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II Be ready to give brief retelling of the text, using Appendix 1.

I Reading

a) Read the following text

Put down the unknown words (with their transcription and translation) into your vocabulary. Be ready to translate the text orally.

b) Find and write out all irregular verbs given in the text. Remember three forms of them.

British Most Famous Comedy Shows

The Goon Show

The Goon Show first appeared in 1951 on British radio, and changed the face of British comedy. The show broke free from music hall traditions, and the zany, irreverent antics of The Goons captured the imagination of the British public, regardless of class or background. This forerunner of alternative comedy launched the careers of two comedians who are seen as godfathers of modern comedy, Peter Sellers and Spike Milligan. Peter Sellers went on to be a successful actor, starring in a number of hugely successful films, including the Pink Panther series, in which he played the part of bumbling policeman Inspector Clouseau. Spike Milligan had less international success, but was enormously popular in Britain, his fans including Prince Charles. Funny to the end, before his death earlier this year Spike had said that he wanted the words "I told you I was ill" written on his gravestone.

Monty Python's Flying Circus

The 'Dead Parrot' sketch, The Ministry of Silly Walks, The Cheese Shop, a naked man playing a cinema organ - all memorable moments from an extraordinary TV comedy show, Monty Python's Flying Circus. The show used the catch phrase 'and now for something completely different', which could not have been more appropriate. The show starred Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin , and was half an hour of unpredictable, surrealist humour. The Monty Python team also produced a number of successful films, including The Life of Brian, and Monty Python and the Holy Grail. John Cleese went on to write and star in Fawlty Towers, a sitcom about a small seaside hotel run by a very rude manager. The animator who worked on the series, Terry Gilliam, is now a successful film director.

Benny Hill

Benny Hill is probably the most internationally well-known British Comedian. His brand of visual, slapstick comedy translated well to other cultures, and was shown in over 90 countries around the world. Benny Hill relied heavily on British stereotypes and sexual innuendo for his gags. One of the group of tall, beautiful girls he frequently ogled and chased on his shows, became the best paid British actress in the world today. Jane Leeves - who started out on the Benny Hill Show now earns 275,000 pounds for every episode of the US comedy series Frasier, in which she plays the part of Daphne Moon the physiotherapist.

Mr Bean

Mr Bean is the creation of British comedy actor and writer Rowan Atkinson. Mr Bean is an eccentric character, who talks very little, but uses body talk and facial expressions to make his audience laugh. Mr Bean has a massive fan base all over the world, and a film of his antics, Bean, did well at the box office when it was released in 1997. Rowan Atkinson also appears in the recent comedy Rat Race

The Fast Show

"Suits you sir"," this season I'll mostly be wearing....", "which was nice" - catch phrases from The Fast Show, a cult TV series of short sketches about everyday people. Johnny Depp is a huge fan, and appeared on the show as a scruffy American who wants to buy a suit.

Only Fools and Horses

One of the most popular sitcoms on British TV, Only Fools and Horses concerns the adventures of two brothers, Rodney and Del Boy Trotter, who are trying to get rich quick through dodgy dealing in a run down area of London. British Oscar winner Jim Broadbent turned down the part of Del Boy when the series started, and instead played Del Boy's enemy Roy Slater.

Ali G

Ali G (comedian Sacha Baron Cohen) is a streetwise chat show host, who dresses in a yellow tracksuit and wears wraparound shades. He asks his guests, who are a mix of celebrities and politicians, embarrassing questions about taboo subjects like sex and drugs. Madonna saw a tape of the show, and was so impressed that she called Ali "the Peter Sellers of our generation." Ali appeared in the video to 'Music', a hit for Madonna in 2000. Ali G hopes to take the USA by storm with his new film, Ali G Indahouse, which features Naomi Campbell and Shaggy.