Speech and composition

Ex 33 Answer the following questions, using the vocabulary of the lesson. Sum up your answers (orally, or in writing).

CHOOSING A CAREER

1. When did you first start thinking about entering this Institute? 2. Did anybody advise you or was it your own choice? 3. What dictated your choice? 4. How many exams were you expected to take? 5. What marks did you get in English, history, etc? 6. Have you chosen right? 7. How does it feel to be a student?

YOU ARE A STUDENT NOW

1. Now that you've been a student for a few months have you got used to the new methods of work? 2. How different are they from what you were used to at school? 3. Do you find it much harder to study at the institute than at school? 4. What subjects were you good at when at school? 5. What are your favourite subjects now? 6. What must you do to pass all the winter (spring) exams well? 7. Must you work hard during the examination session if you have worked regularly all through the term? 8. What marks do you expect to get?

Ex 34 Read and retell the following. Tell a funny story about yourself or a friend.

FATTY^* TAKES AN EXAM

In the middle of examination-time Digamma Pi Fraternity^** had to work on Fatty Pfaff to help him take the exam in anatomy.

Fatty had failed in the mid-year anatomical and now he had to pass a special exam before he could take the final exam.

There was a certain fondness for him in Digamma Pi; Fatty was soft, Fatty was a fool, yet they were fond of him the way people are fond of an old car or a dirty dog.

The night before his special examination they kept him awake working till two, with wet towels and black coffee. They repeated lists — lists — lists to him. They ran about the room, holding up their hands and crying, "Will he never remember a thing?" and then, "Don't get excited, Fatty. Take it easy. Just listen to this quietly, will you, and try. Try to remember one thing at least!"

They led him carefully to bed. He was so full of facts that they were afraid he might lose them on his way to bed. When he woke at seven, with red eyes, he had forgotten everything he had learned.

"He's got to have a crib,"^*** said the president of Digamma Pi, "even if he gets caught with it. I prepared one for him yesterday. It'll cover enough of the questions so he'll get through."

Fatty protested: "It's against my principles. I think a fellow who can't get through an examination can't be a doctor. That's what my Dad always said."

The president of Digamma Pi took Fatty by the shoulder and said slowly in a low voice, "Look here, I'm going to put this crib in your pocket — look, here in your pocket, behind your handkerchief."

"I won't use it," whispered Fatty. "It's all the same to me if I fail."

They pushed Fatty through the door, on his way to Anatomy Building. They watched him go.

"Is it possible he's going to be honest?" somebody wondered.

They saw Fatty stop, take the handkerchief out of the pocket — and discover the crib. They saw him look at it, begin to read it, put it back into his pocket and continue his way with a more resolute step.

They joined hands and danced about the room singing, "He'll use it — it's all right — he'll get through!"

He got through.

(After "Martin Arrowsmith" by Sinclair Lewis)

Ex 35 Read the following, answer the questions and retell the passage in English.

ДВАДЦАТЬ ТРИ В ДВАДЦАТЬ ОДИН

Недавно томская газета «Красное знамя» напечатала статью о молодом полиглоте.

23 языка знает студент четвертого курса Томского политехнического института Владимир В.

Сначала он выучил польский язык. Мысль о том, чтобы выучить этот язык, пришла ему в голову, когда однажды на прилавке книжного магазина он увидел интересную книгу на польском языке. Это была новая книга его любимого писателя Станислава Лема.

B день он заучивает 50—60 слов нового языка. Работа эта нелегкая. Выучить 3 000 слов занимает у него около двух месяцев.

Приняв решение выучить язык, он сразу же покупает два журнала: на русском и такой же на иностранном. Он читает иностранный журнал, если же он что-нибудь не понимает, то смотрит в русский экземпляр.

Закончив изучение одного языка, он сразу же переходит к изучению другого. «Изучать иностранный язык трудно, но чрезвычайно интересно», — говорит Владимир.

Иностранные языки — не единственное увлечение Владимира. Он отлично играет в настольный теннис, регулярно принимает участие в спортивных соревнованиях между политехническим институтом и другими учебными заведениями города. Он также прекрасный пловец. Экзамены по всем предметам Владимир сдает только на отлично.