The Umbrella man. Dip in the pool. The Butler. The Hitchhiker. My Lady Love, My Dove, страница 7

7. What for did he want to buy a concert grand that didn’t produce any sound?

8. Why did the girl agree to come to Mr. Botibol’s place? Did she like him?

9. What did Mr. Botibol invite Miss Darlington to do?

10. Did she join him in the concert performance?

11. What did Mr. Botibol and Miss Darlington do at the end of the performance?

12. What is Miss Darlington’s job?

Discussion:

1. “I can not remember having had a single success of any sort during my whole life”. Do you think Mr. Botibol’s life has been a failure?

2. Do you think  Mr. Botibol is a nice man? Would you like to meet him? What do you think of Miss Darlington? What will be the continuation of their acquaintance?

3. Have you ever dreamt of being a great writer or composer or artist?

4. What do you think about the story? Do you think the events of the story are too unreal and impossible? Is Mr. Botibol’s imagination too strong?

                                 My Lady Love, My Dove

Pre-reading task:

Before reading the story “My Lady Love, My Dove” 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:

dove                                  bridge                         cunning

to regret                            keyhole                       skirting

embroidery                       mannerism                 concealment

to coax                              intimidate                   collar-stud

glimmer                            recklessness               unobtrusively

breeding                            lapse                          clubs

diamonds                          spades                        hearts

2. Find the English equivalents of the following words and expressions in the text. Recollect the situations where they were used.

Дремать; отделаться от кого-либо; внутренняя сила; ради Бога; слегка раздражающий; всё было бы божественно; поймать с поличным; расхохотаться до упада; закончить что-то; пожимать руку; не иметь ни малейшей идеи; быть самому в себе; «Соберись!»

3. Match the words from the column A with their synonyms from the column B.

1. from beginning to end             a) grand, impressive

2. flabby                                       b) nonsense, hogwash

3. tommyrot                                  c) simple

4. stately                                       d) from cover to cover

5. stuffy                                        e) dull, boring

6. elementary                                f) weak

7. droll                                          g) serious

8. covert                                        h) hidden, secret

9. attentive                                    i) amusing

10. grave                                       j) alert

4. Insert the necessary prepositions.

1. The question slipped … before I could stop myself.

2. They play an absolutely first-class game, and … a decent stake.

3. I’m sick and tired … playing … rabbits.

4. If only Pamela would try to be a little less solicitous … my welfare, less prone to coax me … doing things … my own good rather than … my own pleasure, then everything would be heaven.

5. You nearly laughed your head … and I had to put my hand … your mouth to stop them hearing us.

6. I took the stairs two … a time and entered … the yellow room … the end of the passage.

7. I’m so looking … … our game … bridge.

8. She herded us … … the room and we went upstairs.

9. Her mouth was wide open now, the eyebrows stretched … high, and she came quickly … … the radio and leaned …, ear to the speaker.

10. Arthur, I do wish you wouldn’t argue … me all the time.

5. Explain the meaning of the following words to your group mates.

A nap, a sofa, a bridge, a stake, a queue, collar-stud, springing, preoccupation, bosom, maid, microphone.