Exercises

Exercise I. Practise the pronunciation of the following a) words and b) word-combinations:

youthful, winsome, yearning, resign, caravan, disap­provingly, haul, erectly, intercourse, iota, curtain, atmos­phere, vacant, breast, ingratiating, intimate, releaved, urge, kitchenette, casual, brusquely

Exercise II. A. Drills, a) Read and repeat; b) Use the structures in sentences of your own:

I. 1. As far as anybody knew, Stella had never had a love affair.

2. Is far as anybody knew, Stella was going to live out her life as an old maid.

1. As far as anybody knew, Jake Carson was the only man in the town who was seriously attracted by her.

2. Is far as anybody knew, Stella was eager to get married to Harry Rumford.

II. 1. Some of the women in town asked Stella if she would always live single.

2. He asked Stella if she would let him sit on the porch.

3. Harry Rumford asked her if she would rent him park­ing space for his caravan.

4. Stella asked him if he would like to have some fried chicken.

1. If somebody had been bold enough to ask Stella about it she would have said it was a matter much too per­sonal for her to discuss.

2.If Stella hadn't had so mush pride she would have married somebody long ago.

3.If Harry Rumford hadn't been used to travelling from one place to another he would have, probably, stayed in Indianola.

1. I wish you could see some of the other people's trash!

   2. I wish you would let me sit on the porch with you!

   3. I wish you treated me to some of your fried chicken!

   4. I wish you were not so proud!

   5. I wish you told me all the truth!

   6. I wish you didn't treat me the way you do!

I. She wondered what the caravan was like inside.

1. Jake wondered why Stella would never let him sit on the porch.

2. People in the town wondered if Stella would ever get married.

3. She wondered if Harry was going to find some excuse to knock on the door.

4. She wondered if he would be pleased to see her.

VI. I. She was relieved to see that he was smiling.

2. He was hurt to hear she didn't want him.

3. She was happy to learn he was coming.

4. I was disappointed to realize I had failed.

B. Additional drills:

I. 1. Stella saw him close the book.

2. She watched him enter the caravan.

1. She felt a blush come to her cheeks.

2. She heard, the truck rattle round the corner.

3. Jake Carson saw her reach for his hand.

   1. 1. He might have been run over by an automobile.

      2. His truck might have turned over.

      3. He might have dropped dead.

      4. Something terrible might have happened to him.

   2. 1. It was too personal for her to discuss.

      2. It was too unusual for them to understand.

      3. It was too late for him to stay out.

      4. It was too painful for her to think about it.

Exercise III. Replace the italicized parts of these sentences by equiv­alents from the text:

1. People in the town thought that Stella was going to remain an unmarried woman. 2. Now that Stella was in her late thirties she still looked young and attractive. 3. Stella could cook very well. 4. Jake used to shave only on Sunday mornings. 5. "If only you could see some of the other people's trash, Miss Stella," he used to say, shaking his head. 6. "/ am too proud to marry anybody but the finest type of man." 7. Harry Rumford was a tall sun-burnt man with dark hair. 8. Stella liked his manner of talking. 9. Stella knew at once that he was the type of man she had never thought she would be lucky to see in Indianola. 10. Stella watched him wonder­ing if he were going to find some pretext to come to the back porch and knock on the door. 11. "We shall eat it together — you and I." 12. I've been expecting the pleasure of seeing you here, ever since the first time I saw you.

Exercise IV. Give English equivalents for the following words and word-combinations and use them in sentences of your own:

а) общее мнение; остаток жизни; иметь роман (с кем- либо); каштановые волосы; стройная фигура; привлекатель­ная; моложавая; качать головой; знать наверняка; два раза в неделю; после работы; если бы вы только видели; я восхищаюсь вами; неизменно; чопорный; запирать дверь; единственное, что ему оставалось; передумать; отказаться от чего-либо; честолюбивый; никчемный; разборчивый

б) появиться из-за угла; непринужденный; смущенный (сбитый с толку); глубоко озадаченный; неважно; в том, что...; по крайней мере; махнуть (делать знак рукой); закончить обход; настойчиво; впредь; смотреть испытующе; что-то неотложное (срочное); кивать

Exercise V. Ask each other questions about the text.

Exercise VI. Construct 5 tall-questions that are not true to fact (see p. 147 Ex. VIII) and ask the students to correct them.

Exercise VII. Answer the following questions:

1. What sort of girl was Stella and what was she thought of by people in the town? 2. Why had she never had a love affair or an admirer with the exception of Jake Carson? 3. What attracted Jake Carson to Stella? How did she treat him? 4. What were the reasons that made Stella rent Harry Rum- ford parking space for his caravan? Why was it so easy for Harry Rumford to win Stella's heart? 5. Why was Stella so restless and worried, as she sat on the back porch waiting for Jake Carson? 6. How did Jake react to that unexpected in­vitation from Stella and what did his last words imply?

Exercise VIII. Retell the story according to the following plan:

1. Stella Sibley has resigned herself to living out her life as an old maid.

2. Jake Carson seriously considers the prospect of having Stella for his wife but fails.

3. Harry Rumford wins Stella's heart.

4. Jake Carson gets an unexpected invitation.

Exercise IX- Retell the story according to the suggested plan. Use the given vocabulary:

A. Stella Sibley's life before Harry Rumford came to town.

the general feeling; love affair; a matter much too person­al; ever since; chestnut hair; slender figure; now that; youth­ful and winsome; unusually good cook; fried chicken; hardly a day passed; fine-looking woman; nobody seemed to know for sure; one exception; let him sit on the porch; prim expres­sion; to stand erectly; to have social intercourse with; with­out fail; would shake her head; to give up her lonely life; with a disdainful toss; an iota of ambition; too much pride; better than none at all; not too particular; the rest of one's life

Stella Sibley rents parking space to Harry Rumford.

to drive up to; a large rear yard; to rent parking space; bright curtains; cosy; homelike atmosphere; the sight ... filled her with a desire; to hesitate; vacant front rooms; to need the rent; unfamiliarly pleasant excitement; tall, tanned, dark-haired man; ingratiating smile; to appeal to; to lay a pipe line; to erect a pumping station; to have the good fortune to; accidentally; found herself trembling; several days; before dawn; after dark; for some reason; to watch for a long time; to wonder if; to find some excuse; to knock on the door; she saw him close the book; a few minutes later; to drive away; to go downtown; restless and nervous; just at dusk; to hurry across; large dish; timidly; to be relieved to see; what a wonderful surprise; nobody could like... more; to share something

C. Jake Carson gets a surprise.

to walk round the corner; calm; casual manner; started; tensely; as far as the porch steps; bewildered expression; rub­bing the stubble on his chin; deeply perplexed; never mind why; firm shake; from now on; to move on somewhere else; sharply; that's the way it is (with); brusquely; to shake one's head sternly; to know for sure; mighty upset about; some talk around the town; to beckon (to); to glance at; would like to; to finish one's rounds; urgently; to reach for; plenty of time; to look searchingly; to nod eagerly; to slap noisily against; the one thing that bothers me is...

Exercise X. Complete the following sentences:

1. If Stella hadn't needed the rent that Harry Rumford offered to pay, ... 2. If Stella had known life better, ... .3. If Harry Rumford hadn't appealed to her 4. If Stella hadn't been youthful and winsome … .5. If Stella hadn't

known for sure that...

Exercise XI. Add tail-questions to these sentences:

1. People were not bold enough to ask Stella personal questions, ...? 2. He didn't have to look twice to see she was pretty, ... ? 3. Carson used to come twice a week, ...? 4. There were two vacant rooms in her house, ...? 5. I am too good for a common man, ...? 6. You don't know it for sure, ...? 7. Summer has passed, ...?

Exercise XII. Choose the correct word from those in brackets:

(vacant — empty)

1. Are there any ... classrooms on the ground floor? 2.'She hurriedly opened the bag and found it .... 3. There was a ... seat in his car. 4. A loud cry coming from the ... hall was singularly startling.

(still — yet)

1. Is she ...waiting for him in the hall? 2. We haven't heard from him ... but we are expecting a telegram one of these days. 3. Is he ... ill? 4. "Are you ready?" "Not "

(young — youthful)

1. Mrs. Skewton was wearing a very ... costume.

10. The old man still retains his ... energy. 3. "I shall grow old but the picture will always remain ... ."

(close — lock)

1. Would you mind ... the door? There is a draught here. 2. She wanted to ... the door but couldn't find the key.

9. Please ... the drawer and put the key on the mantel.

(lie— lay)

1. They ... the cable before building the house. 2. He entered the room carrying a large parcel which he ... on the table. 3. She ... in bed till noon, reading and smoking.

(lonely — alone)

1. She was quite ... in the room when somebody knocked at the door. 2. There was nobody in the house but she didn't feel .... Moreover, she enjoyed it. 3. "You ... can help me," he said.

(older — elder)

1. John was five years ... than his sisteri 2. The Clarktons have two children, if I'm not mistaken. The ... boy is a pianist.

(habit — custom)

1. Unfortunately she has not got the ... of tidying her room before she leaves it. 2. The ... of the club is to wear full dress for dinner.

(reach — reach for)

1. When he at last ... the stop it appeared he had missed the 8 o'clock bus. 2. He put out his hand to ... the watch and found it was gone.

(offer — suggest)

I. He ... going to the country for the week-end and ... to give me a lift. 2. She ... that we should go on with the work till dusk. 3. Who has ... him the job? 4. She ... to go there instead of me.

(share — divide)

1. She ... her lunch with her school-mate. 2. He pared the apple and ... it into four parts. 3. When they were kids they used to ... a bedroom in their country cottage.

(common — general)

1. These text-books are the ... property of our group. 2. He was given a good ... education. 3. The ... welfare is the main concern of the Soviet Government. 4. It is ... knowledge that the climate has changed of late.

(give up — refuse)

1. He ... to sell the portrait though he was badly in need of money. 2. I doubt it very much whether he will ever ... smoking. 3. You must ... the idea of going to the South. It's much too hot for you there.

Exercise XIII. Make up sentences using the following phrases:

never mind: (1) it doesn't matter, (2) don't worry about it

In the text: "Why—" he began, "Never mind why."

Examples: 1. Never mind, old chap. It will soon blow over.

2. Never mind what people say. You know you are in the right.

now that (now when is wrongl) Russ. теперь, когда

In the text: Now that she was approaching forty she was still youthful ... in appearance.

Example: Now that she knew the truth she wished she had never learned it.

good (bold, strong) enough; also well (far, etc.) enough

In the text: If somebody had been bold enough to ask her...

Example: The room isn't large enough. He knows Eng­lish well enough to go abroad without an interpreter.

Exercise XIV. Topics for discussion:

1. Outline the character of Stella Sibley (her appearance, way of life, tastes, etc.). Give your opinion of Stella.

2. Describe the type of man Harry Rumford was. Why did he appeal to Stella?

3. What was essentially wrong in Stella's judgement of people?

4. Compare Harry Rumford and Jake Carson and give your opinion of each of these characters.

5. Explain what brought about the change in Stella's attitude to Jake Carson.

6. Discuss the title of the story.

7. What kind of people appeal to you?

Exercise XV. Render in English:

Как известно из сказок, принцы бывают разные. Чаще всего принц влюбляется в принцессу и, успешно преодолев необходимые препятствия, быстро на ней женится. Такой принц представляется нам не только героем, но и счастлив­цем. Реже встречается другая разновидность принцев. Влюбившись, он либо получает обидный и, главное, со­вершенно немотивированный отказ, либо в ходе своего неудачного ухаживания (courtship) обнаруживает, что его избранница, кроме очевидных достоинств (merits), обладает хотя и менее заметными, но достаточно нежела­тельными недостатками (undesirable demerits). Сделав такое открытие, принц без промедления покидает предмет своего недавнего обожания. Подобная история описана Андерсеном в сказке «Свинопас» (swine-herd).

Один принц, живший в весьма захудалом королевстве, решил жениться. Полагая, что славное имя (noble ancestry) и приличный внешний вид (good looks) дают ему для этого достаточное основание, он послал единственное свое сокро­вище — прекрасную благоуханную розу и соловья, пев­шего необыкновенные песни,— дочери императора. Однако принцесса, обнаружив, что милые на вид подарки оказа­лись настоящими, а не искусственными, отказалась даже принять принца. Тогда Сообразительный юноша нанялся свинопасом во дворец императора, а в свободное от работы время изготовлял различные забавные штучки (gadgets), которые отдавал принцессе в обмен на поцелуи. За этим занятием их и застал однажды папа-император. Он, есте­ственно, разгневался и выгнал обоих из своего дворца, невзирая на проливной дождь. Но тут принц прозрел и справедливо рассудил, что ему вряд ли подойдет девушка, которая отвергла настоящую розу и живого соловья, но согласилась целоваться со свинопасом за какие-то безде­лушки. Со всей откровенностью изложив принцессе эти соображения, он с облегчением удалился в свое захудалое королевство, плотно закрыв за собой дверь.

Подводя итоги, можно сказать, что принцу повезло. Как гласит восточная пословица, сесть на тигра верхом хотя и трудно, но можно; слезть же с него совершенно не­возможно.

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1. What well-known American novel is based on English medieval legends?

2. What long voyage did a famous painting from the Louvres make in 1974? Name the picture and the painter.

3. Where is Manhattan? What is the origin of the name?

4. Who created the following characters: a) Rawdon Crawley, b) Peggotty, c) Tess Durbeyfield, d) Roberta Al- den?