4.4. Practice in communication

(Request)

*4.4.1. Read and try to remember:

Asking people to do things.

A. Could B. (Yes,) of course (cer-

Would tainly) all right.

you ... (please)?

Will you .... I'm afraid/Sorry,

(please)? OK? I can't.

..., will you? (No,)Ican't./Iwon't.

would

Do you mind -ing ...?

Would

Will you be so kind as to...?

Would — (Very formal)

May I ask you to do me a favour?

Be so kind as to ...

4.4.2. In varying degrees of politeness ask someone in the group to ...

1. turn the radio off;

2. close the door,

3. tell you the truth;

4. show you the way;

5. carry your suitcase;

6. speak to the point;

7. do you a favour;

8. keep an eye on your luggage.

He/She will comply or refuse.

4.4.3. Express your willingness or refuse to do what you are asked.

Model: T. Will you help me to translate this article. (Let's have a look at it.)

S. Certainly, with pleasure. Let's have a look.

1. Would you mind lending me your pencil for a moment? (Here it is.)

2. Would you mind reading these papers? (I've left my glasses at home.)

3. Will you do me a favour? (What is it?)

4. Will you, please, translate this notice to me? (I don't quite understand it.)

5. Help me to move this table, please. (Where shall we put?)

4.4.4. Look, listen and then dramatize.

Tom has been waiting to be served for a long time. He is impatient.

TOM Waiter, bring me the menu, will you?

WAITER Just a moment. I'm coming. (Ten minutes later.) Now, what would you like?

TOM I'd like to see the menu. Would you get me one, please?

WAITER Yes, certainly. Here you are.

TOM Thank you. Ah! But this is in French.Would you mind giving me the English one?

WAITER It's written in English too, in smaller print. There.

TOM Thanks. I'll need a while to choose. Could you come back in a minute?

WAITER Right. (Five minutes later.) Now, what are you having?

TOM I'm sorry, I haven't decided yet. Do you mind giving me a couple of min­utes?

WAITER All right, but would you be so kind as to make up your mind soon? We're very busy just now as you can see, sir.

4.4.5. Translate the notice. Say where you are likely to see them.

1. In; 2. Out; 3. No entry; 4. Pull; 5. Push; 6. Private; 7. No admittance; 8. Emergency; 9. No trespassing; 10. No overtaking; 11. No parking; 12. Wet paint; 13. Keep clear of the doors; 14. For hire.

4.5. General understanding

4.5.1. Read the text. Try to understand it and be ready to answer the questions.

The man who escaped

(Episode 4)

1. Coke listens for several seconds but he can't hear anything at all. And yet there is smoke coming from the chimney and there is a light on in the front room! «Why is it so quiet? Are the police waiting for me in there?» he asks himself. He goes to the front door and pushes it. To his surprise it is open! He goes in very quietly. In the front room there is a fire burning, in the fireplace. The room is clean, small and very warm. There is very little furniture in it — only a table and two old-fashioned chairs. There are also some photographs on the shelf above the fire. They are yellow and old. One of them is of a young man in a World War I uniform. There are also a few photoes of the same man and also a woman.

2. Suddenly Coke feels there is someone else in the room. He turns around quickly and, at the same time, puts his hand in his pocket. There is asmall knife there. He sees an old woman. She has a dish in her hands and there is a smell of meat and vegetables coming from it. She doesn't look afraid. «I'm sorry», she says and puts the dish down on the table.

3. «I'm sorry», she says again. «I don't hear you. I'm deaf, you see. People often come to the door and knock, but I don't hear them. I'm glad you are here».

Coke stares at her for a second and then finally finds his voice: «I ... I'm sorry». He looks down at his clothes. His prison uniform is so dirty that it is impossible to tell what kind of uniform it is. Then he suddenly has an idea.

«I'm a mechanic from a garage in town. I came to repair a lorry somewhere out here but the road was icy. I had an accident. I ... I fell off my motorbike».

He says this several times before she finally under­stands him. Then she gives him some hot water and soap and afterwards some food. The only thing he needs now is a change of clothes!

4.5.2. Choose the correct answer. Don't use the text.

1. When Coke comes in he sees:

a) an old woman;

b) a young man;

c) some photographs on the shelf.

2. The woman has:

a) a small knife in her hands;

b) a dish in her hands;

c) old clothes in her hands.

3. A woman isn't afraid because:

a) she's deaf;

b) people often come to her door;

c) Coke looks pleasant.

4. The woman gives Coke:

a) hot water and soap;

b) a change of clothes;

c) some photoes.

4.5.3. Answer the teacher's questions. (Books closed.)

1. What can Coke see in the front room?

2. What photoes are there on the shelf?

3. What is there in Coke's pocket?

4. What is there in the old woman's hands?

5. Why isn't she afraid?

6. How does he explain his clothes?

4.5.4. Express the main idea of this episode in one-two sentences.