Assignment 5 (chapters 16–20)

I. Pre-reading task – translate the words from the active vocabulary, write their transcription.

Active Vocabulary

p. 43

in full bloom

p. 44

to misjudge smb.

jovial

p. 45

bluff

p. 46

by stealth

to make out smth.

p. 47

to acknowledge

p. 48

to make a scene

to care two pins for smb.

threshold

p. 50

to faint

to shatter

p. 51

to cast down one’s eyes

p. 53

dismay

p. 55

malicious

p. 56

buoyant

p. 57

to retort

p. 58

torture

II. Exercises

1. Paraphrase the following sentences using the active vocabulary

1. the state, time, or period when flowers open

2. moving with extreme care and quietness, esp so as to avoid detection

3. having or expressing convivial humour; jolly

3. to judge smb wrongly or unfairly

5. to recognize or admit the existence, truth, or reality of smth

2. Fill in with suitable words from the active vocabulary.

1. He confessed under ____.

2. You have to ____ your defeat as complete.

3. I can't ____ the meaning of this poem.

4. She ____ him as her heir.

5. This poor old man has ____ from hunger.

6. Do you think you can ____ the police into believing that you were not at the scene of the crime?

3. Translate the following sentences into Russian.

1. His career was in full bloom after he had broken with his previous job.

2. Wild animals demand secrecy and a certain amount of stealth from the photographer.

3. He's not such a fool as he's made out to be.

4. How did he make out at the examination?

5. You can just make out the farm in the distance.

6. When you make out the bill, please give me a copy.

7. He acknowledged the applause with a small bow.

8. It dismayed me to learn of her actions.

III. Questions for discussion.

1. Kitty wished that she were Charlie’s wife rather than Walter’s. What made her think so? What traits of Charlie’s character fascinated her most?

2. Sum up what you have learned of Dorothy Townsend. What did Kitty think of her?

3. Translate the passage from “But even as she said…” till “Fed up! Fed up!” (pp. 48–49). What state of Kitty’s mind does this passage characterise? What can this state of mind bring to?

4. Dwell on Kitty’s state of mind that made the adultery possible. Describe the peculiarities of her conduct with Charlie.

5. Retell the chapters you have read.

Assignment 6 (chapters 21–26)

I. Pre-reading task – translate the words from the active vocabulary, write their transcription.

Active Vocabulary

p. 59

constrained

p. 60

course

go to pieces

p. 61

pettifogging

p. 62

to doze

p. 64

mockery

for one’s sake

of one’s own free will

p. 65

tributary

to be frightened out of one’s wits

p. 66

outrageous

blame smb.

p. 67

blankly

p. 68

commonplace

p. 72

peculiar

p. 73

treacherous

to sacrifice

gossip

p. 79

keep one’s head

p. 82

despair

p. 85

exaggeration

II. Exercises

1. Find the words in the active vocabulary that match the following definitions.

1. embarrassed, unnatural, or forced

2. to lose control of oneself; have a breakdown

3. an imitation or pretence, esp a derisive one

4. a stream, river, or glacier that feeds another larger one

5. grossly offensive to decency, authority, etc

2. Fill in with suitable words from the active vocabulary.

1. In the ____ of the discussion many views were heard.

2. Once Dorian Gray called Lord Henry ‘Prince Paradox’ in ____.

3. Pop stars often wear ____ clothes.

4. They ____ her for the accident.

5. They ____ the accident on her.

6. This latter point is one of _____ interest.

7. He gave his life as a ____ for his country.

3. Translate the following sentences into Russian.

1. I dozed away the afternoon in my hotel room.

2. Are you out of your wits?

3. He despaired of ever seeing her again.

4. "The report of my death is an exaggeration". (Mark Twain’s telegram to New York Journal).

5. Are you prepared to sacrifice the pleasures of nature to the convenience of city life?

III. Questions for discussion.

1. Charlie had said that Walter wouldn’t care the adultery of his wife (ch. II, p. 7). What is your opinion on Walter now? What might be his next step? What would you do if you were in his place?

2. Speak about the situation described in the chapter XXII. Again dwell especially upon Walter’s feelings that are revealed by his utterances and upon Kitty’s remarks. Mind the choice of words. What were they both thinking at every moment of the talk? Rewrite the chapter so that to stage it.

3. What words had turned the talk finally to the adultery itself? Why did they speak about Mei-tan-fu but not about the adultery?

4. Find in the chapter XXIII the ‘speeches of accusation’ from both sides. Note that the material can be found not only once in the chapter. Combine the reasons for both sides. Translate the speeches.

5. What was Charlie’s reaction to Walter’s proposal? Analyse his choice.

6. What idea (point out the words) predominates in Kitty’s remarks in the chapter XXVI? What had changed in Kitty’s world?

IV. Extra writing task.

Write a letter to your friend or relative about you current experience.