Vocabulary Practice

10. Find English equivalents to the following words and word combinations in the text.

1. дерзкое, блестящее остроумие; 2. подряд; 3. отвечать воздыхателям чем-то вроде благодарности; 4. отличающие и украшающие истинную женщину; 5. без каких-либо недостатков; 6. вовсе не думая подслушивать; 7. давать советы по поводу одежды; 8. снова приняться за свое; 9. бесполезно; 10. срывающимся голосом; 11. чередовать его с двумя страшилищами; 12.чудовищная бестолковость; 13. держаться слишком скованно; 14. ему недоставало бойкости; 15. самый простой и верный способ обратить на себя внимание; 16. вспомнив уроки Марджори; 17. для сведения всех окружающих; 18. на счету был ряд многообещающих побед.

11.Find the words and word combinations which mean the same in the text.

1. they were never amused in her company; 2. after they got rid of her; 3. they were not close friends; 4. wanted desperately; 5. a necessary part; 6. communication between women; 7. finds comfort in the idea; 8. good and moral; 9. was filled with anger after unjust accusations; 10. a diner on your left who is expected to be your main partner in the conversation during the meal; 11. thanks to newly-acquired knowledge; 12. understand people's motives well; 13. spent the evening recollecting the previous events; 14. pretended to be happy; 15. spoke only about.

Text Analysis and Development

12.What do the following phrases from the text imply? Paraphrase and explain.

1. All that contributed to her home-town social success.

2. Aunt Josephine s voice implied that modern situations were too much for her.

3. At eighteen our convictions are hills from which we look; at forty-five they are caves in which we hide.

4. I'm cut in on every few feet…

5. Young boys too shy to talk are the very best conversational practice.

6. Charley, who knew as much about the psychology of women as he did of the mental states of Buddhist contemplatives, felt vaguely flattered.

7. But, of course, you've either got to amuse people or feed 'em or shock 'em."

8. Marjorie had culled this from Oscar Wilde.

13. To what extent do your agree with the following statements? Give support from the text (avoiding lifting). Make use of the following phrases:

(+)	(+/-)	(-)
I couldn’t agree more	That’s right to a point	I’m afraid that is wrong

Example:

Marjorie and Bernice, pretty and witty cousins, were incredibly popular among young people.

As far as Marjorie is concerned I couldn’t agree more whereas it would be not a bit of exaggeration to attribute the same claims to Bernice. Notwithstanding the latter’s attractive appearance she was far from being popular among young people through lack of social shrewdness and inadequate conversational skills.

1. The cousins were so close because they were on the same wavelength.

2. Bernice who enjoyed genuine popularity in Eau Claire couldn’t understand the reasons for the lack of interest in a new place.

3. One afternoon right before a dinner dance Bernice eavesdropped on a conversation which enlightened her on the issue of her social success.

4. Bernice was full of righteous indignation at Marjorie’s unfavourable comment about her clothes and manners.

5. Bernice was ready to follow her cousin’s advice provided it was reasonable. And it lived up to her expectations.

6. During the dinner Bernice was happy to have Charley Paulson, a most desirable and distinguished young bachelor, as her all-important left.

7. Much to everybody’s surprise Marjorie announced her decision to have her hair bobbed as she wanted to abandon all social life and live in total seclusion.

8. Bernice’s words, though rehearsed in advance, stayed unnoticed by the guests.

9. Marjorie didn’t have a shadow of doubt that her cousin was enjoying the party.

10. Bernice was profoundly grateful to Marjorie giving her full credit for stirring up interest in her persona.