1. Find the cases of understatement in the text. Explain the meaning of the utterences using information in the list.
A Story about an English Teacher, a Pupil and His Mother:
Teacher: I don't suppose there is anyone devoid of all drawbacks (~ I understand that everyone has drawbacb). But / can't approve of your son's attitude to studies. (= But I'm indignant at your son's attitude to studies). He
wasn't always very good at English, that's true. (= He has never been very good at English, that's true). Learning a foreign language is by no means an easy task, you know. (= Learning a foreign language is a difficult task, you know), Last week he failed to attend a single class (= Last week he was absent at almost all classes). So he couldn't pass any test. (= He didn't pass any test). And he lacked the courage to come and speak to me before the exam. {And He didn't have the courage to come and speak to me before the exam). And his written paper is not without grave mistakes. {And his written paper has many grave mistakes). It is not impossible that the principal won't be against denying him permission to continue his studies. {It is possible that the principal wants to expel him).
Mother; My son hardly ever mentioned any problems to me. {My son has never mentioned any problems to me). :
A. quite, rather, just, only, a bit /a
little.
e.g. She could give a little more attention to details.
I know, it was fust a sketch and she is only making her first steps in drawing, but
she seems a bit slow, I'd say.
B. somehow, somewhat.
e.g. There was something of intrusion in this visit.
His coming uninvited somehow embarrassed the hosts.
C. Fillers kind of, sort of, so to speak, more or less.
e.g. I must apologise. - I've got afoWo/ 'apologv to make.
I am abit of a problem.
You see, I kind q/ borrowed your son's car, so to speak, it worked more or less alright but then suddenly the engine sort of ceased to work.
D. to be inclined to, to tend, to intend
e.g. She tells lies. - We are inclined to think she tells lies.
You never attend our staff meetings. - You fetid to miss our staff meetings.
E. fillers + .
e.g. I'm sort of inclined to think... /1 kind of intend to feel...
F. ,
(undestatement) .
e.g. I can help watching TV for hours. (= She is a TV addict.) We are not on friendly terms with them. (= We are enemies.)
G. .
- barely, hardly, scarcely
(few, little),
fail, lack ( ):
e.g. He barely t ouched his drink. (He didn't touch his drink. = He drank
nothing.)
The author MkdJo mention these facts. (=> The autiior did not mention these
|
|
|
facts.)
-
( ):
e.g. It's not un iwc
2. Make the following sentences more polite using understatement.
Pat said that Bess is going to the theatre. (Pat said that Bess inclined to go to
the theatre.)
The performance didn't surpass my expectations. (The performance failed to
surpass my expectations.)
I disagree with you. (I don't quite agree with you.)
3. Render from Russian into English:
? .
.
4. Work in pairs PI - P2. Use the table and find the appropriate answer to the following questions:
| Would you like to see an opera? |
It's a kind of magic.
It's a bit boring.
How do you feel about the ballet?
' I don't think it's marvelous.
Did you enjoy the ballet? I tend to think it's a bit boring.
Why are you disappointed about the was somehow too marvelous for
performance? words.
I m not particularly fond of operas.
Why did you like the actors?
Im inclined to think it's OK.
5. "Snowball": repeat the first / second / third etc. utterance and invent the new ones,
6. Make up a dialogue using understatement: you and your friend share opinions about the play you have just watched.
4
: Britain: Cultural Heritage.
: Theatre.
:
; :
- ;
, ;
- . :
;
, .
:
. ;
, , ;
. :
;
. ;
.
:
( ): Do you fancy going/I think /I believe it's real opportunity..,/Certainly. I agree with your idea... / That sounds fantastic! /1 don't really feel like it.
: to provoke the thought on the part of the audience, to say many acute things in the guise of paradox, to express very clearly the disgust / admiration; startling, sparkling, sophisticated, witty, full of wisdom of life, have good nature and invincible gaiety of spirit; magnificent beyond words, superbly made, perfect; it produces a lasting / unforgettable / tremendous impression on me; it leaves lasting
. unforgettable / tremendous impression with me,
, .
: .
I. .
1. .
.: Good morning! I'm glad to see you. Take tour seat, please. How are you?
T-P1,P2,P3...
2. .
: Today we are continuing to meditate on such a phenomenon as beauty and theatrical productions.
3. :
Beauty is truth, truth beauty, - that is all. You know on earth, and all you need to know. (J. Keats)
|
|
|
4. .
T: Now I want you to express your opinion about musicals.
Could you tell me distinguished hallmarks of Webber's musicals?
Will you give me your opinion about his spectacular productions?
Would you like to see his musicals with your own eyes?
Do you think his musicals earned a unique place in musical history?
II. .
:
;
1. Listen to the pattern dialogue "An Invitation to a Musical". Explain the meaning of new italicized cliches in the dialogue, what are they used for? Now, working in pairs act out the pattern dialogue.
2. Using synonymic cliches and word combinations (in the list) in a new dialogue, act it out.
Pattern Dialogue
AN INVITATION TO A MUSICAL
A: Good evening, Ann! I'm glad to see you.
B: Good evening, Peter! Glad to see you too.
A: Do you fancy going to the theatre tonight? There is a new spectacular
production of Webber's "The Phanton of the Opera" at the Theatre Royal.
B: That sounds fantastic! Llovd Webber's best musicals are really my thing
because they are flashy spectacles that feature vivid melodies, forceful and
dramatic staging,
: I think it's real opportunity to enjoy extraordinary romance, evocative
melodies, exhilarating dance.
B: Certainly. I agree with your idea, as his musicals find an emotional response
with the audience, so you never feel like walking out when you watch them.
A: I hope, tonight's performance will leave a lasting impression with us. I
believe, it's our chance to see the superbly made musical. See you later.
B: See you soon.
Words for substitution: Shakespeare's, Shaw's, Wilde's, Osborn's plays; The
Globe Theatre, The Barbican Theatre, The South Bank, etc.
Playwright: to provoke the thought on the part of the audience, to say many
acute things in the guise of paradox, to express very clearly the
disgust / admiration.
Describing plays: startling, sparkling, sophisticated, witty, foil of wisdom of
life, have good nature and invincible gaiety of spirit, etc. (for more words and
word combinations see p. 158 of the textbook).
Impressions, reactions: magnificent beyond words, superbly made, perfect; it
produces a lasting / unforgettable / tremendous impression on me; it leaves
lasting unforgettable / tremendous impression with me
, - . Make up your own dialogue:
Invite your partner to Shakespeare's / Shaw's / Wilde's / Osborn's play. Discuss impressions theatrical productions made on you. IV. .
5
: The British Way Of Life.
: Spoken Etiquette ().
:
: :
- ;
- .
:
;
;
, ;
,
:
;
, , , ; .
:
; , ;
.
I, .
II. -
.
|
|
|
1. Systematize all your knowledge about politeness in Russian and English and represent it schematically.
2. What is politeness in English and Russian? Fill in empty spaces with
suitable words.
3, Single out common and different features of politeness in both
cultures. Underline common and different features in certain colours.
|
| POLITENESS (Russian) |
|
respect
Is aimed at those who is
4. What formulas of politeness do you know? Represent formulas schematically. Name as many as possible,
 | |||||
 | |||||
 |
|
|
Would you
| FORMULAS Of POLITENESS |
Mind if ?
5. Remember forms of address in English and introduce:
your fellow-worker to a professor from another country;
your friend to your parents;
your husband or wife to an elderly acquaintance of your parents;
yourself to the teacher or professor you have come to work under, etc.
6. Render from Russian into English:
As , - ?
: .
: ?
: .
, ?
, .
: .
: , .
7. Make up situations with an offer to a friend of yours. Your friend
either accepts it or turns the offer down.
You offer your friend:
to do the sightseeing of the place you have come to visit;
to spend quiet evening at home;
to meet at some place from there you could start a walking tour. III. .
"SPORT"
