- •15. Fill in the gaps with words and phrases from Ex. 13.
- •16. Express encouragement and empathy for the following.
- •17. Study the use of unreal conditions (Type 2).
- •18. Open the brackets. Use the forms of second type conditionals.
- •19. Use given sentences to make up second type conditionals according to the pattern.
- •20. Open the brackets. Use the forms of first and second type conditionals.
- •21. Read and listen to the following poem. Pay attention to the use of second type conditionals here.
- •If the zebra were given the spots of the leopard
- •It would be very funny, if the ears of the bunny
- •23. Reading
- •Lesson 14 Lesson map
- •Money and payment
- •In the bank
- •Shop assistant
- •Customer
- •1.1 Match the words from the box with the pictures
- •Read and listen to the dialogues..
- •Fill in the gaps with the following phrases from the box.
- •4. Fill in the gaps with words and phrases from Ex.1
- •5. Make up your own dialogues according to the pattern of Ex.2
- •6. Translate the following dialogues into English.
- •7. Match the words to make pairs.
- •8. Listen to the tape and match the speakers with the shops they visited and the reasons for visiting.
- •9. Speak about your shopping preferences ( supermarkets, shopping centers, round the corner shops or on the Internet) and explain your choice.
- •10. Study the use of much, many, little, few, a lot.
- •11. Fill in the gaps with an appropriate form of to be.
- •12. Fill in the gaps with many, (a) little, (a) few, a lot.
- •13. Match the beginnings and endings to make up sentences.
- •14. How to express approval and disapproval.
- •15. Read and listen to the following dialogues.
- •16. Fill in the gaps with words and phrases from Ex.14.
- •17. Translate the following dialogues into English.
- •18. Study the use of the Past Perfect.
- •19. Open the brackets. Use the Past Perfect or the Past Simple Tenses.
- •20. Translate the following sentences into English.
- •21. Read and listen to the poem.
- •23. Reading
- •How to shop
- •Lesson 15 Lesson map
- •Accommodation rent
- •Rooms and conveniences
- •Appliances and furniture
- •Doing housework
- •Speaking about home
- •1.1 Match the words in the box with the pictures
- •Read and listen to the dialogues.
- •3. Fill in the gaps with the following phrases from the box.
- •4. Fill in the gaps with words and phrases from Ex.1
- •Make up your own dialogues according to the pattern of Ex.2.
- •Translate the following dialogues into English.
- •Translate the following words and phrases into English.
- •Match the words in column a with the words in column b.
- •Listen to the text. Decide if the following statements are true (t) or false (f).
- •10. Describe your flat or room. Use words and phrases from Ex.1.
- •11. Comment the following saying: “Men make houses, women make homes”
- •12. Study the use of the Past Continuous Tense.
- •13. Open the brackets using the Past Continuous Tense.
- •14. Fill in the gaps with an appropriate form of the verb (the Past Continuous or the Past Simple Tense).
- •15. Translate the following sentences into English.
- •16. How to express the compliment, delight and wishes.
- •17. Read and listen to the dialogues.
- •18. Complete the following dialogues.
- •19. Translate the following dialogues into English.
- •20. Writing congratulations.
- •21. Congratulate your friend on a) Christmas and the New Year b) the birthday
- •22. Read and listen to the poem.
- •24. Reading
- •Теперь Вы умеете
- •Tapescripts Lesson 1
- •Lesson 2
- •9.1. Listen to the text and finish the sentences in the course book.
- •9.2. Listen to the text and mark if the sentences are True or False.
- •Lesson 4
- •Lesson 5
- •Lesson 6
- •Lesson 7
- •17. Listen and fill in the gaps.
- •27. Listen to the words and put them into the columns
- •Lesson 8
- •Lesson 9
- •21. Listen to the text and do the exercise.
- •22.Listen to the words and put them into the columns.
- •Lesson 10
- •15. Listen to the dialogue and mark the following sentences as True or False.
- •26. Listen to the words and put them into the columns.
- •Lesson 11
- •7. Listen to the text “Healthy hobbies” and do the task.
- •Lesson 12
- •8. Listen to the text and fill in the gaps.
- •24. Listen and repeat
- •Lesson 13
- •8. Listen to the dialogues and complete the statements.
- •Lesson 14
- •Lesson 15
- •9. Listen to the text and do the task.
35. Study the use of the Present Simple.
(In this lesson we deal with Present Simple Tense for regular, habitual and repeated actions)
I go shopping after work We go shopping after work
You go shopping after work You go shopping after work
He goes shopping after work They go shopping after work
I don’t go shopping after work We don’t go shopping after work
You don’t go shopping after work You don’t go shopping after work
He doesn’t go shopping after work They don’t go shopping after work
Do I go shopping after work? Do we go shopping after work?
Do you go shopping after work? Do you go shopping after work?
Does he go shopping after work? Do they go shopping after work?
Signal words are usually, as a rule, sometimes, often, seldom, in the morning (evening), on Fridays. Usually, always, never, seldom, often are used before the main verb in the sentence. For example, I never drink coffee in the morning. These signal words are used after the verb to be. For example, I am never late.
36. Fill in the gaps with an appropriate form of the verb.
1. I ... (attend) language courses on Saturdays. 2. My working day ... (start) at 8 a.m. and
...(finish) at 5.30 p.m. 3. We usually ... (have) lunch at 2 p.m. 4. They ...(go) to a cafe for lunch.
5. Where ... you ... (take) driving lessons? 6. He ...(not take) a bath in the morning. He ...(do) it in the evening. 7. ... she ... (speak) French well? 8. When ... he ... (leave) home?
37. Words used to make up special questions.
-
How
What
Which
When
Where
Why
Как
Что
Какой
Который
Когда
Где
Почему
38. Translate into English.
1. Я никогда не езжу на работу на машине. Я езжу на автобусе. 2. Где Вы живете?
3. Когда ты ходишь за покупками? 4. Мы никогда не завтракаем в кафе. 5. Посещаете ли Вы языковые курсы? 6. Почему Вы их посещаете? 7. Какой язык Вы изучаете? 8. Они смотрят телевизор по воскресеньям. 9. Как часто Вы берете уроки вождения?
39. Improve your pronunciation skills.
Mind long and short vowels in English language.
Listen to the tape and put the words into the columns according to the pattern of pronunciation of the vowels (long or short) :
-
[ i :]
[ i ]
Peter
it
-
[ o:]
[ o :]
autumn
clock
Listen to the tape and repeat:
A sailor went to sea
To see what he could see,
And all he could see,
Was sea, sea, sea.
40. Pre-reading task
1. Make a presentation about the life and works of Mario Puzo.
2. Read the text.
3. Watch the corresponding episode from the film “The Godfather”
4. Compare your impressions from the film and from the text.
5. Discuss your impressions with your friend.
6. If you haven’t read the novel yet, try to guess if Michael Corleone is an honest American citizen or a criminal?
Reading
1. Read the text again.
Mario Puzo. The Godfather
Kay looked at him with astonishment. Then she got up and went to the door of the study and opened it. She could see her father standing at the living-room window, sucking at his pipe. She called out, “Dad, can you join us?” He turned, smiled at her, and walked to the study. When he came through the door he put his arm around his daughter’s waist and faced the detectives and said, “Yes, gentlemen?”
When they didn’t answer, Kay said coolly to Detective Siriani, “Give it to him straight, officer.”
Siriany flushed. “Mr. Adams, I’m telling you this for your daughter’s good. She is mixed up with a hoodlum we have reason to believe committed a murder on a police officer. I’m just telling her she can get into serious trouble unless she cooperates with us. But she doesn’t seem to realize how serious this whole matter is. Maybe you can talk to her.”
“That is quite incredible,” Mr. Adams said politely.
Siriani jutted his jaw. “Your daughter and Michael Corleone have been going out together for over a year. They have stayed overnight in hotels together registered as men and wife. Michael Corleone is wanted for questioning in the murder of a police may help us. Those are the facts. You can call them incredible but I can back everything up.”
“I don’t doubt your word, sir,” Mr. Adams said gently. “What I find incredible is that my daughter could be in serious trouble. Unless you’re suggesting that she is a” – here his face became one of scholarly doubt – “a ‘moll,’ I believe it’s called.”
Kay looked at her father in astonishment. She knew he was being playful in his donnish way and she was surprised that he could take the whole affair so lightly. Mr. Adams said firmly, “However, rest assured that if the young man shows his face here I shall immediately report his presence to the authorities. As will my daughter. Now, if you will forgive us, our lunch is growing cold.”
He ushered the men out of the house with every courtesy and closed the door on their backs gently but firmly. He took Kay by the arm and led her toward the kitchen far in the rear of the house, “Come, my dear, your mother is waiting lunch for us.”
By the time they reached the kitchen, Key was weeping silently, out of relief from strain, at her father’s unquestioning affection. In the kitchen her mother took no notice of her weeping, and Kay realized that her father must have told her about two detectives. She sat down at her place and her mother served her silently. When all three were at the table her father said grace with bowed head.
Mrs. Adams was a short stout woman always neatly dressed, hair always set. Kay had never seen her in disarray. Her mother too had always been a little disinterested in her, holding her at arm’s length. And she did so now. “Kay, stop being so dramatic. I’m sure it’s all a great deal of fuss about nothing at all. After all, the boy was a Dartmouth boy, he couldn’t possibly be mixed up in anything so sordid.”
Kay looked up in surprise. “How did you know Mike went to Darmouth?”
Her mother said complacently, “You young people are so mysterious, you think you’re so clever. We’ve known about him all along, but of course we couldn’t bring it up until you did.”
“But how did you know?” Kay asked. She still couldn’t face her father now that he knew about her and Mike sleeping together. So she didn’t see the smile on his face when he said, “We opened your mail, of course.”
Kay was horrified and angry. Now she could face him. What he had done was more shameful than her own sin.
She could never believe it of him. “Father, you didn’t, you couldn’t have.”
Mr. Adams smiled at her. “I debated which was the greater sin, opening your mail, or going in ignorance of some hazard my only child might be incurring. The choice was simple, and virtuous.”
Mrs. Adams said between mouthfuls of boiled chicken, “After all, my dear, you are terribly innocent for your age. We had to be aware. And you never spoke about him.”
For the first time Kay was grateful that Michael was never affectionate in his letters. She was grateful that her parents hadn’t seen some of her letters. “I never told you about him because I thought you’d be horrified about his family.”
“We were,” Mr. Adams said cheerfully. “By the way, has Michael gotten in touch with you?”
Kay shook her head. “I don’t believe he’s guilty of anything.” She saw her parents exchange a glance over the table. Then Mr. Adams said gently, “If he’s not guilty and he’s vanished, then perhaps something else happened to him.”
At first Kay didn’t understand. Then she got up from the table and ran to her room.
2. Work in pairs. Discuss these problems.
a) Should members of a family cooperate with the police their relative is involved in crime?
b) Could parents open their children’s mail in some circumstances?
c) How should young people behave if they feel their parents will not accept their partner?
3. There are some colloquial and substandard expressions in the abstract. Find their definitions.
A give it straight 1 unnecessary worry about something
B mix up with a hoodlum 2 mention
C back up 3 provide with support
D it’s a fuss about nothing 4 tell something unpleasant directly
E bring up 5 get along with a hooligan
4. Spot a grammatical Americanism in the text. Find a British equivalent.
Projects
1. Make a family album. Record interviewers with your parents, great parents, aunts and uncles. Translate them into English. Find photo and video materials.
2. Plan a theme (classic, retro, pirate…etc. ) wedding for a friend. Rent premises, design interior, order flowers, buy or rent costumes, hire a band, order a wedding cake, design invitations, calculate costs.
3. Choose an ethnic community living in Saint Petersburg. Study how their national traditions blend into the life of a multicultural city. What problems can you identify?
Now you can
introduce yourself and your partner
tell the partner where you are from, how old you are, where you work and describe your family
ask the partners about their families
tell the partner about your daily routines
ask and tell the partner about the time