13. Answer the questions:

1. What do you think made Margaret Mitchell write a book about the Civil War?

2. Who starred in the film “Gone with the Wind”? Was the film successful?

3. Who are the main characters of the book “Gone with the Wind”?

4. What is the story set around?

5. What can you say about Scarlett O’Hara?

6. Was it Margaret Mitchell who wrote the sequel under the “Scarlett” title?

7. Is the book popular with the public?

8. Have you read it? Did you read it in Russian or in the original?

14. Translate into Russian:

Recently; a very deep impression; the talking point of all America; a highly successful film; rich gentry; spoilt; willful; wit and intelligence; decidedly ungentlemanly; a love triangle.

15. Learn the following dialogue by heart or make up your own talk on literature

• What are you reading?

• It’s “A Farewell to Arms” by Hemingway.

• What do you think of it?

• As a matter of fact Hemingway is one of my favourite writers. I have read all of his novels and stories in Russian. Now I am reading the book in the original.

• Any language problems?

• Sometimes I have to look up some words in the dictionary. That’s all.

• Frankly speaking Ernest Hemingway is not among my favourite writers. I prefer detective stories and thrillers.

• Tastes differ. Don’t you like John Updike?

• Now you have mentioned it I remember… Not long ago I finished his novel “Run, Rabbit, Run”.

• What do you think of it?

• It produced a great impression on me. Updike is a very talented satirical writer.

• I fully agree with you. If you are interested in John Updike, I advise you to read his book “The Centaur”.

• I’ll follow your advice. Speaking of literature what Russian writers are popular nowadays?

• There are a lot of talented Russian writers who are popular both in this country and abroad. Bulgakov, for example.

• And what about Russian classics?

• Dostoyevsky and Tolstoy are beyond comparison. While we are on the subject… do you like poetry?

• Yes, I do. I am fond of Pasternak and Akhmatova.

16. Topics for discussion:

1. Your favourite book

2. Your favourite writer

3. Books in your life

17. Learn the following dialogue by heart

Impressions of a film

– What films are on this week? Are there any worth seeing?

– “Romeo and Juliet” is on. I saw it at our local cinema the other day. Everybody says it’s very good.

– As a matter of fact, I prefer seeing ballet performed at the theatre especially if the plot and the music are familiar.

– I don’t quite agree with you. Sometimes I find that ballet is much more expressive on the screen.

– Do you? Then what’s your opinion of the screen version of “Romeo and Juliet”?

– I think it’s wonderful from beginning to end. I enjoyed every minutes of it. The cast is very well chosen and the dancing is excellent.

– Well, I must go and see it for myself since you praise it so highly.

– You certainly must. I am sure it will make you change your mind about ballet films.

– We’ll see. Well, then I’ll be looking forward to having a good talk with you about it.