I like my class. Everybody is so friendly and easy to get along with. I am on good terms with my classmates and we often spend our free time together.

Dictation 12*

What Do We Know about ESP?

How do we know what is going on in the world around us? We use our senses. Through them we can see, hear, feel, smell and taste.

But there are some scientists who suppose that man can get information without the use of the senses. They think that human mind has quite enough powers that have not yet been understood, and so it is possible to get information that has not passed through the senses.

The process is called "extrasensory perception", or ESP. "Extrasensory" means "beyond understanding". Many of the research workers who have studied it are psychologists, and their subject is called "parapsychology".

They believe that there are three kinds of extrasensory perception. An example of one is when somebody is able to read the thoughts in the mind of another person or it seems so. The second kind of ESP is illustrated by a following example: a woman living in the suburbs dreams that her daughter, who lives downtown, was hurt in a road accident. The next day she learns that a car really hit her daughter the night before.

The third type of ESP is when people seem to be able to look into the future and know what will happen and it is called clairvoyance. We know that occasionally this really can occur, but very often it is difficult to find evidence of such cases. A great many experiments have been made but the existence of ESP is still controversial.

Topic Six: Place to Live in

Dictation 13

The Remarkable Suite

The suite at Claridge's was not at all large, but it was very comfortable, and the sitting room was one of the most charming I'd ever seen, reminding you of the Victorian period.

What made it so unusual and special was the fireplace that really worked and the baby cot that stood in a corner near the tall windows. These were dressed with plum-coloured velvet draperies, while an oriental carpet spread its rich colour underfoot.

A big sofa covered in silk and matching armchairs, along with an antique coffee table, were arranged in front of the white marble fireplace; here an eye-catching mirror hung over the mantel.

Adding to the mood created by the elegant background were such things as a remarkable desk, a china cabinet filled with antique plates, and various small occasional tables made of mahogany. In fact, so authentic was the decorative scheme that I felt as if I had been whisked back into another era.

Vases of flowers, a bowl of fruit, a tray of drinks, newspapers and magazines all helped to make the room seem even more homey and inviting. It was especially cosy that November night, with the fire burning merrily in the grate and the pink-shaded lamps turned on.

Dictation 14*

My Room

As one walks into my room a large black and white spot catches his eye. This tapestry reveals itself to be a skin of a zebra whitch I acquired on my trip through Southern Africa. Turning to the right the visitor sees other things from far away lands mounted on the wall. They range from Greek swords to a unique lion-hunting arrow.

Below this array of seemingly ancient subjects is a large Sony stereo system I received for my birthday this year. A turn to the left now unveils a shelf containing hardback books, an alarm clock, my trophies, ribbons, CDs and tapes. This storage space is really an unnecessary extra but it does help keep my room from being messy.

Up against this same wall is my bed. It was handed down from my great grandmother and has been kept because of its value and sentiment. I believe this to be almost a mirror of my personality because I rarely change from my happy, reliable self and this bed has not changed in over a century. The reverse side of it shows off a twin to the first shelf. Unlike its companion, it holds some more prized possessions such as: a magazine collection, many artistic creations and various instruments. Along the wall is my desk. It is divided into five main parts: the surface, mechanical and scholastic things, as well as assorted odds and ends.

Dictation 15*

A New House

It was a large old-fashioned three-storeyed building standing on an acre of ground and situated about a mile outside the town of Mugsborough. It stood back nearly two hundred yards from the main road and was reached by means of a by-road or lane, on each side of which was a hedge formed of hawthorn trees and blackberry bushes. This house had been unoccupied for many years and it was now being altered and renovated for its new owner.

There were, altogether, about twenty-five men working there — carpenters, plumbers, plasterers, bricklayers and painters, besides unskilled labourers. New floors were installed where the old ones were destroyed, and upstairs two of the rooms were joined into one by demolishing the wall and substituting an iron girder. Some of the window frames were so rotten that they were replaced. The ceilings and walls were cracked and they had to be replastered. The broken chimney pots were taken down and new ones were fixed in their places. The old whitewash had to be washed off and the old paper was scraped off the walls. The air was full of the sounds of hammering and sawing, the ringing of trowels, the rattle of pails, the splashing of water brushes, and the scraping of the stripping knives used by those who were working…

Dictation 16*

A Tudor Mansion

The mansion was built in 1563 and was typically Tudor in style. A solid, stone house, square in shape yet graceful with many windows and a tower built onto each of its four corners. The windows created a highly dramatic effect and filled the tower rooms with extraordinary light. Diana, the hostess, called it a typical country dwelling, and protested that for all its historical significance it was by no means a grand house any more and this was true. It was extremely well-designed, skillfully planned, even somewhat compact for this type of a Tudor manor, and in comparison to some of the great homes in Yorkshire, it was small. Despite its size Diana found it difficult to run. It was kept with the help of Joe and Edith Parkinson, who had lived and worked there for over forty years. They took care of all the interiors, and did laundry and cooking.

The kitchen was as old as the building itself, and it had altered very little within the years. Painted cool white it was long in shape. The fireplace at the far end of it was high to the ceiling, made of brick and mortar. It had a great hearth, an overhanging mantelshelf and old-fashioned ovens.

The butler's pantry adjacent to the kitchen, had been updated and remodelled by Diana, so that it better served her. She had put a double-sized refrigerator, two dishwashers, and counters for food preparation; above which hung lots of cabinets for china and all other kitchen utensils. The chief peculiarity of the room was a collection of wood and brass candlesticks. And everywhere was a sparkle of copper in such things as pots and pans hanging from the rack, and in ladles, spoons and measuring scoops on a side table.

Diana's acquaintances loved this kitchen and thought it one of the most welcoming; it was not only cheerful and spacious but comfortable as well. As Diana said, it was the hub of the house, a room you could easily live in.

Topic Seven: Meals and Food

Dictation 17

Meals in Britain

A traditional English breakfast is a very big meal – sausages, bacon, eggs, tomatoes, mushrooms.... But nowadays many people just have cereal with milk and sugar, or toast with marmalade or honey. Marmalade and jam are not the same! Marmalade is made from oranges and jam is made from other fruit. The usual drink is juice. But some prefer coffee, often instant, which is made with just hot water. Many visitors to Britain find it disgusting!

For a great number of people lunch is a quick meal. In cities there are a lot of bars, where office workers can choose the kind of bread they want – rye, white, or a roll – and then all sorts of salad to go in a sandwich. Pubs often serve good, cheap food, both hot and cold. School children can have a meal at school, but many just take a snack from home – a chocolate bar, some fruit and crisps.

People have afternoon tea with sandwiches, cakes, and, of course, a cup of tea. They may also have scones with cream.

The evening meal is the main one of the day for the British. They, as a rule, have it quite early, between 6.00 and 8.00 p.m., and often families eat together. They have roast beef, lamb, chicken, or pork with potatoes, vegetables and gravy which is a sauce made from meat juices.

Britons like food from other countries too, especially Italian, French, Chinese, Taiwanese and Indian. People regularly get take-away meals – you buy food at a restaurant and then bring it home. So you can see that eating in Britain is really international!

Dictation 18

The Peculiarities of Russian Cooking

In Russia cooking is characterized by its wide assortment of ingredients and preparation process. A Russian stove was constructed to allow a dish to be stewed, baked, poached or boiled. It also defined specific ways of cooking geese, duck and chicken. At the same time meat and fowl are also roasted on a grill over an open flame.

Porridge cooked in a stove acquires a specific taste. That is why nowadays many dishes made with grain and semolina are prepared not on stove tops, but rather in ovens. Buckwheat served in this way is especially tasty when accompanied by milk.

Russian cooking has borrowed ingredients from other nations. The Greek settlements on the Black Sea coast, for example, contributed the secret of dough made with yeast, while trade with Italy enriched Russian cuisine with spices, herbs and rice. Tea and dumplings came from Asia. Peppers, aubergines and zucchini were delivered from Bulgaria.

Russia's western neighbours also influenced the style of cooking introducing appliances such as pots, pans and slotted spoons. Thanks to them, the list of dishes prepared on frying pans was substantially extended to include beefsteaks, roast mutton and the like.

French cuisine came to Russia in the nineteenth century. It was most noticeable in restaurant cooking, as professional chefs brought from France recipes for sauces and delicate dishes made with poultry, fish and vegetables.

Since ancient times, the traditional order of serving has remained unchanged: first – appetizers, second – soup, third – the main course, accompanied by gravy and lastly follows dessert – pastries and sweets.

Dictation 19

The Wilsons' Party

Mr and Mrs Wilson invited all their friends to a party last night. They stayed at home all day yesterday and prepared for the occasion.

In the morning the Wilsons worked outside. Their daughter, Margaret, cleaned the yard with a broom. Their son, Bob, cut the grass with the help of the lawnmower. Mrs Wilson planted flowers such as lilies, asters, tulips, etc. in the garden, and Mr Wilson fixed their broken banisters using various tools. In the afternoon the Wilsons worked inside the house. Margaret washed the floors with a mop and hoovered the Persian beige carpet with the vacuum cleaner. Bob dusted the antique furniture and cleaned the window panes.

Mr and Mrs Wilson stayed in the kitchen all afternoon. He cooked roast chicken with sauce and rice for dinner, and she baked cream cakes and scones for dessert. The Wilsons finished all their work at six o'clock sharp. Their house looked wonderful!

The Wilsons' guests arrived at about seven thirty and were immediately shown into the living room. For the starter they ate Swiss cheese with Dutch biscuits, drank sweet Portuguese wine, and talked about their children, weather and the Wilsons' house.

Dinner was served in the dinning room. Everybody enjoyed the meal very much. They liked the delicious chicken and cream cakes. In fact everybody asked for seconds.

After dinner all of them went to the drawing room. First, Bob Wilson played the grand piano and his sister, Margaret, sang some folk songs. Then Mr and Mrs Wilson showed the photos of their trip to Lisbon. Later they turned on the stereo and danced. As you see, the guests enjoyed the party greatly. In fact, nobody wanted to go home.

Dictation 20*

American Food

In the USA people have a wider choice of foods than consumers in any other country. Meat, fish, fruit, vegetables, nuts are available during any season of the year. Frequently, the problem for a person is not the lack of brands, but rather the bewildering assortment from which one must choose. In addition, people can buy foods that are fresh, frozen, canned and cooked. Currently, all stores have an array of stuff especially prepared to be heated in a microwave oven which has changed the preparation of meals. It, along with the supermarket, where you can buy almost anything, makes the process of cooking the most time-efficient in the world. A family can experience only one trip a week to a hypermarket to purchase food for an entire week. Americans already have access to computer-based shopping enabling them to make their buying decisions at home and picking up the needed things at the shop or having them delivered to their homes, so no efforts are actually required.

Since the nineteen fifties fast-food and take-out restaurants have had a phenomenal spread, first in the US, and more recently throughout the world. The chains like McDonalds, Burger King and Wendy's which offer sandwiches, hamburgers, French-fried potatoes, hot dogs, pizzas, pancakes and grilled chicken, have been joined by those with Mexican, Chinese and other ethnic meals. The prices in such places are relatively cheaper than if one were to prepare similar food in the kitchen. Consequently, families may often go out for convenience and economy.

The latest development in the American food industry has been the demand for healthier things. It has made a variety of low-fat dairy and meat products. The second demand is for foods grown and produced free of fertilizers and pesticides. This has led to the boosting of an "organic food" industry. Of course, the cost of it is substantially higher than for nonorganic food. But still the market for the first is expanding, though it remains debatable!

Topic Eight: Daily Routine

Dictation 21

A Typical English Day

An Englishman's day begins when he sits down to breakfast with his morning newspaper. As he looks through the headlines there is nothing he likes better than his favourite cornflakes with milk and sugar (porridge if he lives in the North), fried bacon and eggs, marmalade on toast and tea or instant coffee. After breakfast, except on Saturdays and Sundays which are holidays, he goes to work by train, tube, bus, car, motor scooter or bike. He leaves home at about seven forty.

At offices or factories there is a short break at eleven. Then at midday everything stops for lunch. Most shops close for an hour from 1 to 2 p.m. Englishmen are fond of good plain food, and they usually want to know what they eat. They like beefsteaks, chops, roast lamb and Yorkshire pudding, fried fish and chipped potatoes. There are usually two courses in the afternoon – a meat course with a lot of vegetables and a sweet dish to follow, perhaps sundae and custards with hot beverages to finish. Then back to work again with another break in the middle of the day, for tea or coffee, sometimes with a scone or biscuits.

The working day finishes at six. When an Englishman gets home he likes to inspect his orchard before the evening meal called high tea, dinner or supper depending on its size. When his meal is over, he may do a little gardening and then have a walk to the "local" (the nearest beerhouse) for a drink. There are a lot of people at the pub and he can play darts, dominoes, billiards and draughts or discuss the weather and current events. But if an Englishman stays at home, he listens to the radio or watches TV. Then at any time between 10 and 12 p.m. he is ready to go to bed.

Dictation 22

Everyday Life in a British Family

Let's see how Kitty, an English woman, passes her day. In the morning she cleans up the house, and it includes doing the beds, dusting the furniture, sweeping the floor, airing the flat, washing the dishes, brushing her children's clothes, doing shopping and cooking dinner. Her afternoon she devotes to sewing, ironing and two or three times a week to social work.

There is a tradition in England that women do their laundry on Mondays when the bed linen is washed. Kitty laughs and says that she and a good many other females don't follow it. "I do my washing when I have time," – she says. We ask Kitty if her children help her about the house. She says that if parents are sensible, kids help a great deal with the household. For instance, her sons make their beds, tidy and vacuum the rooms and lay the table. The girls look after the babies and that is a good help to Kitty. Her husband is also good at assisting her in housekeeping. He saves a lot of money by putting right anything that goes wrong, repairing such things as the microwave oven, the lawnmower, the sewing machine. But Kitty tries to keep the evenings apart from getting the family meal for anything Fred (her husband) wants to do.

Twice a month she goes to the cinema with him, sometimes to a concert, getting an unmarried friend to come and babysit. Frequently they go along to the public house for a drink and Fred plays a game of chess or draughts and discusses the latest news or TV programme with his friends and colleagues.

Topic Nine: Climate and Weather

Dictation 23

Weather in New York

The only thing you can rely on is that New York weather is entirely unreliable. A temperature change of as much as 40ºF (degrees Fahrenheit) within a single day is not uncommon. It may be freezing cold one afternoon, and bright, warm and sunny the very next morning or unfortunately vice versa. According to the US Weather Bureau, New York City has a modified continental climate.

New Yorkers live in a relatively damp climate of cold winters and warm, humid summers. Hot spells can be difficult to bear. During the summer months there are brief but intense thunderstorms. Showers which continue for a few days are not rare. On an average it will rain or snow 120 days out of a year. New York has many beautiful sunny days, especially during autumn. July is the hottest month of a year, with a temperature of 73.9 ºF (degrees Fahrenheit) and the coldest months are January and February when people can experience a temperature of 30.8º (degrees). Most of the bitterly cold winds that come to New York are from the northwest.

Dictation 24*

The British Climate

The weather on the British Isles frequently changes but at the same time it is rather mild. In winter months Britain is affected by polar air. Then a cold, biting wind springs up and brings frosts. January and February are the months with most snow though it can fall as late as June in the Scottish Highlands.

Spring is the driest season. The sky is calm and clear, sometimes it drizzles. Thunderstorms are common in summer and the counties in the east get most rain, which is heavier in the hills and later great floods come. In early autumn, especially after a fine summer, the air is damp as the sun sinks lower. And strong winds bring stormy weather and gales. The moods of British weather are really surprising. It is true there are a lot of showers in London but the constant dense fog belongs more to fiction than to reality.

Droughts occur, but crops are never a complete loss, nor do animals perish. Sometimes a little whirlwind (a "twister") can destroy houses, heavy snowfalls and icy roads can stop traffic but fog is the greatest disaster that can happen, causing accidents. These events fill the newspapers, but in contrast with the heatwaves in New York, blizzards on the prairies or hurricanes in Florida and tornadoes in Kansas, British weather seems indeed favourable.

Topic Ten: Pastimes

Dictation 25

A Sunday Picnic

Organizing and hosting a picnic for the family and friends is a great way to bring everyone together for outdoor activities, food and fun. All you need is a little planning, packing and sunshine to create a memorable day.

Last Sunday we went picnicking. It was such a spur of the moment decision, but it turned out to be a perfect afternoon. Isn't it strange how the most special moments in life are also often the most random? So we drove to the bay and found a splendid picnic spot. Mom spread a buffet table with glorious amounts of food piled high in metal bowls, straw baskets and the like. The younger children cruised down it and were tempted by the barbecued chicken being made by Dad. It turned out to

be delicious and we managed it rather quickly and then had Mother's fabulous salad, with pasta, raisins and broccoli dressed with mayonnaise.

After the meal we decided to entertain ourselves. Dad constructed a raft and we dived off it splashing about with our feet. Then my younger brother Sam nearly got drowned as he had a mouthful of water. My elder brother Tim hurt his leg on a rock while jumping into the water. Dad thought it would be safer for us if we played some games. So we played badminton and volleyball while Mother was having a nap.

All of a sudden the sun went in and the sky was overcast so we had to look for a shelter immediately. Fortunately the rain didn't last long and we didn't get a soaking. When the clouds lifted it was time for us to go home. All in all, the picnic was superb and relaxing and definitely a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon together.

Dictation 26*

Pastimes

The way a man spends leisure time can tell more about his character than his work. For most men work is a necessity in order to earn a living. A great number of people have not even been able to choose the occupation, but have been forced by economic reasons to take the first job that came their way. But in free time they do what they desire and their real selves are reflected in the activities.

Some people are completely passive. They go to a place of entertainment where no effort is required: a cinema or a dancing hall. And if the latter is chosen, they do not dance but simply sit and watch others.

A different type of person hurries home from work full of eagerness to begin some scheme which they have been planning for spare time. Perhaps their hobby is carpentry or model engineering and gardening or they might wish to write a book, or to study some subject in which they are interested. This is a creative type of personality and their free hours are full of promise and they can look back on them with satisfaction when they review what they have achieved.

Leisure should refresh and help people to battle with the problems of life. Frequently this freshness comes not from doing anything, but from filling one's mind with springs of beauty. A man gets full value from contemplating nature, listening to music or reading highbrow literature. By this a person can form his own source of inspiration. That is a wonderful pastime.

Topic Eleven: Town Life

Dictation 27

Budapest

Budapest has a population of over two million people. One in every five Hungarians lives there. The River Danube divides the city into two parts. Six bridges join them. On the west bank there are the woods and hills of Buda and the old town. On the east bank there is the bigger and more modern Pest, the business and shopping centre. From Buda there are wonderful views of Pest and the river.

For nearly a thousand years Buda and Pest were two towns. Then in 1873 they joined and became one city, Budapest.

Budapest is very unusual because it has two completely different parts. You can choose the peace and quiet of Buda's woods or the excitement of Pest, where there are exquisite theatres, restaurants, bars, and luxurious expensive boutiques. The public transport system in Budapest is one of the best and cheapest in the world. You can travel easily by underground, bus, tram, and taxi, but driving a car in Budapest is not a good idea as there are a lot of junctions, complicated crossroads and a lot of traffic jams. Moreover there are not many parking lots and the streets are crooked and narrow. So in the daytime it's tough to find a space to park. Most cars are old, so the level of pollution is very bad.

The healthiest thing to do in the city is to visit one of the thirty spa baths and swimming pools. The mineral waters of Budapest are famous and a very popular way to relax.

Dictation 28

Prague

In the heart of Europe there is a small country the Czech Republic. Its capital Prague has a population of over one million people. It is not an immense city, but it attracts thousands of tourists annually as it is certainly one of the most picturesque cities. It is built on seven hills on the banks of the River Vltava. Fifteen bridges cross the winding river. The most famous is Charles Bridge, which joins Prague castle and the old town. The view of it from the river is simply gorgeous.

Some people say Prague is the most beautiful city in the world! They call it "The Golden City" because it still has many statues and medieval buildings. Perhaps the most popular of them is the Old Town Hall with its amazing 15^th century astronomical clock. The chief peculiarity of the city is the quay paved with stones where pedestrians can stroll enjoying the scenery.

People also call Prague "Europe's School of Music". There are many concert halls and every May there is a unique festival "Prague Spring". Visitors can enjoy not only spiritual advantages of the city but can experience the joys of life as well. There are more than twenty fashionable theatres, many old pubs, luxurious bars and exquisite restaurants.

In spite of the size of the city the public transport service is rather rapid and extended. There is now a modern underground, but traffic is still a real problem caused by different reasons: first of all a great number of traffic lights in the city centre slow down the streams of cars. Secondly there are a lot of walking areas especially in the ancient part of the city. Lastly the streets are rather narrow. So it is often better to walk and feel the atmosphere of the city with its pretty little streets.

Topic Twelve: Shopping

Dictation 29

How to Shop in America

In America, just as in England, you can see stores with the same counters and windows in every town and village. Shopping, however, happens to be an art of its own and you have to learn slowly where to buy various things. If you are hungry, no matter how strange it may sound, you go to the chemist's which is called a drug store in the United States. In larger ones you are likely to get drugs, too, but their main business consists of selling stationery, candies, toys, belts, fountain pens, furniture and imitation jewellery. There is a food counter with high stools in front of it and they serve juices, coffee, sundaes, ice-cream, sandwiches, omelettes and other egg dishes there.

If you want cigarettes, you are expected to go to the grocer's; if you wish to have your shoes cleaned, start for the barber's; if you need a radio, go to a man's shop; if you desire a suitcase, head for the chemist's. On the other hand if you want to send a telegram, avoid the post office, because they are sure to be handled by private companies. Nor has the post office anything to do with the telephone either, as this service is supplied by the American Telephone and Telegraph Co. It is impossible to find public conveniences in America in the British sense of the word because a lavatory turns out to be a strictly private enterprise, well hidden from the public eye.

Whatever you buy, it may be exchanged later for something else in the same store. This seems to be a wonderful pastime with the Americans. It is not unusual at all to see a lady bringing back a hat with a lot of fruit on it and exchanging it either for real fruit or a real hat; or to see somebody bringing back a refrigerator with the remark that he "made a mistake and now he wants to subscribe to the Reader's Digest instead". So to buy the things you really need, you should be actually very careful, or there are chances you'll join the majority wishing to exchange the things you have for some you don't.

Dictation 30*

Some Hints on Smart Shopping for Clothes

For most of us clothes are the expression of our personality and individuality in the styles and colours we pick. We also use them to show our membership in special groups. You can see that clothes serve several important purposes. None of us can really afford to neglect our appearance. Just as we use clothes to identify ourselves, other people use them as a way to find out what kind of people we are.

To be well dressed, we need something more than various collections of slacks, sweaters, skirts, and shoes, so a wardrobe must be planned in relation to the kinds of things we do and places we go.

We must always consider the activities and clothes we need for each. For example, an outfit for school usually is also suitable for informal parties; the one for dress-up social occasions may be appropriate for church. Most of us can afford to buy only a few new items each year. This is why it is vital to make every choice count.

There are, however, some buying techniques that can help anyone stretch a limited budget. First of all, you must choose versatile items, which have several uses. They may be ideal for more than one season of the year – an example is a raincoat with a zip-in lining for nippy weather. Or they can be worn for different events – like a basic dress, which can be changed by wearing accessories.

Many clothing items are discarded long before they are torn out because they look out-of-date. So choose styles that remain in fashion for several years especially when you acquire expensive articles of clothing such as a sports jacket or a smart dress. Simpler, less extreme designs can be counted on to be in good taste and attractive for several years.

It is also significant to take into account fiber and fabrics, as well as durability and ease of care. So we advise you to select your clothes based on the principles stated above.

Topic Thirteen: Theatre

Dictation 31

Theatres in Britain

Theatres are much the same in London as anywhere else. The main and amateur theaters, musichalls and cinemas are located in the West End.

If you are staying in London for a few days, you'll have no difficulty in finding somewhere to spend a remarkable evening. You can enjoy an opera, a ballet, a comedy, a drama, a review, a musical and a variety show. The best seats at the theatres are those in the stalls, dress circle and upper circle. Then comes the pit, and last of all the gallery or the gods which are cheapest. Boxes, of course, are the most expensive. The majority of halls have good orchestras with popular conductors. You ought to make a point of going to the opera at least once during the season, if you can. As you get the best of everything – excellent scenery, celebrated singers and a well-dressed audience. But, of course, if you're not fond of music and singing, opera won't interest you. At the West-End theatres you can see most of the outstanding English actors and actresses. As a rule, the plays are magnificently staged, everything being done on the most lavish scale. Choose a good play, and you'll get a thrill from the moment the curtain rises to the end of the last act. Book your seat beforehand, either at the box-office of itself or at one of the agencies.

Dictation 32

The History of Entertainment

Nearly everyone enjoys entertainment. The beginning of it goes back to prehistoric times, when dance, music and story-telling were very important. Its traditions rise to ancient Greece about two and a half thousand years ago with the development of drama. In those days festivals were organized to celebrate Dionysus, the Greek god of wine and new life. Later poets began to write stories for a large group of performers (a chorus and an actor to recite). Then another actor was introduced which made a dialogue between characters possible. There were two forms of classical drama – tragedy and comedy.

The Romans continued the traditions of Greece and developed other kinds of pastime as well. The appearance of the circus is connected with gladiators fighting in public arenas.

In the Middle Ages the church considered it wrong to go to the theatre, but by and by it reappeared in the time of Renaissance with religious and moral plays. But common people preferred comedies performed by a travelling group of actors, which were called miracle plays.

The Golden Age of Theatre began in the seventeenth century. The first one was opened in London in 1652. Soon a few others including the famous Globe Theatre started functioning. Among the writers who worked for these theatres was William Shakespeare, one of the greatest playwrights. He gave his audience not only great literature but popular entertainment as well.

Dictation 33

A Visit to the Bolshoi Theatre

Last autumn my cousin invited me to the Bolshoi Theatre. I had never been there before and was extremely excited when Alec told me we were going to see "Swan Lake", the famous ballet by P.I.Tchaikovsky.

When we arrived at the theatre, we left our coats in the cloakroom. Our seats were in the pit stalls. I had a look at the tickets. They were not very expensive but we could see the stage very well. Alec bought me a programme and gave me his opera-glasses.

Soon the lights dimmed and the curtain was raised. The scenery was fantastic. Its red and golden interior impressed me very much.

During the interval we walked around the foyer. I told Alec how much I liked the ballet. It was really splendid. I said I would love to see another ballet some day. So we went to the box-office and bought two tickets for "The Nutcracker". Then we had ice-cream and coffee in the refreshment room.

When at last the ballet was over, there was a storm of applause. I applauded loudly as I had enjoyed it greatly.

Topic Fourteen: Appearance

Dictation 34

Returning Home

I spent two years of my life in Portugal, in Lisbon. I worked in the embassy and finally the expiry date of my contract came… I landed safely at Heathrow airport and forty minutes later I stood facing the house of my childhood. When I entered the drawing room I saw two women sitting in the dim light of the fireplace. They were my Mom and Aunt Diana. Unnoticed I studied them as they talked. How different they were in appearance, these two women of middle age.

Mom was all blonde curls and fair skin, with delicate, perfectly sculptured features. She was a very pretty woman, a cool Nordic type, slim and lissome with some special kind of elegance.

Diana was much darker in colouring, with a lovely golden complexion and straight silky auburn hair, pulled back in a ponytail. Her face was broader, features more boldly defined, and large luminous eyes were blue so pale and transparent that they seemed almost grey.

She was not quite as tall as my mother. Diana's appeal was in her warm looks; she was a handsome woman by any standard, who like my mother, carried her sixty-one years well, seeming years younger.

Their characters and personalities were totally unlike. Diana was a much more serious woman than my mother was, more studious and intellectually inclined. And the worlds they occupied, the lives they lived, were not remotely similar. Diana was something of a workaholic, running her antique business and loving every minute of it. My mother was a social butterfly who did not care to work, and who fortunately did not have to. She was actually somewhat quiet and shy. My aunt was much more spontaneous and outgoing, filled with joys of life that were infectious. I always felt happy when Diana was around, as she had that effect on everyone.

All of a sudden Diana's eye caught the sight of me, she cried out, sprang to her feet and rushed towards me. The mystery of the moment had gone but an overwhelming feeling of happiness came instead…

Dictation 35

The Engagement

This was the occasion of celebrating the engagement of Miss June Forsyte, old Joylon's granddaughter, to Mr Philip Bosinney. In the bravery of light gloves, feathers and frocks, the family were present – even Aunt Ann, who now but seldom left the corner of her brother Timothy's green drawing room.

Against the piano a man of bulk and stature was wearing a waistcoat on his wide chest and a ruby pin instead of a diamond one of more usual event, and his shaven, square, old face, the colour of pale leather, had its most dignified look. This was Swithin Forsyte. Close to the window the other twin, like the bulky Swithin, over six feet in height, but very skinny, as though destined from his birth to strike a balance and maintain an average, brooded over the scene with his permanent stoop. Not far off, listening to a lady in brown, his only son Soames, dark-haired, rather bald, poked his chin up sideways.

Seated in a row close to one another were the three ladies — Aunts Ann, Hester (the two Forsyte maids) and Julia. With her elder and younger sister she lived now in the house of Timothy, her sixth and youngest brother, on the Bayswater Road.

In the centre of the room, under the chandelier, as if a host, was the head of the family, old Joylon himself. Eighty years of age, with fine white hair, dome-like forehead, little dark grey eyes and an immense moustache, which drooped and spread below the level of his strong jaw, he had a patriarchal look, and in spite of hollows at his temples, seemed master of perennial youth.

Philip Bosinney was known to be a young man without fortune, but Forsyte girls had become engaged to such before, and had actually married them…

SECTION 2

NARRATIVE DICTATIONS

Dictation 1

Good Advice

Once early in the morning a farmer arrived at the nearest town to sell some eggs and butter. He stayed at a small hotel. The charge for a single room was not very high. It suited the farmer as he was planning to stay in the town only for two days.

In the afternoon when he sold his goods he decided to have lunch at a café, where people were talking about a lawyer who was very clever and gave everybody good advice. The farmer decided to go and see him. "I've heard a lot about you. Could you advise me anything?" said the farmer. "What advice would you like to have?" "Any," replied the farmer. The lawyer smiled, took a piece of paper and wrote something on it. The farmer thanked him and left his office. The next day he went to purchase some presents for his family. When he bought everything he went to the station, got on the train and came back home. It was broad noon. He was going to read a newspaper, but his wife told him to gather the hay. The farmer was exhausted and desired to put off the work. But suddenly he remembered that he had the lawyer's advice. He took the paper and read: "Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today." "All right, let's gather the hay," said the farmer and all his family began working. In the evening it started raining heavily.

Dictation 2

The Witty Farmer

Sam was an old farmer. He was born on his farm and lived on it all his life. He married his neighbour's daughter, and they grew fruit and vegetables. Sam got up at five o'clock every morning to gather them and take a load off to the market in his truck. There were few vehicles on the country roads at that time of the morning, and Sam knew how to get to the market perfectly well, so as he was going along, he was always thinking about everything except his driving.

One morning his mind was engaged with the ideas what crops to plant for the next year's harvest, and whether to try something else. A lot of other farmers were cultivating the same things which he produced, so the prices in the market were coming down and he was getting less money.

After a few kilometres, Sam came to a place where a small road which went in the direction of the market crossed a bigger one, and he continued over it without stopping. He always crossed the place like that, because there was never any traffic on. So there was no fear of having an accident, and anyway he was regularly in a hurry, because he wanted to get to the market in time for its opening.

But that morning a young policeman whom he had never seen before signalled to him to stop a hundred metres beyond the crossroads. Sam stopped beside the man, and the latter enquired, "Didn't you know that there was a sign telling you to stop at the crossroads before going over the main road?"

"Oh, yes, «answered Sam, "I knew that it was there, because I go to the market along this road every morning. But what I unfortunately was not aware of was the fact that you were hiding there".

Dictation 3

Dutch Cigarettes

One day a Frenchman went abroad for his holiday. He had an opportunity of visiting some countries and stayed a few weeks in Holland. He went sightseeing a lot and liked Dutch towns very much. The country impressed him immensely. Although the weather was not very good, as it often rained, he enjoyed his stay. He lived in one of the best hotels and was satisfied with everything.

Once he met a man who knew Dutch meals very well, so he was invited to a restaurant where they served national dishes. The Frenchman liked them very much and they spent an unforgettable time there. But what he liked best of all were Dutch cigarettes. He smoked them daily. After a fortnight he went back to France. He bought a lot of cigarettes for his own use and put them into his suitcase. When he arrived at the border, he was to go through the Customs. He found out that cigarettes were liable to duty, but he didn't want to pay, so he took some of them and put them into his hat, which he had on. He thought that nobody would notice that and asked the porter to take his luggage to the Customs House, where the clerk was to inspect it. The Frenchman was about to go through the Customs when he learned that the Director of the Customs House was his old friend whom he had not seen for ages. The Frenchman went to him, and they were very glad to see each other. They had a nice talk and drank a few toasts to their companions.

Some time later they went up to the Customs officer, and the Director said, "Let this gentleman pass. Don't examine his luggage." The Frenchman was so excited that he took off his hat to thank his friend forgetting about the cigarettes, which fell on the floor.

Dictation 4

A Present from the Son

Long ago there lived an old woman in England. She had a son who was a sailor. He went to different countries and always brought gifts for his old mother. Once he went to China and bought some tea. At that time tea was very expensive and only rich people could buy and drink it. So the old woman was very happy to have such a nice present. But she didn't know what to do with it as she had never purchased tea before. She thought it was a vegetable. She told her friends about the tea and invited them to try it with her. At last the day of the tea-party came. The woman called her guests to the dining-room and put a big dish of tea leaves on the table. The guests began to eat them with salt. Nobody liked them but didn't tell the woman about that. Some time later the sailor came into the room. When he saw everybody eating leaves, he smiled.

"What are you doing? Why are you eating them? Where is the tea?"

"Here it is, my son," answered the old woman.

"And where is the water in which you have boiled the leaves?" asked the man laughing.

"I threw it away, of course," answered the woman.

Dictation 5

Does It Make Any Difference?

Once our friend John was walking down the beach at sunset, when he saw another man in the distance. Our friend noticed the man lean down, pick something up and throw it into the water. In a few minutes the man leaned down again, picked something up and threw it again into the ocean.

As John came nearer, he noticed that the man was picking up starfish that had been washed up on the beach and then throwing them back into the water. John came up to the man and said, "Good evening, friend. I was wondering what you are doing."

"I'm throwing these starfish back into the ocean. If I don't throw them back into the sea, they will die up here."

"I understand," John answered, "but there must be thousands of starfish on this beach. You can't possibly get to all of them. There are simply too many. Can't you see that you can't make a difference?"

The other man smiled, picked up another starfish, and as he threw it back into the sea, he said, "Made a difference to that one!"

Dictation 6

Little Rose

Two months before Christmas our nine-year –old daughter Rose told us that she wanted a bicycle. As Christmas got nearer she seemed to forget about her wish. And we bought her a beautiful doll. Then, much to our surprise, on December 23d, Rose said that she really wanted a bike more than anything else.

It was just too late with all the details of preparing Christmas dinner and buying last-minute gifts, to take the time to choose the "right bike" for our little girl. So, here we were – Christmas Eve around 9 o'clock p.m., with Rose sleeping happily in her beds. We could now think only of the bicycle, we felt that we were bad parents.

"What if I make a little bicycle out of wood and write a note that she could exchange it for a real bike?" her dad asked. His idea was that as she was "such a big girl", it should be much better for her to pick it out herself. So he spent the next several hours at night working with a piece of wood to create a very small model bike.

On Christmas morning Rose opened the little yellow box with the beautiful red and white bike and the note in it. She read the note aloud. "Does it mean that I must exchange this little bike that Daddy made for me for a real one?" she asked. "Yes," I answered.

Rose had tears in her eyes when she said, "I will never exchange this beautiful bicycle that Daddy made for me. I'd rather keep this than get a real bike."

We were rather surprised but at that moment we could move heaven and earth to buy her every bicycle on the planet.

Dictation 7

A Bedtime Story

(An Old Japanese Legend)

Many of the Japanese legends fall into the category of morality tales. They often praise some things and criticize others. When these tales come into another culture they often take on some ironic or unbelievable aspect. American and European children who do not know much of the Japanese culture react to these tales with astonishment and disbelief. "A Bedtime Story" is one of these "unbelievable" tales.

Once upon a time, an old Japanese legend goes as told by Papa, an old woman travelled through many small villages. She was looking for some place where she could spend the night. Each door opened a little in answer to her knock, then closed. She was not able to walk any further. With a lot of difficulty she climbed a hill, found a clearing and there lay down to rest a few moments to catch her breath.

The village town below lay asleep except for a few starlike lights. Suddenly the clouds opened and a full moon came into view over the town. The old woman sat up, turned toward the village town and called out: "Thank you people of the village. You have been kind to me in refusing me a bed for the night. Now I can see this wonderful sight."

Papa paused. I waited. In the comfort of our home in Seattle overlooking the valley, I shouted: "That's the end?"

Dictation 8

The Dinner Party

It all happened in India. At a large dinner party the guests were discussing a typical behaviour of people when they were in some crisis. One of the guests, an officer, said: "A woman's reaction will differ from a man's behaviour. A typical woman's reaction in any crisis is to scream. A man has much more nerve control. And that is what counts."

One of the guests, an American naturalist, did not join in the argument. He watched the other guests. Suddenly he saw that the hostess changed in the face and whispered something to a servant. The servant came back very soon and placed a bowl of milk on the veranda just outside the open doors.

The American naturalist understood everything. In India, milk in a bowl means only one thing. It is a bait for a snake. He realized that there must be a cobra under the table.

The American's first impulse was to jump back and warn the others. But he knew that would frighten the cobra and it would attack somebody. He then spoke quickly but loudly: "I want to know just what control everyone at this table has. I will count three hundred – that's five minutes – and not one of you must move. Those who move will pay fifty rupees. Ready? Go!" The twenty people sat like stone images while he was counting. When he was saying "two hundred and eighty", out of the corner of his eye, he saw the cobra crawling for the bowl of milk. In a minute it was on the veranda. The American made a huge jump and shut the glass doors. The guests began screaming, when they understood what had just happened.

After a few moments the host said: "You were right, Officer. A man has just shown us an example of perfect control."

"Just a minute," cried the American, turning to his hostess. "Mrs White, how did you know that there was a cobra in the room?"

A little smile appeared on the woman's face as she answered:

"I knew it because it was crawling across my foot."

Dictation 9

Marie Cure, the Greatest Woman-Scientist

Madam Curie was born in Warsaw, Poland, in 1867. Her mother died when she was still a child and her father, who was a teacher of physics and mathematics, brought her up alone.

While other girls were playing with dolls she was helping her father with his experiments. At the age of 16 she graduated from a college with high honours. The only job she could find was that of a governess. But several years later she went to Paris to get a better education and to study chemistry. She also wanted to find a job in a scientific laboratory. The answer was everywhere the same: "Science is a man's job. A laboratory is no place for a woman." Finally she was lucky: Professor Lippman pitied her and she began working in Research Laboratories at Sorbonne University.

Soon she married Pierre Curie and they began working together. In 1898 their hard work was rewarded. They got some substance called radium. The discovery brought them the Nobel Prize in 1903.

Marie Curie was the only person in the world who received the Nobel Prize twice.

Dictation 10

The Story of Uncle Theo

Uncle Theo, my favourite uncle, is a quiet, gentle absent-minded man. Once he wanted to get a job at a university. It was a very good post and there were a lot of candidates. As a result of the interview only Uncle Theo and his friend Adams were left. The committee didn't know which of the two to choose and asked each candidate to give a lecture.

Uncle Theo didn't leave his room for three days. He wrote his lecture and memorized it. Adams, who was his roommate, didn't seem to prepare for his lecture at all. He spent his time mainly in bars.

The day of the lecture came. Theo and Adams took their place on the stage. Then Theo discovered with horror that the papers of his lecture had dis­appeared. Great was his surprise and despair when he saw Adams take the stolen speech out of his pocket. Adams read it brilliantly. When Theo's turn came he could do nothing but repeat the same lecture word for word, in a low dull voice. There was hardly any applause when he sat down.

When the committee chose Uncle Theo everybody was greatly surprised. The Dean explained: "We were impressed by Mr Adams but Mr Theo Hobdell has such an excellent memory as he repeated the lecture word for word. A fine memory is necessary for this job."

Later in the evening the Dean came up to Uncle Theo, shook his hand and said: "Congratulations! But, my dear fellow, be careful while choosing friends and don't leave important papers lying about in the future."

Dictation 11

The King and the Tortoise

There was once a king in the Animal Kingdom who thought he was the cleverest animal in the world. To prove this, he ordered the rest of the animals to make a dress of mist for the King. "If someone can do it, then he is cleverer than me," the King said.

The tortoise was the first to try. He promised to have the dress ready in seven days. A week later, however, he came to the King empty-handed.

The King laughed in triumph. He felt very clever indeed that he had thought up such an impossible task. "Well," said the King, "you are not clever enough to make a dress of mist for the King. The task is too difficult for you."

"You need not worry, Your Majesty. You'll soon have your dress. The only thing I need is thread."

"If that's all you need," said the King in good humour, "you can have all the thread in the world." And at the King's order a lot of balls of different thread were put before the tortoise.

"No," cried the tortoise. "This will never do. I don't want ordinary thread to finish the dress of mist. I need thread made from the sun's rays."

For a shocked moment the King stared speechless at the tortoise. Twice his mouth opened, but no words came. Then he smiled and said, "I can easily give you what you need. But what's the use? I don't want to have this silly dress. You have proved to me that you're clever enough to make one. This is all I wanted to know". The King closed his eyes and said with deep pleasure, "Oh, how happy it makes me to know that in my kingdom are the world's two cleverest animals – you and I!"

Dictation 12*

The Fairy Haunts

A long time ago, the fairies used to hold a fair on the Black Down Hills. They also appeared there at other times, but their activities were seldom witnessed by mortals – because they never showed themselves to those who went in search of them.

However, a school master who was once walking on the Black Down Hills at twilight, happened on a fairy ring by chance. He said he had seen a number of fairies going round and round, singing and "making all sorts of small odd noises".

The making of strange little noises is typical of fairy behaviour. In the 17^th century a Mr Lilly met what he took to be a fairy, and asked if it was a good spirit or a bad one. He said there was no reply, but that the "fairy" disappeared with a curious perfume and "most melodious twang".

The last place where the "red-clothed"' fairies were seen is a short distance from the Black Down Hills.

Dictation 13*

The King and the Witch

More than 2000 years ago a king set out with his army to conquer England. At some place, on the borders of Oxfordshire and Warwickshire, he met a witch who told him that if he could see Long Compton after taking seven striders, he would be King of England.

Knowing Long Compton to be just over the brow of the hill, the king strode forward confidently. But a mound rose up in front of him and the witch exclaimed:

"You will all become stones, you and your men."

Stones they instantly became – and stones they remain. The mound (much reduced by ploughing) can still be seen in front of the "King Stone". There are said to be 72 stones in the circle, but legend maintains that no one shall live who counts the stones three times and finds the number the same.

Nearby stand the Whispering Knights, a smaller group of the king's men also turned to stone. They are now regarded as oracles and will occasionally "whisper" the future to visitors.

Dictation 14*

Gilbert and Mahaut

Over Becket's tomb in Canterbury Cathedral is a gilt crescent – traditionally, a symbol of Islam. One story is that the saint's father, Gilbert Becket, went on a crusade to the Holy Land and was taken prisoner by an Arab prince.

The prince's daughter, Mahaut, fell in love with him and helped him to escape. In return, he promised to send for her when he reached England. But once safely in his own land again, Gilbert forgot his promise.

Mahaut waited for years and then, realizing he would never come, set out to find him. She knew only two words of English, her lover's name and the name of the city in which he lived. However, by repeating the words "Gilbert" and "London" she eventually found him, married him and became a Christian. Gilbert and Mahaut were buried in Old St Paul's churchyard, London.

Dictation 15*

Princess Pocahontas

In 1608, Captain John Smith was captured by Indians and brought before a native American chief, who sentenced him to death. Smith was the founding father of American's first permanent English colony in Virginia and Princess Pocahontas, the chief's daughter, pleaded for his life. But her father refused the plea.

Just as the executioner's blow was about to fall, the young princess threw herself across John Smith's body and saved him. Her brave deed caused her father relent, and the prisoner was released. He eventually returned to England, wounded, and Pocahontas was heartbroken.

She remained with the English settlers – who may have held her against her will – and in 1613 became a Christian. The following year she married John Rolfe, an English tobacco trader, and two years afterwards accompanied him to England.

Her visit was a great success – she was even received at court. But before long she became ill and it was decided she should return to Virginia.

She did not make the journey, however, but died at Gravesend where she is buried – the first American to be buried in England. Her statue now stands outside St George's church, in the Princess Pocahontas Gardens.

Dictation 16*

The Knight and the Dragon

There was a fearsome dragon who lived in a bottomless pool near the church. It ravaged the countryside and devoured cattle, men and maidens. Particularly maidens, for they were his favourite fare.

Soon there were nearly no young girls left in the region, and those bachelors who had not already been eaten marched to the palace and complained to the King of Sussex. The King had an attractive daughter, and because of the dragon's enormous appetite he had kept her locked up in the castle. Now he offered her in marriage to anyone who could kill the dragon.

A passing knight took up the challenge. He was not exceptionally brave, but he wanted to give up travelling and settle in one place. So he killed the dragon, married the princess and stayed happily at home in the palace.

Some folk reported that the dragon had fought ferociously, but a more unkind version hinted that the knight paid a local baker to make a leaden cake which he fed to the dragon; the beast was then unable to rise to its feet.

A medieval tombstone, now inside the church, once marked the knight's grave.

Dictation 17*

Piers and the Dragon

A dragon lived in a small place in England in the 11^th century, and he was a servant to the Devil. Many dragons were, of course, but the Devil was particularly fond of this one. It had its lair under a yew tree and, in the manner of all dragons, it was very fierce and terrorized the district.

Piers, the lord of the manor, decided that it was his duty to destroy the beast. So he put on his full armour, took up his sword and spear and called his three huge hounds to heel. Then he set off for the yew tree.

After a fierce battle with the dragon Piers thrust his sword down its throat and destroyed it. Immediately, the Devil appeared – furious at the loss of his servant – and swore to have the lord's soul whether he was buried within the church or without.

The lord managed to cheat the Devil, however. Before he died he shot an arrow at the church, to strike the wall north of the nave. There his tomb was built – neither within the church nor without – and there it can still be seen today.

Dictation 18*

King Canute

Canute, a Danish King of England, was thought to be able to stop the sea rising by ordering it, but he shwed that it was impossible. Once he went fishing by himself. He was still in his boat, when dusk fell.

He sought shelter at a monastery, but the drunken monks turned him away – and he found refuge in the hut of a poor fisherman.

The fisherman told him that many years before his wife had been killed at the same monastery, and when he went to her aid he had been beaten too within an inch of his life. His wife had died shortly afterwards, and every year, on the anniversary of her death, the fisherman had killed a monk.

Canute decided that one monk a year was insufficient retribution, so the following morning he ordered his fleet to attack the monastery. A great many of the monks were killed, and those who escaped death were forced to build a new fishing village.