Laboratory Work

1. Choose the appropriate reply for the given context:

1. They are leaving in an hour.

(In an hour. In an hour.)

2. They are leaving in a few minutes.

(In an hour. In an hour.)

3. He can speak three foreign languages.

( Three. Three.)

4. He can speak two foreign languages.

( Three. Three)

5. His spoon is made of gold.

( Gold. Gold.)

6. It’s a silver chain.

( Gold. Gold.)

2. Correct the following statements or contradict them:

Model: His name is John – Harry.

• The grammar test was not at all difficult.

• It was.

1. You’ve kept me waiting for an hour.

( For half an hour only.)

2. Her new dress is a bit loud.

(It isn’t. Gay colours are in fashion now.)

3. The party was terribly boring.

(It wasn’t. I met a number of highly interesting people there)

4. Tom is good at French, they say.

(He studies English as far as I know)

5. I think it’s more convenient to go there by train.

(It isn’t. Going by plane is much quicker and more comfortable)

3. Answer the following questions expressing hesitation, doubt, uncertainty:

Model: - Will the weather keep fine this week?

• I think so.

1. Do you think this bag will go well with my coat?

(I think so. I’m quite sure.)

2. Do you know where Sam has gone?

(He’s gone to see his friend, I think)

3. What’s the time, please?

(I suppose it’s about nine.)

4. Has your sister decided what she’s going to do after she finishes school?

(She’s going to enter the Medical College, I think)

5. How long will you be staying in London?

(About a week or so.)

4. Respond to the following utterances expressing warning or apology.

Model: - Let me carry the suitcase for you.

• It’s rather heavy.

• Can you spare me a minute?

• I am very busy just now.

1. May I open the window?

(You may catch a cold.)

2. Let’s telephone Bill.

(It’s rather late.)

3. Let’s drop in at the Central Department Store.

(We’ve no time for that.)

4. Would you like to dance?

(I’d rather not. Thank you.)

5. May I use you iron?

(I’m afraid it’s out of order.)

5. Extend the following utterances by adding a concluding remark that sounds as an afterthought.

Model: You may have a nervous breakdown.

You may have a nervous breakdown  if you don’t take care of yourself.

1. I can call on you tomorrow night (if that suits you).

2. We’ll miss our train (unless we take a taxi).

3. He spends his holiday in the country (as a general rule).

4. You will fail your exam (if you don’t work hard).

5. A lot of things have changed in my native city (since I was there last).

6. a). Read the following text silently, entitle it. Divide it into communicative blocks, entitle them. Locate the communicative centre of each sentence. Mark the stresses and tunes. Practise reading the story.

b). Retell the story in your own words.

Structurally, the English language is fairly homogeneous all over the world, but there are marked differences in pronunciation between its many dialects. It is interesting to note that some of the most striking of these differences occur in the small island of Britain, a fact for which there is of course a perfectly logical historical explanation. Visitors from the United States of America, where only three main dialects are recognized, are often taken aback when they hear these widely different British accents.

During the Second World War, a number of British and American mechanics who were stationed in a certain country in the New East were living together in a local boarding house. One day at tea-time an American who hailed from Kansas was sitting opposite a Yorkshireman who had a strong local accent and two Londoners, one of whom spoke in the Received Pronunciation while the other had a marked Cockney accent. After listening for some time to the conversation of these three persons the Kansan suddenly burst in with “Say, I can’t figure out how you Britishers understand one another”.

7. a). Listen to dialogue 30 Part I, Part II from E.L.C. Recognize the intonation pattern of each utterance, mark the nuclear tones in each intonation group. Practice reading the dialogue imitating the speaker’s intonation.

Part I

Asking the way

b). Complete the following situations according to the dialogue. Check yourself against the key.

1. – E xcuse me, can you tell me the way to Trafalgar Square?

Pause.

Key: Certainly. Go down Regent Street  to Piccadilly Circus and then go down the Haymarket.

2. – Turn to the left at the bottom and in less than a minute  you’ll be in Trafalgar Square.

Pause.

Key: Thank you very much. How far is it from here?

3. – If you walk, it’ll take you ten minutes or a quarter of an hour.

Pause.

Key: Is there a bus?

4. – Ex cuse me, officer  is there a bus from here to Trafalgar Square?

Pause.

Key: Yes, sir, any bus’ll take you. There’s a bus-stop just over there.

5. – Fares, please.

Pause.

Key: Tra falgar Square, please … and will you tell me when we get there?

c). Choose the pattern used in the dialogue for the response. Check yourself against the key.

1. – Ex cuse me, can you tell me the way to Trafalgar Square?

– Certainly . Go down Regent Street  to Piccadilly Circus  and then go down the Haymarket.

– Certainly. Go down Regent Street  to Piccadilly Circus  and then go down the Haymarket.

2. – Turn to the left at the bottom  and in less than a minute  you’ll be in Trafalgar Square.

– Thank you very much. How far is it from here?

–Thank you very much. How far is it from here?

3. – If you walk, it’ll take you ten minutes or a quarter of an hour.

– Is there a bus?

–Is there a bus?

4. – Ex cuse me, officer  is there a bus from here to Trafalgar Square?

– Yes, sir,  any bus’ll take you.

–Yes, sir,  any bus’ll take you.

5. – Fares, please.

– Trafalgar Square, please … and will you tell me when we get there?

– Trafalgar Square, please … and will you tell me when we get there?

Keys:

1. a

2. a

3. b

4. b

5. a

Part II