I. Modal-predicative structures.

Analyse modal-predicative structures in bold type fromExtract III from S.W.Maugham’s “The Razor’s Edge”:

"Gray must be terribly disappointed. He thought it would be grand to have you in the office. You must get down to work some time, and the longer you leave it the harder it'll be."

He puffed at his pipe and looked at her, tenderly smiling, so that she could not tell if he was serious or not.

"Do you know, I've got an idea that I want to do more with my life than sell bonds."

"All right then. Go into a law office or study medicine."

"No, I don't want to do that either."

"What do you want to do then?"

"Loaf," he replied calmly.

"Oh, Larry, don't be funny. This is desperately serious." Her voice quivered and her eyes filled with tears.

"Don't cry, darling. I don't want to make you miserable."

He went and sat down beside her and put his arm round her. There was a tenderness in his voice that broke her and she could no longer hold back her tears. But she dried her eyes and forced a smile to her lips.

"It's all very fine to say you don't want to make me miserable. You are making me miserable. You see, I love you."

"I love you too, Isabel."

She sighed deeply. Then she disengaged herself from his ann and drew away from him.

"Let's be sensible. A man must work, Larry. It's a matter of self-respect. This is a young country, and it's a man's duty to take part in its activities. Henry Maturin was saying only the other day that we were beginning an era that would make the achievements of the past look

like two bits. He said he could see no limit to our progress and he's convinced that by 1950 we shall be the richest and greatest country in the world. Don't you think that's terribly exciting?"

"Terribly."

"There's never been such a chance for a young man. I should have thought you'd be proud to take part in the work that lies before us. It's such a wonderful adventure." He laughed lightly.

"I dare say you're right. The Armours and the Swifts will pack more and better meat, the McCormicks will make more and better harvesters, and Henry Ford will turn out more and better cars. And everyone'll get richer and richer."

"And why not?"

"As you say, and why not? Money just doesn't happen to interest me." Isabel giggled.

"Darling, don't talk like a fool. One can't live without

money."

"I have a little. That's what gives me the chance to do what I want."

"Loaf?"

"Yes," he answered, smiling.

"You're making it so difficult for me, Larry,' she sighed.

"I'm sorry. I wouldn't if I could help it."

"You can help it."

He shook his head. He was silent for a while, lost in thought. When at last he spoke it was to say something that startled her.

"The dead look so terribly dead when they're dead."

"What do you mean exactly?" she asked, troubled.

"Just that." He gave her a rueful smile. "You have a lot of time to think when you're up in the air by yourself. You get odd ideas."

"What sort of ideas?"

"Vague," he said, smiling. "Incoherent. Confused." Isabel thought this over for a while.

"Don't you think if you took a job they might sort themselves out and you'd know here you were?"

"I've thought of that. I had a notion that I might go to work with a carpenter or in a garage."

"Oh, Larry, people would think you were crazy."

"Would that matter?"

"To me, yes."

II. Multi-word verbs: work

III. Summary writing

Block Four

Date: 2015-12-24; view: 1130