Commentary

1. marital state : one's state with regard to marriage

2. evidence of the most startling nature: evidence of the most surprising (frightening) nature

3. a batch of letters: a number of letters

4. a pack of lies (suggesting contempt or anger): a lot of lies

5. vicious liar: an immoral (spiteful) liar

Words and word combinations

make for – направляться

have an objection to smth., doing smth. – возражать

summon - вызывать, требовать присутствия (в суде)

be qualified to give evidence - иметь право давать показания

accomplice to smth. - соучастник преступления

hold out little hope - не надеяться на успех

reopen the case - продолжить слушание дела

recall a witness - вновь вызвать свидетеля

identify – устанавливать тождество

perjury - клятвопреступление, лжесвидетельство

commit perjury - лжесвидетельствовать, нарушать клятву

verdict - приговор (суда присяжных)

bring in a verdict of guilty (not guilty) - выносить приговор «виновен» («невиновен»)

release - освобождать (из-под стражи)

What are you driving at? - Что вы этим хотите сказать?

run the risk of - подвергаться риску

plead with smb. - умолять кого-л.

reluctant - неохотный, не желающий (сделать что-л.)

We are even. - Мы квиты.

Pull yourself together. - Возьми(те) себя в руки.

execute - казнить

Exercises

1. Study the text carefully and answer these questions.

1. Who was the surprise witness for the Prosecution?

2. Why did Sir Wilfred object to Christine testifying against her husband?

3. What made Sir Wilfred give in?

4. What was the evidence given by Christine?

5. Was the evidence given by Christine fatal for Leonard Vole? Why?

6. The new statement ran counter to what Christine had testified in the police station, didn't it? What made Christine tell the truth?

7. What was the effect of Christine's testimony on the jury?

8. Why did Christine not tell Leonard Vole she was married when the latter proposed to her?

9. What was the effect of Christine's testimony on the jury and the public?

10. What kind of evidence came into Sir Wilfred's possession?

11. In what way did Sir Wilfred trap Christine? Did she fall for the trap?

What facts did the letter reveal?

12. Did Christine confess she had written the letters or did she go on denying it?

13. What was the verdict?

14. Why did Sir Wilfred feel dissatisfied with the case? What was wrong about it?

15. How did the British impress Christine?

16. Why did Christine have the right to say that both of them, Sir Wilfred and she, had saved Vole?

17. Why couldn't Christine run the risk of trusting Sir Wilfred?

18. Why did Christine sacrifice herself for Vole's sake?

19. Was Leonard Vole happy to see his wife?

20. Who was the girl that rushed into the room?

21. Why did Christine kill Vole?

22. What did Sir Wilfred mean by saying "She's executed him"?

23. What made Sir Wilfred change his plans and put off his trip?

2. Agree or disagree:

a) Christine Vole was a surprise witness for the Prosecution.

b) Christine’s evidence was fatal for Leonard Vole.

c) Christine told Leonard Vole she was married when the latter proposed her.

d) Unfortunately no more evidence to reopen the case came into Sir Wilfred’s possession.

e) Christine fell for the trap made by Sir Wilfred.

f) The jury found Leonard Vole guilty.

g) Christine sacrificed herself for Vole’s sake.

h) Leonard Vole killed Christine.

3. Quote the text to show that

1. neither Sir Wilfred nor Brogan-Moore expected Christine to give evidence against her husband;

2. Leonard Vole hoped that Christine would get him out;

3. Sir Wilfred could not take in the fact that Vole was guilty of the crime.

4. Give a summary of Scenes 4, 5 and 6.

5. Talk of your impressions of the trial as if you were Christine Vole (Brogan-Moore, Sir Wilfred).

6. Make up conversations:

1. Imagine you are a reporter and Sir Wilfred has granted you an interview after the trial; act the interview;

2. between Mr Myers and Sir Wilfred; discuss the approaching trial of Christine Vole.

7. Find equivalents in the text for these word combinations and sentences.

1. Она направляется к... 2. Это ведь свидетельство о браке между вами и Отто Людвигом Хельмом? 3. Не вижу оснований для того, чтобы не разрешить этой свидетельнице давать показания. 4. очередь сэра Уилфрида вести перекрестный допрос; 5. Сэр Уилфрид не может обещать своему клиенту ничего утешительного. 6. Присяжные выносят приговор «невиновен». 7. Я не могла рисковать. 8. и он умолял меня; 9. Возьми себя в руки. 10. Она казнила его.

8. Mark (with a tick) the meaning in which the following words are used:

1)run –

a) бежать;

b) расторгать (соглашение);

c) подвергаться (риску).

2) even –

a) плоский;

b) расквитавшийся;

c) чётный.

3) release –

a) освобождать (из-под стражи);

b) увольнять;

c) отказываться (от права).

4) verdict –

a) мнение;

b) приговор;

c) отзыв.

5) execute –

a)исполнять (обязанности);

b) казнить;

c) оформлять (документ).

6) charge –

a) заряд (эл.);

b) ответственность;

c) обвинение.

9. Add as many words as you can which can be used with the following verbs. Write down sentences with each of the word-combinations.

to commit…

to violate…

to draw up…

to plead…

to summon…

10. Insert the correct preposition:

a) The defendant holds…..a little hope that he will be released.

b) Don’t plead …..me. I won’t give…..

c) What verdict do you think the jury will bring…..? – I hope it will be “not guilty”.

d) You are running the risk…..being caught…..a trap and captured…..the police!

e) “Will you confine yourself…..the subject we are discussing, Mr Smith,” said the chairman.

f) I have the most serious objection…..his being taken on.

g) A person accused cannot be found guilty…..the crime except…..the unanimous verdict…..all the twelve members…..the jury.

h) You will quite certainly be charged…..perjury, tried…..it and go…..prison.

i) Before giving evidence a witness is called….. and is sworn…..

j) That will make you an accomplice…..the murder…..the widow.

11. Match the following words and word-combinations with their synonyms:

1) to object (to)	a) to find sb. guilty
2) Assailant	b) to violate the oath
3) Public Prosecutor	c) jail
4) to urge sb.	d) to hear a case
5) to indict	e) to be summoned
6) to stand trial	f) to bring to court
7) Defendant	g) to testify (for/against)
8) not guilty	h) innocent
9) to try a case	i) client
10) to be called (on)	j) Prosecuting lawyer
11) to prosecute	k) to be on trial
12) to give evidence (for/against)	l) to have an objection to
13) Prison	m) to bring a charge (of)
14) to bring in a verdict “guilty”	n) to plead (with sb.)
15) to commit perjury	o) accused

12. Choose the correct option.

1). He asked one of the most distinguished barristers in London……….

a) to hear his case b) to plead his case in a court c) to charge him with crime

2). The jury brought in a verdict of not guilty and the man was……….

a) executed b) sworn in c) released

3). The Defence appealed to the Judge………….as they had come by evidence of the most startling nature.

a) to reopen the case b) to withdraw a question c) to caution

4). If you help him you will be regarded as

a) a surprise witness b) an assailant c) an accomplice

5). You have………………..! They will try you for perjury!

a) violated the oath b) committed robbery c) taken up the case

13. Fill in the blanks with articles wherever necessary.

1. ... Judge warned ... witness that before giving ... testimony in ... court she would have to swear ... oath.

2. On hearing that Clyde Griffiths, who was charged with ... killing of Roberta Alden, would soon be on ... trial, his uncle asked Mr Mason, ... well-known barrister, to plead his case in ... court.

3. "If I were appearing for ... Prosecution I would demand ten years imprisonment for ... accused," he said.

4. She urged her brother to take her to ... hearing of ... case.

5. Many witnesses were brought to ... court to give evidence.

6. "Will you produce ... exhibit Number 5?" said ... Counsel for ... Prosecution to ... Chief Inspector.

7. The accused had an impression that neither-... judge nor ... jury believed ...word he said.

8. Did you read in ... papers that ... case was reopened and some of ... witnesses were to be recalled?

9. Who is regarded as ... principal suspect?

10. The moment Clyde saw ... jurors enter ... jury-box he understood they had brought in ... verdict of guilty.

11. "My Lord, Members of the jury, I will be brief in my final speech because I think that ... Prosecution has proved ... case of murder against ... prisoner so obviously that ... verdict of guilty must be the only possible conclusion," said ... Counsel for ... Prosecution.

14. Fill in the blanks with prepositions or adverbs.

1. It was only natural that the police should suspect Leonard Vole ... murdering Mrs French.

2. If Brogan-Moore had believed that Vole was innocent ... the murder, Sir Wilfred would never have taken ... Vole's case.

3. See... it that the papers are prepared by the solicitor.

4. He was sure she was …. something very unpleasant.

5. After you are sworn ... you will be examined by the Defence.

6. You are charged ... indictment that ... the 20th day of December you committed a burglary ... the local bank.

7. You heard the judge. You will quite certainly be charged ... perjury, tried ... it and go ... prison," said Sir Wilfred to Christine.

8. A person accused cannot be found guilty ... the crime except ... the unanimous verdict ... all the twelve members ... the jury.

9. Don't plead ... me. 1 won't give in.

10. The doctor says he holds ... little hope.

11. "What verdict do you think the jury will bring ... ?" "I hope it will be "not guilty".

12. "Will you confine yourself ... the subject we are discussing, Mr Smith," said the chairman.

13. "The proposals you have just made are not consistent ... those advanced in your report," said the Manager.

15. Translate these sentences into English using active words.

1. — Вынесли ли присяжные заседатели приговор? — Нет еще. 2. «Не может быть, чтобы он был виновен в этом преступлении. Он не был там в это время. У него есть алиби. Он был у своего друга»,— заявила мать подсудимого. 3. В соответствии с английским правосудием муж не имеет права давать показания, которые могут усугубить вину его жены. 4. После того как вы примете присягу, вы дадите свидетельские показания. 5. Знаете ли вы, кто входил в группу защитников Анджелы Дэвис? 6. Количество краж и грабежей значительно возросло в Нью-Йорке за последние годы. 7. Борьба с преступностью – одна из самых острых проблем каждого современного государства

16. Topics for discussion.

My impressions of the film.

What verdict do you think the jury will bring in in Christine's case?

What verdict would you bring in if you were members of the jury?