4. Do you agree or disagree with the following? Quote the text to prove that.

• Grimes was quite well-educated;

• The woman entering the hotel hall had an air of something that was eye-popping and jaw-dropping about her;

• Lady Abbott was the least curious of women;

• Fabian and Lady Abbott really loved each other;

• Grimes felt jealous of Fabian;

• Fabian was an adventure-lover and risky man;

• Fabian was self-possessed (could keep temper; keep a grip on himself);

• Grimes regretted having hit Fabian;

• Fabian was born to a wealthy family and enjoyed a luxurious lifestyle;

• Fabian was an intelligent and smart guy;

• Grimes had no experience in handling large sums of money;

• Fabian was experienced (competent; well-informed; hot shot Charlie);

• Fabian was quite sociable;

• Fabian was a man of various interests

5. Topics for developing argumentation and rhetorical speech skills. Dwell on the following subjects.

• What stereotypes and eccentricities do you know about other nations?

• Preconceived notions are the locks on the door to wisdom. – M. Browne

• Judgments prevent us from seeing the good that lies beyond appearances. – W.W. Dyer

• In front of the statue of David Grimes was “musing on the nature of heroism and the defeat of villainy”. Florence, with its history of plots and vendettas, its Guelphs and Chibellines, was a fitting city in which to meet his enemy;

• Killing for money (reasons);

• It is rasping to the soul to be committed to the company of the rich without being rich yourself;

• People in risky business (sacrificing everything);

• How to adapt the simple soul person to the social environment. The guidance and coaching necessary for it and provided by an experienced master. Grimes came into money, but he would have wasted it and ended up turning into a bore. Fabian taught him how to make the most of your fortune and make money work, but not lie idle.

6. Insert the right prepositions.

• Davos is a ski resort that I had no intention ……………….exploring.

• I yearned………………… the comfort of soft Southern weather.

• I was doomed………………… the winter to cold country.

• Milan was covered ………………….fog.

• I reached …………… the phone and asked……………… Lady Abbott.

• They were two lovers in the city of lovers………… their way to an exquisite lunch, oblivious ………… the rest of the world, oblivious ………… me.

• I reached …………… my pocket and took …………… Lily Abbott’s letter.

• He didn’t move, but looked ……… ………… me…………. terror.

• I was …………………. the point………………… murder.

• It is dangerous to be committed ………………… the company of the rich ……………………. being rich yourself.

• I take it ………………. granted that you have not declared the seventy thousand dollars that is the subject ………………. our discussion.

• You, as an American, are not legally permitted to trade ……………. gold.

• I arrived ……. the Hotel Excelsior ……. Florence …….. the evening ……. the thirteenth ……… February.

• ……….. an excellent dinner I wandered ………. the streets of Florence musing ……….. the nature of heroism and the defeat of villainy.

• ………. ……… a sense of duty ……… my role as a tourist, I wandered through the Uffizi Gallery.

• …two of the three American children broke ……… a loud argument ……… whose turn it was to go up to their room and take the first bath.

• She was the sort of woman who is served immediately …….. all occasions.

• I had no plan ………… getting ……… Fabian’s room and confronting him ………. his valise.

• I took …… my paper knife and knelt ……. him, waiting for him to come ……..

• Suddenly the reaction set ………...

• I was not pleased …….. what the future might have ………. store ……. me.

• People don’t usually pack a case like that …….. their luggage, but usually carry it ……….. hand.