Тексти для аудіювання з англійської мови в старших класах

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

МАТЕРІАЛИ ДЛЯ АУДІЮВАННЯ

 

8 – 11 КЛАСИ

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                    SUE BAILEY

Sue Bailey is a 17-year-old school girl. Last summer she worked as a "postie". This is how she described her job.

 

I can't remember who or what inspired me to apply for a summer job at the Post Office. Fresh air, interest in local geography, love of dogs? No, I was just desperately short of money. "Well done, young lady, you get the good-looking one," was how my supervisor jokingly introduced me to Clive, who was to give me a brief training course. But Clive did his best to ignore me.

 

He was a fitness fanatic. He cycled impatiently through the streets of Cambridge, his back in the air, turning corners by putting his leg out and scraping his boots along the road. For me, just getting on the post bike was a nightmare. The bikes were enormous and besides there was a post sack on the front, riding the thing felt like walking slowly in concrete shoes.

 

If being Clive's pupil was bad, it was nothing compared with the horrors of going solo. Clive did an entire delivery round without getting off his bike. On my first solo round, I destroyed a miniature stone wall, scratched a parked Mercedes and ran over the paw of a deaf dog. I decided that in future I would leave my bike on the pavement and walk to the house. This meant that I became the victim of gangs of kids half my size that nicked the bike and rode it up and down the street.

 

Then there was the incident: gangs of builders who whistled and shouted as soon as they saw me coming. And, of course, there were dogs. What is it that makes sweet puppies try hard to imitate Rottweilers when they hear a postie coming? Dogs appeared as soon as they heard me open the gate. Once I almost fainted when my path to the door was suddenly cut off by a gigantic Dobermann. Sometimes I stood in the road shouting and waving till the dogs' owners came to the fence.

 

It wasn't just dogs whose natures changed fast at the sight of a postie. The friendliest people showed the dark sides of their personalities when I delivered The Sun's bingo cards. If I forgot to deliver one, someone could lose the chance to win a sexy Mediterranean cruise. And sometimes there were old women waiting for me on the staircases of their flats trying to bribe me for a second "free" bingo card.

 

I learned that people expect a lot from their posties. Although they don't believe it, the average postie doesn't know your exam results a week in advance. They also don't know where to deliver your letters unless you have a number on the door. And as far as the bingo cards go – hope the Dobermann choked on them!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Task1. Point out if the statement is true (T) or false (F).

 

 

1. Sue studied at school.

 

2. Sue studied at the University.

 

3. Sue loved being in fresh air, that's why she applied for this job.

 

4. Clive led brief training courses for the girl.

 

5. Sue liked going along the streets with Clive.

 

6. Sue liked going along the streets alone.

 

7. On her first delivering Sue ran into a big expensive car.

 

8. That summer Sue was 18 years old.

 

9. Sometimes young men tried to bribe the girl for a second "free" card.

 

10. The postie should always know the results of the exams.

 

 

 

 

 

Task2. Point out the right answer.

 

 

1. What inspired Sue to look for a summer job?
   1. fresh air
   2. interest in local geography
   3. lack of money
   4. love of dogs

 

2. Who was Clive?
   1. her teacher
   2. her friend
   3. her fellow-worker
   4. her supervisor

 

3.           What was Clive's attitude to Sue?
   1. he liked her
   2. he took no notice of her
   3. he fell in love with her'
   4. he liked her way of riding

 

4. What was Clive fond of?
   1. he liked sport
   2. he liked his job
   3. he liked reading newspapers and magazines
   4.  he liked Sue

 

5. Why was  Sue afraid of riding a bicycle?
   1. because of hard traffic
   2. because of the size of the bicycle
   3. because of dogs
   4. because she was afraid of high speed

 

6.  In what way did Clive deliver the post?
   1. he threw it out from the bicycle
   2. he brought it to the door
   3. he passed it with the gangs of kids
   4. he left it on the pavement

 

7. In what way did Sue deliver the post?
   1. she threw it out from the bicycle
   2. she brought it to the door
   3. she passed it with the gangs of kids
   4. she left it on the pavement

 

8. Why was she standing at the gates sometimes?
   1. she was afraid of dogs
   2. she was afraid that her bicycle would be stolen
   3. she was afraid of the gang of builders
   4. she was afraid of the gang of kids

 

9. What do "Sun's bingo cards" mean in this text?
   1. a local newspaper
   2. a popular magazine
   3. a poster
   4. a lottery

 

10. Why did people show the darkest sides of their nature?
    1. they didn't like the girl
    2. they wanted one more journal
    3. they wanted one more card
    4. they didn't like the way the girl serves

 

 

                                     The Christmas Man

 Last Christmas was a very difficult time for me. My family and all of my close friends were back home in Florida, and I was all alone in a rather cold California. I was working too many hours and became very sick. I was working a double work at the Southwest Airlines ticket counter, it was about 9:00 P.M. on Christmas Eve, and I was feeling really miserable inside. There were a few of us working and very few customers waiting to be helped. When it was time for me to call the next person to the counter, I looked out to see the sweetest-looking old man standing with a stick. He walked very slowly over to the counter and in the weak voice told me that he had to go to New Orleans. I tried to explain to him that there were no more flights that night and that he would have to go in the morning. He looked so confused and very worried. I tried to find out more information by asking if he had a reservation or if he remembered when he was supposed to travel, but he seemed to become more confused with each question. He just kept saying,' She said I have to go to New Orleans.'

After much time, I was able to find out that this old man was dropped off at the curb on Christmas Eve by his sister-in-law and told to go to New Orleans, where he had family. She had given him some cash and told him just to go inside and buy a ticket. When I asked if he could come back tomorrow, he said that she was gone and that he had no place to stay. He then said he would wait at the airport until tomorrow. Naturally, I felt a little ashamed. Here I was feeling very sorry for myself about being alone on Christmas, when this angel named Clarence MacDonald was sent to me to remind me of what being alone really meant. It broke my heart. Immediately, I told him we would get it all right, and our Customer Service agent helped to book him a seat for the earliest flight the next morning. We gave him the senior citizens-fare, which gave him some extra money for travelling. About this time he started to look very tired, and when I stepped around the counter to ask him if he was all right, I saw that his leg was wrapped in a bandage. He had been standing on it that whole time, holding a plastic bag full of clothes.

I called for a wheelchair. When the wheelchair came, we all stepped around to help him in, and I noticed a small amount of blood on his bandage. I asked how he hurt his leg, and he said that he had just had an operation and an artery was taken from his leg. Can you imagine? This man had had heart operation shortly afterward, was dropped off at the curb to buy a ticket with no reservation to fly to New Orleans alone! I never really had a situation like this, and I wasn't sure what I could do. I went back to ask my supervisors if we could find a place for him to stay. They both said yes, and they obtained a hotel voucher for Mr. MacDonald for one night and a meal ticket for dinner and breakfast. When I came back out, we got his plastic bag of clothes and stick together and gave the porter a tip to take him downstairs to wait for the airport bus. I bent down to explain the hotel, food and route again to Mr. MacDonald, and then patted him on the arm and told him everything would be just fine.

As he left, he said,' A,Thank you', bent his head and started to cry. I cried too. When I went back to thank my supervisor, she just smiled and said, 'AlI love stories like that. He is your Christmas Man. '

 

Task 1. Point out if the statement are true (T) or false (F).

 

1. The incident happened at 9 p.m. at the Northwest Airlnes.

2. The weather in California was rather cold at that time and she the lady tired of it.

3. The entire lady's family was in Florida.

4. The old man was going home after a visit to his brother.

5. His brother lived with his family in New Orleans.

6. There were not very many customers at the counter.

7. The Customer services reserved the old man a ticket for the earliest flight next morning.

8. The lady noticed that his leg was broken and there was a spot of blood on it.

      9. Mr. MacDonald had a big woolen bag of clothes and a stick with him.

10. It found out that the man had a heart operation and an artery had been taken from his leg.

 

Answer the questions on the text:

1. Why was that Christmas very hard for the lady?
2. Why did the lady give a tip to the porter?
3. What did she notice when she went out of the counter?
4. Who helped the old mad to arrange everything with the tickets and the hotel?
5. Why couldn't the old man come back the next day?
6. The lady was working for too many hours and was sick of it, wasn't she?
7. Who was the person who dropped the old man off on Christmas Eve?
8. Why did the lady call the wheelchair?
9. Where did the old man's family live?
10. What kind of operation did Mr. Macdonald have?

 

 

                               The Practical Princess

Princess Bedelia was as lovely as the moon shining upon a lake. She was as graceful as a cat. And she was also very practical, always ready to take actions instead of dreaming.

When she was born, three fairies came to her cradle to give her gifts as it was usual in that country. The first fairy gave her beauty. The second one gave her grace. But the third one, who was a wise old creature, said, "I' II give her common sense".

"I don't think much of that gift", said King Ludwig. "What is good in common sense for a princess? All she needs is charm".

But when Bedelia was eighteen years old, something happened that made king change his mind. A dragon moved into the neighbourhood. He settled in a dark cave on the top of mountain, and the first thing he did was to send a message to the king. "I must have a princess to eat up", the message said, "or I shall breathe out my fire and destroy the kingdom".

Sadly, Kind Ludwig called together his councilors, chosen to give advices, and read them the message. "Perhaps", said the Prime Minister, "we had better send for a knight to kill the dragon. That is what is generally done in these cases".

"I am afraid we haven't time", answered the king. The dragon has only given us time until tomorrow morning. There is no use in it. We shall have to send him the princess".

Princess Bedelia had come to the meeting because, as she said, she liked to mind her own business, and this was certainly her business.
"That may be so", said her father, "but if we don't send you along, he'll destroy the kingdom".

"Right!" said Bedelia. "I see I'll have to deal with this myself". She left the room in which the council sat. She got the largest brightest one of her state dresses, filled it with straw, and into the center of the bundle she packed about a hundred pounds of gunpowder. She got two strong young men to carry it up the mountain for her. She stood in front of the dragon's cave and called: "Come out! Here's the princess!"

The dragon appeared looking out of the darkness with interest. Seeing the bright dress covered with gold and silver embroidery, and hearing Bedelia's voice, he opened his mouth widely. At once, at Bedelia's signal, the two young men threw the dress right down the dragon's throat. Bedelia threw herself flat on the ground, and the two young men ran.
 

 There was a great explosion inside the dragon. Bedelia got up, dusting herself off. "Dragons", she said "are not very bright".

She left the two young men sweeping up the pieces, and she went to the castle to have her geography lesson, for as you know, she was very practical!

 

 

Task 1. Point out if the statement is true (T) or false (F).

 

1. Bedelia was very beautiful.
2. The dragon came to their country because he heard about Bedelia's beauty.
3. The Dragon wanted to eat up a princess.
4. The king wasn't glad with the third fairy's gift.
5. The dragon settled under a big mountain.
6. The dragon promised to burn the kingdom down.
7. It was Bedelia's business to come to the meeting.
8. Bedelia asked three young men to go with her and to kill the dragon.
9. The young men were to carry gunpowder to the mountain.
10.  Bedelia said that the dragons were very dangerous.

 

 

Answer the questions on the text:

1 What had happened when Bedelia was a baby?

2. What do the following words mean: "She was very practical"?
3. What had happened when Bedelia was 18?

4. What was in the message?

5. Why did the king gather his councilors?

6. Why did Bedelia come to the meeting?

7. What did the Prime Minister suggest?

8.What was Bedelia's plan?

9. Why was the dragon so much surprised?

10. Why did Bedelia go back to the castle?

 

 

                                 MEMORIES OF CHRISTMAS

  For me, Christmas always began in the middle of the cold, windy month of November. My sister, Alison, and I sat down in front of the fire and wrote a letter to Father Christmas telling him about all the presents we wanted. We solemnly addressed our letters to ‘Father Christmas, the North Pole’, before sending them up the chimney.

 

  With December our excitement grew each day- as we opened the advent calendar, Christmas cards arrived in the post, the nativity play at our school, Christmas lights in the streets, the town carol service. Enough snow to make snowmen, build igloos and to have glorious snowball fights in the school playground.

 

  On Christmas Eve the whole family helped to decorate the house, put up the Christmas tree and the decorations and blow up the balloons. Then, in the afternoon, when Auntie Kathleen and my two cousins arrived, everything was ready. Before we went to bed, we left some brandy and mince pies for Father Christmas and then put our stockings at the end of our beds. We tried to stay awake as long as possible to see Father Christmas but the next thing we knew it was morning. Christmas morning!

 

  At the bottom of the bed was the stocking, now full of all kinds of small presents and sweets, and at the bottom a chocolate sixpence and a tangerine. Christmas morning was bright and sunny and after church my cousin David and I went out into the garden to play with our new presents. Lunch was always late, but what a lunch! Roast turkey with all the vegetables followed by a Christmas pudding and brandy butter. When we pulled the crackers, the dog barked; we took out the plastic toys, laughed at the jokes, put on the silly paper hats and laughed again.

 

  After lunch the adults slept on the sofas in front of the Queen's speech on television whole we all played cards. Then we had tea with a huge Christmas covered with snowmen and polar bears. It didn't seem possible but we carried on eating. By bedtime all the children were exhausted. As soon as we turned off the light, we all fell into a deep contented sleep. 

 

 

Task 1. Point out if the statement is true (T) or false (F).

 

1. On Christmas the whole family gathered together.
2. Children didn't do any preparations to Christmas.
3. They left some wine and sweets for Father Christmas.
4. They left some wine and sweets for the next morning.
5. Christmas morning was bright and snowy.
6. In the morning children ran to the church.
7. In the morning children ran to the yard.
8. Children decided to wait for Father Christmas.
9. Children sent their letters to Father Christmas.
10. Every year children took part in school Christmas performances.

 

 

 

Answer the questions on the text:

 

1. When did Christmas begin for the boy?
2. What did the children do before the Christmas?
3. How did the family prepare for the holiday?

4. Who came to visit them in the afternoon?

4. Why did the children leave food before going to bed?
5. Where did they put their stockings?
6. What was at the bottom of the stocking?
7. In the morning all the family went to the church, didn't they?
8. What did the children find inside the crackers?
9. What did the adults do after lunch?
10. Why were the children exhausted?

 

                                        Martin Luther King

 

Martin Luther King was born on the 15^th of January, 1929, in Atlanta, Georgia, in the deep South. He lived with his parents, grandmother, brother and sister. He was an intelligent boy. When he was young, Martin often went to church because his family was very religious.

  Martin's first experience of racism was when a white woman told him not to play with her little boys. But Martin didn't think he was inferior, because his parents always told him that black and white people were equal.

  At the age of fifteen, he made an excellent speech at school and won a prize. On the way home from school, the bus was full and the driver told Martin and his teacher (who was also black) to give their seats to two white passengers. Martin didn't want to and the driver insulted him. In the end Martin stood up, but he never forgot the experience.

  When he was at college he read a lot and the person who influenced him most was the Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi. Martin liked his ideas about peaceful protest.

  In 1965 Martin started to organize a boycott of buses. Black people stopped using the buses because they had to give up their seats to whites. White extremists attacked black people and bombed Martin's house. In the end blacks and whites were able to sit together in buses. In was Martin Luther King's first victory. In the 1960s there was terrible racial violence between blacks and whites in the USA. Martin organized marches and peaceful demonstrations. He went to prison seventeen times.

 In 1963 he organized a match to Washington and a quarter of million of people came to the meeting. This is where he made his famous speech. "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the colour of their skin, but by the content of their character… all God's children, black men and white men, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of that old Negro spiritual "Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!"

  In 1964 Martin Luther King received the Nobel Peace prize. But there were more problems and more marches. In 1968 a white extremist killed him.

 

Task 1. Point out if the statement is true (T) or false (F).

1. Martin Luther King was from the South of the United States
2. Martin's first experience of racism was with a bus driver.
3. He started making speeches when he was at school.
4. Gandhi influences his ideas about peaceful protest.
5. In 1964 he organized a successful boycott of buses.
6. He went to prison sixteen times for organizing protests.
7. He organized a march to Washington in 1963.
8. He made a famous speech there beginning with the words: "I have a dream that…"
9. He received a Nobel Peace Prize in 1965.
10. A white extremist killed him in 1968.        

Answer the questions on the text:

1. Was Martin Luther King born in the North or in the South of the USA?
2. What kind of boy was he?
3. When was Martin's first experience of racism?
4. What did Martin win his first prize for?
5. What had happened in the bus?
6. What did Martin like in Gandhi's program?
7. Why did black people stop using buses?
8. Why was Martin taken to prison?
9. What was his famous speech about? Where was it?
10. How did Martin die?

 

 

                                          Survival of the fittest

 

  "Between now and the 21^st century citizens of the world's richest and most technologically advanced nations will find it increasingly difficult to keep up with the demand for change. For them, the future will arrive too soon." So begins Alvin Toffler's book Future Shock, written back in 1970.

 Now people are beginning to pay attention to Toffler's prediction, because the speed of change is accelerating rapidly. It is sometimes difficult to work out the patterns of change. What should you do? First of all, don't panic. Take a deep breathe and try to get a sense of good things the future has to offer.

  You don't need to be a genius to predict the job areas which will be most affected be technological change. Agriculture, textile, coal mining and heavy industry are doing badly. On the other hand, business and professional services, the media, information technology, and the biosciences are doing really well.

  Without doubt, the number of jobs in information technology will rise dramatically. There are currently over 100 million computers in the world and by 2020 the number will be round one billion. Because of this, computer programmers and system analysts will be in much greater demand.

  There are also many other important changes taking place in the workplace. First, the job market is getting more and more competitive and the idea of a "job for life" has already become old fashioned. Because of this, workers will have to be more flexible. According to Mark Hastings of the Institute of Management, in the future people will organize their working life around a variety of contracts, instead of working just for one company.

  In the same way, companies will change: they will be organized more democratically. People will move sideways to do different jobs, rather than moving up the "company ladder" as before. Many more people will work for small, dynamic companies which can react quickly to changes in the market. Other people will give up working for a boss and become self-employed. All this means that companies will require people who are flexible and responsible. They will also need people who can work co-operatively and get on well in a team.

  Good communication skills will be essential. According to Dr Laurence Lyons of the Future work Forum, women will initially have an advantage in this area. James Traeger, of the training agency Menswork, explains that many men will have to be retrained. "It's not about making men more like women, but helping men to communicate as well."

  We are undoubtedly moving toward a global economy. English will probably remain the international business language, so Learning Russian or Chinese is not a priority. However, understanding other people, their minds, culture and history will be vital. Above all, a manager will need to feel comfortable working with people from other cultures and coping with cultural differences.

  New technology is the driving force behind the rapidly changing workplace, so don't get left behind. You don't need to become a computer expert, but you must consider improving your computer skills. Work with more than one program in case you have to use them at work, and try to read about latest technology.

  Undoubtedly, all this new technology is changing the way we work and offers many alternative ways of working. Rather than go into an office, a lot of people are connected to the Internet and now work from home. Working like this may give you the flexibility you want – to live where you want, to continue your studies and to have a lot more free time. That must be good news.   

 

 

 

Task 1. Point out if the statement is true (T) or false (F).

 

 

 1. Business, heavy industries and computer technologies will be doing well in future.

 2. There are more than 100 computers in the world.

 3. In the future people will work not only for one company.

 4. The companies will organize their work more democratically.

 5. People will do their best to move up the company ladder.

 6. Good communication skills will be very important.

 7.  To get a good job you need to learn well how to work with one program.

 8.  You need to become a computer expert.

 9. Many people will be able to work at home.

 10. It is very hard to see the basis of changes in the future.

 

 

 

Task2. Point out the right answer.

1. This text is about…
   1. how to find a job in future
   2. how to survive in future
   3. what to do to earn more money
   4. how to work in a good company

 

2. What will people find difficult in future?
   1. to keep up with new technology
   2. to keep up with the demand for work
   3. to keep up with the demand for change
   4. to keep up with new workplaces
3. What jobs will be affected by technological changes?
   1. agriculture
   2. information technology
   3. textile technology
   4. heavy industry
4. What idea will become old?
   1. job for life
   2. job for money
   3. job for pleasure
   4. job for carrier
5. In what way will the companies be changed?
   1. they will work more fast
   2. they will work more individually
   3. they will work more democratically
   4. they will finish their work
6. What kind of people will the future companied need?
   1. people who are flexible and hard working
   2. people who are communicative and responsible
   3. people who are responsible only
   4. people who are flexible and responsible
7. Why will men have to be retrained?
   1. they will have to be more like women
   2. they will have to be more communicative
   3. they will have to be more hard working
   4. they will have to be more competitive
8. What is the main force in future?
   1. new computers
   2. knowing foreign languages
   3. new technologies
   4. having several jobs
9. What can people do instead of working in an office?
   1.  work at home
   2.  not to work
   3.  read a lot
   4.  go abroad
10. Why will small companies be better?
    1. they will pay bigger salary
    2. they will arrange trips abroad
    3. they will react quickly to changes at the market
    4. they will need more skilled specialists

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Oscola McCarty spent more than 75 years washing and ironing other people's clothes. Her lined hands were the evidence of hard work. So, it was a surprise, when Miss McCarty decided to give her entire life savings - $150,000 – to the University of Southern Mississippi. Miss McCarty's gift amazed even those who thought they knew her well.

 

  The customers who have brought their laundry and ironing to her home for more than 75 years included three generations of some families. Initially she said she charged $1.50 to$2 a bundle but with inflation the price rose.

 

  "When I started making $10 a bundle, I began to save money," recollected Miss McCarty, who was born on March 7 1908. "I put it in savings. I never would take any of it out. It just accumulated."

 

 As her savings increased over years, McCarty washed and ironed and lived not a rich life. She never learned to drive and still walks everywhere she goes. When her mother and aunt died, they each left her some money, which she added to her savings. In 1947 her uncle died and left her a modest house in which she still lives.

 

  Until her donation, she was afraid to fly and had only been out of the South once in 50 years. Since then she's travelled all over the country and has been the subject of many interviews and articles. She's even visited the White House and been honoured by the president.

 

  Her donation of her life savings is for students who clearly demonstrate a financial need. "I want to help somebody's child go to college," said the quite spoken McCarty, who left school in sixth grade and has never married or had children. "I just want it to go to someone who will appreciate it and learn. I'm old. I'm not going to live always."

 

  Miss McCarty's generosity inspired many to give money to the university, and contributions came in from all over the country. Her gift has now been more than doubled.

 

  In a recent magazine interview McCarty was asked why she didn't spend the money earned over a lifetime on herself. "I am spending it on myself," she answered smiling.

 

 

 

Task 1. Point out if the statement is true (T) or false (F).

 

1. Miss McCarty spent more than 65 years washing and ironing clothes.
2. Miss McCarty was 75 years old.
3. Her work was very hard.
4. The people of two generations were her clients.
5. Miss McCarty had much money.
6. She goes to her clients by car.
7. Once Miss McCarty visited the White House.
8. She helped the students of the University with money.
9. Many people didn't like her generosity.
10. Recently she gave an interview to a local newspaper.

 

  Task 2. Point out the right answer.

 

1. How old was Miss McCarty?
   1. 65
   2. 55
   3. 75
   4. 85
2. What was her job?
   1. she made laundry for other people
   2. she ironed the clothes of other people
   3. she fixed the other people's clothes
   4. she washed and ironed the other people's clothes

     3. Why were people surprised one day?

                a) they got to know that Miss McCarty was very rich

                b) they got to know about Miss McCarty's donation

                c) they got to know that Miss McCarty was going to travel

                d) they got to know that Miss McCarty was going to stop her work

    4. People of how many generations were the clients of Oscola?

                a) one

                b) two

                c) three

                d) four

    5. What did Miss McCarty do with her money?

                a) she saved them

                b) she travelled a lot

                c) she gave them to other people

                d) she  bought clothes

    6. What did her mother leave her?

                 a) her house

                 b) her work

                 c) her money

                 d) her clothes

    7. What house did she live in?

                  a) the one her mother has left her

                  b) the one she has bought on her savings

                  c) the one her uncle has left her

                  d) the one the University has given to her

    8. Why did Miss McCarty travel all over the country?

                  a) she wanted to see a lot

                  b) she gave interviews to newspapers and magazines

                  c) she visited Universities

                  d) she met with students

    9. How many years did Oscola study at school?

                  a) she studied for 11 years

                  b) she studied for 9 years

                  c) she studied for 7 years

                  d) she studied for 6 years

    10. What did Miss McCarty's generosity inspire many people to do?

                  a) to accumulate money

                  b) to contribute to universities

                  c) to organize meetings with students

                  d) to write letters to Oscola

 

 

 

 

                            A STRANGE TALE OF RIP VAN WINKLE

 

  Once upon a time there was a farmer called Rip van Winkle. He lived in a village in the mountains with his wife and two young children, a daughter and a son. Rip was a very happy and kind man and he got on very well with all the children in the village. They loved him because he played games with them and often told them stories.

 

  He spent a lot of time in the village inn because he was, in fact, a very lazy man. Rip was happy to do just enough work to live. Instead of working on his farm, he would go fishing and hunting or sit in the village inn talking to his friends. His family was very poor and he always argued with his wife. One day after a big argument Rip went to the forest and came to a beautiful valley, high in the mountains. Suddenly he heard a strange voice calling his name. An old man, dressed in old fashioned clothes, was trying to carry a barrel and asked Rip to help him. Rip agreed. They took the barrel to a cave, where there were more people dressed in the same strange clothes. After that the old man gave Rip a drink from the barrel. Rip immediately fell into a deep sleep.

 

  Some time later he woke up under a tree in the same valley. He was alone. He was worried about his dog and he knew he was going to get into more trouble with his wife. Then he noticed a curious thing – hair was over his shoulders and his beard was over a foot long! Rip couldn't understand what had happened. He decided to get back to the village. As soon as he got there, he realized that everything was different, and there were lots of new houses. The people in the village stared at him with his long hair and beard and old clothes. Rip thought their clothes were strange and he didn't recognize anybody at all.

 

  When he got to his house, he saw that it was old and abandoned. He went to the center of the village and everything there had changed completely. The old inn was now called the Union Hotel. Before he went in, he listened at the window. The people were talking about things he hadn't heard of – the elections, the president, the war. Rip went in and described his wife, family and asked people where they were. It turned out that his wife had died two years ago and all of his friends had either died or left the village. But his children were still there! They pointed to a young man sleeping under a tree. Rip realized it was his son! Then a young woman carrying a baby came up to him. It was his daughter!

 

  In the end, Rip went to live with his daughter. He still didn't do much work. He spent the time as before, fishing, hunting and telling stories to children outside the village inn. He told stories about life before the war, how he had met some strange people in the mountains – and how he had gone to sleep for twenty years!      

 

 

 

   Task 1. Point out if the statement is true (T) or false (F).

 

1. Rip was a farmer.
2. Rip was a worker.
3. The man lived in the village.
4. Rip Van Winkle worked very hard.
5. Rip Van Winkle liked fishing and hunting.
6. One day Rip Van Winkle met an old man in the field.
7. Rip Van Winkle helped the man to carry the barrel.
8. Rip Van Winkle had slept for 20 years.
9. Nobody in the village recognized the man.
10. There was nobody from his family in the village.

 

   Task 2. Point out the right answer.

 

1. What was Rip Van Winkle?
   1. he was a worker
   2. he was a teacher
   3. he was a cook
   4. he was a farmer
2. Why did the children of the village like Rip Van Winkle?
   1. because he played games with them
   2. because he gave them sweets
   3. because he went fishing with them
   4. because he read them interesting books
3. Where did Rip Van Winkle spend a lot of time?
   1. in the inn
   2. in the field
   3. at home
   4. in the wood
4. Whom did Rip Van Winkle meet in the wood?
   1. a young man dressed in fashioned clothes
   2. an old man dressed in fashioned clothes
   3. an old man dressed in old fashioned clothes
   4. a young man dressed in old fashioned clothes
5. What did the old man ask Rip for?
   1. he asked him to tell him an interesting story
   2. he asked him to help him to carry his bag
   3. he asked him to help him to carry his barrel
   4. he asked him to listen to him
6. What did Rip Van Winkle see in the cave?
   1. he saw many people in strange clothes
   2. he saw many people with barrels
   3. he saw many strange animals
   4. he saw one more old man
7. How many years was Rip sleeping?
   1. five
   2. ten
   3. fifteen
   4. twenty
8. What did Rip Van Winkle notice when he awoke?
   1. he noticed that his dog was sleeping too
   2. he noticed that he had long hair and beard
   3. he noticed that he was lying at home
   4. he noticed that there were many strange people around him
9. Whom did Rip Van Winkle see sleeping under a tree?
   1. he saw his daughter
   2. he saw his son
   3. he saw his wife
   4. he saw his old friends
10. Where did Rip Vann Winkle meet strange people?
    1. he met them in the mountains
    2. he met them in the street
    3. he met them in the wood
    4. he met them in the village inn