Английский язык. Практикум по домашнему чтению (к рассказам Дж. Арчера и Р. Даля)

•his three loves

•his fellow countrymen

•his staff

•his life’s ambition

11.Skim the text and comment on the geographical points mentioned there.

12.

“Making a million legally has always been difficult. Making a million illegally has always been a little easier. Keeping a million when you have made it is perhaps the most difficult of all. Henryk Metelski was one of those rare men who had managed all three. Even if the million he had made legally came after the million he had made illegally, Metelski was still a yard ahead of the others: he had managed to keep it all”.

Make up the record of Henryk Metelski’s deals.

13.The story tells a lot about business ethic as a special (delicate or tricky) thing. Do you agree with this statement: “Ethic is a system of moral behavior.” Prove your answer.

14.“His system was not a practice considered to be entirely ethical in business”. Fetch the examples from the story.

15.Can you guess what gaps the following information fills in the abridged variant you read?

•James revelation to Ann

•a mock operation on Metcalfe

•buying Van Gogh’s picture

16.Why was Metelski called:

•‘a master of survival’?

•‘a critical observer of human nature’?

•‘a perfect young actor’?

•‘a quick learner’?

•‘a dubious dealer’?

•‘a connoisseur of the Impressionist period’?

•‘an expert of the market’?

•‘ a model student’?

•‘has a gift of prediction’?

•‘a perfect manager’?

•‘a gambler’?

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17.Who is described in each of the following sentences?

1)He knocked around the East Side streets with his belt tightened and his eyes open.

2)He deputed to report his friend’s mishap and talked himself into the ensuing vacancy.

3)One day he would lecture to that august body.

4)He picked up money for the inside knowledge he supplied.

5)He could lay his grubby hands on shares.

6)He read the details of Rockefeller’s coup.

7)He put himself through the motions of the normal day’s work.

8)He felt that Pommes de Terre Maïre d’Hotel were more likely to have caused their obesity than French fries

9)She moved chatting to the regular Waldorf-Astoria set.

10)He didn’t blend in with a decor of the hotel.

11)He came from Viking stock.

12)They were poles apart but…

13)In three years he had lost 97 years of goodwill and doubled the profit.

14)The right-hand man in a Metcalfe coup.

15)He wasn’t in awe of the bank managerial class.

16)His mane wasn’t on the letterhead.

17)He tut-tutted his way through the end-of-vocation exams papers.

18)He had one in the eye for his father.

19)He re-framed a Renoir.

20)The truth was beginning to dawn on him.

21)Harvey rewarded them and left David holding the baby.

22)Banks burnt their fingers badly.

23)She was wearing a long black suit of some soft material that tantalized James with the reticence with which it…

24)He didn’t want to blunder with unwanted attentions.

25)...a dissipated young man with the world-weariness that usually goes with a large unearned income.

26)It was his turn to be tested under pressure.

18.Explain why

•the chauffeur had clearly made no sinister deductions from his observations.

•Harvey’s eyes fell on a trio.

•Stephen’s legs turned to jelly.

19.Describe the appearance of one of the characters you choose.

•Harvey Ann

•Stephen

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•David

•Jean-Pierre

•James Robin

20. Read the following sentence.

‘Oh, yes,’ said the Inspector, ‘it was a neat little operation. Worthy of the talents of Harvey Metcalfe.’

There is a hidden irony in the statement, try to prove it. What was the operation about? What talents did the Inspector mention?

21. Find Russian equivalents to the collocations and recollect the situation in the text. Compare your ideas with your partner.

•a bunch of crooks

•a disastrous failure

•prudish discipline

•a fierce disagreement

•a final crunch

•remaining desire

•the only tangible asset

•with this in mind

•with flourish and publicity

•an exceptional capacity for work

•worked ferociously

•well-manufactured fingertips

•with a crew cut

•armed with BA

•with the adrenalin pumping through his body

•a solid aura of success

•the glib expertise

•an enticing description of the company

•stretched the conversation out

•a glossy report

•regular check-up

•a mild celebration

•with sudden loathing

•fellow dupers

•smothered in diamonds

•was loath to leave

•honorary degree

•the spirited rendering of ‘Who wants to be a millionaire?’

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22.Find the Russian equivalents:

1)to end up in jail

2)the vision of losing his job

3)breathed a sigh of relief

4)let the matter drop

5)regretted the error

6)whistled with relief

7)was soaked in sweat

8)acted like a magnet

9)has all the assurance and charm of the Boston set

10)a gifted amateur

11)made a codicil to his will

12)sell the firm to the first bidder

13)gain money from sale

14)give a problem considerable thought

15)deliver messages

16)make in a lifetime on his salary

17)the Prohibition lifted by

18)the marriage passed by

19)came as a welcome change

20)build up a collection

21)got a kick out

22)cut down the deals

23)resist a chance of taking a risk

24)leave empty-handed

25)create an impression

26)was tailor-made for him

27)to work under immediate direction

28)to employ his academic mind to carry out the research

29)to avoid modelling assignments

30)fought his way through the crowd

31)the toast-maker called for silence/call the toast for the bride

32)the applause died down

33)found him besieged by a group of matrons

34)cracked his favourite joke

35)use money wisely

36)retrieve the money he made from his win

23.Insert the preposition and compare the translations in two languages:

1)… completed course … management

2)left it …speed

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3)to cash the cheque … a branch

4)nibbled … hamburger

5)left money deposited … the bank

6)gain … experience and confidence

7)talk him … … it

8)branched … … new fields

9)entranced …. the fine brushwork

10)with all the enthusiasm of a man ….. his first appointment

11)to place a blame …. smb

12)kindly deposit the keys … this office … your earliest convenience.

13)she smiled … him

14)she settled her head … his shoulder

15)put it … good use

16)kissed him … genuine affection

17)get drunk … champagne

18)summoned … an interview

Formal Letter Style

24. Examine the letter from the landlords. What makes you feel that the letter is in a formal style?

Corporation of London,

Barbican Estate Office,

London EC2 01-628-4341 Dear Sir,

We are sorry to learn you will be leaving at the end of the month, and would like to take this opportunity of thanking you for the payment of rent in advance.

We should be pleased if you would kindly deposit the keys to this office at your earliest convenience.

Yours faithfully,

C. J. Caselton, Estate Manager.

Try to put in writing all the story on behalf of David written as a letter to an inspector.

25. Use an appropriate style.

Use key words from the text.

Make sure your sentences are accurate and well-constructed. Make good use of linking words to connect your sentences.

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PARSON’S PLEASURE (BY R. DAHL)

Comprehension check

1.Put the following statements in chronological order:

Mr Boggis parked his car.

He approached the front door and rang the bell. Mr Boggis explained the aims of his Society. Claud and Bert laid the commode upside down. Mr Boggis took a long look at the commode. He drew the screw out.

Claud sawed off the legs of the commode. Bert took out a yellowing paper.

Parson took a knife and opened the smallest blade. Mr Boggis gave a shrill gasp of shock.

Mr Boggis collapsed into the chair. Mr Boggis asked for a jug of water Bert fetched the water.

Mr Boggis found himself giggling uncontrollably. The three men peered at the wood.

Rummins put his fingers on the patch of dark wood. The woman returned.

Mr Boggis asked if the woman could sell the chairs.

The woman dressed in riding breeches slapped Mr Boggis on the shoulder.

Parson got the chairs and drove back to London.

2.Are the following statements true or false?

1)Mr Boggis dealt in selling antique furniture.

2)He was a talented actor and had a way with people.

3)Mr Boggis made quite a large income every year.

4)Parson’s oak walking stick lent him a rather solemn air.

5)Through the smoke of the woman’s cigarette Mr Boggis smelt a heady sweet perfume.

6)Claud, the neighbour, was wearing a soft black hat.

7)Mr Boggis gasped as he saw a beautiful brand-new commode.

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8)The three countrymen were not experts but they were not silly.

9)The commode was one of the famous examples of the 18th century furniture.

10)The invoice was written in a neat old-fashioned handwriting.

11)The invoice was written the man who had made it and passed it off as an antique.

12)The mahogany under the paint had a genuine antique look.

13)The countrymen were interested in new forms of cheating.

14)Claud was captured by the story about tricks with iron.

15)Parson assured the countrymen that the rascal who had sold the commode had faked it.

16)Mr Boggis said to Rummins that he wanted the legs of the commode to be cut off.

17)He refused to leave without the commode.

18)Mr Boggis was used to buying things at a very low price.

19)Rummins was afraid that Parson would go back on his word.

20)Mr Boggis had parked his truck in a distance.

21)Mr. Boggis could hardly stop himself from breaking into a run.

22)The legs came off easily and were duly arranged in a row.

23)Claud sawed the commode up into pieces.

3. Name the characters and recollect the situations associated with the following objects:

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4. Match the features with the characters:

1) Mr Boggis; 2) the gigantic woman; 3) Rummins; 4) Bert; 5) Claud

5.Explain the meaning of the following:

1)“ …he managed to make quite a tidy little income every year”(p.15)

2)“… there was a bit more to it” (p.18)

3)“ …it was as much as he could do to prevent himself from turning aside…”(p.15)

4)“ …what a stir he was going to make!”(p.29)

5)“For all you know, they may be hundreds and hundreds of years old.”(p.37)

6)“It’s worth more’n that for firewood!”(p.38)

Speaking

6.Give an account of the events of the story.

7.Give word portraits of a) Mr Boggis, b) the gigantic woman, c) Rummins, d) Bert, e) Claud

8.Give more details on the following points:

1)Mr Boggis’s professional qualities and his way of dealing with people.

2)Mr Boggis’s professional reputation.

3)Mr Boggis’s preparations for combing the countryside.

4)The houses he was going to visit.

5)The precautions against being exposed.

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6)The countrymen’s behaviour and attitude to Parson.

7)The Chippendale Commode.

8)Mr Boggis’s dreams connected with the commode.

9)The arguments made by Boggis for knocking off the price of the commode.

10)The process of bargaining.

11)Mr Boggis’s feelings on his way to the car.

Vocabulary

9.Give equivalents to the following phrasal verbs:

1)…to make for the top of Brill Hill (p.13);

2)he ruled it out…(p.14);

3)no point in calling on the prosperous (p.14);

4)the people there could probably do with some money (p.14);

5)the scheme began to take on a more practical aspect (p.18);

6)I don’t know what the hell you want, but come on in (p.21);

7)I think you are after buying the stuff yourself” (p.25);

8)Mr Boggis was holding on to himself tight (p.33);

9)the man who made it and passed it off as an antique(p.33);

10)to permit him to give in so easily(p.39);

11)you can’t back out, Parson(p.39);

12)one by one, the legs came off (p.42).

10.Give Russian equivalents or explain the following idioms:

1)“…but even with these he occasionally drew the line”(p.15),

2)“ travelling around on a labour of love for the society” (p.19),

3)“…who in the world was going to kick him out…”(p.19),

4)“A Tory in riding breeches…was always a sitting duck for Mr.Boggis”(p.21),

5)“…this clergyman …had been sent to poke his nose into their business”(p.24),

6)“That would give the game away” (p.33).

7)Illustrate each idiom with your own example.

11.Fill the blanks with prepositions:

1)He drove… the hill and stopped the car just short … the summit … the outskirts … the village.

2)He could see one medium farmhouse over … the right, back … the fields, with a track leading … it … the road.

3)There was no point … calling … the prosperous.

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4)He was aware … his gift, using it shamelessly … every possible occasion.

5)They bargained … half an hour, and … the end Mr Boggis got the chairs.

6)Combing the countryside wouldn’t interfere … his work … all.

7)Parson was travelling around … labour … love for the “Society”.

8)The friendliness … which he was received … one house … another was, … the beginning, quite embarrassing.

9)Mr Boggis apologized … bothering the woman.

10)The next house was situated back … the fields, and … order to keep his car … … sight, Mr Boggis had to leave it … the road.

11)There were three men standing … a close group … a corner of the yard, and one of them had two black greyhounds … him, … leashes.

12)Claud had dropped … … Rummins … hope … getting a piece of pork or ham.

13)… the second time that morning, Mr Boggis explained … length the aims and ideals of his Society.

14)The chairs rte tucked … … the farms and cottages all … the country with the owners standing … them … hobnailed boots to reach a pot … jam … … the top cupboard.

15)The habit … buying cheap, acquired … years of necessity and practice, was too strong … him now to permit to give … so easily.

12.Substitute the italicised words and expressions with their syno-

nyms from the text.

1)Buying furniture from countrymen turned out to be an interesting, exciting and profitable business.

2)They talked about the conditions of the sale for half an hour and finally Mr Boggis got the chairs.

3)There stood before Mr Boggis an extremely tall woman.

4)Rummins fixed Parson with his mischievous eyes.

5)They emerged into a large, extremely dirty living-room.

6)Suddenly Mr Boggis clapped one hand over his heart, walked unsteadily to the nearest chair, and fell into it.

7)The wide frog-mouth widened into a cunning grin.

8)Parson peeped through the little crack between his fingers.

9)The commode was one of the most famous examples of 18th century furniture.

10)If Parson saw something that he liked greatly, and if he could afford it, he might be tempted to make an offer.

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