Language Focus

Task I. Vocabulary I. Sort out the following words according to the part of speech they belong to:

comprehensive, embody, emblazon, profound, accomplish, surpass, demise, tremendous, infamous, augur, extinguish, ignite, hover, exhaust, rigorous, enroll, impeccable, waver, anticipate, itinerary, overwhelming, glowing, estimate, audacity, solitary, burden.

Task II. Check whether you understand the meaning of the following phrases and sentences:

to be emblazoned across somebody's heart, to be instrumental in smb's procuring the job, to find in the agora, to be a little touristy, to fall asleep from the heat and ouzo, a plaque, to be undaunted by the odds, a quiz, a contest (a competition, a forum), to be bestowed on smb (in recognition of smth), to have a lean and hungry look, to be a bit of a Visigoth, new school bravado, to mold a real man's character, to lack conviction, the fate is at stake, the centre of a conspiracy, to die by unjust execution, to pledge obedience, to get kicked out, to get tuition back, the penalty, self-governance based on mutual trust, to be confined to the dormitory, willful ignorance, to be a history buff, to offer a lectureship in a college, to take the position up, to vouch for smb's character, a moderator, a slugger, to let it pass, to get somewhere on one's own merit, to be commended, an uneasy truce, to make concessions for, tenure, to make application for the job, to be a forward-looking man, to reach out to the community, to build relationships to some of the most important alumni, to be a wonderful communicator, to conduct a behind-the-scenes campaign, to chisel the rise and fall of the Roman Empire into students' mind, to become a bunch of drunken reprobates, to be a veritable who's who of American industry, law, finance and higher education, to give smb his/her due, to put up with smb, to take a stab, to follow in the formidable footsteps of smb, to announce one's bid for a seat in the US Senate, to be hard of hearing, a poor mercenary, to expose smb as a liar and a cheat, to instill in smb a sense of principles and contribution, to be a kindling force, to teach smb smth of inestimable value, to fail smb as a teacher.

Task III. Change the following commands into polite requests:

Keep the noise down.

Come up to the front of the classroom.

Finish this diagram for me.

Discussion

Do you agree with the following statements?

A man's character is his fate – or his destiny.

Willful ignorance is intolerable.

Human nature can be improved.

Viewing

I. Read the following quotations. Who can say it to whom (e.g., a teacher to a student or to a body of students and teachers, a father to a child, a librarian to a customer, an Emperor to a servant, a psychiatrist to his patient, Mr. President to his deputy, a senator to his visitor)? On what occasion?

• “My time is precious. I thought I made that clear. I got better things to do than to clean up after you.”

• “As the great wit Aristophanes once wrote (roughly translated): 'Youth ages, immaturity is outgrown, ignorance can be educated and drunkenness sobered but stupid lasts forever.”

• “Every boy in the third forum has asked to check the book out overnight.”

• “Headmaster! Gentlemen! Ladies! Distinguished guests! Questions will be posed to our 3 young scholars in increasing levels of difficulty. I ask you all to, please, hold your applause till the end of each round. May the best man win.”

• “Having rowed our lake everyday, weather permitting, through the last 7 presidential administrations, I feel more than ready to do the battle.”

• “It's so nice to finally meet you, sir. I've heard so much about you.”

• “I expect to see you all in detention.”

II. Watch part I and describe the “school”: its motto, who can be enrolled there, what subjects the boys study. What do the Latin sayings 'Non sibi' and ‘Finis ( ab) origine pendet' mean?

III. Watch the following sequences and describe the events and regulations at the Academy.