Task XII. Chapters 25-26 (pp. 247-263)

1. Read, copy out the new words, be ready to translate and discuss the chapters.

2. Give the summary of the chapters.

3. Explain the meanings of the following expressions, memorize them, reproduce the situations they are used in, give your sentences with them:

1. to doll up

2. to catch smb’s eye

3. to pay on the nail

4. to jostle

5. a weight off one’s mind

6. to jump out of one’s skin

7. to play up

4. What is the reason for Julia’s conversation with Evie? Find the traces of irony in this conversation. What can you tell about their attitude to each other judging by the talk? (p.248)

5. Describe Julia’s walk in the street. Is the author ironic? Prove it. (p.250).

6. Trace the change of Julia’s manner since the beginning till the end of her conversation with the man in the Edgware Road (pp.252-255). How does it characterize her? What is your attitude to famous people feeling superior to the rest of the world?

7. Dramatize the dialogue between Julia and the man in the Edgware Road from “I wonder if he’ll ask…” (p.252) to “… the rest of her life” (p.255).

8. Read and translate the passage on pp. 256-257 from “She began to think…” to “It made her feel much better”.

9. What is Julia’s way to cope with stress? What is yours?

10. Write out the set expressions, which are new to you, from Chapter 26. Paraphrase them in English, make up and act out with a partner a dialogue using all of the phrases.

11. Why does the author describe the play in details? (pp.258-260) Trace the parallels between Julia’s life and the play.

12. Why does Michael agree to follow Julia’s advice concerning Avice? (p.263).

13. Comment upon:

8. “What do people come to see an actress for? Because they want to go to bed with her” (p.256).

9. “Tom meant nothing for Julia any more, but she had a score to settle with Avice and she wasn’t going to forget it” (p.258).

Lesson XIII. Chapter 27-28 (pp. 286-300)

1. Read, copy out the new words, be ready to translate and discuss the chapter.

2. Explain the meanings of the following expressions, memorize them, reproduce the situations they are used in, give your sentences with them:

   • to knock about

   • to draw smb out

   • a wee bit

   • to live in smb’s pocket

   • to have a knack of (for) doing smth

   • to hanker for

   • to dote on smb

3. Give the summary of the chapters.

4. Read, translate and comment on the passage on pp. 282-283 from “She went in and sat down…” to “… inclined to laugh”.

5. Speak on the following items:

• What subject does Julia discuss with Roger? (p. 264) How does she manage to draw him out?

• What scene impressed Roger when he was 14? What was his behaviour during the play?

• What does Roger think of acting?

• Why do Roger’s words give Julia an eerie sensation? Why does she have a feeling of guilt?

• What is Roger’s attitude to his father?

• Do you think Roger has a right to reproach his parents? Why is he so strict with them? Give your grounds.

• How does Julia explain Roger the message of art?

• Does Roger know about the relations between Tom and his mother?

• Why does Julia make up her mind to talk to Charles?

6. What can you say about Julia’s perception of love judging by her words at the very end of Chapter 28?

Task XIV. Chapter 29 (pp. 286-300)

1. Read, copy out the new words, be ready to translate and discuss the chapter.

2. Explain the meanings of the following expressions, memorize them, reproduce the situations they are used in, give your sentences with them:

1. to castigate

2. to have got one’s knife into smb.

3. to fathom

4. to bungle smth

5. to wipe the floor with smb

6. all and sundry

7. to feel on the top of the world

8. to feel like a million dollars

9. to settle a score with smb

10. to put a spoke in smb’s wheel

11. to heart-whole

12. that’s ample