[2

TbeWCsry
HISTORY
LIFE IN ELIZABETHAN ENCLAND
The
Queen's
government
Queen
Efizabeth ruled with the help of about twenty men
who made up her Privy Council.
I
Elizabeth liked to hear a
number of different opinions and then make up her own
mind. Then she gave her orders to William Cecil, the
secretary to the council. Wiltiam Cecil's tasks
2
were very im-
portant: he was the link
3
between the council, parliament
and the rest of the country. Part of Cecil's work was to make
atliances
o
with f riend ty powers,
5
such as France, and to
avoid war with others, such as Spain. He al'so helped to
secure
6
traitors to
justice,
especially those who supported
Mary,
Queen
of Scots, and had a targe network
7
of spies
working for him.
704
@eWW
The well-known
"Armada" portrait
of
Queen Elizabeth af
Woburn.
1. Privy
['privi]
Council
=
Consiglio Privato
2. task
=
compito
3. link
4. alliance
[a'laians]
=
alle-
anza
5. power
['paue*]
=
poten-
za
6. to secure
[si'kjuo*]
=
assicu rare
7. network
['netua:k] =
re-
te
The poor
By now
8
all labourers were freemen who worked for wages
and paid rent for a cottage and some land. Their freedom
made them less secure than the villeins of the Middle Ages:
now the poor were not certain of getting work or of being
abte to afford
e
the rent.
ln earlier times the monasteries had helped the poor, but they
had been destroyed during the reign of Henry Vlll. Now the
unemployed, the sick, the aged
10
were left without help of
any kind. So the government tried to help.
Justices
of Peace
saw
1r
that each parish collected money called the poor-rate.
Poorhouses were opened where poor people could work, and
orphans could be taught a trade. Something was done to help
to improve the conditions of the poor.
Rogues
12
and vagabonds
The
Queen
and her counsetlors also tried to deat
13
with
dishonest people. Mixed in with the sick and the unemployed
were those who hated any idea of work.
The "cou rtesy man" used to speak well and wear smart
clothes. He talked to his victim and borrowed money, which,
of course, he never repaid
The "ruffler" lurked
L4
in tonely places and threatened
15
to
beat up those who ref used him money. The "hook er" or
"angler" was a travelling salesman by day, but at night he fix-
ed a hook in the top of his stick and pushed it through open
windows to fish out valuables
16
which he had spotted
t7
in-
side the houses he visited. The "Abraham man" pretended he
was mad, while the "freshwater mariner" used to tell tales of
his voyages with Drake or some other famous seamen to get
sympathy
(and
money), though he had probably never been
to sea at all.
Parliament passed severe laws against these rogues. They
coutd be whipped
18
and branded
,
t'
and if they offended
repeatedty, they could be banished
20
or hanged.
2r
London lfe
By the time of Elizabeth, London was famous, not only as a
great port, but also as a centre of fashion and amusement.
Countrymen were despised for their dowdy
23
clothes, their
slowness of movement and wit. lt became fashionable to visit
the capital.
The newcomer
2o
to London was struck at once by the noise
and the bustt e
25
of city Iife. ln the narrow streets crowds of
people gossiped at street corners, wh ile carts
26
and coa-
ches
27
thundered past.
Often a violent quarrel broke out and
swords or
pistols might be drawn, while a crowd gathered to
enjoy the excitement. Apprentices sometimes played football
in the streets: there were no rules, each player tried to grab
the ball for himsetf
,
and serious in
ju
ry
28
and sometimes
death occu rred.
8. By now
=
Ormai
9. to afford
[a'fc:d] =
permettersi (il lusso di)
10. the unemployed, the
sick, the aged
=
i disoc-
cupati, i malati, i vecchi
1 1. to see (that)
=
prov-
vedere (a che)
12. rogue
[reugJ =
bric-
cone, furfante
13. to deal (dealt deatt)
(with)
=
interessarsi (di),
trattare (con)
14. to lurk
[e:k] =
nascon-
dersi, appostarsi
15. to threaten
['Oretn]
=
minacciare
16. valuables
['vreljuablz]
=
oggetti di valore, preziosi
17 . to spot
=
individu are,
adocchiare
18. to whip
=
f rustare
19. to brand
[brend] =
marchiare
20. to banish
['breni,f]
=
bandire, mettere al bando
21 . to hang
[hren]
:
impic-
care
22. to despise
[dis'paizl =
disprezzare
23. dowdy
['daudi] =
trasandato, sciatto
24. newcomer
['nju:'kl
me*l
=
nugvo venuto
25. bustle
['bml] =
tram-
busto
26. cart
=
carro
27. coach
[kauc]
=
carroz-
za
28. iniury
['insriJ
lesione
705
One of the most entertaining ways of spending an afternoon
was to watch a play. The theatre was partly open to the sky
and the audience sat in the galleries around the stage, or
even on the stage itself. Shakespeare's plays were very suc-
cessful in those days.
London was full of inns and taverns: the English were famous
throughout E urope f or their drinking. One of their f avourite
drinks was sack, a sweet wine, though many still drank ale
2e
or beer.
Educaton
A nobleman's children were usually taught by a tutor at
home, and the boys were then sent to grammar schools or to
the home of some other great man.
Many boys went from the grammar schools to Oxford and
Cambridge for a year or two to complete their education.
Latin and Creek were taught, though English was becoming
the language used to write learned works as well as in every-
day life.
It was becoming very hard for a poor boy to get a good
education, because the monastery schools had been abolish-
ed or turned into grammar schoots. Rich landowners
30
and
merchants were not so willing to help poor boys to get an
education as the monks had been in the past.
Dishonest beggars.
29. ale
leilJ
=
birra
30. landowner
['lrend'aune*]
=
proprietario
(terriero)
A beggar entreating help from a rich man.
ft,IONC V fUIRTT R S R N D COft,Ift,I RC
E76ee\-
WITH FREETOOI-S
Electrolux
OPRIGHTVACUU/VT
CLEAT.{ER 550
(c(frRYS oSLIAL PR|CE f,79.99)
69ee
Electrol u x
CYUNDER
VACOOM CLEANER 350
(C(ERYS 0S0 L PRICE t?4.9e)
FREETOOLS
(cuRRYS USUAL PRTCE S16.99)
A BIC FIRM AND ITS SALES DEPARTMENT
The people who work in the offices of a big firm are called
the Staff. The most important member of the Staff is the
Managing Director. He is usually helped by one or two Depu-
ty Managers. The offices of a big firm are divided into several
departments under the control of Department Managers. We
have the Sales Department, the Advertising Department, the
Cash Department, the Book-keeping Department, etc. ln
these offices we find other members of the staff such as
secretaries, clerks, accountants and typists.
Let us look at the Sales Department of a large textiles firm.
This is the largest department of the firm and it is divided in-
to two sections, one for Home Sales
I
and the other for Ex-
ports. The Home Section is for Creat Britain and the Republic
of lreland; the Export Section is for all other countries. Every
day a large number of letters come to the Sales Department,
where they are sorted into Home and Export, Orders and En-
quiries. Some letters will be f rom customers who are making
enquiries about products and prices. The Sales Department
will reply with a letter quoting prices and enclosing the
necessary samples. Other letters are f rom customers who
have already decided to place an order. The Sales Depart-
ment will write to them saying how and when they can expect
to receive the goods and what arrangements "
must be made
for payment.
Letters from new customers or important letters about big
orders will be answered personally by the Sales Manager. The
Sales Manager may also arrange for a Travelling Salesman
(sometimes called a Traveller) to visit a customer and discuss
lh. order with him.
1. Home Sales
=
vendite
per il mercato nazionale
2. arrangements
=
accor-
di
707
)
>rll3J'2e
grcTE FLOR UNI
CORNER UNII
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s[!K uNtf
srNot wa[ uNr
SINGLT EtrIRACfO UNI
fRIDGE HOU$NG UN
UNOIR OVfN HOUgNG
3000woRK ToP
SIAINLTSS STEEL SIM
COVTR STPIP
DNUM PITAI IAPS
INCTUDO:
ovtR fSoowotTHoF
frIUPS AFtNCES:
UNDTR ONN
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tttcTRlc Ho8
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CORNER LhIfI
DOU6I \4Atl UNff
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SlKf XIRrcIOR UNII
OVTN XOSNG UNfl
HOA HOUSING UNI
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slaNtEsS slft stNK
COWR STRIP
ONUM PItt N TAPS
INIUDD:
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PHI.PS APfIANCES:
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SINGTI ItOR UNIT
CORNER UNII
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Magnet

Soutlerns
sPEOAt OffrR PICES rOF FH[.rps At?uAr{CrS SHOr^r}t Alcr,t 4t O|{YAPfTICA8U t9]tGN 8OUGfll Sr COirJUTOX WTH UNfs ftAnnEO
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Pick up the new priced cotologue, free, 80 Fpges of windows. doors ond
ourcomplete Lilchen ronge. Qwrite to Mqgrgt & SOuthems, fRtffOSI.
Royd lngs Avenue, Keighly, Wesl Yortshhe BB2l lBR.
LETTERS FROM THE SALES DEPARTMENT
Milson Textiles Co. Ltd.,
17 Chapel Street,
Cleckheaton, Yorks
Ref :
J.A.C.-FQ
Messrs C. Harcourt & Sons,
58 Benbow Street,
London, E.C.3.
12th
luly,
1986
Dear Sirs,
Thank you for your enquiry of
July
9th.
Please f ind enclosed
3
a price list and samples of our new
range of materials. Since we wish to expand our trade with
you, w have quoted very low prices, despite
a
the recent rise
in production costs. Please bear in mind that these prices can
only be quoted for large orders like the one which you sug-
gest. A rise in. prices will be inevitable when the present stock
is exhausted. You have received similar materials f rom us in
the past, but we would like to point out that these materials
have not been strengthened by the add ition of artif icial
fibres, as you can see from the catalogue which we sent you
in May.
For materials of this high quality I think that you will find our
prices really competitive, and I trust that you will be abte to
give us a large order which will receive our prompt attention.
Looking forward to hearing from you, we remian,
You rs f aithf u lly,
J.A.
Clutt
Sales Manager
3. Please find herewith
=
Accludiamo alla presente
4. despite
[dis'paitl -
nonostante
708
Milson Textiles Co. Ltd.,
17 Chapel Street,
Cleckheaton,
Yorks
Ref :
J.A.C.-BR
Messrs Hazel & Co.,
6 Cranby Street,
London, E.C.4.
12th
J
u ly,
'l
986
Dear S irs,
we are
gratef ul for your enquiry of
J
uly 10th, but unfor-
tunately
your lettet doer not explain the size of the order
which
you wish to place. Since stocks of the material
you re-
quire are rather limited at present, we do not know if we are
in a position to satisfY
You
May I suggest that
you should discuss the matter with Mr
Coates, ouitru,r"ller
for the London area. He will call at
your
office on the 24th of
JulY.
I regret not being able
5
to give you a-more definite reply, but
I hpe that we shall, nevrtheless,
6
have the
pleasure of
receiving an order f rom
You.
You rs f aithf u lly,
J.A.
Clutt
Sales Manager
5. I regret not being able
=
Mi spiace di non
Potere
6. nevertheless [nevaa'les]
=
cionondimeno
Vocabulary
managing direc-
tor
deputy manager
['mrenige*l
department
managef
sales depart-
ment
advertising
department
cash depart-
ment
book-keeping
department
accountant
[e'kauntantJ
cletk
[kla:k]
salesman
['seilzmen]
traveller
['trrevlo*J
price list
consigliere
delegato
vicedirettore
direttore di repar-
to
reparto vendite
reparto
pubblicit
reparto cassa
reparto ammini-
strazione
ragioniere
impiegato
piazzisla
viaggiatore
listino
prezzi
list
price
range
[reing]
material
[ma'tiarial]
sample
['sa:mpl]
fibre
['faibe*]
to sort
lsc:tl
to expand
[iks'prend]
to strengthen
['strepOan]
to satisfy
['sretisfai]
to bear in mind
[bee*]
to point out
to regret
[ri'gret]
definite
['definitl
prezzo di listino
gamma
stoffa, tessuto
campione
f ibra
smistare,
classif icare
espandere
raforzare
soddisfare
tener
presente
mettere in
evidenza
rammaricarsi,
spiacere
def initivo
*
709
ffi
This is the last time l'll take you round London, so our tast ex-
pedition
together must be to somewhere really extraordinary.
For our last trip l've chosen the Post Off ice Telecommunica-
tions Tower,
l
the building that has established a new record.
ln fact, this tower is the tallest in London: from ground to the
tip' it measures 620 feet, and looks like a giant magician's
wand
3
balancing a pite of cups and saucers.
A quick lift will take you up, up, up and still up to the ventila-
tion f loors at the bottom of the glass cylinder.
aThen
up again
through the transm itting apparatus
5
f toors, on past
the
aerial
o
galleries, and finally out on to an open observation
platform. Here, the view is breathtaking! On a fine day, the
whole of London is literally at your feet.
H igher still is another gallery, and above that a beautif u I
restaurant that makes one complete revolution every twenty
minutes. And above that again there is a cocktail bar where
you can have a drink: a drink on top of the world, really!
lf you
_ask
what the tower is for, you'll be told that the
growth
7
of the telecommunications service has created the
need for more TV channels. Moreover, the tower transmits
m icrowaves
:
to f ace the big increase in the telephone
service.
The Post Office is fully automated and can be maintained by
a mere
e
handful
10
of men; it represents a tremendous step
forward into the age of electronics.
From the top of this outstanding
11
tower you can spot all the
places you've been to, and many more, which I couldn't show
you. You'll discover these on your own, when you
are in Lon-
don. For, as Robert Louis Stevenson said:
London's so full of a number of things
That I think we should all be happy as kings.
710
RROUND
LONDON
The Post Office Tower,
London's tallest building.
1. Telecommunications
TOwer
=
Torre delle
Telecomunicazioni
2. tip
=
punta, cima
3. magician's wand
lucnd]
=
bacchetta magica
4. cylinder
['silinde*]
=
cilind ro
5. apparatus
[apa'reites]
=
apparecchio
6. aerial
['eariel]
=
anten-
na
7. growth
[greu0]
=
aumento
8. micro.wave
['maikrau'ueiv]
=
micro-on-
da
L mere
[mia*]
=
mero,
semplice
10. handful
['handful]
=
numero modesto
1 1. outstanding
['aut'strendin]
=
fuori dal
comune
T.S. ELIOT
LS. E/,bt needs no presentation.
He is no doubt the
greatest
of English modern poets.
He died in
1966.
Death by water
Phlebas the Phoenician, a fortnight
I
dead
, _
Forgot the cry of gulls, and the deep sea swell
2
And the profit and loss.
A current under sea
Picked his bones in whispers.3 As he rose and fell
He passed the stages of his age and youth
Entering the whirtpool.
a
Centile or
Jew
O you who turn the wheel and took to windward,5
Consider Phlebas, who was once handsome and tall as you.
Prelude
The winter evening settles down
With smetts
6
of steaks
7
in passageways.
Six o'clock.
The burnt-out
8
ends
e
of smoky days.
And now a gusty
1o
shower
rl
wraps
t2
The grimy scraps
13
Of withered leaves about your feet
And newspapers from vacant lots;
The showers beat
On broken blinds
t4
and chimney-pots,
15
And at the corner of the street
A tonely cab-horse steams
t6
and stamps.
t7
And then the Iighting of the lamps.
1 . fortnight
['fc:tnait]
=
quindici giorni
2. sea swell
=
gonfiarsi
del mare
3. whisper
['uispa*]
=
sussurro
4. whirlpool
['ua:lpu:l]
=
gorgo
5. to windward
['uindwad]
=
controvento
O. smell
=
puzza
7 . steak
lsteik]
=
bistecca
8. burnt-out
=
estinto
9. end
=
mozzicone
10. gusty
['gnsti]
=
burrascoso
1 1. shower
ffaue*l =
acquazzone
12. to wrap
[rap] =
awolgere
13. grimy
['graimi] -
sudicio. Scrap
[skrrep]
=
pezzetto
14. blind
[blaind] =
persiana
15. chimney-pot
=
comignolo
16. to steam
[sti:m] -
fumare (vapore)
17. to stamp
=
scalpitare
711
BRANI DI TRADUZIONE
DALL'ITALIANO
1
Michael
passeggiava in Hyde Park. Era l'ora del tramonto e non c'era molta gente.
passeggiava
diiirca un'ora
quando sent uno strano rumore. Si volt, giusto in tempo
p", ud"." un oggetto volante non identificato
1
toccare il suolo. Michael rimase a boc-
iu uplitu
per lo"itupore
2
alla vista della strana nave spaziale.
3
Un momento pi tardi
un oortello si apr e Michael vide uscirne i
pi strani esseri che avesse mai visto. Erano
ir.'verdastri.
a'con
teste enormi, in tute spaziali.5 ll loro corpo era un'intelaiatura di
tendini
6
molto mobili. Non sembravano essersi accorti della
presenza di Michael, che
prefer rimanere fermo e farsi notare
7
il meno possibile. Temeva che l'afferrassero e lo
irasportassero all'interno della nave spaziale. Ad un tratto, con la coda dell'occhio,
8
Mic'hael vide sopraggiungere un cane. un basset hound, peressere precisi. Trotterellava
e
con aria distratta,
ro
e, non appena vide i tre strani esseri, si avvicin loro scodinzolan-
do.
rl
Un momento dopo Michael vide i tre ed il basset hound entrare velocemente nella
nave spaziale. che decoll subito e spar in cielo.
Quella
sera Michael raccont la sua avventura.agli amici nella pub locale, ma nessuno
gi credette. "Ne avrai bevuto uno di troppo",
12
gli dissero.
ila il giorno dopo, scorrendo il giornale,
r3'Michael
lesse: Mancia competente
L4
a chiun-
que
sapr dare inormazioni circa un basset hound, scomparso in Hyde Park ieri, 13 luglio,
alle ore 9 di sera circa.
Mr Smith Smetti di scrivere a macchina,
per favore! Perch vuoi sciupare tutta questa
pace che attorno a noi facendo quel rumore ossessionante? E tutto
quel tic-
chettare mi d ai nervi: tutto quello che chiedo di godermi la lettura del
mio libro, nient'altro.
Mrs Smith Non eccitarti, mio caro. la musica della vita moderna e tu devi abituartici. I
nostri nonni avevano le loro serate musicali con il giovane pallido che
suonava il piano con gli occhi semichiusi, e la signorina che cantava l'ultima
romanza. Ora per sentir della musica si accende
tt
la radio o si mette un
disco sul grammofono, e non si usa da anni la penna d'oca per scrivere una
lettera, vero?
Mr Smith Non
potresti fare a meno di tenere una piccola conferenza
16
tutte le volte
che io faccio una semplice osservazione? Che tu faccia conferenze va
benissimo
17
altrove, ma non nel salotto di casa nostra, per favore!
Mrs Smith Scusa se ho cercato di farti capire che i tempi sono cambiati, avrei dovuto
sapere che inutile parlare con un uomo che non approva che una donna
scriva le sue lettere a macchina.
1. oggetto volante non identificato
=
uniden-
tif ied flying object (U,F.O.)
2. rimanere a bocca aperta
per lo stupore
=
to
gape in astonishment
3. nave spaziale
=
spaceship
['speis-Jip]
4. verdastro
=
greenish
5. tuta spaziale
-
space suit
[sju:t]
6. intelaiatura di tendini
7 . farsi notare
=
to attract notice
B. con la coda dell'occhio
=
out of the corner of
his eye
9. trotterellare
=
to trot along
712
10. con aria distratta
=
absent-mindedly
['rebsent
-
'maindidlil
11. scodinzolare
=
to wag one's tail
12. berne uno di troPPo
eight
13. scorrere il giornale
paper
14. mancia comPetente
15. accendere
=
to switch on, to turn on
16. tenere una conferenza
=
to hold a lecture
17. andare benissimo
=
to be quite all right
Mr Smith Alcune volte non posso fare a meno di constatare che
parli troppo: io non
vedevo l'ora di sedermi nella mia poltrona e leggere il mio libro, ma tu con-
tinui ad interrompermi per dirmi cose che so da anni: a me piace godermi un
poco di pace Ia sera, ma non c' verso di ottenerla,
qui!
3
lohn
Tu credi che sia possibile imparare a parlare
una lingua a scuola?
Mario Dipende da molte cose, mio caro: credo che il metodo di insegnamento
18
sia il
pi importante. L'insegnante dovrebbe cominciare a parlare inglese in classe
dall'inizio del corso perch gli studenti si abituino a capire la lingua, ed con-
sigliabile che l'insegnante usi delle brevi frasi che possano essere ricordate
facilmente. Come certamente tu sai, uno
pu parlare un po' d'inglese e farsi
capire, ma al tempo stesso possibile che egli non capisca nulla quando un ln-
glese gli parla.
Poi importante che gli studenti si interessino della vita e delle abitudini inglesi:
sarebbe cosa interessante ed utilissima organizzare una gita annuale in ln-
ghilterra, naturalmente finanziata dalla scuola, il che non credo sia molto facile.
Cos gli studenti si renderebbero conto quanto interessante sia andare in un paese
conoscendone la lingua, e come il loro studio possa dare risultati pratici. lnoltre
io credo che agli studenti dovrebbe essere data la possibilit di leggere giornali in-
glesi in classe ed ascoltare dischi o cassette in inglese. ln breve, l'insegnamento di
una lingua dovrebbe suscitare
te
interesse e divertire, perch tutti possano ap-
prenderla volentieri ed essere in grado un giorno di parlarla perfettamente.
20
4
Erano le 9 del mattino quando gli Smith chiusero a chiave
21
la loro casetta e partirono
in macchina per una giornata al mare.
Qualcuno
aveva detto al Signor Smith il giorno
prima che era consigliabile che partissero alle 6 del mattino perch ci sarebbe stato
molto traffico sulle strade quel giorno. Ma il Signor Smith aveva detto che non gli sem-
brav necessario che si alzassero cos presto.
Sugger invece che prendessero una strada
diversa, anche se un po'pi lunga, per andare alla costa meridionale."" Ma l'idea non si
rivel
23
brillante. Tutti l'avevano avuta, sembrava che molta altra
gente
avesse fatto la
stessa scelta. E cos il viaggio al maie fu il pi lento a cui si potesse pensare.
Dopo che^furono arrivati a Seaport, il Signor Smith
propose
che qualcuno andasse a
prenotare ^ un tavolo in un buon ristorante. Ma tutti dissero che non era indispensabile
che
qualcuno vi andasse. lnvece sarebbe stata una buona idea che qualcuno ci fosse an-
dato,
perch all'ora di colazione tutti i ristoranti erano strapieni.
25
Tutti avevano molta
fame e il Signor Smith propose che cercassero un fish-bar al pi presto, temendo che
qualcuno morisse di fame, e ben presto tutto la famiglia Smith mangiava pesce e
patatirl_e fritte.
'o
Poi il Signor Smith osserv che era necessario che si mettessero in
moto "
per il viaggio di ritorno, se volevano arrivare a casa per l'ora di cena. Tutti
furono d'accordo,
2E
e partirono mezz'ora dopo.
18. metodo di insegnamento
=
teaching method
19. suscitare
=
to arouse
[e'rauz]
20. parlarle perfettamente (una lingua)
=
to
master (a language)
chiudere a chiave
=
to lock
costa meridionale
=
south coast
23. rivelarsi
=
to prove
[pru:v]
24. prenotare
=
to reserve
[ri'za:v]
25. strapieno
=
full up
26. pesce e patatine
=
fish and chips
27. mettersi in moto
=
to set out
28. essere d'accordo
=
to agree
21.
22.
713
5
Tom Sto aspettando che
2e
Bob arrivi, ma in ritardo, naturalmente. Non l'ho mai visto
arrivare una volta
puntualmente, ma non posso aspettarmi che diventi puntuale
ad un tratto.'Farei meglio a telefonargli a casa, ma so che non gli piace essere im-
portunato. La cosa divertente che egli crede di essere puntualissimo, ed im-
magina che
qualcosa cospiri sempre
per impedirgli di arrivare in tempo dove at-
tes. leri arriv due ore in ritardo, e
per scusarsi disse di essersi accorto solo
mezz'ota dopo aver lasciato casa che Felix l'aveva seguito. Non avrebbe potuto
rendersi conto
prima
di essere seguito dal suo cane? Ma lui vive in un altro mon-
do:
perch vivere
30
senza rendersi conto della realt che attorno a noi? Oh, ciao
Bob, sei
qui...
Bob Ciao, Tom. Mi spiace di essere in ritardo, ma devi sapere che...
Tom lmmagina di avermi
gi detto tutto e cominciamo a studiare, mi racconterai pi
tard i.
6
Un'anziana
31
signora aveva un gatto che amava teneramente. Un giorno essa decise di
insegnargli a parlare. "Se riuscir a farlo conversare con me, non dovr pi infastidir-
mi
32
con gli umani", essa
pehs, e si mise all'opera. Prima prov con una dieta di
salmone in scatola,
33
poi con una di canarini. Tabby (questo era il nome del gatto) ap-
prov entrambe le diete, ma non impar a parlare. Allora la vecchia signora fece
cucinare un paio di pappagalli estremamente loquaci e li serv a Tabby con asparagi e
patate fritte. ll gatto lecc il piatto fino a renderlo pulito
"" e poi
-
meraviglia delle
meraviglie
3t
-
improvvisamente si volse alla sua padrona e grid:
"Attenta!"
36
La vecchia signora non lo ud: un momento
Qopo
il soffitto croll e la seppell sotto una
massa di macerie.
37
ll gatto scosse il capo
3E
e disse con aria di disgusto: "Ci mette sette
anni a tentare di farmi parlare, e
poi
non ascolta!"
7
Centile Signora Smith,
ll suo indirizzo mi stato dato dalla Signorina
Jane
Brown, che conosco da alcuni
anni. Ho 18 anni e fra un anno sar ragioniere. Poich quando otterr il mio diploma
dovr lavorare con mio padre, dovrei imparare un buon inglese al pi presto possibile.
Mio padre f a afari da anni con ditte inglesi, e vorrebbe che io mi interessassi dei suoi
rapporti con esse. Durante le prossime vacanze estive, desidererei trascorrere un paio di
mesi in lnghilterra, allo scopo di frequentare tina scuola per studenti stranieri ed eser-
citarmi nella lingua viva. So che Lei ospita studenti stranieri e Le sarei grato se mi
facesse sapere se ha una camera libera da mettere a mia disposizione per i prossimi
luglio ed agosto. Vorrebbe anche farmi sapere le sue condizioni?
Sono in attesa di una Sua risposta.
"o
Suo
29. Sto aspettando che
=
Si faccia seguire l'ac-
cusativo + infinito
30. pereh vivere
=
why live
31 , anziano
=
elderly
32. infastidirsi (con)
=
to bother (with)
33. salmone in scatola
=
canned salmon
['sreman]
34. fino a renderlo pulito
=
clean
714
35. meraviglia delle meraviglie
=
wonderof wonders
3G. Attenta !
=
Look out !
37. macerie
=
debris
['debri:]
38. scuotere il capo
=
to shake one's head
39. con aria di disgusto
=
in disgust
[dis'gast]
40. Sono in attesa di una sua risposta
=
I am
looking forward to hearing from you
JOlrcs
Two English schoolboys took a dislike to each other, and the hatred grew more intense as
the years passed. One entered the Royal Navy and finally became an admiral; the other
went into the Church and eventually was made a bishop.
Years later they met on a London railway station
platform.
They had changed, of course, and the bishop had grown very plump, but they recognized
each other. The bishop swept up to the admiral, who was standing there resplendent in
his uniform with medals and gold braid glittering all over him, and said: "Station-master,
from which platform does the ten-five train leave for Oxford?"
The admiral promptly
answered: "Platform 5, madam. But in your condition, should you
be travelling?"
A woman whose son was attending a summer camp received an ecstatic letter from the
director. "Robert
is one of the most promising youngsters we have ever had here", he
rhapsodized. "He is a fine athlete, has a world of vitality and enthusiasm, and his sports-
manship and leadership leave nothing to be desired. lf every boy we had were such a
splendid example of youth as Robert, we would feel we had succeeded far beyond our
fondest expectations".
The mother wrote back: " l am happy to hear that
an excellent camp.er.
I have a son there, too named Ceorge. How
Having enjoyed his holiday the
previous year at a farm, a young man wrote to the farmer
and asked if he could stay.again. But, he added in his letter, I'd be
grateful if you
could
move the pig-sty rom underneath my bedroom window, as the smell was terrible. A week
later he received confirmation of his booking. A postscript to the letter read: Don't worry
about the
pig-sty. We haven't had any
pigs
on the arm since
you went away last year.
People who use sarcasm. we have always felt, deserve to get a retort, so we liked the
story of the father who was wheeling his new son's pram. He was asked by a passerby, "ls
that your baby?."
"No", said the father facetiously, "l borrowed it from a neighbour".
"Hmmm", replied the other, taking a closer look, "ugly little beast, isn't he?"

,3
&J6
"That's if, the commercials have finished."
Robert is doing so well. He seems to be
is he doing?"
b"0.1#
715