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Файл:Читаем и анализируем тексты. Агата Кристи «Подвиги Геракла». Reading and Discussing Agatha Christie's «The Labours of Hercules». Учебно-методическое п
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"Cocaine. Such a small quantity, it would seem – but enough to be worth thousands
of pounds to those willing to pay for it.... Enough to bring ruin and misery to several hundred
people...."
She caught her breath. She cried out:
"And you think that I – but it is not so! I swear to you it is not so! In the past I have amused
myself with the jewels, but drugs--that, no! I had no idea – no faintest idea – that my so charming, so
innocent, so delightful little Hell was being used for that purpose! Believe me, my friend," implored
the Countess.
"But of course I believe you! Have I not taken time and trouble to convict the real organiser
of the dope racket. For I do not like to see my friends framed—yes, framed – for it was you who were
intended to take the rap if things went wrong! It was in your handbag the emeralds would have been
found and if any one had been clever enough (like me) to suspect a hiding place in the mouth of a
savage dog — eh bien, he is your dog, is he not? Even if he has accepted la petite Alice to the point
of obeying her orders also! Yes, you may well open your eyes! From the first I did not like that young
lady with her scientific jargon and her coat and skirt with the big pockets. Yes, pockets. Pockets in
which she can carry drugs and take away jewels — a little exchange easily made whilst she is dancing
with her accomplice whom she pretends to regard as a psychological case. Ah, but what a cover! No
one suspects the earnest, the scientific psychologist with a medical degree and spectacles. She thinks
she can deceive him with her talk of nursery governesses and vests! Eh bien, I am ready for her. The
lights go off. Quickly I rise from my table and go to stand by Cerberus. In the darkness I hear her
come. She opens his mouth and forces in the package, and I – delicately, unfelt by her, I snip with a
tiny pair of scissors a little piece from her sleeve."
Dramatically he produced a piece of material.
"You observe – the identical checked tweed – and I will give it to Japp to fit it back where it
belongs--and make the arrest – and say how clever once more has been Scotland Yard."
The Countess Rossakoff stared at him in stupefaction.
"But my Niki – my Niki. This will be terrible for him – " She paused. "Or do you think not?"
"There are a lot of other girls in America," said Hercule Poirot.
"Guv'nor," wheezed Mr. Higgs anxiously, "what do you want me to do? What about this 'ell
'ound?"
"If I remember rightly,” said Hercule Poirot, "Cerberus returned to Hell.”
"From the Nemean Lion to the Capture of Cerberus," murmured Poirot. "It is complete."
3. Write down the clue words of the story. Compare your clue words with those
of your classmates. Discuss the differences and argue your choice.
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Vocabulary
1. Explain the following expressions: to pay the visit, to and fro, to make the most
of oneself, to be acquainted with, to embroil smb with, to try one’s hand at, to
be worth doing smth, to take the rap, you’re telling me! Make up the sentences
using these phrases.
2. Give synonyms of the following words: underground, welfare, idle, to interrupt,
to deceive.
3. Give the definition or an explanation of the following words: racket, to betray,
hound, to swear, accomplice, dummy.
4. Form the derivatives and fill in the blanks.
noun
verb
adjective
agree
advertisement
betray
confident
deceive
opposite
destroy
solution
Reading: Read the text. Make a list of 5 questions to each of the parts. In pairs ask
each other these questions and check the partner’s answers.
Comprehension activities
1. Find the parallels between the ancient myth and the story read.
2. Introduce the main characters of the story. Find their descriptions in the text and
complete them with your own words.
3. Answer the following questions:
1) How did Poirot meet Vera Rossakoff? What did they talk about? Recall
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the circumstances in which they had already met.
2) What word intrigued Poirot? How did Poirot find its meaning out?
3) What did Poirot see when he was descending to the club room? Describe
the interior of the club. Who did Vera Rossakoff introduce Poirot to?
4) Why did Poirot make inquiries about the night club in Scotland Yard?
What did he learn about the club and its customers from the inspector
Japp?
5) How did Vera Rossakoff behave when Poirot interviewed her about the
club’s owner? What conclusion did Poirot come to after having talked to
the countess?
6) What plan did the inspector Japp propose to Poirot?
7) What happened at the night club on Thursday night?
8) Who were the organizers of the dope? How did Poirot disclose them?
4. Describe the underground of London at the rush hours. Speak about Poirot’s
thoughts and feelings in the tube train.
5. What is the distinctive characteristic of the speech of British cockneys? Give the
examples from the text.
Writing
1. Translate from Russian into English using the vocabulary of the text:
1) Как редко сейчас увидишь лицо с проблеском интеллекта, как редко
увидишь элегантную женщину. 2) Как огромная приливная волна, пассажиры
выплеснулись на перрон. 3) Трудно поверить, насколько мисс Лемон была
некрасива, но она была настолько же квалифицированна. 4) На каждой
ступени была написана одна фраза. 5) Красный рот, похожий на пещеру,
открылся, и затем мощные челюсти сомкнулись снова. 6) Вы не изменились,
нисколько. 7) Тот, кто является ужасом для злодеев. 8) Вдруг он увидел нечто,
что сразу же привлекло его внимание. 9) Это достаточно интересная проблема,
которой стоит заняться. 10) Она рассмеялась.
2. Write a letter to your friend describing a night club you visit.
114
Grammar
1. Identify the function of modals in the following sentences:
a) A lesser woman might have shouted “The Ritz” or “Claridge’s”.
b) Inspector Stevens might be in real danger.
c) You’re sure you can accomplish what you have to do?
d) You should study the criminal code of Hammurabi.
e) Chère Madame, where can I find you?
f) Miss Lemon, may I ask you a question?
g) Will you please reserve a table for two?
h) I must speak to Aristide.
i) They must be making a lot of money, though the expenses are high.
j) What do you suspect there is to find out?
2. Report the conversation between Japp and Poirot, ch. V, p. 74.
3. Study the use of the articles in two paragraphs “The train stopped … her
shoulders”, p. 67, and comment upon their functions.
Speaking
Retell the story from the part of Vera Rossakoff (10-15 sentences).
Discussion
Discuss why in your opinion Agatha Christie used a Russian character in this story.
Does it have any typically Russian features?
Role play
Work in pairs. Poirot and Japp are discussing the plan of raiding the club. Poirot has
some ideas about how to do it. Continue the conversation between Hercule Poirot and
inspector Japp, p.74.
After reading: Watch the British crime drama Agatha Christie’s Poirot, series 13 (The
Labours of Hercules). Discuss the main differences and similarities between the plot
of the book and the film play.
115
Источники
1. Клевалина Н. Агата Кристи – леди-детектив // Гео. 2003. № 4. С. 72–84.
2. Christie A. The Labours of Hercules. URL:
https://royallib.com/read/Christie_Agatha/The_Labours_of_Hercules.html#0 (с
адаптацией; дата обращения 02.12.2022)
3. The Free Encyclopedia Wikipedia Labours of Hercules. URL:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labours_of_Hercules (с адаптацией; дата
обращения 02.12.2022).
Учебное издание
Якушко Галина Томовна,
Халдояниди Анна Константиновна
ЧИТАЕМ И АНАЛИЗИРУЕМ ТЕКСТЫ
Агата Кристи «Подвиги Геракла»
READING AND DISCUSSING
Agatha Christie's “The Labours оf Hercules”
Учебно-методическое пособие
по домашнему чтению
Редактор С. В. Исакова
Обложка Е. В. Неклюдовой
Подписано в печать 20.04.2023 г.
Формат 60 х 84 1/8. Уч.-изд. л. 14,5.
Усл. печ. л. 13,4. Заказ № 80
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