Furnishing the Room

This dialogue is a conversation between Mr. and Mrs. Gates. Mrs. Gates spent her vacation at her friend’s in Canada. And Bill was alone at home. When she returns she finds everything knee-deep in clothes and rubbish. But it isn’t all that shocking when she sees the sitting - room.

– Bill, what… what have you turned the house to? Have a look at our sitting - room, of course, if it can be called so.

– Oh, Helen, you’re always making fuss of nothing. What is wrong with the sitting - room?

– I’m making fuss of nothing, Bill?! Look around yourself Bill. The windowpane is broken and the frame is rusty. The floor was covered with a beautiful thick carpet and now it is all stained. Bill, I wonder, what you have been doing?

– Oh, darling, I am awfully sorry. But I really didn’t have time to look after the house. You know the company takes up all my spare time, it needs a firm hand.

– Well, we’d better stop quarrelling and idling away the time and set to work immediately. We’ve got plenty of things to do.

– Shall I go to the shed and bring all my tools?

– Go ahead. And I’ll take these frayed cushions to the attic, later I’ll take them to the laundry and have them washed. Oh, by the way, Bill, fetch some new curtains. They’re upstairs in the wall unit.

– Oh yes. These tattered curtains spoil the view and the atmosphere of the room. I’ll come in a minute… Oh, here they are. Hang them, please. Well and what shall we do next?

– I’d like you to take all the furniture out of this room. I have to sweep the floor here! And then bring some scouring powder to clean the carpet, please!

– Right. Oh, help me with the bookcase standing against the wall. It is immensely heavy. Well and let’s take these two soft and comfortable armchairs out of the room as well.

– And the table…

– Oh, don’t bother, I’ll do it myself.

– To the left, a bit higher, to the right. I said to the right, Bill. Oh no, the vase, it’s our parents’ wedding present. It must cost a fortune, Bill.

– Well, I didn’t see it, otherwise I wouldn’t have broken it. You see, it wasn’t by design, Helen. I’m really sorry. We will have it repaired.

– Oh, never mind, Bill. Let’s go on with the cleaning. Well, the furniture is all out. Have you brought any dust clothes? Look, the fireplace, in the corner of the room, is covered with thick dust.

– Definitely. Here they are. Let’s wipe the dust. Wait, in the center of the mantelpiece there is an antique clock and above it an oval mirror. We’d better take it away as well.

– Right. And now I’ll go and bring a mop and a broom and we’ll clean the floor.

Having tidied the sitting - room, they went on.

– Oh, look, the sitting - room is a nice and neat place to live in! Now it’s a perfect place to relax and entertain guests, don’t you think so?

– You’re absolutely right. But the furniture still needs to be arranged. You know it suddenly dawned upon me, that we can change our room as well. The room appeared to be slightly boring, so now why don’t we change it round?

– Sounds good. What about putting this soft and cosy sofa in the left- hand corner of the room? And in front of it there will be this nice coffee- table.

– I like your idea, Bill. And on the right we can put the comfortable armchair. There will be a coffee- table right to the left of the sofa with a lamp on it.

– It’ll be really wonderful. To my mind this suits the cosy and peaceful atmosphere of the room, doesn’t it? And why don’t we put the bookcase opposite the sofa next to the fireplace?

– Oh, it’ll be absolutely great. Personally, I’d like to put a rocking chair next to the fireplace. It’ll remind my winter holidays at my granny’s. It was the best holiday for me.

– I see. And what about the TV - set? I reckon we need a TV- set in the sitting- room. May it stay where it was. To my mind it is a perfect place for it.

– Definitely. You know, it just occurred to me that we’d better buy a new thick carpet instead of the old one. And as to that carpet we can put it in the hall. What do you think about it?

– Well, why not. I’m all in favour of this idea.

– You see, Bill, the room is no longer messy. It is neat and cosy and may it stay so as long as possible.

– Oh darling. I’ll try to do my best. I promise.

Our Sitting - room

This dialogue is a conversation between Alice and the Cheshire Cat, who lives with the Duchess. As we know, Alice’s first visit to her house was not very successful, because the Duchess didn’t pay a lot of attention to her, and the Cook turned to be crazy. But still, Alice was glad for she made a really good friend – the Cheshire Cat. And now, when the whole family, consisting of the Duchess, the Cook and the Footman in livery, was out, the Cheshire Cat asked Alice to come to their house and have fun. Well, let us introduce their conversation.

Alice: Hi, Cheshire Cat! How are you?

Cheshire Cat: Hello, Alice! How are you? I haven’t seen you for ages!

A: Oh, no! That’s not true! I’ve just talked to you at the Queen’s Croquet ground.

C: Really? I quite agree with you: the Queen is stupid.

A: That goes without saying, and now I’m so tired. Where can I sit down in this house? Is there any sitting -room here?

C: “Sitting” what?

A: Room, sitting - room. I mean a place, where I can sit comfortably and talk to you; I’m your guest after all!

C: Oh, I see now. We usually receive guests in the kitchen, and the Cook throws at them everything they like. It’s so exiting!

A: But the Cook is out, I’m afraid. Let’s go to the sitting - room, shall we?

C: OK. Come in, please. It’s the largest and the most comfortable room in our house.

A: Are you sure? It looks like our attic: the small chair is standing on the armchair, and the armchair itself is standing on the sofa! What utter nonsense!

C: It’s only natural. Listen to the story. About one hundred years ago there was a fat mouse on the ceiling. It was jumping from one lamp to the other, teasing me all the time. So, at last I lost my temper and put these pieces of furniture on each other to fetch the mouse.

A: And did you manage to do it?

C: Oh, no, not really. In fact, the mouse then jumped to a thick beautiful carpet, and I fell off the top of my construction and nearly broke my neck. But I’m not the one, who gives up easily. So, the mouse then ran to the left - hand corner and jumped.

A: Oh, it’s such a long story. Will you please just tell me how it ended? I can’t wait, because I’m so curious, you know.

C: Well, I was just going to eat that mouse, when I recognized a famous TV – star in it.

A: Such a pity, isn’t it?

C: Yes, it is! Last time I saw it, it flew across the curtains.

A: Well, and now have a look at what I’ve done, while you were talking. In the center of the mantelpiece there is a clock, and above it – an oval mirror. On the right there is a small table.

C: Eh… looks so strange, like after a great battle.

A: You are putting me off! You see that on each side of the sofa there is an armchair now. And by the table there is a small chair, what’s more…

C: If you ask me, I hate this chair!

A: Is there anything wrong with it?

C: I can’t stand it!

A: Why?

C: Why not? And where is the wireless?

A: Oh, it’s here, in the center of the room, just near the fireplace.

C: But I can’t see it.

A: Yes, you can’t see it, because it’s in the wall - unit and the television - set is on the little table now.

C: Our television-set is of the latest model. The Cook found it in the rubbish-chute… some years ago.

A: Really? How aw… that sounds great. And where shall we put the mirror?

C: Somewhere where I’ll be able to admire my beautiful coat and this fantastic tail.

A: May I have a look?

C: Don’t touch it.

A: I’m so sorry, dear Cheshire Cat.

C: Never mind.

A: Oh, I nearly forgot. We’ll hang this picture of the Duchess above the sofa.

C: But it used to be my carpet.

A: Still we’ll do it. And this table is for newspapers and magazines, not for the Cook’s boots.

C: Is that so? Well, I’ve always dreamt of throwing them away!

A: Dreams come true!

“American Dream”

A Place of Our Own

This dialogue is a conversation between two girl-friends, Alice and Julia. They're going to have a picnic at the weekend, and they must do some special shopping. So, the conversation begins.

−Oh, Alice, I'm so glad the weekend is coming. We are sure to have a wonderful time at our picnic.

−We are. But don't forget about the picnic lunch we'll have to prepare. We must buy a lot of things.

−OK. Let's go shopping right now.I think, first of all we should go to the butcher's and get a chicken. A fried chicken is a very popular picnic dish, you know.

−A good idea. And I also have to buy some pork as my Mum asked me about it.

−Really? As for my family, it is usually my mother who does all the shopping. Sometimes my sister Mary helps her and my duty is going to the baker's and the dairy every day.

−Oh, my parents always make me and my brother Johnny go shopping. So, today it's my turn to buy meat, bread, vegetables and so on.

−Vegetables? Then let's go to the greengrocer's as I think we should buy some potatoes, tomatoes and cucumbers for our picnic.

−OK. And I'll get a cabbage, a pound of onions, and half a pound of carrots. Well, Julia, I think our friends will be very glad if we buy some fruit for the picnic.

−You're being brilliant! George is especially fond of pears and plums. Jack likes apples and grapes. And as for me, I prefer watermelons.

−And after that will you go with me to the grocer's? We've run out of sugar and coffee. I must also buy three pounds of butter and some tea.

−By the way, what do you say to having some tea at our picnic?

−Oh, Julia, I'm afraid the idea is not very good. I think we'd better buy fruit juice. And we'll ask Andrew or John to take several bottles of ginger ale.

−Right you are. So. . . chicken, fruit, vegetables, drinks. Is that all we need to prepare for our picnic?

−Well, don't forget about bread, salt, mayonnaise and so on. And I think that almost everything else that comes in a can or a paper bag is good for a picnic lunch.

−These containers are very important as after the contents have been eaten they are strewn about and identify the picnic ground. I think it would be very good if we bought a tin of sprats and some tinned meat. It goes without saying, it will be easier for us to make our lunch then.

−OK. That will be enough. And now I must go to the confectionery as I want to buy a cake.

−Are you going to celebrate anything?

−The matter is that in our family everybody likes his tea with chocolate, a piece of cake, or biscuits. Then, I think, my shopping will be finished.

−And speaking about shopping, I may say that we go to the department store only on week-days, and on Sunday we buy food and everything we need at the central market, because it's cheaper there and we save a lot of money.

−Oh! It's rather reasonable. But look, it's already five o'clock.

−And I'm so tired. Let's go home.

−OK. Let's go.

Visitors

This dialogue is a conversation between two neighbours.

(Knocking at the door)

- Good afternoon! I’m Mary Smith, your new neighbour.

- Nice to meet you, I’m Ann Brown. Come in, Mary! Would you like a cup of tea?

- Yes, thank you, I’ve brought an apple pie for you.

- Thanks a lot. How do you like your tea, Mary, strong or weak?

- Not too strong, please, and one lamp of sugar. I like my tea rather sweet.

- OK. As I understand, you bought a new house, so why did you decide to move to the new house?

- The child is on the way, moreover the apartment felt smaller every day. You know, we couldn’t find a suitable house at once, had a lot of financial problems and so on.

- Oh, I understand you. I was pregnant with Mike, when we bought this house. Now he is ten and goes to school. He is fond of sport and wants to have a football field instead of our vegetable garden.

- And are there other children in your family?

- No, Mike is the only child. And do you already have any children?

- Yes, we have a four year-old girl, Betty, and a three year-old boy, Peter. Sometimes they are very naughty. They are fond of birds and animals. We have white mice, a hedgehog and a parrot in the house. Now they are eager to have a rabbit.

- Are you against it?

- Of course. We have no peace at home.

- It`s very funny. What are they doing now?

- So now they are walking with their nurse. They were very happy to see long-awaited snow. It’s a nice day today, isn’t it?

- It certainly is. It’s a beautiful day! We’ve been waiting for such weather for a long time. We like to gather together on cold winter evenings, exchange the latest news and drink cinnamon tea.

- It is a good tradition, I think. Oh, what time is it now?

- It’s half past seven. And what’s wrong?

- I think, my husband and children came back and they are waiting for me.

- What is your husband?

- He is a businessman.

- Really? My husband is a businessman, too. How`s your business?

- Pretty good, thank you. And how are things with you?

- Well, not too good, I`m afraid, and going from bad to worse. In fact, it`s the worse year we`ve had for a long time.

- I`m sorry to hear that. I hope things will soon improve.

- Yes, let`s hope for the best.

- So I must go now. Can you come over for dinner tomorrow with your family? It’s Thanksgiving tomorrow, if you remember.

- I’d like that very much. When should we come?

- Come around six, if you can.

- Fine.

- See you tomorrow!

- Good bye.

Visitors

This dialogue is a conversation between Mrs. Gates and her friend Jack, who she hasn’t seen for quite a long time. There is a knock at the door. She opens the door and the conversation begins.

– Jack you’re back. I haven’t seen you for a long time. How’ve you been?

- Just fine. It’s been a long time. And how’ve you been?

– Just fine. Just fine. Come in Jack. This is our lounge. Won’t sit down. So, how are things with you?

– Very well, indeed, thank you, and how are you?

– I’m fine. I’m glad to see you. I’ve heard so much about you. How is your new job?

– Pretty good, thank you. My colleagues are very nice people. I get along with them quite well. I’ve just come back from a business trip to NY City.

– Oh, have you? And how did you find it?

- Well, to my mind it’s too touristy there. Even if I had a chance, I wouldn’t agree to live there.

– Neither would I. Well it’s five o’clock. You’ll have some tea with me, won’t you?

– Thank you. I’d be glad to.

– How do you like your tea, Jack, strong or weak?

– Not too strong, please. And no sugar at all, please, Helen.

– Oh, you don’t like your tea very sweet. I see. And do you have milk in your tea?

– Certainly.

– Here you are. Personally, I prefer my tea without sugar as well. And I don’t like any milk in my tea either. But my husband usually has 2-3 lumps of sugar in his tea. He likes it very sweet. Well and how is your wife? I hear she works as a designer in a very big company.

- She does.

– I haven’t seen her for a long time, Jack.

– Oh, she hasn’t changed a bit. By the way, why don’t you come and have lunch with us some day?

– I’d love to. That sounds great. And when is the best time to come?

– Can you come over tomorrow round 11 o’clock?

- Sounds good. Well, help yourself.

– No more, thank you. I must go now.

– Bye-bye Jack. Say hello to Jill. Tell her I miss her.

– I will. Bye-bye.

Date: 2015-12-11; view: 1585