Comprehension activity

Answer these comprehension questions

5. Why was Poirot shocked when he received Mr. Hoggin’s letter?

6. What happened to Mrs. Hoggin’s Pekinese dog in the Park? How was it returned the following morning?

6. What did Poirot make inquiries about?

8. What conclusion did he come to after having interviewed Mrs. Samuelson?

10. Who organized the kidnappings? How? What were the motives of the crime?

11. Poirot promised Ms. Carnaby not to prosecute. Why?

12. Why did Mr. Hoggin refuse to take his fee back?

13. Restore the course of Poirot’s investigation stage by stage. Complete your retelling with logical links missing in the text.

Grammar

1. Analyze the use of the verb tenses (simple present, present continuous, future simple, present perfect, past simple, past continuous) and voices (active/passive) in the selection, p. 4: “The flat of Hercule Poirot was furnished … You won’t.”

2. Classify the regular and irregular verbs in two colons. Give the past forms of the irregulars.

3. Rewrite the dialogue between Hercule Poirot and Dr. Burton in the indirect speech. Use various reporting verbs: say, tell, ask, answer, reply, want to know, add, etc.

4. Study the use of the articles in the selection above and comment upon their functions.

5. Find the 2^nd conditional clause, identify the tenses of subjunctive mood and explain their use in the context. Substitute the infinitives by the appropriate verb form:

1. If I (be) you, I (not to throw about) my money.

2. If you (study) more, you (do) well on the test.

3. She (find) a job if she (have) influential friends.

Speaking

Give a summary of the facts of the story. Use these phrases.

The story is about …; the story deals with…; the story speaks about …; the story describes the investigation…; the story shows that…, the story ends in…

Discussion

Hercule Poirot compared Ms Carnaby with Robin Hood. Why? Do you believe that rich people ought to share their wealth with the poor? What are the causes of the poverty amongst people, in your opinion? Think of the possible solutions to the problems of poor people.

Role play

Reread the dialogue between Poirot and the manageress of the hotel, p. 10. Continue the conversation to make a reservation of the room. Discuss the price, modern conveniences, services available at the hotel, etc. Work in pairs.

Labour IV The Erymanthian Boar

Pronunciation

Practice the correct pronunciation of the following words:

Erymanthian Switzerland Chamonix Rochers Neige

Marrascaud Lementeuil Gustave Drouet

Schwartz Lutz funicular

Preview questions

1. Recall the myth about the Erymanthian Boar and explain why the title refers to this ancient legend. What is the main idea of the story read?

2. The story is divided into six parts. Skim through the content of each chapter and tell the main topic. How would you head each part?

3. What are the clue words of the story? Compare your clue words with those of your classmates.

Vocabulary

1. Explain the following expressions: to take advantage of smth, to get in touch with smb, to keep one’s eye on smb, to be pretty good at smth, to be caught like a rat in a trap, the laugh is with me. Make up the sentences using these phrases.

2. Find the synonyms of the words below: to occur, huge, without delay, alive, to capture

3. Give the definition of the following words: murderer, staff, gang, fee, bookmaker

4. Form the derivatives and fill in the blanks.

noun	verb	adjective
	to occur
		suspicious
	to explain
mountain
	catch

5.Translate from Russian into English: 1) Его подозревали в убийствах и грабежах. 2) В результате происшествия сообщение было прервано. 3) В конце концов полиция напала на след Марраско. 4) Господин Луц специализировался в области хирургии лица и немедленно приступил к осуществлению операции, получив большое вознаграждение. 5) Он чувствовал себя не в своей тарелке и считал, что все это было странным совпадением. 6) Сбитый с толку, американец пожал плечами. 7) Он должен был поделиться деньгами с бандой, но не сделал этого. 8) Чтобы свести счеты, бедного парня ограбили, а затем убили. 9) Должно быть, Марраско щедро подкупил его, чтобы тот разрешил ему скрываться в нежилой части гостиницы. 10) Но его предали, и дело поменяло оборот.

6. Introduce the main characters of the story. Find their descriptions in the text and complete them with your own words.

7. Match these activities and the characters: to caress the moustaches, to be kidnapped, to examine smb, to make smb march into the cupboard, to utter a sharp exclamation, to suspect, to take advantage of smth, to appear in time, to mount in a funicular, to demand and inspect the ticket, to get in touch with smb, to wander aimlessly, to bring the breakfast, to take a quick look around, to sigh, to be an expert in disguise, to fumble with the lock of the door, to hold a gun, to bandage the injured face, to be unskillful, to bribe, to play cards, to be imprisoned, to act the part of detective, to wreck the funicular, to dress the wounds