- •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?
Walking into the Wind
By John O’Farrell (abridged)
There’s a moment when you’re up on stage when you suddenly become aware that everyone is looking at you; that the entire room is totally focused upon what you are doing. For that precious hour or so the audience completely loves you and that is why being on stage is the greatest job in the world.
‘You have got to be the luckiest bloke I know,’ said Richard the first time he saw me perform at the Edinburgh Festival. ‘Twenty-three years old; doing exactly what you want to do, everyone thinks you’re great; no office, no boss, no suit and you get paid a fortune to boot.’
Fifteen minutes earlier I’d been bowing as two hundred people cheered me and clapped and shouted for more. Now we sat in the pub opposite the theatre and I counted out the two hundred pounds cash that I’d just been paid. I knew it took Richard and Neal a couple of weeks to earn that much money, so I thought I’d better just check it again. A beautiful girl approached our table and asked for my autograph. She blushed and told me that she’d really enjoyed my show and thought I was brilliant. My friends looked on open-mouthed as a I scribbled my name in her programme. It was the first time this had ever happened to me. ‘You sort of get used to it,’ I told them.
I think that day was the first time they understood why I’d refused to follow them into the slavery of a normal job. Now that they’d glimpsed this world of fringe festivals, they couldn’t believe that this was my everyday life. They quizzed me about the actresses I met, the festivals I’d played and the European capitals I’d visited. They were impressed, amazed and jealous and I realized why I’d got them there. I was engineering envy.
And yet they’d thought I was completely mad when I’d first told them what I was going to do when I left school.
‘Mime?’ they’d said. ‘That’s not a job.’ Everyone’s reaction had been the same. My home town of Dorking was home to the national headquarters of Friends Provident Insurance. The job of my school careers adviser seemed to consist of getting sixth formers into his office, establishing in which particular department of Friends Provident they imagined themselves spending the rest of their lives and then setting up the job interview.
It wasn’t until about halfway through the interview that I finally summoned up the courage to tell him: “I don’t want to work at Friends Provident. I want to be a mime artist.’
* * *
I spent a couple of years living at home and signing on the dole. My parents worried about me and I was sullen and withdrawn. In the end it was my mother who secretly encouraged me to apply to the famous Jacques Lecoq’s school in Paris. ‘You get your interest in the theatre from me,’ she said. ‘I’ve seen everything Andrew Lloyd Webber’s ever done.’
Paris was a revelation. I studied pantomime. I used no words and so had to work much harder to communicate with my audience: I had to be an actor, dancer and a gymnast.
The next year, Richard and Neal came and saw me at the Glastonbury Festival and were really positive about the show. They both had company cars by now. As they left the next day I watched them pull away and then I saw Richard stop at the top of the lane to get his suit out of the boot and hang it up in the back of the car.
I continued to tour around the country, although it became a little frustrating when one or two of the venues in which I had done really well still didn’t want me back the following year. Then I secured a booking at the Pontefract Arts and Leisure Venue. It was a great show. A two-hour mime tackling issues like the environment and the annihilation of the indigenous people of the Amazon basin by the multinational mining corporations.
‘Was it about Jack and the Beanstalk?’ said Richard afterwards. ‘When you were doing all that chopping – I thought that might be Jack chopping down the beanstalk.’
‘That was the destruction of the rainforest,’ I said. Honestly! I think I really conveyed the terrible suffering that was happening in Brazil. Because the audience looked quite depressed by the end of the evening.
The following Christmas Eve we went on a pub crawl through Dorking as we’d always done when Richard let slip that he and Neal had already booked to go to Club Mark Warner with their girlfriends at the end of June.
‘What about Glastonbury?’ I said.
‘Erm, to be honest Guy...’ he said, ‘Well, it’s quite interesting to see someone do it once or twice. But I’m just a bit bored with all that white make-up. And Sally doesn’t like mime. She likes musicals.’
A couple of years went by and before I knew it their girlfriends had become their wives. It was at Neal’s wedding that I met Carol. We had a modest little wedding at the registry office and then round to the pub for a couple of pints. At closing time her dad took me aside and went all serious on me. He told me that before he was married he’d been in a jazz band. But he said that when he started a family he realized his priorities had to change. ‘Message received,’ I said to him.
Carol worked in the health service, dealing with psychologically disturbed children, which was tough for her because it wasn’t always easy to get time off to come to the shows. But in the evening we’d talk about all the problems we’d had at work – trying to hang on to my Arts Council grant, trying to discover why I’d not been invited to perform at the London Mime Festival.
‘Guy,’ she said one day, ‘I think I’m pregnant.’
Carol had planned to go back to work after she’d had the baby, but then we had another one and she couldn’t bear to leave them. ‘We can live on what I earn,’ I said, confident that this suggestion would be contradicted. When she agreed with me I wanted to say ‘Are you mad?’
Things were obviously a bit tight after Carol gave up work to look after the boys, but sometimes I worried that she was turning into a breadhead like everyone else. She wanted us to get a car, she started going on about life insurance and a pension. So Carol and I had our ups and downs like any couple. She worried about us being in debt and the boys seemed to be costing more and then one day she just suddenly came out with it. ‘Guy, you’re forty-one years old,’ she said, ‘I don’t think you should be a mime artist any more.’
* * *
There comes a point in a man’s life when he must face up to his responsibilities; when he has to put his family first and sacrifice the dreams he had when he was young and carefree. This was the theme I explored in my next mime. I actually re-enacted that moment with Carol – at the very end of the show I said out aloud, ‘And my wife told me not to be a mime artist any more!’ You should have heard the applause.
I know why she’d said it. All her friends at Dorking had money and husbands with flashy cars and thought that Carol was strange because she didn’t have a nanny or a black labrador. They were always going on at her about me, like I was some sort of threat to their comfy existence. Why did people always imply I ought to be spending my life doing something else?
Eventually we got so far into debt that I had to take some drastic action. So I swallowed a few principles and joined the other commuters on the 9.07 from Dorking to Waterloo. I started doing a bit of street theatre up at Covent Garden. I had a private chuckle about the irony of it all, because there was me dressed as a robot when of course the real robots were all those poor office workers who came out to watch me during their one-hour lunch-break.
Then came the day when I lost my Arts Council grant as well. They said they didn’t have to give a reason. I’ve reapplied for Arts Council funding every year since, but with no success so far. I was spending so much of my time writing letters that I had a rather good idea. Instead of doing all my office work from the kitchen table with the kids getting under my feet, I’ve got myself a part-time job, which allows me to do all my admin and get paid at the same time.
That’s why I’m sitting here. I haven’t told them it’s only a temporary arrangement, but I’m just doing it to clear a few debts till I get some funding. I sit in this little booth from 7 a.m. till 3 p.m. and when the cars come into the car park I press the button and the gate goes up. And then I press another button and the gate goes down.
I wanted to talk to Richard about corporate sponsorship for my next show, but it never seemed the right moment. ‘You’re the luckiest bloke I know,’ Richard said to me once. Well, he didn’t say that as he drove past this morning – he was too busy talking on his mobile. Neal and Richard are renting a converted farmhouse this summer, swimming pool for the kids and everything. I think they knew we wouldn’t be able to afford it, so they didn’t embarrass me by inviting us along. Anyway I can’t commit to dates in the summer, I’m going to be touring the next show by then, probably. But sitting in this box all day, you do sometimes wonder if anybody really cares. Richard and Neal stopped coming years ago. Even Carol didn’t come to my last production. Talk about walking into the wind. It seems that more people want to go and see the latest Julia Roberts movie than mime about the African AIDS crisis – what does that say about our society? It’s freezing inside this little box. I wonder if Richard could get me a job inside the main building.
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COMPREHENSION EXERCISES