- •Vocabulary
- •Exercises
- •Read and translate the text using a dictionary if necessary. Retell the text.
- •Answer the following questions based on the text:
- •Find in the text the English for:
- •Translate using vocabulary items:
- •VI. Read the following sentences inserting prepositions or adverbs wherever necessary.
- •VII. Choose and insert the correct word. Remember the difference between:
- •VIII. Say that the following can hardly happen.
- •IX. Read and translate into Russian. Use the italicized structures in sentences of your own.
- •X. Practise in using tag questions. Work in pair.
- •XI. Practise in using modal verbs. Work in pair. Ask:
- •If Eliza can or cannot do the following.
- •XII. Ask if you may do the following. Work in pair.
- •XIII. Express surprise. Agree or disagree with the remark and develop the situation. Work in pair.
- •XIV. Complete the following sentences developing the idea given in the text.
- •XV. Translate into English.
- •XVI. Dramatize the scene from "My Fair Lady". Work in team.
- •XVII. Give a written summary of the text and the introduction using Present Indefinite and Present Continuous.
- •XVIII. Compose short dialogues. Use the suggested words and word combinations. Work in pair.
- •XIX. Topical questions for discussion.
- •XX. Speak on the following topics using Present Indefinite and Present Continuous and some of the suggested words and word combinations:
- •Literary focus what is literature?
- •Why read literature?
- •Why analyse literature?
- •Key literary notions: theme and message
- •Message versus theme
- •Formulating and supporting a message
- •Exercises
Exercises
Comprehension:
Where was the old man sitting and why?
What task did the narrator have to carry out?
Why was the old man the last person to leave the town?
Why was the old man concerned about the animals? Which animal was he the least worried about and why?
Did the old man support either side in the conflict?
Why did the narrator want the old man to move on?
What happened when the old man stood up to leave?
Is it clearly stated whether the old man survived the war or not? How do you interpret the final sentence in the story?
Analysis – Message:
Which of the following statements best words the message of the short story?
War is evil.
Even when exposed to the atrocities of war some people do not lose their basic humanity.
War reduces mankind to the level of animals.
Many innocent people become victims of war.
War makes our everyday concerns seem ridiculous.
Focus on the title of the story Old Man at the Bridge. Omitting the article “a/an” is typical of captions to paintings, photographs etc. In what sense is Hemingway’s story similar to a painting or a photograph?
Formulate the message of a story, poem, play or film script you would like to write. E.g.: Elderly people are disregarded by modern society when, in fact, they have an invaluable contribution to make.