The Colonel’s Lady

by S. Maugham

I. Expressions under study:

slyboots shrewd

a chip off the old block solace

to have half a mind to do sth conscientiously

keep your shirt on to cover one’s tracks

obscure as thin as a rail

to flatter to doll oneself up

impertinent to be in one’s line

to be seized with sth уже было to cost a packet

demure to be selling like hot cakes

to watch one’s step worldly-wise

II. Study the words and word combinations above mentioned. Use them in the situations from the story. Make up sentences of your own to illustrate their usage.

III. Give corresponding words or word combinations from the active vocabulary:

having a lot of experience and knowledge about life so that you are not easily shocked or deceived;

to get ready for a social occasion by putting on attractive clothes and make-up;

a person who is very similar to their mother or father in appearance or character;

difficult to understand;

good at judging what people or situations are really like, especially in a way that makes you successful in business, etc.;

to praise sb. in an insincere way in order to please them or get sth. from them;

very thin;

used to tell sb. who is becoming angry that they should stay calm;

rude and not respectful, especially to sb. who is older and more important;

to be careful not to leave any signs that could let people know where you have been or what you have done because you want to keep it a secret;

to suddenly be affected by an extremely strong feeling;

used when you are considering doing something but are not sure you will;

used to warn someone to be careful, especially about making someone angry;

quiet, serious, and always behaving well (used especially about women in former times);

to be the type of thing that someone is interested in or good at;

a feeling of emotional comfort at a time of great sadness or disappointment;

to cost a lot of money;

to be sold very quickly and in large amounts;

a person who avoids showing or telling other people what he or she is thinking or intending;

taking care to do things carefully and correctly.

IV. Find the English equivalents of:

добросовестно выполнять обязанности

помогать бедным

приветливый с подчиненными

отдать должное

он его знал, но они только здоровались, не более того

присутствие духа

неловкое молчание

вымышленное имя

меня выставили на посмешище

утешиться мыслью

это выше моего понимания

школа совместного обучения

душераздирающие страницы

копна волос

вилять хвостом

он вспотел

стареющая женщина

крепкий парень

ей идет к 45

развернуть посылку

справочник

ухаживать за больными

стройная фигура

тускло-коричневый

быть смущенным, захваченным врасплох

однодневка

исполнять обязанности

отлично

для него не было лучшей награды

он выбросил это из головы

V. Transcribe the following words and pronounce them:

conscientiously, glamour, desiccated, malaise, yield, languor, Tunisia, sweat, colonel.

VI. In the text find the words that have the following meanings:

someone who was a member of your family a long time in the past;

always thinking of what other people need or want and taking care not to upset them;

thin, attractive and healthy looking;

great energy and cheerfulness;

intended for very intelligent people who like serious subjects;

an ugly or unpleasant woman, especially one who is old or looks like a witch;

the side of an animal’s or person’s body, between the ribs and the hip;

to express feelings of great sadness about something.

VII. Match the following:

precarious serenity

hard head

discreditable laugh

virile ardour

placid body

enchanting incident

jovial game

thick happiness

VIII. Explain what is meant by:

to lose one’s temper

to take for granted

kick over the traces

an heir of his own loins

she was thirty-five if she was a day

I was simply bowled over

a smash hit

all-round sportsman

public-spirited

recipients of his bounty

to make a hit

to adopt a patronizing attitude

humdrum

IX. Translate into English using the active vocabulary:

1. Он был охвачен гневом и не мог не нервничать.

2. Преступник настолько добросовестно замел следы, что даже проницательный сыщик не знал, где он.

3. Он ей льстил, но это не служило ей утешением.

4. Я бы охарактеризовала ее как мудрую и сдержанную женщину.

5. Он склонен принять ваше предложение.

6. Что ты в нем нашла? Он нахальный и к тому же худой как щепка.

X. Think of the situations in which you would use the following (3-5 sentences):

1. It was hard luck that …

2. The thought crossed his mind that …

3. Better luck next time.

4. You’ve made quite a hit.

5. I hate the idea, but they think I ought to be …

6. Wonders will never cease.

7. I read it right through at a sitting, I simply couldn’t put it down, and when I’d finished I started again at the beginning and read it through a second time.

XI. Pick out the words and word combinations which come in handy while reviewing a book. Give your own review using these expressions.

XII. Insert the correct preposition if necessary:

1. _____ the bookshelves were works _____ reference, books _____ farming, fishing and shooting, and books _____ the last war, _____ which he had won an MC and a DSO.

2. _____ the end _____ the war he retired and settled _____ _____ the life _____ a country gentleman.

3. _____ the season he rode _____ hounds two days a week.

4. Sometimes her ear is a trifle _____ fault, but you can say the same _____ Emily Dickinson.

5. She was a trifle flushed _____ the excitement, but seemed quite _____ her ease.

6. George, his elbow _____ the desk, his cheek _____ his hand, frowned _____ the thought.