1. Match the infinitive forms and the Past Simple forms of the irregular verbs. Learn these forms by heart. Use a dictionary to check the meaning of each verb.

Infinitive	Past Simple		Infinitive	Past Simple
begin	built		sell	spoke
buy	grew		tear	told
build	found		say	spent
understand	fell		speak	taught
sink	woke		tell	sold
grow	began		feel	swam
wake	bought		spend	won
find	chose		teach	tore
fall	understood		swim	said
choose	sank		win	felt

2. 2. Read and translate the text. Consult a dictionary if it is necessary. A Shipwreck (an extract)

It was a little more than two days after we had left Honolulu that, about nine o’clock in the evening, we had the misfortune to come into collision with an eastern-bound vessel. This vessel, which was a small steamer, struck us with great force and then, backing, disappeared into the fog, and we never saw or heard of her again. Soon the crew discovered that the hull of our steamer was badly damaged on the bow part, and that the water was coming in quickly.

For nearly two hours the crew and many of the passengers worked at the pump, and did everything possible to stop the leak. But a little before midnight the captain announced that it was impossible to keep the steamer afloat, and that we all had to take to the boats. The night was now clear, the stars were bright and the sea was quite smooth.

The captain assured us that by noon of the following day we could easily reach a small island, where we should find a shelter until some passing vessel would take us off. There was enough time for all the necessary preparations and we made them with much order and discipline. Everybody obeyed the captain’s orders and all prepared themselves for transferring to the boats.

(Frank Stockton)

3. Give the Russian equivalents to the following English phrases and expressions.

• we had the misfortune to come into collision… ;

• an eastern-bound vessel;

• we did everything possible to … ;

• to keep the steamer afloat;

• we all had to take to the boats;

• all prepared themselves for transferring to … .

4. 4. Answer the questions on the text.

1. Where did the ship sail?

2. What happened to the ship two days into the trip?

3. Did a small steamer render them the aid? Why?

4. What did the crew discover?

5. Who helped them to stop the leak?

6. What did they do?

7. Was it possible to keep the ship afloat?

8. What did the captain order?

9. Where did they direct?

10. What did they expect?

5. Pair work. Tell your study partner about this shipwreck. Let him add the details if you omit them. The plan below will help you.

1. The beginning of the voyage.

2. Fighting with the disaster.

3. Rescuing the crew and passengers.