- •Chapters 1-2
- •Vocabulary Section
- •1. Work out the suggested list of useful words and expressions, translate into Russian:
- •2. Test your understanding of the text:
- •3. These conversational expressions appear in the text. What do you think they mean?
- •4. Here are some sentences from the text. Explain what the words in bold type mean.
- •5. Match the words on the left with their meanings on the right.
- •6. A) Find the synonym in the right column which suits the meaning of the word in the left one:
- •7. Find in the text the English equivalents for the following expressions:
- •8. Say the same in English:
- •10. Translate the sentences from Russian into English.
- •11. Who said these words? In what way do they characterize the people who said them?
- •12. Find facts from Chapter 1 to support these statements:
- •13. Out of the suggested adjectives pick up the ones which best describe the characters introduced in the first chapters.
- •14. Put the sentences in the correct order according to the Chapter 2.
- •15. Which of the following statements are true and which are false? Write «t» if the statement is true and «f» if it is false. Give reasons for your answers.
- •16. Note down theatrical terms you have come across in the chapters. Post-Reading Discussion Section
- •1. Attention Check:
- •2. Discussion points.
- •Chapters 3-4.
- •Vocabulary Section
- •1. Work out the following expressions. Recall the situations from the text in which they are used.
- •2. Read the following words in transcription, than put them down minding the spelling.
- •3. Test your understanding of the text:
- •4. Match the words from column a with the definitions from b.
- •5. Give the English variant of the following:
- •6. Match the synonyms. Translate them.
- •7. Try to translate the sentences with idioms. Comment on them.
- •8. Give the literary translation to the sentences from the text:
- •9. Translate the following sentences into English.
- •Post-Reading Discussion Section
- •1. Find facts from chapter 3 to support these statements:
- •2. Attention Check:
- •3. Discussion points.
14. Put the sentences in the correct order according to the Chapter 2.
The result of the interview was that Michael got an engagement.
James Langton was running a repertory theatre and was in need of a leading juvenile.
Julia had an impulse to look at some of her old photographs.
It was two years later that Jimmie Langton discovered Julia.
Julia was a born actress and it was an understood thing that she was to go on the stage.
Notwithstanding his beauty, his grace and his ease of manner, Michael remained a cold lover.
Jane Taitbout made deliberate that wonderful sense of timing which Julia had by instinct.
15. Which of the following statements are true and which are false? Write «t» if the statement is true and «f» if it is false. Give reasons for your answers.
When Julia had an impulse to look at some of her old photographs she found them in large cardboard cases, dated and chronologically arranged.
Roger liked to be photographed with Julia. It was fun for him to be in the papers.
Julia had a lovely figure, everyone admitted that, but her articulation was indistinct.
Jimmie Langton loved acting, but his physique prevented him from playing any but a few parts, which was fortunate for he was a bad actor.
Jimmie Langton quickly came to the conclusion that Michael’s perseverance and desire to excel would help him to become more than just a competent actor.
By the time Jimmie Langton discovered Julia, she’d been already a great actress.
16. Note down theatrical terms you have come across in the chapters. Post-Reading Discussion Section
1. Attention Check:
a) Who said these words: "After all, with the exercise I take I can eat anything I like"?
b) What is the name of Michael's secretary?
c) What is the Gosselyns' home address?
d) What furniture does Michael have in his study?
e) Did Michael eat fried potatoes at luncheon?
f) How many times had the young man seen Julia's play?
g) How old is Michael?
h) What did Julia write on the photograph she gave the young man?
i) What was the only Shakespearean part Julia had played?
j) Where was Julia born?
2. Discussion points.
Highlight the most important events of the Chapters 1-2.
Find the lines in the text to prove that Michael's and Julia's style of living shows that they belong to the world of theatre.
Compare the description of Michael's office at the theatre with the description of his private sitting-room at home. In what way do these descriptions speak about Michael's character?
Write up an interview with Michael asking him about the start of his career as an actor.
Write a short article about Michael's career to the magazine "Theatre Life".
6 Why do you think the author compares the way Michael introduces Tom to Julia with an ambassador's behaviour?
7. Pick up some more lines to show that Michael was a vain and snobbish person. Is it good or bad to be vain and snobbish? Is it right to say that Julia is snobbish too? Or is she vain or showy? Is it natural or necessary for an actress always to aim at effect and to do everything for show?
8 Is Julia sincere in saying that Michael has such perfect taste?
9. What is Julia's opinion of the people round her? What does she think about the society people, or about such people as Tom? Can you share her views?
10. Why do you think Julia uses the word "scrubby" when she is thinking about the impression she produces on Tom?
11. What does the description of Julia's bedroom give to the understanding of her character?
12. Why does the author call the language Julia uses in talking to herself "racy"? In what way does it show the author's attitude towards Julia?
13. Did Julia treat her little son, Roger, more as a mother, or more as an actress? What was her reaction when he refused to be photographed with her?
14. Pick out the lines which show that Julia is acting much of an actress even off the stage.
15. What is Julia's first impression of Tom? Why does she change her mind asking Tom to lunch and why does she find him sweet and charming later? Is it because of his looks or because of his good manners, or is it something else? In what way does it show her as an actress?
16. Imagine that you are Julia. Share your memories of your first steps on the stage.
17. What do you think Michael means when he says: "All an actress like Julia wants is a vehicle. Give her that and she'll do the rest"?
18. What do you think about publicity of actors' private life? In what way can the public interest and curiosity influence their behaviour, their natures, their style of living and their lives?
19. Do you think the public should know the details of actors' private life? Is it bad or good for the understanding of their acting? Which do you' prefer: to know as much as possible about your favourite actor's life or to know nothing?
20. What was Jimmie Langton's attitude to the actors of his company? Was he right in working his company hard? What is there more in the actors' profession, talent or work?
21. What was Jimmie Langton's attitude to Michael and Julia? In what way does it characterize them as actors?
22. Discuss the following: At the beginning of the career one has to work hard to ensure success in future.