Vocabulary Practice

1. Write in transcription, read and translate the following words and phrases:

to comb hair; neighbourly friendship; entertainment; a terrible girl; without asking a permission; New York; a good angel; headache; the Country Club Dance; with more bravery; the clouds of red shiffon; to monopolize; conversation; to feel ashamed; to compare; to do sth on purpose; an end to her suffering; dressing-room; incident; an athlete; to order angrily; at the bottom of the pool; a fault; to feel comfortable and warm; strength; an expression.

2. Translate into English:

Она почти взрослая; Мэри звучит недостаточно поэтично для неё; я начала называть по имени всех мальчиков в городе; он даже не заметил меня; выглядеть глупым; сменить одежду; дюжина других причин; чашка чая с небольшим количеством яда; она носила маленькие белые платья, как актриса в кино; и новое платья придало мне силы; мужество покинуло меня; ходить взад и вперёд (туда-сюда); взбежать по лестнице; подтянуться; затем я обнаружила, что платье зацепилось за лестницу; я не могла высвободить платье; прийти в себя; ты не можешь заботиться о себе; мы иногда не видим то, что у нас под носом.

3. Reproduce the situations from the text where the active vocabulary is used. Think of your own sentences with the words from the list.

1. Suggest words and word combinations from active vocabulary for the following:

• to become interested in what’s going on

• friendship between neighbours

• to look after sb

• to get control of the talk

• to fall down on bed

• to make an unwilling person do sth

• to propose a party

• to be in search of companion

• to be sb’s neighbour

• to do sth for amusement

• purposely

• a dress for a girl

• to feel guilty

• to behave bravely giving sb assistance in a dangerous situation

5. Choose the correct statement:

1. Sladen Morris is…

a) the boy next door

b) a well-known writer

c) the boy who delivers newspapers

1. Merry Ann came to Springdale …

1. to take part in competitions

2. to visit her aunt and uncle

3. as a newspaper reporter

1. Please, tell your mother …

1. I’ll visit her again soon

2. I was very pleased with the tea party

3. How much I enjoyed this afternoon of your house

1. The result of this conversation was that …

1. I decided I would never see Sladen Morris again

2. I would give Merry Ann a cup of tea with little poison in it

3. Suddenly I felt bad, and I ran to my bedroom and threw myself on my bed, and I cried

1. When they came and I saw Merry Ann holding Sladen’s arm …

1. my courage left me

2. I nearly fainted

3. I envied her greatly

1. When I came to myself …

1. I was lying on the sofa in a strange room

2. I heard somebody crying loudly

3. I was lying on face and Sladen was pumping the water out of me

1. Answer the following questions:

1. Who is the main character of the story?

2. What feelings did Betsy have to Sladen Morris?

3. Why did Merry Ann come to Springdale? What was she interested in?

4. Why did Betty’s mother suggest a party?

5. What gave Betsy strength to look forward to the dinner party with more bravely?

6. What was Merry Ann’s behaviour at the party?

7. What happened to Betsy at the Country Club?

8. What made all the local boys and girls change their attitude to Merry Ann?

9. What made Betsy look at Sladen Morris with new eyes?

1. Topics for general discussion

1. What kind of girl was Merry Ann?

2. Do you approve her behaviour?

3. Do you really think that all boys like only nice girls?

4. What do you appreciate in people?

Beverly Kliary was born on Apri; 12, 1916, in Oregon, the USA. She spent her early years on a farm. B. Kliary graduated from the University of California. She worked as a children’s librarian and she had a lot of experiences with children who wanted to read books about children like themselves.

When she began writing books she let the children speak for themselves. Kliary’s style is clear and plain, her ability to reach back and be a child again gives her books the honesty and humour which reach directly to her readers.

Her teenage stories are about 15-17 year-old girls, who are just beginning to explore the changes they feel emerging in their relationships with their families and with boys. Kliary’s early books for teens portray the immediate concerns of all teenagers. What kind of person am I? Do boys find me attractive? What will I do with my life?

Kliary’s books were translated into many languages in different countries. Her overwhelming popularity as a writer for children is attested by a number of prestigious awards. Kliary is one of those children’s writers who is able to amuse adults as well as young readers.