- •In 1943 Lieutenant Alexander Barr was ordered into the Armed Guard aboard the merchant ship, like many other civillian officers with no real mechanical skills – teachers, writers, lawyers.
- •I made sympathetic noises.
- •It was Darzee, the tailor-bird, and his wife. They had made a beautiful nest of two big leaves, cotton and fluff. The nest swayed to and fro, as they sat in it and cried.
- •It in her mouth, turned to the veranda steps, and flew like an arrow down the path and Rikki-tikki flew behind her.
- •It was exactly twenty-five minutes past seven.
- •In spite of himself, Lavington's matter-of-fact manner was having its effect upon Jack. He felt awfully cheered. The doctor looked at him attentively for a minute or two and then nodded.
- •It wase leveno 'clockw henh ea ndL avingtona rrived at Heather Cottage. Felise was on the look-out for them, and opened the door softly before they had time to knock.
- •It was not fear that Jack felt – it was panic. And he was almost certain that Felise felt the same way. Suddenly he heard her voice, low and terrified.
- •It came with a rush: "Worth ten thousand pounds at least – offer from Hoggenheimer, the American millionaire – only one of its kind in the world – what have you done with my blue jar?"
- •It was much later in the afternoon that Matron called in to have a word with her. She knew it was Matron because of her clothes. But inevitably now, without surprise, she observed the sheep's head.
- •It would be enough if he could survive long enough to talk this boy down with the plane" at Cairo. That would be absolutely enough. That was the only chance.
- •It's got to be – должно быть
It's got to be – должно быть
put on the heel brakes – нажать на ножные тормоза
to get sunstroke – получить солнечный удар
will be glad to take a bite at you – охотно пообедаем у тебя
Do you get that? – Понятно?
Ben was having trouble with the valve – У Бена плохо работал клапан.
on sight – при виде (их)
Git! Git! – Прочь! Прочь!
When he came to – Когда он пришел в себя
he had been out – он был без сознания
how to get to the boy – как найти подход к мальчику
from the waist up – от пояса и выше
to think this into the boy – внушить это мальчику
to talk this boy down with the plane – растолковать мальчику, как посадить самолет
People did die. – Но люди же умирали
He wouldn't keep it straight – Он не сумеет сохранить равновесие самолета
That was pretty good – Это было здорово
knowing how – знать, как
Comprehension:
1) How old was Ben and what was his profession?
2) Why did Ben and his son Davy come to the Shark Bay?
3) What happened to Ben under the water?
4) Was he badly wounded?
5) Who was to fly the plane? Why? Did he manage to do it?
6) Describe Davy's feelings after the accident and during the flight.
7) What had Ben told Davy about the importance of the last inch during the landing? Did it help the boy not to give in when he was fighting for his and his father's life?
8) What can you say about the relations between Ben and his son? In what way have they changed?
9) Comment on the title of the story.