GIR. U4. Additional texts p.2

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GIR. U4. Liberty Hall by Ring Lardner. p.1

GIR. U4. Commentary p.1

GIR. U4. Liberty Hall by Ring Lardner. p.2

GIR. U4. Commentary p.2

THE ART OF TALKING (From "Meet the Parkers" by David Hicks)

Last night was a bore. Several people came to my place for a chat hoping to enjoy themselves. But what an awful evening it was!

One young man talked to us for a full hour on every subject under the sun. None of us could get in a word, not even me, though I'm supposed to know how to do it - I've been a journalist for many years now. So what should have been a pleasant social get-together became an awful bore.

Our speaker, for I cannot call him less, was as exciting as a reading of last week's laundry list. He is eighteen, and that, I think, excuses him, for he hasn't been practising the art of talking for too many years.

He will learn, I hope, that a good conversationalist is a man who has something interesting to say, and at the same time he tries to make his audience feel comfortable. He is also a good listener and shows by his interest that he wants to hear what others have to say. He enjoys talking but realizes that everyone will get more pleasure from the conversation if all get a chance to take part. He speaks clearly enough for all to hear comfortably; he is never monotonous, and his speech is full of interesting things; and, by the way, unlike some people, he looks his listeners in the eye, and not into space.

Unfortunately all too often we suffer from bad conversationalists. They are all the same - they are always boring; and yet they differ.You can even talk of several types. To begin with, there is the so-called "monopolizer", for instance. This type of conversationalist wants to do all the talking.

The "show off" type is not very different from the "monopolizer". He is the person who wants to attract attention to himself, even if he has nothing to offer.

And the "repeater" is a well-familiar type. Hasn't this kind bored us from time immemorial?

There is also the type that I call the "detail man".

And now I almost want to say thank God for the "interrupter". The good thing about this type of conversationalist is that you can depend upon him to interrupt the "monopolizer" or the "detail man".

And of course there is the "silent one". This speaker has nothing to say. It may be that he has no information to offer or it may be that he is afraid to say something because he is too shy. Or perhaps he is the one who remembers that silence is golden, speech is silvery.

Not always, I must say. I, for one, believe that most communication is good. I'm sure that to achieve progress we must discuss things.

I'm all for discussing things. But the talker must remember that conversation must serve a purpose. What he says must always be to the point. For life is short, and nobody wants to spend hours listening to people who talk and talk and never think.

--------> cools

bore noun BrE /bɔː(r)/ ; NAmE /bɔːr/

1. [countable] a person who is very boring, usually because they talk too much

2. [singular] a situation or thing that is boring or that annoys you

It's such a bore having to stay late this evening.

It’s a real bore having to meet my aunt for lunch.

3. [countable] (also gauge especially in North American English) the hollow inside of a tube, such as a pipe or a gun; the width of the hole

a tube with a wide/narrow bore

a twelve-bore shotgun

4. [countable] a strong, high wave that rushes along a river from the sea at particular times of the year

5. [countable] (also borehole) a deep hole made in the ground, especially to find water or oil

a crashing bore - (old-fashioned, British English) a very boring perso

to enjoy

2. [transitive] enjoy yourself to be happy and get pleasure from what you are doing

They all enjoyed themselves at the party.

Note the following patterns:

I enjoyed myself at the party. I enjoyed at the party.

Thanks. I really enjoyed it. Thanks. I really enjoyed.

I enjoy playing basketball. I enjoy to play basketball.

I enjoy reading very much. I enjoy very much reading.

I hope you enjoy your trip. I hope you enjoy with your trip.

get-together noun - an informal meeting; a party

a family get-together at Christmas

I’m going back for the usual family get-together at Thanksgiving.

Most of the students were more interested in social get-togethers than going to lectures.

conversationalist noun BrE /ˌkɒnvəˈseɪʃənəlɪst/ ; NAmE /ˌkɑːnvərˈseɪʃənəlɪst/ - a person who is good at talking to others, especially in an informal way

Reynolds was a notable conversationalist.

любитель поговорить; говорун

интересный собеседник

monotonous adjective BrE /məˈnɒtənəs/ ; NAmE /məˈnɑːtənəs/ - never changing and therefore boring

synonym dull, repetitious

a monotonous voice/diet/routine

monotonous work

New secretaries came and went with monotonous regularity.

look somebody in the eye/eyes also look someone in the face - to look directly at someone without fear or shame Look me in the eyes and tell me the truth, to talk to someone in an honest way that shows no doubts

I felt so embarrassed - I just couldn't look him in the eye.

I wanted to look people in the eye and tell them I made a mistake.

I can't believe you can look me in the face and lie to me like that.

all too often - used for saying that something makes you sad or upset because it happens more often than you think it should, too frequently

All too often, parents leave their children at home alone.

We see this problem all too often

show off phrasal verb

show off (informal, disapproving) to try to impress others by talking about your abilities, possessions, etc.

He's just showing off because that girl he likes is here.

show off somebody | show off something | show somebody off | show something off - to show people somebody/something that you are proud of

She wanted to show off her new husband at the party.

show off how, what, etc… He likes to show off how well he speaks French.

show something off - (of clothing) to make somebody look attractive, by showing their best features

a dress that shows off her figure

show-off noun BrE /ˈʃəʊ ɒf/ ; NAmE /ˈʃoʊ ɔːf/ , /ˈʃoʊ ɑːf/ (informal, disapproving) - a person who tries to impress other people by showing how good he or she is at doing something

She’s always been a real show-off.

from/since time immemorial (literary) - for longer than anyone can remember

Her family had farmed that land from time immemorial.

immemorial adjective BrE /ˌɪməˈmɔːriəl/ ; NAmE /ˌɪməˈmɔːriəl/ (formal or literary) - that has existed for longer than people can remember

an immemorial tradition

My family has lived in this area from time immemorial (= for hundreds of years).

давний, незапамятный, древний, старый

silence is golden, speech is silvery

speech is silver, silence is golden - not to say anything is often better than speaking too much or saying something inappropriate

variants:

speech is silver, but silence is golden

speech is silver, silence is gold

see Ar.2 Adjectives (direct vs. indirect meanings)

for one - used to say that you think your opinion or action is right, even if others do not:

The rest of you may disagree, but I, for one, think we should go ahead with the plan.

all for - Completely in agreement with, in favor of, or supporting (something).

I'm all for eating healthy foods, but I just can't stand the taste of broccoli.

I'm all for seeing a movie this Saturday!

I'm all yours!

to the point - involving the most important idea

Her answer was short and to the point.

Serve a (useful) purpose - to be useful in accomplishing some purpose.

This large book should serve a useful purpose. We can use it for a doorstop.

see aim vs. goal vs. target vs. purpose vs. objective

Synonyms

discussion conversation dialogue talk debate consultation chat gossip

These are all words for an occasion when people talk about something.

discussion a detailed conversation about something that is considered to be important:

Discussions are still taking place between the two leaders.

conversation a talk, usually a private or informal one, involving two people or a small group;

the activity of talking in this way:a telephone conversation

dialogue conversations in a book, play or film:

The novel has long descriptions and not much dialogue.

A dialogue is also a formal discussion between two groups, especially when they are trying to solve a problem or end a dispute:

The President told waiting reporters there had been a constructive dialogue.

talk a conversation or discussion, often one about a problem or something important for the people involved:

I had a long talk with my boss about my career prospects.

debate a formal discussion of an issue at a public meeting or in a parliament. In a debate two or more speakers express opposing views and then there is often a vote on the issue:

a debate on prison reform

consultation a formal discussion between groups of people before a decision is made about something:

There have been extensive consultations between the two countries.

chat a friendly informal conversation; informal talking.The countable use of chat is especially British English:

I just called in for a chat about the kids.

gossip a conversation about other people and their private lives:

We had a good gossip about the boss.

Patterns

a discussion/​conversation/​dialogue/​talk/​debate/​consultation/​chat/​gossip about something

a discussion/​conversation/​dialogue/​debate/​consultation on something

in (close) discussion/​conversation/​dialogue/​debate/​consultation with somebody

to have a discussion/​conversation/​dialogue/​talk/​debate/​consultation/​chat/​gossip with somebody

to hold a discussion/​conversation/​debate/​consultation

2. Modals

see

Must/have to/need (Modal verbs p.2)

IS. To have to (Modal verbs p.7)

IS. Shall vs. will (Modal verbs p.11)

IS. Must vs. can/may/might. (Modal verbs p.5)

Hill 5. Joe. Must/have got to/have to/need to/be to (Modal verbs p.3)

Harry: Oh, Nora, here's a letter from old Bartle. He wants to come and stay for a week from Friday.

Nora: That will be nice, won't it? He's such a nice old dear.

H: He's a fussy old man.

N: Now, which room can he have? Oh, yes, he shall sleep in Robert's room, and Robert shall share with Peter! Peter, you will let Robert sleep in your room just for a few nights, won't you?

Peter: Oh, Mother, I don't want to share with Robert: he won't like it either.

N: Just while Mr. Bartle is here, you shall have your room to yourself as soon as he goes.

H: How about Rex - you know old Bartle hates dogs. I'll ask the Howards to take him. I'm sure they will - they're such obliging people.

N: And shall he have his breakfast in bed every day? I suppose I must do that for him. (Door bell) Will you see who that is at the door, Peter?

P.: Yes, Mother, I will.

H: Shall I hang up that terrible picture he gave us for a wedding present? He won't like our keeping it in a cupboard.

N: Oh, yes, you must. And we'll have to have dinner at seven instead of tea at six as he likes dinner better.

H: In fact the whole house will be turned upside down, we won't have any peace, and old Bartle is an old fusspot, just as I said.

P: It's a telegram, Mum!

N: Now who's this from? Oh! Well, you can both breathe a sigh of relief. Mr. Bartle won't be coming after all: he's got a cold.

dear noun BrE /dɪə(r)/ ; NAmE /dɪr/

1. (informal) a kind person

Isn't he a dear?

Be a dear and fetch me my coat.

See related entries: Kind

2. used when speaking to somebody you love

Would you like a drink, dear?

Come here, my dear.

3. used when speaking to somebody in a friendly way, for example by an older person to a young person or a child

What's your name, dear?

compare duck

fussy adjective BrE /ˈfʌsi/ ; NAmE /ˈfʌsi/ (fussier, fussiest)

1. too concerned or worried about details or standards, especially unimportant ones

fussy parents

fussy (about something) Our teacher is very fussy about punctuation.

She's such a fussy eater.

‘Where do you want to go for lunch?’ ‘I'm not fussy (= I don't mind).’

2. doing something with small, quick, nervous movements

a fussy manner

the quick, fussy movements of her small hands

3. having too much detail or decoration

The costume designs are too fussy.

obliging adjective BrE /əˈblaɪdʒɪŋ/ ; NAmE /əˈblaɪdʒɪŋ/ (formal) - very willing to help

synonym accommodating, helpful

They were very obliging and offered to wait for us.

turn something upside down

1. to make a place untidy when looking for something

The police turned the whole house upside down looking for clues.

2. to cause large changes and confusion in a person’s life

His sudden death turned her world upside down.

fusspot noun BrE /ˈfʌspɒt/ ; NAmE /ˈfʌspɑːt/ (British English) (North American English fussbudget BrE /ˈfʌsbʌdʒɪt/ ; NAmE /ˈfʌsbʌdʒɪt/ ) (informal)

a person who is often worried about unimportant things and is difficult to please

THE TRANSATLANTIC CONNECTION (From "Moscow News", April, 1978)

Do Americans and Englishmen really speak the same language? It isn't only a question of accents. Spelling and vocabulary are different on either side of the Atlantic, too. Some people would say that the differences are getting fewer. The new 'language' we call 'Transatlantic English' is helping to bridge the gap between our two countries. It's a mixture of British and American characteristics in accent and vocabulary, invented by the increasing number of tourists and businessmen who cross the Atlantic frequently.

The differences in spelling are well known - for instance words like 'colour', humour', and 'neighbour' are spelt without the ‘u’ in the United States. While the British have kept the original spellings of many foreign words now used in the English language, Americans have made a point of simplifying spellings and often change them in ways that seem curious to their more conservative British cousins. 'Catalogue' becomes 'catalog', and even 'cigaret' has been seen for 'cigarette'.

Some of the differences in vocabulary could lead to amusing situations. Did you know that American buildings have no ground floor? This does not mean you have to jump up ten feet to get into them, simply that what the British call the 'ground floor' is what Americans call the 'first floor' and so on - useful to remember in a department store.

If an American says, he is wearing his new 'pants' and 'vest' to a party - do not be alarmed. He is not going in his underwear, but 'pants' and 'vest' are the American words for 'trousers' and 'waistcoat'. On the other hand, if a British person wears his 'mackintosh' and 'Wellingtons' on a rainy day, he will have to explain to his American cousin that these are his 'raincoat' and 'galoshes' or 'rubbers'. In the USA a raincoat is even called a' London fog', something which no longer exists in London.

When an Englishman goes on his 'holidays', an American will go on 'vacation'. Arid whereas an Englishman will be 'ill in hospital', an American will be 'sick in the hospital'.

Americans are more ready to accept new ideas and new customs than their British cousins, and the same goes for new words.

In some cases the British seem more modern in their use of English than the Americans - some American English dates back to the language of the Pilgrim Fathers and hasn't been used in Britain since the seventeeth century. The word 'fall' is considered archaic in Britain, where we use 'autumn' instead. In the USA people use the old-fashioned past participle of 'get' and say 'he has gotten thin' or 'I could have gotten here sooner' when in Britain we would always use 'got'.

How American or English is either of our languages anyway? We both owe a lot to languages from other countries and words that have been absorbed into English tell us much about the histories of Britain and America. Many 'English' words used in Britain actually come from countries of the British Empire, such as 'dinghy' (a small boat) and 'bungalow' (a house on one level), both from India. American English has words taken from all the different nations which have contributed to the formation of North America: 'hooch' meaning 'whisky', is an American Indian word; 'cockroach' (the insect) and 'stampede' (when a herd of cattle runs in panic) come from the original Spanish; the Dutch contributed words such as 'dumb' (stupid) and 'boss' (chief); and it is to the Germans that Americans owe that vital word 'hamburger'.

waistcoat noun BrE /ˈweɪskəʊt/ ; NAmE usually /ˈweskət/ , also /ˈweɪskoʊt/ (British English) (North American English vest) - a short piece of clothing with buttons down the front but no sleeves, usually worn over a shirt and under a jacket, often forming part of a man’s suit

He always wore a brightly-coloured waistcoat under his dark grey suit.

He took a gold watch out of his waistcoat pocket.

galoshes noun BrE /ɡəˈlɒʃɪz/ ; NAmE /ɡəˈlɑːʃɪz/ [plural] - rubber shoes (no longer very common) that are worn over normal shoes in wet weather

a pair of galoshes

dinghy noun BrE /ˈdɪŋi/ ; NAmE /ˈdɪŋi/ ; BrE /ˈdɪŋɡi/ ; NAmE /ˈdɪŋɡi/ (pl. dinghies)

1. a small open boat that you sail or row1

a sailing dinghy

compare yacht

2. = rubber dinghy

bungalow noun BrE /ˈbʌŋɡələʊ/ ; NAmE /ˈbʌŋɡəloʊ/

1. (British English) a house built all on one level, without stairs

He retired at 70 and moved to a bungalow in Rosecroft Gardens.

compare ranch house

Culture

Many old people live in bungalows because there are no stairs to climb. In Britain, especially in the 1920s, large groups of bungalows were often built together on the edges of towns, or in places where people go to live when they have retired from work, such as the south coast. People who don't like bungalows sometimes describe this as 'bunglaloid growth'. The word bungalow comes from the Hindi name for an old type of house built for Europeans in Bengal.

See related entries: Types of home

2. (in some Asian countries) a large house, sometimes on more than one level, that is not joined to another house on either side

ranch house noun

1. a house on a ranch

Their home was a spacious ranch house.

2. (North American English) a house built all on one level, that is very wide but not very deep from front to back and has a roof that is not very steep

compare bungalow

hooch noun BrE /huːtʃ/ ; NAmE /huːtʃ/ [uncountable](informal, especially North American English) - strong alcoholic drink, especially something that has been made illegally

a bottle of hooch

stampede noun BrE /stæmˈpiːd/ ; NAmE /stæmˈpiːd/ [countable, usually singular]

1. a situation in which a group of people or large animals such as horses suddenly start running in the same direction, especially because they are frightened or excited

A stampede broke out when the doors opened.

2. a situation in which a lot of people are trying to do or achieve the same thing at the same time

Falling interest rates has led to a stampede to buy property.

stampede verb BrE /stæmˈpiːd/ ; NAmE /stæmˈpiːd/

1. [intransitive, transitive] stampede (something) (of large animals or people) to run in a stampede; to make animals do this

a herd of stampeding elephants

A huge bunch of kids came stampeding down the corridor.

The cattle started to stampede, as if they could sense the danger.

2. [transitive, usually passive] stampede somebody (into something/into doing something) to make somebody rush into doing something without giving them time to think about it

I refuse to be stampeded into making any hasty decisions.

IT'S NEVER FAIR WEATHER

By O. Nash (1902-1971)

hanged see Правильные и неправильные глаголы

skin verb BrE /skɪn/ ; NAmE /skɪn/

animal/fruit/vegetable

1. skin something to take the skin off an animal, a fruit or a vegetable

You'll need four ripe tomatoes, skinned and chopped.

We learnt how to trap and skin a rabbit.

part of body

2. skin something to rub the skin off part of your body by accident

He skinned his knees climbing down the tree.

3. (computing) skin something to change the way that a computer program presents information on the screen to suit your particular needs

The only initial costs the business had were those involved with skinning the website.

scorch verb BrE /skɔːtʃ/ ; NAmE /skɔːrtʃ/

1. [transitive, intransitive] scorch (something) | scorch something + adj. to burn and slightly damage a surface by making it too hot; to be slightly burned by heat

I scorched my dress when I was ironing it.

Don't stand so near the fire—your coat is scorching!

The buildings around us were scorched by the fire.

[transitive, intransitive] scorch (something) to become or to make something become dry and brown, especially from the heat of the sun or from chemicals

scorched grass

The leaves will scorch if you water them in the sun.

Wildfires have scorched over two million acres of forest.

[intransitive] + adv./prep. (British English, informal) to move very fast

The car scorched off down the road.

She scorched to victory in the sprint final.

обжигать; подпаливать опаляться, подпаливаться; сильно пригорать (о еде)

выжигать, иссушать (о солнце)выгорать; коробиться (от жары)

ранить, задевать (чьи-л. чувства)

разг. нестись, мчаться с бешеной скоростью

puny adjective BrE /ˈpjuːni/ ; NAmE /ˈpjuːni/ (punier, puniest)(disapproving)

1. small and weak

synonym feeble

The lamb was a puny little thing.

Their plane made the others look puny.

a rather puny man

2. not very impressive

They laughed at my puny efforts.

daffodil noun BrE /ˈdæfədɪl/ ; NAmE /ˈdæfədɪl/

a tall yellow spring flower shaped like a trumpet. It is a national symbol of Wales.

gaily adverb BrE /ˈɡeɪli/ ; NAmE /ˈɡeɪli/

1. in a bright and attractive way

a gaily decorated room

2. in a cheerful way

gaily laughing children

She waved gaily to the little crowd.

3. without thinking or caring about the effect of your actions on other people

She gaily announced that she was leaving the next day.

maple noun BrE /ˈmeɪpl/ ; NAmE /ˈmeɪpl/

1. [countable, uncountable] (also maple tree) a tall tree with leaves that have five points and turn bright red or yellow in the autumn/fall. Maples grow in northern countries.

2. [uncountable] the wood of the maple tree

клен

dank adjective BrE /dæŋk/ ; NAmE /dæŋk/ - (especially of a place) damp, cold and unpleasant

a dark dank cave

saviour noun (especially US English savior) BrE /ˈseɪvjə(r)/ ; NAmE /ˈseɪvjər/

1. [usually singular] a person who rescues somebody/something from a dangerous or difficult situation

The new manager has been hailed as the saviour of the club.

He was hailed as the saviour of the nation.

The people clearly saw her as their saviour.

2. the Saviour [singular] used in the Christian religion as another name for Jesus Christ

Synonyms

burn char scald scorch singe

These words all mean to damage, injure, destroy or kill somebody/​something with heat or fire.

burn to damage, injure, destroy or kill somebody/​something with fire, heat or acid; to be damaged, etc. by fire, heat or acid:

She burned all his letters.

The house burned down in 1995.

char [usually passive] to make something black by burning it; to become black by burning:

The bodies had been charred beyond recognition.

scald to burn part of your body with very hot liquid or steam.

scorch to burn and slightly damage a surface by making it too hot:

I scorched my dress when I was ironing it.

singe to burn the surface of something slightly, usually by mistake; to be burnt in this way:

He singed his hair as he tried to light his cigarette.

scorch or singe?

Things are scorched by heat or fire. Things can only be singed by fire or a flame.

Patterns

to burn/​scald yourself/​your hand

to burn/​scorch/​singe your hair/​clothes

burnt out/​charred/​scorched remains/​ruins/​buildings