About a Boy (110

What was Fiona’s present? Why did Fiona choose such a present?

What was Will surprised at?

3. Watch the following episode (56:27 – 57:10) fill in the gaps.

“…- He`s my friend, I invited him. I should be able to tell him when to (1) _____ _____.

I haven`t told Will to go, Marcus. Suzie’s angry and has (2) _____ right to be, and she’s telling him so.

All he did was (3) _____ _____ a kid for a couple weeks. God, that’s (4) _____. So what? Who (5) _____? Kids at (6) _____ do (7) _____ than that every day!

The point is, Marcus, Will (8) _____ school a long time ago. He should`ve (9) _____

_____ of making people up by now.

It`s not fair to (10) _____ _____ on him. He`s been better behaved since then. He (11)_____ _____ _____, he lets me (12)_____ _____ to his house and he (13)_____ what kids (14)_____.

What? (15)_____ _____ and (16) _____ _____? If there’s something you really need then we can talk about it”.

In your opinion who`s right about Will?

4. Watch the episode (57:40 – 58:11) and fill in the gaps.

“As I sat there, I had a strange feeling. I was (1)____________ ___________. I'd never really enjoyed Christmas before. My mother used to make me sing Santa's Super Sleigh in front of my inebriated (2)___________ and ___________ just to get at my dad, I think. But Christmas at Marcus', I'm ashamed to say it, gave me a (3)____________, (4)____________ feeling.”

Does Will gain new experience? Is there anything unusual in this celebration for you? Are you surprised at anything?

Why is such awkward family reunion of such importance to Marcus?

Reading

Answer the questions.

1.For his father this song was “a terrible reminder of how badly he had failed in his life”. Why? Does Will think he has failed in his life?Why does he hate the Christmas song his father wrote?

2.Do you agree with the statement “...how you spent Christmas was a message to the world about where you were at in life...”? Why does this idea strike Will? Is it difficult for him now to decide how to spend this Christmas?

3.Why do you think he chooses a family at last? What is this Christmas like for Will? How does he feel during the Eve? Does he gain new experience? Is there anything unusual in this celebration for you? Are you surprised at anything?

4.What message do the presents convey? Are they pleased with their presents? How does Marcus accept his mother’s presents? Why does Marcus’s enthusiasm break Will’s heart? What does it make Will think about?

5.What kind of person is Clive? Is he a good father? Why/Why not?

6.Why is such awkward family reunion of such importance to Marcus?

Vocabulary work

1. Look at the following list. Work in pairs and say whether these customs are typical of Christmas or New Year in Britain.

What do you know about them? Do you have any similar customs and traditions in your country?

2.Complete the sentences with an appropriate word or words from the chapters that are synonymic to the expressions in brackets. The first letter is already given. Then talk to your friend. Take turns to ask each other these questions.

a)Do you sometimes let things d… a…? (float, be uncontrolled)

b)Do you regret about anything when you l… b… o… your past? (think about, remember)

c)Do you have to win at a… c…? (whatever is needed to achieve smth)

d)What do you s… f… most in your life? (try very hard to achieve)

e)Is there somebody who helps you n… e… in your life? (very much)

f)What foods do you l…? (hate, detest)

g)Do you usually spend holidays with your friends or in the b… of the family? (midst, surrounded by)

h)Are you good at t… h… or you are too literal-minded? (understand what smb says indirectly)

i)Could you f… the idea of being unmarried for all your life? (understand thoroughly, comprehend)

j)How frustrated do you get when you're s… by someone who is extremely rude? (insult, especially by ignoring a person)

3.Fill in the correct word derived from the word in bold.

1.Dancers arrive from many countries to join the …. FESTIVE

2.The room doesn't have electric lights - … because the family only used it on bright mornings.

PRESUME

3.He was restless, self-centered and …. INDULGE

4.What are the causes of family …? STRANGE

5.He has an … self-confidence, which no doubt dates back to when he sold his first paintings at nine years old for hundreds of dollars. SHAKE

6.He was …. and seemed to enjoy provoking confrontations with his parents. OBEY

7.If we do not receive the money within this period, our computer will automatically cancel your …. RESERVE

8.Environmentalists fight against the … of live animal exports. RESUME

4.Give English equivalents to the following words and expressions from the text.

(1) по очевидной причине; (2) сочувственно кудахтать; (3) встречное обвинение; (4) обречённая попытка; (5) иметь право на что-то; (6) рыть нору; (7) любой ценой; (8) пристально уставился наВилла; (9) возвращаться к своему первоначальному плану; (10) беспамятство

Speaking

Discussion questions

1.What makes Christmas and New Year so special and full of magic?

2.Is it better to celebrate these holidays in the bosom of the family or with parties?

3.Why do some people dislike these holidays and find them depressing?

4.Is Christmas becoming too commercialized? Is giving gifts a waste of money?

Role play

New Year’s Eve is time for New Year’s resolutions. Many people promise themselves to reform a habit or change a lifestyle but very few resolutions are usually fulfilled. The most popular goals are to lose weight, quit smoking, take a trip, learn something new or be less grumpy.

a.Imagine you are Will (Marcus, Clive, Fiona). Make a list of 10 New Year’s resolutions.

b.What resolutions would you make?

Project

With the help of the Internet restore the words of one of the famous Christmas songs – “Twelve Days of Christmas”. Try singing it with your classmates.

On the first day of Christmas, my true love sent to me

A _________________.

On the second day of Christmas, my true love sent to me

Two _____________________, And a ____________________.

On the third day of Christmas, my true love sent to me

Three ____________________, Two _____________________, And a ____________________.

On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me

Four _____________________, Three ____________________, Two _____________________, And a ____________________.

On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me

Five _____________________,

Four _____________________, Three ____________________, Two _____________________, And a ____________________.

On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me

Six ______________________, Five _____________________, Four _____________________, Three ____________________, Two _____________________, And a ____________________.

On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me

Seven ____________________, Six _______________________, Five ______________________, Four ______________________, Three _____________________, Two ______________________, And a _____________________.

On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me

Eight _____________________, Seven _____________________, Six _______________________, Five ______________________, Four ______________________, Three _____________________, Two ______________________, And a _____________________.

On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me

Nine ______________________, Eight ______________________, Seven _____________________, Six ________________________, Five _______________________, Four _______________________, Three ______________________, Two _______________________, And a ______________________.

On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me

Ten ________________________, Nine ________________________, Eight _______________________,

Seven _______________________, Six _________________________, Five ________________________, Four ________________________, Three _______________________, Two ________________________, And a _______________________.

On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me

Eleven ______________________, Ten _________________________, Nine ________________________, Eight ________________________, Seven _______________________, Six __________________________, Five _________________________, Four _________________________, Three ________________________, Two _________________________, And a ________________________.

On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me

Twelve _______________________, Eleven _______________________, Ten __________________________, Nine _________________________, Eight _________________________, Seven ________________________, Six ___________________________, Five __________________________, Four __________________________, Three _________________________, Two __________________________, And a _________________________!

Unit 9 Love Actually

Chapters 24-28

Lead-in

1.“New Year, new beginnings”. Do you agree? Do you conceive of it as time to turn over a new leaf?

2.Look at the sayings and decide (individually) whether you agree or disagree. Think about examples you can use to support your point of view. Discuss with your partner.

a)It's love which makes the world go round.

b)Love is blind.

c)True love never dies.

d)Love me, love my dog.

e)All's fair in love and war.

What is your definition of love? Do you believe in love at first sight? Why/why not?

Watching

1. Watch the following episode (58:35 – 01:01:20) and fill the gaps with the words Will uses to describe Rachel.

“…She was (1) _____, (2) _____ and (3) _____”.

Restore and comment on the following phrase:

“For five minutes I realized what (4) _____ would be like if I were, in any way, (5) _____. If I had anything to (6) _____ for (7) _____, if I (8) _____ anything”.

What does Will mean saying“It wasn`t a lie. It was 100 percent her assumption. Well, 50percent, at the very least”.

What assumption does Will mean? Reveal the significance that the underlined words have for Will. Why does Will need Marcus`s help?

2.Watch the following episode (01.01.25-01.09.15) and mark the sentences T (true), F (false) or NS (nothing said) after watching the episode.

1.Ellie is quite rude with Marcus.

2.Marcus says he doesn’t like rap very much.

3.Marcus has cold feet because of Ellie’s rough manner.

4.Marcus and Ellie arrange a date.

5.Will desperately needs Marcus’s help.

6.Marcus knows how to help Will.

7.Marcus’s first meeting with Ali is a disaster.

8.Rachel notices Marcus doesn’t take after Will.

9.Will wants to be Ali’s stepfather.

10.Ali got along well with Rachel’s last bloke.

3.Now watch the episode one more time and answer the following questions:

1.What is your impression of Ellie? Why do you think Ellie becomes nice to Marcus at last?

2.Why do you think Marcus is so charmed by her?

3.Will and Marcus are both in love, aren’t they?

4.What does Will mean by saying “It is a kind of a big deal”?

5.What advice should they both follow to be successful with opposite sex? (Will’s speculation - be normal as you can)

6.Will – “For a moment I loved him. Really loved him.” Comment upon it.

Reading

1.Answer the questions:

1.Does relationship with opposite sex make life complete? Do you think Marcus and Will feel that? And what about Fiona?

2.Do you believe Will is capable of love? What is love for Will before he meets Rachel? Do you think his love to Rachel is serious? What makes you think so?

3.Are there any obstacles on his way to her heart? Why does Will feel inferior to her?

4.Rachel believes that Marcus is Will’s son. Why doesn’t Will reveal the truth at once? Does he benefit from this situation?

5.Explain Ali’s reaction to the guests. Is it adequate?

6.Why do Marcus and Ellie get on well with each other? What does Marcus feel when Ellie defends him? Do you agree with Will’s comments upon that “...while he relied on teenage girls to defend him in the street, he was unlikely to be much of a catch for anybody”?

7.HowdoMarcus and Will support each other now? Why? Are their lives bound?

2.Work with a partner. Choose task a, b or c. First put down keywords and expressions, and then compare the people.

a. Compare and contrast mother-child relationships in the families. Are these families worlds apart? What do they have in common?

b. Compare and contrast Marcus - Ellie and Will – Rachel relationship.

c. Compare and contrast two teenagers: Marcus and Ali. In what ways are they similar and different? (clothes, rooms, hobbies, etc.).

a)The pictures don’t show the beauty of the area you live in.

b)Your friend has a great chance to make a career in journalism.

c)You hear your sister arguing with her husband in the garden.

d)You give your imagination full play thinking about all the ways that you could spend the money.

e)You see photographs of new designer collections from New York Fashion Week.

3.Find the English equivalents of the following.

доляправды/зерно истины, отпугивать, чувствовать нутром,влиятельные люди/сильные мира сего, ворошить воспоминания/копаться в памяти, пораженный/влюбленный по уши, хихикать, подмигивать, обычный/заурядный, плакаться/хныкать/распускать сопли, просить успокоиться/говорить тихо/тсс!

4.Fill in the correct word derived from the word in bold.

a)A person remains … for 48 hours after their symptoms have ceased. INFECTION

b)Ann visited several primary schools and was … by the total lack of books. APPALL

c)It is a … and difficult job for them all. NIGHTMARE

d)His family were always supportive of him, although rather … by his chosen path.

BEWILDER

e)The problem with …loveis that it hurts greatly and it takes a lot of time to get over it.

RECIPROCATE

f)Corner pubs are usually packed with … young people on the Saturday night. ART

g)It was the most … dream I've ever had. SCARE

h)I'm pretty … at relationships, aren't I? HOPE

i)It was a … attempt to save the family business. DESPAIR

5.Complete the sentences with a word or phrase from the box below.

a)I’m ________ people nagging at me.

b)I ________ to being sceptical about the UFO’s.

c)I tend to ________ everything. I feel terribly stressed and panicky even if some little problem occurred.

d)I constantly _______ how overweight/underweight I am.

e)I look down on people who used social connections to _______ their way up the career ladder.

f)I can easily _______ how my life will change in 10 years.

Are any of the statements true for you? Discuss with a partner.

Speaking

Discussion questions

1.What qualities do you think are needed for a lasting relationship?

2.Do people need to be married? What is the best age for a person to get married?What makes people become confirmed bachelors? Are they likely to change?

3.Is it better to date or marry someone of the same educational, social, cultural and racial background?

4.Does having children put a strain on a relationship or make it easier? How?

5. Is lying just a part of any relationship?Is it easier for men to lie than women?

Role play

Work in pairs and act out the dialogues asking for and giving advice. You may choose to be helpful and sympathetic or reproaching and unsympathetic.

a)You are Will. You are head over heels in love with Rachel but you feel that you don’t deserve her love. She must be attracted to more interesting men. To make matters worse, you lied to her about having a son. Talk to Marcus and ask for some advice.

b)You are Marcus. You are love-struck. But Ellie doesn’t seem to be interested in you. She considers you to be her friend. What’s more, you are three years younger. Talk to Will and ask for some advice.