THE ROMANTIC YOUNG LADY by W. S. Maugham
1. Define the following words and expressions and reproduce the situations in which they are used.
First-class
to the best of my knowledge
to take sb's breath away
to be at ease
to fascinate sb's imagination
to be on bad terms
eligible
to get wind of sth
to change one's mind
to come up to sth
2*. Find English equivalents of the words and word-combinations in the text.
Неизбежная катастрофа; потерять надежду; процветающий город; черепашьим шагом; показной; стала известна правда; невозможно взгляд оторвать от чего-либо; спасти от позора; уладить проблему; переминаться с ноги на ногу.
3. Answer the following questions (using your active vocabulary).
a)Who did the narrator come across in Seville? Why did he have difficulty in placing her?
b)What was Marquesa de San Esteban's life story? Speak about her background, her youth, her romance.
c) What was the biggest obstacle to the young couple's happiness? What was the duchess's reaction to her daughter's infatuation? What course of action did the mother take?
d) What was the outcome of the love affair? What made Jose Leon change his mind? Can his choice be justified?
e) Which of these do you think should come first: love and happiness or career and money? Why?
4. Comment on the following: “... when you least expected it, it is handed to you on a platter”.
5. Give a summary of the story.
6. Interpret the story.
THE SOCIAL SENSE by W. S. Maugham
1. Define the following words and expressions and reproduce the situations in which they are used.
To interfere with sth
to take sb/ sth seriously
to have a sharp tongue
to make a joke of sth
to burst out laughing
to conceal sth
to be distraught
to make a fresh start
not have the heart to do sth
to pull oneself together
2. Answer the following questions (using your active vocabulary)
a) What did the narrator think of long-standing engagements? Why did he look upon them as a gloomy menace?
b) What did you learn about Thomas Warton's career and achievements?
c) What was Mary Warton like? Why was she a welcome guest at many parties?
d) What were the relations between Mr and Mrs Warton like? Was it a happy marriage?
e) Dwell upon Mrs Warton and Gerrard Manson's love affair. Why did it stand no chance of success?
f) How did Mary Warton take the shocking news of Manson's death? Do you find her reaction and behaviour outrageous? Should people reveal or conceal their feeling and emotions in public?
g) What is the general tone of the story? What is your attitude to the main characters and the events described?
3. Comment on the title of the story.
4. Give a summary of the story.
5. Interpret the story.
THE WASH-TUB by W. S. Maugham
1. Define the following words and expressions and reproduce the situations in which they are used.
Picturesque
to occur to sb
to make the most of sth
well-read
celebrity
ignorant
to disclose a secret
to be wrapped up in sth/ sb
to have sb eating out of one's hand
to run across sb
2*. Fill in prepositions and particles.
To be crowded … painters; to make … one's mind to do sth; his eyes rested … me; to arrive … the hotel; knowledge … painting; to come … the conclusion; to make a point … doing sth; to catch sight … sth; a doctor … profession; to be crazy … sb; to happen … sb; to transform sb/ sth … sth; to make a fool … sb; to be proud … sb; passion … sth; to be obliged … sb.
3. Answer the following questions (using your active vocabulary)
a) What was Positano like? Why did it attract the narrator?
b) Whom did the narrator meet there? Can you describe the other guest? What brought the narrator and the American together?
c) Why was the American's name familiar to the narrator? What did he tell about a lady named Barnaby and her husband?
d) What discovery did the narrator make about his companion one day?
f) What was Mrs Barnaby's real life story? What induced her to invent stories?
g) What was Mr Barnaby's role in that humbug? How did he take it? Comment on the following: “London may have gained a wonderful hostess but I'm beginning to think that I have lost a perfectly good wife”.
h) What do you think of Mrs Barnaby's stories? Do you look upon her as a liar or an excellent story-teller?
4. Give a summary of the story.
5. Interpret the story.
THE FACTS OF LIFE by W. S. Maugham
1. Define the following words and expressions and reproduce the situations in which they are used.
to have nothing to do with sth
to dote on sb
to cherish an ambition
to get into mischief
at random
to misjudge sb
to cross sb's mind
to miss the chance
to be after sth
to look up to sb
2*. Define the idioms from the text and find their Russian equivalents
A good loser
a spoil-sport
as light as a feather
a light sleeper
to sleep like a log
as pleased as Punch
to burn your fingers
to serve sb right
One swallow doesn't make a summer
3. Answer the following questions.
a) What was Henry Garnet like? What was strange about his behaviour on the day described in the story?
b) Speak about Nicky Garnet: his appearance, disposition, achievements.
c) What kind of suggestion involving his son did Henry Garnet receive one day? Why did he dismiss it?
d) What made Henry Garnet change his mind?
e) What advice did Henry Garment give to his son before his departure?
f) Was Nicky a success at the tournament in Monte Carlo? Was he as good as his word when he came to a casino afterwards? What excuse did Nicky find for his disobedience?
g) Dwell upon Nicky's adventure with a pretty young woman. What opened his eyes to the girl's deceitful behaviour?
h) How did he get his money back? What surprise did he receive with his money?
I) Why was Henry Garnet distressed by his son's experience in Monte Carlo?
4. Comment on the title of the story. What are facts of life?
5. Give a summary of the story.
6. Interpret the story.
THE FOUR DUTCHMEN by W. S. Maugham
1. Define the following words and expressions and reproduce the situations in which they are used.
Be far from sth
To tell sb/ sth apart
to boast
Unintelligible
to be astounded
to be shattered
Infatuation
To go from bad to worse
To placate sb
To flash across sb’s mind
Enigmatic
To be acquitted
2*. Find similar expressions in the text.
In my opinion; to read attentively; to disappear; to look similar; to decide; to do duties; to settle difficulties; unbelievable; to love sb a lot.
3. Answer the following questions (using your active vocabulary)
a) How did the narrator get acquainted with the Dutchmen?
b) Speak on the men’s friendship.
c) Why did their friendship come to an end?
d) Who do you think is to blame?
e) What do you think of friendship? Is it as fragile as love?
f) Do you believe in true friendship? What are true friends like?
4. Give a summary of the story.
5. Interpret the story.
REGRET by Kate Chopin
1. Find the information about the author of the story and present it to the group.
2. Define the words and word-combinations and restore the situations in which they are used in the text.
to contemplate
to look with a critical eye upon sth
to be ill prepared
to aspire to sth
to accustom oneself to sth
3. Read aloud and translate in written form the following extract:
“At night, when she ordered them one and all to bed… without being rocked and sung to.”
4. Make a summary of the story.
5. Answer the questions:
a) What image of Mamzelle Aurélie is portrayed at the beginning of the story? What are the key words and phrases that help you understand her personality, her mode of life?
b) In what way does Mamzelle treat children at first? What does she compare them with?
c) What indicates that Mamzelle’s attitude to the children is gradually changing?
d) What does the main character feel when the children are gone? How does the author of the story manage to convey such atmosphere?
e) Comment upon the last two sentences of the story.
f) What is Kate Chopin advocating for in this story?
6. Interpret the story.
THE LANDLADY by Roald Dahl.
1. Find the information about the author of the story and present it to the class.
2. Make a summary of the story.
3. Define the following expressions and reproduce the situations in which they are used in the story.
a trilby hat
big shots
congenial
to compel
to be inclined to do sth
to look earnestly
to get over sth
It rings a bell.
In one ear and out the other
a blemish
4. Read aloud and translate in written form the following extract:
“He pressed the bell… if you see what I mean.”
5. Answer the questions:
a) To what genre does the story belong?
b) Where is the story set?
c) What do we learn about the main character of the story?
d) Speak on how Billy was inexplicably drawn to the boarding house.
e) Which lines in the story make the readers alert and expect something sinister to happen?
f) What is the climax of the story?
g) Why do you think the tea “tasted faintly of bitter almonds”?
h) What is your response to the story?
6. Interpret the story.
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