2. An iron fist in a velvet glove.

3. As cool as a cucumber.

4. A model to follow!

5. What an impolite stupid bore!

6. A scrooge!

7. A mediocrity!

8. Variety is the spice of life.

9. A heart of gold!

3. Vocabulary

Find a word from the text that means:

Para.1 a) making people believe that something is not true__________

Para.2 b) caring only about small, unimportant things__________

c) skill at inventing things and thinking of new ideas________

Para.3 d) using money carefully and wisely____________

e) spending a lot of money on things that are not necessary___

Para.4 f) able to control and influence events_________

Para.5 g) clever______________

h) a feeling of comfort____________________

Para. 6 i) a feeling of unhappiness________________

j) a choice____________________

Para. 7 k) a joke_____________________

4. Learn the following words and word-combinations. Provide the context in which they were used in the text. Use them in situations of your own.

Nothing in common

to appear

to clash

to create an impression

to deny

to depend on

to differ

to display

to expect

to resemble

to take after

to turn out

5. Say if the following statements are true or false and give the right variant.

1. A hunky man is a man who is not attractive.

2. A fragile person is one who is never ill.

3. A scrooge is someone who is very generous.

4. Unique means behaving in a polite way.

5. Someone who is wilful is determined to do what they want and does not care if they upset other people.

6. Explain the meaning of the following phrases. Make use of the active vocabulary.

An iron fist in a velvet glove; a heart of gold; as like as two peas; as cool as a cucumber; a mediocrity; a bore; variety is the spice of life.

7. Say whether you agree or disagree with the following statements and give reasons.

1. A person’s appearance is a reflection of their character.

2. Appearances are deceptive.

3. Handsome is that handsome does.

4. Looks are less important than character.

5. Nobody is perfect.

More Texts for Reading and Discussion

My Friend Charles

I. Read the text and say why Charles is always the first person the author invites.

Whenever I have a party, Charles is always the first person I invite. He is such fun. I know that he will be able to make my other guests laugh. He does not get upset if somebody tries to tease or make fun of him, either. Charles can also be very serious and can discuss almost anything you can think of. If it gets late before the party ends, I can always depend on Charles to drive some of the guests home. He never says ‘no’, even if he is very tired or would rather go straight home to bed.

Charles is the manager of the motel on Lawndale Road. It is hard to believe that he was just a bellboy there only five years ago.

II. Questions for discussion.

1. What makes Charles enjoyable to be with?

2. Which qualities of Charles’s character does the author particularly appreciate? Why?

3. What is the key to his successful career, in your opinion?

4. What makes a person the life and soul of the party, do you think?

Len Cobbins

1. Read the text and explain why the narrator says that Len Cobbins was not the brightest man he knew.

Len Cobbins was a farmer in the village where I spent my childhood. He was not a very good farmer, and never had any money. That was because he never worked very hard. He said he never cared about building his farm into anything important. I don’t think Len could even read or write.

One night, somebody stole a lot of money from the post-office. My father said, “I’ll bet it was old Len Cobbins. Poor old Len – he is sure to be caught.” My father was right. Two days after the robbery, Len showed up in the village with a brand-new car! He just could not wait to spend the money. When the police asked him where he got the car, he said he found it. Poor old Len was not the brightest man I knew.

2. Questions for discussion.

1. What kind of farmer was Len Cobbins?

2. What was he suspected of? Why?

3. What showed evidence of his guilt?

4. What is his dominant characteristic, in your opinion?

5. What is the author’s attitude to Len Cobbins? What makes you think so?

6. What do you think people like Len Cobins deserve: pity, contempt or something else? Give reasons.

7. What qualities of human nature do you find the most/ the least pleasant? Why?

Helen Burns

1. Read the text and say why Helen Burns had a special place in Jane’s heart.

Helen Burns was the only true childhood friend Jane Eyre ever had. Her kindness and courage, her understanding and intelligence made a deep and lasting impression on the younger girl.

Jane met Helen shortly after her arrival from Gates head. Helen was kind to her right from the start. She willingly put aside the book she was reading to answer Jane’s childish questions about Lowood Institution and the staff. On a later occasion when Jane was publicly humiliated by Mr. Broklehurst, Helen smiled at her and this simple act helped Jane to face up to her punishment.

Helen herself was often punished. Once she was dismissed from a history lesson and made to stand in the middle of the classroom. Another time she was severely beaten by Miss Scatcherd. Even though the punishment was unjust, Helen accepted it without complaint.

Her belief that it was wrong to remember past injustices made Helen act this way. When Jane complained of Mrs. Reed’s harsh treatment, Helen showed great understanding, but at the same time she pointed out that people should love their enemies because nothing could be achieved by violence.

Though Helen was very clever and top of her class, she continually criticized herself in an effort to correct her ‘faults’. Jane was present when Helen and Miss Temple talked together over tea. She was amazed to discover that Helen had read so much and was able to converse so well with her teacher. Moments like these were the happiest in Helen’s life.

After a long illness, Helen was able to meet death with the same calm acceptance that she faced life. She died happy with no regrets. Jane, who was with Helen on the night of her death, lost a true and dear friend.

2. Questions and tasks.

1. What kind of person was Helen Burns?

2. What helped her to face up to the harsh realities of life?

3. Do you agree that it is wrong to remember past injustices? Give reasons.

4. Speak about someone you look up to. Point out the qualities for which you admire them.

Picky, Picky, Picky

1. Read the text and say how the author feels about being picky.

Everyone has a dominant character trait. Mine is one that can get me in trouble, but might also help me: I tend to devote a lot of attention to detail. I do this not just with people but with things I see around me, and not only mentally but also verbally. This sometimes causes problems at home by making my family uncomfortable. They feel I am always cutting down someone or being picky.

However, when I see a good characteristic in people but they think differently, they say I have bad taste. They also feel a little awkward at times because they notice I critically watch everything they do. For instance, every time my brother gets ready to go out, he expects me to critique his appearance.

This trait of mine also affects my success with new people. When introduced to someone for the first time, I don’t often listen carefully to hear his or her name because I am too busy looking at the person’s hair or teeth or analyzing them in some other way. Most of the time I must say, ”I’m sorry, but I’m very bad at names.

” My penchant for detail should be valuable, though, for my plans of becoming a professional photographer. To be a good photographer I will need to be a good critic. Being able to bring out the best in my subject will not be difficult if I can be a critic of my own work.

I feel my special trait can benefit me or create problems. It all depends on how and when I use it.

2. Questions for discussion.

1. What is the narrator’s most noticeable trait?

2. How does it affect her life and relationships with other people?

3. Has it got any positive effects? In what way can this personal quality be helpful to her?

4. What is your dominant character trait? Speak about its advantages and disadvantages.