Part III Building the Vocabulary

Consult the English-English dictionary for the following words and phrases:

agenda (p. 127)

millstone (p. 128)

to see to (p. 129)

to get a foothold (p. 129)

to pay off (p. 130)

rat race (p. 130)

to make a poor job of (p. 131)

a ballot (p. 132)

to worm one's way inside (p. 133)

to have wits about smb. (p. 134)

to come off from (p. 136)

commitment (p. 137)

to be match for smb. (p. 138)

stamina (p. 144)

to get through (p. 144)

to take in smb.'s stride (p. 144)

to talk to a closed door (p. 145)

to keep oneself to oneself (p. 145)

to be agog (p. 145)

preposterous (p. 146)

wrongfooted (p. 146)

to be on to smth. (p. 149)

to be screwed up (p. 150)

homicidal (p. 152)

imminence (p. 153)

stalker (p. 154)

impetus (p. 157)

evocative (p. 159)

to fail to do smth. (p. 159)

inpenetrable (p. 160)

to be on the intellectual side (p. 161)

Unit VI (p. P. 163 - 203) Part I First Reading

A. Thinking about the Chapters

On these pages you are introduced to new characters: Phoebe Barton and Roddy Winshaw. What impression did they produce on you?

B. Understanding the Plot

1. What can you say about the letters that Michael got from his father? (p. p. 163 - 164)

2. Speak on Michael's dreams (p. 164, p. p. 166 - 167)

3. From whom did Michael get a letter? What was it about? (p. p. 168 - 169)

4. What did you learn about Mr. Onyx (on p. 148)?

5. Where do the events on p. 173 take place?

6. What do we learn about Phoebe [fi:bi:]? (p. p. 174 - 175)

7. Where did she come and whom did she meet there? Why did she go to the restaurant with him? (p. p. 176 - 179)

8. Where was she going to spend her weekend? With whom? Why?

9. Where did Roddy go to meet her? What impression did the council estate produce on him? (p. p. 181 - 183)

10. What was their talk about when driving in a car? (p. p. 183 - 185)

11. How did the Winshaw Towers impress Phoebe? (p. p. 186 — 188)

Translate: (p. 156) 'Phoebe's first impression … into his grasp.'

12. Describe the house inside (p. 188)

13. What talk took place between Roddy and Pyles? (p. p. 189 - 190)

14. Whom did they meet? What was the talk between Roddy and Phoebe before Hilary's arrival? (p. p. 190 - 191)

15. What can you say about the dinner? The talk between Roddy and Hilary? Phoebe's thoughts on it? Phoebe's behaviour at first and her reaction to Hilary's comments on her? (p. p. 194 - 199)

16. What did Phoebe tell Roddy about herself and why did she decide to spend the weekend with him? (p. p. 199 - 202)

Part II Second Reading

A. Exploring Themes

1. What is the significance of Michael's dreams?

2. What effect did the letter from Mr. Onyx have on Michael?

3. What did Phoebe expect from Roddy when she decided to spend the weekend with him?

4. Explain: (p. 195) 'The trouble is that it (the picture) clashes horribly with the green in the music room. We're going to redecorate the whole thing.'

5. What was art for Roddy Winshaw?

6. What was 'the real world' for Hilary and for Phoebe? (p. 198)

7. What way did Phoebe understand '… robbing the country of its own culture.' (p. 197)

8. Was Hilary exasperated by what Phoebe was telling her? Prove this (p. 197).

9. Why did Phoebe characterize collecting modern art as 'snobbery'? (p. 197)

B. Judging for Yourself

1. Do you think Michael's father was an affectionate and understanding father?

2. Do you think Phoebe was a really talented painter?

3. What do you imagine the relations between Roddy and Phoebe will be like in the future?

4. What is 'the open marriage' and your attitude to it?

C. Making Connections

1. Can the situation as Roddy and Phoebe concerned take place in this country?

2. Can we find such a character as Hilary in this country?

3. Do you believe in dreams?