Vocabulary Practice

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

Kangaroo; yelping; barking dogs; Springer; emu; Boofer; Moocha; wretch; howl; mournfully; roaring; blonde; anguish; ostrich feathers; overalls; bare boards of the kitchen; protest; cough; Good heavens; ownership; court; turkey; a morning of sunshine; deep breaths; saltbush plain; a little frightened; anxiously; toward; disappear in the distance; nevertheless; to pollute the air; the entire journey; thankfulness; I persisted in my courting; before the departure; moonlight night; I was horrified; sharply; neighbour's flowers.

2. Translate into English:

Огромные прыжки (о собаке); хозяин; наконец; овчарка; чистопородная борзая; в конце концов; вырасти до нормального размера; сказать с уверенностью; ожидать посетителя; лежать (команда собаке); игнорировать девушку; демонстрировать любовь (привязанность); Я во все глаза смотрел на девушку; синие атласные комнатные туфли (тапочки); сверкнуть ослепительной белозубой улыбкой; не могу не любить; глубоко вздыхать; равнина, поросшая солончаковым кустарником; визжать; в сомнении; вытянуть длинную шею; увеличить скорость; овца сдохла давным-давно; повиноваться; я был в ответе за; намереваться; «спорим, ты не догонишь меня»; благодарить или проклинать.

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

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

• to pay one’s addresses to

• to make sb do sth

• thoroughbred ['θΛrә]

• a gang of dogs

• to move or develop more slowly than others

• to shake the tail quickly and repeatedly from side to side

• to hurt feet on the uneven surface of the earth

• to wail dismally

• a sales representative

• to participate in the greetings

• to be a difficult obstacle

• to bustle about sb

• to look at sb with great pain in the eyes

5. Choose the correct statement:

1. Ben Phillips was…

1. my best friend

2. my boss

3. my host

2. They were expecting…

1. a doctor to treat the patient

2. a visitor at the station

3. a lot of guests to the evening party

3. While the other dogs barked and leaped around the car…

1. he refused to take part in the welcome

2. he fell asleep

3. he went to eat

4. I began to realize what…

1. to do with the pup

2. would help me to solve this problem

3. the ownership of The-Silly-Pup really meant

5. It was understood that Alice would return to the city with…

1. her friends and The-Silly-Pup

2. Mr. Morrison, a commercial traveler

3. Me, when her holiday was over

6. The night before our departure I asked her…

1. to go to the country club with me

2. to come for a walk with me

3. to have a chat over a cup of coffee

6. Answer the following questions:

1. Where did the narrator come as a visitor? What pleasure did he get there?

2. Who was the host of the Riverina sheep station?

3. Why wasn’t The-Silly-Pup an ordinary dog? What was particular about him?

4. Why was everyone much excited one day at the sheep station?

5. Why didn’t The-Silly-Pup love Alice? What did he revenge for?

6. What made Alice angry?

7. What terms did Alice make?

8. What happened to The-Silly-Pup?

7. Topics for general discussion

1. What kind of history is it?

2. What do you think about Steve’s behaviour and character?

3. Do you agree with Steve’s choice?