- •Содержание
- •Предисловие
- •Методическая записка
- •Classroom activities (1)
- •1. A) Answer the questions:
- •2. A) Skim through the text and say what the message of the text is.
- •3. A) Open the brackets using the correct forms of the verbs.
- •4. A) Read the text filling in the gaps with the proper words.
- •Home activities (1)
- •5. A) Go through the texts in exercises 2–4 and find the English for
- •6. Retell any of the three texts (see exercises 2-4). Classroom activities (2)
- •7. Paraphrase and add a sentence logically connected.
- •8. A) Read the article and say in one sentence what it deals with. Новое поколение выбирает прагматизм
- •Home activities (2)
- •9. Give a brief summary of the article (see exercise 8) in English using the suggested key words and phrases:
- •1. Introduction:
- •In conclusion/Finally, the writer says that...
- •Classroom activities (3)
- •The Infinitive
- •12. Read the following sentences and translate them into Russian. Comment on the forms of the Infinitive. Compare
- •Complex Subject with verbs in the Active Voice
- •13. Translate into Russian.
- •14. Paraphrase using the Complex Subject.
- •16. Answer the teacher’s questions and add sentences logically connected.
- •18. Answer the teacher’s questions and explain why you think so. Home activities (3)
- •Classroom activities (4)
- •21. A) Match the following phrasal verbs with their definitions. Translate them into Russian.
- •22. Translate into English.
- •23. Read the following paragraph and speak about the changing family pattern in the uk and the us using the suggested key phrases:
- •24. A) Speak about the present-day family pattern in your country. Base your answer on the key phrases suggested in exercise 22.
- •Home activities (4)
- •Classroom activities (5)
- •Complex Subject with verbs in the Passive Voice
- •28. Translate into Russian.
- •29. Make sentences with the Complex Subject using the suggested words and word combinations.
- •30. Paraphrase using the Complex Subject.
- •Substantivised Adjectives
- •31. Paraphrase as in the model:
- •Class in America
- •32. Paraphrase, translate or explain.
- •33. Answer the teacher’s questions. Home activities (5)
- •35. Get ready to retell Text 1. Classroom activities (6)
- •36. Paraphrase using the active vocabulary:
- •37. Complete the sentences with the derivatives of the words given in the right-hand column:
- •38. Complete the sentences using the word combinations given in the box:
- •39. Develop the ideas.
- •40. Paraphrase the sentences using the For-to-Infinitive Construction.
- •41. Complete the sentences. Translate the for-phrases into English.
- •Home activities (6)
- •43. Read the text Walking into the Wind and get ready to answer the questions (see exercise 49).
- •44. Open the brackets using the For-to-Infinitive Construction.
- •Classroom activities (7)
- •45. Translate into Russian.
- •Word building
- •46. Complete the sentences with verbs in proper forms.
- •Walking into the Wind
- •47. Find the Russian for:
- •48. Find the English for:
- •49. Answer the questions.
- •Home activities (8)
- •50. Retell the text as if you were
- •Classroom activities (8)
- •52. Paraphrase using a Complex Subject.
- •54. Express your opinion and support it using the suggested words and word combinations.
- •Home activities (9)
- •55. A) Complete the sentences with the words and word combinations from the box. Learn the words and word combinations from the box.
- •Classroom activities (9)
- •56. Open the brackets using the correct forms of the Infinitive.
- •57. A) Paraphrase the sentences below using the words given in brackets.
- •58. A) Open the brackets using the correct forms of the verbs.
- •Class divisions bar students from university
- •Classroom activities (1)
- •1. Answer the questions:
- •2.A) Skim through the text and say what the message of the text is.
- •3. A) Read a story about a man who managed to change his life for the better. Open the brackets using the correct forms of the verbs.
- •4. A) Read the text filling in the gaps with the proper words.
- •Pursuing Happiness In a Complex World
- •Home activities (1)
- •5. A) Go through the texts in exercises 2 – 4 and find the English for
- •6. Retell any of the three texts (see exercises 2-4). Classroom activities (2)
- •7. Paraphrase and add a sentence logically connected.
- •8. A) Read the article and say in one sentence what it deals with. Есть ли что-то важнее денег?
- •Home activities (2)
- •9. Render the article (see exercise 8) in English using the suggested key words and phrases:
- •1. Introduction:
- •2. Main body of the report:
- •According to; devaluation; social system; moral principles; poverty; unemployment; to survive;
- •3. Conclusion:
- •Classroom activities (3)
- •The Gerund
- •12. Read the following sentences and translate them into Russian. Comment on the forms of the Gerund.
- •Patterns with the Gerund Pattern 1 (Gerund as subject)
- •13. Translate into Russian.
- •14. Paraphrase using the Gerund.
- •Pattern 2 (Gerund as predicative)
- •15. Complete the sentences using the Gerund.
- •Pattern 3 (Gerund as adverbial modifier)
- •16. Translate into Russian.
- •17. Paraphrase using the Gerund.
- •Pattern 3 (Gerund as attribute)
- •18. Complete and add a sentence logically connected.
- •Home activities (3)
- •Classroom activities (4)
- •Pattern 4 (Gerund as direct object)
- •21. Complete the sentences using the gerund of a suitable verb.
- •22. Translate into Russian paying particular attention to the use of possessive and objective pronouns.
- •Pattern 4 (Gerund as prepositional object)
- •24. Insert prepositions where necessary.
- •25. Paraphrase using the Gerund.
- •26. A) Read the following opinions and complete the sentences using the Gerund.
- •Home activities (4)
- •27. A) Render the article in English using the suggested key words and word combinations. Больше работы, денег, секса
- •In conclusion the writer says that...
- •Classroom activities (5)
- •Verbs taking the Gerund and the Infinitive
- •30. Translate into Russian:
- •31. Open the brackets using either the Gerund or the Infinitive.
- •32. Complete the sentences, using the Gerund or the Infinitive:
- •Cross-cultural Notes:
- •33. Paraphrase, translate or explain.
- •34. Answer the teacher’s questions. Home activities (5)
- •36. Get ready to retell Text 1. Classroom activities (6)
- •37. Paraphrase using the active vocabulary:
- •38. A) Complete the sentences with the words and word combinations from the box. Learn the words and word combinations from the box.
- •Love Is Real Medicine Loneliness fosters cardiovascular disease. Fortunately, there’s an antidote.
- •Home activities (6)
- •40. Read the text Brave New World and get ready to answer the questions (see exercise 45).
- •Classroom activities (7)
- •41. Paraphrase using the active vocabulary of the unit.
- •42. Fill in the blanks with prepositions where necessary.
- •43. Complete and add a sentence logically connected.
- •Brave New World After Aldous Huxley
- •44. Give the Russian for:
- •45. Find the English for
- •46. Answer the questions:
- •Home activities (7)
- •47. Retell the text as if you were
- •48. Translate into English.
- •Classroom activities (8)
- •The Gerund and the Infinitive after Aspect Verbs
- •49. Complete the sentences with the proper forms of the Verb.
- •50. Translate into Russian.*
- •52. Develop the situation / idea.
- •53. Express your opinion and support it using the vocabulary of the unit.
- •54. Comment on the following statements:
- •Home activities (8)
- •52. Translate into Russian.
- •Classroom activities (1)
- •1. A) Answer the questions:
- •What does success mean to you?
- •2. A) Skim through the text and say what the message of the text is.
- •'Assets - активы
- •Land of the Giants
- •3. A) Open the brackets using the correct forms of the verbs.
- •The Shy Sorceress
- •4. A) Read the text filling in the gaps with the proper words.
- •Home activities (1)
- •5. A) Go through the texts in exercises 1 – 3 and find the English for
- •6. Retell any of the three texts (see exercises 2-4). Classroom activities (2)
- •7. Paraphrase using the words and word combinations from exercises 1-4.
- •8. A) Read the article and say in one sentence what it deals with. Эсти лаудер – бизнес-гений XX века
- •9. Paraphrase as in the model:
- •Home activities (2)
- •Estée Lauder [LesteI'lO:dR(r)]; cosmetic empire; Josephine Esther Mentzer; a chemist; skin creams concocted by her uncle; substances
- •Strength of character; confidence; ambition; to hand out; samples of her products / potions; Fifth Avenue; calculations; beauty shops; cosmetics; to tell stories;
- •Commercial breakdown
- •Classroom activities (3)
- •The Participle
- •12. Read the following sentences and translate them into Russian. Comment on the forms of the Participle.
- •Patterns with the Participle Pattern 1 (Participle I as an attribute)
- •13. Make phrases using Participle I.
- •14. Paraphrase using Participle I where possible.
- •15. Translate into English.
- •Pattern 2 (Participle II as an attribute)
- •16. Paraphrase using Patterns 1 and 2.
- •17. Complete the sentences using the phrases suggested in the box as participles or clauses.
- •18. Translate into English.
- •Home activities (3)
- •Classroom activities (4)
- •Pattern 3 (Participle I as an Adverbial Modifier)
- •21. Paraphrase the sentences using Participle I.
- •Pattern 4 (Participle II as an Adverbial Modifier)
- •22. Paraphrase the sentences using Participle II as an adverbial modifier.
- •24.* Complete the sentences with the proper forms of the Participle.
- •25.* Join two sentences into one using participles.
- •Home activities (4)
- •26.* Complete the sentences with the proper forms of the Participle.
- •28. A) Listen to the text The Self-Made Man. Read it after the speaker.
- •Classroom activities (5)
- •Patterns with the Participle Pattern 5 (Unrelated Participle)
- •29. Paraphrase using unrelated participles.
- •Pattern 5 (Participles as Adjectives )
- •30. Complete the sentences using participles as adjectives.
- •31. Paraphrase, translate or explain.
- •32. Answer the teacher’s questions. Home activities (5)
- •33. Get ready to retell Text 1.
- •34. Complete the sentences using participles as adjectives.
- •35. Translate into English.
- •Classroom activities (6)
- •36. Paraphrase using the active vocabulary:
- •37. A) Complete the sentences with verbs in proper forms. A Strange Cry for Millionaire: Tickets Please!
- •Home activities (6)
- •39. Read the text The Hotel and get ready to answer the questions (see exercise 48).
- •Classroom activities (7)
- •40. Complete the sentences with the derivatives of the words given in the box:
- •41. Translate into Russian.
- •42. Complete the sentences as shown in the model. Pay particular attention to the use of Participle (a) and Gerund (b). Let your fellow-students ask questions.
- •The Hotel After Arthur Hailey
- •44. Give the Russian for:
- •45. Find the English for
- •46. Answer the questions:
- •Home activities (7)
- •47. Retell the text as if you were
- •48. Translate into English.
- •Classroom activities (1)
- •2. A) Skim through the text and say what the message of the text is.
- •3. A) Open the brackets using the correct forms of the verbs. Demise [dI'maIz] – (very formal) the time when something stops existing to shroud – to cover or hide something
- •4. A) Read the text filling in the gaps with the proper words.
- •Energy saving in the home
- •Home activities (1)
- •5. A) Go through the texts in exercises 2 – 4 and find the English for
- •6. Retell any of the three texts (see exercises 2-4) classroom activities (2)
- •7. Paraphrase and add a sentence logically connected.
- •8. Translate into Russian.
- •9. A) Read the article and say in one sentence what it deals with. Северный Ледовитый океан может растаять
- •Home activities (2)
- •10. Give a brief summary of the article (see exercise 8) in English using the suggested key words and phrases:
- •In conclusion / Finally, the writer wonders if...
- •Arctic Thaw Melts Away Old Habits in Far North
- •Classroom activities (3)
- •Modal Verbs with Suppositional Meaning
- •Should the Sport of Hunting be Completely Banned?
- •13. Read the following sentences and translate them into Russian. Comment on the forms of modal verbs.
- •14. Paraphrase using modal verbs.
- •15. Express surprise and disbelief, add a sentence logically connected to support your opinion.
- •Home activities (3)
- •17. A) Complete the sentences with the proper forms of the Verb.
- •18. Complete the sentences with the proper modal verbs and the appropriate forms of the verb.
- •Classroom activities (4)
- •Modal Verbs with Suppositional Meaning
- •20. Paraphrase as in the models:
- •London Calling The British capital has let the world in, and become a model for making a 21st-century metropolis work.
- •21. Paraphrase, translate or explain.
- •22. Answer the teacher’s questions. Home activities (4)
- •23. Fill in the gaps with proper words from the box in proper forms.
- •25. Get ready to retell Text 1.
- •Classroom activities (5)
- •26. Develop the conversations as in the model:
- •27. Paraphrase using the active vocabulary.
- •28. Make sentences using the suggested words and phrases:
- •29. Insert the required prepositions.
- •30. Develop the ideas.
- •Home activities (5)
- •Classroom activities (6)
- •33. Complete the sentences with the correct forms of the Infinitive.
- •35. Paraphrase using the modal verbs may / might, can / could, must.
- •36. A) Read the text filling in the gaps with the proper words.
- •37. Translate into English.
- •Home activities (6)
- •38. Read the text Deception Point and get ready to discuss it in class.
- •Classroom activities (7)
- •40. Complete the sentences choosing the proper modal.
- •Deception Point
- •41. Give the Russian for:
- •42. Find the English for
- •43. Answer the questions:
- •Home activities (7)
- •44. Give a brief retelling of the text and express your viewpoint on the problems raised by the writer. Classroom activities (8)
- •45. A) Complete the sentences with the derivatives of the words given in the right-hand column: Sour times
- •46. Translate into Russian.
- •47. Develop the situations as in the model:
- •48. Gabriel Ashe has just told the news to her friend Yolanda Cole. Act as Yolanda expressing your attitude to the information and give advice wherever necessary.
- •49. Express your opinion and support it using the vocabulary of the unit.
- •Marjorie Tench:
- •Home activities (8)
- •50. A) Complete the sentences with phrases made of noun combinations given in the box.
- •51. Prepare a three-minute talk on “Scientific and industrial development – curse or blessing for the planet”.
- •Classroom activities (9)
- •52. Match the beginning of each sentence with a suitable ending.
- •53. Choose the correct phrase to complete the situation.
- •54. Choose the correct grammar form.
- •55. Complete the letter with proper phrases based on the hints in the box.
- •56. Complete the sentences.
- •57. Translate into English.
- •58. A) Open the brackets using the proper forms of the verbs.
- •1. A) Answer the questions:
- •2. A) Skim through the text and say what the message of the text is.
- •Return to Babel
- •E). Find examples of linguistic similarities in your mother tongue and/or European languages.
- •3. A) Open the brackets using the correct forms of the verbs.
- •4. A) Read the text filling in the gaps with the proper words.
- •Home activities (1)
- •5. A) Go through the texts in exercises 1 – 3 and find the English for
- •6. Retell any of the three texts (see exercises 2-4). Classroom activities (2)
- •7. Paraphrase and add a sentence logically connected.
- •8. A) Read the article and say in one sentence what it deals with.
- •Home activities (2)
- •9. Give a brief summary of the article (see exercise 8) in English using the suggested key words and phrases:
- •In conclusion the writer says that...
- •10. A) Complete the sentences with the proper forms of the Verb.
- •Classroom activities (3)
- •Unreal condition (suppressed type)
- •12. Make sentences as in the model:
- •13. Complete the situations as in the model.
- •Real and Unreal Condition in complex sentences
- •14. A) Read and compare sentences of real and unreal condition.
- •15. Read the following sentences and translate them into Russian.
- •16. Match the beginning of each sentence with a suitable ending.
- •17. Translate into English.
- •Home activities (3)
- •18. Complete the sentences with the proper forms of the verbs in brackets.
- •19. Read the following article and be ready to speak about the uses and misuses of English loan-words in the Russian language using the phrases suggested below. Repelling the English Invasion
- •Classroom activities (4)
- •Unreal condition (mixed type)
- •20. Combine the sentences as in the model.
- •21. Translate into English.
- •22. Paraphrase the sentences using “but-for” phrase.
- •23. Complete the sentences using “but-for” phrase.
- •24. Translate into English.
- •25. Complete the sentences to make a chain-story.
- •Home activities (4)
- •27. Open the brackets using the proper forms of the verbs.
- •28. Give a brief summary of the article in English using the suggested words and phrases:
- •Classroom activities (5)
- •30. Translate into Russian.
- •Not the Queen’s English
- •32. Paraphrase, translate or explain.
- •33. Answer the teacher’s questions. Home activities (5)
- •35. Get ready to retell Text 1. Classroom activities (6)
- •36. Paraphrase and develop the situation.
- •37. Open the brackets using the proper forms of the verbs.
- •38. Paraphrase using the active vocabulary of the unit.
- •39. Complete and add a sentence logically connected.
- •40. A) Complete the sentences with the words and word combinations from the box. Learn the words and word combinations from the box.
- •A question of language
- •Home activities (6)
- •42. Read the text Poshos and get ready to answer the questions (see exercise 50).
- •Classroom activities (7)
- •It’s time sb did sth
- •43. Translate into Russian.
- •45. Translate into English.
- •46. Translate into Russian.
- •47. Make new words according to the patterns of word building. Translate them into Russian.
- •48. Give the English for:
- •49. Find the Russian for:
- •50. Answer the questions.
- •Home activities (7)
- •51. Retell the text as if you were
- •52. Translate into English.
- •Classroom activities (8)
- •Had better / Would rather
- •53. Give advice as in the model:
- •54. Answer as in the model:
- •55. Complete the sentences as in the model.
- •57. Complete the sentences with the proper forms of the Verb.
- •58. Express your opinion and support it using the active words and word combinations.
- •Who do you side with?
- •English by no means the ‘universal’ language
- •‘Global English’ is already becoming a pidgin language
- •English is a link language
- •Home activities (8)
- •59. Open the brackets using the proper forms of the verbs.
- •60. Translate into English.
- •Classroom activities (9)
- •61. A) Open the brackets using the proper forms of the verbs.
- •62. Complete the sentences translating into English the phrases given in brackets.
- •63. Complete the sentences.
- •64. Translate into English. Use the hints from the box.
- •65. A) Complete the sentences with the words and word combinations from the box.
- •66. A) Read the text. Political Correctness and Identity Politics
- •1. Answer the questions:
- •2. A) Skim through the text and say what the message of the text is.
- •All Cultures Are Not Equal
- •3. A) Open the brackets using the correct forms of the verbs.
- •Culturally Confused
- •4. A) Read the text filling in the gaps with the proper words.
- •End of the Road
- •Home activities (1)
- •5. A) Go through the texts in exercises 1 – 4 and find the English for
- •6. Retell any of the three texts (see exercises 2-4). Classroom activities (2)
- •7. Paraphrase and add a sentence logically connected.
- •8. A) Read the article and say in one sentence what it deals with.
- •Home activities (2)
- •9. Give a brief summary of the article (see exercise 8) in English using the suggested key words and phrases:
- •In conclusion / Finally, the writer says that...
- •Classroom activities (3)
- •So that (purpose clause)
- •12. A) Complete the sentences with the derivatives of the words given in the right-hand column:
- •Tourism Across Cultures
- •13. Paraphrase, translate or explain.
- •14. Answer the teacher’s questions. Home activities (3)
- •15. Get ready to retell Text 1.
- •Classroom activities (4)
- •17. Paraphrase using the active vocabulary of the unit.
- •18. Translate from English into Russian.
- •Subjunctive Mood or Should
- •In Nominal Clauses
- •20. Translate into Russian.
- •24. Translate into English.
- •Home activities (4)
- •25. A) Translate into English.
- •Classroom activities (5)
- •In Subordinate Clauses
- •26. Paraphrase as in the model.
- •27. Complete the sentences using the words and phrases in the right-hand column. Add a sentence logically connected.
- •28. A) Complete the sentences with the words and phrases from the box.
- •29. A) Scan the text and say whether you agree with the conclusion the writers arrive at. Explain your viewpoint.
- •31. Complete the sentences with the proper forms of the Verb.
- •32. Answer the teacher’s questions. Home activities (5)
- •33. Complete the sentences with the proper forms of the Verb.
- •34. A) Translate into English.
- •Classroom activities (6)
- •35. Complete sentences with the right words.
- •36. Complete the sentences with the proper forms of the Verb.
- •37. Complete the sentences with the words from the box.
- •38. Comment on the following statements:
- •39. Express your opinion and support it using the vocabulary of the unit.
- •Home activities (6)
- •40. Read the text Digging to America and get ready to answer the questions (see exercise 45).
- •41. Translate into English. Use the hints from the box.
- •Classroom activities (7)
- •42. Fill in the blanks with prepositions where necessary.
- •Digging to America
- •43. Give the English for:
- •44. Find the Russian for:
- •45. Answer the questions.
- •46. Complete the sentences with the proper forms of the Verb.
- •Home activities (7)
- •47. Translate into English. Use the hints from the box.
- •48 . Retell the text as if you were
- •Classroom activities (8)
- •49. Complete the sentences:
- •50. Open the brackets and write the verbs in the appropriate forms.
- •51. Translate from Russian into English:
- •Home activities (8)
- •52. Write a paragraph to answer the question:
- •Classroom activities (9)
- •53. Read the following text and
- •What Kids Should Know Being tech-savvy is one thing. Being cultured means exploring the unknown.
- •54. Read the following text and
- •The ecology of Hollywood
- •55. Read the following text and
- •Are you a tourist or a traveller?
Digging to America
Sami had a sort of performance piece that he liked to put on for the relatives. He was known for it. One of the relatives would say, almost slyly, “These Americans: can you figure them out?” Then this person would offer some anecdote to start things rolling. And Sami would get going on the American craze for logic. “Logic’s why they’re always suing each other. They believe that for every event there has to be a cause. Surely somebody is to blame! they say. Stumble in the street when you are not looking and break your leg? Sue the city! Sue the store where you bought your glasses and the doctor who prescribed them! Fall down the stairs, bang your head on a cabinet, slip on the bathroom tiles? Sue your landlord! And don’t just sue for medical bills; sue for pain, emotional trauma, public humiliation, lowered self-esteem!”
“Ooh, low self-esteem,” a relative might murmur, and everyone would laugh.
“They feel personally outraged by bad luck,” Sami would go on. “ They have been lucky all their lives and they can’t imagine that any misfortune should have the right to befall them. There must be some mistake! they say. They’ve always been so careful! They’ve paid the closest attention to every safety instruction – the DANGER tag on their hair dryer saying Unplug after every use, and then print on the plastic bag saying This is not a toy, and the recycling pamphlet saying Warning: Before stepping on milk jugs to flatten them, please take firm hold of a reliable source of support.”
Or he would examine their so-called openness. “So chummy they are, so ‘Hello, I love you,’ so ‘How do you do, let me tell you my marital problems,’ and yet, have any of them ever really, truly let you into their lives?”
Or their claim to be so tolerant. “They say they’re a culture without restrictions. An unconfined culture, a do-your-own-thing kind of culture. But all that means is, they keep their restrictions a secret. They wait until you violate one and then they get all faraway and chilly and unreadable, and you have no idea why. My cousin Davood? He lived here for six months and then he moved to Japan. He said that in Japan, at least they tell you the rules. At least they admit they have rules. He feels much more comfortable there, he said.”
Then others would chime in with stories of their own – the friendships unaccountably ended, the stunned silence after innocent questions. “You can’t ask how much someone’s dress cost. You can’t ask the price of their houses. You don’t know what to ask!”
These conversations were conducted in English, because Sami would not speak Farsi. He had flat-out refused to ever since the day back in preschool when he had discovered that none of his classmates spoke it. And there lay the irony, according to his mother. “You with your Baltimore accent,” she said, “American born, American raised, never been anywhere else: how can you say these things? You’re American yourself! You’re poking fun at your own people!”
“Aw, Mom, it’s all in good humor,” he said.
“It doesn’t sound so good-humored to me. When you were growing up, you were more American than the Americans. In high school you never dated anyone but blondes. I certainly never expected that you would pick up an Iranian girl.”
“I don’t know why not,” he said.
This wasn’t entirely truthful, because in his heart he too had always thought his wife would be American.
* * *
In his senior year in college he met Ziba. She was confident and plain-spoken. She came right up to him after their first class together and said, “Iranian, right?” “Right,” he said. “Me too. Ziba Hakimi,” she said and moved off to join her friends – American friends, male and female mixed. She wore jeans and a Tears for Fears T-shirt, and her hair in those days was short enough so that she could gel and spike it into something resembling punk.
As he came to know her he noticed how much they understood about each other without discussion. A cloak of shared background surrounded them invisibly. She asked him in mid-March if he planned to go home the next weekend, and she didn’t need to explain that she meant for New Year’s.
That summer after graduation he drove over to Washington often to take her to dinner or a movie, and he met a whole string of her relatives. To him the Hakimis seemed both familiar and alien. He recognized the language they spoke, the foods they served, the music they were listening to, but he was uncomfortable with the lavish parties they gave and their zeal for the most expensive brand names – Rolex and Prada and Farragamo.
What would his mother think of these people? He knew what she would think. He brought Ziba home to meet her but he left Ziba’s relatives out of it. And his mother, although she welcomed Ziba graciously, never proposed that the two families get together. To be honest, the Hakimis were only one generation removed from the bazaar. Sami’s parents would never even have met them, if they were back home in Tehran.
In the fall Sami and Ziba went back to the university – Sami to work on his graduate degree in European history and Ziba to start her senior year. They were deeply in love by then. Her family visited constantly. They hugged Sami to their chests and kissed him on both cheeks and inquired after his studies. In Mr. Hakimi’s opinion, European history was not the best choice of fields. “You propose to do what with this? To teach,” he said. “You will become a professor, teaching students who’ll become professors in turn and teach other students who will become professors also. It reminds me of those insects who live only a few days, only for the purpose of reproducing their species. Is this a practical plan? I don’t think so!”
Sami didn’t bother arguing. Somehow, though – how did this happen? – by the time he and Ziba were married he had agreed to work in her uncle’s development company. Just try it, everyone said, and go back to school in the fall if he didn’t like it. He did like it, though.
If his mother was disappointed that Sami had given up his studies, she never said so. Well, of course she was disappointed. But she told him it was his decision. She was cordial to the Hakimis and affectionate with Ziba; Sami knew she liked Ziba and he didn’t think that was only because Ziba was Iranian. For their engagement she had offered them a ring he’d never seen before, an antique ring with a diamond that satisfied even the Hakimis. Or maybe it didn’t. It wasn’t huge. But at least they had professed to be satisfied. Oh, everybody on both sides had been exceedingly well-behaved.
-
COMPREHENSION EXERCISES