Stephen P. H.

Butler Leacock FRSC (30 December 1869 – 28 March 1944) was a Canadian teacher, political scientist,
writer, and humourist. Between the years 1915 and 1925, he was the best-known English-speaking humourist in the
world.[1] He is known for his light humour along with criticisms of people's follies

Vocabulary:
A
a) a curate is a priest of the lowest rank
b) “chat” means to talk about unimportant things in a friendly way
c) fate means destiny
B – people and character
1. shy a) bad-mannered
2. modest b) relaxed and good-tempered, vulgar
3. self-possessed c) behaving or speaking in a way that is correct for the social situation you are in
4. polite d) nervous about meeting and speaking to others espec. those you don’t know
5. rude e) calm, confident, and in control of your feelings even in diff. situations
6. reliable f) someone or something that is reliable can be trusted or depended on
7. easy-going g) not trying to show your qualities

Find the words in the text that mean:

1. extremely unhappy 9. unfortunate

2. failing to make you believe that 10. become closer in time
something is true or real 11. terribly
3. sweet 12. honest
4. very pleased and happy 13. holiday, time off
5. visit (2x) 14. quite, very
6. unexpectedly 15. reserved
7. bit 16. have the right to do sth.
8. completely, wholly 17. attempt to do sth.

Can you understand the meaning of the following words:

1. Children usually fidget when they are bored. They simply cannot stand still.
2. "Keep away from me!" she shrieked.
3. Hugh laughed heartily at the joke.
4. It is not polite to stare at people.
5. When I opened the door, Nell was still gazing out of the window.
6. 'I never want to come here again,' he muttered to himself.
7. He was broken-hearted when she left him.
8. Although I tired to explain her what had happened, she showed a complete lack of interest.
9. She just needs someone to draw her out and take an interest in her and she’ll start talking.
10. To my surprise, it turned out that I was wrong.
11. These sleepless nights are really beginning to tell on him.