Comprehension check.

The Schemer

Chapter 4: Digging Deeper

1. Active Vocabulary. Before listening to the story learn the following words and expressions.

prudently

groggy

bury the hatchet

character flaw

nutcase

to top oneself

shabbily

wobble

marvel

police badge

outpatient

admit

delusional

bad blood

sentence

scruffy-locking man

stake-out

did a runner

novelty

wear off

fidget

squirm

furtively

hang around

slip out

to bunk

on circuit

charge sb with

panic-stricken

Read the following extract. Imitate the intonation of the speaker.

Natalie, Elvira and Hudson prudently excused themselves before even taking a sip of their drinks. Andrew was naturally eager to rush to his wife's bedside. The doctor had told him that Charlotte had finally come round. She was still very groggy and disorien­tated, but they were optimistic that she would recover. Andrew promised to call Natalie with frequent updates on Charlotte's con­dition and then sped off in his shiny sports car. Natalie pulled off in the opposite direction, waving at Hudson and Elvira from her car window as they made their way up the neighbouring drive. "You know, when that awful Gladstone woman gave Andrew's ex-wife a glowing character reference I was sure she would be just as horrible, too, but she was actually really nice," Elvira com­mented. "I doubt if I would be a big enough person to bury the hatchet with my ex-husband's new wife." Did Elvira have an ex-husband? Hudson wondered to himself. The thought had never occurred to him. He put out his finger and stabbed the doorbell a little bit harder than necessary. Shelley Gladstone answered the door with a cigarette wedged be­tween her lips.

"Ah, you two again," she said with her nails-on-a-backboard voice. It was actually quite amazing that someone who smoked so much could have such a high-pitched voice, Elvira thought to herself. She pictured dogs running for cover with their tails between their legs whenever the woman opened her mouth and couldn't hold back a smile. The bleached blonde in the doorway must have thought the smile was aimed at her for she showed some yellowed teeth in return.

"Hello, Mrs Gladstone. We would like to talk to Laura again, if she is home," Hudson said.

Comprehension check.

1. Fill in the names: Hudson, Elvira, Shelley Gladstone, Laura Gladstone, Frances, the receptionist at St Mary's

1. __________________________ was playing a computer game.

2. __________________________ saw the movie "Midnight Sky".

3. __________________________ tried to commit suicide in the past.

4. __________________________ was left by her partner for a work colleague.

5. __________________________ tried to avoid speaking to Inspector Hudson.

6. __________________________ has a good knowledge of schizophrenia due to their work.

2. Choose the right answer:

1. Hudson and Elvira leave Andrew's house because

a) they have nothing more to ask.

b) they know Andrew wants to go and visit his wife.

c) they have an appointment to go to.

2. Shelley knows that Charlotte tried to commit suicide because

a) the paramedics told her.

b) she spoke to Charlotte.

c) she overheard the paramedics talking.

3. Frances is at St Mary's mental hospital because

a) she has to collect her medication.

b) she has a session with her psychiatrist.

c) she lives at the hospital.

4. When Hudson first sees Frances he thinks that she looks

a) as crazy as he had expected.

b) nothing like her sister.

c) more normal than he had expected.

5. Laura sneaks out of the house to

a) see her boyfriend.

b) avoid Hudson and Elvira.

c) avoid her mother.

Date: 2015-12-17; view: 778