Разговорный английский
Шрифт:
PAUL. Don’t get worried. Give me your hand, please. Now, bring out your right foot the way I do it. That’s it. Now your left. ANN. Oh, I’m losing my balance!
PAUL. Steady, Ann. Now, let’s try it again.
ANN. I look like a baby, trying to walk, don’t I?
PETER. You do, indeed. Well, I’m off for a run. Good luck to you, Annie.
{After some time.)
PETER. Well, how are you getting on, Annie?
PAUL. Oh, she’s doing fine. {To Ann.) You are tired, aren’t you?
ANN. Rather. Let’s sit down on this bench for a while.
PETER. I say, Paul, are you good at figure cutting?
PAUL. Well, there is nothing to boast about.
ANN. Oh, do show us how you skate, Paul.
{Paul begins to cut figures on the ice.)
PETER. Well, Ann, how do you like it?
ANN. Oh, it’s lovely! He simply glides on the ice.
{Paul comes up to them.)
PETER. You did fine, Paul. You have mastered the technique rather well, I should say.
ANN. Oh yes, I wish I could skate like that.
PAUL. Oh, you’ll learn to skate even better, by and by, Ann. Patience and a great deal of training.
PETER. I say, Paul, what’s wrong with my skates? They slip when I’m on the ice.
{Paul examines them.)
PAUL. Why, they are blunt. You must have them sharpened.
PETER. Can it be done here?
PAUL. Certainly. You’ll have to go into the hut for that. Well, Ann, are you ready for another lesson?
ANN. Oh yes. You are so kind, Paul.
4. SWIMMING
Every person should endeavour to acquire the power of swimming. The exercise is a healthy accompaniment of bathing.
The art of swimming is, in reality, very easy. Do not attempt to learn to swim too hastily. Belts may be of service for supporting the body while one is learning what is called the stroke, or that manner of drawing in and striking out the hands and feet that is necessary to produce progressive motion.
But you will be no swimmer till you can place confidence in the power of water to support you.
Choose a place where the water deepens gradually, walk into it till it is up to your breast; then turn round your face to the shore, throw yourself forward and begin striking out with your hands and feet so as to prevent the lower part of the body, that is the legs, from sinking; keep your head as high as possible above the water.
During the great heat in summer there is great danger to throw oneself into cold water — one is apt to be seized with a cramp.
Do not forget to cool yourself before getting into the water.
XIII. Town
1. A TOWN
A town is a large number of houses, schools, hospitals, theatres, factories, works and other buildings built near each other. All these buildings are divided into blocks by streets. Short narrow streets that join larger ones together are called lanes. On one side of the streets the buildings have even numbers, on the other — odd numbers. The main streets are usually paved with stone or asphalt. Along the streets run carts, cars, buses and trolleybuses. In large towns tramways are laid down the wider streets, along which tramcars rattle with great noise. On both sides of the streets are raised pavements on which people walk.
In very large towns, which are generally called cities, countless pedestrians walk along the foot-pavement forming two smoothly- flowing ceaseless currents. In England walkers keep to the right, while vehicles on the road keep to the left.
People usually cross the streets at special places, called crossings. When the traffic is very heavy, the policeman, who regulates the movement of the cars and buses, has to stop the never-ending stream by raising one hand, thus affording the pedestrians a chance of crossing the street. On the foot-paths, close to the gutter, stand dustbins, into which refuse is put.
In large towns the ground floor and the first storeys of the houses, that line the principal streets, consist of shops. These shops present most attractive features. The windows are very large and the plates of glass often reach almost to the pavement. It is interesting to look at the shop-windows where the articles on sale are displayed.
In the centre and in important parts of a large town, there are squares, gardens and market places.
A town is generally situated near or on a river across which bridges are built. In almost all towns there are places of interest, which a stranger would be invited to see — monuments, cathedrals, museums, etc.
A town is governed by a council, the head of which is styled the mayor.
2. IN THE TRAM
G. Hello, Bill! I thought you weren’t going to turn up. You’re ten minutes late.
B. (I’m) sorry to have kept you waiting, old chap. Where is, Ann, I wonder? Oh, here she is stepping out of the bus. Let’s go and meet her.
BOTH. Good morning, Ann.
ANN. How do you do? Have I kept you waiting long? I don’t know how it is, but I never can get anywhere in time.
G. Well, shall we go to K. or has anyone any other suggestion?
ANN. K. is all right for me. You, Bill?
B. Yes. We can go anywhere from there, can’t we?
G. Good. Now, let me see. Route 5 goes there, doesn’t it?
B. Yes, and No. 9 goes there too — the stop is a few blocks down this street.
ANN. There comes our tram.
B. Oh, what a rush.
G. Say, Bill, you go ahead and keep a seat for Ann.
ANN. No, don’t please. Let’s stand outside on the platform. It’ll be ever so much nicer there than inside the crowded car.