Language Activities

Comprehension

1. How did it come about that the Pervins had to leave their house?

2. How were their problems regarded by a) Joe, b) Fred Henry, c) Mabel?

3. What do you get to know about Joseph Pervin, the father of the family and the Pervins’ life before their father’s death?

4. How old was Mabel when her mother had died?

5. Where did Mabel go to in the afternoon after the conversation with her brothers? What did she do there?

6. How did Ferguson happen to see Mabel in the churchyard?

7. What work did Ferguson have to do on that day?

8. How did it come about that the doctor saved Mabel?

9. How did Mabel behave when the doctor brought her round? What was Ferguson’s reaction to her conduct?

10. What did Ferguson promise Mabel when he was about to leave her house?

11. Give a short account of the plot of the story.

Vocabulary

Word List

to feel safe

fortunes

to do away with

to reflect on smth.

to be involved in smth.

to hold smb. in subjection

to be done for

to be engaged to smb.

to provide smb. with smth.

to take notice of smb./smth.

affected (voice)

exasperation

to make up one's mind

to shake hands

to come round to

to depend on (upon) smb. /smth.

to feel secure (in smb.)

to attend to smb.

drudgery

to wear smb. out

to make sure of smth.

to feel for smth./smb.

to make a effort

inevitable

to bring smb. round

indispensable

1. Reproduce the passages from the text in which the vocabulary is used.

2. Paraphrase the following using the vocabulary:

1. The government abolished free school meals.

2. I tried all sorts of medicines to get rid of this cold.

3. I’m contemplating going abroad for a year.

4. Debbie has agreed to get married to some guy in the army.

5. This book is an essential resource for researchers.

6. The accident was the unavoidable consequence of carelessness.

7. After a long consideration June decided to accept the young man’s proposal.

8. In growing annoyance he stormed out of the room.

3. Translate the following using the vocabulary:

1. Его семья сделала состояние на продаже компьютеров.

2. Думаю, что я заперла дверь, но всё-таки я схожу проверю.

3. Я очень устаю от всех этих разговоров.

4. Когда отец был жив, он держал в подчинении всю семью.

5. Её натянутая улыбка и неестественный голос явно указывали на то, что она замешана в этом деле.

4. Paraphrase or explain the following:

1. He felt he was done for now.

2. Malcolm grinned fatuously.

3. “It's a knock-out, isn't it,” said Joe boisterously, “if a doctor goes round croaking with a cold.”

4. He went out, followed by Joe, who seemed to have his tail between his legs.

5. “You could bray her into bits, and that's all you'd get out of her,” he said in a small, narrowed tone.

6. “Strike me if I know!” returned the other.

7. Now he was dead and everything was gone to the dogs, there was nothing but debt and threatening.

8. She would always hold the keys of her own situation.