Vocabulary Training

I. Understanding Word Meaning from Context.

Choose a word or a word group that has the same meaning as the word in bold.

1. The conference is going to be a lot of extra work.

a. unusual b. quick c. additional d. interesting

2. I heaved with all my might but still couldn’t budge it.

a. lift b. change c. understand d. move

3. Send them a fax – it’s a lot less hassle than phoning.

a. time b. difficulty c. expenditure d. misunderstanding

4. A hawk hovered over the hill.

a. flew quickly b. suddenly flew downwards

c. stayed in the air in one place d. flew up

5. I had barely started speaking when he interrupted me.

a. already b. quickly c. hardly d. almost

6. The machine rumbled when it started up.

a. rattled b. stopped c. broke down d. darted off

II. Find in the text:

a) four adjectives that describe something that the speaker liked very much;

b) three words or expressions that describe weather;

c) a noun that has the same root as the verb “to appreciate”;

d) an adjective that has the same root as the verb “to forget”. What does it mean?

III. Note the word “so-called”. How can you translate it into Russian? In what case do we use it? Give your example.

IV. a) What does the phrasal verb “to drift off” mean? With what postposition is the verb “to drift” used in the meaning “to become less friendly or close”?

b) Note the phrasal verb “to opt for”. Its opposite is “to opt against”. Make up a sentence with either of these verbs describing your experience or giving advice. What noun having the same root do you know?

V. Which word?

a) historic/historical

The adjective “historic” is used to describe something that is so important that it is likely to be remembered. “Historical” usually describes something that is connected with the past or with the study of history.

Choose the adjective that fits better in the following sentences:

1. I have been doing some (historic/historical) research.

2. Today is a (historic/historical) occasion for our country.

3. The building is of (historic/historical) importance.

4. Was Robin Hood a (historic/historical) figure?

b) classic/classical

“Classic” describes something that is accepted as being of very high quality and one of the best of its kind. “Classical” describes a form of traditional Western music and other things that are traditional in style. It is also used to talk about things that are connected with the culture of Ancient Greece and Rome.

Choose the right adjective for the following nouns:

1) example; 2) architecture; 3) period; 4) case; 5) music.

VI. Explain the following words in English. Use an explanatory dictionary if necessary. If a word has several meanings, point out the meaning in which it is used in the text.

1) understatement 2) hostage 3) to mingle 4) to munch 5) suite

VII. Note how each of the following idioms is used in the text:

1) to be supposed to; 2) at first glance; 3) to turn out to be; 4) no big deal.

Now use each of these idioms in an example of your own. Try to relate them to your own experience.

Recounting and Interpreting Details

1. Where did the narrator go and for what purpose? Who was she? Who did she take with her?

2. What did the narrator enjoy during the first day in Chicago?

3. What was her impression of the hotel room at first glance? What were the best things about the room?

4. What was the problem during the first night? How did the narrator solve it?

5. What happened when the narrator wanted to take a shower?

6. Were the narrator and her daughter displeased with the weather during the third night?

7. What happened during the thunderstorm?

8. How did the narrator handle the problem and what was the outcome?

9. Was the narrator pleased with the service? In what place of the story is she being ironic?

10. Did the narrator and her daughter enjoy their last day? What helped them?

Creative Follow-up Work

Have you ever had a similar experience? Can you think of a situation when things went from bad to worse? You may tell what happened to you or someone you know or make up a fictional story... .