Assignments

1. Make sure you know the pronunciation of the following words. Write them down and transcribe them.

gesture, salmon, nowadays, giant, caviare, digestion, digest, champagne, asparagus, stomach.

2. Prepare an expressive reading of the conversation between the young writer and the lady: “Then came the question of drink … without having some of them.”

3. Scan the text to find the answers to the following questions. First read the questions, be sure you’ve got them well in mind and then start scanning. Stop reading the text the moment you have found the necessary information.

1. When did the writer meet the lady for the first time?

2. Where did he live at that time?

3. Where did the writer and the lady have their luncheon?

4. How old was the lady when the writer met her for the first time?

5. What was the first dish the lady ordered?

6. What was the lady’s motto?

7. What did the lady finish her luncheon with?

8. What did the writer choose for himself?

9. What tip did the writer leave for the waiter?

4. Read the story carefully and write out sentences in which the following words and phrases are used. Memorize the words and phrases. Use them when discussing the story.

to catch sight of

to have a chat with

to flatter

to cut out smth.

to make one’s mouth water

to follow sb.’s example

to be obliged to do smth.

to bring oneself to do smth.

to manage

talkative

to be startled

on the menu

to live within beyond one’s means

to be in the habit of doing smth.

to have one’s revenge on sb.

to have a snack

to give the impression of

inadequate

at the sight of

to afford

to overload

5. Paraphrase or explain the following sentences. Don’t forget to open your sentences with special expressions ( see Assignment V, p.10).

1. She was in appearance imposing rather than attractive…

2. We are not getting any younger.

3. …she gave me the impression of having more teeth, white and large and even, than were necessary for any practical purpose.

4. My heart sank a little.

5. … the head waiter, with a smile on his false face, came up to us.

6. If I cut out coffee for the next two weeks I could manage well enough.

6. Support or challenge the following statements. Make suitable quotations to prove your point of view. Don’t forget to use expressions if agreement and disagreement.

1. The young writer was flattered to be invited to a luncheon by the lady.

2. The restaurant they went to was rather expensive.

3. The writer enjoyed the luncheon very much.

4. The lady was absolutely unaware of the writer’s state of mind.

5. The lady always strictly followed her motto.

7. Pick out words and phrases which:

1. Describe what the lady looked like twenty years ago and what she looked like now;

2. Show the young man’s state of mind during the luncheon;

3. Prove that the lady enjoyed the luncheon.

Get ready to speak on these points using the recommended vocabulary and the words and phrases you’ve written out.

8. Translate the following questions into English and have your fellow-students answer them. Remember that “do-you-think” questions do not call for the inverted word order.

1. Сколько, по вашему мнению, было лет даме, когда писатель вновь встретил ее?

2. Как вы думаете, почему писателю было трудно узнать даму?

3. Как вы думаете, почему писатель согласился пойти в такой дорогой ресторан?

4. Как вы думаете, почему писателя охватывал ужас каждый раз, когда официант подходил к их столу?

5. Как вы думаете, почему писатель сказал, что врач запретил ему пить шампанское?

6. Что, по вашему мнению, особенно беспокоило молодого человека во время завтрака?

7. Как вы думаете, почему дама назвала писателя большим шутником?

9. Give situations in which the following expressions are used. Make sure you know their meaning. Make up situations of your own to illustrate these expressions:

1. How time flies!

2. To keep body and soul together.

10. Opinion questions.

1. What do you think of the lady’s motto?

2. What did the writer mean by saying that he had had his revenge on the lady at last?

3. What would you have done if you found yourself in the young man’s place?

11. Tell the story in the name of:

1. The lady;

2. The waiter.

12. Give a character sketch of the lady.

13. Divide the story into logical parts. Entitle each.

14. Make up an outline of the story.

15. Give a summary of the story.