§ 6. Причастие. The participle.
Потренируемся?
Упражнение 1. Переведите предложения, используя простую форму причастия 1 и причастие 2.
Принцесса лежала на кровати, читая книгу. – Прочитанная книга весьма интересна. Надо почитать еще что-нибудь этого автора. The princess lay in bed reading a book. –The book read is very interesting.
Поливая цветы, людоед думал о предстоящем поединке с драконом. – Политые цветы радовали глаз. Watering flowers the ogre thought about the forthcoming fight with the dragon. – The watered flowers pleased the eye.
Гном, делающий удочку, – мой друг. – Заявление, сделанное нашими оппонентами, потрясло нас. The dwarf making a fishing rod is my friend. – The statement made by our opponents shook us.
Придворные (court) столпились в зале, обсуждая новости. – Давайте еще раз вернемся к вопросу, обсужденному на прошлом занятии. The court crowded in the hall discussing the news. – Let’s return to the question discussed at the previous lesson.
Кто эта девушка, собирающая цветы на поляне (glade)? – Мы сложили собранные грибы в корзину и сели в машину. Who is this girl picking flowers on the glade? – We put the mushrooms picked into the basket and got into the car.
Как зовут девушку из соседней квартиры, постоянно теряющую ключи? – Потерянные вещи находятся только после того, как купишь новые. What is the name of the next door girl constantly losing the keys? – The lost things are found only after you buy new items instead.
Кот мурлыкал, лежа у принцессы на коленях. – Мы не можем истратить деньги, отложенные на поездку к морю. The cat mewed lying on the princess’s lap. – We can’t spend the money put by for the summer trip to the seaside.
Ведьма стояла в растерянности, не зная что делать. – Сальвадор Дали – известный художник. The witch stood bewildered, not knowing what to do. – S. Dali is a well-known artist.
Упражнение 2. Переведите предложения, употребляя необходимую форму причастия.
Прожив несколько лет в Англии, принцесса прекрасно говорит по-английски. Having lived a few years in England the princess speaks very good English.
Увидев столько врагов, рыцарь растерялся. Having seen so many enemies the knight got confused.
Будучи занят, министр не мог ответить на телефонный звонок. Being busy the minister couldn’t answer the telephone call.
Добравшись до места, Шрек постучал в ворота замка. Having reached the place Schrek knocked on the gates of the castle.
Будучи больной, ведьма не смогла пойти с нами в кино. Being ill the witch couldn’t come to the cinema with us.
Услышав новости, Гарри не на шутку (downright) испугался. Having heard the news Harry got downright scared.
Получив письмо от людоеда, великан сразу сел писать ответ. Having got the ogre’s letter the giant immediately sat to write an answer.
Принцесса сбежала по ступенькам, ведущим в сад. The princess ran down the stairs leading to the garden.
Ведьма читала волшебную книгу, делая пометки на полях (margin). The witch read the book making notes on the margin.
Вини-Пух шел по лесу, что-то напевая себе под нос. Winnie the Pooh walked through the forest humming sth to himself.
Надев плащ, ведьма вышла из дома. Having put on the cloak the witch left home.
Услышав голоса страшных лесных разбойников, мы остановились. Having heard the terrible forest robbers’ voices we stopped.
Переходя дорогу, будьте осторожны. Be careful crossing the road.
Старуха стояла посреди двора, глядя на разбитое корыто. The old woman stood amidst the yard looking at the broken wash-tub.
Добравшись до берега, гном немного отдохнул. Having reached the bank the dwarf took a little rest.
Буратино бежал по улице, подпрыгивая от радости. Buratino ran down the street jumping with joy.
Запертая в темнице (dungeon), принцесса горько плакала. Being locked up in the dungeon the princess cried bitterly.
Покинутый всеми, крокодил был глубоко несчастен. Being left by everyone the crocodile felt deeply miserable.
Ведьма посмотрела в окно, пытаясь разглядеть что-то в темноте. The witch looked through the window trying to make out sth in the dark.
Выхватив меч, рыцарь бросился на дракона. Having snatched out his sword the knight made at the dragon.
Клад, найденный пиратами, имеет большую ценность. The treasure found by the pirates is of great value.
Подписав договор, гном стал владельцем большого дома. Having signed the agreement the dwarf became the owner of a big house.
Будучи уверенной, что никто не узнает, ведьма решила украсть жемчужину. Being sure that no one will learn about it the witch decided to steal the pearl.
Гном повел пиратов к ожидавшей их лодке. The dwarf guided the pirates to the boat waiting for them.
Принцесса вернулась во дворец в сопровождении (accompany) людоеда. The princess came back to the palace accompanied by the ogre.
Вот инструмент, специально предназначенный для этой цели. Here is the instrument specially designed for this purpose.
Дрожащими руками принцесса вынула письмо из конверта. Her hands trembling the princess pulled the letter out of the envelope.
Просмотрев гламурный журнал, ведьма поняла, что все ее платья вышли из моды. Having looked through the glamour magazine the witch realized that all her dresses were out of fashion.
Истратив все деньги, Буратино начал брать в долг. Having spent all the money Buratino started borrowing it.
Обнаружив, что дверь не заперта, и видя, что в коридоре никого нет, вор вошел в комнату и украл сумку. Having discovered that the door wasn’t locked and seeing that there was no one in the corridor the thief went into the room and stole a bag.
Упражнение 3. Раскройте скобки, поставив причастие в правильную форму.
The ogre found the dragon’s castle without difficulty, having bought a map of the kingdom.
Having looked through the documents, the king went to bed.
There was a pause, Mary sat thinking, and John stood at the door, looking at her.
When the pirates saw the witch coming in, they sprang apart.
I looked out of the window and saw the rain pouring down on the leafless garden.
Can the process be sped up?
Having bought food the ogre left the supermarket.
Having tried various topics of conversation, the ogre got convinced that the princess wasn’t interested in anything.
Inside the museum we saw that tourists were wandering meaninglessly being led by their guides.
Having been translated into a foreign language, the fairy tale lost most of its charm.
The witch came to the castle and was shown into a brightly lit room.
Panic-striken, the princess rushed out of the room.
We saw an overturned truck and a policeman, alone on the pavement, being kicked by half a dozen youngsters.
The witch didn’t go with us, having been asked to look after a sick relative.
I hear of a play being staged at the local theatre.
Being examined by the doctor, the patient couldn’t stop complaining of his sores.
The dwarf looked up and saw the sky lit by the setting sun.
It’s no use crying over spilt milk.
She found a narrow slip of paper inserted among the pages of the book.
There is nothing surprising about that.
Having closed her eyes, she tried to push the fear away, not understanding why she was so frightened.
Having hung up the coat in the hall closet, Teddy crept up the stairs, having no wish to disturb her aunt.
When we got to the castle we found it deserted.
I spoke loudly to make myself being heard above the dance music.
If disturbed the bird may abandon the nest leaving the chicks to die.
The problem being discussed by the pirates now is very complicated.
The house being built in our street is a new supermarket.
Having lost the dwarf’s address I couldn’t write to him.
The donkey felt awfully tired having run such a long distance.
Having heard the ogre’s steps, the wolf disappeared.
Упражнение 4. Обобщаем полученные знания. Переведите предложения, используя любые неличные формы глагола.
Вы случайно не знаете, как пройти в библиотеку? Do you happen to know how to get to the library?
Кажется, бегемот был очень занят на прошлой неделе. The hippo seemed to be very busy last week.
Лев молчал, как будто колебался, какое решение принять. The lion kept silent as if he hesitated what decision to take.
Я предпочел бы не обсуждать это сейчас, если вы не возражаете. I’dprefer no to discuss it now if you don’t object.
Принцесса провела весь вечер, слушая музыку. The princess spent the whole of the evening listening to music.
Говорят, король написал пьесу. The king is said to have written a play.
Нет смысла спрашивать кота, он все равно не отвечает. There is no point in asking the cat, he won’t answer anyway.
Буратино потерял два часа, ожидая лису и кота. Buratino wasted two hours waiting for the fox and the cat.
Соня (Dormouse) без конца поднимала одну и ту же тему. The Dormouse kept raising the same subject.
Вероятно, крокодил займет первое место в соревновании по плаванию. The crocodile is likely to win the swimming competition.
Придя домой, Буратино начал рассказывать, что с ним произошло. Having come home Buratino began telling about what had happened to him.
Вам бы лучше не вмешиваться. Пусть пираты решают свои проблемы сами. You’d better not interfere. Let the pirates solve their problems themselves.
После перерыва министры продолжили обсуждение нового законопроекта. After the break the ministers went on discussing the new bill.
Принцесса почувствовала, что вся заливается краской. The princess felt her face turning red.
Почему бы не позвонить слону сейчас? Why not call the elephant now?
Тебе повезло, что ты не застал людоеда дома. You were lucky not to have caught/found the ogre at his place.
Ведьма была в шоке и не знала, что ответить. The witch was shocked and didn’t know what to say.
Услышав слова Фионы, Шрек повернулся и вышел, хлопнув дверью. Having heard Fiona’s words Schrek turned his back (to her) and left the house slamming the door behind him.
Вместо того, чтобы ответить, Осел стал сам задавать вопросы. Instead of answering the donkey began asking his questions.
Мне ничего не оставалось делать, кроме как ответить тем же. I had nothing to do but return in the same wy.
Вряд ли пираты поймут нас. The pirates are unlikely to understand us.
Видя, что девочка расстроена, ведьма спросила, что случилось. Seeing that the girl is upset the witch asked her what the matter was.
Едва ли стоит так рисковать. It’s hardly worth taking risks.
Я слышал, как пираты разговаривали с кем-то в пещере. I heard the pirates speaking to sb in the cave.
Ведьма первой улыбнулась и протянула руку для примирения. The witch was the first to smile and give her hand as a sign of reconciliation.
Десять минут назад мы видели, как Красная Шапочка шла по направлению к лесу. It was ten minutes ago that we saw the Red Riding Hood walking towards the forest.
Эта книга слишком трудна, чтобы Буратино мог прочесть ее. This book is too hard for Buratino to read.
Мы уговорили его отказаться от сделки. We talked him into refusing from this deal.
Это не помешало лисе обмануть Буратино. This didn’t prevent the fox from deceiving Buratino.
Гном никогда не слышал, чтобы эту песню так хорошо пели. The dwarf had never heard this song to be performed so well.
Упражнение 5. Контрольный выстрел. Задание прежнее. Постарайтесь не делать ошибок.
Он почувствовал, как кто-то схватил его за руку. He felt someone grab his hand.
Я думаю, что произошедшее заставит пиратов задуматься о своем поведении. I believe this happening will make the pirates think about their behaviour.
Услышав крик, гном невольно вздрогнул. Having heard the cry the dwarf gave a start.
Фильм оказался довольно посредственным (middling). The film turned out to be rather middling.
Чтобы быть в хорошей форме, нет ничего лучше физических упражнений. If you want to be fit there is nothing better than physical exercises.
Я хочу, чтобы Пиноккио сделал выводы из этого случая. I want Pinocchio to draw conclusions from this incident.
У принцессы были причины не желать возвращения принца. The princess had her own reasons for not willing the prince to return.
Она оказалась последней, кто видел его живым. She turned out to be the last one who saw him alive.
Принцесса не привыкла вставать рано. The princess is not used to getting up early.
Они утверждают, что видели, как он пытался украсть картину. They claim to have seen him trying to steal the painting.
Вы не возражаете, если мы останемся здесь на ночь? Do you mind our staying here for the night?
Я слышал, как кто-то упомянул мое имя. I heard someone mention my name.
Ведьма практически бросила курить. The witch has nearly given up smoking.
Бегемот вряд ли сознается (make a confession). Нет смысла разговаривать с ним. The hippo is unlikely to make a confession. There is no point in speaking to him.
Вся история закончилась тем, что она выиграла дело. The story ended by her winning the case.
Дети с нетерпением ждали того дня, когда они пойдут в поход (hike). The children looked forward to going on a hike.
Вернувшись через год, Синяя Борода обнаружил, что его жена изменилась. The Blue Beard returned a year later only to discover that his wife had changed a lot.
Людоед предложил, чтобы мы обсудили этот вопрос за обедом. The ogre suggested us/our discussing the question at lunch.
Кот лежал на кровати с закрытыми глазами. The cat was lying on the bed with his eyes closed.
В этот момент мы случайно оказались рядом и слышали, как пираты спорили. We happened to be there at that moment and heard the pirates arguing.
Она настаивала на том, чтобы позвонить в полицию. She insisted on calling the police.
Разбитую чашку было уже не склеить. The broken cup wasn’t worth gluing together.
У Осла было особое умение добиваться того, чего он хочет. The donkey had a special gift to get what he wanted.
Это самый верный способ потерять все деньги. This is the most unfailing way to lose all the money.
Вчера я проявил все пленки в ателье на Комсомольской. Yesterday I had all the films developed at the studio on Komsomolskaya street.
Она слишком ненаблюдательна (unobservant), чтобы заметить, что что-то произошло. She is too unobservant to notice that sth has happened.
Собака повадилась клянчить у стола. The dog took to asking for food.
Дракон упустил хорошую возможность решить все проблемы одним махом (at one stroke). The dragon has lost a good opportunity to solve all the problems at one stroke.
Не поворачивая головы, Гарри спросил, куда им дальше идти. Without turning his head Harry asked where they should go next.
Спустившись к обеду, людоед обнаружил, что дверь в столовую заперта. The ogre came down to dinner only to discover that the dining room door was locked.
Бабушка провела полчаса в поисках очков. Grandma spent half an hour looking for her glasses.
Прежде чем рассказать об этих удивительных событиях, я хотел бы описать их участников. Prior to telling about these surprising events I’d like to describe their participants.
Помыв посуду, ведьма начала стирать белье. Having washed the dishes the witch started washing the linen.
Как можно уехать из Лондона, не побывав в Национальной Галерее! How can you leave London without visiting the National Gallery!
Мы заставили его согласиться, лишь прибегнув к угрозам. We made him agree only by resorting to threatening.
WORD
POWER
A. “Used to do” or “be/get used to doing”? Fill in the blanks with the appropriate form of “be” or “get” where necessary. Sometimes the meaning is negative.
When he was a boy he used to play football.
- Wouldn’t you like to sit down? - No, thank you. I am used to standing.
– I don’t like the food here. – You will soon get used to it.
At first I made very slow progress, because I wasn’t used to the system.
We used to go out more often before the baby was born.
– Didn’t you find it difficult to concentrate with the radio on? – No. I am used to it.
The witch used to wear her hair long.
They say one can get used to everything.
The donkey felt very lonely, as he wasn’t not used to living by himself.
The children got used to the new teacher by the end of the month.
I can’t get used to the new machine.
My father used to read a lot before his eyesight got so bad.
He was very annoyed by her remark, because he wasn’t used to being spoken to like that.
She used to dream of becoming a famous actress.
It took me a long time to get used to the new methods.
This street used to be called Horseguards Avenue.
There was no letter from David but Janet did not worry. She was / had got used to his thoughtlessness.
Motorists from abroad often have difficulty in Britain, because they aren’t used to driving on the left.
B. The words in this exercise look simple enough, but watch out. They are frequently misused because of the similarity in their appearance. In each of the following sentences choose the correct word enclosed in brackets.
1. You should speak to someone else (beside/besides) Helen.
2. He always works on (alternate/alternative) days: Monday, Tuesday, Friday.
3. The kingdom is in a problematic (economic/economical) state.
4. Please, keep (quiet/quite).
5. You should go through the official (canals/channels) if you want the administration to help.
6. He partly walked but (most/mostly) ran to the station to be on time for the train.
7. The sign “(continual/continuous) performance” means that there is a short pause between the end of one showing of the film and the beginning of the next.
8. His chances looked (bad/badly).
9. The witch (accepted/excepted) the invitation with joy.
10. That’s a mistake he (most/almost) always makes.
11. He seems to have but a (general/generous) idea of the subject.
12. The (imminent/eminent) Doctor Jones cured her of her sickness.
13. Helen, now a school teacher, was (formerly/formally) a typist.
14. The prince and the princess danced in a (specious/spacious) hall.
15. The jury believed the witness because his story sounded so (credible/credulous).
16. The pirates had (averse/adverse) winds throughout the voyage.
17. Jesse James was a (noted/notorious) criminal.
18. The sermon was a good (stimulus/stimulant) to noble action.
19. His argument sounded (plausible/plosive), but it was untrue.
20. Did Joan’s marriage (proceed/precede) or follow her graduation from University?
21. The witness for the (persecution/prosecution) did not turn up in court.
22. Dictators are generally (contemptible/contemptuous) of their people’s wishes.
23. All the critics acclaimed the (exceptionable/exceptional) merit of the young painter’s landscapes.
24. Collecting stamps in his spare time was the dwarf’s (avocation /vocation).
25. I always (rise/raise) at seven o’clock.
C. The confusion of the words below arises because of their notional synonimity. In each of the sentences select the correct word out of those in brackets.
1. I met the dwarf quite (occasionally/by chance) when I was hurrying to see my friend off.
2. What seemed child’s (play/game) at first turned out to be a serious and even dangerous job.
3. The ogre liked his new (work/job). The (work/job) was hard but interesting.
4. He (refused/rejected) a big sum of money (offered/suggested) to him for his pictures.
5. Passports are usually (checked/controlled) at the customs.
6. Another piece of evidence was (offered/suggested).
7. Sir Frank Wittle (discovered/invented) the engine.
8. No one knows the (cause/reason) of his disappearance.
9. They were (amused/enjoyed) by the circus clown.
10. Nothing can grow in the poor (soil/ground).
11. You may count on him to (damage/spoil) the fun.
12. Most of the child’s identity was soon (displayed/revealed).
13. As far as I can see you have nobody to (blame/condemn) for what has happened but yourself.
14. The witch and the kikimora were (telling/talking) their heads off.
15. The train was (delayed/detained) by heavy snowfalls.
16. A commission arrived to (examine/inspect) the newly-built hospital.
17. The old queen is an unbalanced woman and often loses her (temper/mood).
18. The children took an immediate (affection/fancy) to their new teacher.
19. Hard work will not (do/make) you any harm.
20. She gave to her friends what she (refused/denied) to her family.
21. The pirates (adopted/accepted) the invitation to the party with gratitude.
22. Fiona (divided/shared) her lunch with Shreck.
23. My work is (mostly/almost) finished, it will be all finished in fifteen minutes.
24. Are you going to speak to anybody (besides/except) the dwarf?
25. He seems to have but a (general/common) idea of the situation.
26. Where did you (learn/study) to speak English so well?
27. By some (lucky/happy) chance she caught sight of him in the crowd.
28. There was nothing (more/else) left for them but wait.
29. The ambulance will arrive within ten minutes to take the (sick/ill) man to the hospital.
30. If there is a (vacant/empty) seat in the box you may take it.
31. Put on something warm. You are (trembling/shaking) with cold.
32. Absence of money made things extremely (awkward/clumsy) for Father Carlo.
33. All the relations (except/besides) the younger son were present at the family reunion.
34. Is the witch (yet/still) waiting for the queen in the hall?
35. He took great (efforts/pains) to succeed in his business.
36. The boy was told by his mother not to (lend/borrow) money from his playmates.
37. The child was taught to (solve/decide) his own problems.
38. May I (offer/suggest) you a cup of tea?
39. The soup tastes (well/good).
40. Looking through the old magazines I (came across/met) an extremely interesting article on the topic.
41. The beautiful picture (drew/attracted) her attention.
42. It has just been (announced/declared) that the match will be played on Monday.
43. They (persuaded/convinced) me to act as I was told.
44. There was nobody in the room but she didn’t feel (lonely/alone), (moreover/however) she enjoyed it.
45. Judging from the preparations and general excitement the royal family was (waiting for/expecting) guests.
46. There is a small (opportunity/possibility) of success.
47. They (elect/select) mostly men to the senate.
48. How can one (hide/conceal) behind a legal law?
49. Don’t (hesitate/doubt) to call me up any time.
50. The city is (famous/notorious) for its museums.
REVISION
A. Translate this explanatory note trying to retain its humorous effect.
Я, Шереметьев Виталий Олегович, 21 августа 2002 опоздал на работу. Причины этого неблаговидного поступка весьма загадочны и коренятся скорее в области иррационального, посему я не в силах дать случившемуся сколько-нибудь приемлемое объяснение. Как человек тонкой душевной организации не могу не чувствовать всю глубину моего падения, однако та же причина впредь едва ли позволит мне даже помыслить о подобном рецидиве.
Предлагаю: - рассматривать случившееся как недоразумение, - отнестись ко мне снисходительно, тем более, что свою порцию душевных терзаний (см. выше) я уже получил.
С уважением, Шереметьев Виталий
I, Sh. V.O. was late for work on August 21, 2002. The cause of this unseemly misdeed is quite mysterious and most likely roots in the sphere of the irrational, so I am not able to give any acceptable explanation to the incident. As I am a man of subtle mental constitution I without fail do feel all the depth of my degradation. However this very reason won’t allow me to even think of a possible recurrence.
I suggest that you:
- consider the incident as a misunderstanding;
- treat me with indulgency, even more so because I have already got my portion of emotional torments (see above).
With full respect, Sh. V.
B. Translate into English using either the infinitive or the gerund.
1. Вы делаете вид, что платите. Мы делаем вид, что работаем. You pretend to be paying. We pretend to be working. 2. Дайте мне убедиться, что деньги не могут сделать меня счастливым. Let me make sure that money can’tmakeme happy. 3. Получать зарплату - хорошо, а назначать (to grant) ее другим - еще лучше. Getting a salary is good but granting it to other people is even better. 4. Увести чужую жену не сложно - сложно вернуть её обратно. It’s not difficult to take away one’s wife. The harder thing is to return it. 5. Хотите любоваться загадочной улыбкой Моны Лизы, не посещая Лувр? Спросите у жены, куда она дела вашу зарплату... Do you want to enjoy M.L.’s mysterious smile? Ask your wife how she spent your salary. 6. Здоровый образ жизни не удлиняет жизнь, а делает так, что она кажется длиннее. A healthy lifestyle doesn’t make your life longer. It just makes it seem longer. 7. Извините, что я говорю, когда вы перебиваете. Sorry for my speaking while you are interrupting me. 8. Деньги то начинают кончаться, то кончают начинаться. Money either start finishing or finish starting. 9. Просто нажать кнопку, но не просто сделать машинку. It’s easy to push the button, but it hard to make a car. 10. В мире существует слишком много причин для смерти, чтобы умирать еще и от скромности. There are too many reasons for death to die of modesty. 11. У вас никогда не будет второго шанса произвести первое впечатление. You will never have a second chance to make a first impression.12. Радуясь чужим успехам, старайтесь не скрипеть зубами (to grit one’s teeth). Expressing you joy about other people’s success try not to be gritting your teeth.
C. Supply the text with the missing words. They can be auxiliary verbs, articles, prepositions, conjunctions or pronouns.
Biologically, there is only one quality which distinguishes us from animals: the ability to laugh. In the universe which appears to be utterly devoid of humour, we enjoy this supreme luxury. And it is a luxury, for unlike the other bodily process, laughter does not seem to serve a biologically useful purpose. In a divided world, laughter is a unifying force. Human beings oppose each other on a great many issues. Nations may disagree about systems of government and human relations may be plagued by ideological factions of political camps, but we all share the ability to laugh. And laughter, in turn, depends on that most complex and subtle of all human qualities: the sense of humour.
A sense of humour may take various forms and laughter may be from a refined tinkle to an earthquaking roar, but the effect is always the same. Humour helps us to maintain a correct sense of values. It is the only quality that political fanatics appear to lack. If we can see the funny side, we never make the mistake of taking ourselves too seriously. We are always reminded that tragedy is not really far removed from comedy, so we never get a lopsided view of things.
D. Focus on phrasal verbs. Fill in the gaps with the correct form of the phrasal verbs below:
a) run away / stand back / deal with / look out / shake up
When he woke up, he was lying on the pavement, with many people staring down at him. The last thing he could remember was his friend shouting, "Look out !" as a car came onto the pavement. Then everything went blank.
Now he was conscious again, he could feel a sharp pain in his leg, and there was blood on his shirt. He asked about his friend, and was relieved to discover that she was OK - the car had missed her, but she had been shaken up by the event and was being looked after by a passer-by.
Then he heard the siren of an ambulance, and someone said, " Stand back ! " Let the paramedics through to deal with him." They were very professional and soon he was lying in a hospital bed, wondering what had happened.
Later, the police came to visit him and he discovered that the driver of the car had been drunk, and had jumped out of his car after the accident and run away. The police had gone to the man's house and found him there, and he was now in custody awaiting trial.
b) put on / cut down on / give up / take up / do up
Last Friday night I was going to the new disco in town, so I decided to wear my favourite trousers. Unfortunately, although I could pull them on, I couldn’t do them up – I had obviously put on weight! I was too depressed to go to the disco, so I spent the evening alone, watching TV. The TV was really boring and I realised that I couldn’t avoid going out forever, so I decided to go on a diet.
I’d never been on a diet before, so I asked one of my friends for some advice. She told me that I should give up eating chocolate biscuits, but when I told her that I couldn’t possibly stop eating them completely, she said that I should cut down on them; I shouldn’t eat more than 5 a week. She also advised me to take up some form of exercise because this would use up the extra carbohydrate and fat in my diet, and also keep me fit and healthy and help me feel better about myself.
Well, this week I’ve been to the swimming pool twice, and I’ve only had 3 chocolate biscuits. I still can’t fasten my favourite trousers, but my friend was right – I feel much better about myself. In fact, I’m going to the new disco next week with someone I met at the swimming pool!