Здравствуйте, дорогие подписчики! Для тех кто присоединился к нам совсем недавно, предлагаю посетить сайт рассылки, правда он еще не готов, но кое-что вы там найдете www.english5ballov.narod.ru

А cегодня, как обычно, вы увидите:

1. Модальные глаголы (продолжение)
2. Устная тема о Британии
3. Диалоги на ве случаи жизни
4. Анекдот
5. Идиомы
6. Скороговорки
   
7. Упражнение
8. Продолжаем читать

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Модальные глаголы
Сегодня мы рассмотрим замену  глагола can на be able to. Когда и зачем оно употребляется.

1) Так как can имеет только две формы: can (настоящее время-present) и could (прошедшее время-past), то для других времен необходимо
употребление be able to.

- He hasn't been able to work recently. (can has no Present Perfect)
- She might not be able to fly to London. (can has no infinitive)

2) Could и was able to:
Иногда could употребляется как прошедшее время от can.

- Tom could play football very well.
- She couldn't speak English.

Преимущественно сould используется со следующими глаголами:  see, hear, smell, taste, feel, understand, remember:

- He spoke so quickly that I couldn't understand him at all.
- Though I was sitting in the last row, I could see the film well.

Could используется также, чтобы отметить несомненную возможность кого-либо сделать что-либо:

- My mother could speak five languages.

Но если мы имеем в виду, что некто справляется с чем-либо при определенных условиях, надо употреблять was/were able to
(не could):

- He didn't want to buy a new suit but at last we were able to persuade him.
- She wasn't able to pass the exam.

Отрицательная форма couldn't допустима во всех случаях.

- He couldn't play tennis.
- We couldn't persuade him to buy a new suit.

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Education in Britain (очень важная тема, это первое, что у вас спросят на экзаменах) вверх
In England schooling is compulsory for children of 5 to 16 years of age. Any child may attend a school without paying fees. Over 90% of children of compulsory school age go to state schools. The most important changes in Britain's educational system were introduced under the Education Reform Act 1988. It led to the compulsory National Curriculum for pupils aged 5 to 16 in state schools. The Act also aims to give parents a wider choice of schools for their children. Local educational authorities finance most school education at local level. They also employ teachers. Every state school in England and Wales has a governing body, responsible for the school's main policies. Parallel reforms are introduced in both Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Full-time education is compulsory up to the middle teenage years. There are three stages in education. The first stage is primary education; the second is secondary education; the third is further education at university or college.
Before going to a primary school children receive nursery education (some children attend pre-school play-groups). It's the first age of education. Around half of 3—4 years old in Britain receive nursery education. Children of nursery age need care as well as education. Social, emotional and physical needs must be taken into consideration.
Compulsory primary education begins at the age of 5 in England, Wales and Scotland and at 4 in Northern Ireland. Children start their education in an infant school and move to a junior school at 7 years old. Primary schools vary in size and location. Pupils study different subjects (English, Mathematics, Science, History, Geography, Music, Art, Physical education). Over 80% of all primary schools are mixed.
In Britain most children of compulsory secondary school age (11—16) receive free education financed from public funds. The large majority of schools are mixed.
The school year in England and Wales begins in September and continues into July. In Scotland it is from August to June. In Northern Ireland — from September to June. At this level children start to learn a modern foreign language. The course of study at secondary school may lead to General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) qualifications. At 16 years old children take different examinations and have quite a lot of coursework, only after which they're awarded GCSE.
Those who stay at school after GCSE, study for 2 more years for A (Advanced) level exams in two or three subjects.
A small proportion of children (about 8%) attend private, or independent schools, which are not financed by the state. To understand this phenomenon a little history is needed.
The British government payed little attention to education until the end of the 19th century. Schools had existed in Britain long before the government took an interest in education. A small group of schools admitted only the sons of the upper and upper middle classes. At these public schools much more attention was paid to "character-building" and the development of "team spirit" rather than to academic achievements. These were "boarding-schools" (as the pupils lived in them). The pupils wore distinctive clothes and the schools had their own traditions. The aim of those schools was to prepare young men to take up positions in the higher ranks of army, in business, civil service and politics.
A typical public school is for boys from 13. It admits fee-paying pupils. Such school is a boarding one. Each school is divided into houses with its housemaster. Public school place great emphasis on team sports. These schools are not at all luxurious or comfortable. A typical example of such a school is Eton.
British education has many different faces but one goal. Its aim is to realize the potential of all for the good of the individual and society as a whole.

to be continiued...

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Если вы собрались покупать машину...да еще и зарубежом!

Buying a Car вверх
Customer:Good morning.                
Dealer:Good morning ,sir.May I help you?                                   
C:I want to buy a new car.             
D:DO you have anything special in  mind?                                    
C:It shouldn't be either an expensive car or a big one.                         
D:I see.What about a Honda?It's  a good and rather inexpensive car. One of these cars is to the right of  you.                                       
C:How much is it?                          
D:6900 dollars.                              
C:I've got a large family. Therefore I'm looking for a mid-sized   car.
D:If you are interested in a family car,the new  Oldsmobile  Delta 88  would be a good buy.                       
C:May I see it?                              
D:It's right this way.It's a very  popular model.Let's take a look. Here we are.This car will get you  an excellent gas mileage.Do you like the color? 
C:Yes,dark blue is my favorite color. What special features does the car have? 
D:It has air conditioning,vinyl seat   seat covers,and a radio.                      
C:Is it economical to run?                 
D:Absolutely.It uses lighter material  in the body,and it has a new type of  carburetor.Therefor your gas consumption will be cut down.Will you take  a test drive  to see how the car runs?         
C:Okay.  
  (They get in,and the customer  starts  driving)                                       
   Several minutes later.                   
C:I like the car.It's comfortable. The steering and the brakes work well. What about a trade-in?    
D:I can estimate your old car. If you  wish,I can ask my assistant to drive it  around the block.He could check out  your car.He'll tell me what he thinks about a trade-in.                            
C:All right.Thereare the keys.My car  is only four years old .I've not been  in a single accident.I've taken good             
care of the car.                               
D:Well,Let's go back to my office.             
C:Let's see what kind of deal I can expect.My decision depends on the    price and the trade-in.As soon as you  can give me your ultimate price,I'll  talk it over with my family.I definitely need a new car.

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Anecdote вверх
Who's Smarter?

A woman was out golfing one day when she hit her ball into the woods. She went into the woods to look for it and found a frog in a trap.
The frog said to her, "If you release me from this trap, I will grant you 3 wishes." She did and the frog said, "Thank you, but I failed to
mention that there is a condition to your wishes. Whatever you wish for, your husband will get 10 times more!"
The woman said, "That's okay." For her first wish, she wanted to be the most beautiful woman in the world.
The frog warned her, "You do realize that this wish will also make your husband the most handsome man in the world, and women will flock
to him."  The woman replied, "That's okay, because I will be the most beautiful woman, and he will only have eyes for me." So, BANG - she became the most beautiful woman in the world!
For her second wish, she wanted to be the richest woman in the world. The frog said, "That will make your husband the richest man in the
world, and he will be ten times richer than you."
The woman said, "That's okay because what's mine is his and what's his is mine." So, BANG - she became the richest woman in the world!
The frog asked her what she would like for her third wish. She said, "I'd like a mild heart attack."

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Idioms вверх

hand to someone on a silver platter
- give a person something that has not been earned
Давать что-то, что на самом деле не заслужено
His education was handed to him on a silver platter and now he is very spoiled and selfish.

hard nut to crack
- something or someone difficult to understand or do
Что-то или кто-то сложное для понимания или действия над ним. (крепкий орешек по-нашему)
He is a very serious person and is a very hard nut to crack.

(get or) have egg on ones face
- be embarrassed
быть смущенным
He has egg on his face because everyone knows that he was sick at the party.

hit the sauce
- drink alcohol - usually regularly
Уходить в запой, (я думаю это понятней некуда)
I think that she has begun to hit the sauce since her husband lost his job.

hot potato
- a question or argument that is controversial and difficult to settle
Вопрос или аргумент, который очень спорный и трудный для его разрешения.
The issue of building the nuclear power plant is a real hot potato for the local town council.

in a nutshell
- briefly, in a few words
Кратенько, в двух словах
We went to the meeting and they told us in a nutshell what would be happening to everyone next year.

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Tongue Twisters вверх

A bloke's back bike brake block broke

How much wood would a woodchuck chuck,
if a woodchuck could chuck wood?
He would chuck, he would, as much as he could,
and chuck as much wood as a woodchuck would,
if a woodchuck could chuck wood.

Nine nice night nurses nursing nicely.

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Упражнение вверх

Сегодня упражнение на времена и еще одно, так просто для развлечения.
Ответы, как всегда, появятся через некоторое время на моем сайте.
www.english5ballov.narod.ru/topics/keys13.html

Put the verbs in brackets in the correct tense - Present Perfect,
Past Simple or Present Simple.

Dennis Heal (be) a politician. He (go) to Oxford University in
1950, and in 1957 he (become) a Member of Parliament for
the Labour Party. He (be) an MP since then. He (be)
Defence Minister from 1964 - 70. He (write) three books,
including his autobiography The Time of  my Life, and a spy
story called The Time to Run. He is married to the artist
Edna Heal, and they have two children. They (live) in Oxford
 for 15 15 years, then (move) to London in 1970. They now
(live) in a house in Cadogan Square in central London.
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1. Match the offer/suggestion to the answer
Shall we open the window?
   a) Good idea. It's really stuffy in here.
   b) I think it's best to tell her nothing. She can't keep a secret.
   c) Well we're going to have to bite the bullet on this sooner or later.
   d) Why not Baker? He's used to working in Eastern Europe?

2. Shall we have a 15 minute break?
   a) How about next Friday?
   b) Shall we keep working until the coffee comes?
   c) Well we're going to have to bite the bullet on this sooner or later.
   d) Why not Baker? He's used to working in Eastern Europe?

3. Shall we say next Friday?
   a) Sorry, can't make Friday. How about Thursday?
   b) I think it's best to tell her nothing. She can't keep a secret.
   c) I think it's about time you all came to my place.
   d) Why not Baker? He's used to working in Eastern Europe?

4. Where shall we meet?
   a) I think it's best to tell her nothing. She can't keep a secret.
   b) Well we're going to have to bite the bullet on this sooner or later.
   c) How about next Friday?
   d) I think it's about time you all came to my place.

5. Who shall we send to Poland?
   a) I think it's best to tell her nothing. She can't keep a secret.
   b) Well we're going to have to bite the bullet on this sooner or later.
   c) I think it's about time you all came to my place.
   d) Why not Baker? He's used to working in Eastern Europe?

6. What shall we do about their offer?
   a) I think we should leave that to one side for the time being.
   b) How about next Friday?
   c) Sorry, can't make Friday. How about Thursday?
   d) Why not Baker? He's used to working in Eastern Europe?

7. When shall we have the next meeting?
   a) How about next Friday?
   b) Well we're going to have to bite the bullet on this sooner or later.
   c) I think it's about time you all came to my place.
   d) Why not Baker? He's used to working in Eastern Europe?

8. What shall we do about John?
   a) I think it's best to tell her nothing. She can't keep a secret.
   b) Well we're going to have to bite the bullet on this sooner or later.
   c) I think it's about time you all came to my place.
   d) Why not Baker? He's used to working in Eastern Europe?

9. Shall we start?
   a) I think it would be better to wait until Lindsey is here.
   b) I think it's best to tell her nothing. She can't keep a secret.
   c) Well we're going to have to bite the bullet on this sooner or later.
   d) Why not Baker? He's used to working in Eastern Europe?

10. What shall we tell Rachel?
   a) I think it's best to tell her nothing. She can't keep a secret.
   b) Well we're going to have to bite the bullet on this sooner or later.
   c) I think it's about time you all came to my place.
   d) Why not Baker? He's used to working in Eastern Europe?

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The Green Mile вверх

Coffey shook his head slowly - once to the left, once to the right, then back to dead center. Once his eyes found me, they never left me. Harry had a clipboard with Coffey's forms on it in one hand. "Give it to him," I said to Harry "Put it in his hand." Harry did. The big mutt took it like a sleepwalker. "Now bring it to me, big boy," I said, and Coffey did, his chains jingling and rattling. He had to duck his head just to enter the cell. I looked up and down mostly to register his height as a fact and not an optical illusion. It was real: six feet, eight inches. His weight was given as two-eighty, but I think that was only an estimate; he had to have been three hundred and twenty, maybe as much as three hundred and fifty pounds. Under the space for scars and identifying marks, one word had been blocked out in the laborious printing of Magnusson, the old trusty in Registration: Numerous. I looked up. Coffey had shuffled a bit to one side and I could see Harry  standing across the corridor in front of Delacroix's cell - he was our only  other prisoner in E Block when Coffey came in. Del was a slight, balding man with the worried face of an accountant who knows his embezzlement will soon be discovered. His tame mouse was sitting on his shoulder. Percy Wetmore was leaning in the doorway of the cell which had just become John Coffey's. He had taken his hickory baton out of the custom-made holster he carried it in, and was tapping it against one palm the way a man does when he has a toy he wants to use. And all at once I couldn't stand to have him there. Maybe it was the unseasonable heat, maybe it was the urinary infection heating up my groin and making the itch of my flannel underwear all but unbearable, maybe it was knowing that the state had sent me a black man next door to an idiot to execute, and Percy clearly wanted to hand-tool him a little first. Probably it was all those things. Whatever it was, I stopped caring about his political connections for a little while. "Percy." I said. "They're moving house over in the infirmary." "Bill Dodge is in charge of that detail-" "I know he is," I said. "Go and help him." 'That isn't my job," Percy said. "This big lugoon is my job." "Lugoon" was Percy's joke name for the big ones - a combination of lug and goon. He resented the big ones. He wasn't skinny, like Harry Terwilliger, but he was short. A banty-rooster sort of guy, the kind that likes to pick fights, especially when the odds are all their way. And vain about his hair. Could hardly keep his hands off it. "Then your job is done," I said. "Get over to the infirmary." His lower lip pooched out. Bill Dodge and his men were moving boxes and stacks of sheets, even the beds; the whole infirmary was going to a new frame building over on the west side of the prison. Hot work, heavy lifting. Percy Wetmore wanted no part of either. "They got all the men they need," he said. "Then get over there and straw-boss," I said, raising my voice. I saw Harry wince and paid no attention. If the governor ordered Warden Moores to fire me for ruffling the wrong set of feathers, who was Hal Moores going to put in my place? Percy? It was a joke. "I really don't care what you do, Percy, as long as you get out of here for awhile!'

mutt - болван sleepwalker - лунатик jingle - звенеть rattle -дребезжание; громыхание six feet, eight inches - 2 метра 3 см two-eighty - 127 кг estimate  -предварительно  оценивать; подсчёт three hundred and fifty pounds  - 150 кг scar - шрам identifying marks - особые приметы trusty - испытанный shuffle - сдивунуться slight - тонкий bald- лысый accountant -бухгалтер embezzlement  - растрата lean - прислоняться hickory baton - резиновая дубинка holster - чехол, кобура tap - постукивать, похлопывать palm - ладонь unseasonable - несезонная groin - пах itch - зуд flannel underwear - фланелевое белье unbearable- невыносимый execute - казнить infirmary - здесь: лазарет lugoon - туша skinny - тощий banty-rooster - петух-забияка odds- перевес vain  -тщеславный pooched out - оттопыриваться stack - кипа sheet- простыня straw-boss: здесь: это последний приказ! wince- морщиться for ruffling the wrong set of feathers - за нарушение субординации

to be continiued........

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Harry Potter

He didn't say another word on the subject as they went upstairs to bed. While Mrs. Dursley was in the bathroom, Mr. Dursley crept to the bedroom window and peered down into the front garden. The cat was still there. It was staring down Privet Drive as though it were waiting for something. Was he imagining things? Could all this have anything to do with the Potters? If it did… if it got out that they were related to a pair of — well, he didn't think he could bear it. The Dursleys got into bed. Mrs. Dursley fell asleep quickly but Mr. Dursley lay awake, turning it all over in his mind. His last, comforting thought before he fell asleep was that even if the Potters were involved, there was no reason for them to come near him and Mrs. Dursley. The Potters knew very well what he and Petunia thought about them and their kind…. He couldn't see how he and Petunia could get mixed up in anything that might be going on — he yawned and turned over — it couldn't affect them… How very wrong he was. Mr. Dursley might have been drifting into an uneasy sleep, but the cat on the wall outside was showing no sign of sleepiness. It was sitting as still as a statue, its eyes fixed unblinkingly on the far corner of Privet Drive. It didn't so much as quiver when a car door slammed on the next street, nor when two owls swooped overhead. In fact, it was nearly midnight before the cat moved at all. A man appeared on the corner the cat had been watching, appeared so suddenly and silently you'd have thought he'd just popped out of the ground. The cat's tail twitched and its eyes narrowed. Nothing like this man had ever been seen on Privet Drive. He was tall, thin, and very old, judging by the silver of his hair and beard, which were both long enough to tuck into his belt. He was wearing long robes, a purple cloak that swept the ground, and high-heeled, buckled boots. His blue eyes were light, bright, and sparkling behind half-moon spectacles and his nose was very long and crooked, as though it had been broken at least twice. This man's name was Albus Dumbledore. Albus Dumbledore didn't seem to realize that he had just arrived in a street where everything from his name to his boots was unwelcome. He was busy rummaging in his cloak, looking for something. But he did seem to realize he was being watched, because he looked up suddenly at the cat, which was still staring at him from the other end of the street. For some reason, the sight of the cat seemed to amuse him. He chuckled and muttered, "I should have known." He found what he was looking for in his inside pocket. It seemed to be a silver cigarette lighter. He flicked it open, held it up in the air, and clicked it. The nearest street lamp went out with a little pop. He clicked it again — the next lamp flickered into darkness. Twelve times he clicked the Put-Outer, until the only lights left on the whole street were two tiny pinpricks in the distance, which were the eyes of the cat watching him. If anyone looked out of their window now, even beady-eyed Mrs. Dursley, they wouldn't be able to see anything that was happening down on the pavement. Dumbledore slipped the Put-Outer back inside his cloak and set off down the street toward number four, where he sat down on the wall next to the cat. He didn't look at it, but after a moment he spoke to it. "Fancy seeing you here, Professor McGonagall." He turned to smile at the tabby, but it had gone. Instead he was smiling at a rather severe-looking woman who was wearing square glasses exactly the shape of the markings the cat had had around its eyes. She, too, was wearing a cloak, an emerald one. Her black hair was drawn into a tight bun. She looked distinctly ruffled.

creep - красться peer -всматриваться stare- пристально смотреть relate - относить bear - выносить involve - вовлекать yawn - зевать affect - действовать drift - здесь: опускаться unblinkingly - неморгающе quiver -трепетать slam - захлопнуться silently - молча popped out - высовываться twitch- подёргивание narrow-сужаться judging by - судя по его beard - борода. belt - пояс tuck - висеть robe - мантия sweep - подметание heel - каблук buckle- застёгивать spark - искра spectacles-очки crooked -кривой unwelcome - непрошенный rummage -рыться amuse- развлекать chuckle - посмеиваться mutter - бормотать flick - щелчок pop - хлопок tiny -крошечный beady-eyed -  с пристальным взглядом pavement - тротуар slipped - скользил toward - по отношению к tabby - полосатый кот emerald - изумрудный distinctly - отчетливо ruffled - раздраженный

to be continiued.......

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