The Umbrella man. Dip in the pool. The Butler. The Hitchhiker. My Lady Love, My Dove, страница 8

6. List ten words from the story which are connected with cards and playing cards.

Reading Comprehension:

1. Say whether the statements are true or false.

1. Pamela was looking forward to accepting a young couple at her house as she was a very hospitable person.

2. Arthur was always the head of the family and his word was always a law for his wife.

3. Pamela wanted to have some fun in the evening and she persuaded Arthur to put a microphone in the room of their guests.

4. Arthur became very excited about the idea and he agreed to do it at once.

5. Arthur was able to complete his deal before the arrival of their guests.

6. The opponents of Arthur and Pamela played a perfect game and all through the evening they didn’t make any mistakes.

7. When the Snapes returned to their room Henry Snape was speaking to his wife in a very harsh voice.

8. Arthur and Pamela decided to try to invent their own “bidding code”.

2. Answer the following questions:

1. Why wasn’t Pamela looking forward to the weekend? Whom was she waiting for?

2. What didn’t Pamela like about the Snapes? Did her husband share her opinion about them?

3. Why did she invite the Snapes for the weekend?

4. Judging by the conversation between Pamela and Arthur what can we say about their relationships? Who was the master in the family?

5. What marvelous idea came to Pamela’s head?

6. How did Pamela try to persuade Arthur to play such kind of trick with their guests?

7. Why did it take a long time to put a mike in the guest’s room?

8. How did Arthur check that the mike was working properly?

9. What did Arthur think about the Snapes? What did he notice about Sally Snape?

10. What was the result of the game of bridge which the two couples played?

11. What did Arthur and Pamela hear the Snapes talking about?

12. What is a “bidding code” and why did the Snapes use it?

13. What did Arthur and Pamela decide to do after they heard the Snapes talking?

Discussion:

1. “Listen, Arthur, I’m a nasty person. And so are you – in a secret sort of way. That’s why we get along together.” Do you agree that Arthur and Pamela are equally nasty people?

2. Do you think Arthur and Pamela should have told the Snapes they knew what was happening? Were they wrong to listen? What would you do?

3. Have you ever spent time with people you do not particularly like? How did you decide to liven things up?

4. Why does the story have the title “My Lady Love, My Dove”? Suggest two other titles for the story.

5. Do you think the reader is meant to feel sorry for Sally Snape?

The Way up to Heaven

Pre-reading task:

Before reading the story “The Way up to Heaven” try to think what it might be about. Discuss with your partner what associations the title of the story can bring forth.

Reading:

Read the following story carefully and try to understand it in detail.

Vocabulary Focus:

1. Look up and learn the following words:

apprehension                        to cancel                  disconsolate

obsession                              to dote                     to postpone

misery                                   yearning                  nightmare

timing                                   to bustle                   engine

foible                                    rage                          wristwatch

gossip                                   to hint                       faithful

to withdraw                          to alter                      cab

to overtip                              rumour                     receive

2. Say what prepositions should be used in the expressions that follow. Recollect the sentences from the text where they were used. Translate them and make up your own sentences using these expressions.

… other respects                                to go …

to be well aware … smth.                  to hold … smth.

to call …                                            to be … a rage