Text. An evening at the cinema
David Brown is a hard worker at school and his parents hope that he will do well in his examination in the summer, so that he can go up to University next October. He is determined to do his best. But he cannot work all the time, so once or twice a week, when he is tired of work, he goes out with his friend Bob Sandford. They usually go to the theatre or the cinema, but they sometimes go to a dance in Bishopton. They do not often go to a theatre or cinema in London as the cost of the journey and the higher price of seats in London make this too expensive. It is much cheaper in Bishopton.
In England the cinema is usually called "the pictures". The American name, "the movies", is sometimes used. The first performance, or "showing" as it is called, begins about two o'clock in the afternoon, and the show goes on from then until about half past ten. The cinema is not emptied between the "showings", so that once you have paid for your seat you can stay in the cinema as long as you like. There are usually one main film, a shorter one, a news film, some advertisements and a "trailer" telling about the film for the next week.
Cinemas in England are usually larger and more comfortable than the theatres. There is often a restaurant, so that it is possible to spend a pleasant afternoon and evening there. Behind the cinema screen there is a stage, so that the building can be used for concerts and other performances.
David and Bob enjoy historical films, films about countries very different from their own, crime stories and films that make them laugh. They also like to see foreign films, but it is not often possible to see these in Bishopton. When they were younger they enjoyed "cowboy" films, but now they are older they are not so easily satisfied. They do not enjoy these films so much because they find they are all very much alike. This week they saw a film of one of Shakespeare's plays. Some famous actors and actresses were in this film. David had seen the play with the same actors and actresses at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stradford-
on-Avon the previous summer, so it was interesting to see how the performance in the film was different from the performance on the stage.
The film was very fine and exciting, but David th6ught it had lost something. There were so many people and places that you forgot the main characters and the really important things that were happening. Telling his father about the film when he got home, David said he thought he would remember the theatre performance he had seen at Stradford long after he had forgotten the film he had seen that evening.
Comprehension
/. Listen to the text and answer the questions:
Does David study at school or at University? What does he like to do in his spare time? What is the English cinema like? What kind of films do David and Bob enjoy? What film did they see this week? What did David think of the film?
// Read the text and analyse the language peculiarities of the text. Do some exercises in the next section to remember them.
Special Difficulties
/. Study these example situations:
a) Mrs Mavis saw a film yesterday. In the final scene a beautiful girl died in a handsome man's arms. Mrs Mavis cried.
The film made her cry.
b) Young David did not want to do his homework yesterday. His mother told him he must do it before he went out to play.
His mother made him do his homework.
c) Two months ago when Peter flew back from Canada, there was a very pretty girl on the same plane. When Peter went through Customs they made him open his case. They made him take everything out. They did not make the girl do these things. They let her go through without any trouble.
//. Make up dialogues using the prompts:
e.g. A: He told Ann, I hope.
B: Yes, I made him tell her.
He ... I hope.
1. apologized 2. paid the bill 3. wrote to the Smiths 4. cleaned the bath 5. took his medicine 6. reported the accident 7. waited for Ann 8. rang his parents 9. answered the letter 10. cleaned his shoes 11. insured his house 12. did his exercises 13. put on his gloves.
///. Make your own sentences with either "make someone do" or "let someone do" for each situation, like this:
e.g. The photographer made funny faces at the little girl.
Finally she laughed.
He made her laugh, e.g. David wanted to go out. His mother said he could.
She let him go out.
1. There was an accident and a lot of people stopped to look. A policeman shouted "Move on" and they did. 2. Jane wanted to go home early one day. Her boss said it was all right. 3. David wanted to stay up late on Saturday. His mother said he could. 4. He wanted to do the same on Sunday. "No, go to bed" his mother said, and he did. 5. Jill's father said some very sarcastic things to her. She cried. 6. A student wanted to criticise a teacher's methods. The teacher did not stop him. 7. Grey is not a colour that suits Jane. She looks pale in it. 8. The comedian was very funny. The audience laughed.
IV. Make up sentences with the word combination "to be tired of smth.":
e.g. I/cycling
I'm tired of cycling
1. They/travelling 2. She/her thesis 3. I/swimming 4. The actors/rehearsals 5. The children/skating 6. He/gardening 7. She/ this hard work
V. Translate into English (self check)-
1. He заставляй ее так много работать. Она устала от этой работы. 2. Я заставила машинистку перепечатать письмо, так как в нем было много ошибок. 3. Зачем ты заставил его идти туда так поздно? 4. Я сделаю все возможное, чтобы помочь ей.
5. Фильм очень отличается от книги. Он гораздо интереснее.
6. Она гордится своим сыном. Он очень трудолюбивый и хорошо успевает в школе.
Text Exercises
/. Ask questions about:
a) David's pastime b) cinemas in England c) David's and Bob's likes and dislikes as far as films are concerned d) the film David and Bob saw last.
//. Speak on:
• a) cinemas in England; b) the boys' visit to the cinema.
Conversation Practice
Suggestions
a) How to ask for a suggestion:
| What | shall we would you like to do you want to | do tonight? |
b) How to make a suggestion:
What (how) about Do you feel like
Shall we
Let's
Why don't we
Why not
Would you like to
going to the pictures'
spend the weekend in Brighton (?)
c) How to accept a suggestion:
Yes,
good idea.
that's a marvellous idea, that would be nice, that seems all right.
d) How to half-accept a suggestion
we could,
Yes, that's a good idea, I suppose, but (there aren't any it's not a bad idea, good films on at the
moment).
e) How to reject a suggestion:
No,
Well,
I'm afraid I can't.
I'm sorry I can't.
I don't really feel like (going to the pictures).
I'd rather not, if you don't mind.
f) How to make a counter-suggestion:
Well,
I'd rather I'd prefer to
go to the pictures (pub)
if you don't mind.
Conversation I
Sally: Do you feel like doing anything tomorrow evening, Peter?
Peter: Yes, all right. What do you suggest?
Sally: How about going to see "Star Wars"5 It's on locally and they say it's very good.
Peter: Well, we could, I suppose, but I don't really like science-fiction films all that much. Of course, if you'd like to see it...
Sally: No, no... I don't mind. It was just a suggestion, that's all.
Peter: We could always go to Dave's party, 1 suppose.
Sally: Dave?
Peter: Yes, Dave Wilkins. You know-that chap who works for the B.B.C. He's having a house-warming party. Everyone's invited.
Sally: No, I don't think so somehow! You know what Dave's parties are like. I still haven't recovered from the last one we went to.
Peter: Well, it was only an idea.
Sally: No I'd prefer to go somewhere else, if you don't mind. Just the two of us.
Peter: Would you like to go out for a meal, then? We could go to that super restaurant in Chelsea. Brian told me the food was really great.
Sally: Yes, that would be nice. Let's do that. And why don't we call in on Bob and Sue on the way home? We've been promising to go and see them for ages.
Peter: Yes, good idea.
/. Listen to the conversation and answer the questions:
What are Sally and Peter discussing? What does Sally suggest? Does Peter feel like seeing "Star Wars?" What idea does Peter suggest? Does Sally like it? What do they agree upon?
//. Listen to the conversation again. Imitate the phrases expressing suggestions and replies to suggestions.
III. Find in the text appropriate English phrases for the following:
Что ты предлагаешь? Как насчет того, чтобы сходить посмотреть фильм "Война миров"? Говорят, что это интересный фильм. Я не возражаю. Давай так и сделаем. Я бы предпочла сходить куда-нибудь еще. Это было бы прекрасно. Почему бы не зайти к Бобу и Сью по пути домой? Не хочешь ли ты пойти пообедать''1 Хорошая мысль (идея). Мы могли бы, я полагаю. У него новоселье . Мы могли бы сходить в тот великолепный ресторан
в Челси- 108
IV. Read the conversation. Paraphrase the conversational formulas expressing suggestions and replies to suggestions.
V. Ask questions on the conversation.
VI. Role-play the conversation.
Conversation 2
Alex: What shall we do tonight?
Bob: Why don't we go to the cinema?
Alex: Well, we could, I suppose, but there aren't really any good films on at the moment.
Bob: Well, what do you suggest-then?
Alex: How about going out for a meal?
Bob: No, I don't feel like eating anything.
Alex: All right. And what about going to the pub then?
Bob: Well, I'd rather go dancing, if you don't mind.
Alex: That's O. K. by rne. And why not go to a restaurant afterwards?
Bob: Yes, that's a marvellous idea.
/. Listen to the conversation and answer the questions:
What are the boys talking about? Why doesn't Alex want to go to the cinema? Does Bob feel like going out for a meal? Where do they agree to go?
//. Listen to the conversation again and reproduce the conversational formulas used to make suggestions and replies to suggestions.
III. Respond to the following suggestions using the phrases from the conversation:
1. What shall we do tonight? 2. And why not go to a restaurant afterwards? 3. And what about going to the pub then? 4. How about going out for a meal? 5. Why don't we go to the cinema?
IV. Role-play the conversation.
V. Accept the suggestions:
1. What about going to Spain? 2. Why not go to the pub? 3. I suggest we go and see her at Easter. 4. Why don't we ask our English teacher? 5. Let's go for a walk. 6. Shall we visit the art exhibition on Sunday? 7. How about going out of town on Saturday? 8. Why don't we play cards? 9. How about a nice curry? 10. Let's go and stay with my sister in Brighton. 11. Would you like to join us?
12. Do you feel like going to the theatre? 13. Why don't we have a party on Saturday? 14. How about travelling by ship?
VI. Reject the suggestions. Give reasons for your refusal
1. Do you feel like watching the film? 2. Let's visit the Smiths 3. What about having a snack? 4. Would you like to go on a picnic for the weekend? 5. What about going for a walk? 6. Why don't we dine out tonight? 7. How about playing a game of chess? 8. Why not go to Bulgaria this summer? 9. Shall we go skiing tomorrow?
VII. Make counter-suggestions to the following:
1. Why not spend the weekend in the country? 2. Shall we play a game of tennis? 3. Would you like to go fishing tomorrow? 4. Let's send her a letter. 5. Why not stay at a hotel? 6. Let's have a steak. 7. Do you feel like travelling by sea? 8. Why don't we go out on Saturday? 9. How about watching "Coronation Street" tonight?
VIII. Suggest to your friend:
going to the pictures; spending the weekend in the country; having a swim; playing cards; going shopping; starting at 6 a. m.; going by air; ordering a steak.
Your friend will accept or turn down the suggestion.
IX. Learn the dialogues. Make up similar dialogues.
1. — Why don't we go for a drive in the country?
— That would be nice. Thank you.
— I'll pick you up about 7.30.
2. — What about playing a game of tennis?
— It's nice of you to ask, but I don't feel like playing tennis.
— Well, how about coming to see Tony?
— No, honestly I can't afford the time.
3. — Let's go ice-skating.
— No, I'm really not in the mood for it this evening.
— Then, why don't we just go out for a coffee?
— No, really. I've promised myself an early night.
4. — Do you feel like going to the theatre tonight?
— No, I'd prefer to go somewhere else, if you don't mind.
5. — Why don't you call me up at the office at 7?
— Well, I'd rather pick you up at 7.30.
— That's settled.
6. — Shall we play a game of billiards?
— All right.
7. — Why not go to the forest on Sunday?
— That's not a bad idea, but I'm afraid I'll be busy on Sunday.
Conversation 3
John: Would you like to get together this weekend?
Peter: Sure. What would you like to do?
John: Well, how about seeing a movie?
Peter: That sounds good. Did you have any particular movie in mind?
John: Well, they say "A Man and his Horse" is very good. It's playing at the Rialto Theatre.
Peter: "A Man and his Horse?" That's a western, isn't it?
John: I think so.
Peter: Well, to tell the truth, I don't like westerns very much.
John: Oh, well, is there any particular movie you'd like to see?
Peter: How about "The Return of the Monster?" It's playing at the Shopping Mall Cinema, and I hear it's excellent.
John: "Return of the Monster?" Hmm .. Isn't that a science-fiction movie?
Peter: Yes, don't you like science-fiction movies?
John: No, not really. Maybe we shouldn't see a movie. Maybe we should do something else.
Peter: Okay. Would you be interested in doing something outdoors?
John: Sure. Any suggestions?
Peter: Well, we could go ice skating.
John: Oh, I'm afraid I don't really enjoy going ice skating. How about going hiking?
Peter: Well, to tell the truth, I've gone hiking several times in the past few weeks.
John: Really? Then I guess you must be pretty tired of hiking.
Peter: I am. Let's do something else.
John: Why don't we just have dinner together somewhere this Saturday?
Peter: That sounds like a good idea. Where would you like to go?
John: Well, one of my favourite places to eat is "The Captain Table."
Peter: Hmm. "The Captain Table?" What kind of food do they serve there?
John: Seafood. But if you don't like seafood we could go someplace else.
Peter: No. On the contrary. I love seafood.
John: You do? Great.
Peter: Then it's settled. "The Captain Table" for dinner on Saturday. What time?
John: How about 7 o'clock?
Peter: Is 8 okay?
John: Fine.
Ill
/. Listen to the conversation and answer the questions:
What are John and Peter talking about? What does John suggest? Does Peter feel like seeing "A Man and his Horse"? Does John like science-fiction movies? John enjoys ice skating, doesn't he? Why doesn't Peter feel like going hiking? Where do the two friends agree to go?
//. Listen to the conversation again. Reproduce the phrases expressing suggestions and replies to suggestions.
III. Find in the text appropriate English phrases for the following:
Как насчет длительной пешей прогулки? Тогда решено. Конечно. Наоборот. Почему бы нам просто не пообедать где-нибудь в это воскресенье? Куда бы ты хотел пойти? Возможно, нам не следует смотреть фильм. Я слышал, это отличный фильм. Ты имел какой-то конкретный фильм в виду? Разве ты не любишь научно-фантастические фильмы? Какие-нибудь предложения? Ты, должно быть, устал от прогулок. Это кажется хорошей идеей. Какого рода пищу там подают? Мы могли бы пойти куда-нибудь еще. По правде говоря.
IV. Ask questions on the conversation.
V. Role-play the conversation.
VI. Act out the following situations:
\. Your friend and you are planning how to spend the evening.
2. An interesting film is on at your local cinema. You suggest to your friend seeing it. Your friend asks you some questions about the film and makes up his (her) mind to see it. You arrange about the tickets and agree to meet outside the cinema at 6 o'clock.