Практический курс английского языка 2 курс - [20]
use words thus marked as much as possible. The term implies that the words called colloquial are
limited by their sphere of usage and, if used in a wrong situation ( е.g. in a student's composition, in a
conversation with an official acquaintance or with one higher in authority), may produce the
impression of impoliteness or even rudeness.
E. g. He is a jolly chap. = Он парень что надо, (chap n, coll.; jolly adj, coll.) The
stylistically neutral way of putting it is: He is a good (fine) man.
How are the kids? = Как ваши ребята? (kid n, coll.) The stylistically neutral way How are
your children?
I'm all right. = Co мной все нормально. (all right coll.) The stylistically neutral way I feel
(am) quite well.
Compare:
Neutral
Colloquial
Bookish
begin
start
commence
continue
go on
proceed
end, finish
be over (through)
terminate
buy
get
purchase
Note also that such abbreviations as I'm, I've, I'll, you'd, you're, etc. are characteristic of
colloquial style. Therefore, students will be well advised to avoid them in their compositions, essays,
precis, etc.
B. The term style may be also used with reference to the manner of writing of some
particular author. E. g. Hemingway's style is characterized by laconism and lack of detail. The syntax
of his sentences is very simple, the dialogues are almost monosyllabic and seemingly unemotional.
Yet, through the austere form the author manages sometimes to create a narration of great tension.
ESSENTIAL VOCABULARY (I)
Words
ache υ, n
flue n
painful adj
avoid υ
foot n
pneumonia n
bare adj
medical adj
prescribe υ
barefoot adj predic, adv
medicine n
prescription n
bare-headed adj
miserable adj
shiver υ
condition n
naked adj
tremble υ
epidemic n
pain n
vacant adj
fever n
Word Combinations
to have (got) a headache
to give smth. up
to take one's (or smb.'s)
to make a note (notes) of smth.
temperature
so far
to bring down the fever
at the foot (head) of the bed
to be in (a) good (bad)
to read to oneself (aloud)
condition
to go to sleep (cf.: to fall asleep)
to live (work) under good
to stay (be) awake
(bad) condition (s)
flushed by the fever (anger,
to be in no condition to do smth.
excitement, etc.)
on condition that
to flush with
to write (put) smth. down
to take smth. easy
EXERCISES
1. Read the text and the Notes on Lexicology and Style and talk on the
following points (A. Grammar, B.Word usage, C. Style):
A. 1. Why does the author use or drop the definite article before the word bed in the
sentences: "We were still in bed." "You'd better go back to bed," "I sat at the foot of the bed."
2. Why is the Infinitive used with or without the particle to in the sentences: "Do you want
me to read to you?" "I heard him say a hundred and two."
3. In the sentence "It's nothing to worry about" ft is a personal pronoun. What noun does it
stand for? (Note: The English for «Нечего беспокоиться.» would be "There is nothing to worry
about.")
4. Tick off the sentences with the Infinitive used as an attribute.
5. Tick off all the complex sentences with clauses joined without the conjunction that, е.g. "I
know (that) he is ill."
B. 1. What did the father mean when he said "You'd better go back to bed"? (Add some
words to show the implication.)
2. Paraphrase the sentences: "I'd rather stay awake" and "just take it easy."
3. What is the difference between the boy's words "...if it bothers you" and "...if it's going to
bother you." (Translate the sentences with these phrases into Russian.)
4. How and why did the boy paraphrase his question "about what time... I'm going to die?"
5. The boy lay with his eyes fixed at the foot of the bed. What synonyms and why did the
author use to describe the situation? (See Vocabulary Notes in Unit One.)
C. 1. Comment on the choice of words in Hemingway's story from the point of view of their
stylistic colouring. What style prevails, formal or informal?
2. What can you say about the dialogues in the story and their stylistic peculiarities?
3. Comment on the syntax of the story and the stylistic effect achieved by it.
4. What is the general atmosphere of the story? Is the tension gradually increased? How is the
effect achieved? What is the point of the highest tension (climax) ?
II. a) Choose the best translation of each English sentence below (or give your
own variant) and reason oat your choice;
I. I'd rather stay awake, 1. Я предпочитаю бодрствовать. 2. Я лучше не буду спать.
II. ...as though it ached to move. 1. ...как будто ему было больно двигаться. 2. ...как будто
движения причиняли ему боль,
III. He seemed very detached from what was going on. 1. Казалось, окружающее его не
интересует. 2. Он казался полностью отрешенным от всего происходящего. 3. Он, казалось, не
замечал того, что происходит вокруг.
IV. But his gaze at the foot of the bed relaxed slowly. 1. Его взгляд становился все менее
напряженным. 2. Он уже не с таким напряжением смотрел перед собой. 3. Его взгляд,
