playwright — драматург

to set up — основывать

to experience — узнавать

workshop — мастерская

raw material — исходный материал

ravages of time — разрушитель­ные

действия времен

shipwrecks of the past — осколки

прошлого

to abound — быть в большом

количестве, изобиловать

upper-middle class circles — высшие и

средние классы

occasionally — от случая к случаю

to preserve — сохранять

remote — удаленный

thrall — рабство

canvas — холст (для картины)

inspiration — вдохновение

to grow up — становиться взрослым

Victorian sweet shop — кондитерская

Викторианской эпохи

to frequent — часто посещать

to immortalize — обессмертить,

увековечить

pseudonym — псевдоним

clergyman — священник

to recount — рассказывать

to provide — открывать

to transform — превращаться

memorial — памятное место, мемориал

Vocabulary

There are a lot of other places in Britain connected with literature. They are everywhere. In Scotland many places are connected with Sir Walter Scott and Robert Burns. In London one can visit famous Baker Street and the museum of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. And the British take care of such places and keep up their traditions, which are connected with these memorials.

1. What famous British writers and poets do you know? 2. What are they famous for? 3. Have you read their books? 4. Who is your favourite writer and why? 5. What places in London are connected with Charles Dickens and William Shakespeare? 6. What places in Stratford arc connected with William Shakespeare? 7. What places in Britain are connected with Jane Austen? 8. What places in Britain are connected with Charlotte Bronte? 9. What places in Oxford are connected with Lewis Carroll and his story "Alice in Wonder­land"? 10. How do British people honour their famous writers and poets?

Questions

Dialogues

l.

— I know you are fond of classical music, aren't you?

— Sure. I'm keen on it. And you?

— So am I. Do you know Russian composers and pianists well?

— Yes, and why?

— I'd like you to guess the name of the great Russian composer and pianist. I'll tell you some facts from his biography.

— OK. I keep my ears open.

— He was born in Moscow in 1872 and died in Moscow in 1915. His works include three symphonies, piano concerto, a Poem of Fire for orchestra, piano and organ, ten piano sonatas and 58 of other piano works, preludes, impromptus, mazurkas, nocturnes and others. He visited England on several occasions, notably in 1913 and 1914, when his Prometheus was performed. He believed that each harmony was correlated with a distinct colour.

— I know who he was. He was the world-famous composer and pianist Skryabin. I admire his music. And now it's my turn to tell you about a famous English composer and your turn is to guess his name.

— I'm eager to listen to your story.

— He was born in England in 1913 and died in 1976. His father was a dentist and a music lover; his mother played the piano and sang. He began to play the piano and composed his first musical piece when he was five. His greatest achievement was creating operas. He is famous for using children's voices in his music. Among his best works is the sombre War Requiem expressing his hatred for war and death.

— I think he is great Benjamin Britten whose music can be enjoyed by music lovers of all ages.

— We are both right. And I think that our countries can be proud of these outstanding musicians and a lot of other famous people who bring fame to our countries.

2.

— Almost all young people are fond of music. And what about you? Do you like music?

— 1 can't imagine my life without music. Music reflects our mood and emotions. It is the soundtrack of our life, isn't it?

— Yes, you are quite right. But different people like different kinds of music.

— Exactly! Tastes differ. For example, my mother is fond of classical music. She likes quiet lyrical piano pieces by Chopin and Prokofiev, which are full of enchanting melodies. But her favourite piece of music is The Seasons by Tchaikovsky. This music reflects the different states of nature so truthfully that she is always carried away by it.

— And my father's taste is quite different. He enjoys rock music. and his favourite groups are Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin and Queen. He says their music is passionate and breathtaking.

— Do you share their tastes in music? What are your musical preferences?

— I wouldn't mind listening to classical music, especially I am fond of ballets and operas. My favourite ballet is Swan Lake by Tchaikovsky. Thanks to amazing music, this ballet leaves an unforgettable impression. But I don't like hard rock. 1 find it too noisy and dreadful. Do you agree with me?

— I am sorry, but I can't agree with you. Not all rock songs are noisy. In my opinion they are full of energy. Besides, there are a lot of tuneful, eloquent songs too. Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin is the best example. As for classical operas and ballets, they usually put mc to sleep.

— So what kind of music do you prefer?

— I like new rhythms and new styles and I enjoy modern rock musicals. My favourite musical is Jesus Christ Superstar composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber. When it first exploded onto the West End stage, it was clear that the musical world would never be the same again. It is packed with hit songs that can't leave us indifferent! And do you like modern music?

— Yes, of course, but I prefer pop music to hard rock. I like catchy and torch tunes. I don't have any favourites, but I enjoy such groups as The Beatles, ABBA, Modern Talking. As for Russian groups, I can't but admire Mashina Vremeni and DDT. Their music helps me to relax and escape from everyday problems.

— Have you ever been to the concert of a pop group?

• No, I haven't, but I'd love to.

3.

— Do you like reading?

— Of course, I do. I am fond of reading. Most of all I like reading about the history of the world and about famous people. 1 also like romantic stories with a happy end.

— As for me, I prefer reading whodunnit stories. I've got a large collection of such books. These books are certain delight. They are gripping and absorbing. Sometimes they entertain me.

— I agree with you. One English author said: "Some books an to be tasted, others to be swallowed or digested." This quotation tells us how to read books of different kinds. If you are fond of crime stories, you'll "swallow" them — you'll read them quickly. Most travel books are "to be tasted". And historical books should be read! slowly and carefully. If a book is on important subject, and the subject you're interested in, you'll want to chew and digest it.

— Sometimes I think, I'm a bookworm. I can read the whole! day if the book is interesting and absorbing. I know that some people read for instruction, and some for pleasure, but not a few read foe habit. I belong to that company. I think that reading is just a drug that we cannot get without.

— And have you ever been to the British Museum library?

— Yes, I have. I saw the Round Reading Room there. There] are some 30,000 reference books on the open access in the Reading j Room, a tiny fraction of the British Library's collections, which number over 13 million volumes. I was impressed greatly when I] saw it.

— Unfortunately, I wasn't there. But I hope to go there soon. \ Bye-bye. See you later.

— OK. Bye.

4.

— What an international organization of writers do you know?

— I know an international organization called PEN.

— Do you know who founded this organization and when?

— It was founded in 1921 by the English novelist John] Galsworthy.

— Why does it have such a name?

— The name PEN is an acronym standing for "poets,! playwrights, editors, essayists and novelists".

— And what does the word "acronym" mean?

— It means a word, which is formed from the first letters of alls words it stands for.

— What are the functions of this organization?

— PEN promotes freedom of expression for all writers! regardless of their nationality, race or religion, or of the political system. PEN supports writers who are being persecuted on oppressed by their government.

— Does this organization give literary awards?

— Yes, it also gives literary awards, holds conferences and publishes newsletters.

— How can a person become a member of this organization?

— To become a member of PEN an author must have published at least two books, one of which shows considerable literary distinction.

— And where is PEN headquartered?

— It is headquartered in London, and there are more than 80 PEN Centres situated in about 60 countries in the world.

5.

— People have various reading preferences, and there are plenty of books to suit each taste. And what about you? Do you enjoy reading?

— Well, I can't say that I am a bookworm, but I love sitting for one or two hours reading books. Usually I like to exchange books with my classmates or borrow books from the library.

— So do I. I consider reading to be one of the best ways of spending free time. And what kinds of books do you prefer?

— Actually, I enjoy reading quite a range of books. But I suppose if I had to choose one for a desert island, I would choose a historical novel or an adventure book. These books usually have interesting story lines and unusual endings.

— As for me, I prefer science fiction. I like stories about imaginary people and events in the future. In science fiction the impossible is presented as possible. Isaac Asimov, Arthur Clark and Ray Bradbury are my favourites.

— What about a particular book that you've read recently and you've really enjoyed?

— Well, I think it's Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. Fahrenheit 451 is the burning point of paper. The action of the novel takes place in not very remote future but the life of the characters is quite different from ours.

— And who are the characters in the book, I wonder?

— The central character of the novel is Guy Montag, an enthusiastic fireman, who meets a girl, cherishing old views and traditions. Against his own will Montag begins to think and comes to interesting conclusions. The novel is exciting, it keeps you on the edge of your seat. I particularly admire this book because it stresses once again the great value of books and reading.

— I can't but agree with you that reading is very important both for us and for future generations. Some people started to think that we get all information we need from radio and TV, so we don't need to read books. But that is not true at all! Reading makes a full man. Books teach us to be honest, kind and sympathetic.

— I am of the same opinion. We can't do without books. They help us to learn better at school and to prepare for our future career. I am thinking of becoming a computer programmer. The uses of computers and computer networks are growing rapidly, and I am glad there are a lot of books on computers.

— You are absolutely right. Books must be our friends during! all our life though our reading preferences can change. When 1 was a child, I was keen on fairy tales about animals, and now I like ttfl read historical novels. Walter Scott is my favourite writer.

— Oh, he is an outstanding English writer. Have you ever read any of his books in the original?

— No, not yet. I'm not so good at English. But I would be happy to read some of his books in future.