II. COMPREHENSION TASKS.

Chapter 5

1. Explain the meaning of the word-combinations and set phrases from the list below. Quote the sentences in which they were used in the book. Consult the dictionary if necessary.

ape (v), swell (n), intolerable, attachment, good looks, ill-fitting, commonplace, surpass oneself, beware, unpunctuality, be highly (well) connected, bargain (v).

2. State which characteristics and features from the box below refer to the main characters of the book:

· James Vane

· Sibyl Vane

· Mrs. Vane

· Mr. Isaacs

3. Give extensive answers to the following questions:

1) Why did Sibyl Vane’s mother try to talk Sibyl out of marrying Prince Charming?

2) What metaphors did the author use to describe Sibyl Vane’s affection?

3) Why did James Vane make up his mind to go to sea?

4) Why did James Vane ask his mother to watch over his sister?

5) How did Sibyl imagine her brother’s future life?

6) Why was James Vane ‘heart-sick’ at leaving home?

7) What did James Vane think of gentlemen?

8) Why was James Vane desperate to see Prince Charming?

9) What question did James Vane ask his mother?

10) What oath did James take when he was leaving?

Chapter 6

1. Explain the meaning of the word-combinations and set phrases from the list below. Quote the sentences in which they were used in the book. Consult the dictionary if necessary.

sensible, quicken, interfere with, drawback to, to be of value, a benefit to, highwayman, to mean (I mean it), a business transaction, an irrevocable vow, overcharge, self-denial, out-of-date.

2. Combine the intensifying adverbs in the left-hand column with the adjectives and a verb in the right-hand column as in the book. Use them in your own sentences:

3. Give extensive answers to the following questions:

1) What news did Lord Henry break to Basil Hallward?

2) What ‘great difference’ is there between being married and being engaged?

3) What was the excellent effect that the portrait produce on Dorian Gray?

4) Why did Lord Henry never approve or disapprove of anything?

5) What ‘real drawback’ did Lord Henry see in marriage?

6) How did Lord Henry explain his contempt for optimism?

7) How was Sibyl Vane playing Rosalind?

8) Did Dorian Gray formally propose to Sibyl? What is Lord Henry’s theory of proposals?

9) How did Dorian Gray describe Lord Henry’s theories about love and pleasure?

10) What did Lord Henry mean by ‘good’ and what did Dorian Gray mean by ‘pleasure’?

11) Why did the painter get so downtrodden when he learned about Dorian Gray’s engagement?

Chapter 7

1. Explain the meaning of the word-combinations and set phrases from the list below. Quote the sentences in which they were used in the book. Consult the dictionary if necessary.

for some reason or other, adoration, flesh and blood, cynical, overemphasize, fiasco, see through, dawn on, mimic (v), third-rate, shallow and unworthy, infinite.

2. Combine the intensifying adverbs in the left-hand column with the adjectives and in the right-hand column as in the book. Use them in your own sentences:

3. Give extensive answers to the following questions:

1. How, according to Dorian Gray, did Sibyl Vane make common people in the audience different?

2. Did the painter approve of Dorian Gray’s decision?

3. Why was Sibyl Vane’s acting a complete failure?

4. How did the friends react to her acting?

5. Was the girl upset when the performance was over?

6. How did she explain why she acted so badly?

7. Did Dorian Gray share his girlfriend’s excitement? What did he accuse her of?

8. Did Sibyl Vane ask to forgive her? Why did the girl mention her brother?

9. What changes did Dorian Gray spot in the portrait?

10. What did these changes mean?

11. At what decision did Dorian Gray finally arrive?

Chapter 8

1. Explain the meaning of the word-combinations and set phrases from the list below. Quote the sentences in which they were used in the book. Consult the dictionary if necessary.

on tiptoe, mix up in, downright, put ashes on your head, spare (v), feel up to, feign.

2. Give extensive answers to the following questions:

1. How would you explain the phrase “How late it was!”?

2. What question did Dorian Gray ask himself when he woke up the next day?

3. What was the ‘one thing’ that the change in the picture had done to Dorian Gray?

4. Who broke the news of Sibyl Vane’s death to Dorian Gray?

5. How did the girl die? Was it really an accident?

6. Did Dorian Gray realize that he was in fact the cause of Sibyl Vane’s death?

7. Did the death of his fiancée seem to affect Dorian Gray?

8. What ‘true explanation’ of the tragedy did Lord Henry give?

9. Why did Lord Henry think that Dorian Gray was “more fortunate than he was”?

10. What was ‘the key to everything’ in Lord Henry’ opinion?

11. What “choice” had already been made for Dorian Gray?

12. Why was Dorian Gray so certain that there would be a real pleasure in watching the portrait?

III. FOLLOW-UP ACTIVITIES

1. Comment on the following quotes:

· “To be in love is to surpass oneself” (Chapter 5).

· “Every experience is of value” (Chapter 6).

· “When we are happy we are always good, but when we are good we are not always happy” (Chapter 6).

· “There are only two kinds of people who are really fascinating – people who know absolutely everything and people who know absolutely nothing” (Chapter 7).

· “We live in an age when unnecessary things are our own necessities” (Chapter 8).

UNIT III

(Chapters 9-14)

Date: 2015-01-29; view: 855