Разговорный английский
Шрифт:
In addition to the ? 1 and 10 s. notes there are also banknotes of ? 5, ? 10, ? 20 and of larger denominations.
Note: Twopence is usully pronounced ['txpans], three halfpence (or a penny-halfpenny) — ['0ri:'heipans] and threepence ['0ri:pam].
American Money
The American unit is the dollar ($). In the dollar there are 100 cents (ф). A 5-cent coin is called a “nickel”, and a 10-cent coin, a dime.
5. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
English weights and measures are even more confusing to a foreigner than money, but luckily you don’t need all those that are generally given in reference books. The essential ones are not more than eleven or twelve in number.
For general use the smallest weight is 1 ounce (written oz), and there are 16 ounces in a pound (written lb). The English buy sweets, tobacco, and sometimes cigarettes by the ounce while most groceries
1 This text describes the old, non-decimal system which is no longer used in Britain. However, we continue to meet references to it in books published before 1971, or dealing with events prior to 1971. Later decimal currency was introduced with two units of currency — pounds (?) and pence (p).
or fruit, such as apples, pears, strawberries, by the pound, half-pound or quarter-pound (there are some kinds of fruit that are bought piecemeal).
Fourteen pounds is 1 stone. The English always give people’s weight in stones and pounds. For example, a man weighs 11 stone 9 lbs (not 163 lbs). 112 lbs make up 1 hundredweight (written cwt) and there are 20 hundredweights in a ton.
Liquids are measured in pints [paints], quarts and gallons. There are 2 pints in a quart and 4 quarts in a gallon.
Finally, for length the principal measurements are inches, feet, yards and miles. The easiest way to remember them, perhaps, is a little table like this:
12 inches (in) = 1 foot (ft)
3 feet = 1 yard (yd)
1.760yards .... = lmile
Adapted from “Essential English for Foreign Students”by G. E. Eckersley
IX. Clothes. Dressmaking and Tailoring
1. THE SECRET OF BEING WELL-DRESSED
No matter how much or how little money you have to spend, never buy any new clothes before going through your existing wardrobe to see whether you need them or not. But your wardrobe ought to contain certain essentials, and if it does not, you must plan your whole dress budget to include them.
Nearly every woman has to economize these days in order to include in her wardrobe at least some cheaper suits and dresses. When you buy your clothes, go in for simple, well-cut suits and dresses that will look “right” for almost any occasion. Concentrate on styles that are not expensive but elegant and remember that the keynote1 of all good dress-making is simplicity. Don’t be led astray2 by frills, elaborations and passing crazes3, unless you have an income suited to them.
A winter coat is a basic need and, although it may be an expensive item, it is not an extravagance, because it should be wearable for several seasons. Fashion in big coats rarely changes more than once
in four or five years and even then you can safely lag behind, provided you choose a loose undatable style4. Don’t invest in a fur coat unless you can afford the best of its kind. Choose a cosy-looking big coat in any material that suits you — the hairy fabrics5 are the latest, but remember that you’ll tire of them more easily than the smoother woollens.
A well-cut suit is another essential. If its lines are plain, it won’t go out of fashion for several years, and it will continue to look good to the very end of its days. You can prolong its life by having an extra skirt to divide the wear and tear6 because jackets always outlast skirts.
An extra dress is a perennial “Must”7 with women. The short evening dress is a much better buy than the long one for nine out of ten women, and it can look quite as glamorous. The lines that don’t date8 are the simple ones. Don’t exaggerate in padding your shoulders.
With colour you can be as daring as you like nowadays; colour combinations are also very much in favour now, but remember that a blue-eyed blonde would look uninteresting in pale blue because her eyes will be lost in the expanse of blue of her dress. Yellow, cardinal red and even black or white would suit her best. Blue is best on a dark-haired girl — especially royal blue.
Gloves. Now that nylon is within reach of everyone it is best to wear nylon gloves as they can be easily washed. Remember that spotless gloves — especially white — look undeniably smarter than even the very best suede gloves if these have grown dusty and shiny at the fingertips.
Your hats, too, should be immaculate; better none at all than a shabby-looking one. Flowers and feathers make an enchanting frame for a pretty face but only so long as they remain fresh. After that they have a messy appearance. When you set out to buy a new hat try, if possible, to wear the suit or dress that’s intended to partner it9. Don’t be content with a close-up look10 of yourself — walk up and down in front of a full-length mirror so that you see yourself from every angle — as other people will see you. Look at the hat in relation to your figure and (most important of all) your hair.
Accessories. Chic is more often lost through shoes and handbag than anything else. With many women elegance seems to stop at the knees. Nothing looks more incongruous than the sight of worn shoes emerging from beneath a lovely dress. You may like comfort, but it’s a pity to ally that beloved old pair of shoes of yours to your smartest suit. Unless you can afford a great many pairs of shoes, stick to the
simple classical type that never goes out of fashion and is so flattering to most feet. Avoid the shoddy shoe that is bound to lose its form immediately. Always try to team up1 11 a coat, skirt or dress with a plain but not “dressy” shoe.