Doctor in the house
(by R. Gordon)
A. PRE-READING
1. Think before you read.
What are possible methods for evaluating the student’s knowledge?
Do exams give the opportunity to consolidate a student’s knowledge of the subject, which he has gained through lectures, discussions and a great deal of independent study?
Do exams give a student a clear goal to work towards?
Do you support the idea that “Examination is an unfair and imperfect way of checking knowledge?”
How do you feel about having to take exams?
nervous
overanxious
resentful
terrified
gratified
proud
2. Literary Terms
synonyms-specifiers – two or more synonyms that follow one another to characterize the object in a more precise way. Their main functions are to make the description as exhaustive as possible under the circumstances and to provide additional shades of the meaning intended.
allusion – is a brief reference to some literary or historical event commonly known.
hyperbole – is the use of word, a word-group, or a sentence which exaggerates the real degree of a quantity of the thing spoken about.
euphemism – a polite word or expression used instead of a more direct one, to avoid shocking or upsetting effect.
oxymoron – a subordinate word combination in which elements have polar meanings.
asyndeton – the deliberate omission of conjunctions.
Focus
As you read the passage from “Doctor in the House” by R. Gordon, identify these stylistic phenomena the author uses to create the images which describe the students’ experience in taking their examinations.
B. THE STORY
Provide basic biographical information about Richard Gordon.
Phonetics
Consult a dictionary and practice the pronunciation of the following words: authority, contest, prize-fighter, enthusiastic, solo, despondently, paths, invigilator, flagrant, anonymous, nonchalant, admirably, viva, imminent, tetanus, plough, opiate, sponge.
Idioms and Expressions
Phrasal Verbs
Match the phrasal verbs with their definitions.
Phrasal verb |
Meaning |
1) go about |
a) 1) to behave calmly; 2) to treat someone kindly |
2) go along |
b) to be bold or direct enough (to do smth.) |
3) go at |
c) to make a thorough study of smth., to examine carefully in every part |
4) go back on |
d) 1. to wander, to go about; 2. to get about; 3) to set to work |
5) go behind |
e) to suffer, to endure |
6) go by |
f) to wasted; to fail completely |
7) go down |
g) to examine, to investigate, to look into |
8) go down the drain |
h) to agree to share the cost of something |
9) go Dutch / halves |
i) to proceed, make progress |
10) go easy |
j) to be received; to be considered less worthy |
11) go as / so far as |
k) to rush, to attack |
12) go into |
l) to examine a deeper level of smth. |
13) go over |
m) to base one’s judgment on smb. |
14) go through |
n) to fail to fulfill (a promise, agreement) |
Supply the appropriate particle:
To be ashamed of his own father is perhaps the bitterest experience a young man ca _____.
“Will you let me take you out to dinner tonight?” “As long as _____.”
That is very far-fetched and morbid. We can’t _____ that.
All of our best laid plans ______.
He laid there thinking. _____ the whole business from the beginning.
Translate the following sentences:
Ей пришлось многое пережить в связи со смертью мужа, и она сильно постарела (подурнела).
Цены на эту мебель снизились, так как она выходит сейчас из моды.
Разбирая свои старые письма и бумаги, я нашла твою фотографию.
Я думаю, им придется понести большие расходы, построить дом стоит больших денег.
Эти продукты следует держать в холодильнике. В такую жару они быстро теряют свежесть.
Странно, что Ваша жена последнее время не появляется в обществе.
Idioms
Go over the idioms connected with problematic situations. Think of the situations in which these idioms can be used.
to be in a fix =
to be in a tight corner =
to be in a muddle =
to take the bull by the horns =
to take the back seat =
to stir things up =
to pour oil on troubled waters =
to keep one’s card close to the vest = |
to be in difficulty
to be in a situation that is difficult to get out of
to be confused / mixed up
to act decisively and with determination on order to deal with a difficult situation.
no to do anything; let others act instead.
to do / say things that make matters worse
to do / say things that calm the situation
to hold back information |
Complete the following sentences inserting proper idioms:
This is the time to _____ and tackle the complex issues of finance.
You will be aware that there are some situations when it is wise to_____ .
Friends are a blessing – they_____, drag to parties and make you feel loved.
He _____, leaving some attorneys with whom he’s worked to describe him as secretive and manipulative.
Herb was a big, muscular man on the edge of 50: a guy who could obviously fend for himself if placed_____.
At the same time, the production process now appears_____ , in as much as it is not able to make the transition into the process of circulation.
I’m sorry, I’m_____; could you explain that again?
No, please, don’t say anything; you’ll only______.
Grammar
Confusing verbs: lie – lay; sit – set; rise – raise; arise – arouse.
Consult grammar reference books for the right usage of each of the verbs. Provide brief comments on them. In the exercise that follows use the right verb in the appropriate grammar tense and form according to the context.
Very often my mother _____ down in afternoons.
The cat is _____ on the couch. She’s probably sleeping.
The book _____ on my desk all day, and nobody noticed it.
Farley _____ the gun down and surrendered.
Before you start packing _____ all the clothes on the bed.
Turtles _____ their eggs on the beach at night.
I always _____ in the rocking chair near the fireplace.
She _____ in the same chair for many years.
Esther _____ the basket on the table.
We ____ the clock back yesterday.
The cement will ____ in two hours.
Jelly _____ as it cools.
The plane _____ steadily.
The cliffs _____ far above the sea.
Tomorrow the sun _____ at six o’clock.
Don’t _____ so much dust,
Do not _____ your voice.
The farmer _____ wheat.
The conflict _____ from tensions between the different ethnic groups.
His strange behaviour _____ my suspicions.
C. THINKING ABOUT THE STORY