Questions and Tasks.

Look at the words in cockney. Try to guess the word they imply: carving knife, drum and fife, Duchess of Fife, joy of my life, storm(struggle, trouble, war, worry) and strife, upon my life, fork and knife; twist and twirl, ocean (ivory) pearl; hit or miss, heavenly bliss.

Match the questions in American English in Column A with the replies in British English in column B.

A	B
1. Is there a drugstore downtown where I can get some diapers?	1. Not exactly, but the souvenir shop has a range of sweets.
2. Where’s the rest room?	2. Yea, we have a range of special autumn breaks.
3. Reception, the trashcans are all full.	3. I am sorry. I’ll send a plumber to mend the tap at once.
4. I’m in a bit of a hurry. Can you get my check?	4. Yes, there’s a chemist called Boots in the city centre that has nappies.
5. Did you have a vocation last year?	5. Yes, the nearest garage is just round the corner.
6. There is something wrong with the faucet in my room. Can you fix it?	6. Yes, I’ll prepare your bill at once.
7. Do you have a candy store in the hotel?	7. No, I’m afraid we don’t have any crisps, but we do have peanuts.
8. Do you have any potato chips?	8. The ladies’ toilets are down the corridor on the left.
9. Is there a gas station round here?	9. Yes, I had a short holiday in Spain.
10. Are the prices any cheaper in the fall?	10. I do apologise. I’ll send someone to empty the bins at once.

3. Some words have different meanings in American and British English. In each pair of sentences, one speaker is American and the other is British. Which is which?

a) I’ve lost my purse, and it’ got my map book, passport, and make-up in it.

I’ve lost my purse, and it’ got my credit card and some small change in it.

b) I bought three pairs of pants, and they cost 2.50.

I bought three pairs of pants, and they cost 85.00

c) I’m Jack, I’m twenty-one years old, and I go to school in Cambridge.

I’m Jack, I’m fifteen years old, and I go to school in Cambridge.

d) If we run out of gas we’ll just have to walk.

If we run out of gas we’ll just have to use the electric heater.

e) If you want to get to the other side of the road, use the subway.

If you want to get to the other side of the city, use the subway.

f) I had a flat, but I decided to sell it.

I had a flat, so I got to the airport late.

4. Read the sentences. Identify the variants of English they are written in (American or British English). Which factors influence your decision?

a) A recent television special said it all: It showed a building in downtown Tokyo with preprogrammed office lights that uniformly shut off at 10 p.m.; seconds later, virtually every light in the building came right back on.

b) Movie stars rarely do commercials in their native country, lest it tarnish their image.

c) He studied Psychology in the University of Utah and travelled about the state much.

d) «There is enough research now to conclude that attractive women who aspire to managerial positions do not fare as well as women who may be less attractive», said Gerald Adams, a professor at Utah State University.

5. Read the extracts from Robert Burns’ poems. Find some peculiarities of the Scottish dialect of English.

(1) Auld Lang Syne.

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

And never brought to mind?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

And auld lang syne?

We twa have paddled in the burn,

From morning sun till dine;

But seas between us broad have roared

Since auld lang syne.

(2) Of A’ the Airts the Wind Can Blaw.

Of a’ the airts the wind can blaw,

I dearly like the West,

For there the bonnie lassie lives,

The lassie I lo’e best.

Lesson 16.

Date: 2016-03-03; view: 1122

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