William shakespeare (1564 - 1616)

William Shakespeare was born on the 23rd of April, 1564, in Stratford-оп-Avon, Warwickshire.

His father, John Shakespeare, was well-to-do merchant.

Very few authentic facts of Shakespeare's life have been preserved; nevertheless there are many records left in the works of his contemporaries that help us to restore his image. Of great value are" the traditions that were current among the old residents of Stratford and London who knew William Shakespeare personally.

Although there is no record of Shakespeare's education, Stratford is known to have possessed an excellent grammar school, taught by university graduates, and there is no reason to doubt that Shakespeare attended it.

For more than 25 years Shakespeare had been associated with the best theatres of England. In 1599, the famous "Globe" theatre was established in which Shakespeare was one of the principal shareholders.

During the twenty-two years of his literary work Shakespeare produced 37 plays, two narrative poems and 154 sonnets. His earliest work was in the plays on English history. He wrote three plays on the reign of Henry VI. They were the beginning of his epical treatment of English history. Shakespeare's activities as a dramatist, poet, and actor lasted till the year 1612 when he retired from the stage and returned to Stratford.

VI. Ответьте письменно на вопросы.

1. Where and when was William Shakespeare born?

2. When was the famous "Globe" theatre established?

3. How many plays, poems and sonnets did Shakespeare produce?

Вариант 3

I. Перепишите предложения, определите в каждом из них видовременную форму и залог, переведите их.

1. New metro lines are built in Moscow every year.

2. The Intourist Hotel has been built near the National Hotel.

3. A lot of beautiful buildings have been built in Moscow lately.

4. Will another building of the university be built in the future?

II. Перепишите предложения и переведите их, обращая внимание на разные значения слов it, that, one.

1. It was in this museum we could see many good pictures.

2. There are a great many difficult words in the text; help me to translate some unknown ones.

3. The young man that has just come into the room is a well-known artist.

III. Перепишите предложения и переведите их, обращая внимание на разные значения глаголов to be, to have, to do.

1. What do you do in the evening?

2. I think that that young is a friend of hers.

3. He has got a big family.

4. We shall have to go there by car.

IV. Перепишите предложения и переведите их, обращая внимание на функцию инфинитива.

1. He wants to be accepted to the University.

2. To read is useful.

3. This is the problem to be solved as soon as possible.

4. I have something interesting to tell you.

5. To master this specialty one must work hard.

6. I am sorry to trouble you.

V. Прочитайте, перепишите и переведите текст письменно.

DANIEL DEFOE (1661 - 1731)

Daniel Defoe was born in 1661 in London. His father was a well-to-do butcher. Daniel entered into the same trade. He also tried his luck as a tile-maker, wool-merchant but failed everywhere because he was more interested in politics than in business. Defoe did some commercial travelling in Spain, France, Holland and Italy and took many business trips throughout large sections of England.

Defoe has written some interesting notes on the manners, customs and ways of life in the various European countries he visited. The year 1719 marked a new period in Defoe's literary career. At the age of

53 he published his "Robinson Crusoe" - the book on which his fame mainly rests to the present day.

The conspicuous feature of the book, which captures the interest of readers, is its portrayal of Crusoe's life on the island. He struggles hard against nature and moves his bend before his will.

In describing Robinson's life on the island, Defoe glorifies human labor. Labor saves Robinson from moral degradation and despair, and is a source of pride and happiness. Detached from human society Robinson Crusoe finds himself placed in a singular position by virtue of which he does not exploit anyone, nor is he himself exploited. He toils for the sake of subsistence, and the fruits of his labor are singularly

his own.

VI. Ответьте письменно на вопросы:

1. What was Daniel Defoe interested in more than in business?

2. Where did Defoe do commercial travelling in?

3. When did Daniel Defoe publish his "Robinson Crusoe"?

Вариант 4

I. Перепишите следующие предложения, определите в каждом из них видовременную форму и залог глагола-сказуемого, переведите предложения.

1. The flowers have been watered.

2. The students are being examined there.

3. Some of the towns in Siberia were founded about twenty years ago.

4. The articles will have been typed by 2 o’clock.

II. Перепишите следующие предложения и переведите их, обращая внимание на разные значения слов it, that, one.