ФГАОУ ВО «МОСКОВСКИЙ ГОСУДАРСТВЕННЫЙ ИНСТИТУТ МЕЖДУНАРОДНЫХ ОТНОШЕНИЙ (УНИВЕРСИТЕТ)

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Кафедра английского языка № 2

LET'S NOT SKIP CHRISTMAS WITH THE KRANKS - THE SCOPE OF EVERYDAY AND

HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES IN THE USA THROUGH READING

Учебное пособие по домашнему чтению к рассказу “Skipping Christmas” by John Grisham

Уровень B1-B2

Москва 2019

1. VOCABULARY AND GRAMMAR TASKS

1.1. Practice the pronunciation of the words from the chapters. When in doubt refer to the transcription. 

jealous, agitation, trivial, missus, cuisine, haughtiness, dozen, nostalgic, clandestine, juvenile, debt, adjournment, precious, wilds, mature, chaos, concourse, gear, gawk, gorgeous, forehead, purchase, waffle, mandatory, affluent, doohickey, muscle, brouhaha, sarcastic, Lutheran, Jewish, Buddhist, choir, squirm, vary, obituary, assault, juniper, waltz, itinerary, dermatologist, atheist, whimsical, stomach, olive, recipe, chemical, grimace, gnaw, awkward, saltine.

/ˈdʒeləs/ /nɒˈstældʒɪk/ /məˈtʃʊə(r)//ˌædʒɪˈteɪʃ(ə)n/ /ˈklændeˌstaɪn/ /ˈkeɪɒs//ˈtrɪviəl/ / /ˈdʒuːvənaɪl/ /ˈkɒŋkɔː(r)s/ˈmɪsɪz/ /det/ /ɡɪə(r)//kwɪˈziːn/ /əˈdʒɜː(r)nmənt/ /ɡɔːk//ˈhɔːtinəs/ /ˈpreʃəs/ /ˈɡɔː(r)dʒəs//ˈdʌz(ə)n/ /waɪldz/ /ˈfɒrɪd//ˈpɜː(r)tʃəs/ /ˈluːθərən/ /ˈdʒuːnɪpə(r)//ˈwɒf(ə)l/ /ˈdʒuːɪʃ/ /wɔːls//ˈmændət(ə)ri/ /ˈbʊdɪst/ /aɪˈtɪnərəri//ˈæfluːənt/ /kwaɪə(r)/ /ˌdɜː(r)məˈtɒlədʒɪst//ˈduːˌhɪki/ /skwɜː(r)m/ /ˈeɪθiɪst//ˈmʌs(ə)l/ /ˈveəri/ /ˈwɪmzɪk(ə)l//ˈbruːhɑːˌhɑː/ /əˈbɪtʃuəri/ /ˈstʌmək//sɑː(r)ˈkæstɪk/ /əˈsɔːlt/ /ˈɒlɪv//ˈresəpi/ /ˈkemɪk(ə)l/ /ˈɡrɪməs//nɔː/ /ˈɔːkwə(r)d/ /ˈsɔːltiːn/

Unit 2(Modules 3-4)

Chapters 5-8

1.2. Give the English equivalents for the following words and word-combinations. Recall the situations in which they were used. 

1. отпроситься с работы (из-за плохого самочувствия)

2. незначительный, обыденный3. высокомерие4. осознание своей вины5. восхищаться чем-л.6. неминуемый, неизбежный7. богатый район8. быть признательным,

благодарным9. вызвать полицию10. петь рождественские песни11. нарушать чужое право владения12. последствия13. услышать сплетни14. нервы сдали15. дом престарелых

a. nerves gave wayb. imminentc. affluent suburbsd. to summon the policee. to carolf. trivialg. to marvel at smthh. aftermathi. to appreciatej. to trespassk. call in sickl. to hear rumorsm. haughtinessn. nursing homeo. a twinge of guilt

1.3. Give the Russian equivalents for the following words and word-combinations. Recall the situations in which they were used. 

2. heavily in debt3. to fret over sth4. precious5. to spot sth/sb6. mature7. to purchase8. phony9. to cross the mind10. a dropout11. to advocate smth/doing smth.12. at smb’s expence13. to be determined to do smth.14. to hold attention15. to be cordial to smb.16. the target of smb’s displeasure

1.4. Replace the italicized words and word-combinations with asynonym from the box. 

envious strict

appreciate

crippled fretted over awesomecontemporary mandatory poker dodging purchase gorgeous marveled at clandestine intelligent

1. It was Spike Frohmeyer, no doubt heading home after some secret juvenile meeting.

2. “You got it, Vic. I’d be grateful for your cooperation.” 3. They shopped and decorated and cooked, planned parties and sent cards and

worried about things the men never thought about. 4. Luther paused for a second and once more admired the speed with

whichoneperson’sprivatebusinesscouldbesothoroughlykickedaroundthe neighborhood 

5. Why, exactly, was Luther so keen on avoiding Christmas when he put so little effort into it?

6. He stopped and gawked at a life-sized poster of an awesome young thing in a string bikini.

7. Not surprisingly, Daisy said it was the best time of the year to buy a package.

8. Salino wore no gun or vest, no nightstick or flashlight, no handcuffs or radio, none of the obligatory gadgetry that his brethren loved to affix to their belts.

9. Just a matter of time before someone around the office commented on his tan. They were all so jealous.

10. We'll deliver toys to six hundred kids. It's an ambitious project.11. Since Treen could think of no smart retort, he decided he would get Krank's

license plate number and lie in ambush somewhere, maybe catch him speeding or sneaking through a stop sign.

12. Luther’s sense of smell had been much keener, no doubt a side effect of a crash diet.

13. We're raising money for handicapped children, Salino said.14. Three years earlier, the PBA published a calendar filled with photos of its

leaner and younger members, half grinning goofily at the camera, the other half straining with the tortured I-hate-modeling veneer of the latest fashion.

15. A sharp bolt of hunger hit Luther hard, his knees almost buckled, his impassive face almost grimaced.

1.5. Replace the italicized words and word-combinations with an opposite word or word-combination from the box.

mature spotted trivial heavily in debt precious

limited brand-new needy affluent splendid

1. It was silly to be worried about such important matters as putting a snowman on the roof

2. Luther knew for a fact that they were rolling in cash - big house, big cars, country clubs.

3. Nora read it again and was suddenly filled with pride, not only for raising such a wise and childish daughter

4. It was two pages of Blair’s lovely handwriting, and the words were valueless.

5. She was healthy and well fed, no dreaded diseases or deadly animals had been noticed, and the work was challenging.

6. He patrolled the neighborhoods around Hemlock, the decaying suburbs where the only crime was an occasional stolen bike or a speeding car.

7. Next door Swade Kerr had suddenly been seized with the spirit of Christmas and was wrapping his scrawny little boxwoods with old red and green blinking lights.

8. It had been a poor presentation by Luther.9. Salino’s partner probably possessed extensive vocabulary.10.We're just trying to raise a little extra to help sheltered kids.

1.6. Fill in the gaps with the right preposition or particle.

1. At a cost of $82.99, plus shipping, everyone packed away their Frostys with care. And they unpacked them ______ great delight.

2. Luther hung up gently and tried to concentrate ______his work. 3. When the street was clear, he went ______ a walk. 4. Luther paused for a second and once more marveled ______ the speed with

which one person’s private business could be so thoroughly kicked around the neighborhood.

5. “Evening, Luther,” Vic said, as if the encounter was purely ______ chance. He leaned on his mailbox at the end of his drive.

6. “Just doesn’t seem right ______ some reason.” 7. Luther knew for a fact that they were heavily ______ debt-big house, big

cars, country clubs. Earned a lot, spent even more.

8. They were very poor, according ______ our standards, but healthy and happy.

9. He stopped and gawked ______ a life-sized poster of a gorgeous young thing in a string bikini, her skin perfectly tanned.

10. Oddly, there was no price attached _____________ the calendars.11. I'm proud _____________ all our city employees. 12. He was concerned _____________ Nora.13. The firm voted eleven _____________ two against him.14. Luther enjoyed life on Hemlock, got _____________ well _____________

his neighbors.15. Swade Kerr had suddenly been seized _____________ the spirit of

Christmas

1.7. Translate the sentences into English, use vocabulary units.

1. Обитатели дома престарелых были признательны детям, которые пришли пожелать им счастливого Рождества и спеть Рождественские песни. 2. Правила работы в нашей фирме требуют, чтобы вы позвонили и предупредили о своем отсутствии на рабочем месте из-за плохого самочувствия, даже если у вас незначительная простуда. 3. Будучи невероятно высокомерным, он вряд ли осознает свою вину. 4. В богатых пригородах запрещено нарушать чужое право владения. 5. Вызов полиции - неизбежное последствие криминальных событий. 6. Ты окажешься "по уши" в долгах, если будешь покупать дорогие вещи за счет сбережений, сделанных на "черный день". 7. Как зрелый человек он имел твердое намерение выступить в поддержку проекта о защите окружающей среды.8. Он оказался объектом всеобщего недовольства в семье, когда бросил учебу в университете. 9. Этот преподаватель умеет удерживать внимание студентов и всегда с теплотой к ним относится. 10. Мудрая идея пришла ей в голову - не стоит беспокоиться о прекращении отношений, которые были фальшивыми.

2. READING COMPREHENSION

2.1. Answer the questions, use vocabulary of the Unit while discussing them.

1. Why wasn't the matter of installing the Frosty a simple one? Describe it step by step.

2. Why didn't Spike get any answer at the Kranks' door?3. What was the reason for Luther to think of Walt Scheel?4. Do you think Luther was in two minds about his decision to skip Christmas?

What are your arguments?5. On which grounds are people usually invited to celebrate Christmas? Should

they be only relatives and good friends?6. What feelings did Nora have when she had to answer the questions about her

skipping Christmas?7. What thoughts did Blair's letter stir in Nora?8. What made Luther sign up for two packages at Tans Forever salon?9. In what sort of charity activities was the Police Benevolent Association

involved?10. Why did people have to buy something from the Police Benevolent

Association?11. What is the difference between Luther's and Nora's attitude to carolers'

singing?12. What event prevented Luther from enjoying his morning routine after the

caroling party on his front lawn?13. What kind of thoughts gripped Luther's mind when he arrived at work?14. What was Luther's reaction to selling him fruitcakes?15. Being on a diet made Luther angry, didn't it? Provide the arguments.

2.2. Give character sketches of the main heroes of the story.

2.3. Summarize each chapter in 5-7 sentences. Use vocabulary of the Unit.

3. DISCUSSION TASK

"Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed". Does it serve a good reference to Blair's words about "mindless materialism"?

Any corporate culture is based on strict rules each member of the staff is to obey. How relevant are such dos and don'ts for doing business?

A sense of being responsible for the area you live in is a ground for a stable society.

Do you think a feeling of rivalry and a spirit of competiveness are deeply rooted in people's hearts and minds?

What makes people donate to charities? People's obsession with appearance contributes to the development and

growth of cosmetics production.

Speaking Point is the format of expressing a personal opinion in which a Speaker takes his stance on a topic providing arguments for and/or against.

Introduce the topic in your own words. Take a stance on the issue. Give arguments supporting your opinion. If you

are supposed to discuss advantages and disadvantages, outline the main benefits and drawbacks and then take a stance on the issue based on arguments for or against.

Draw a logical conclusion based on your arguments.