1. Active Vocabulary

• a leading article (131)

• to denounce smth roundly (131)

• to have a relapse (133)

• to consent to do smth (134)

• to be susceptible to smth (135)

• to be bound to do smth (136)

• to distress smb (140)

• to intercept smth (142)

• to be in store for smb (144)

• to surrender (146)

• to lead astray (146)

• to deserve smth (148)

• to condemn smb (152)

• to wreck one’s career (152)

• to repent (152)

• Paraphrase

1. I am full of interesting information. I feel like the latest edition of something or other. (129)

2. This speech is a turning point in his career. (131)

3. I’m of a very nervous disposition especially in the morning. (132)

4. I don’t know how the betting stands today. (133)

5. It seems to me I’m a little in the way here. (135)

6. Mrs. Cheveley puts a certain construction on that letter. (141)

7. Why are you playing Mrs. Cheveley’s cards? (151)

8. If he has fallen from his alter, do not trust him into the mire. (153)

9. If the country doesn’t go to the dogs or the Radicals, … (158)

10. If you don’t make this young lady an ideal husband, I’ll cut you off with a shilling. (159)

11. Who said it and in what context. Explain the meaning of the sentence and comment on it.

1. …only people who look dull ever get into the House of Commons, and only people who are dull ever succeed there. (132)

2. …if we men married the women we deserved, we should have a very bad time of it. (133)

3. It is not the Prime Minister’s day for seeing the unemployed. (135)

4. Women are not meant to judge us, but to forgive us when we need forgiveness. Pardon, not punishment, is their mission. (152)

5. A woman’s life revolves in curves of emotions. It is upon lines of intellect that a man’s life progresses. (152)

12. Fill in the blanks with prepositions.

1. Haven’t you read The Times leading article … Robert Chiltern’s career?

2. I am delighted … what you tell me … Robert.

3. I wish you would go … Parliament.

4. I regret to say that I have no influence … my son.

5. It is very good for you to know what people say … you … your back.

6. Mrs. Cheveley puts a certain construction … that letter and proposes to send it … your husband.

7. Mrs. Cheveley has handed … to Lord Goring the document that was … her possession.

8. Although I am safe … detection and every proof … me is destroyed, I suppose I should retire … public life.

9. Sir Robert Chiltern is … the brink … accepting the Prime Minister’s offer when he sees his wife looking … him.

10. I think my husband is right … his determination. I approve … it.

13. Questions.

1. What is the purpose of Lord Goring’s visit to the Chilterns’ early in the morning?

2. What did Sir Robert Chiltern do the previous night? Why does Lord Caversham call Sir Robert’s speech in the House the turning point in his career?

3. What news does Lord Goring have for Lady Chiltern? How does she take it? What does Lord Goring ask Lady Chiltern to do regarding her own letter which has fallen into Mrs. Cheveley’s hands? How does Sir Robert come to know about the truth about his wife’s letter?

4. What makes Sir Robert take a decision to retire from public life? For whose sake does he intend to do it?

5. What news does Lord Caversham bring when he calls the second time? How do the Chilterns take the news? How does Lord Goring bring Lady Chiltern to realizing that Sir Robert should accept the Prime-Minister’s offer?

6. What intentions does Lord Goring have concerning Mabel Chiltern? Does she accept his proposal?

7. What does Lady Chiltern mean by saying that for both of them a new life is beginning?

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