Story 1

Is it Easy to Take Care of Children?

Maria: Hello, Vera!

Vera: Hello! Nice to see you again.
Maria: So, summer is over, the new
school year has begun.
Vera: But the days are still warm, and
the sun is shining brightly like in
summer! Why don’t we go on a picnic
next week-end?
Maria: I’d love to, but I cannot. You
know, my mother’s niece, my cousin,
has entered the Linguistic University. She is coming on Saturday.
Vera: Is she going to live with you?
Maria: That’s right. She is going to be a teacher. You know, there are four
children in my family. We play and run all the time. Sometimes we fight!
Alexander and Ann are still small, so they often quarrel and then cry. Mom
hopes that Victoria can help her to take care of us.
Vera: Oh, no! Good-bye, freedom…
Maria: You are wrong! She is wonderful! She likes to play with children.
She knows a lot of games. She can sing and play the piano! Sometimes it
seems to me that she is a sorcerer!
Vera: I’d like to see her!
Maria: You will! She is very sociable and easy-going. She likes to make
friends.
Vera: I am going to enter the Linguistic University next year. I’d like to ask
her about the entering exams.
Maria: I’m sure she will help you. She is always ready to lend a hand.

enter a University – become a student of a University; sociable – friendly;

easy-going – communicative, open; lend a hand – help

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1. True or false?
1. Maria cannot go on a picnic because she has to tidy up her room.
2. Victoria is Maria’s cousin.
3. Victoria is going to be a teacher of music.
4. Maria’s mother hopes Victoria will help her to look after the children.
5. Victoria has entered the University of Sorcerers.

Victoria: Hello!
Mother: Hello, Victoria! Come in,
please. Have a seat. Children!
Victoria has come!
Children: Hurrah!
Mother: Children, please, calm
down! You know, it’s not easy for
me to take care of the children. Yes,
it’s rather difficult. My husband,
your uncle, is a very busy man. He
spends most of his time in his office. My mother, the kid’s Grandmother,
helps me about the house. But the children like to run, jump and play! They
play all the time, so I always have a headache! Sometimes it seems to me
that it’s impossible to make them stop.
Victoria: Everything is possible.
Mother: You think so? I hope, Victoria, that you can help me to take care of
the children. Dear children, Victoria is a future teacher of English, now she
is a student. You are supposed to speak only English to Victoria.

2. Find the right definition.

grandmother brother’s / sister’s son / daughter
grandfather mother’s / father’s father
aunt sister’s son / daughter
uncle mother’s / father’s sister
niece mother’s / father’s brother
nephew aunt’s / uncle’s son / daughter
cousin mother’s / father’s mother
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 Mother: Let me show you our flat.
This is a sitting-room, we gather
here in the evenings to watch TV or
discuss our problems. This is
Oleg’s room. There’s a little mess
here, but sometimes he tidies up his
room. This is Maria’s room. She
keeps all her things in their places.
This is the nursery of Alexander
and Ann. There’s always a mess
here. It seems to me that it is
impossible to make order in this
room.
Victoria: Everything is possible.
Mother: Here is the kitchen. Oh, what a smell! Granny must be baking an
apple cake!
Grandmother: My dear Victoria, hello! I am happy to see you again!

3. Listen and guess who it is.

1. This is Grandmother cooking in the kitchen.

2. These are Alexander and Ann playing in the yard.
3. This is Mother vacuuming the carpet.
4. This is Maria washing the dishes.
5. This is Oleg playing computer games.
6. This is Victoria playing the piano.

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 4. Say where you do these things.

read a book, have breakfast, sleep, watch TV, play, have some rest,
take a shower, cook, listen to music, do my homework, wash my face,
do morning exercises, speak on the telephone

living room bedroom kitchen

Usually I read a book in the living room,

but sometimes I can do it in the kitchen.

bathroom

5. How are the household chores divided in your family?

1. Who usually washes the dishes? Why? a) She/He can do it best of all.
2. Who usually does the shopping? Why? b) She/He likes doing it.
3. Who usually cooks? Why? c) Nobody else in my family
4. Who usually vacuums the carpets? Why? can do it.
5. Who usually dusts the furniture? Why? d) Nobody else in my family
6. Who usually washes the floor? Why? has time for that.
7. Who usually waters the flowers? Why? e) Nobody wants to help.
8. Who usually takes care of the pet? Why? f) ………………………

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Christine: Lisa, what has happened? Why are you so sad?
Lisa: I have quarrelled with Monica. She says I am
rude, stupid, naughty and ill-bread!
Victoria: That is what she says. But
I don’t think so.
Lisa: Really?
Victoria: But to be sure I have one
thing that can tell exactly.
Alexander: What is it?
Victoria: It’s a thermometer.
Oleg: Thermometer? But we are
not ill!
Victoria: This is an unusual thermometer. You are first.
Oleg: “Well-bred” is written on my thermometer.
Maria: “Kind” is written on my thermometer.
Alexander: “Brave” is written on my thermometer.
Kate: “Polite” is written on my thermometer.
Lisa: “Earnest” is written on my thermometer.
Tony: “Honest” is written on my thermometer.
Lisa: “Modest” is written on my thermometer.
Mark: “Smart” is written on my thermometer.
well-bred – polite, courteous honest – truthful
earnest – serious modest – unpretentious

6. Find the synonyms.

smart, well-bred, honest, clever, serious, sociable, truthful, polite,
earnest, smart, frank, courteous, clever, well-mannered, bright,
sincere, intelligent, friendly
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________

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7. Discussion.

1. What do you think is the difference between being kind and polite?
2. What does the word ‘honest’ mean to you?
3. Is it possible to be always polite? Give reasons.
4. Is it important to be always earnest?

✍ 8. Can you create the comparatives?

1. “Take some _________
(much) tea,” the March
Hare said to Alice, very
earnestly.
2. “I’ve had nothing yet,”
Alice replied in an
offended tone: “so I can’t
take ________________
(much).
3. “You mean you can’t take
... (little),” said the Hatter:
“it’s very easy to take _________________ (much) than nothing.”
4. Alice thought this a very curious thing, and she went
___________________ (near) to watch them…
5. The Cat seemed to think that there was enough of it now in sight,
and no ___________________ (much) of it appeared.
6. Nothing can be ___________________ clear) than that.

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 Story 2
The Great Dinner

Grandmother: Can you help me,

children? I want to make a great
dinner. And I want to prepare many
different dishes: salads, cakes, pies,
and so on. But it’s so difficult for
me…
Vera: Don’t worry! We can help you! I will make a pizza! I need flour, salt,
tomatoes, onions, some ham and mushrooms. Where is the flour?
Grandmother: It’s in the cupboard.
Oleg: I’m slicing cheese.
Maria: I’m slicing bread.
Ann: What has happened?
Mother: Why are you crying?
Vera: It’s OK! I’m chopping an onion for the pizza. And it makes me cry.
1. Did you ever help to prepare a great dinner at your friends’ place?
Did it happen that everyone was busy and you had to look for the
cups or spoons yourself?

2. Where do you usually find these things?

1. You can find cups ... 2. You can find milk ...
3. You can find potatoes... 4. You can find spoons, knives and forks...
5. You can find a cake ... 6. You can find a tray ...
7. You can find a pan ... 8. You can find ice-cream ...
9. You can find napkins ... 10. You can find sugar ...
11. You can find onions ... 12. You can find tomatoes …

in the cupboard, in the drawer, on the shelf,

in the fridge, in the basket, on the stove, in the oven

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3. You are helping your friend make a festive dinner. Ask him / her
where the things you need are.

- I’m making soup (salad, cake). I need… (rice, sugar, sour-cream,

salt, oil, butter, beets, onions…) I can’t find it/them anywhere. Do
you, by any chance, know where it is?
- I saw it in/on the … (cupboard, stove, oven, shelf, microwave oven,
fridge, tub, bowl, dish, tray, plate …)

4. You need to buy some more food for the dinner. You are going to
the shop. On your way you meet your friend who invites you to
play in the yard together. Explain to your friend why you cannot
join him/her.

- Hi! Look! I have a ball! Let’s

play … (volley-ball,
basketball, football)!
- I’m sorry, I cannot. I am going
to the shop.
- To the shop? Oh, what a
coincidence! Mom asked me
to buy some … (bread, butter)
and I absolutely forgot about
that!
- So, let’s go together!
- OK!

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5. You’ve bought some … (bread, butter, tomatoes…) But it/one of
them is … (hard, not fresh, rotten).
a) Ask your friend for advice.
- You know, I’ve bought some tomatoes (cucumbers). But some of them
are rotten. What shall I do?
- I think you should go to the
shop and ask the shop-keeper
to change them.
- Thank you for advice. I’ll do
that.

b) Go back to the shop and ask

the shop-keeper to change this
product.
- Hello!
- Hello! What would you like?
- Oh, I’m not going to buy anything now. You know, I’ve bought some
tomatoes (potatoes…). But some of them are rotten. Can you change
them?
- Oh, excuse me! Of course, I will change them! And here’s an apple.
- How much is it?
- Oh, there’s nothing to pay. It was my fault.
- Thank you! Good-bye!

Betty Botter bought some butter. But a bit of better butter

But, she said, this butter's bitter. Will make my batter better.

So, it was better Betty Botter bought a bit of better butter.

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 Vera: Who made the steak?
Grandmother: I did!
Oleg: It’s so delicious! It is melting in
the mouth.
Maria: And who made the pizza?
Vera: I did!
Maria: It tastes like a real Italian pizza!
Kate: Oh! The cake is salty! It’s
impossible to eat! Who put the salt in it?
Oleg: Oh! It must be me! But I took the
box with the sign ‘SUGAR’.
Mother: Ah! That’s my fault. You know,
I could have put the salt into this box
when I brought it from the shop.
Vera: But the other meals are so
delicious!
6. You are having dinner with your friends and guests. Share your
impressions.
- Who made the … (vegetable salad,
the steak, the pizza, the fruit salad, the
cake, the pie)?
- I did!
- It’s very tasty! It’s isn’t too salty and
spicy! (It’s so delicious! It is melting
in the mouth. It’s just great! It tastes like a real Italian pizza!)

7. Discussion.
1. Did you ever cook? What did you make?
2. Did you ever happen to spoil the meal? Why did it happen? What was
the reaction of the guests? What did you feel at that moment?
3. Do you often cook? Who usually cooks in your family? Why?
4. Do you think cooking is difficult?
5. Do you think everyone must learn to cook? Give reasons.
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✍ 8. Find the synonyms to the marked words.
awful, nice, smart, marvellous, popular, large.
1. The weather was wonderful: the sky was blue and cloudless.
2. Kate’s room is very big, there a lot of interesting things in it.
3. It was a terrible night, the wind was whistling like a ghost.
4. Jim is a clever boy, he gets only excellent marks in all the subjects.
5. Little Diana is so beautiful, she’s got blue eyes and long black
eyelashes.
6. This song is very famous among young people.

✍ 9. Can you fill in the blanks?

1. She took down a jar from one of the shelves as she passed: it
___________________ (to be labeled) “ORANGE MARMALADE,”
but to her great disappointment it was empty; she
did not like to drop the jar, for fear of killing
somebody underneath, so she managed to put it
into one of the cupboards as she fell past it.
2.There were doors all round the hall, but they
___________________ all ...
(to be locked.
3.However, this bottle
___________ not
___________________ (to be
marked) “poison,” so Alice ventured to taste it.
4. Soon her eye fell on a little glass box that was
lying under the table: she opened it, and found in
it a very small cake, on which the words “EAT
ME” ___________ beautifully
___________________ (to be marked).

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 Mother: Oh, where are the candies?
Father: I don’t know!
Mother: Well, there were six candies on the table.
Now there are only two!
Father: Oh, where are the
newspapers?
Mother: I don’t know!
Father: There were three
newspapers on the sofa. Now there
are only two!
Maria: Oh, where are the apples?
Mother: I don’t know!
Maria: There were ten apples in
the basket. Now there are only
three!
Mother: Alexander, did you take the newspapers?
Alexander: No, I didn’t!
Mother: Did you take the candies?
Alexander: No, I didn’t.
Maria: Did you take the apples?
Alexander: No, I didn’t!
Maria: Who did?
Mother: I don’t know!
Maria: Oh, look! It’s the dog!
10. Does it happen sometimes that you can’t find some of your things?
Why do you think it happens so, that people cannot find some of their
things in their house, office or bag?
Sometimes it happens that someone cannot find his/her thing, because ...
a) ... he/she doesn’t remember where he/she put it;
b) ... he/she doesn’t keep his/her room in order;
c) ... somebody put something else on this thing;
d) ... somebody took it without having asked;
e) ...................................................................
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✍ 10. Fill in something, anything, everything, nothing, ever, never.
1. Alice was beginning to get very tired of sitting by her sister and having
___________________ to do: once or twice she had peeped into the
book her sister was reading, but it had no pictures or conversations in
it, “and what is the use of a book,” thought Alice, “without pictures or
conversations?”
2. She took down a jar from one of the shelves as she passed: it was
labeled “ORANGE MARMALADE,” but to her great disappointment
it was empty; she did not like to drop the jar, for fear of killing
___________________ underneath, so she managed to put it into one
of the cupboards as she fell past it.
3. Down, down, down. There was ___________________ else to do, so
Alice soon began talking again.
4. Suddenly she came upon a little three-legged table all made of solid
glass; there was ___________________ on it but a tiny golden key.
5. “Now I’m opening out like the largest telescope that
___________________ was! Good-bye, feet!”
6. “I __________________ was so small as this before,
___________________!”
7. “However, ___________________ is queer
today.”
8. Just then she heard ___________________
splashing about in the pool a little way off,
and she swam nearer to make out what it
was.
9. “It’s the most curious thing I
___________________ saw in all my life!”
10. “Who cares for you?” said Alice (she had
grown to her full size by this time).
“You’re ___________________ but a pack
of cards!”

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 Story 3
Let’s Fly Kites!

Vera: Hello! What are you doing?

Maria: We are flying kites. Look! A fish is drawn
on my kite.
Luke: And a dragon is drawn on my kite!
Oleg: A plane is drawn on my kite.
Christine: Waves are drawn on my kite.

1. The wind blows so hard! All the kites flew

away! Do you remember what was drawn
on everyone’s kite?
A dragon Marie’s
A plane was drawn Luke’s
Stripes on Julia’s kite
Squares Lisa’s
Waves Oleg’s
were drawn

Ann: Oh! The wind is

blowing so hard! Look!
Whose kite is first?
Luke: It’s mine!
Maria: No, it’s mine!
Oleg: No, it’s mine!

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Victoria: Where are your
manners? You’re jumping
like monkeys!
You’re shouting like
hyenas! Shame on you!
Look at yourselves. Your
coats are unbuttoned. Your
shoelaces are untied!
Your scarves are
unwrapped and waving like
flags!
Maria: Victoria, please, don’t be cross with us! We’ll never do it again.
Look! We’re buttoning our coats. We’re wrapping our scarves! We’re
tying our shoelaces. We’re putting on our gloves. Here we are. Our coats
are buttoned. Our scarves are wrapped. Our shoelaces are tied. We can do
everything ourselves. We are big children aren’t we?
Victoria: Let’s check it. That’s my tape-measure. I’m going to measure
you. You’re first. Stand still, please.
Christine: What’s her height? What’s written on the tape measure?
Victoria: “Too noisy”.
Christine: Unbelievable! Oleg, it’s your turn now!
Maria: What’s his height? What’s written on the tape-measure?
Victoria: “Very stubborn”.
Children: Oh, dear! What about us?
Victoria: Here’s the tape-measure. Measure yourselves.
2. What’s your height? What is written on the tape-measure?
(To make this exercise you need a tape-measure made of a piece of cloth
or paper. It should have such marks: hard-working, polite, smart, kind.
The students measure themselves and say: ‘Hard-working’ is written on
my tape-measure.)

3. What is your friend’s height?

15
 4. Complete the sentences and comment on them.
5. I tidy up my room...
6. Sometimes I don’t agree with my parents…
7. I always wash and mend my clothes myself...
8. I always share the sweets with my friends...
9. I always say “Thank you” and “please”...
10. I read books on science...
• because my parents tell me to do this.
• because it’s interesting for me.
• to look like an educated person.
• to look like a polite person.
• to look like a kind person.
• to be an educated person.
• because I like my friends.

5. Find the sentences with these words in the Story. Translate them
into your native language.
is drawn; is written; are buttoned; are wrapped; are tied

6.Your friend was absent at the lessons because he got ill. He is

calling you, asking about the homework for tomorrow. Explain to
her / him the homework for tomorrow.
- Hello! You know, I’m ill. Can you tell me the homework in Maths (…)
for tomorrow?
- We have to do exercise № … (to read chapter…) on page … in Maths
(Nature, Literature, Geography, English, German, French) orally.

7.You’d like to take a book in the library. Ask the librarian to advise
you what to choose.
- Good afternoon. Can you help me? I have never heard about this book.
Is it interesting?
- Oh, yes! This book is very interesting and exciting. There are lot’s of
wonderful adventures. It tells about … I advise you to read this book.
- OK! Thank you.
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 8.You have read the book you took in the library. Did you like it? If
yes, advise your friend to read it.
- Oh! You have bought a new book?
- No! I took it in the library.
- Is it interesting?
- Oh, yes! This book is very interesting and exciting. I advise you to read
this book. I have just read it and I’m going to return it.
- Then I’ll go with you to the library.
- OK!

9.Choose the correct word.

1. Alice didn’t know the answer. She was ______________________
2. Paul didn’t do his homework. He was _______________________
3. Dan couldn’t remember the poem. His thoughts were ___________
4. Jane liked the new dress very much. She was _________________
5. Kate noticed a dark shadow behind her. She was very ___________
(embarrassed, confused, delighted, puzzled, frightened)

10.Complete the phrases.

White as snow

white as ______________ hot as ______________

green as ______________ tall as ______________
blue as ______________ big as ______________
black as ______________ bright as ______________
nice as ______________ yellow as ______________

night, snow, a pan, grass, the sea, a lemon,

a picture, the sun, a house, a giraffe

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✍ 11. Match the parts of the sentences.
1. If there’s a will ___________________________________
2. If my friends like this music _________________________
3. If Michael kept silent a little _________________________
4. If you had booked the tickets in advance _______________
5. If I learned to dance _______________________________
a) I wouldn’t be so shy at the parties.
b) we could have seen this show.
c) I’ll include it into the programme of the party.
d) he wouldn’t be so unbearable.
e) there will be a way.

✍ 12. Fill in “always”, “never” or “sometimes”.

1. I… tidy my bedroom myself, and I … did it last year.
2. I… wash my clothes myself, and I … did it when I was little.
3. I… go shopping myself, and I … did it when I was 3.
4. I … mend my clothes myself, and I …
5. I … vacuum the carpet myself, and …
6. I … wash the floor myself, …
7. I … iron my clothes myself …

✍ 13. Match a beginning.

1. If you … you wouldn’t have been late for school.
2. If you … we wouldn’t have got wet.
3. If I … I would buy everything.
4. If there … I would watch TV.
5. If the film … I wouldn’t have switched the TV-set.

had enough money; had gone to bed in time; was an interesting film or
show; hadn’t been so dull; had not left the umbrella
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✍ 14. Say whether you agree, partially agree or disagree with the
statements. Give your argument.

I agree I partially agree I disagree

1. It’s easy to take care of pets. ____________________________

2. People must protect nature. _____________________________
3. A teacher shouldn’t be strict.____________________________
4. Everyone must do their own job. ________________________
5. You can’t feed animals in the zoo. _______________________
6. Everyone must know foreign languages. __________________

✍ 15. Say whether it is possible, impossible, important or necessary.

1. ____________________________ to go in for sport.
2. ____________________________ to fly without wings.
3. ____________________________ to know poems.
4. ___________________________ to have breakfast every morning.
5. ________________________ to wash hands before having a meal.
6. ____________________________ to count to a million.
7. ____________________________ to be in time for the plane.
8. ____________________________ to take care of your health.
9. ____________________________ not to lie.
10. ____________________________ to know all foreign languages.

19
 Story 4
A Flight with Delight

Mother: We are going to London on Friday.

Oleg: Hurrah! I will ride the London Eye
again!
Mother: Don’t forget your sweaters and
umbrellas. It is wet and windy in London.
And it often rains.

1.You are going to London. What are you

putting into your bag?
1.I am putting a sweater in my bag, because…
2. I am putting the umbrella in my bag, because…
3. I am putting the camera in my bag, because…
4. I am putting the sun-glasses in my bag, because…
a) it often rains in London.
b) it is always windy in London.
c) I like to take pictures.
d) sometimes the sun shines very brightly in London.

2.You are at the air-port. The flight

is delayed. What will you do?
When the flight is delayed,
I can…
a)look at the planes landing and
taking off;
b)read a book or magazine;
c)listen to my CD-payer;
d)walk around the Duty-free shop;
e)watch the other passengers;
f)………………

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3. You are in London.
a) Suggest your friend going on an excursion right now.
I’m so happy! I’m Good idea! I don’t feel like walking now. I am tired
in London! Let’s go I’m looking after the flight. I suggest having some
on an excursion forward to it. rest first. We can go on the excursion
right now! tomorrow in the morning.
b) What did your friend suggested?
Did you agree with your friend?

Victoria: It’s time to go.

Children: What will we go by?
Victoria: We’ll go by bus. Well, let us be off. Here we
are at Hyde Park Corner. Our bus is number 9.
Children: Here it is. Let’s get on! Off we go!

Victoria: The Changing of the

Guard at Buckingham Palace
never fails to attract huge
crowds of spectators.
The ceremony takes place
every day throughout the year.
It is a familiar scene for many –
but it never loses its magic.
Guard duty at the palace is
shared by a number of
regiments. Their brilliant red tunics and imposing
bearskins give an especially exotic touch to the
proceedings. The palace keys are handed over to the
New Guards, with much stamping of feet and saluting,
while the band continues to play. If the Sovereign is at
home, the Royal Standard flaps lazily in the breeze
above the Palace.

Now we are at Piccadilly Circus. There are many

theatres, clubs and cafés at this square.

21
 ***
We are at Trafalgar Square. In the
centre you can see the monument to
Admiral Nelson called Nelson
Column. It’s very high, so the Admiral
can see the sea.
Here we are at Ladgate Hill.
We can see Wren’s spectacular
masterpiece.
The
history of St. Paul’s begins in 604 A.D. A
Roman temple to Diana stood on the site
at the top of Ladgate Hill. In Saxon times
there was a Christian church here. It was a
wooden structure. The church was
destroyed and rebuilt in stone. Then the
church was ruined
by Vikings and
rebuilt again.
In 1087 the church
was also burned
down. Rebuilding was supported by William
Rufus, son of William the Conqueror. This
cathedral, known as “Old St. Paul’s”, was reduced
to a ruin in the Great Fire of London in 1666.
Rebuilding to Sir Christopher Wren’s designs
began in 1675 and was completed in 1710.
St. Paul’s is the last resting place of many famous people. There’s the
Memorial to Americans who fell in World War Two. You will also find
there Wren’s own tomb, the giant sarcophagus containing the remains of
the Duke of Wellington, and another containing those of Nelson, in a coffin
made from the Mainmast of a French ship defeated by him at Trafalgar.

22
The history enshrined in this magnificent setting is endless, the names
immortal.
Let’s go further. We are walking along Pudding Lane. And you can
see The Monument to the Fire of London. It’s a very high column crowned
by a decoration in the form of a flaming vase.
The Great Fire of London broke out in a
baker’s shop in nearby Pudding Lane in 1666.
Sir Christopher Wren was called in to design
the monument at the same time that his new
St. Paul’s Cathedral was beginning
construction.
Vera: I know a song about the Fire of
London! It sounds like this: London’s
burning! London’s burning! Fetch the
engines! Fetch the engines! Fire! Fire! Fire!
Fire! Pour on water! Pour on water! London’s
burning!

Vocabulary
masterpiece work of surpassing excellence
temple church
to support to hold up, to bear, to encourage , to help
design plan, arrangement of details, scheme
sarcophagus an ornamental stone coffin
to enshrine to cherish, to preserve with care
immortal eternal, living forever
flaming burning, shining

4. You like the excursion very much. Share your impressions with
your friend.

23
5. Find the sentences with these words in the text: …is shared…;
…are handed… Translate them into your native language.

Vera: Oh! Where are the children?

Children: We cannot see them
anywhere!
Maria: Are they on the bridge?
Children: No, they aren’t!
Maria: Are they near St. Paul’s
Cathedral?
Children: No, they aren’t!

6.Discuss with your friends where the

children can be.

I think the children can be in the café. …

I think they can be in the park. …
I think they can be in the cinema. …
I think they can be near the river. …

Maybe they are watching the ducks there.

There is a merry-go-round there.
Maybe they would like to watch cartoons?
Maybe they would like some ice-cream?

7. What do you think you should do when the child is lost in the
street?
A. We can call the child loudly.
B. If the child has a mobile telephone, you can call him/her and ask
where he/she is.
C. You can ask the passers-by if they have seen the child.
D. I think it is necessary to tell a policeman about it.
E. ……………………………………………………..
24
Victoria: Excuse me, we are looking for two little children, a boy and a
girl. They are very small.
Passer by: What do they look like?
Victoria: They look alike. They are short. They have round faces, blue eyes
and fair hair.
Passer by: What are they wearing?
Vera: The girl is wearing a blue
T-shirt and jeans. The boy is
wearing a striped blue-and-
white polo-shirt and black
trousers.
Passer-by: Sorry, I haven’t seen
these children.
Victoria: Oh, I can see them!
They are near the fountain
sailing paper sail-boats! There
you are! We are looking for you
everywhere! Shame on you!
Alexander and Ann: Don’t be
cross with us! We’ll never do it
again!
Victoria: OK! Don’t cry. But
next time don’t go anywhere without us.

8. What do you think: why a small child can be lost in the street?

I think a small child can be lost in the street, when…

a) she/ he notices something interesting in the window-shop;

b) she/he is not attentive;
c) she/he loses the mother’s (father’s, sister’s…) hand;
d) the mother (father, sister…) is not attentive;
e) …………………………………………….
25
9. You are walking with your younger sister/brother in the park. You
meet your friend who is walking with his/her younger brother/
sister. You were talking about something interesting, when
suddenly you noticed that the children had disappeared.
a) Look for them. Discuss where they could be.
- Oh, where are the children?
- They don’t seem to be anywhere!
- Let’s look for them! Are they ... near the post-office (on the bridge, in
the shop, behind the monument ...)?
- No, they are not / aren’t!
b) Ask the passers-by if they saw the children. Describe them.
- Excuse me, we are looking for two children, a boy and a girl (two boys,
two girls).
- How old are they?
- They are ...
- What do they look like?
- ............................................................................
- What are they wearing?
- ...........................................................................
- a) Unfortunately I haven’t seen these children.
- b) Oh, yes! I have seen these children. They were .....
... in the café eating ice-cream.
... near the river watching the ducks.
... in the park going round on the merry-go-round.
... in the street crying loudly.
...........................................................................
10. You have found the children. What will you say to them?
- There you are!
- We’ve been looking for you everywhere!
- We’ve been worrying so much!
- We didn’t know what to do!
- Don’t be cross with us! We’ll never do it again!
- OK. But next time don’t go anywhere without grown-ups.
26
11. Can you find the mistakes and correct them?

1. A Roman Temple to Aurora stood on the site at the top of Ladgate

Hill.
2. In Saxon times there was a Christian church here. It was a stone
structure.
3. In 1078 the church was also burned down.
4. Rebuilding was supported by William the Conqueror.
5. Old St. Paul’s was reduced to a ruin in the Great Fire of London in
1688.

12. How many combinations can you make? Can you create a story
with some of these words?

remarkable technology
perfect air
fabulous way
fresh manner
efficient result
immediate version
unexpected resolution
immortal masterpiece
spectacular proceeding
fascinating opportunity
fantastic effect
terrific decision

27
 Story 5
Under the Sea

Kate: Hello, Maria! What is that?

Maria: It’s a sea-shell. When you put
it close to your ear you can hear the
waves splashing. You can hear the fish
swimming in the sea.
Kate: It’s impossible! I have never heard
the fish swimming.
Vera: You try!
Children: Oh, I can hear the waves splashing! I can hear the fish splatter!
What’s happening? We are in the water! It is salty.
Vera: You thought the water in the sea was sweet?
Children: Oh! I can hear the music! I can see the lights! Look! Jelly-fish!
Sea-horses!
And there’s an octopus! I can see a lot of dolphins! And the whale! I don’t
understand anything!

Is it really
happening or is it
my imagination?
And now, let’s ride
the sea-horses! Let’s
sail the dolphins!
Let’s sail the
whales!

28
1. You have brought a sea-shell from the sea-side. Suggest your friend
listening to the sea.
A B
Look at this sea-shell. When you That’s nonsence! It’s impossible!
put it close to your ear you can hear It’s absolutely ridiculous! Absurd!
the waves splashing. You can hear I have never heard the fish
the fish swimming in the sea. Why swimming. OK, if you let me be,
don’t you try? I’ll try. I can hear the waves
That’s because you don’t want to splashing! I can hear the fish
hear anything! But it’s there! Try it swimming! It feels like I am really
again! Close your eyes! What does at the sea-side! I am splashing and
it feel like? diving in the warm sea! I am
sailing a dolphin!

2. What can you see with your eyes shut? Close your eyes to listen to
the sounds that go from the sea-shell and find out what you can see
when you hear the sound of the sea.

3. Discussion.

1. What did you see when you closed

your eyes and listened to the sea-shell?
2. What did you feel at that moment?
3. Do you really believe that you were
under the sea at that moment or you
think it was in your imagination?
4. Would you like to find yourself swimming under the sea in some
moments of your life? Why?

29
 Grandmother: What’s happening? Why are you so
noisy, children?
What made you so happy?
Children: You can’t imagine, we were under the
sea!
Grandmother: Under the sea? How did you get
there?
Children: We dove into the sea-shell!
Grandmother: Into the sea-shell? That’s
impossible!
Children: You mean impassable? Because
everything is possible!
Grandmother: Well, what did you do there?
Children: We danced with the sea-folk.
Grandmother: With whom?
Children: Well, we met the jelly-fish, the octopus. We saw the shark! We
rode the sea-horses! We sailed the dolphins! We splashed and dove in the
sea!
Grandmother: Unbelievable!
Children: But it’s true! You can still hear the music in the sea-shell. Listen!
Grandmother: I heard nothing!
Maria: That’s because you don’t want to hear anything! But it’s there! Try
it again!
Grandmother: Oh! I can hear the waves splashing! I can hear the music!
That’s marvellous!

4. Find the sentences with these words in the story. Translate them
into your native language. Write down your answers.

a) are – were; meet – met; see – saw;

ride -rode; hear – heard; dive – dove.
b) dance - danced; sail – sailed; splash - splashed

30
✍ 5. Fill in the right words.
1. As busy as ______________________
2. As cold as ______________________
3. As beautiful as ______________________
4. As bright as ______________________
5. As safe as ______________________

a picture, the Bank of England, ice, the sun, a bee

6. Tell your classmates what it felt like when you listened to the sea-
shell with your eyes shut. Use the text above.

Have you ever heard the clouds

singing in the morning light?
Have you ever heard the stars
jingling tenderly at night?
Have you ever heard the grass
murmuring in sweet dreams?
Have you ever heard the rain
tapping fast his dizzy reels?

Have you ever heard the flowers

praying to the rising sun?
Have you ever heard the streams
laughing happily as they run?
Have you ever heard the sky
sighing thoughtfully above?
Have you ever heard the wind
whispering of real love?

31
7. Have you ever…?

1. Have you ever heard the flowers growing?

2. Have you ever seen the butterflies dancing?
3. Have you ever heard the fish singing?
4. Have you ever heard the trees talking?
5. Have you ever heard grass whispering?
6. Have you ever heard the sea thinking?
7. Have you ever heard the wind whistling?
8. Have you ever heard the river murmuring?

8. What will you advise your friend in these situations?

I’m cold. Have a nap.
I’m hungry. Switch on the radiator.
I have a headache. Have some tea.
I’m bored. Put on your sweater.
I’m sad. Have some water.
I’m thirsty. Think of something pleasant.
I’m tired. Open the window.
I’m exhausted. Take a cold shower.
I’m hot. Switch off the radiator.
I’m angry. Count to 100.
I’m annoyed. Switch on the tape-recorder.
I’m sleepy. Switch on the ventilator.
I’m freezing. Take off your jacket.

- I’m cold.
- Close the window. If you close the window, it will be warmer in
the room.
- But I like fresh air.
- Then put on your sweater. If you put on your sweater, you will be
warm, and the air will be fresh.

32
 9. How many combinations can you make?
breath-taking pageant
gentle castle
magnificent view
splendid ceremony
spectacular landscape
wonderful show
beautiful display
impressive sight
fantastic firework
heart-stirring performance

✍ 10. What do you use in these situations?

1. To brush my teeth I take _________________________________
2. To open a bottle I use ___________________________________
3. To take a hot pan I use __________________________________
4. To wash myself I take ___________________________________
5. To iron clothes I use ____________________________________
6. To wash the clothes I use ________________________________
7. To mill coffee I take ___________________________________
8. To stir sugar I take _____________________________________
9. To open cans I use _____________________________________
10. To roll the dough I take _________________________________
11. To fry an egg I take ____________________________________
12. To whip cream I use ___________________________________

(a coffee grinder; soap; detergent; a can opener; a blender;

a teaspoon; a bottle opener; a rolling pin; an iron; a tooth brush;
a frying pan; a pot holder)

33
✍ 11. Fill in :
myself, yourself, himself, herself, themselves, yourselves, ourselves, itself.

1. “You ought to be ashamed of … said Alice, “a great girl like you!”

2. There was a large mushroom growing near her, about the same
height as … and, when she had looked under it, and on both sides
of it, and behind it, it occurred to her that she might as well look
and see what was on the top of it.
3. She stretched … up on tiptoe, and peeped over the edge of the
mushroom, and her eyes immediately met those of a large blue
caterpillar, that was sitting on the top.
4. “Explain … – “I can’t explain … I’m afraid,” said Alice, because
I’m not … you see.”
5. “I can’t understand it … to begin with; and being so many different
sizes in a day is very confusing.”

34
 Story 6
A Historic Excursion
Victoria: Today we’ll have a little
historic excursion. We’ll start at
Westminster. The word “minster” means
“monastery”. It was named “Western
Minster” because it stood to the west of
the City of London. William the Conqueror has been
crowned here. And the most of British Kings and Queens
have been crowned in Westminster Abbey. During the
ceremony of coronation the monarch sits on the chair which has the Stone
of Destiny inside. A long time ago this stone was the seat on which the
kings of Scotland sat when they were crowned.
Westminster Abbey is the final resting place of many
monarchs, heroes and poets. This magnificent building
is truly a centrepiece of London’s history
Here you can see the Houses of Parliament which true
name is the “New Palace of Westminster”, for it
occupies the site of an ancient palace which once was
the sovereign’s London residence.
The four-faced clock on the Сlock Tower is the largest
in Britain and includes the famous 14-tonne bell “Big
Ben”, which chimes on the hour.
The Union Jack flies from the Victoria Tower by day and a light burns in
the Clock Tower by night and all times when Parliament is in session.
This is Westminster Bridge. What
Piccadilly Circus is to London,
Westminster Bridge is to the Thames. The
view from it moved William Wordsworth
to write his celebrated lines:
Earth has not anything to show more fair
Dull would he be of soul who could pass by
A sight so touching in its majesty.

35
 Vocabulary
centerpiece – main part sovereign – King or Queen; monarch
include to contain residence – the place of living
ancient very old dull not exciting, not interesting
coronation – the ceremony when a king is crowned
destiny – predetermined course of events; fate
1. What was new for you today? And what did you already know?
I knew that ... But I didn’t know that ...
1) the word “minster” meant “ monastery”.
2) Westminster Abbey had been named “Western Minster” because it
stood to the west of the City of London.
3) William the Conqueror had been crowned here.
4) there was the Stone of destiny inside the coronation chair.
5) Westminster Abbey was the final resting place of many monarchs,
heroes and poets.
6) the true name of the Houses of Parliament was the “New Palace of
Westminster”.
7) the four-faced clock on the Сlock Tower was the largest in Britain.
2. Discuss with your friends your impressions of the excursion.
The excursion impressed me much. I have learnt so much new today.
I’d like to find some more information about ...
3. Can you make the pairs of synonyms?
to include, destiny, to contain, to start, ancient, residence, fate,
sovereign, castle, monarch, old, to begin
4. Find the sentences with these words in the story. Translate them
into your native language.
…have been crowned…; … was built…,
…was named …, …has been crowned….

36
 Victoria: Among the great
pageants of Autumn, one of the
most popular is the Lord Mayor’s
Show. The position of Lord Mayor
of London was created in the 13-th
century by King John, the brother
of Richard the Lionheart.
Richard The Lionheart, a famous
crusader, spent all his time in
military adventures. And King John
was an efficient administrator.
Each Mayor of London on election
should journey to Westminster to acknowledge his loyalty to the monarch.
At the evening of the Lord Mayor’s Show you can see a spectacular
firework display on the river Thames which lights up London’s riverside in
an unforgettable show of blazing colour.
Vocabulary
position a job, occupation
crusade campaign
to create to bring to being
military affairs of war, soldierly
efficient conductor, director
administrator capable, competent, producing an effect
loyal faithful, true
acknowledge admit the truth of someone or something
5. Tell your friend what you’ve seen in the morning.
- In the morning we watched the Lord Mayor’s Show!
- Really? Did you like it?
- Oh, yes! It was a great … (show, pageant)! A … (splendid,
magnificent, heart-stirring) show! The Lord Mayor journeyed to
Westminster to acknowledge his loyalty to the monarch. He was
riding in a beautiful coach! It was a breath-taking sight!
37
6. Your friends don’t know why there’s the firework today. Explain
them what it means.
- Oh! Fireworks! Is it a holiday
today?
- Today is the Lord Mayor’s
Show.
- Who is the Lord Mayor?
- Lord Mayor is the main person
in the city. The position of
Lord Mayor of London was
created in the 13th century by
King John, the brother of
Richard the Lion Heart.
- And who is Richard The
Lionheart?
- Richard The Lionheart, was the king of England. He spent all his
time in crusades.
- What does ‘crusade’ mean?
- ‘Crusade’ is a military adventure. When Richard The Lionheart
went on a crusade, King John, his brother, ruled the country. King
John was an efficient administrator.
- What does ‘administrator’ mean?
- ‘Administrator’ is the person who can direct the people and
organise the work. Each Mayor of London on election should
journey to Westminster to acknowledge his loyalty to the monarch.
- What does ‘acknowledge’ mean?
- It means ………………………………
- And what does ‘……….’ mean?
- ………………………………….

38
7. Tell your friends about Dick Whittington, the Lord Mayor of
London.

In the reign of the famous King Edward III there was a

poor boy called Dick Whittington, whose father and
mother died when he was very young. Dick had heard
many, many very strange things about the great city
called London; for the country people thought that folks
in London were all gentlemen and ladies; and there was
singing and music there all day long; and that streets
were all paved with gold.
One day Dick decided to go to London. But, to his
great disappointment, he saw nothing but dirt instead of
gold. He sat down in a dark corner and cried. One day a merchant called
Mr. Fitzwarren saw how hungry he looked. The kind merchant invited
Dick to live in his house and work in his shop.

Dick lived in the attic full

of mice. That is why he bought a
nice little cat, and in a short time
he had no more trouble with mice.

Soon after this Mr. Fitzwarren had a ship ready to

sail, and it was the custom that all his servants
should have some chance for good fortune as well
as himself.
He called them all into the parlour and asked them
what they would send out. They all had something
that they were willing to venture except poor Dick.
He said: “I have nothing but a cat.” “Fetch your cat then, my lad”, said Mr.
Fitzwarren, “and let her go.”
39
 So, Mr. Fitzwarren left for
Africa. Everyone in Mr. Fitzwarren’s
house was very kind to Dick. Except
the cook, who treated him very
cruelly. At last poor Dick could not
bear this any longer and one early
morning he ran away. He walked far,
and when he got tired, he sat down on
a stone, and began to think to himself
which road he should take.

While he was thinking what he

should do, the Bells of Bow Church
began to ring, and at their sound seemed to say to him:
‘Turn again,
Whittington,
Lord Mayor of
London.’
‘Lord Mayor of
London!’ said he to
himself. ‘Why, to be
sure, I would put up
with almost anything
now, to be Lord
Mayor of London!
Well, I will go back,
and think nothing of
the cruel cook, if I am to be Lord Mayor of London at last.’
Dick went back, and was lucky to get into the house without being
noticed by anyone.
Meanwhile, Mr. Fitzwarren came to Africa. He was invited to the
king’s palace. He was placed on rich carpets flowered with gold and silver.

40
 The king and queen were seated at the upper end of the room; and a
number of dishes were
brought in for dinner.
They had not sat long,
when a vast number of
rats and mice rushed in,
and devoured all the
meals in an instant.
The king said he
would give half his
treasure to be freed of
these vermin, for they
not only destroy his dinner, but assault him in his chamber, even in bed, so
that he is obliged to be watched while he is sleeping, for fear of them.
Mr. Fitzwarren remembered poor Whittington and his cat, and told
the king he had a creature that would dispatch all these vermin
immediately. The king jumped so high at the joy that his turban dropped
off his head.
When the cat saw the mice, she did not wait for bidding, and in a
moment they all disappeared.
When the ship came back to
London, Mr. Fitzwarren sent for Dick. He
told him to open the great treasure they
had brought with them, and said: ‘Mr.
Whittington has nothing to do but to put it
in some place for safety.’ Poor Dick
hardly knew how to behave himself for
joy. Then Mr. Whittington’s face was
washed, his hare curled, and he was
dressed in a nice suit of clothes. He was
so handsome, so that Miss Alice,

41
 Mr. Fitzwarren’s daughter looked upon him as fit to be her
sweetheart. Mr. Fitzwarren saw their love for each other, and proposed to
join them in marriage.
History tells us that Mr.
Whittington and his
lady lived in great
splendour, and were
very happy.
Mr. Whittington was
Sheriff of London,
thrice Lord Mayor, and
received the honour of
knighthood by Henry V.

8. When you travel, how do you solve these tasks?

1. Do you often travel? What places have you visited?
2. Before going somewhere, do you read something about this place? If
yes, does it help you to orientate when you arrive?
3. During the time of your travel, do you get up earlier or later than usual?
Why?
4. When you don’t have enough money, will you spend it on an excursion,
theatres or shopping?
5. Do you prefer having a meal at a café or eating a sandwich on a bench in
a park? Why?

42
 Story 7
How Do People Make Money?

Maria: Hi, Kate! Why are you so sad?

Kate: You know, my father promised
to take me to the ZOO today, but he had
to go to work.
Maria: To work? But today is Saturday.
Kate: I know. But my father is a very busy
man, and sometimes he works on Saturdays.
Maria: And where does he work?
Kate: Mmm…He works at the consulting company.
Maria: How interesting! So, he gives advices to people?
Kate: Oh… I don’t know… He says he makes money.
Maria: He makes money? How amazing! How does he do that?
Kate: I don’t know exactly. Maybe he draws the bills, and then cuts them
with the scissors.
Maria: That’s incredible!
Kate: You know, my father invites us all on an excursion to his company.
Maria: That’s great! We can see how people make money!

1. What do you think: What does it mean ‘to make money’?

I think ‘to make money’ means…

a) to draw the bills and cut them with the scissors;
b) to put the money in the bank and get the profit;
c) to work very hard;
d) to work creatively;
e) …………………………………………….

43
 Kate: Here we are in the office.
Maria: Oh, look, there are so many
people here! So many books and
files!
Kate: There are so many
telephones, faxes, computers…
Father: Hello, kids! Do you like
my office?
Children: Sure! There are many
interesting things here!
Children: And who works here?
Father: Managers, clerks, secretaries, computer specialists,
book-keepers...
Children: So many people! And what do they do?
Father: They write, count, type, phone, talk…
They have much to do.
Kate: Yes, they are really very busy…
Maria: Now I understand what ‘to make money’ means. It means ‘to work
hard and to get profit’.
2. You have visited your father’s (mother’s, aunt’s uncle’s...) office
(factory, shop, school, University...). Tell your classmates what you
saw and what the people did there.
A:
You know, I was in the ... (office, shop, factory ...) of my ... (father, mother,
uncle, aunt...) yesterday. I saw a lot of ... (machines, computers, Xeroxes,
printers, scanners) there. I met a lot of people: ... (workers, engineers,
teachers, managers, clerks, computer specialists, book-keepers, secretaries...)
They were very busy. They were ... (writing, counting, typing, creating new
computer programs, sewing, talking...) I have never seen anything of the
kind. I understood that it is not easy to earn money.
B:
What did you do there? Are you kidding? Really? It’s unbelievable, you saw
so many people. What do they do there? How interesting!

44
Maria: Look at these people carrying deer’s horns set in wooden deer’s
heads!
Victoria: They perform the Horn Dance. This is an ancient autumn ritual
which may date back to before the arrival of William the Conqueror. You
can see a number of characters: Robin Hood, Maid Marian, a knight on a
wooden horse, a jester and many musicians. The dance begins in the
morning. The dancers walk through a wood and visit many farms. In the
afternoon they get back through the village and dance in the streets. The
dance ends in the middle of the night in the market place. A lot of people
take part in the dance.
Vocabulary
jester a man that makes everyone laugh, a fool
knight medieval soldier serving a monarch
to set to put everything in correct order, to arrange
ritual a certain way of performing a ceremony

3. Can you group these words in pairs?

arrive, day, always, often, leave, seldom, night, start, never, finish,
ancient, before, morning, modern, after, evening

45
4. Can you group the synonyms?
many, start, end, a lot, finish, return, begin, old, a number, get back,
ancient, new, participate, modern, take part, ritual, wood, ceremony,
forest, jester, ritual, performance, ceremony, monarch, show, sovereign,
fool, king

5. Your younger brother / sister doesn’t know anything about

Robin Hood. Tel them about him.

Robin Hood is the much admired and much beloved hero of English
people. Robin Hood had a band of true friends: a big and strong guy
named Little John, a priest named Friar Tuck, brave Bill Maynard and
others. Robin and his friends hid in Sherwood Forest, and robbed the
rich to help the poor.
The sheriff of Nottingham went to the king Richard The Lionheart.
He told the king that Robin Hood was a very wild and dangerous
robber, who hurt the barons of Nottingham. Richard The Lionheart got
furious at it and decided to go to Sherwood Forest to catch and punish
the bold and violent robber. But when he came to Nottingham, nobody
agreed to go to Sherwood Forest, because they were greatly afraid of
Robin Hood and his archers. So, the king dressed up like a poor pilgrim
and went alone.
Very soon he was surrounded by the band of archers, leaded by
Robin Hood. To his great surprise, they did not hurt him, but invited to
their camp and offered a good supper. Then Robin told ‘the pilgrim’
why they hid in the forest and fought the barons of Nottingham.
When Richard The Lionheart new the truth, he invited Robin and
his band to serve him, promising not to punish those who would like to
return home. Robin agreed for the sake of his friends and their families
and went with the king. But he could not stay long in the king’s castle,
because he was a free man, and in some time he returned back.

46
 Mother: Honey, it’s time for bed.
Oleg: Oh! There’s a very interesting film on
TV! There are the most famous actors! It has
won the “Oscar”! May I watch it?
Mother: But it’s late!
Oleg: Mom, I have always dreamt to see this
film! Mom, please! Five minutes more!
Mother: OK. Five minutes.

6. It’s late. Your Mother tells you to go to bed. But there’s a very
interesting film on TV.
a) Ask your Mother to let you watch five minutes more.
b) Fifteen minutes have passed. But now it’s the most thrilling
episode. Ask your Mother to let you watch five minutes more.
c) Five minutes have passed. But the film is going to end. You are
eager to know how it will finish. Ask your Mother to let you
watch five minutes more. Explain the reason.
✍ 7. Can you make the pairs of antonyms?
exciting, sad, beautiful, dull, merry, terrible, loud, dim,
enormous, silent, tiny, strong, hot, bright, fragile, cold.

✍ 8. Complete the sentences.

a knight; a ritual; a drawbridge; a court;
a jester; a symbol; a structure
1.A medieval soldier serving a monarch is
called …
2.A man that makes everyone laugh is called …
3.A certain way of performing a ceremony is called…
4.A king’s household is called ...
5.A narrow excavation around the castle is called…
6.Something which is built is called …
7.A bridge that can be raised is called ...
8.Something that represents something else is called …
47
✍ 9. Do you remember whose utterances these are and what
provoked them?

Alice, Humpty Dumpty, the Mock Turtle, the Hatter,

the White Rabbit, Gryphon, the March Hare, the Cheshire-Cat

1. “Lessons are called lessons,” remarked ____________________

“because they lessen from day to day”.
2. “We’re all mad here. I’m mad. You’re mad.” said
____________________
3. “If you don’t hold your tongues, I’ll pick you!” whispered
____________________
4. “The master was an old turtle – we used
to call him Tortoise… We called him
Tortoise because he taught us,” said
____________________
5. ____________________ said to himself
“Oh dear! Oh dear! I shall be too late!”
6. “Do you mean that you think you can
find out the answer to it ? said
______________
7. “I do,” ____________________ hastily
replied; “at least – at least I mean what I
say - that’s the same thing, you know.”
8. “Not the same thing a bit!” said
____________________ “Why, you
might just as well say that ‘I see what I eat’ is the same thing as ‘I eat
what I see’!
9. “You might just as well say,” added ____________________, “that ‘I
like what I get’ is the same thing as ‘I get what I like’!”

48
 Story 8
Halloween

Victoria: Many old traditions of the Picts and the Scots come from the
religion of the Druids. The celebration of Halloween comes on the eve of
All hallows, or All Saints’ Day. For Halloween falls upon the eve of the
Druid New Year, October, 31.
The Druids worshipped nature, and especially the sun. They believed
that the sun was a power of good, and the powers of evil were the strongest
during the long winter nights. So when the
darkness fell on the last day of their year, the
Druids lighted huge bonfires on hilltops to
protect from the power of evil.
Master of revels wore a long white robe and
an oak leaf crown for wisdom. With his hazel
wand he directed the games. Every wave of his
magic wand must circle sunwise. And the
movement of the dancers must all turn in the
sunwise way.
With this ceremony a new Highland year
was ushered in. When the fires burned down,
torches were lighted from the sacred flames to
carry the protection abroad.

49
1. You are preparing for the Halloween Party. You have found several
articles from different magazines about the history of this holiday.
Distribute this information among the groups of three-four and
make short presentations.

On Halloween, Celtic Samhain, the sun bade farewell to power,

and fell again for half a year under the sway of the evil forces of winter
and darkness.
This festival was a sad one: summer was over, and winter, with its
short, sunless days and long, dreary nights, was at hand. It was the
beginning, too, of the ancient Celtic year, and omens for the future might
be extorted from dark powers by uncanny rites. It was the holiday of
the dead and of all the more evil supernatural beings. “On November
eve”, says a proverb, “there is a bogy on every stile.”
Bonfires were lighted on highest hills, and there is something
sinister in the air. One had to be careful to omit no prescribed rite, or else
one might fall into the power of evil.
It is believed that there are magical powers about a horse-shoe. And this
is how it obtained the power to keep off the witches and bogles and all
other imps of the Devil. Once upon a time the Devil needed his hooves
shoeing. He didn’t care it was midnight and pulled a smith from his bed.
The smith, annoyed and frightened, but having the Devil in his power,
not only burned the horn of the hoof he was shoeing, but the fleshy part,
too. Then, in driving in the nail, the smith hammered it into the flesh. The
Devil screamed in agony, and hopped round the smithy on unshod foot.
He howled for the man to tear out the nail and to shoe him properly, but
the smith refused until the Devil was ready to promise him anything. And
the promise the man exacted was, that whatever a horse-shoe lay or hung
no evil thing could pass. And the Devil had to agree.

50
 But there is something
stronger against the Devil, and all
evil than all the horse-shoes in the
world: there is the Rowan tree. No
bogle, no imp, no witch, nothing of
evil, dare even come near the
Rowan; and even the tiniest twig of
it will keep off the legions of Hell
that ever there are.
A growing Rowan, close by
the house, will ensure perfect safety
for the house. Even a simple cross
of the Rowan’s wood, placed over
the door, will keep all evil attention
from the house.
Beside almost every Holy Well, or Magical Spring, there is a Rowan tree
– planted there by the guardian good spirit of the well or spring to save
the waters from evil infectivity.
Vocabulary
omen sign, forecast, warning rite recourse, mean
extort force from, shake down bogy house-spirit, ghost,
uncanny supernatural, mysterious sinister boggle, evil, disturbing

51
2. The weather is nasty. Discuss with your
friends what to do.
A.
I’ve got a tremendous idea! Let’s play chess
(watch TV, listen to music…) You don’t like my
proposals. Can you offer anything more
interesting?
B.
What a ridiculous idea! I find it awkward. I’m bored with … (playing
chess, watching TV…)! I’m sick and tired of…

Alexander: Listen! Somebody knocked at the

gate.
Maria: Let’s look through the window.
Kate: Ah! That’s a postman. He brought a letter.
Vera: And nobody brings letters for us.
Alexander: Oh! What is it? The window has
opened!
Maria: The wind is blowing so hard! I can’t shut
it!
Kate: Look! Some leaves have flown into the
room.
Vera: There’s something written on them.
Maria: These are letters for us!
Vera: What is written on the leaves?
Kate: These are invitations!
Vera: We’re invited for
Halloween!
3.Discuss with your friends
how to decorate the hall for
the Halloween Party and
what costume to put on.

52
 Victoria: What’s happening? You’re buzzing
like a swarm of bees!
Children: We’ve received the invitations! We’re
invited for Halloween! Oh, you’ve got the
invitation too!
Victoria: These invitations are not for you.
Children: What do you mean?
Victoria: They are for your shadows.
Children: That’s impossible! The shadows
cannot go anywhere themselves. They always follow their masters.
Victoria: Not always. On Halloween the shadows are free.
Children: It’s incredible! Unbelievable! Who ever saw the shadows
walking without their masters!

4. What do you think of this?

5. It’s Halloween night. The wind is whistling loudly, the rain drops
tapping at the roof, the branches of the trees rattling at the
window. Your fried is scared. Can you calm down your friend?
Oh, listen! Have no fear. It’s the wind whistling loudly in
It must be a ghost! the chimney.
Look at these dancing There’s nothing to be afraid of. This is rain
shadows behind the tapping at the roof.
window! Don’t be such a coward. These are the
And now? There is branches of the trees rattling at the window.
someone in the attic! The wind is blowing and the trees are waving.
Did you hear that The clouds are sailing and the Moon is hiding
strange noise? from time to time behind them. That’s why it
looks like the shadows are dancing.

53
Maria: Oh, look! We’re standing, but our
shadows are moving!
Oleg: My shadow is jumping!
Vera: My shadow is dancing!
Kate: My shadow is playing the flute!
Maria: Oh, they are leaving! Where are
they going?
Vera: Have you forgotten? Don’t you
remember? They received the invitations.
They’re invited for Halloween!
Kate: Let’s follow them! But let’s keep silent. They can run away.

6. Can you recognise whose shadows these are?

This shadow belongs to... (Mary Poppins, Little Bo Peep
Baron von Münchhausen, Humpty-Dumpty)

54
 Tonight is the night Tonight is the night
When dead leaves fly When leaves make a sound
Like witches on switches Like a gnome in his home
Across the sky, Under the ground,
When elf and sprite When spooks and trolls
Flit through the night Creep out of holes
On a moony sheen. Mossy and green.
It’s Halloween… It’s Halloween …
Tonight is the night when pumpkins stare
Through sheaves and leaves everywhere,
When ghouls and ghost, and goblins host
Dance round their queen. It’s Halloween…
switch – stick; sprite – elf, fairy, gnome; flit-fly;
sheen – brightness; sheaves – piles of leaves, dry grass, etc.;
stare – gaze, look; ghoul – vampire; host – make a crowd

7. It’s morning the next day. Tell your classmates what had happened
to you at night.
A.
Can you imagine, our shadows received the invitations for Halloween!
They were written on the leaves which flew into the room through the open
window. Our shadows started to move while we stood still! They were
going to leave. We followed them, and we came to a party, where the
shadows danced. There were the shadows of well-known characters!
B.
How can that be? It’s impossible! It’s incredible! Unbelievable!
Who ever saw the shadows walking without their masters! I will never
believe this! Are you sure you didn’t see them in your dreams? Perhaps
these were the shadows of the trees waving in the wind. Or the clouds were
sailing in the sky and covering the moon from time to time.
55
 Story 9
The Spectacular Show of Gold and Brown

Kate: Oh, look! How

beautiful the park is!
Victoria: In October
the green tints of
summer give way to
a spectacular show of
warm brown and
gold. Autumn in
Britain is a pageant
of gentle, glowing
beauty as the leaves
on the trees turn to myriad shades of yellow, brown, red and gold. And the
grass, recovering from the summer’s heat, grows lushly in the lawns.

pageant – parade, show gentle – mild, calm, tender

tints – shades, nuances, tones lushly – juicy
glowing – bright, shining to recover – to get better
spectacular – excellent, grand, admirable myriad – ten thousand , many

1. The weather is wonderful today. Invite your friend to go for a walk

in the park.
- The weather is wonderful today! Let’s go for a walk in the park!
- Oh, I’m afraid, I cannot. I have a lot to do.
- Look through the window! The green tints of summer give way to a
spectacular show of warm brown and gold. The leaves on the trees
turn to a myriad shades of yellow, brown, red and gold. And the grass,
recovering from the summer’s heat, grows lushly in the lawns.
- That’s true, but I have much work to do. Maybe next week-end?
- The weather can get colder any moment. These are the last warm
autumn days! Let’s go and admire this pageant of gentle, glowing
beauty!
- OK. You have persuaded me. Let’s go.

56
Victoria: Pale amber light filters
through the gilded leaves of the trees.
Overhead wheel great flocks of
migratory birds, making their last fly-
past before the long journey South.

In the beginning of
Autumn it seems that the leaves
will linger on the trees and the
chrysanthemums will continue
to bloom forever. In a few
weeks, however, the winds and
rain will arrive to loosen the
last golden leaves.

to loosen to make loose

amber pale yellow colour
to linger to remain longer than usual
journey a trip from one place to another
to migrate to go to another place of residence
to gild to coat with gold
to filter to pass through porous material (the material that
has little holes for the rays or liquid to pass through)

57
2. The weather is gorgeous today. You would like to go for a walk.
Invite your friend to come along.
- Look! How beautiful! Pale
amber light filters through the
gilded leaves of the trees. Let’s
go for a walk!
- Oh, I’m very busy. Maybe
tomorrow? I don’t think that the
weather will change.
- In the beginning of Autumn it
seems that the leaves will linger
on the trees and the
chrysanthemums will continue
to bloom forever. In a few
weeks, however, the winds and
rain will arrive to loosen the last
golden leaves. Let’s go!
- OK.

3. You were going to school together with your friends. Suddenly you
recollect that you left your sports-suit at home. You live not far
from school. Ask your friends for advice. (a) Should you quickly
run home and take your sports-suit or (b) should you go to school
and miss the lesson of sports?

4. (a) Explain your mother why you ran back home. When you come
to school, explain the teacher why you’re late. (b) Explain the
teacher why you have to miss the lesson of sports.

5. Can you group these words in synonyms?

trip, delay, voyage, journey, to coat, house, to linger, place, putt off,
residence, to cover, to procrastinate

58
6. Call your friend and invite her/him to go for a walk with you.
- Hello! Let’s go for a walk!
- I’m sorry, I can’t go. I’m very busy. I’m studying.
- What are you learning?
- I’m learning French (German/Spanish/Arabic…...)
- How interesting! Are you learning the alphabet (the words; are
you reading/writing)?
- No.
- What are you doing?
- I’m learning a French/German/Spanish song/poem.

7. Some time passed. Perhaps, your friend has learned the French
(German,…) song. Why don’t you call him/her and ask if he/she
can go for a walk with you.
- Hello! Have you learned the French song?
- No, not yet.
- Are you still learning it?
- Yes, I’m still learning.
- Is it difficult?
- Oh, yes, it’s rather difficult for me.
- Why are you learning such a difficult song?
- It’s not the song that is difficult. It’s the … language that is
difficult.

8. So, you went for a walk alone. In the park you met your friends.
They are interested why …... hasn’t come. Tell them what he/she is
doing.
I asked if he/she... could/wanted...
He said (that)…... could (not).
He answered (that)... was busy/ was studying.
9. Two hours have passed. Perhaps, your friend has learned the song.
Call him/her and invite for a walk.
(And now your friend is learning a French/ Spanish/ German/ Arabic... text)

59
10. Tell your friends in the park why ... cannot join you.
11. Can you fill in the blanks?

1. Alice was so … that she couldn’t speak for a minute; it quite

seemed to take her breath away.
2. This was not an ___________________ opening for a conversation.
3. “Oh, I’ve had such a _____________________ dream!” said Alice.
4. Well, perhaps your feelings may be ________________________
said Alice: “all I know is, it would feel very queer to me.”
5. Alice was not much ________________________ at this, she was
getting so well used to queer things happening.
6. Alice felt _______________________ puzzled.
7. A ___________________________ idea came into Alice’s head.
curious, astonished, dreadfully, bright,
surprised, different, encouraging
12. There’s a new film in the cinema. You’d like to watch it, but you
don’t like to go alone. Invite your friend to come along.
- Listen, there’s a new film in the cinema. Why don’t we go?
- What’s the title?
- ‘……………………’
- I have never heard about this film.
- Oh, really? It was widely advertised in the news-papers and on TV.
I heard it had won ‘The Oscar’. This film is very interesting and
exciting. It is full of heart-stirring events. There are so many
thrilling episodes in it. The most famous actors play in it.
- And what is it about?
- Well, it’s not interesting to watch a film if you know the contents. I
advise you to watch this film. I tell you, it is worth watching.
- Well, let’s go and see if it is really so.
13. Do you like the film? (Use a video film or set of pictures)
- How thrilling! This actor is playing so good!
- How exciting! This actress is so beautiful!
- How amazing! The music is so charming!
60
14. The film has finished. Discuss your impressions with your friends.
a) If you liked the film.
The film was … (excellent, fantastic, fabulous)
It was so exciting! So heart-stirring!
I was so thrilling! Breath-taking!
The actors played … (very well, excellently, naturally)
I really liked it. It was worth watching.
It was worth of spending time.
b) If you didn’t like the film.
The film was … (boring, dull, fabulous)
I didn’t (really) like it.
It was not worth watching.
It was not worth spending time.
✍ 15. Fill in something, anything, everything, nothing, somebody,
anybody, nobody, ever, never.
1. “I suppose I ought to eat or drink __________________ or other;
but the great question is, ‘What’?”
2. Alice looked all round her at the flowers and the blades of grass,
but she could not see __________________ that looked like the
right thin to eat or drink under the circumstances.
3. __________________ asked your opinion,” said Alice.
✍ 16. Can you match?
centerpiece King or Queen; monarch
include predetermined course of events; fate
coronation the place of living
dull to contain
residence very old
ancient the ceremony when a king is crowned
sovereign main part
destiny not exciting, not interesting

61
 Story 10
Sweet Teeth

Maria: Look! So many

delicious cakes! I adore
cakes and cookies!
Luke: And I can’t live
without pancakes with
chocolate and bananas!
Maria: What will you
order?
Luke: Let me see the
menu… I guess, I will take
3 hamburgers and a cup of apple juice.
Maria: My mother says hamburgers are
harmful for health.
Luke: But I can’t live without hamburgers!
Maria: And I’d like a slice of apple pie, a bar
of chocolate and a strawberry ice-cream.
Luke: You know, you can become allergic to
sweets if you eat much chocolate.
Maria: But I can’t live without chocolate!

adore – like very much harmful – hurtful, dangerous,

allergy – reaction not good

62
1. You want to go somewhere with your friend. Read the
advertisements in the newspaper, filling in the blanks with
comparative or superlative forms and discuss with your friend
what place to choose.
Comparison of Adjectives
nice – nicer – the nicest funny – funnier – the funniest
big – bigger – the biggest happy – happier – the happiest
small – smaller – the smallest merry – merrier – the merriest
beautiful – more beautiful – the most beautiful
attractive – more attractive – the most attractive
interesting – more interesting – the most interesting

1. “Bonjour” is … (attractive) cafe in the

city! You will enjoy … (tasty) dishes of
the French cuisine!
2. “…” is … (big) pizza restaurant in Paris.
You will never find a … (good) place!
We have 20 kinds of pizza! You will
enjoy calm music and wonderful service.
3. “…” is (quiet) place near the river
Thames. If you are tired of noise you
should come to us. You will find …
(cold) drinks and … (sweet) dishes in the
world!
4. … is … (funny) place for children. I n our amusing park you will find the
…(merry) rollercoaster! You will meet … (famous) heroes of the cartoons:
the Snow White and the seven dwarfs, Mermaid, Alice and others.
5. You are not afraid of height, you are …(brave) than Mowgli and …
(strong) than a lion? Come to the “Park of horrors”! You will visit the
country of ghosts and beasts, … (horrible) place in the world, sitting on a
train. Haven’t you got scared yet?
6. … is a place for … (small) children, aged 2-3. It’s … (good) amusing park
for your child if your child is under 3. He can ride by bicycle or on a little
pony, feed the goat and see … (funny) clowns here. We will make you and
your child … (happy) people in the world!

63
2. You and your friends have come to the cafe. Discuss with your
friends what to order. Tell the waiter what you would like.
Menu
Biscuits……………………………………………… £2.50
Apple cake……………………………………………£3.50
Strawberry cake………………………………………£4.00
Cherry cake………………………………………… £3.50
Apple pie…………………………………………… £2.50
Chocolate with hazelnuts…………………………. £3.00
Chocolate with raisins……………………………… £3.00
Waffles……………………………………………… £2.00
Fruit ice-cream……………………………………… £2.80
Chocolate ice-cream………………………………… £2.50
Vanilla ice-cream…………………………………… £2.30
Pancakes with mushrooms / meat / fruit /
chocolate and bananas………………………………. £5.00
Pizza with mushrooms……………………………… £4.50
Pizza with chicken…………………………………… £4.50
Pizza with ham……………………………………….£4.80
Cold drinks:
Apple / pine-apple / peach / apricot / tomato juice……£2.00
Milk cock-tail………………………………………… £ 2.50
Fruit cock-tail…………………………………………£2.50
Hot drinks:
Hot chocolate………………………………………… £1.80
Tee…………………………………………………… £2.20
Cocoa………………………………………………… £2.30
Cappuccino…………………………………………… £3.00

64
 Kate: Oh! I feel sick!
Victoria: No wonder! You eat many
cakes every day.
Maria: Take a glass of water.
Ann: Take a cup of tea.
Maria: How do you feel now?
Maybe you should go to the
doctor?
Kate: I’m OK. Thank you.

3. Does it happen that you eat

something that disagrees with you? Fill in the gaps
in the text and see if you eat mostly healthy food.
1. I ... eat fresh fruits and vegetables.
often – 2 points; sometimes – 1 point; never – 0 point
2. I ... eat fried potatoes.
often – 0 points; sometimes – 1 point; never – 2 points
3. I ... eat biscuits, cakes and ice-cream.
often – 0 point; sometimes – 1 point; never – 0 point
4. I ... eat smoked sausages and ham.
often – 0 point; sometimes – 1 point;
never – 2 points
5. I ... drink Coca-Cola, Fanta and Sprite.
often – 0 point; sometimes – 1 point;
never – 2 points
6. I ... drink mineral water, milk and tea.
often – 2 points; sometimes – 1 point; never – 0 point
7. I ... eat porridge.
often – 2 points; sometimes – 1 point; never – 0 point
The score:
9 – 14 points: you eat healthy food.
5 – 8 points: you should eat more fresh fruits and vegetables and porridge.
0 – 4 points: Beware! The food you eat is harmful for your health.
65
4. You’d like to go on an excursion. But you don’t want to go alone.
Call your friends and invite them to join you.
- Let’s go on an excursion!
- Sorry, I can’t go.
- Why?
- I’m busy.
- What are you busy with?
- I’m doing my homework (washing the floor…).
- I’m sorry. Good-buy.

5. You went alone. But, to your greatest surprise, you see your friend
playing … (tennis, football, basketball) on the sports-ground/
walking in he park. Ask her / him to explain the situation.
- You said you were doing your homework. But
you are …! Why did you lie to me?
- I’m sorry. You invited me to go on an
excursion. But I don’t like excursions. I prefer
… (playing sports, walking in the park…).
- It’s not an excuse! You should have told me!
You have to be ashamed!
- Forgive me, please.
- Well, OK.

6. You are so sad about what has happened. Your friends are
worrying. Tell them what has happened to you.
- Hello! Why are you so sad? What has happened to you?
- You know, I invited ….. to go on an excursion together. He/she said
he/she was doing his/her homework. But then I saw him/her playing
tennis! I asked why he/she had lied to me. He/she answered that he/
she didn’t like excursions. I said it was not an excuse. Well... My day
off is spoiled.
- Next time call me. I like excursions.

66
7. You are in/at … You need to go to … Ask a passer-by how to get
there. Use the map of London.

✍ 9. Can you fill in the blanks?

1. “Dinah, my dear! I wish you .. (to be) down here with me!”
2. “Oh, how I wish I … (can) shut up like a telescope! I think I …
(can), if I only ... (to know) how to
begin.”
3. “Not like cats!” cried the Mouse in a
shrill, passionate voice. “Would you
like cats, if you …- (to be) me?”
4. Alice thought to herself “I wish the
creatures … (will not) be so easily
offended!”
5. “ … wish you …(will not) keep
appearing and vanishing so
suddenly: you make one quite
giddy.”

67
 Story 11
A Visit to the ZOO

Victoria: Here we are at the Zoo.

Maria: Look at this announcement!

annoy – irritate, infuriate; bother – trouble, worry;

tease – laugh at, mock ; frighten – scare, worry
1. There are a lot of animals in the ZOO. You like them very much.
Discuss your impressions with your friends.
Look at the … (giraffe, bears, parrot, monkeys,
flamingos, lions, hyenas, crocodile, camels,
elephant …)!
It can eat the leaves from the top of the trees.
They look cuddly but they sound fierce.
When they bark they sound like they are laughing!
They have lovely pink feathers and long pink legs.
They are very graceful.
He has very sharp teeth! He spends a lot of time in
the pool swimming and floating and plashing.
They run around jump up and down.
They are swinging by the tails!
They have humps on their backs.
It has two big whites teeth called tusks and a long
nose called a trunk.
68
69
 2.Your friend is afraid to come close to the
zebras (bears, camels, monkeys...) Persuade
your friend that it’s not dangerous.

- Oh, I am afraid! This lion (elephant,

rhinoceros, hippopotamus...) looks so fierce!
He is so big! Look at his teeth (legs, horn,
tusks...)! It’s dangerous to come close!
- Don’t be ridiculous! It’s not dangerous at all! There’s nothing to be afraid
of! He will never jump over the fence!

3. You are impressed by the aqua show. Tell

your friend how much you like it.
- Look at the ... (penguins, dolphins, sea-
loins)! They are so ... (smart, graceful, cute,
funny)
- How amazing! They can do tricks like real
athletes! (They walk like little children...)
- And look at .....
- It’s wonderful!

70
4. You are trying to take pictures of the animals in the ZOO. But it’s
not that easy. Discuss with your friend how to solve this problem.
A B
I’m trying to take a picture of the … Let’s call him. No, it doesn’t work.
(elephant, monkey, lion…), and all in Let’s give him a candy. Ah! It’s not
vain. He is … (jumping, running, allowed.
sleeping, swimming…) all the time. Let’s wait a bit. Maybe he will …
He is standing with his back to me (stop, turn around, wake up, go out
and doesn’t want to turn around. of the water…)

5. You notice some children who are making faces to the animals
(shouting at the animals, trying to feed them...). Tell them that they
should better not do this. It’s no good to the animals. Pay their
attention to the announcement.
A B Child 1 Child 2
Hey! And you are not Why not? These I didn’t do them
You’d better allowed to tease monkeys (bears, any harm.
stop doing this! the animals. penguins...) are I just wanted to
You are not This might so nice (funny...) give them my
allowed to feed frighten them. I just wanted to favourite ice-
the animals. Look! It is play with them. cream. It’s so
It’s no good to written in the delicious!
the animals. announcement.

71
6. Tell your class-mate about your excursion to the ZOO.
A B
You know, yesterday I went to the Oh, really?
ZOO. I saw ... He was / They What (else) did you see?
were ... very funny (fierce, smart, How interesting! Amazing!
quick, cute, graceful, lazy...) I liked I also would like to go to the ZOO.
the excursion very much. It was Maybe next ... (Sunday, Saturday,
excellent! I had a wonderful day! week)

7. You have taken a lot of pictures in the ZOO. Some of them are
good, but some of them are not distinct. Show and describe them to
your friends. Explain why some of them are not good.
A B
The sun was shining brightly, and Oh! This picture is wonderful! The ...
the picture looks beautiful. (giraffe, penguin, lion, bear cub...)
I was trying to take a picture of the looks/doesn’t look so ... (graceful,
… (elephant, monkey, lion…), but he cuddly, fierce, gentle...)
was … (jumping, running, sleeping, Oh, this picture is not that good. I
swimming…) all the time. He was think it was not easy to take pictures
standing with his back to me and of the animals. They are not the
didn’t want to turn around. models. They don’t care if someone
I called him, waved my hands, wants to take pictures of them. It
flicked my fingers, but all in vain. doesn’t matter for them.

8. Can you create the superlatives?

1. “It’s the … (curious) thing I ever saw in all my life!”
2. “It’s the … (stupid) tea-party I ever was at in all my
life!”
3. “Unimportant, of course, I meant,” the King hastily
said, and went on to himself in an undertone,
“important–unimportant–unimportant – important -“
as if he were trying which word sounded … (good).
4. “That’s the … (important) piece of evidence we’ve
heard yet,” said the King.

72
 Story 12
The First Frost

Victoria: Look through the window!
There are no leaves on the trees! The
first frost turned the last green plants
brown. The trees are seen in a new
stark structure, making a delicate
tracery against the wind-blown skies.
Yesterday it seemed that the leaves
would linger on the trees and the
chrysanthemums would continue to
bloom forever. However, the winds
and rain arrived to loosen the last
golden leaves.
Vocabulary
delicate fragile, sensitive, weak
stark hard
tracery line, mark
linger hang on, remain

1. Your friend is inviting you for a walk. The weather is nasty. Offer
your friend to stay at home.
- I’m bored of sitting inside. Why don’t we go out?
- Oh, the weather is awful! It’s raining hard.
- Yes. Yesterday it seemed that the leaves would linger on the trees and
the chrysanthemums would continue to bloom forever.
- However, the winds and rain arrived to loosen the last golden leaves.
- Then let’s stay inside.

73
2. You’re taken wonderful pictures in the park. The last yellow leaves
are lying on the first snow, making the sight so touching. Show
your pictures to your friends. Ask your friend what he/she thinks of
them.

3. It’s wet and windy. You don’t feel like walking outside today.
Discuss with your friend what you can do in the house.

4. Your friend suggests watching TV. Discuss what channel to watch.

Channel 1 Channel 2 Channel 3
05.00 p. m. 04. 30 p. m. 04. 45 p. m.
Talk Show ‘Windows’ Classical music News
05.30 p. m. 04. 30 p. m. 05.00 p. m.
Jazz music ‘Gone with the Wind’ Football Observer

74
 Standing Stones

Victoria: Here we are in Salisbury

Plain where you can see Stonehenge,
a complex array of gigantic stones
called megaliths. Stonehenge is a
very old building. Archaeologists
have established that these
remarkable works of prehistoric architecture must have been started more
than 5000 years ago and the building must have occupied at least 900
years. Noone knows exactly the reason for its existence. Scientists think
that Stonehenge could have been a form of a “calendar” for measuring the
seasons.

Vocabulary
array regular order
remarkable extraordinary
prehistoric preceding recorded history
plain flat, open, simple
exactly certainly, correctly
gigantic huge, enormous, extremely large
architecture the designing of buildings
to occupy to hold

5. How many combinations can you create?

remarkable result
perfect version
fabulous resolution
fresh manner
efficient way
immediate technology
unexpected air
75
6. You are going to prepare a concert. Discuss what songs you can
sing, what poems you can recite and what dances you can dance.

Vera: I can’t perform! I’ve lost my

shoe! How will I dance? I cannot
dance without my shoe!
Sandra: And I’ve lost my fiddling
stick. How will I play? I cannot play
without my fiddling stick!
Luke: And I’ve lost my song-book.
How will I sing? I cannot sing
without my song-book! I don’t
remember the words of the song!

7. You cannot perform because you lost your … (shoe, fiddling stick,
song-book, trumpet, flute, microphone, glasses, gloves, earrings).
Tell your friend about your problem.

8. How do you think you can solve this problem?

Cock-a-doodle-doo!
My Dame has lost her shoe!
My Master’s lost his fiddling stick
And knows not what to do.
Cock-a-doodle-doo!
What is my Dame to do?
Till Master finds his fiddling stick

76
11. Match the endings.
1. I couldn't dance, because …
2. I wasn't able to sing, because …
3. I couldn't recite the poem, because …
4. I couldn't play the piano, because …
5. I couldn't play the violin, because …
6. I couldn't jump, because …
7. I couldn't play the guitar, because …
8. I couldn’t look follow the notes, because …
9. I couldn’t play the trumpet, because …
10. I couldn’t raise my hands during the dance, because …

12.It’s morning the next

day. The weather is nasty.
The wind is blowing. You
don’t feel like getting up.
Your Mom tries to make
you get out of bed, but all
in vain. Ask your Mom to
let you sleep just five
more minutes.

13. During the break your friend asks you why you are late today.
Explain the reason.
14. Your friend recollects that you often come late for school.
Tell your friend why it happens.
- Last Monday you were late for … minutes.
- Oh, I helped my neighbour to take her cat out of the tree.
- Last Tuesday you were late for…
- Oh, yes! I…
- Last Wednesday……………….
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 Story 13
Winter in our town

The North wind doth blow,

And we shall have snow,
And what will a robin do then,
Poor thing.
He’ll sit in a barn,
And keep himself warm,
And hide his head under his wing,
Poor thing.

Victoria: Once upon a time, the winter

solstice was a time for meditation on the year
gone by and of hope for the year to come.
The sun, giver of life, was at its lowest ebb.
Ancient people feared that it would never
return. Winter was a time for drawing the
curtains and huddling round the fire.

78
 1.The weather is not suitable for
going out. Offer your friend to
stay at home and sit by the fire-
place.
A
What are your plans for today?
Maybe we'll go to the … (cinema,
skating-rink, park)? Since we've
got no place to go, let's stay at
home. Let’s sit by the fire-place.
B
Oh, I don't know… The weather
outside is frightful. The wind is blowing hard. It’s snowing. The thick
white carpet is covering the ground. I don't feel like going anyway today.
When the wind is blowing hard in a frosty winter day it is especially cozy
at home.
2. You are sitting near the fire-place. You like the dancing flames of
the fire very much. Discuss your impressions with your friend.
Look at the fire! The fire is so delightful! The fire on the log is dancing.
It's so warm here. And look through the window! The snowflakes are
merrily prancing like tiny butterflies1 It must be very frosty outdoors.
3. The dance of the fire and the prancing snowflakes made you feel
emotional. Suggest your friend organizing a party.
Look! It's a frosty winter night. Oh! What a miracle! What delight!
What a wonderful sparkling sight! Let's make a party singing and dancing
on Christmas Eve. We’ll dance till broad daylight!

Oh, the weather outside is frightful,

But the fire is so delightful.
Since we’ve got no place to go,
Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!

79
4. You are playing in the yard. Everyone suggests playing a different
game. Discuss with your friends what to do.
A B
Let’s play snowballs! With pleasure!
Let’s play hockey! I like this game!
If you don’t like it, let’s ... It’s not interesting for me.
(build a snow castle, make a I don’t want to.
snowman, play hide-and-seek...) I’m bored with ... (playing hockey,
making snowmen...)

5. Sometimes it is difficult for the people

to agree what to do together. Let’s find
out if you agreed or not.
1. What did your friends suggest doing?
(... suggested playing snowballs,
skating, skiing...)
2. Did you agree or not? Why?
3. What did you suggest?
4. Did your friends agree? Why?
5. What do you think is possible to do in
case when everyone wants to do
different things?
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Kate: Hello, Vicky! Let’s go skiing!
Vicky: I can’t go. The path is all covered with
snow. When my small brother walks, he will fall
down. So, I am digging the snow.
Kate: Will you join me when you finish?
Vicky: I’m not sure. I promised my mother to play
with my brother in the yard.
Kate: I see.

Kate: Hi, Jenny! Let’s go skiing!

Jenny: I can’t go. I have a lot of
homework.
Kate: Will you join me when you finish?
Jenny: I’m afraid, not. I promised my
father to help him to translate an article in
English.
Kate: I see.

Kate: Hello, Maria! Let’s go skiing!

Maria: I’m sorry. I can’t go. I have to finish
reading the book which I took from the library. I
must return it tomorrow.
Kate: Will you join me when you finish?
Maria: I’m afraid, not. I promised my mother to
buy some food for dinner.
Kate: I see.

81
6. Do you know why Kate is sad?

1. Kate is sad because …

2. Vicky cannot go skiing with Kate
because …
3. And yet Vicky promised her mother …
4. Jenny cannot join Kate because …
5. And yet Jenny promised her father …
6. Maria cannot play in the yard because..
7. And yet she promised her mother…

a)she is digging away the

snow from the path.
b)she is writing an exercise.
c)she is alone.
d)to translate the English
article.
e)she is reading the book
which she has to return to
the library soon.
f)to look after her small
brother.
g)to do the shopping.

7. Let’s discuss the situation.

1. Did it ever happen that you couldn’t accept your friend’s invitation
because you were busy?
2. Do you think it’s important to keep your promise?

82
8. Can you help your friends in these situations?
1. I have to ski downhill, but I can’t do it.
2. I have to paint a picture, but I can’t do it.
3. I’d like to swim in the pool, but I can’t do it.
4. I have to learn a difficult part (song, poem, dance), but I can’t do it.
5. My jeans are torn. I have to mend them. But I can’t do it. I’m afraid
I’ll never manage it.
6. I have to tell my Mom about a bad mark. It’s a real problem for me.
A. Don’t get upset. Try as best you can. I’m sure you can
do it. Give it a try! Go ahead!
B. Unfortunately, I can’t help you. I can’t do it. I have
never done it before. I’m really sorry.
C. I’ll try to help you. I did it once. But I’m not sure I
remember how to do it. I don’t know exactly what to
do. Let’s give it a try.
D. I can help you. I did it a lot of times. It’s very simple.
Have no fear. You do it this way: …
✍ 9. Complete the sentences.
long – longer beautiful – more beautiful
short – shorter difficult – more difficult
warm – warmer interesting – more ineresting

1. In winter it is ________________________ than in autum.

2. In summer it is ____________________________ than in spring.
3. In winter the days are ______________________ and the nights are
_____________________________ than in summer.
4. In the sixth form the tasks are ____________________________
than in the fifth form.
5. To learn through playing is ________________________________
than to memorise the material.

83
 Story 14
Silver Bells

Kate: Look! The facades of the

houses are bursting into
multicoloured flashes of
illumination. Christmas is really
a bright and happy time!
Victoria: But it wasn’t always so.
A hundred years ago the onset of
winter brought everyday life
almost to a snail’s pace. There
was no electricity and London
was lit by gaslight then. Few
people ventured out into the dark
streets enveloped in murky fogs.
Today, Britain cheers
up winter with shows, sporting
events and other entertainments. The facades of the houses burst into
multicoloured flashes of illumination. The celebration of Christmas still
includes some of the pagan symbolism.
The Christmas tree, representing the spirit of nature, is the centre of
every home. And the yule log burnt in most grates honours the ancient gods
who ordered the movements of the sun.

murky dark, misty, hazy

pace speed, rhythm
to honour to treat with respect
onset start, beginning
to burst to appear suddenly
to venture to expose to risk

84
 1.Invite your friend for a promenade.
-Hello! Let’s go for a walk!
-Oh, it’s so frosty outside. I prefer to sit by a
cozy fireplace.
-It’s a shame to sit inside in such a joyous
time! The Christmas spree has begun! Look!
The facades of the houses are bursting into
multicoloured flashes of illumination.
Christmas is really a bright and happy time!
-…………………………………

City side-walks, busy side-walks

Dressed in holiday style,
In the air there’s a feeling of Christmas.
Children laughing, people passing
Meeting smile after smile,
And on every street corner you hear:

Silver bells! Silver bells!

It’s Christmas time in the city.
Ring-a-ling! Hear them sing!
Soon it will be Christmas day.

85
 Jingle-bell, jingle-bell, jingle-bell rock!
Jingle bells swing and jingle bells ring.
Snowing and blowing up bushels of fun,
Now the jingle hop has begun!
Jingle-bell, jingle-bell, jingle-bell rock!
Jingle bells chime in jingle bell time.
Dancing and prancing in Jingle bell square
In the frosty air!
What a bright time! it’s the right time
To rock the night away.
Jingle bell time is swell time
To go gliding in a one-horse sleigh.
Gidiap, jingle horse, pick up your feet!
Jingle around the clock!
Mix and mingle in a jingling beat!
That’s the jingle-bell rock!
2. Do you think it’s better to buy the Christmas decorations or to
make them? Discuss this with your friends.
A.
Let's make the Christmas decorations! You cannot buy a lot of decorations
because they are rather expensive.
But saving money is not the main reason. When you make something with your
hands you put your soul into it. It’s an incomparable feeling to see the result of
your work.
It's not that difficult. I can show you how to
make them. Let’s make a light. Fold the paper.
Cut the narrow stripes. Unfold the paper and fix
the edges. Then cut a narrow stripe for the
handle.
B.
I cannot make the Christmas decorations
myself. I have never made them before. I’m
afraid, everyone will laugh when they see the
stars and angels made by me. Let’s buy the glass
balls and other decorations in the shop. You
cannot make such beautiful things yourself. I
prefer to have fewer decorations, but all of them nice.

86
 3.Did you come to the common
decision? How are you going to
decorate the Christmas tree and
the room?

Deck the Halls Old Welsh

Deck the halls with boughs of holly,
Fa-la-la-la, la-la-la-la-la.
‘Tis the season to be jolly,
Fa-la-la-la, la-la-la-la-la.
Don we now our gay apparel,
Fa-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la.
Troll the ancient Yule-tide carol,
Fa-la-la-la, la-la-la-la-la.
See the blazing Yule before us,
Fa-la-la-la, la-la-la-la-la.
Strike the harp and join the chorus,
Fa-la-la-la, la-la-la-la-la.
Follow me in merry measure,
Fa-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la.
While I tell of Yule-tide treasure,
Fa-la-la-la, la-la-la-la-la.
Fast away the old year passes,
Fa-la-la-la, la-la-la-la-la.
Hail the new, ye lads and lasses,
Fa-la-la-la, la-la-la-la-la.
Sing we joyous all together,
Fa-la-la-la, la-la-la-la-la.
Heedless of the wind and weather,
Fa-la-la-la, la-la-la-la-la.

87
4. Let’s prepare some Christmas dishes. a) What can you make?
What do you take? b) here is a super easy recipe for the party.

Super Easy
Peanut Butter Cookies
1. MIX together 1 cup peanut butter,
½ cup sugar and an egg.
2. ROLL into balls and flatten with
fork.
3. BAKE for 15 min.

5. You’re going to school together

with your friends. It’s frosty, and
the puddles are frozen and turned into ice. Suddenly you slipped
and fell down. Your jacket got torn. Ask your friends for advise. a)
Should you go back home and mend your jacket? b) Maybe some
of your friends has a needle and thread and can mend your jacket?

6. Explain to the teacher the reason of being late.

7. Match the endings.

1. When I’m late for school, I feel __________________________
2. When I see the first spring flowers, I feel __________________
3. If I meet a lion, I will feel ______________________________
4. When I finish hard work, I feel __________________________
5. If I hear a fish singing, I will feel ________________________
6. When I wrap up a Christmas present, I feel ________________
7. When I win a game, I feel _____________________________
8. When I lose a game, I feel _____________________________
9. When I watch a dull film, I feel _________________________
10. When I read a detective story, I feel _____________________

disappointed, embarrassed, delighted, happy,

intrigued, frightened, satisfied, astonished, bored
88
8. Can you guess the meaning of these words?
ridiculous guessing, making a hypothesis
fragile absurd
jealous splendid, honourable
supposition tender, delicate, easy to hurt
glorious envy, wishing to have what others do
indelible foretelling
clumsy awkward, ungraceful, embarrassing
prediction not capable of being deleted

9. Can you group these words in synonyms?

absurd, excellent, ridiculous, silly, crazy, unforgettable, jealous, splendid,
amazing, weak, wonderful, envious, clumsy, tender, flower, incredible,
fragile, glorious, person, prediction, story, thought, creature, glance, look,
excursion, plant, situation, plant, movement, motion

10. Read the sentences and write in the missing words.

1. The facades of the houses are bursting into … flashes of …
2. The Christmas tree, … the spirit of nature, is the centre of every home.
3. Today, Britain cheers up winter with shows, sporting events and other …
4. Few people … out into the dark streets … in murky fogs.

11. How many combinations can you make?

absurd, excellent, ridiculous, silly, crazy, unforgettable, jealous,
splendid, amazing, weak, envious, clumsy, grand, awkward,
curious, graceful, unbelievable, fragile, incredible, murky
________________________________________________

excursion, adventure, plans, movement, effect, dream, person,

panorama, decision, example, silence, impression, motion, glance,
situation, prediction, thought, plant, fog, voyage

89
 Story 15
The Last Day of the Year

Victoria: Today’s the last day of the year.

Children: When does the year finish?
Victoria: At 12 o’clock at night. With the
first strike of the clock.
Children: And when does a new year
start?
Victoria: With the 12th strike of the clock.
Children: And what happens in between?
Victoria: Between what?
Children: Between the first and twelfth
strikes?
Victoria: Don’t trouble troubles until
troubles trouble you.
Children: Why are you opening all the books?
Victoria: I’m too busy to talk to you.

Rock-a-by, baby, on a tree top,

When the wind blows, the cradle will rock.
When the bough breaks, the cradle will fall,
Down will come baby, cradle and all.
Children: Listen! Can you hear the church bells ringing?
They’re ringing everywhere! In the North, South, East and
West! The bells of all churches, cathedrals and chapels!
That’s Big Ben! It was the first strike! Oh, dear! Look! The
books are moving! The characters are coming out!
That’s King Cole! I recognised him! He’s followed by the
musicians!
King Cole: Hello, friends!
Children: What’s that noise?
90
 King Cole: That’s the Lion and
the Unicorn, of course, fighting
for the crown.
Children: Fighting for the
crown?
King Cole: Yes, to be sure. And
the best of the joke is, that it’s my
crown!
Children: Does the one that wins get the crown?
King Cole: Dear me, no! What an idea!
Children: Listen! That’s the second strike!
King Cole: Ten minutes allowed for refreshments!
Unicorn: I had the best of this time!
King Cole: A little - a little. You shouldn’t have run him
through with you horn, you know.
Unicorn: It didn’t hurt him.
What – is - this?
Lion: Are you animal - or vegetable - or mineral?
King Cole: This is a child! Here are some more of them.
Unicorn: I always thought children were monsters! Is it alive?
King Cole: It can talk. They all can talk.
Unicorn: Talk, child.
Children: Do you know, I always thought Unicorns were monsters? I
never saw one alive before!
Unicorn: Well, now that we have seen each other, if you believe in me, I’ll
believe in you. Is that a bargain?
Children: Yes, if you like.
Unicorn: Come, fetch out the plum-cake! None of brown bread for me!

Sing a song of sixpence When the pie was opened

A pocket full of rye! The birds began to sing
Four and twenty blackbirds Wasn’t that a dainty dish
Baked in a pie. To set before the King?
91
Lion: I should win easily.
Unicorn: I’m not sure of that.
Lion: Why, I beat you all
round the town!
King Cole: I don’t think
they’ll fight any more today.
They fought enough. Go and
order the drums to begin.
The Lion and the Unicorn
were fighting for the crown.
The Lion beat the Unicorn
all about the town.
Some gave them white bread, some gave them brown.
Some gave them plum-cake and drummed them out of town.
Children: Listen! That was the third strike! Look at the boy kissing all the
girls!
King Cole: That’s Georgie Porgie. He likes to
kiss girls.

Georgie Porgie, pudding-and-pie.

Kissed the girls and made them cry.
When the boys came out to play,
Georgie Porgie ran away.

Children: Listen! The fourth strike! Look at that funny little boy sitting
in the corner!
King Cole: That is Jack Horner.

Little Jack Horner He put in a thumb

Sat in the corner And took out a plum
Eating the Christmas pie. And said: What a good boy am I.

92
Children: Listen! The fifth strike! Look at that little girl! She is so pretty!
King Cole: That is Little Miss Muffet. And that’s her spider. He likes to
frighten her. But she’s not afraid of him.

Little Miss Muffet sat on a tuffet

Eating her curds and whey.
Then came a big spider who sat down behind her
And frightened Miss Muffet away.

Children: Listen! That’s the sixth strike! Look over there! Can you see the
little girl looking for something? Can you recognise her?
King Cole: That’s Little Bo Peep. She always loses her sheep.
After she finds them she loses them again.
Children: Don’t cry, Bo Peep. Leave them alone,
and they’ll come home!

Little Bo Peep has lost her sheep

And doesn’t know where to find them.
Leave them alone, and they’ll come home
Bringing their tails behind them.
Children: Here they come! Listen! That was the
seventh strike! Oh, what is that? One more sheep!
It’s a lamb. It’s so little. Bo Peep, is it yours?
Bo Peep: No it’s not mine. It’s Mary’s. Here she
comes.

Mary had a little lamb,

its fleece was white as snow.
And everywhere that Mary went,
her lamb was sure to go.

93
Children: Listen! That’s the eighth strike!
King Cole: I can see The March Hare and The Hatter.
Hatter: What day of the month is it?
Children: The first.
Hatter: Oh! My watch is two days wrong!
Children: What a funny watch! It tells the day of the month, and doesn’t tell
what o’clock it is!
Hatter: Why should it? Does your watch tell you what year it is?
Children: Of course, not! But that’s because it stays the same year for such
a long time together.
Hatter: Which is just the case with mine!

Boom! Boom! Ain’t it great to be crazy?

Boom! Boom! Ain’t it great to be crazy?
Giddy and foolish the whole time through!
Boom! Boom! Ain’t it great to be crazy?
Children: Listen! It’s the ninth strike! Who are these? One of them has
“DUM” written on his collar, and the other “DEE”. I suppose they’ve each
got “TWEEDLE” round at the back of the collar.
Tweedledum: If you think we’re wax-works, you ought to pay. Wax-works
weren’t made to be looked at for nothing. Nohow!
Tweedledee: Contrariwise, if you think we’re alive you ought to speak.
Children: We’re very sorry. Are you from that song:
Tweedledum and Tweedledee
Agreed to have a battle
For Tweedledum said Tweedledee
Had spoiled his nice new rattle.
Just then flew down a monstrous crow,
As black as a tar-barrel;
Which frightened both the heroes, so
They quite forgot their quarrel!
Tweedledum: I know what you’re thinking about. But it isn’t so, nohow!
Tweedledee: Contrariwise, if it was so, it might be; and if it were so, it
would be; but as if it isn’t, it ain’t. That’s logic.
94
Children: Did you hear? That was the tenth strike! Oh, look!
Did you see him step in on the mat? Did you look? Did you see him?
The Cat in the Hat!
The Cat in the Hat: Why do you sit here like that? I know it is wet.
And the sun is not sunny. But we can have lots of good fun that is funny!
Children: Listen! That was the eleventh strike! Who will come out of the
book now? Look! That is Mary Poppins!
M.P.: You’re wasting the time!
King Cole: Yes, let’s have some fun!
The Cat in the Hat: It is fun to have fun,
but you have to know how!

Old King Cole was a merry old sole,

And a merry old sole was he.
He called for his pipe,
and he called for his bowl,
And he called for his fiddlers three.
Every fiddler, he had a fine fiddle,
And a very fine fiddle had he.
‘Fiddle-dee! Fiddle-dee!’
went the fiddlers three,
There’s none so rare, as can compare
With King Cole and his fiddlers three.
Old King Cole was a merry old sole, and a merry old sole was he.
He called for his cup, and he called for his bowl,
And he called for his pipers three.
Every piper, he had a fine pipe, and a very fine pipe had he.
‘Diddle-dee! Diddle-dee!’ went the pipers three,
‘Fiddle-dee! Fiddle-dee!’ went the fiddlers three….

Old King Cole was a merry old sole, and a merry old sole was he.
He called for his cup, and he called for his bowl,
And he called for his drummers three.
Every drummer, he had a fine drum, and a very fine drum had he.
‘Rat-tat-tat! Rat-tat-tat!’ went the drummers three,
‘Diddle-dee! Diddle-dee!’ went the pipers three,
‘Fiddle-dee! Fiddle-dee!’ went the fiddlers three…

Children: Listen! That’s the twelfth strike! The New Year has begun! Happy
New Year!
95
 Story 16
Burns Night

1. On the 25th of January 1759 in the

Ayrshire village of Alloway,
Scotland, Robert Burns came into
this world. You are going to a Burn’s
Party. Invite your friend. Tell your
friend about the traditional celebration of Robbie Burn’s birthday.
The 25th of January, Burns Night, is celebrated all over Scotland
and wherever Scots are gathered world-wide. Burns was a remarkable
lyric poet. Burns had a deep love for Scotland, its history and folklore.
A lot of Burns’ poems were composed to the old folk-melodies and
are popular as songs all over the world. In his lyrical poems and songs
Burns glorifies true love and friendship.
Rabbie Burns is one of the best loved poets and his warm human
spirit is celebrated at Burns Night parties to commemorate his birth. Burns
night is a patriotic festival which may go on far into the night.
The ritual is a picturesque and colourful occasion to wear the tartan
and to celebrate in true Scottish fashion.
The main event of the evening is
breathtaking moment when the haggis is
piped into the hall. The haggis, a sheep’s
stomach stuffed with spiced meats and
regarded by Scots as a national delicacy,
arrives on a silver platter, while a piper
plays, the music having a heart-stirring
effect on the diners.
The evening ends with speeches in
honour of the poet and with Scottish reels,
which go on far into the night.

96
 Scotland the Brave
Hark when the night is falling
Hear! Hear the pipes are calling.
Loudly and proudly calling
Down thro’ the glen.
There where the hills are sleeping,
Now feel the blood a-leaping,
High as the spirits of the old Highland men.
Towering in gallant fame,
Scotland my mountain hame,
High may your proud standards
gloriously wave,
Land of my high endeavour,
Land of the shining river,
Land of my heart forever,
Scotland the brave.
High in the misty mountains,
Out by the purple highlands,
Brave are the hearts that beat beneath
Scottish skies.
Wild are the winds to meet you,
Staunch are the friends that greet you,
Kind as the love that shines from fair
maiden’s eyes.

2.Have you ever …?

1.Have you ever worn a tartan?

2.Have you ever played the bagpipes?
3.Have you ever eaten a haggis?

97
 My heart's in the Highlands
Farewell to the Highlands, farewell to the North,
The birth-place of Valour, the country of Worth;
Wherever I wander, wherever I rove,
The hills of the Highlands for ever I love.
My heart's in the Highlands, my heart is not here,
My heart's in the Highlands, a-chasing the deer;
Chasing the wild-deer, and following the roe,
My heart's in the Highlands, wherever I go.
Farewell to the mountains, high-cover'd with snow,
Farewell to the straths and green valleys below;
Farewell to the forests and wild-hanging woods,
Farewell to the torrents and loud-pouring floods.

98
 Address To A Haggis

Fair fa' your honest, sonsie face,
Great chieftain o' the puddin-race!
Aboon them a' ye tak your place,
Painch, tripe, or thairm:
Weel are ye wordy of a grace
As lang's as my arm.
The groaning trencher there ye fill,
Your hurdies like a distant hill,
Your pin wad help to mend a mill
In time o' need,
While thro' your pores the dews distil
Like amber bead.
His knife see rustic Labour dight,
An' cut ye up wi' ready slight,
Trenching your gushing entrails bright
Like onie ditch;
And then, O what a glorious sight,
Warm-reekin, rich!
Then, horn for horn, they strech an' strive:
Deil tak the hindmost! on they drive,
Till a' their weel-swall'd kytes belyve,
Are bent like drums;
Then auld Guidman, maist like to rive,
'Bethankit!' hums.
3.
4.
Is there that owre his French ragout
Or olio that wad staw a sow,
Or fricassee wad mak her spew
Wi' perfect sconner,
Looks down wi' sneering, scornfu' view
On sic a dinner?
Poor devil! see him owre his trash,
As feckless as a wither'd rash,
His spindle shank, a guid whip-lash,
His nieve a nit;
Thro' bluidy flood or field to dash,
O how unfit!
But mark the Rustic, haggis-fed,
The trembling earth resounds his tread.
Clap in his walie nieve a blade,
He'll make it whissle;
An' legs, an' arms, an' heads will sned,
Like taps o' thrissle.
Ye Pow'rs wha mak mankind your care,
And dish them out their bill o 'fare,
Auld Scotland wants nae skinking ware
That jaups in luggies;
But, if ye wish her gratefu' prayer,
Gie her a Haggis!

5. Now is the time to link our hands and sing one of the best known songs in
the world ‘Auld Lang Syne’. The name of the song means ‘Old Long
Since’ – a long time ago.

Should auld acquaintance be forgot

And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And days of auld lang syne?
For auld lang syne, my dear! For auld lang syne!
We’ll tak’ a cup o’kindness yet for auld lang syne!

99
6. You’d like to invite your friend to go to the skating-rink.
a) Call your friend and discuss where and when you will meet.
- Hello! What about going to the skating-rink?
- Oh, what’s the time?
- 8 o’clock.
- 8 o’clock?! Are you kidding?
- It’s the best time! The skating-rink is overcrowded the whole day,
and only early in the morning we can make the most of it.
- But I’m still sleeping.
- OK, when will you be available?
- Well, call me in …

 
b) Some time have passed. Call your friend and ask if he/she can come
along now. If not, call later again.
A B
Hello! Have you woken up? No, I haven’t. / Yes, I have.
Are you still sleeping? Yes, I am. I like to sleep. I have woken
Are you still lying in bed? up, but I haven’t got up yet. I’m lying
Are we going? in bed. I like to lie in bed in the
What are you doing? morning. Sorry, I’m busy.
What are you busy with? I’m taking a shower / making
You promised! Let’s meet in 20 breakfast… Well… OK.
minutes at the bus stop.

 c) You’ve been waiting for your friend for a long time. Call your
friend and ask her/him why she/he is being late.
Hello! What’s the matter? O, yes! I’m dressing. I’m putting on my
Are you coming? I’m freezing! shoes (hat, ...) I’m looking for my gloves
Have you found your gloves? (purse, wallet, keys...)
I’ve been waiting for you for ... O, yes! But I can’t find my ...
I have found my keys!
I’ll be there right away!

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5. Your friend has come at last. What is your reaction?
A. There you are at last! I have waited
for you for quite a while! I am freezing.
OK! Let’s not waste time for
quarrelling.
B. I am really sorry. I feel guilty. I am
so absent-minded last time. Let’s start
skating. It’s the best way to warm up.
6.Let’s discuss the situation.
1.Did it ever happen to you to come late
for the meeting with your friend? Can
you tell about this case? What did you
feel at that moment?
2.Did it ever happen that your friend came late for the meeting? Can you
tell about this case? What did you feel at that moment? What did you tell
your friend? What was your friend’s reaction? Why do you think your
friend reacted like this?
✍ 7. Can you fill in the blanks?
1.Alice was beginning to get very tired of … (to sit) by her sister and … (to
have) nothing to do: once or twice she had peeped into the book her sister
... (to read), but it had no pictures or conversations in it, “and what is the
use of a book,” thought Alice, “without pictures or conversations?”
2.So she … (to consider) in her own mind (as well as she could, for the hot
day made her feel very sleepy and stupid), whether the pleasure of … (to
make) a daisy-chain would be worth the trouble of … (to get up) and ...
(to pick) the daisies, when suddenly a White Rabbit with pink ears ran
close by her.
3.The rabbit hole went straight on like a tunnel for some way, and then
dipped suddenly down, so suddenly that Alice had not a moment to think
about … (to stop) herself before she found herself … (to fall) down what
seemed to be a very deep well.
4.“Well!” thought Alice to herself. After such a fall as this, I shall think
nothing of … (to tumble) down-stairs!”
5.“Now I … (to open out) like the largest telescope that ever was! Good-
bye, feet!”

101
 Story 17
An Evocative Ceremony

One of the most evocative

ceremonies concerns the
keys used to lock the Tower
gate at night. This ceremony
has continued for over 700
years.
The ritual begins when
the Chief Yeoman emerges
from the Byward Tower to
join an escort of guards. The
guards carry out a tour of inspection, strolling slowly between the dark
walls. At the Bloody Tower a sentry calls out:
“Halt! Who goes there?”
“The keys”, answers the Chief Yeoman.
“Whose keys?”
“Queen Elisabeth’s keys.”
“Pass Queen Elisabeth’s keys, all’s well.”
The escort marches up the Broad Walk where the
guards present arms and the Chief Warder cries out,
“God preserve Queen Elisabeth,” just as he did when
the first Elisabeth was on the throne. Finally the last
post is sounded and the guard dismissed.
evocative coming into the mind
concern relate to; interest
emerge appear, come out, become visible
escort accompany on a trip
inspection examination, looking at something closely
stroll walk leisurely, slowly
sentry guard
dismiss send away

102
1. What impressed you most of all in the key ceremony?
1. I am impressed by ……………………………………….
2. I am delighted by …………………………………………
• … the fact that the Tower has to be locked every night.
• … the fact that this ritual is so old.
• … the picturesque sight of the escort.
• … the fascinating costumes of the Yeomen.
3. ……………………………….… impressed me most of all.
• Locking the Tower every night …
• The wonderful costumes of the Beefeaters …
• The fact that the ceremony is held in the way as in the time
when the Elisabeth the First was on the throne …
2. Can you group these words in synonyms?
flaming, to destroy, shining, to demolish, to break, charming, burning,
fascinating, marvelous, to ruin, company, to emerge, examination,
enchanting, to spoil, to walk, escort, to promenade, to appear,
inspection, to stroll, to come out
3. How many combinations can you make?
supreme, crazy, fascinating, terrific,
ingenious, miserable, wise, sorrowful
thought, importance, sound, decision, project,
proposal, approach, idea, wish
4. Can you create a story with some of the word combinations you
have made?

103
 Story 18
You will be impressed
1. You’d like to go to a disco, but you don’t want to go alone.
Invite your friend to come along.
A. B.
Let’s go to a disco! I know a good disco I don’t like discos.
club. This is the best place. They have a They’re usually
conditioner. The D. J. is super-cool. overcrowded
They have the newest music. The design It’s usually hot and stuffy
of the hall is …(very stylish, there.
extraordinary). I don’t like loud music.
I promise you’ll be impressed. The service is usually bad.

2.Your friend agreed to go to a disco. Do you like your friend’s looks?

A.
You’re crazy! Look at yourself!
You can’t go like this! It’s a disco
club, not a … It seems to me,
this skirt (vest,…) is… (ridiculous,
old fashioned, not modest)
It looks… (awful, terrible…)
B.
You don’t understand.
It’s very stylish. It’s the latest
fashion. It’s the newest French
(Italian) design.
I think, it looks cool.
You’re just jealous!

DISCO! DISCO!
We are DISCO! We are DISCO!
We are D – delightful!
We are I – incredible!
We are S – sensational!
We are C – creative!
We are O!

104
 3. You are at the disco. You don’t like
anything. You feel you’re wasting the
time. Tell your friend about it.
B.
The room is… ; The air is …;
The music is …; The light is …;
The design is …; The dancing place is…
The D. J. is… ; The service is …
absurd, awful, stuffy, dull, too laud, overcrowded, dim,
ridiculous, old-fashioned, boring, too small
A.
It’s normal. It’s a disco club, not a …
As for me, everything is…(excellent, splendid, cool…)
If there were less people, it wouldn’t be so merry here.
I wouldn’t like to be observed by everyone when dancing.
4.You feel extremely hot and thirsty. You’d like
to order some Coke or Sprite, but the waiter
just doesn’t hear you. Try to speak as loudly
you can.
-I’d like some…
-Sorry?
-I’d like some…
-Excuse me, I can’t hear you!
-I’d like some…
-Ah! OK!
5. You’ve been waiting for your order for 10 minutes, but all in vein.
You are dying from thirst. Tell your friend about it.
- I’m dying from thirst. I’ve been waiting for my order for 10 minutes!
Maybe they forgot about us?
- No. It’s normal. There are a lot of people here. Can’t you see they are
running to and fro? They are ready to drop!
- It’s not an excuse! It’s their business!
- You’re so inpatient!
105
6. The waiter has brought your order, but, to your great
disappointment, it’s not what you wanted. Tell this to the waiter.

- Hey! Excuse me, I ordered …, but you brought…

- Sorry?
- Hey! Excuse me, I ordered …, but you brought…
- Excuse me, I can’t hear you!
- Hey! Excuse me, I ordered …, but you brought…
- Ah! I’m sorry, wait a little.
- No, no. If it takes the same long time, let it be.

7. Tell your friend your impressions of the disco.

A.
You said it was … But it is…
You said they had… But …
It was not worth spending time.
This is the worst (stupidest, dullest, most
awful, most ridiculous…)
disco club I ever was at in all my life.
You promised I would be impressed. I am.
But my impressions are not the best.
My mood is spoiled.
B.
As for me, everything was cool. The music was great.
Tastes differ. Stop droning. Nothing bad happened.
I am not responsible for your mood. You knew that you were going to a
disco club, not to the concert of chamber music.

106
✍ 8. Can you fill in the right words?
1. London Bridge is the oldest … across the river Thames.
2. In the Tower of London may still be seen … of the fortress built by
the Romans.
3. Robin Hood is the much … and much beloved hero of English
people.
4. Among the great … of Autumn, one of the most popular is the Lord
Mayor’s Show.
5. Each Mayor of London on election should journey to Westminster
to … his loyalty to the monarch.
6. Since Tower Bridge was built, its … have opened to shipping a
million times.
7. In Salisbury Plain where you can see Stonehenge, a complex … of
gigantic stones called megaliths.
8. Once upon a time, the winter … was a time for meditation on the
year gone by and of hope for the year to come.
9. A hundred years ago the … of winter brought everyday life almost
to a snail’s pace.
10. The Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace never … to
attract huge crowds of spectators.
11. Guard duty at the palace is shared by a number of …
12. If the Sovereign is at home, the Royal … flaps lazily in the breeze
above the Palace.
13. The history of St. Paul’s begins in 604 A.D. A Roman … to Diana
stood on the site at the top of Ladgate Hill.
14. The history enshrined in this magnificent setting is endless, the
names …
15. May Day is a … acknowledgment of the time of nature’s rebirth.
16. The royal parks of London are the … of the monarch.

admired, relics, pageants, pagan, acknowledge, structure, bascules,

regiments, onset, solstice, enshrined, property, array, fails, Standard,
immortal, temple
107
 Story 19
The Royal Residence

1.Today we are going

to Windsor. While
riding on a bus let’s
discuss these
questions:
•When you have a long
bus ride, do you like to
watch the sights behind
the window? If not,
what do you prefer to
do? If you feel sleepy, but the excursion is very interesting, how can
you refresh?
• When you travel, do you buy souvenirs for your relatives and friends?
What kind of souvenirs do you usually buy? Do you agree with the
saying ‘Souvenirs are things that everyone likes but no one needs’?
• Do you think souvenirs are worth buying? Why do you think so?

Traveling directly to Windsor we alight for the short walk to Windsor

Castle. Windsor, the Queen’s weekend residence, has been a royal castle
for the past 900 years since William the Conqueror started the construction
in 1066. Windsor Castle is the oldest continuously inhabited royal
residence in Britain.
2. You feel very hungry. Discuss with your friend whether it is
convenient to eat in the bus while the guide is telling about the
sights.
3. The bus ride made you dozing. Will you have a nap or fight
with your sleep? What can you do to refresh?
4. Discuss with your friends your impressions of the excursion.
108
 5. What was new for you today? And what did you already know?
I knew that ... But I didn’t know that ...
• Windsor Castle had been a royal residence from the same time as
The Tower of London.
• Windsor Castle was also built by William the Conqueror.
• Windsor Castle was the oldest continuously inhabited royal
residence in Britain.
6. The bus stops in a picturesque place. You have some spare time.
Will you have a walk or go to a souvenir shop? Discuss this with
your friend.
7. You are to be in the bus in five minutes. You are far away from
the meeting place. Discuss with your friend what to do. Act
according to your decision.
8. Can you group these words in synonyms?
to inhabit, supreme, ingenious, sad, merry, sorrowful, angry,
scared, embarrassed, content, ashamed, hart-stirring, furious,
shocking, satisfied, jolly, frightened, astonishing, amazing,
breath-taking, to live
9. What place is this?
A. You can see defensive walls and towers. An outer curtain wall, a
moat and an inner curtain wall make the site impregnable.
B. You can see the guardians in red tunics and bearskins marching and
saluting. There’s a huge crowd of spectators. The Royal Standard
flaps lazily in the breeze above all.
C. William the Conqueror and the most of British Kings and Queens
have been crowned there. It is the final resting place of many
monarchs, heroes and poets. This magnificent building is truly a
centrepiece of London’s history.
D. It’s the Queen’s weekend residence. It is the oldest
continuously inhabited royal residence in Britain.
E. It was a royal fortress where the court lived as well as a prison.
Now it’s a Museum.

109
10. A passer-by in London asks you how to get to… Can you explain
him/her the way?

11. You’ve got nice new clothes on. Your friends wonder where you got
them from. Tell them about it.
A. B.
What a nice sweater (dress) you’ve got! My sweater (dress…)
Where did you get it (them)? was (were) bought in…
It’s very stylish! It’s up to date! was brought from…
It’s very fashionable. was made in…
It suits you perfectly! was presented by…
You look so charming in it! was knitted by…
You look very attractive in it! was sewed by…

110
12. Can you match?
A.
1. You are passing a picturesque landscape.
2. It started to rain.
3. You see a wonderful but expensive souvenir.
4. You don’t remember how to ask the way.

B.
1. If I had a camera, …
2. If I had an umbrella, …
3. If I had more money, …
4. If I had a pocket dictionary, …

C.
1. I was passing a picturesque landscape.
2. When I was walking around the town, it started to rain.
3. I saw a wonderful but expensive souvenir.
4. I wanted to ask the way, but I forgot how to do it.

D.
a. If I had had a camera, …
b. If I had had an umbrella, …
c. If I had had more money, …
d. If I had had a pocket dictionary, …

111
 Story 20
It is difficult to take care of children

Victoria: I have much work to do.

Will you, please, sit with the
children while I am out? This is what
you are to do: wake them up at 4
o’clock. Give them dinner at a
quarter past 4. Take them for a
walk at a quarter to 5. Give them
milk at 6 o’clock. Bath them at
half past 6. Put them to bed at 7
o’clock.

1. Let’s discuss if it is difficult to take care of children.

1. Do you have a brother or a sister? Is he younger or older than you?
2. The questions for those who have younger sister or brother.
a) Do you help your mother to take care of her/him? How often
does it happen?
b) Does he/she listen to you? What do you do if not?
c) Do you know any children’s rhymes, songs or games?
d) Do you often play with your younger sister / brother?
e) Do you think it is difficult to take care of children?
3. The questions for those who have older sister or brother.
a) Does your older sister / brother help your mother to take care of
you? How often does it happen?
b) Do you listen to your older sister / brother?
c) Do you often play with your older sister / brother?
d) Does your older sister / brother help you to do your homework?
e) Do you think it is difficult to take care of children?

112
 Maria: It’s 4 o’clock. Let’s wake up the children. Ann, put
on your dress.
Put on your shoes!
Ann: I won’t!
Maria: Don’t be naughty! Alexander, put on your
socks! Put on your shoes!
Alexander: I won’t!
Maria: Don’t be naughty!
Kate: It’s half past 4. Have some
porridge. Have some salad.
Children: I won’t!
Maria: Don’t be naughty! … Oh, it’s 5
o’clock! We are late for a walk! Let’s
go to the park.
Maria: Do you want to slide?
Children: No, we don’t!
Oleg: Don’t be naughty!
Kate: Do you want to swing?
Children: No, we don’t!
Oleg: Don’t be naughty! It’s 6 o’clock. Let’s
go home.
Children: We won’t!
Maria: I will read a book for you.
Kate: I will sing a song for you.
Oleg: I will tell a fairy-tale for you.

113
2. Why do you think the children wouldn’t do what they were asked
to? Give reasons.
1. The children wouldn’t get up, because they were tired
2. The children wouldn’t dress, because they were not hungry
3. The children wouldn’t eat porridge, they were naughty
because they are just small
4. The children wouldn’t play in the park ..............................
because
5. The children wouldn’t go home because

Victoria: So, I’m home. How

are things going? At what
time did they get up?
Maria: They got up at 4
o’clock.
Victoria: At what time did
they have their dinner?
Kate: They had dinner at half
past 4.
Victoria: But I asked you to
give them dinner at a quarter
past 4.
Kate: Yes, but they didn’t want to dress, they were naughty.
Victoria: At what time did they go for a walk?
Oleg: They went for a walk at 5 o’clock.
Victoria: But I asked you to go for a walk at a quarter to 5.
Kate: Yes, but they didn’t want to eat. They were naughty.
They ate ice-cream, they ate sweets.
Victoria: At what time did they go to bed? They went to bed at 8 o’clock.
But I asked you to put them to bed at 7 o’clock.
Oleg: Yes, but they didn’t want to sleep, they were naughty.

114
3. Fill in the right words.

1. Victoria was … to find out why Ann and Alexander didn’t have
dinner in time.
2. The children felt … because they were not able to do what they
were asked to.
3. Victoria was … that Ann and Alexander went to bed late.
4. The children tried to … why the things went on in this way.
5. Victoria is not … because she understands that Ann and Alexander
are just small.

discontent, explain, angry, embarrassed, keen

4. Your mother asks you to sit with your younger sister / brother
while she is out. a) Ask your mother what you are to do.

b) Your younger brother is misbehaving. Try to persuade him/her not

to be naughty. Promise something to him/her.

c) Your mother came back home. Tell her how the things were going.

5. Let’s discuss the situation.

1. Did you ever happen to sit with a small child? Was it your sister,
brother, niece or nephew?
2. How did the child behave? Did the child listen to you?
3. What did you do to make the child behave?

115
 Story 21
1. It’s wet and windy. You don’t
feel like walking outside today.
Discuss with your friend what
you can do in the house.
A.
I’ve got an idea! Let’s play chess
(watch TV, listen to music…)
You don’t like my suggestion.
Can you suggest anything more
interesting?
B.
I don’t think it’s a good idea.
I’m bored with … (playing chess, watching TV…)! I’m sick and tired of…
2. Your friend suggests watching TV. Discuss what to watch.
3. Your small sister (brother) doesn’t want to do his/her homework.
Try to persuade him/her to start working.
4. It’s 8 o’clock in the evening. Your small sister (brother) doesn’t
want to go to bed. Try to persuade her/him. Explain why it is
important to go to bed in time.
5. Can you transform these sentences?
Example: Cats like raw potatoes.
I heard…
I was told… that cats liked raw potatoes.
Someone said…
1. The party will start at 7 o’clock.
2. The winter is going to be mild.
3. The lessons are cancelled today.
4. The summer is going to be rainy.
5. We will have 10 lessons tomorrow.
6. There is a hedgehog under my desk.
7. A UFO has landed on the roof of our school.

116
 Story 22
Always Treat Others
as You'd Want Them to Treat You

Victoria: It’s frosty today. You can’t go out. But I have to do some
shopping. Will you sit with Ann until I come back? Put her to bed
at 2 o’clock. See you soon.
Oleg: Oh, why should I? I’m not a nurse! I hate sitting with little
kids!
Children: Don’t be naughty. We’ll help you.
Oleg: Well, if you please,
you can sit with her. Not me! I’ll play with my soldiers.
Children: All right. We don’t need your help.
Ann: Can I have some nana?
Children: We can’t understand. What is “nana”?
Maria: She calls banana so. She always says a half of a word if
it is long.
Children: How funny. Here’s the banana, Ann. Oh, it’s 2
o’clock! It’s time for your nappy.
Ann: I don’t like nappies! Not even a bit of it! I don’t like nappies!
Children: But you have to! All children sleep in the afternoon. Ah! You are
yawning already. Go to bed.
Ann: Where’s my blanket?
Children: Here it is. Sleep well.

Little boy blue, come blow your horn.

The sheep’s in the meadow, the cow’s in the corn.
And where is the boy who looks after the sheep?
He’s under a hay stock fast asleep.
Will you wake him? – No, not I!
For if I do, he’ll be sure to cry.

117
 Victoria: You are playing with your soldiers? But I asked
you to sit with your sister!
Oleg: Well, my friends are sitting with her.
They are putting her to bed.
Victoria: But your friends are not responsible
for your sister. It’s your responsibility.
Hello, children! Thank you for help.
I’ve brought some candies for you.
Children: What about Oleg?
Victoria : Well, I don’t know…
Children: Oleg, come!
Take some candies!
Oleg: Thank you, friends. I’m sorry.
Ann: Have you got any candy?
Children: You were supposed to have a nappy!
Ann: I don’t like nappies!
Oleg: Here, Ann. I’ve built a castle for you.
Children: Oh, Oleg!!!
Father: It’s that law again.
Children: What law?
Father: The law of the boomerang.
If you treat your foe friendly, eventually
your friendliness will come back to you.
Ray: Hey, I’ve just started the best way in the world
to destroy all my enemies. I’ll just change them all into friends.
Father: 'Cause it's the law, mates! The law of the boomerang!
Ann: Even I know that. Always treat others as you'd want them to treat you
'cause your actions are like boomerangs and some day they'll come back to
you.
1. Let’s discuss the situation.
1. Did you ever happen to quarrel with your friend?
2. What did you feel at that moment?
3. How do you understand ‘Your actions are like boomerangs’?
118
2. How do you divide duties in your family? Who is responsible for
doing the shopping, washing the clothes, ironing, cooking, sweeping
the floor, Etc.? Do you think the duties are divided fairly?

3. Your mother asked you to buy some food for the diner. On your
way to the shop you meet your friend who invites you to play
volleyball together. Explain to your friend why you cannot join
him/her.

4. In the shop you noticed

that you left the shopping list
at home. Call your mother
and ask her to remind you
what to buy.

5.You’ve bought some apples

(pears, plums…). But two
(three, some) of them are not
ripe. They are not sweet.
Explain your problem to your friend.

6. Go back to the shop and explain the shop-keeper your problem.

Ask him to change these apples (pears…).
- Hello!
- Hello! What would you like?
- Oh, I’m not going to buy anything now. You know, I’ve bought some
…. But two (three, some) of them are not ripe. They are not sweet.
Can you change them?
- Oh, excuse me! Of course, I will change them! And here’re some
muffins (candies, chocolates…) for you.
- How much are they?
- Oh, there’s nothing to pay. It was my fault.
- Thank you! Good-bye!
119
Vera: Imagine what happened to me yesterday! I forgot to shut the door
when I came back from the shop, and my cat ran out from the house. I
noticed it in five minutes after it had happened. I was sure I could find him
soon. I looked for him everywhere: I searched all the bushes in the yard,
the cellars and attics in the nearest houses, but all in vain. He was nowhere
to be seen.
Kate: Poor you! I can just imagine what you felt at that time!
Vera: Suddenly I heard my cat mewing! I called him loudly, but he was
nowhere to be seen.
Maria: Where was he then?
Vera: I listened very carefully and heard the
tapping of his paw against my neighbour’s door.
He was there! I rang the bell, but nobody
answered! I understood that the cat came in when
my neighbour was leaving the house. I was afraid
that when my neighbour would be back he might not notice how my cat
would run out and get lost. So, I waited patiently at my neighbour’s door.
How surprised he was, when he saw me and heard about the cat in his flat!
Kate: And I’m sure you were very happy to see your cat again
Vera: Of course I was!
Kate: Well, one day I couldn’t find my hamster. Can you
imagine where I found him? In the cup! There was some sugar in the cup
and my hamster wanted to have a festive lunch. He is such a sweet tooth!
Vera: Unbelievable!
Maria: Listen to my story! One day my brother brought a rat.
Girls: A rat?!
Maria: Right. He was very small and looked cute. And one day he had
disappeared! We looked for him everywhere!
Vera: And where did you find him?
Maria: In Oleg’s running shoe! A week before that
day Oleg went on a picnic. When he came back, his
shoes were wet, so he put them on the balcony and
forgot about them. Girls: Incredible!
120
7. Find the answers to these questions in the story.
1. How did it happen that Vera’s cat ran out of the house?
2. Why couldn’t Vera take her cat at the moment she found him?
3. How did Kate’s hamster get into the cup?
4. How did it happen that Oleg’s running shoes have been kept at the
balcony for a week?

8. Do you have a pet? Did it ever happen that you couldn’t find him?
Tell your friends about it.

9. How many combinations can you make?

foe
nurse
well-known responsibility
rude enemy
selfish nanny
famous kid
renowned baby-sitter
child
duty
rival

121
 Story 23
Many Hands Make Light Work

Maria: What’s
happening? Did I miss
something?
Oleg: Mom and dad
decided to repair the
house! We have to bring
all the things into the
cellar. Then we have to
help to take off the
curtains from the windows and remove the
old wall-papers from the walls.

1. You are going to repair your house.

Do you know what you have to do?
Complete the sentences.
1. We should bring the furniture into...
2. We should take off ...
3. We should remove ...
4. We should paint ...
the curtains, the walls, the cellar,
the old wall-papers ...
2. Fill in ‘It’s easy’, ‘It’s difficult’,
‘It’s possible’, ‘It’s impossible’.
1. ... to carry a piano without help.
2. ... to remove the old wall-paper without help.
3. ... to paint the ceiling without help.
4. ... to carry a chair without help.
5. ... to paint a door without help.
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Maria : You know, Victoria’s mother is
coming tomorrow. Mom asked us to
prepare the room for her. We should not
forget anything. Victoria’s mother likes
comfort.
Kate: I can help you. I know what
should be done. My aunt works at the
hotel. We should put the towels on the
rack. We should put the blanket and the
pillows on the bed. We should put the books
into the bookcase. We should put the rug on the floor. We should put the
wood into the fire-place. We should put the flowers into the vase. We
should hang the hangers into the wardrobe. We should put the soap on the
sink.
Kate: I hear the car honking! It’s her!
Victoria’s mother: Hello, children. Take
my things: my suitcase, box, parcel, basket,
trunk, umbrella, bag, purse, cane… Careful!
Oh, my! What a terrible mess in the yard!
You must cut the bushes.
Children: But we cut them on Monday.
Victoria’s mother: You did a bad job. And
you must paint the fence.
Children: But we painted it on Tuesday.
Victoria’s mother: You did bad job. And
you must sweep the path.
Children: But we swept it on Wednesday.
Victoria’s mother: And you must sweep the
porch.
Children: But we swept it on Wednesday.

123
Victoria’s mother: You did a bad job. And
you must water the flowers in the yard.
Children: But we watered them on
Thursday.
Victoria’s mother: And did you water the
flowers in the house?
Children: Yes, we did!
Victoria’s mother:
The windowpanes
are dusty!
Children: But we
washed them on
Friday!
Victoria’s mother: And you must wash the floor!
Children: But we washed it on Friday!

Victoria’s mother: You did a

bad job.
Children: Well. Tomorrow
we’ll cut the bushes, on
Tuesday we’ll paint the house,
on Wednesday we’ll wash the
windowpanes…
Victoria’s mother:
Tomorrow? On Tuesday? On
Wednesday? No! Today!

124
3. Why do you think it happens so, that some job should be redone?
1. It happens that you have to wash your shirt again, because...
2. It happens that you have to water the flowers soon again, because...
3. It happens that you have to wash the window twice, because...
4. It happens that you have to wash the floor again, because...
a) you spit juice on it the first minute after you put it on.
b) you didn’t do it properly.
c) the day is too hot.
d) it was too dirty.
e) your small sister/brother walked across it with dirty shoes on.
f) your small sister/brother ate ice-cream and then touched the
window.

4. You are preparing the room for the guest.

a) Discuss what you have to do. Use the text above.
b) Check up if everything is ready.
Is/Are there… (hangers in the wardrobe, towels on the rack, soap on the
sink, flowers in the vase, a blanket on the bed, a pillow on the bed…)?

5. Your fried was doing his/her job, and

accidentally hurt his/her hand.
a) Advise your friend to go to the doctor.
b) Your friend has come from the doctor.
Ask your friend how he/she feels now.

6. Did it ever happen to you that

you had to do the job twice? Why?
Write a story about it.

125
7. Your parents (uncle and aunt;
grandma and grandpa) gave you
some money on her birthday. You’d like to buy a small TV-set
(a video-player; a tape-recorder; a bicycle…).
A. On your way to the shop you meet your friend who invites you
to play in the yard. Tell him/her where you are going.
- Hi! Let’s play!
- Sorry, I can’t. I’m going to the shop.
- What are you going to buy?
- You know, my parents (uncle and aunt; grandma and grandpa) gave
me some money for my birthday and I’m going to buy something
extraordinary!
- Good luck!
- Thanks! Bye!
B. Ask the shop-assistant to advise you which one is the best.
(It has the remote control; reverse mode; the search system; continuous play
function; high speed dubbing; graphic equaliser; different speeds, etc.)
C. On your way home you meet your friend again. He/she wonders
what you have bought. Tell him/her about your wonderful and
unbelievable thing.
- Hello! What have you bought?
- Oh, it’s something unbelievable!
- Really? What is it?
- It’s a…
- Wow! Is it expensive?
- Oh, yes! It costs…
- You are crazy! So expensive! It isn’t worth of spending money.
- But it’s extraordinary!
- And what is so extraordinary?
- It has… It can…
- No, it cannot be! I have never heard of such things.
- But the shop-assistant said it had… ! He/she said it could…
- OK, let’s check it up!
126
 D. When you came home, you found out that some functions are
missing. Ask your friend to advise you what to do in this
situation.
- Oh! They said it had… , but it doesn’t! They said it could… , but it
cannot! What shall I do?
- I think you should go to the shop and ask the shop-assistant to
exchange it or to take it back.
- Right you are. I’ll do that.
E. Ask the shop-assistant to take this thing back or to change it for
something else.
(You said it had… But it doesn’t.
You said it could… But it cannot.)

12. Can you group these words in synonyms?

to demolish, to defeat, to destroy, to disappear, to ruin,
to come back, to conquer, to vanish, to reconstruct, to return,
nurse, famous, foe, renowned, responsibility, enemy, nanny,
kid, well-known, baby-sitter, child, duty, rival
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________________

127
 Story 24
Clouds of Blossom

Clouds of blossoms drift among the trees.

In March the weather is usually windy. And
it often rains in April. But the people don’t
complain. They say:
March winds and April showers,
Brings forth May flowers.

1. You and your friend are walking in the street admiring the
blossoming trees. The sun is shining. But unexpectedly you notice a
black cloud in the sky. What is your reaction?

- It's getting colder. The wind is blowing so hard1 It seems like it's
going to rain. And I've got only my T-shirt on! I am freezing!
- In April the weather is changeable. In the morning it seems like
summer, and in the afternoon you feel like in November. You
shouldn't forget about your jacket and umbrella.
- Brrr! I think you are right. Shall we go home?
- You said the weather is changeable in April. Let's wait for the sun!

2. It started to snow. Discuss with your friend what to do.

- Uh-oh! Snow in April! All the blossoms are covered with sparkling
snow!
- If we continue our promenade, we will catch cold!
- But we are far away from our houses!
- … lives nearby. Let's go to his/her place!
- You think it's polite to visit someone without being invited?
- It's an exclusive case. I'm sure he/she will understand us.

128
3. You have come to your friend. You are wet through. Explain to
your friend what has happened.
A, B C
Excuse us for an unexpected visit, but it's an Snow in April! It's
exclusive case! We were walking leisurely impossible! I was …
in the street, admiring the blossoming trees, (watching a film, reading a
when suddenly: thump! Thump! It started to book…) and didn't notice
snow! All the blossoms are covered with anything. You are
sparkling snow! shivering with cold! I'll
make some tea for you.
4. The snow has stopped. The sun is shining brightly. It's warm like in
summer. Invite your friend to go for a walk in the park.

- Look through the window! The snow has stopped. The sun is
shining brightly. Let's go for a walk.
- Fifteen minutes ago you were
shivering with cold!
- But now it's warm like in summer! The
air must be so pure and transparent
after the snow! Let's go and admire
this miracle!
- …………………………………..

When the sun shines on the mountains,

And the night is on the run,
It’s a new day, it’s a new way,
And I fly up to the sun.
Una paloma blanka! I’m just a bird in the sky.
Una paloma blanka! Over the mountains I fly!
Noone can take my freedom away.

129
5. Can you complete the sentences?
perfect/perfectly; beautiful/beautifully; terrible/terribly; awful/awfully;
loud/loudly; magnificent/magnificently; quick/quickly;
frightful/frightfully; bright/brightly
1. When I walk in the spring forest I feel ___________________
2. After having taken a shower I feel ______________________
3. The train is departing in a minute. We’d better run ____________
4. This skirt is very old. It looks ____________________________
5. You played … It sounded _______________________________
6. I heard a ________________ roar. I was ______________ scared.
7. This is a _____________ song. It sounds ___________________
8. What a _______________ blouse! You look ______________ in it!
9. This guitar is untuned. It sounds ________________________
10. I am __________________ tired. I feel __________________
11. I saw a _______________ light. It looked ___________________

Maria: Granny, why are

you so sad? What has
happened?
Grandmother: Oh, the
weather has changed and I
have a terrible headache.
Victoria: No problem, the
children will gladly do the
housework today, won’t
you, kids?
Children: … Well, of
course. Gladly. It’s a
pleasure for us.

130
6. Let’s find out who of us is independent.
1. Have you ever ironed your clothes yourself? a) I do (he/she does)
2. Have you ever washed your clothes yourself? it… (quickly, very
3. Who usually washes your clothes? Why? well excellently,
4. Who usually irons your clothes? Why? best of all)
5. Who usually mends your clothes? Why? b) Nobody else in my
6. Have you ever mended your clothes yourself? family can do it.
7. Who usually cooks for you? Why? c) Nobody else in my
8. Have you ever cooked yourself? family has time for
9. Who usually washes the dishes? Why? that.

6. Your mother asked you to help her clean the

house. First, find out what shall be done.
The windows
The floor washed
The dishes should be vacuumed
The carpet watered
The flowers dusted
The furniture

7. Divide your duties among your brothers

and sisters.

- This is my suggestion. I am responsible for… Anna is responsible for …

(…dusting the furniture, sweeping the floor, emptying the bin, vacuuming
the carpet, washing the dishes, ironing the clothes, watering the flowers.)
- No, I don’t agree with you. It’s not fair. This is my suggestion. …
Have you done everything? (The furniture has been already dusted.
But the floor hasn’t been washed yet.)

131
8. Your mother asks you to do the shopping. Here’s the shopping list.
Tell the salesperson what you would like.
A. B.
a bag of flour a box of candies
a packet of rice a bar of chocolates
a bunch of grapes a dozen of eggs
a bar of soap a bunch of bananas
a box of matches a kilo of cucumbers
a carton of milk a container of sour-cream
9. You bought some eggs. But one of them is not fresh. Explain your
problem to your friend. Ask your friend for advice.
- You know, I’ve bought some eggs. But one of them is not fresh. It smells
badly. What shall I do?
- I think you should go to the shop and ask the shop keeper to change it.
- Thank you for advice. I’ll do that.
10. Go back to the shop and explain to the shop- keeper your problem.
Ask him to change the spoiled egg.
- Hello! What would you like?
- Oh, I’m not going to buy anything now. You know, I’ve bought some
eggs. But one of them is not
fresh. It is spoiled. It smells
badly. Can you change it?
- Oh, excuse me! Of course, I will
change it! And here’re some
biscuits for you.
- How much are they?
- Oh, there’s nothing to pay. It was
my fault.
- Thank you! Good-bye!
11. You are back home. Tell your
mother if you have bought
everything. (Have you bought...?
- Sure. Here it is. /Oh! I forgot.)
12. You have forgotten to buy some things. What do you think you
should do?

132
 Story 25
A Ride on a Ferry-Boat

London stands on the river Thames.

We are passing the Houses of Parliament.
On the right you can see the Clock Tower.
The big bell strikes the hour. This bell is
called Big Ben.
You can see The Monument to the
Fire of London. It’s a very high column
crowned by a
decoration in the form of a flaming vase.
This is London Bridge. London Bridge is the
oldest structure across the river Thames. Long
ago there were houses standing right on the
bridge. During the years it was several times
destroyed. Each new bridge was reconstructed
of new material: timber, elm, stone. Once it had a
wooden drawbridge
to enable masted
shipping to pass
through and also to
act as a
defence for
the city.
The bridge you can see now was
opened in 1973.
Vera: There is a famous song about
London Bridge. Do you remember it?
London Bridge is falling down, falling
down, falling down!
London Bridge is falling down, my fare lady!
Victoria: This is St. Paul’s Cathedral built by Sir Christopher Wren.
133
 You can see the Tower, surrounded by defensive walls and towers.
It was a royal fortress where the court lived as well as a prison. Now it’s a
museum.
There may still be seen relics of the fortress built by the Romans.
Centuries later, King Alfred reinforced it. Centuries later still, William the
Conqueror made use of what he found to enclose the fortress. An outer
curtain wall, a moat, and an inner curtain wall made the site impregnable.
The Tower is open all year round and its ceremonies are carried out
every day.

structure that which is built

reconstruct construct again; to rebuild
drawbridge bridge that can be raised
defense safeguard, fortification
destroy ruin, to demolish
enable make able
court sovereign’s household
relics something which is very old; remains
moat narrow excavation around the castle

134
 This is Tower Bridge. Tower Bridge
has become a symbol of London. The
opening of the two drawbridges
allows the passage of large ships.
A bell rings before they open
and road traffic is halted. The
bascules can be raised in three
minutes. Since
Tower Bridge was built, its bascules
have opened to shipping a million
times. You can see panoramic views from walkways high above the
River Thames.

symbol something that represents something else

allow permit
bascule a part of a bridge
halt stop or pause

13. You like the excursion very much. Discuss your impressions with
your friend.

14. What was new for you today? What did you already new?
I knew that ... But I didn’t know that...
1) London Bridge was the oldest structure across the river Thames.
2) Long ago there had been houses standing on London Bridge.
3) During the years London Bridge had been several times destroyed.
4) Each new bridge had been reconstructed of new material.

15. Find the sentences with these words in the Story. Translate them
into your native language.
… are carried out; … be seen …; … is halted …; …are kept; …was built;
… is crowded; …is surrounded…; …are guarded…
135
16. Can you make the groups of synonyms?
defence, structure, to ruin, reconstruct, to spoil, form, rebuild, to
destroy, fortification, building, safeguard.
17. Your friend doesn’t know where he can buy the thing he/she needs.
Advise your fried at what shop he/she can buy it.
1. I need to buy some aspirin. 2. I’d like to buy new shoes.
3. I need to repair my shoes. 4. I’d like to exchange some money.
5. I’d like to buy some stamps.

136
137
18. Here is the picture of old London. What buildings do you
recognise?

19. Can you group these words in synonyms?

flaming, burning, well known, eternal, to support, terrific, unbelievable,
fantastic, immortal, imposing, incredible, familiar, to cherish, impressive,
enchanting, extreme, to enshrine, to encourage, fascinating, extraordinary

20. Fill in: very or much.

1. London is becoming a very popular place for American tourists.

2. All the big attractions are now … busy in the summer months.
3. The crowds of tourists around places like Buckingham Palace are …
bigger than they were a few years ago.
4. Sales of postcards and other souvenirs are … higher now than in the
past years.
5. This is … good news for the British tourist industry.

138
21.You decided to plant some flowers in your garden. You have your
favourite flowers and favourite colours. But it’s very difficult to
choose because the seeds are all the same. Ask the shop-assistant to
help you. Don’t forget to ask about the colours of the flowers, in
what month they bloom, how high they grow, Etc.
22.Your friend wonders what
flowers you planted in your
garden. Tell your friend about it.
23.What season is this?
A. The first frost turned the last
green plants brown. The trees
are seen in a new stark
structures, making a delicate
tracery against the wind-blown
skies.
B. The green tints of summer give
way to a spectacular show of
warm brown, and gold. And
the grass, recovering from the
summer’s heat, grows lushly in
the lawns.
C. Pale amber light filters through the gilded leaves of the trees.
Overhead wheel great flocks of migratory birds, making their last
fly-past before the long journey South.
D. The bluebells carpet the lawns, the crocuses star the margins of the
park, and yellow daffodils tumble like gold foam on the green
grass.
E. The tender green leaves and the bright flowers start the season with
a beautiful freshness.
F. It seems that the leaves will linger on the trees and the
chrysanthemums will continue to bloom forever. In a few weeks,
however, the winds and rain will arrive to loosen the last golden
leaves.
139
 Story 26
May Day

The royal parks of

London are the property
of the monarch.
Londoners were first
given the privilege to
enjoy the Royal Parks
when the Stuart kings
opened St. James’s
Park and Hyde Park to
them. Today we can
walk freely in the parks
and enjoy the beautiful
landscape of grasslands
and trees.
From early spring until late autumn, a floral fanfare greets all those
who enter the parks. In spring every park is a brilliant splash of colour. The
bluebells carpet the lawns, the crocuses star the margins of the park, and
yellow daffodils tumble like gold foam on the green grass.
A park is the place of a delightful promenade, a walk around a lake
or beside the flower beds. You can enjoy May sunshine and admire the
most colourful display of nature’s pageantry.

1. You are going to school. The air is so fresh that you can’t help
stopping and breathing. The birds are singing so delightfully that
you can’t help admiring their song. At last you are at school and
you find out that you are late. Explain the teacher and your friends
why it happened.

140
2. The weather is gorgeous today. After school you would like to go
the park, but you don't want to go alone. You came to invite your
friend, but you find out that he/she is really busy. Describe today's
weather.
A
The weather is gorgeous today. Let’s go to
Hyde Park and enjoy the beautiful
landscape of grasslands and trees. It’s a
divine day! A wonderful day for a
delightful promenade in the park! In
spring every park is a brilliant splash of
colour. A floral fanfare greets all those
who enter the parks. We can enjoy May
sunshine and admire the most colourful
display of nature’s pageantry. Take your camera and you'll be able to take
marvelous pictures of Nature's rebirth!
B
Sounds … (great,
tempting…)!
But, I’m afraid, I cannot
go. I’ve got a lot of work.
I have to …

3.Did you manage to

persuade your friend to
join you? Was it
difficult? What did you
say? What was your
friend's reaction?
I said that … My friend
answered that …
I tried to convince my friend saying that … My friend replied that …

141
 The Ceremony of Well Dressing
Victoria: The veneration of water is a very
old traditional celebration. The source of
water is of supreme importance for British
people. Wells, springs, streams and fountains
are all revered.
The veneration of water is celebrated in
different way. In Scotland the people tie
pieces of cloth on the branches of trees and
bushes which grow near the water source.
In other places people throw coins into the
water.
And in
some
places wells are decorated with
flowers. All over Scotland there are
Holy Wells, and Healing Wells, and
Wishing Wells, and Magical Springs.

Beside
almost
every Holy
Well, or
Magical
Spring, there is a Rowan tree – planted there
by the guardian good spirit of the well or
spring to save the waters from evil infectivity.
It is believed that the waters of Holy Wells or
Magic Springs cure different diseases. The waters
of many burns and waterfalls have healing
powers.
With sacred wells were often connected sacred trees, to whose
branches rags and ribbons were hung.
142
 revere – honour, admire
veneration – reverence,
deep respect
source – origin, place
from which something
comes
sacred – holy, blessed,
revered
healing – curing,
therapeutic, medicinal

Now is the month of Maying

When merry lads are playing
Fa-la-la-la, la-la, la-la-la,
Fa-la-la-la, la-la-la.
Each with his bonny lass,
Upon the greenie grass.
Fa-la-la-la-la,
Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la,
la-la-la, la-la.
The spring clad all in gladness
Does laugh at winter’s sadness.
Fa-la-la-la, la-la, la-la-la,
Fa-la-la-la, la-la-la.
And to the bagpipe’s sound
The girls dance on the ground.
Fa-la-la-la-la,
Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la, la-la-la, la-la.

143
4. Can you group the synonyms?
arrival, reverence, entrance, ceremony, source, coming, onset,
representation, veneration, regeneration, image, ritual, respect, symbol,
festival, rebirth, carnival, origin, creation, party, image, design
5. Are there any spring holidays in your place? How are they
celebrated?
6. You are preparing for the May Day. You have found several articles
from different magazines about the history of this holiday.
Distribute this information among the groups of three-four to
prepare short presentations.

In ancient times the arrival of spring meant that life would return to the
land. And the people celebrated this regeneration with ceremonies
designed to thank the gods, and with festivals, competitions and games.
The May Queen is selected to ride or walk at the front of a parade for
May Day celebrations. Her duty is to begin the May Day celebrations.
She is generally crowned by flowers and makes a speech before the
dancing begins. Certain age groups dance round a Maypole celebrating
youth and the spring time.

Beltaine, or May Day is a pagan acknowledgment of the time of nature’s

rebirth. The Maypole, a symbolic representation of a tree, the king of
plant creation, is the main element of spring rituals. The Maypole is
usually erected on a village green and events are often supervised by
local Morris dancing groups. The Morris dancers in their colourful
costumes tour the countryside as promoters of fertility and protectors of
the harvest.

144
The maypole is a tall wooden pole (traditionally of hawthorn or birch),
sometimes with several long coloured ribbons suspended from the top,
festooned with flowers, draped in greenery and strapped with large
circular wreaths. People dances around, weaving the ribbons in and out
to create striking patterns. Pairs of boys and girls stand alternately around
the pole, each holding the end of a ribbon. They weave in and around
each other, boys going one way and girls going the other and the ribbons
are woven together around the pole until the merry-makers meet at the
base.
There are also more complex dances for set numbers of dancers,
involving complicated weaves and un-weaves, but they're not well
known today.

Beltaine celebrates the waking of the earth of winter sleep, and

the renewal of warmth, life, and vegetation. This is the meaning of the
Maypole. Shakespeare tells us that in his time the festival was so eagerly
expected that no one could sleep upon its eve. At midnight the people
rose, and, going to the nearest woods, tore down branches of trees, with
which the sun, when he rose, would find doors and windows decked for
him. They spent the day in dancing round the Maypole, joining the nature
to celebrate the coming of summer.

145
May Day falls exactly half of a year from November 1, another cross-
quarter day (Halloween). May Day marks the end of the uncomfortable
winter half of the year in the Northern hemisphere, and it has
traditionally been an occasion for popular celebrations.
Traditional English May Day rites and celebrations include Morris
dancing, crowning a May Queen, celebrating Green Man day and
dancing around a Maypole. Perhaps the most significant of the traditions
is the May Pole, around which traditional dancers circle with ribbons.
Much of this tradition derives from the pagan festival of Beltane. May
Day has been a traditional day of festivities throughout the centuries.

The May Queen is known as The Maiden, the goddess of spring,

flower bride, queen of the faeries, and the lady of the flowers. The May
Queen is a symbol of the stillness of nature around which everything
revolves. She embodies purity, strength and the potential for growth, as
the plants grow in May. She is one of many personifications of the
energy of the earth. She was once also known as Maid Marian in the
medieval plays of Robin Hood and of the May Games - she is the young
village girl, crowned with blossom, attended by children with garlands
and white dresses.

12. Now discus in which order you will place these pieces of
information and make the presentation.
13. You are preparing for May Day celebration. Discuss with your
friends the roles, the costumes and the scenario.

146
5. You’ve taken wonderful pictures in London. Show them to your
friends. Ask your friends what they think of them.

147
 STORY 27
Seven Wishes

Mother: What’s that terrible noise?

Oleg: That’s the piano. It sounds
awful!
Mother: Of course it does! It’s very
old. It’s my grandmother’s.
Victoria: I think it should be tuned.
Then it sure will sound better.
Mother: Where can I find tuner?
Should we give an announcement in
a newspaper?
Victoria: There’s no need, Ma’am. My cousin is a tuner. He lives not very
far from here.
Mother: Wonderful!
1. Is it true or false?
1. The piano sounds awful because Oleg cannot play very well.
2. The piano should be tuned because it is very old.
3. Oleg’s mother is going to give an announcement in a newspaper
tomorrow.
4. Victoria has persuaded her aunt not to give an announcement
because her cousin is a tuner.
5. The tuner lives very far.

Maria: Oh, I have never seen this

house before! But I’ve been here a
hundred times! How did it come
here?
Victoria: Do you think I’ve brought it
here?
Maria: I wouldn’t be surprised if it
happened. You can do everything!
148
Victoria: Really? Well… Here we are. Let’s ring the bell.
Mr. Tweedle: Come in! Come in! The door is open!

Maria: Wow! There are lots of musical instruments. They are beautiful!
Look at this harp! It looks marvelous! Oh,
listen! It sounds enchanting!
Look at this violin! It looks magnificent!
And it sounds fascinating!
Look at this trumpet! It looks splendid!
And it sounds wonderful!
…But where is your cousin? Where is
he?
We cannot see him anywhere! He’s

nowhere to be seen!
Mr. Tweedle: I’m here.
Maria: Where? We can hear you. But
we cannot see you!
You’re nowhere to be seen! Are you
invisible?
Mr. Tweedle: That’s right!

Maria: Invisible? Is it possible? How

could it be?
Mr. Tweedle: I wished it.
Maria: Can your wishes come true?
Mr. Tweedle: Not always. Only in
May after the rain.
Maria: Can you become visible
again? You know, it’s not very
comfortable to talk to an invisible
man.

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Mr. Tweedle: Well… Here I am! Hello!
Victoria: Be careful, Fred. That was your second wish.
Maria: And how many wishes can you wish?
Mr. Tweedle: Seven. Oh, I’m sorry.
You’re still standing. It’s not polite.
Take your seats, please.
Maria: But there’s no chairs for us!
Mr. Tweedle: What a pity! I wish I had
more chairs. Let’s put some musical
instruments on the floor.
Maria: There’s no need to.
Everyone has a chair.
Victoria: That was your third wish.
Mr. Tweedle: But that was a good wish, I’d say. Well. Would you like some
sweets or biscuits? Let me see what I have in the cupboard. Oh, there’s
nothing in it! It’s empty! Well, is there anything on the shelf? Absolutely
nothing! What a pity. I wish I could offer you something, but I have
nothing.
Maria: Oh, what is that? Everyone has a bowl of ice-cream!
Victoria: That was your fourth wish. You have only three wishes left. Wish
something important.
Mr. Tweedle: But that was a very important wish, I think. Do you agree
with that?
Victoria: I think we must be off. It’s time to go home.
Mr. Tweedle: So soon? You’ve just come! I wish you could stay any
longer, but if you’re in a hurry…
Victoria: Oh, no. We’ve got plenty of time.
Kate: What?! Victoria agreed! She never agrees with us!
Ah, that was the fifth wish! Oh! What is that?
Mr. Tweedle: That’s the nightingale. He lives in the music
box.
Maria: Oh, he sings so tenderly! And what’s in the other music boxes?
Mr. Tweedle: Different songs! Listen! Can you recognise them?
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 Maria: …I recognized this song! This is “London Bridge”! …
Oh, that’s my favourite song! It’s called
“Oranges and Lemons”. …And this song
is called “Boys and girls come out to
play”!
Maria: And what music is in that box?
Mr. Tweedle: Oh, there’s the whole orchestra! It’s called “The
Day In The Park”. You can hear the fountain splashing, you can
hear the birds singing, you can hear the trees whispering,
you can hear the
flowers growing, you can hear the pond thinking, you can
hear the sun shining, you can hear the clouds sailing in the
sky, you can hear the sky conducting the orchestra!
Maria: Oh, I can hear the birds singing, I can hear the trees whispering, I
can hear the fountain splashing, I can hear the flowers growing, I can hear
the pond thinking, I can hear the sun shining, I can hear the clouds sailing
in the sky, I can hear the sky conducting the orchestra!
Mr. Tweedle: Isn't that wonderful? I wish everyone could hear it!
Victoria: That was your sixth wish.
Maria: But that was a very important wish, indeed.
Mr. Tweedle: I have one more wish, the seventh. What
should I wish?
Maria: My mother has an untuned piano.
Victoria: It's very old. It's her Grandmother's.It looks
beautiful. But it sounds terrible.
Maria: That's right. It really sounds
awful. It should be tuned.
Mr. Tweedle: What a beautiful wish!
That's my professional wish! I wish all the
musical instruments sounded perfect!
Victoria: I'm afraid, we must be off now.
Maria: Good-bye, Mr. Tweedle. Thank you for the nice
evening.
151
Mr. Tweedle: Good-bye, children.
Thank you for coming.
Maria: Oh, look! The house has
disappeared! How amazing!

2. Do you remember Mr. Tweedle’s

wishes?

The first wish was… to have more chairs.

The second wish was... to be visible.
The third wish was…. that the guests could stay longer.
The fourth wish was… to be invisible.
The fifth wish was… to have something to offer the guests.
The sixth wish was… that all the musical instruments could sound perfect
The seventh wish was that everyone could hear the sounds from the music
box.

Mother: Oh, you know, the piano sounds perfect!

There’s no need to tune it!
Victoria: I’m happy to hear it, Ma’am.
Mother: Oh, listen! What is that? What can
I hear?
Children: These are the birds singing!
These are the trees whispering! These are
the flowers growing! This is the fountain
splashing. This is the pond thinking. This is
the sun shining. These are the clouds
sailing in the sky. This is the sky conducting the orchestra.
Mrs. Banks: It’s unbelievable! I heard the birds singing! I heard the trees
whispering! I heard the flowers growing! I heard the fountain splashing! I
heard the pond thinking! I heard the sun shining! I heard the clouds sailing
in the sky! I heard the sky conducting the orchestra!

152
3.Your friend has some problem with his/her homework. Can you help
your friend find the answers to these questions in the book?
1. Who built London town? London was built by _______________
2. Who built The Tower of London? The Tower of London was first
built by _________________ reinforced by _________________
and finished by ___________________________
3. Who designed St. Paul’s Cathedral? St. Paul’s Cathedral was
designed by ________________________
4. What stood in its place in Roman times? ____________________
5. Who created the position of Lord Mayor of London? The position
of Lord Mayor of London was created by ___________________

4.What would you do, if… ?

1. You’d like some canned fish, but you’ve got a problem.
If I had ... I would open the can of fish.
2. You can’t put on your favourite blouse because it’s dirty.
If I had ... I would ...
3. You’d like a cake, but you can’t make it.
If I had ... I would make a cake.
4. You’d like some coffee, but the coffee grinder is broken.
If my ...was not broken, I would ...
5. You’d like fried eggs, but you have no frying pan.
6. You’d like some whipped cream, but your blender is out of order. ...
7. Your tea is not sweet, because you cannot stir the sugar.
8. You can’t put on your favourite dress because it’s clutched.
9. Your mom asks you to pass her a pot, but you can’t do it ‘cause it’s
very hot.
10. You can’t brush your teeth, because you have no toothbrush.
11. You’d like some coke, but there’s a problem.
12. You’d like to take a shower, but there’s a problem.

153
 STORY 28
Magic Performance

Victoria: Today we’re going to the theatre. Put

on your best clothes.
Maria: Can you help me? Can you advise
me what to put on?
Victoria: Put on your silken dress, white
tights and black shoes. Tie a bow on your hair.
Oleg: And what about me?
Victoria: Put on your white shirt and a velvet suit. Don’t forget about a tie.
Are your shoes shone? Do you have a handkerchief?

Are you ready to go to the theatre? What are you wearing? Are your
clothes ironed? Are your shoes shone? Do you have handkerchiefs?
Victoria: Don’t forget the rules:
You should not talk during the performance.
You should not eat sweets during the performance.
You should not run in the hall during the interval.
You should not talk loudly in the hall during the interval.

1. Do you remember the rules? Do you promise to be good children?

Programme

1. Scotland the Brave.

2. Spanish Dance. P. Chaikovsky.
3. Arabic Dance. P. Chaikovsky.
4. Nocturne. F. Chopin.
5. Moonshinesonate. L.V. Beethhoven.

154
 Children: What’s happening?
We’ re flying up! Where are we?
There are high mountains all
around. Ah! We’re in Scotland!
What s spectacular view! There
are deep valleys! There are a lot
of enchanted lakes in the valleys!
There are a lot of old castles!
They are surrounded with
charming villages! What a
magnificent scenery!
And now the landscape has changed.
There are gardens all around. There are a lot of
oranges and grapes in them. We’re in Spain!

What’s
happening
now? It’s
getting hot. Where are we? There are
palm-trees here and there. We are in
Africa. There’s a long caravan of
camels walking across the sand. They
are carrying big bags with dates and
coffee.
It’s getting dark. It’s cool. What pleasant freshness after hot sunny day. I
feel weightless! Weightless like a balloon!
The music is so tender, so enchanting!
Look!We’re flying higher and higher! We
are surrounded with stars. Look down! That
is our Earth! And that’s the Moon covered
with craters! What a gorgeous scenery!
Watch out! Here comes a comet!

155
 Victoria: Where are your manners?! I asked you
not to talk during the performance.
Children: We’re sorry. Don’t be cross with
us. You see, we were flying a little.
Victoria: What? It’s unbelievable!
Children: But it’s true! When the orchestra
was playing “Scotland the Brave”, we flew
over Scotland. We were surrounded with
high mountains. What a spectacular view we saw!
There were deep valleys and enchanted lakes.
There were old castles surrounded with charming villages. It was a
magnificent mountain scenery.
When the orchestra was playing “Spanish Dance”, we found
ourselves in Spain. We saw a lot of gardens all around. There were plenty
of oranges and grapes in them.
When the orchestra was playing “Arabic dance” the landscape
changed. We were in Africa. There were palm-trees everywhere. We saw a
long caravan of camels carrying big bags full of dates and coffee.
When we heard “Nocturne” it became dark and cool. We felt
pleasant freshness after the hot sunny day. The music was very tender. We
felt weightless like balloons.
And when the orchestra was playing “Moonshinesonate” we flew
up higher into the sky!
We were surrounded with bright stars! We saw the Moon covered
with craters. And we saw our Earth underneath.
Victoria: I think you saw the scenery on the stage.
Children: No, we really flew! That was a magic performance. The musical
instruments sounded enchanted because they were perfectly tuned!
2. You are telling your friend about today’s performance. Your friend
doesn’t believe you. Try to persuade your friend that everything
happened in reality.
3. Do you really believe that you were flying in the sky or you think it
was in your imagination?
156
4. Let’s discuss the situation.
1. Does it ever happen to you that you read a book or watch a film or
performance and feel like you also participate in the story?
2. Why do you think it happens that a film, or a book, or music can
make you feel everything real?
3. Let’s listen to some music with our eyes closed.
4. Now, open your eyes and tell your friend what you felt was
happening?
5. Divide these words in two groups. Add some more words to each
group.
good, bad, beautiful, wonderful, terrible,
perfect, unpleasant, nice, awful
6. You have read the book you took in the library. Did you like it? If
yes, advise your friend to read it.

7. You are returning the book to the library.

Tell the librarian about your impressions.
8. You are going to take another book in the
library. Ask the librarian to give you an
advice.
9. You are taking your younger brother
(sister) to the theatre (circus). Explain the
manners to him/her.
10. Match the parts of the sentences.
1. To learn a poem by heart you need vegetables, oil, salt and pepper.
2. To become a sportsman you have to wait for the green light of
3. To cross the street the traffic light.
4. To become a teacher you have to exercise hard every day.
5. To make a salad you have to read it a lot of times aloud.
6. To live in a foreign country you must love children.
7. To mend jeans you need a needle and cotton.
you have to learn a foreign language.

157
 Story 29
The Approach of Summer

Victoria: Look through the

window! It’s spring! The sun is
bright! The sky is blue! There is
no wind! It’s warm! Let us go to
Kensington Gardens! It’s May and
the flowers are blooming now. So
you can see chestnuts, lilac, tulips daffodils, roses
and other flowers and trees there.

A. Gergel, V. Taran
Warm rays of sun have touched the ground
Tenderly lightening all around,
Breaking the ice on the frozen streams,
Waking the forest from winter
dreams.

The wind’s whispering secretly

with the flowers,
Telling about the happy ours.
Hear the birds chattering
in the trees.
Hear the leaves fluttering
in the breeze.

1. You would like to invite your

friend for a walk in the park, but
he/she wants to watch a film on TV. Persuade your friend to come
along. Tell him that it’s a shame to stay inside in such a beautiful
weather.
158
Victoria: This is the monument to Peter Pan,
surrounded with fairies, rabbits, hares, mice and
birds.
Peter Pan was a little boy. He was
only seven days old. But he didn’t
want to grow up.
One day he stood by the window
looking at the trees in Kensington
gardens.
And the moment he saw them he
forgot that he was a little boy. He
thought he was a bird. And away he flew over the
houses to the Gardens. He could fly without wings!
And now he lives in Kensington Gardens. During
the day he stands on this rock. But at nights he flies
over the trees and the houses. ... Well, it’s time to go home.
2. What do you think of this?
1. Is it possible to fly without wings?
2. Is it possible not to grow up?
3. Why do you think Peter Pan didn’t want to grow up?
3. You’d like to go on a picnic. Invite your friends to join in. If
somebody doesn’t like this idea, persuade them. Tell them what
fine weather it is. Tell them what you can do on the picnic.
The weather is divine today! It’s a gorgeous day. The sky is blue, the air is
transparent! There’s no wind, no breeze! It’s a shame to stay in town in
such a fine day! A suitable day for a picnic! There we could enjoy the
sunshine, take pictures of each other. We could start a fire, pick berries and
mushrooms, we could fish, play volley-ball or football.

There’s no bad weather, there are bad clothes.

Whether the weather be good, or Whether the weather be not,
Whether the weather be cold, Whether the weather be hot,
We’ll whether the weather whatever the weather.
159
4. Have you packed your bag? Are you sure you’ve got everything?
Let’s check it up. What do you have for the case if … it’s cold / it’s
rainy / we lose our way / we are bored / we are hungry?
woollen socks and sweater, the tent, the compass, the books, the map,
the sleeping bag, so many sandwiches, the sun-glasses, the matches
a.When you’re hungry, you will eat them.
b.When it’s cold, you’ll put them on.
c. When it’s raining, you will hide in it.
d.When you lose your way, it will help you.
e. When you’re bored, you will read them.
f. When the sun is too bright, you will put them on.
g.When you are cold and hungry, you will start a fire.
h.When the night is cold, you will sleep in it.
5. You haven’t got some very important things: a pneumatic boat, a
tank for water, a gun, a camera, a net. Ask your neighbours to lend
them to you. Explain why you need those things so badly.
6. It’s time to go. Your bags are so big and heavy, that you cannot
carry them. So, you decided to leave something. What? Why?
7. On your way you meet a lot of obstacles. How will you overcome
them?
1. There’s a deep hole on your way.
2. There’s a high mountain on your
way.
3. There’s a wide river crossing your
way.
4. You stepped in a puddle.
5. You need to start a fire, but the
matches are wet through.
6. It’s hailing.
7. It’s late. You want to camp, but the tent is lost.
8. There’s a big fire on your way.
9. It’s very dark, you can’t see anything.
10. You are hungry, but you have no food.
Don’t worry! I’ve got a …. If we use my ..., it will help (save) us.
160
8. Here we are at the wide river. Let’s
use our pneumatic boat. Oh, my! It
has a hole! If we had a wooden boat,
it would take us across the river. But
we don’t have it, so we cannot go
further! What shall we do?
I suggest we... go back home, build a
bridge, build a raft...
9. Let’s make some supper. Let’s divide our duties.
Who will go and pick brushwood? Who will start
the fire? Who will make porridge? Who will boil
eggs? Who will make soup?
a) Not me! It’s difficult for me! I
have never … before!
b) I will! I did it a lot of times. I
know how to do it.
c) I will help you! I have never
done it before, but I will try.

10. You were doing your job, but suddenly you hurt yourself. Tell your
friend what has happened to you.
-Ouch!
-What has happened?
-I was picking brushwood (starting
the fire, cutting potatoes…) and
pricked my finger (cut my hand,
burnt my hand, hurt my foot).
-Does it hurt?
-Not badly.
-You’d better stop working. Just
keep an eye on the porridge.
-OK.
161
11. Your friend’s sweater (jacket, jeans) is (are) dirty. Advise your
friend to change or wash it (them).
- Oh, your sweater (jeans…) is/are dirty! You should change it/them.
- All my clothes are dirty! I have nothing to change!
- Then you should wash your clothes!
- But I cannot do it! I have never done it before!
- Give it a try! I can help you. I did it …(once; sometimes; a lot of times)
12. You’ve got to mend your clothes yourself. But you don’t have a
needle. a) Ask your friends if someone has a needle and cotton.
b) You have mended your jacket (shirt…) You feel proud of yourself,
because you did it perfectly for the first time. Tell your friend about it.
- I have mended my … It looks new again. I feel proud of myself!
- You think you have done something extraordinary? Everyone mends
their clothes themselves in
our company.
- But I did it perfectly for the
first time.
- Then you can be really proud
of yourself. Good job!
13. Your friend was helping
you to wash your clothes.
But accidentally he/she
has torn your jeans (shirt,
blouse). a) Discuss with
your friend the way of
solving this problem.
A (choose any variant) B (choose any variant)
Oh! What have you done! I’m sorry. But I didn’t do it o
You have spoiled my favourite shirt/ purpose. It can happen to anyone! It’s
jeans! It was / they were quite new! not my fault!
What shall I do now? It was very old anyway!

162
 Don’t feel guilty. Such thing can I’m really sorry. It happened
happen to anyone. Forget it. It was / accidentally. I will mend it/them.
they were very old anyway. It / they Nobody will notice the stitches. It
could have got torn any moment. will look new again.
b) Let’s discuss the situation.
1. Does it ever happen that you accidentally spoil
someone’s thing?
2. What do you feel like when it happens? Why?
3. Does it ever happen that someone accidentally
spoils your thing?
4. What do you feel like when it happens? Why?
5. What do you usually say when it happens?
6. What did you say to your friend today? Why?
(I (don’t) feel upset / guilty / angry / indifferently; I
can understand it; ...)

14. a) It started to rain. The rain drops at the roof of the tent. The
wind is whistling. The branches of the tress are rattling at the tent.
Your friend is afraid of these noises. Try to calm her/him down.
b) The sun is rising. It’s morning. It’s time to get up. But your
friend is fast asleep. Try to wake her/him up.
- The sun is rising. It’s morning. It’s time to get up.
- Oh! You know, I haven’t slept for the whole night!
- Why? Insomnia?
- No! I had great fear!
- Fear? What were you afraid of?
- Terrible sounds! Whistling, wailing, thumping and rattling! There were a
lot of witches, ghosts, spirits and spooks!
- No! I’m sure you were just scared by the whistling of the wind, rattling
of the branches and dropping of the rain!
- But these sounds were so horrifying!
- When we are together, there’s nothing to be afraid of!

163
1. Several weeks ago you have bout different seeds and planted them
in your garden (on your balcony). Your flowers have grown. But
you notice that it’s not what you wanted. You are upset. Tell your
friends why you are so sad.

-Hi! Why are you so sad?

-They said these were … (roses,
daffodils), but these are … (tulips,
daisies).
-Well, … are beautiful flowers!
-But I don’t like …! They said they were
… (pink, white), but they are yellow.
-Oh, they are wonderful! They tumble like
gold
foam on
the green grass.
- But I hate the yellow colour! They
said they would grow … cm. But they
are .. cm. And I don’t like … (small,
tall) flowers!
- In that case you should go to the
florist’s and ask them for the
indemnity (compensation).

2. Your friends advised you to go to the Florist’s and ask for the
indemnity. It’s a good idea! So. Go to the Florist’s and explain the
shopkeeper your problem. Don’t leave the shop without the
indemnity.
You said... but...
3. You came home. Your friends wonder if you solved the problem
Tell them about it.
I said… The salesman said…
I asked… The shopkeeper said…
164
 Story 30
Sugar Horses

Children: What are you doing?

Alexander: I’m riding a horse,
can’t you see?
Children: But that’s not a horse!
That’s your father’s cane!
Alexander: But it can serve for a
horse! It can jump so fast. You try!
Children: Hooray! Hi-ho-hee!
Victoria: What can I see! You’re hopping like kangaroos!
That’s not an Australian outback. That’s a house in London.
Father: Where are my canes? Who took my canes?
Who saw my canes? I can’t stand it any longer!
Did you see my canes?
Victoria: Here they are.
Father: Why did you take them? Did you hurt your leg?
Children: We’re sorry. We took your canes. We rode on
them as on horses.
Father: Horses! And what will you take when you want to sail on
dolphins? My umbrellas?
Children: We don’t want the dolphins. We want the horses! We never rode
horses!
4. Did it ever happen that you took your parents’ things when you
were small? What did you take? What did it serve as?
my mother’s umbrella a ship
my father’s shawl paintbrush
Once I took my Granny’s lipstick It served for doll’s castle
jewelry box
Was your mother (father, Granny) happy of that? What did she/he
say?
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 Victoria: Let’s not waste time. Put on your
coats. We’re going to the park. Are you ready?
Children: Where will we go?
Victoria: We’re going to buy the Sugar
Horses.
Children: Oh, really...…
Victoria: As I remember, you wanted
the horses.
Children: Yes, we did! But we want the
horses to ride, not to eat!

Victoria: I think these ones are very good to ride.

Children: To ride sugar horses? That’s impossible!
Victoria: Everything is possible. Let’s buy them.
Children: What’s happening? We’re flying up? That’s the Sugar Horses!
They are taking us up! They are jumping! Hold tight!
We are going to have a ride!

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The author would like to thank all those who helped in creating this book:
Mark Wright (New Zealand)
Peter Thomson (Great Britain, Scotland)
Stuart McKenzie (Great Britain, Scotland)
Lisa Kulchitskiy (TheUSA)
Victoria Taran, Vera Gergel, Alexandr Gergel, Alexandr Tkachenko,
Tetiana Yancheva, Ludmila Safonova, Oksana Kolomiychenko,
Yury Schutsky, Olena Gotkis (Ukraine)

Special thanks to the children:

Hryts Kulchitskiy, Maria Shcherbinina, Anna and Alexander Thomson,
Alexandr Vilinsky, Diana Hartle, Alexey Martinchuk,
Christina Kolomiytseva

The music is composed and arranged by

Victoria Taran

The textbook ‘The Music of My World’ is intended for English

language instruction to 13-14-year-old children, on the tenth year of
learning English. It follows the textbooks 'SUNGLADE', ‘OFF WE GO!’,
‘COME ALONG’, ‘FUNWAY’, ‘ALONG THE WINDING ROAD’,
‘FIDGETY FEET’, 'ROWANLANE', ‘ROUND THE WORLD’, ‘MAGIC
LIBRARY’.
The textbook contains psychological devices which have been
specially worked out to encourage and heighten the pupils’ interest and
give an incentive for self-tuition. The effectiveness of instruction is
achieved through systematic review of the material throughout the course
in various situations and not through manifold repetition of the same text.
The textbook comprises 30 stories, each being calculated to last for
about 2-3 hours.
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