Opinions. Agreement and Disagreement

a) How to ask for an opinion:

What do you think of/about What's your opinion of How do you find

British television?

b) How to give an opinion:

I think

I believe there is too much violence on the screen today.

In my opinion

c) How to agree with an opinion:

I (quite) agree (with you)

You are (quite) right.

(Yes), he does (did, was, will, etc.)

(No), he doesn't (isn't, didn't, etc )

I think so too.

d) How to disagree with an opinion:

I don't (quite) agree (with you) I disagree. I don't think so.

No, I don't (didn't, wasn't, etc ) That's not my opinion. That's your opinion, not mine

Conversation 5

Peter: Jack, you've seen "Siar Wars", haven't you?

Jack: Yes, that's right

Peter: What do you think of it'

Jack: Well, I was a bit disappointed, really. I didn't think it was

a particularly good film at all. Peter: Oh, I disagree, Jack. I thought it was great. It's one of the

best films I've ever seen. I enjoyed every minute of it. Jack: I think it was pretty boring. Peter: I really can't agree with you there, Jack. I don't see how

you can say it was boring. It was full of excitement. Jack: In my opinion, it wasn't. I was bored ... mainly bacause

I was expecting so much more to happen, I suppose. Peter: Oh, come on! A lot happened! It's really exciting. You are the

first person I've met who hasn't enjoyed the film. Jack: Tastes differ, you know.

/. Listen to the conversation and answer the questions:

What are the boys talking about? What does Peter think of the film "Star Wars"? What is Jack's opinion?

//. Listen to the conversation again Imitate the phrases expressing opinions, agreement and disagreement.

III. Find in the text appropriate English phrases for the following:

Я полагаю, о вкусах не спорят. Я не согласен. Я полагаю, он очень скучный. Я скучал (мне было скучно). По моему мнению... Что ты думаешь об этом фильме? Я был немного разочарован. Это один из лучших фильмов, которые я когда-либо видел. Потому что я ожидал большего. Фильм действительно захва­тывающий.

IV. Role-play the conversation.

e.g

V Express agreement: — He isn't here (hasn't come, won't do it, etc.).

- No, he isn't (hasn't, won't). e.g. — He is here (has come, etc.). — Yes, he is (has, etc.).

1. The film is pretty boring. 2. Dick doesn't like ballet. 3. Kate is fond of musicals. 4. Betsy doesn't like detectives. 5. Tom is fond of football. 6. Television is the greatest invention of the twentieth century. 7. The films of this producer are always a great success. 8. They didn't enjoy the performance. 9. The play is really exciting.

10 His acting is marvellous 11. The costumes *ere perfect. 12. You didn't like the first act, did you?

VI Express disagreement:

e.g. — You didn't enjoy the film, did you⁵

— Yes, I did. I enjoyed every minute of it. e.g. — You liked the acting, didn't you?

— No, I didn't.

1. You didn't enjoy the book, did you? 2. You are keen on the­atre, aren't you? 3. The scenery is good. 6. Your friend likes dan­cing, doesn't she? 7. The play was exciting. 8. You didn't book the tickets, did you? 9. He is fond of detectives, isn't he? Ю. Mary doesn't like opera, does she? 11. Lucy doesn't enjoy science fiction films, does she? 12. The play was a success.

VII. Agree or disagree with an opinion using one of the follo­wing conversational formulas: I (quite) agree with vou You are right. I think so. I don't (quite) agree with you. 1 disagree. I don't think so. That's not my opinion. That's your opinion, not mine.

1. American films are awful. 2. Women are less intelligent than men. 3. English is a very difficult language to learn. 4. The taxes are too high. 5. Parents should have to pay for their children's education. 6. There's too much discussion about women's rights today. 7. We need more nuclear power stations. 8, Indian films are exciting. 9. The climate here is pleasant. 10. Jogging is useful for health.

VIII. Ask questions to which the following may serve as responses:

1. It was a success. 2. It was a failure. 3. I had a good lime. 4 On the whole I liked it. 5. Not bad at all. 6. It is marvellous. 7. I've never seen anything like that before. 8. In my opinion it's a little boring 9 I \\ as a bit disappointed.

IX. Your friend and you are discussing the film you've just seen. You liked everything about the film and you enjoyed the acting. Your friend has a different opinion of the film.

Conversation 6

Mr Alden: Shall we see a film this evening?

Miss Brown: That would be delightful. 1 haven't seen a film in

many weeks. Mr Alden: There are several cinemas in my neighbourhood

which show the latest pictures. Miss Brown: Let's consult the newspaper to see what films they

are showing in town.

Mr Alden;. . That's a splendid idea.-1 believe Shakespeare's "Midsummer Night's Dream" is on at one of the ci­nemas tonight. I've heard it is one of the best pictures of the year.

Miss Brown: My sister and I have already seen it. We enjoyed it very much.

Mr Alden: The Casino may have a good programme. They are showing two main pictures, a French film and an American. I hope you haven't seen them.

Miss Brown: I haven't seen either of them.

Mr Alden: Do you think we shall be able to obtain seats? Shall we buy balcony seats if we can get them?

Miss Brown: Please, don't. I do not enjoy seeing a film from the balcony. It is too far from the screen. It strains my eyes to see a picture from such a distance.

Mr Alden: The picture starts in fifteen minutes. The foyer has many comfortable seats. We can wait there and enjoy a cigarette in the meantime. There will be many vacant seats after the picture ends.

(After the film)

Miss Brown: I certainly enjoyed both pictures. In the French film the actors spoke English with a slight French accent. The French villages shown were very picturesque. The acting was faultless, but I think the plot was a little weak.

Mr Alden: I am so glad that you enjoyed both pictures. I think the American plot was very clever. The diction, too, was excellent. Miss Brown: 1 always like the news-reel. It brings world events

in vivid form and leaves a lasting memory. Mr Alden: I had a very lovely evening. 1 hope to have the plea­sure of hearing an opera with you in the near future. Miss Brown: Thank you for a pleasant evening. Good night,

Mr Alden.

/. Listen to the conversation and answer the questions: What are Mr Alden and Miss Brown talking about³ What film is on in one of the cinemas in town? Miss Brown hasn't seen it yet, has she^ What is the Casino showing? Does Miss Brown like seats in the balcony? How did Miss Brown find the programme at the Casino? What did Mr Alden think of the American plot? Whe­re is Mr Alden going to invite Miss Brown in the near future?

//. Give a brief account of the conversation.

///. Find in the text apprdpriate English phrases for the following:

Думаете, мы сможем достать билеты? Посмотрим фильм сегодня вечером? Я не люблю смотреть фильм с балкона. Фильм начинается через пятнадцать минут. Это было бы восхитительно Я полагаю, «Сон в летнюю ночь» Шекспира идет в одном из кино­театров сегодня вечером Мне, конечно, понравились оба фильма. Будет много свободных мест после того, как фильм закончится. Я слышал, что это один из лучших фильмов года. Я не видела ни одного из них.

IV. Ask questions on the conversation. V Role-play the conversation.

VI. Situation: You think your life is rather monotonous. All work and no play. You invite your friend to see a new film in the October cinema. Your friend willingly joins you. After the film you share your impressions.

Listening A Visit to the Cinema

Fiona and I went to the cinema the other day to see "Devil" at the Odeon. The review by the Daily Express critic was good, and we decided to go to the 8 o'clock performance. When I arrived Fiona was waiting for me in the foyer, looking at a poster for "Devil" on the wall. The usherette took our tickets and showed us to our seats. I don't like to be close to the screen and I usually sit in the back row if possible, and I prefer a seat in the aisle so that I can stretch my legs. Before the main film there was a Mickey Mouse Cartoon, then a trailer for the following week's film. "Devil" was a horror film and I was quite terrified, but Fiona thought it was funny.

A Film Review

Marlon Brando is a superb actor and in the "On the Water­front" he gave his finest performance. It is his best-known role. The cast also included Eva Marie Saint and Karl Maiden and the film's director, Elia Kazan, never made a better film. Parts of the film were shot in the studio in Hollywood, but a lot was made on location in the streets of New York, which makes it at times like a documentary. The critics loved the film but it was not only a criti­cal success. It was a great box office success as well arid made an

enormous profit. The plot is about a young man's attempt to be a boxing champion.

A Funny Film

Mary likes the cinema very much. She has no lessons and no homework on Saturdays, so she always goes to the cinema that afternoon. She prefers funny films, but often she sees other kinds of films. She usually goes with some of her school-friends, and they all sit together and eat nuts and ice-cream and laugh when something funny happens. They are always very happy at the cinema.

Last Saturday Mary saw a film about a funny man. His name was Percy. Percy was fat and had a big, black moustache. He went out one night to play cards with his friends when his wife was asleep. When he was going home at midnight, a dog ran after him and tore his trouser pocket, so Percy lost his key. He tried to climb up a ladder to get into his house through a window, but he slipper down the ladder and made a terrible noise. His wife woke up and cried, "Help! Thieves!" Someone telephoned the police and a truck full of policemen arrived. Percy ran away, but he slipped and fell into the mud at the side of the river. Mary and her friends laugher' a lot.

Self check

/. Fill in the gaps with prepositions:

The other day I made up my mind to go ... the pictures to see a detective. According ... the newspaper reviews the film promisei to be interesting. I know that my cousin Jack is keen ... detectives so yesterday evening I rang him up and invited him to come ... me He accepted my invitation willingly. We agreed to meet ... the cine ma ... 6.30. When 1 arrived ... the cinema I found Jack waiting me. There were many people ... the box-office and we had to stand ... the queue ... about 20 minutes. We were lucky to ge' tickets ... the 7 o'clock show.

//. Translate into English:

— Что ты сегодня вечером делаешь?

— Ничего особенного, а что?

— Ты не хочешь сходить в кино?

— Неплохая мысль. Я уже несколько недель не был в кино

— В кинотеатре «Москва» идет «Унесенные ветром» по ро ману Митчел.

— Мой друг уже видел его. Он говорит, что это замечатель­ный фильм. Конечно, мы не должны пропустить его.

— Тогда я куплю два билета на восьмичасовой сеанс. Тебя устраивает это время?

— Да, спасибо. А где мы встретимся?

-— Давай встретимся у меня в 6 часов.

— Хорошо. До скорой встречи.

Fluency

/. Answer the following questions:

Are you a keen cinema-goer? How often do you go to the cine­ma? Which of the Minsk cinemas do you like best? Why? Which do you prefer: to see a film on television or on the screen in the regular cinema? Why? What kind of films do you prefer? Have you seen any interesting films lately? When did you last go to the pictures? What film did you see? What is the film about? Who starred in it? Did you like the acting? Did you enjoy the film? Which film impres­sed you greatly? Why? Who do you think is the best film director in our country? Which of his (her) films did you like best? Who is your favourite actor? Are you fond of French films? Have you seen any French films this month? What do you think of Hollywood films? What is on at the cinema now? Are you going to the cinema this week? What are you going to see? Have you read any reviews on the film? Which do you prefer: cinema or theatre? Why? Do you like to watch TV? What programme do you prefer?

//. Speak on: •

a) your last visit to the cinema

b) the film you liked best

c) your favourite actor (film director)

///. Act out the following situations:

1. In fact you don't often go out in the evening. As a rule you stay at home and watch television. You are fond of it. So is your friend. At the moment you are discussing your favourite TV programmes.

2. Once in a long while you have made up your mind to go to the cinema. There are several films on. Certainly you want to see a good one. Your friend is a keen cinema-goer, so he is just the man to ask which film to see.

Writing

Here is part of a letter in which you write about a film you have seen recently.

Jim and I went to see "Gone with the Wind" last Tuesday evening. It was on at the Odeon. We enjoyed it very much. It's, an old film but the cinema was full. (I always enjoy seeing old films — don't you? — and this is a very good one.) Vivien Leigh is so beautiful as Scarlett O'Hara. She was a wonderful actress. And Clark Gable is so good as Rhett Butler. He was a wonderful actor. I enjoyed the film when I first saw it twenty-two years ago and I enjoyed it again last night. You must see it.

Write a paragraph in the same way to suit an old or a modern film you have just seen.

U N I T 9