Владимир Аракин - Практический курс английского языка 3 курс [calibre 2.43.0]

bullet kills its victim. This other bacteria, permitted to age, does not kill a man but leaves in its wake the hulk of a creature torn and

twisted; there is still fire within his being but it is kept alive by casting upon it faggots of scorn and hate. He may successfully

accumulate, but he does not accumulate success, for he is his own enemy and is kept from truly enjoying his achievements.

3. What wasn't too appealing was the idea of using family as a crutch, and right at the outset. He couldn't bear the thought of

hearing for the rest of his life, "Of course, if was Julian gave him his state ..." But of more significance was the damage that accepting

something like this could do to his individuality. Not only would he never respect himself if he just stepped into a job and rose solely on

the basis of personal privilege, but how would he ever realize his own potential if he was going to be treated like one of those rich kids

who were just coddled up the ladder of success their whole life long?

4. It was our friend's eye that chiefly told his story,«an eye in which innocence and experience were singularly blended. It was full

of contradictory suggestions; and though it was by no means the glowing orb of a hero of romance, you could find in it almost anything

you looked for. Frigid and yet friendly, positive yet sceptical, confident yet shy, extremely intelligent and extremely good- humoured,

there was something vaguely defiant in its concessions, and something profoundly reassuring in its reserve ... Decision, salubrity,

jocosity, prosperity seem to hover within his call: he is evidently a practical m a n . . . .

14. Read the following text. Find in it arguments "for" and "against" the problem under discussion. Copy them out into two columns.

Happiness Is This Shape ...

There is a large number of intriguing conclusions contained in the study of happiness— what causes it and what doesn't — which

has just been concluded by two psychologists. They have analysed the replies of as many as 52,000 people.

The people who replied to their questionnaire were younger, better educated and more affluent than average, so their replies may

not be absolutely typical to everyone. They varied in age from 15 to 95 and their answers were so diverse that the two interviewers

believe that they have enough material to see what is related to happiness, and what isn't.

The general level of happiness of people proved the thorniest problem to assess. Some of the people answered that they had been

happy once. At the same time many were constantly thinking about happiness, weekly or daily. Can anyone really be happy when they

are thinking about it so often?

The scientists were interested in 16 aspects of people's lives and how important each was in contributing to general happiness. For

single people being happy depends on having congenial friends, a satisfying work and love life and also some sort of recognition by

others for what they are doing. For married couples the important things seem to be somewhat different.

The wife gets her happiness chiefly from her family life. The husband is more concerned with personal growth and development.

The psychologists also asked a number of questions about people's childhoods to see if there was anything in that which was

associated with being happy.

The major surprise was that few childhood experiences predicted with any certainty whether someone would be happy as an adult.

And many people who came through bad early and teenage years are perfectly happy as adults.

Happiness, conclude the psychologists, is more a matter of howyou regard your circumstances than of whatthe circumstances

are.

15. Discuss the text in pairs. One of the pair insists that happiness is more an attitude to life than the state of things, the other defends the

opposite viewpoint. Be sure to provide sound arguments for whatever you say. Consider the following aspects in relation to your idea of happiness:

friends and social life; job or primary activity; being in love; recognition, success, personal growth; financial situation; house or

apartment; attractiveness; health, physical condition; city you live in; recreation; being a parent; marriage; partner's happiness.

16. The extracts given below present rather complicated subjects. Team up with another student, work out arguments "for" and "against" and

discuss the extracts in pairs. Use conversational formulas of Ex. 12.

A.Does every life have its critical moments and situations that determine the entire future of a person or the future of many

others?

Some men and women risk comfort and security, and even their lives, to venture into the unknown or to follow an unconventional

course of conduct. They may do so for any one of a number of reasons. They may desire to benefit mankind, to gain knowledge, to

increase understanding, to gain wealth or power for themselves or their country, or to prove to themselves that they can do what

seems impossible.

B.How does reading contribute to our understanding and judgement of people?

Reading often increases our understanding of people because the individuals we meet in novels resemble so closely, or differ so

much, from persons with whom we are acquainted in real life. The conduct of a fictitious character, like that of real people, results from

such emotions as greed, ambition, fear, love, self-sacrifice, jealousy, hatred, revenge, patriotism, civic pride and the desire to reform

the society.

C.Do people today measure up in courage and endurance to the people of earlier generations?

Few great people have had to contend with as many obstacles to success in life as Christopher Columbus. He had a lively curiosity

about the heavens and the earth, he read widely about astronomy and navigation. He needed indomitable will and courage to fight for

his ideas against ignorance and prejudices of his time. He convinced the Spanish rulers that an expedition to find a new west ward

commercial route to India would bring Spain unlimited power and wealth. The task of carrying out such an expedition called for

tremendous determination, courage, and resourcefulness. Only these qualities enabled Columbus to overcome the dangers and

hardships of the voyage into the unknown. Columbus was in essence, a great man, whose broad vision, faith in his ideas, and ex-

traordinary abilities led to outstanding achievements in spite of very adverse circumstances.

D.Should people fight adverse circumstances and obstacles or should they surrender to them?

Hellen Keller was able to lead an active useful life in spite of being blind and deaf from early childhood. Such a triumph over

adversity calls for almost superhuman perseverance, courage, resourcefulness. With the help of her devoted teacher Ann Sullivan

Macy, the girl was able to overcome her crushing handicaps and make herself a figure of international renown. Other persons, struck

such a cruel blow by fate, might have chosen to withdraw from life. Not so the dauntless Helen! She travelled abroad, she championed

social and economic rights for women; she worked for world peace; she aided movements to help the unfortunate and

underprivileged. And more than anything else, by the mere example of what she was able to achieve, she gave hope and courage to

untold thousands who might otherwise have given up to despair.

17. Role-Playing.

The People We Choose

S i t u a t i o n : It's an emergency sitting of the Editorial Board of the "Teachers" Newspaper". There is a vacancy to be filled. The

newspaper needs a new correspondent to report for the paper in the "Family and School" feature. You are members of the Editorial

Board with conclusions to make about some particular applicants. The list of applicants has been rather long. After a heated

discussion only two apparently eligible people remain on it: a professional journalist who has worked for about 20 years for a

children's magazine and a former teacher of literature who has made up her mind to change occupation after having worked at a

secondary school for about 15 years. Both the applicants are mature people and know their trades. In the course of discussion

opinions differ: two members of the staff are for the journalist, two others are for the teacher.

C h a r a c t e r s :

Student A: Editor-in-Chief, presides at the sitting, a talented journalist, has spent his whole life in the paper, knows a good thing

when he sees it, doesn't show his attitude to the applicants during the discussion. In the long run he has to bring forth his decision be -

cause the opinions differ much. His opinion turns out to be reasonable, convincing and fair.

Students B, C, D, E: members of the Editorial Board, experienced journalists, enthusiasts of their paper, devoted to the problems of

upbringing and schooling, have worked together for a long period of time.

They study the personal sheets and records of the applicants, make suggestions and try to formulate valid reasons why the jour-

nalist/the teacher should be employed by the paper. Such important items as professional experience, age, interests and traits of

character are taken into account. As a result of the discussion, they produce various judgements mainly connected with the personal

qualities of the applicants. Thus two members are in favour of the journalist, two others are in favour of the teacher. They point out

advantages and disadvantages of either employment, giving warnings based on personal experience where possible.

Note: The group of students is divided into two teams. Each team performs the same role play. While discussing the virtues and imperfections of

prospective reporters they show a different outlook in regard to their jobs and problems they face in life. At the end of the sitting the better applicant is

chosen.

18. Group Discussion.

Give your views on the problems listed below and speak in rebuttal of your opponent.

Topic 1. What are the essential factors that help to mould a person's character?

Tal k i n g p o i n t s :

1. Background and environment: with regard to family, friends and acquaintances.

2. Educational possibilities: with regard to schooling, further education of any type, interest in learning.

3. Cultural standards: with regard to literary, musical, artistic tastes, abilities and ambitions.

4. Circumstances: adverse and favourable.

Topic 2. What are the ways and means by which a person's character is revealed and estimated?

Tal k i n g p o i n t s :

1. Appearance.

2. Speech characterization.

3. Manners and attitudes.

4. Likes and dislikes: with regard to people and things.

Topic 3. What is the role played by personal traits of character in choosing a profession?

Tal k i n g p o i n t s :

1. Psychological types suitable for work in different trades.

2. Psychological tests and professional (vocational) guidance.

3. Success or failure caused by personal traits in a chosen profession.

Unit Eight

SPEECH PATTERNS

1.Frank Ashurst and his friend Robert Garton were on a tramp.