Professional Documents
Culture Documents
CAIET PENTRU
SEMINARUL DE LIMBA ENGLEZ
pentru uzul studenilor de anul I
2
ARGUMENT............................................................................................................................................ 5
COMMON EUROPEAN FRAMEWORK...................................................................................................... 6
UNIT 1.................................................................................................................................................... 8
ASKING FOR HELP; CONVERSATIONS; REQUEST FORMULAS;...................................................................8
ROOM SERVICE; REQUESTING FOR OTHERS............................................................................................ 8
WAITER: ARE YOU READY TO ORDER?......................................................................................12
UNIT 2.................................................................................................................................................. 14
COUNTABLE AND UNCOUNTABLE NOUNS; GREETINGS; INTRODUCING YOURSELF; INTRODUCING OTHER
PEOPLE................................................................................................................................................ 14
UNIT 3.................................................................................................................................................. 22
STARTING A CONVERSATION; ASKING QUESTIONS; CLOSING A CONVERSATION; PRESENT CONTINUOUS;
PRESENT SIMPLE.................................................................................................................................. 22
MORE PRACTICE................................................................................................................................... 28
UNIT 4.................................................................................................................................................. 32
NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION.......................................................................................................... 32
UNIT 5.................................................................................................................................................. 38
NON-VERBAL-COMMUNICATION; ADJECTIVES; ADVERBS OF MANNER, MOVEMENT, FREQUENCY;
PREPOSITIONS OF PLACE; SEEING VERBS.............................................................................................. 38
UNIT 6.................................................................................................................................................. 44
PERSONAL INFORMATION; CURRICULUM VITAE;...................................................................................44
QUESTIONS TYPES................................................................................................................................ 44
UNIT 7.................................................................................................................................................. 50
INTERVIEW FOR A JOB.......................................................................................................................... 50
PAST SIMPLE AND................................................................................................................................. 50
PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE.................................................................................................................... 50
FORME SCURTE: HASNT = HAS NOT; HAVENT = HAVE NOT.................................................56
MORE PRACTICE................................................................................................................................... 60
UNIT 8.................................................................................................................................................. 64
LONDON AND NEW YORK..................................................................................................................... 64
UNIT 9.................................................................................................................................................. 69
THE BRITISH AND THE AMERICAN PEOPLES........................................................................................... 69
THE BRITISH PEOPLE.................................................................................................................... 70
2. SPEAK ABOUT THE ROMANIAN PEOPLE IN ABOUT 100 WORDS (10 MINUTES)..............72
UNIT 10................................................................................................................................................ 76
SHOPS AND SHOPPING......................................................................................................................... 76
UNIT 11................................................................................................................................................ 80
INTERVIEW FOR A JOB.......................................................................................................................... 80
READ THE TEXT BELOW............................................................................................................... 80
3
MORE PRACTICE................................................................................................................................... 84
ENGLISH TEXTS..................................................................................................................................... 85
WHY WE WENT NUTS ABOUT THE IPHONE...............................................................................85
OF SOUND MIND AND BODY.......................................................................................................... 89
BIBLIOGRAPHY..................................................................................................................................... 97
ARGUMENT
4
Manualul de fa reprezint un caiet de seminar la limba englez i se
adreseaz studenilor de anul I. Acesta poate fi studiat la oricare dintre
specializri, deorece cuprinde lecii de englez cu caracter general, de o mare
aplicabilitate practic. De ce spun aceasta? Potrivit conceptului de
multilingvism, adoptat de Uniunea European, fiecare dintre noi trebuie s
cunoasc cel puin 2 limbi strine, iar limba englez este lingua franca, cel
mai des utilizat oriunde te-ai duce. Prin urmare, nvaarea limbii engleze nu
este numai o recomandare, ci a devenit o necesitate. Studenii de la
specializrile Relaii Internaionale, Administraie Public, Sociologie
etc., dar nu numai, vor gsi prezentul caiet de seminar util i plcut n acelai
timp.
Manualul este structurat n 11 lecii, unit-uri care cuprind subiecte ca
i: conversaii, modele de a solicita ceva n mod politicos, a solicita pentru
alii, modaliti att formale ct i informale de se prezenta, cum s se
prezinte la un interviu, precum i cteva lecii de civilizaie anglo-american,
etc.
De asemenea, fiecare unit este nsoit de lecii practice de gramatic,
necesare pentru a deprinde un mod de a vorbi i scrie ct mai corect n limba
englez. n manual se mai gsesc multe aplicaii practice, necesare pentru a
exersa structurile nvate. Tot n acest manual vei gsi texte originale n
limba englez, din reviste englezeti de prestigiu, care vor contribui la
dezvoltarea universului vostru de cunoatere, dragi studeni.
Prin urmare, dup parcurgerea acestui manual studentul va fi capabil
s: solicite ceva utiliznd formula magic I would like, s se prezinte att
formal ct i informal, s prezinte dou persoane unei a treia, s solicite
micul dejun la room service, s fac fa cu succes la un interviu, s explice
structuri gramaticale studiate n acest manual i s le recunoasc, dar i s le
utilizeze individual, de asemenea s rspund la ntrebri legate de oraele
Londra i New York, despre popoarele celor dou ri, etc.
Manualul se situeaz la nivelul european B1- B2, conform Cadrului
Comun European pentru Limbi Strine pe care l gsii i n manualul de fa
la pagina 3.
Doresc succes tuturor celor care vor aprofunda manualul de fa!
AUTOAREA
5
COMMON EUROPEAN FRAMEWORK
C2 Can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read. Can summarise
information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing
arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation. Can express him/herself
spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of
proficient meaning even in more complex situations.
B2 Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract
topics, including technical discussions in his/her field of specialisation. Can
interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular
interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party.
Can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a
viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and independent
disadvantages of various options.
B1 Can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters
regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. Can deal with most
situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is
spoken. Can produce simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of
personal interest. Can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes and
ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.
6
UNIT 1
7
ASKING FOR HELP; CONVERSATIONS; REQUEST FORMULAS;
ROOM SERVICE; REQUESTING FOR OTHERS
8
A: The plane takes off at 11.45 from Heathrow Airport. You will have to be
there 2 hours earlier to check in.
B: I dont understand.
Conversations
9
A: Anything else?
B: Yes. One of those, and some of these. Thanks.
Request formulas
(not polite)
Give me a coffee.
I want a coffee.
(neutral)
Coffee, please.
Id like a coffee, please
Can I have a coffee, please.
Can I have a coffee, please?
(more polite)
Could I have a coffee, please?
May I have a coffee, please?
(very polite)
I wonder if I could have a coffee, please.
Practice:
10
(more polite)
A: Are you ready to order?
B: Yes, please. Could I have a coffee, please.
A: Certainly.
(not polite)
A: Are you ready to order?
B: Give me a coffee.
A: Certainly.
Room service
ROOM SERVICE: Good morning. Room service. This is Gary speaking.
How can I help you?
WOMAN: Id like to order breakfast, please.
ROOM SERVICE: May I have your name and room number?
WOMAN: Easton. Sandra Easton. Room 416.
ROOM SERVICE: What would you like today, Ms Easton?
WOMAN: A tomato juice. Ersome muesli and a plain yogurt.
ROOM SERVICE: Any bread?
WOMAN: Yes. Could I have some toast?
ROOM SERVICE: White or wholewheat?
WOMAN: Wholewheat, please. Then Id like some eggspoached eggs
with bacon.
ROOM SERVICE: Anythingelse with that?
WOMAN: No, thank you. Thats fine.
ROOM SERVICE: And would you like tea or coffee?
WOMAN: Tea, please.
ROOM SERVICE: With milk or lemon?
WOMAN: Lemon.
ROOM SERVICE: Is that everything?
WOMAN: Yes, thats it.
ROOM SERVICE: And when do want that?
WOMAN: As soon as possible.
ROOM SERVICE: About twenty minutes?
WOMAN: Thats fine. Thank you.
Practice:
ROOM SERVICE: Good evening. Room service. This is Jack speaking.
How can I help you?
MAN: Good evening. Could you be so kind and wake me up tomorrow
morning. I have a plane to catch.
ROOM SERVICE: May I have your name and room number?
11
MAN: Popescu. Dan Popescu. Room 311.
ROOM SERVICE: What time would you like us to wake you up, Mr
Popescu?
MAN: 4 oclock a.m. My plane leaves at 7 a.m. And could you, please call a
taxi to take me to the airport?
ROOM SERVICE: Certainly. What time do you want to leave?
MAN: At 4.30 a.m. I have to be at the airport two hours before the flight.
ROOM SERVICE: Yes, you will be waken up at 4 a.m. and the taxi will wait
for you at 4.30. Anything else?
MAN: No, thank you.
Practice:
12
WAITER: Would you like a starter?
WOMAN: Yes. They would like Tuscan bread and tomato soup. And we
would like baked sardines with garlic and oregano.
WAITER: And for the main course?
WOMAN: We would like two helpings of stuffed pork with mushrooms and
garlic and two helpings of cod fillets in a cucumber sauce.
WAITER: Anything else?
WOMAM: Two glasses of red wine for the pork and two of white wine for
the fish.
*
WAITER: Whos the soup for?
WOMAN: The soup is for them and the sardines are for us.
WAITER: Here you are.
WOMAN: Thank you.
*
WAITER: Whos the pork for?
WOMAN: It is for them.
WAITER: And the fish?
WOMAN: The fish is for us.
WAITER: And the glasses of wine
WOMAN: Thank you.
WAITER: Youre welcome.
13
UNIT 2
COUNTABLE AND UNCOUNTABLE NOUNS; GREETINGS;
INTRODUCING YOURSELF; INTRODUCING OTHER PEOPLE
15
Practice
1. Write C for countable and U for uncountable. Dont forget that you cant
count water but you can count bottles of water.
..water ..glasses of water
..oil liters of oil
..gold grams of gold
..meat pieces of meat
..shampoo .bottles of shampoo
..pasta .bowls of pasta
3. Choose the nouns that can be counted and the nouns you can put a pair in
front of them.
- socks, shoes, tights, trainers, trousers, jeans, shorts, pyjamas, scissors,
glasses, earrings, underpants.
Greetings
16
B: Great to see you.
A: Howre you doing?
B: OK!
2. Informal, relatives
A: Hi, MarkHi, Lucy. Nice to see you.
B: Nice to see you. Hows Amanda?
A: Shes very well, thank you.
3. Informal, acquaintances
A: Hello, Bob. How are you?
B: Fine, thanks. And you?
A: Fine.
4. Formal, co-workers
A: Good morning, Lisa.
B: Good morning, Ms Stewart.
5. Formal, strangers
A: Good evening.
B: Good evening, sirmadam. Welcome to the Chelsea International Hotel.
2. Informal, relatives
A: Hi, GeorgeHi, Mary. Good to see you.
B: Good to see you. Hows Jane?
A: Shes very well, thank you.
3. Informal, acquaintances
A: Hello, Robert. How are you?
B: Fine, thanks. And you, Ms Alice?
A: Fine.
4. Formal, co-workers
A: Good morning, children.
17
B: Good morning, teacher.
5. Formal, strangers
A: Good afternoon.
B: Good afternoon, sirmadam. Welcome to Ritz Hotel.
Introducing yourself
1. How do you do. My name is Alexander Parker. I believe you are John
Smith.
2. Allow me to introduce myselfI am Alexander Parker, manager at
Chelsea International Hotel. And you?
3. You must be John Smith. Its a pleasure to meet you.
4. How do you do. Im Annette Perry. Im the Sales Manager of
Greystoke Inc.
5. Hello. My name is Evans. Linda Evans. Im a friend of Mrs Pickering.
Its a pleasure to meet you.
6. Let me introduce myself, Im Sally Park. I work for Orange
Communications. Im from Australia.
Practice:
1. When you introduce yourself in a formal situation, you can choose the
way you want them to address you.
Hello, my name is John. John Smith.
Hello, John.
18
Hello, my name Anna. Anna Smith.
Hello, Anna.
5. A: Mr. Granger Id like you to meet Nick Thomas, from our Boston
office.
B: How do you do, Nick.
C: Pleased to meet you, Mr. Granger.
B: Please. Call me Philip.
6. A: Sarah Dean?
B: Im Paul Hodges form Warner Graphics. How do you do.
A: How do you do.
B: Would you like to see our new catalog
Practice:
19
A: Good morning. My name is Carter. Rob Carter.
B: Pleased to meet you Mr. Carter.
A: Id like to introduce my colleague. This is Carmen Popescu.
B: Hello, Ms. Popescu. Its good to meet you.
C: Its nice to meet you, too.
B: Are you going to be in England long?
C: No, were going to travel to Belgium tomorrow.
Formal questions
Whats your name?
What nationality are you?
Whats your address?
Whats your job?
How old are you?
Whats your date of birth?
Are you married?
Informal questions
What do you do?
Whats your age?
When were you born?
Whats your name?
Are you single?
Which country do you come from?
Information about you
My name is Julia Park.
I come from USA.
I live in Washington.
Im a scientist.
I work for Cook Chemicals.
Im twenty-five.
Im single.
Countries and nationalities
England English
Spain Spanish
Sweden Swedish
Poland Polish
Scotland Scottish
Ireland Irish
Turkey Turkish
Australia Austrian
Canada Canadian
Brasilia - Brazilian
20
Germany German
United States American
Mexico Mexican
Italy Italian
Japan Japanese
China Chinese
Vietnam Vietnamese
Portugal Portuguese
Pakistan Pakistani
Iraq Iraqi
Netherlands Dutch
France French
Switzerland Swiss
21
UNIT 3
STARTING A CONVERSATION; ASKING QUESTIONS; CLOSING
A CONVERSATION; PRESENT CONTINUOUS; PRESENT
SIMPLE
Starting a conversation
Meeting at the airport
WOMAN: Mr. Popescu?
MAN: Thats right
WOMAN: Im Laura Parker from the London office. How do you do.
MAN: Very well, thanks. Pleased to meet you, Ms. Parker.
WOMAN: What was your flight like?
MAN: Not bad. The take off was delayed half an hour, but we arrived on
time. The plane was full, though. There wasnt an empty seat.
WOMAN: Is this your first visit to London?
MAN: No, I was here ten years ago. I was on vacation, not business. This is
my first business trip.
WOMAN: Come this way. My car is in the car park. Ill drive you to the
hotel
Practice:
YOU: Hello. You must be Mr. Robert Parker.
VISITOR: Yes, thats right.
YOU: My name is Laura Popescu from Bucharest office. How do you do.
VISITOR: Pleased to meet you, too. And thank you for coming to meet me.
YOU: How was you flight?
VISITOR: Oh, OK. I dont really enjoy flying. Im glad to be back on the
ground. YOU: Is this your first visit to Romania?
VISITOR: No, it isnt. I was here last year, but only for a few days.
YOU: How long are you staying here?
VISITOR: Seventeen days. Im flying home on the 24th.
YOU: What was the weather like in your country?
VISITOR: It was raining when I left!
YOU: Which part of England do you come from?
VISITOR: I live in Dorchester. Its in the south of England. Do you know it?
YOU: I dont. What is it like?
22
VISITOR: Its a small town in the country. No skyscrapers or anything. Its a
typical old country town. There are a lot of good pubs.
YOU: Come this way. Ah, this is my car. Let me take to your hotel.
Asking questions
23
- How much was your jacket?
- How much do you weigh?
- Whats your star sign?
- Whats you blood group?
- Which political party do you support?
POT FI EVITATE RSPUNZND POLITICOS:
- Sorry, thats a personal question.
- I dont want to answer that.
- Id rather not say/ tell you that/ answer that.
- Mind your own business.
Practice:
Closing a conversation
24
THANK THE PERSON FOR HELP/ A MEAL ETC
Thank you for all your help.
Thank you for a wonderful meal.
Thanks for everything.
It was great (seeing you/ talking with you).
GIVE THEM GOOD WISHES
Have a nice day.
Have a good weekend/ holiday/ flight.
Enjoy the rest of your stay.
Take care of (yourself).
All the best.
Mind how you go.
Practice:
Formulas for:
a) a business person you have met for the first time:
Goodbye. Nice to have met you.
b) someone you often meet, e.g. a friend:
See you later!
c) a dinner guest:
Thanks for coming.
d) someone you have been speaking to for a few seconds:
Bye!
e) a colleague you see when youre leaving work on Friday evening
Goodnight. Have a good week-end.
f) someone you are greeting after 6 p.m.
Good evening.
Present continuous
Prezentul continuu este utilizat pentu a exprima:
- o aciune n desfurare n momentul vorbirii;
e.g. Listen! He is singing in the bathroom.
- o aciune cu caracter temporar
e.g. Ann is attending UCB.
- o aciune personal planificat n prezent;
e.g. We are leaving tomorrow
- pentru a descrie persoane
e.g. She is wearing a two-piece suit.
Present continuous se formez cu ajutorul auxiliarului la prezent to be plus
verb principal la care se adaug ing. La adugarea terminaiei se observ
urmtoarele modificri:
To run running
25
To lie lying
To have having
To refer - referring
Practice:
To have cu sensul a avea, a poseda nu se folosete la aspectul continuu.
Excepie face cazul cnd acesta se traduce cu: to have a bath = a face baie, to
have a shower = a face du, to have breakfast, lunch, dinner = a servi micul
dejun, prnzul sau cina.
Prezent continuu afirmativ
I am (Im) having a shower now.
You are (youre) having breakfast right right now.
He/ she/ it is (hes/ shes/ its) having a bath now.
We are were) having dinner now.
They are (theyre) having lunch at the moment.
Adverbe folosite: now, right now, at the moment
Prezent continuu - interogativ:
Am I watching a film now?
Are you attending the Faculty of Economics?
Is he/ she/ it/ is drinking water at the moment?
Are we running now?
Are they coming?
Prezent continuu - negativ
I am not leaving tomorrow.
You are not (arent) going to school now.
He/ she/ it is not (isnt) playing in the yard.
We are not (arent) having dinner at the moment.
They are not (arent) studying French this year.
Present simple
Presentul simple este utilizat pentru a exprima:
- aciuni generale cu caracter permanent;
e.g. The Earth moves round the sun.
Water boils at 100 Celsius.
Birds fly.
- aciuni obinuite, repetate la anumite intervale de timp: on Mondays, in
summer, everzy day, frequently, often, seldom, rarely, occasionaly,
sometimes, once a week/ month/ year;
e.g. I go to school every day.
I usually watch TV in the evening.
- aciuni cu valoare de viitor ce fac parte dintr-un program oficial;
e.g. The plane leaves tomorrow at 7.00 a.m.
26
The exhibition opens Monday at 8.00 p.
Practice:
Prezent simplu Afirmativ
I go to school.
You go to work.
He/ she/ it goes to university.
We go on a trip.
They go shopping every day.
Prezent simplu interogativ
Do I look timid?
Do you drink or coffee?
Does he/ she/ it do well?
Do you need help?
Do they live in Manchester?
Prezent simple negativ
I do not (dont) need help.
You do not (dont) eat much.
He/ she/ it does not (doesnt) work every day.
We do not (dont) go on a trip on 21 October.
They do not (dont) help each other.
- Prezentul simplu este format la afirmativ din infinitivul scurt
verbului principal, la persoana aIIIa primeste s sau es.
- Interogativul i negativul se formez cu ajutorul auxiliarului to
do.
- Ct privete terminaia persoanei aIIIa, verbele care se termin n
consoan primesc s: e.g. runs; verbele care se termin n e
primesc s: comes, likes; verbele dup modelul watch, brush
primesc es: brushes, watches; dress-es; verbele care se termin
n y precedat de consoan: cry- cries; verbele care se termin n
y prcedat de vocal: play - plays etc.
27
MORE PRACTICE
2. Decide which of the following requests are formal (F) or informal (I).
1. I wonder if I could have a glass of water.
2. Can I have an apple juice? ...
3. A hot chocolate, please.
4. May I have a milk shake? ...
5. Give me a cola. .
6. Could I have an orange juice, please?
29
10. Can you say that more slowly / slow / not fast?
11. How are / does / do you spell that?
12. Could you to explain / explain / explaining this word?
13. Sorry, I m not / not / dont understand.
14. What is / does / do apologize mean?
15. Coffee, please. OK, there it / you / the coffee go.
16. Would you like still and / with / or sparkling water?
17. Can I have an orange / oranges juice?
18. Could you take / have / bring me a menu?
19. Are you now / finished / ready to order?
20. I / Im / Id wonder if I could see the menu, please?
10. Choose.
a. Its great see/ to see/ meet you again.
b. How are you do/ to do/ doing?
c. Shake hands strong/ firm/ firmly.
d. Id like you meet/ to meet/ meeting Ms Azegami from Japan.
e. Where you/ do you/ are you live?
f. May/ Would/ Am I introduce Laura Pausini?
g. I m not/ dont/ doesnt remember you name.
h. Laura dont/ doesnt/ isnt know Mr. Costello.
i. Does she like/ to like/ likes French food?
j. Where does/ do/ are you come from?
k. Im go/ going/ will to visit some customers.
l. Where are you stay/ to stay/ staying?
m. How age/ many years/ old are you?
n. How are/ were/ was your flight?
o. Good night. Nice to have met/ meeting/ meet you.
p. Where do she/ they/ I usually have lunch?
r. Doesnt/ Cant/ dont ask him. He doesnt know.
13. You have just had dinner with a business partner. Close the
conversation.
30
16. Introduce yourself informally.
18. You were at a Conference at Prague last year. You meet a man whom
you met there. Re-introduce yourself.
31
UNIT 4
NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION
Gesture
Practice:
32
Palm = palm
Thumb = degetul mare
Fist = pumn
2. Gestures
Sit down! (indicating with palms down)
Stay back I dont want trouble. (hands stretched aut, palms out)
You, yes you! (pointing or jabbing finger)
Do you want a punch in the nose? (shaking fists)
Sorry, I cant hear! (hand cupped to ear)
She cant stop talking! Talk, talk! (hand gesture of mouth opening and
shutting)
No! No way! Im not going to do it! (arms swept across each other at chest
level)
I really dont understand at all. (scratching top of head)
Who? Me? (Westerners point to their chests, Japanese to their noses)
Body language
n timp ce gesturile sunt sunt nvate i variaz de la o cultur la alta,
studii asupra persoanelor oarbe i surde au artat c limbajul trupului i
expresia feei involuntare sunt nnscute i universale. Studiile indic de
asemenea c 2/3 din mesajele dintr-o convorbire fa n fa sunt non-
verbale.
n 1969 Mehrabian a ajuns la concluzia c numai 7% este mesaj
verbal, iar 38% const n inflexiunea vocii, 55% reprezentnd comunicare
non-verbal. n 1971, Birdwhistell estima c 35% reprezint comunicare
verbal incluznd i intonaia, 65% comunicare non-verbal.
Persoanele care lucreaz n vnzri i oamenii de afaceri nva s
foloseasc i s interpreteze comunicarea non-verbal.
Limbajul trupului influeneaz strile sufleteti i ne putem schimba
atitudinea mental adoptnd anumite posturi. Se crede c nvatul poate fi
stimulat adoptnd posturi ce exprim maxim atenie. Studiile au artat c
profesorii dau note mai mari celor care adopt o atitudine pozitiv fa de
nvat n timpul leciilor. Poate fi din cauz c ei sunt interesai cu adevrat
sau c sunt buni actori.
Practice:
1.Parts of the body
Shoulders = umeri
Chest = piept
Body = trup
Hips = olduri
33
Legs = picioare
Feet = labele picioarelor
- Lean forward in your chair. Put both feet on the ground about 30 cm apart.
Put your hands loosely together. Look straight ahead. Smile.
Do you feel in a good mood?
This is a positive body language.
- Stand up. Put your legs apart. Put your hand on your hips. Look straight
ahead. Dont smile.
Do you want a fight?
This is an aggressive body language.
Facial expression
S-au fcut studii asupra expresiilor faciale ale animalelor. Zmbetul
uman este interesant pentru c micrile sunt asemntoare cu ale
maimuelor cnd le este foame sau sunt agresive. De fapt oamenii adesea
zmbesc cnd sunt agresivi verbal poate pentru a respinge un rspuns
mnios. Dac expresia facial este o parte important a comunicrii este
foarte important s zmbim i la fel de important s nu ne ncruntm.
Practice:
34
Chin = brbie
Neck = gt
2. Analyze the words and see what parts of the face moves when:
He looks happy.
Smile mouth, cheeks, nose
He looks surprised.
Frown
Think
Wise
Serious - forehead, eyes
He looks sad.
Cry
Worried
Scared
Depressed eyes, forehead, nostrils
He looks tired, bored. mouth, eyes
Yawn
Practice:
1. Misunderstanding
Client: My company needs forty million dollars for the new projects.
Bank Director: OK.
Client: Were going to build a new office in Singapore.
Bank Director: Right.
Client: We can pay back the money theres no problem with that.
Bank director: OK.
Client: I can have my accountants call you next week.
Bank Director: Yep.
Client: So, we have a deal!
Bank Director: Yes! I mean I need some time. Ill get back to you.
2. Non-committal sounds
Client: My company needs forty million dollars for the new project.
35
Bank Director: Uh-huh.
Client: Were going to build a new office in Singapore
Bank Director: Uh-huh.
Client: We can pay back the money theres no problem with that.
Bank director: Uh-huh.
Client: I can have my accountants call you next week.
Bank Director: Uh-huh.
Client: So, we have a deal?
Bank Director: I need some time. Ill get back to you.
2. Describing clothes
- sweater, tie, scarf, earrings, bracelet, neccklace, blouse, jeans, jewllery, wig
36
Formal clothes give you authority.
A casual appearance is more relaxed and friendly.
Somebody may feel more comfortable wearing similar clothes to people
around him/ her.
Somebody may like to be different.
5. At work
Apple Computers and Microsoft started free dress at work. Other
companies in the US started casual on Fridays rules. In Britain, forty years
ago, bank staff was expected to wear blue or grey in the week, but brown
tweed jackets on Saturdays.
In Japan there is a specific day when men can wear short sleeved shirts
to work. Rules vary, e.g. Spanish bank staff may look very casual against
British equivalents. Some companies dislike certain shirt colour or patterns.
The sales of suits have been falling very rapidly in the USA/ UK. In
Europe a smart jacket and tie often replaces a suit this is spreading to the
UK/ USA.
Women used to be discouraged from wearing trousers at work quite
recently in the USA/ UK. Some companies still frown on them.
Practice:
Let us try to describe some people. Can you guess who they are?
2. She is very attractive. Her lips are her trademark. Her hair is black and
long. She is slim. She is of average height. She is in her thirties. On the red
carpet, she is wearing smart dresses and matched jewellery. Who is she?
37
UNIT 5
NON-VERBAL-COMMUNICATION; ADJECTIVES; ADVERBS OF
MANNER, MOVEMENT, FREQUENCY; PREPOSITIONS OF
PLACE; SEEING VERBS
Proximity
Practice:
Read the text and then let us answer the questions:
Personal space
Police officers in all societies always stand very close to people when
they are interrogating them, and managers often stand close when they are
trying to get information from their staff. Teachers sometimes do this with
students, too! We feel uncomfortable when someone stands or sits too close
38
to us. We think of the space near our bodies as our territory. But what is too
close?
All over the world, people in big cities stand closer to one another than
people in small towns, and people in small towns stand closer to one another
than people from the country. The idea of personal space changes in different
countries. In some parts of India people stay 60 cm apart. In Britain,
Australia and North America personal space for most people is about 45 cm
from the body. Researchers say it is 25 cm in Japan but only 20 cm in both
Denmark and Brazil.
This difference can cause communication problems. Latin American
and Asians often say that the British and American are cold and unfriendly.
On the other hand, the British and Americans often see other cultures as too
assertive and aggressive. In both examples, the problems are different ideas
of personal space.
1. Who are the persons and in what social and professional categories that
uses to stand closer to people having all kinds of reasons?
- Police officers, managers and teachers.
2. Who stands closer to one another?
- People in big cities.
3. Speaking of nations, what nations stand closer to one another?
- Denmark and Brazil.
4. What is the point in the last paragraph?
- The idea of personal space.
Adjectives
Comparison of adjectives
- short adjectives
Adjective Comparative Superlative
Practice:
40
2. When there are two adjectives opinions (lovely, nice, boring) come before
facts (old, plastic, square)
a. a beautiful Italian car
b. an exciting action movie
c. an untidy brown beard
d. smart leather shoes
e. aggressive young people
f. nice cotton trousers
41
Never 0% of the time
Practice
1.
I speak English slowly.
English people speak quickly.
I often stop when I make a mistake.
You move hands frequently when you are talking.
He sits still when he is listening.
She looks at people carefully when she is listening to them.
2.
Go away!
Come towards me.
She has a walk through the park everyday.
Move round the place and you will find her.
Walk up and down the street and you will feel better.
3.
I always watch TV in the evenings.
I never kiss friends when we meet.
Im rarely tired in the morning.
She generally goes to work by train.
In London, temperatures are hardly ever below 0 C in March.
The flight normally arrives at eleven.
Prepositions of place
42
Under - sub
Practice
Under the chair there is a mouse.
The striker hits the football and in the next minute it is outside the field.
There is a cat on the sofa.
May I sit next to you?
Wait for me in front of the building.
Inside the arena, the gladiators try hard to win.
Beside the lake there are many daffodils.
Below the building we can see the cars as small as if they were toys.
Along Oxford Street there are a lot of fashionable shops.
Across the wide boulevard the beautiful park turns yellow and red. It is
autumn already.
Margaret Thatchers family used to live above a Bakery shop.
Seeing verbs
Students often confuse the verbs: see, watch and look at.
See tells us about ability either you can see or you cant see. It is almost
never used with a continuous tense (except when it means to meet).
We watch something that is moving: a TV programme, a game, children
playing.
We look at something that is still: a painting, a beautiful view, a magazine.
Practice
Yesterday I had a walk through the park but I didnt see you.
I usually watch TV in the evenings, especially if there is an interesting
film.
May I have a look at this book? It seems interesting.
43
UNIT 6
PERSONAL INFORMATION; CURRICULUM VITAE;
QUESTIONS TYPES
Practice
Here are some questions to help you find out personal information on
Rosalita and Hamish.
Rosalita
a. Where are her parents from?
b. Where did they get married?
c. When did they move in Texas?
d. Where was she born?
e. Why did they move to Los Angeles?
f. How old was she then?
g. Where did she grow up?
Hamish
a. Where is his father from?
44
b. Where is his mother from?
c. Where did they meet?
d. Where was he born?
e. Where did he go to school?
f. Where did he go to university?
CURRICULUM VITAE
Name: Anthony David Crawford
Date of Birth: 19 February 1971
Present address: Flat 4, Bleak House. 61 Corporation Street. Poole,
Dorset BH 13 3NG
Telephone: 01 202- 176334
Education: 1991-1994
University of Blandford
B.Sc. in Biochemistry
1987-1989
St. Basils School, Swanage
Work experience 1996-present
Fastgro Fertilizers plc. Poole. Research assistant
1994-1996
Sunshine Detergents plc. Swindon. Trainee manager
1993 (summer vacation) Teaching Volleyball at Camp
Granada
New Jersey, USA (childrens summer camp)
Languages: B2 level: French , Latin
(in conformity with EFL there are six levels, from A1 to
C2
A1 elementary, C2 proficient user)
Other skills: Voluntary work:
Save the whales campaign,
1992-present
(area secretary)
Sports: Captain of volleyball team at university
References available on request.
Practice
45
Now these questions will help you to write your CV.
Personal details
name
address
telephone number
(in some countries date of birth, sex and marital status)
Work experience
What is/was your job/ job title?
Where do/ did you work?
When did you work there? (... from to)
What do/ did you do in your job?
(begin the list with recent job)
Personal qualities
Which of these things are you good at doing?
- communicating with people
- using machines
- working with hands
- selling things
- thinking of new ideas
- organizing yourself/ other people/ information
- working by yourself/ in a team
- learning languages
Special skills/ interests
Do you have any special skills or training?
(e.g. word processing/ first aid/ sports)
Do you do any voluntary work or community service?
Do you have any certificates?
Where did you get them?
(e.g. during military service, at an evening class)
Can you drive?
Can you play a musical instrument?
Do you have any hobbies?
What do you like doing in your free time?
Education
What qualifications do you have?
What subjects are you studying? Which schools/ colleges did you attend/ are
you attending?
When were you there?
(begin with recent qualifications)
Languages
Which languages can you speak?
What level are you (EFL)?
46
Questions types
Question formation
47
Type of response: Yes/ No response: limited response
Short closed questions:
Did you work in France?
Long closed question:
Did you work in France or (did you work) in Germany?
Wh question:
Where did you work last year?
Indirect questions:
Can you tell me where you worked last year?
Open questions
Purpose of question: communication
Type of response: open response/ free response
Open Wh- question:
How did you feel about working in France?
What did you think of France?
What things did you like about working in France?
Totally open questions:
Can you tell me about yourself?
What is the meaning of life?
Practice
The following questions may be used to ask anything about any object.
External appearance
What is it?
What does it look like?
What colour is it?
What does it feel/ smell/ sound like?
Size/ weight
How long is it?
How wide is it?
How big is it?
How much does it weigh?
Construction
Whats it made of?
Is it made of natural or synthetic materials?
Who made it?
Was it made by hand?
Was it made by machine?
Function
Whats it for?
48
What do we do with it?
Age
Is it new/ modern/ old?
How old is it?
When was it made?
Origin
Where does it come from?
Wheres it from?
Who does it belong to?
Whose is it?
Where was it made?
Where did the materials come from?
Value
Is it valuable?
How much does /did it cost?
What is it worth?
Design
Is it well designed?
Is it decorated or plain?
How can you make it better?
Opinion
Do you like it?
Would you like one of these?
Is this example a good (one) or a bad one)
UNIT 7
49
INTERVIEW FOR A JOB
PAST SIMPLE AND
PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE
An interview
Saying the wrong thing
1.
Ms Driscoll Lets get straight to the point. Why do you want this job?
Interviewee 1 Well, I read the advertisement and the salary is much better
than Im earning now.
Ms. Driscoll Is the money important to you?
Interviewee 1 Oh, yeah! Its important to everyone, isnt it? But its not just
that. I believe you have a lot of hotels in the Caribbean and the far East, and
that employees can get cheap holidays there
2.
Ms. Driscoll Ah, I see from your resume that youve won several gold
medals for ballroom dancing.
Interviewee 2 Yes, thats right.
Ms Driscoll And youve been to several countries for competitions,
including Japan.
Interviewee 2 Yes I have.
Ms Driscoll Mm. What did you think of Japan?
Interviewee 2 It was very nice.
Ms Driscoll Would you like to work abroad?
Interviewee2 Uh... I dont know.
3.
Ms Driscoll Are you still working at the Whitbury Hotel?
Interviewee 3 Yes, I am. But I want to leave.
Ms Driscoll Why is that?
Interviewee 3 The hotel isnt doing very well, and there are a lot of
problems. Business is down.
Ms Driscoll What are the problems?
50
Interviewee 3 The restaurant manger is absolutely useless. There have been
so many complaints from guests! Last Saturday, this woman came into
reception and she told me
4.
Ms Driscoll Do you enjoy meeting people?
Interviewee 4 Mm. Yeah, its very interesting to umyou knowI enjoy
meeting, um, different peopleyou know what I mean. They are all kind of,
uh, solikeumwell, uminteresting
5.
Ms Driscoll Youve worked in a bank for two years. Why are you interested
in hotel reception work?
Interviewee 5 Well, I like meeting people and I have a lot of friends who
work in the tourist industry. In fact, my friend Michael has just come back
from Spain. He has a tour guide in Granada. Hes told me so much about the
tourist industry. Granada is getting very popular now. You can fly there from
Barcelona and Madrid
Ms Driscoll Do you speak any foreign languages?
Interviewee 5 No, but Michael speaks brilliant Spanish and hes going to
teach me.
Practice
6.
Ms Driscoll Why have you had five different jobs during the last year?
Interviewee 6 Ive had a lot of bad luck recently. Stupid things, really. One
of the jobs was a long way from home, and my car broke down. Things like
that you know.
Ms Driscoll Oh I see
Interviewee 6 Yeah, and then I was training to be a flight attendant, but I had
motion sickness
7.
Ms Driscoll and there are any questions youd like to ask me?
Interviewee 7 Uh, no. I cant think of anything.
Ms Driscoll Would you enjoy working in reception?
Interviewee 7 I dont know. I think so. I dont know much about it.
51
PAST SIMPLE
- Timpul trecut simplu (Past simple) exprim o actiune trecut i terminat
ntr-un anumit moment din trecut, bine definit.
e.g. When I was sixteen, I married Hubert.
Yesterday I was at home.
- Momentul trecut, bine definit poate fi exprimat fie printr-un adverb de
timp, fie printr-o propozitie ce face referire la trecut.
e.g. I worked from 6.00 a.m. until 10.00 p.m.
-yesterday
-last year
-when I was young
-in 1940
Alte expresii:
-last night
-last Saturday
-last week
-last month
-last year
-yesterday morning
-yesterday afternoon
-yesterday evening
- Timpul Trecut simplu se folosete pentru a povesti ceva:
e.g. Once upon a time there lived a king who had eleven sons and one
daughter.
- Din punctul de vedere al formelor lor de baz, verbele se impart in dou
categorii: verbe regulate (a) si verbe neregulate (b) regular, irregular verbs.
a. Verbele regulate formeaza Trecutul simplu prin adaugarea
terminaiei ed:
e.g. work + ed; want + ed; help + ed; wash + ed.
bake + d ; like + d ; use + d.
- Verbele alctuite dintr-o singur silab, si care au ca terminaie o consoan,
dubleaz consoana :
e.g. stop + ped ; plan + ned ; grab + bed.
-Verbele bisilabice, dubleaz consoana dac accentul cade pe a doua silab:
e.g. pre `fer +red; ad` mit + ted.
- Dar nu se dubleaz dac accentul cade pe prima silab:
e.g. enter +ed ; visit +ed
- Verbele care au terminaia -y, precedat de o consoana, -y -i+ed
e.g. carri + ed ; cri + ed ; tri + ed ; studi + ed
- dar y nu se schimb dac este precedat de vocal:
e.g. play + ed
52
b.Forma de Trecut simplu ale verbelor neregulate o gsim intr-un tabel:
IRREGULAR VERBS
PAST PARTICIPLE
BASE PAST TRANSLATI
FORM SIMPLE ON
be was/were Been a fi
become became Become a deveni
begin began Begun a ncepe
break broke Broken a sparge
bring brought brought a aduce
build built Built a construi
buy bought Bought a cumpra
can could been able a fi capabil
catch caught Caught a prinde
choose chose Chosen a alege
come came Come a veni
cost cost Cost a costa
cut cut Cut a taia
do did Done a face
drink drank Drunk a bea
drive drove Driven a conduce
eat ate Eaten a mnca
fall fell Fallen a cdea
feel felt Felt a simi
fight fought Fought a lupta
find found Found a gsi
fly flew Flown a zbura
forget forget forgotten, forgot a uita
get got Got a ajunge
give gave Given a obine,
go went Gone a pleca
grow grew Grown a crete
have had Had a avea
hear heard Heard a auzi
hit hit Hit a lovi
keep kept Kept a pstra
know knew Known a ti,
learn learnt/learne learnt/learned a nvaa
d
leave left Left a pleca,
lose lost Lost a pierde
make made Made a face
53
pay paid Paid a plti
put put Put a pune
read[ri : d] read [red] read [red] a citi
ride rode ridden a clri
run ran Run a alerga
say said Said a spune
see saw Seen a vedea
sell sold Sold a vinde
send sent Sent a trimite
shut shut Shut a nchide
sing sang sung a cnta
sit sat Sat a se aeza
sleep slept slept a dormi
speak spoke spoken a vorbi
spend spent spent a cheltui, a
petrece
stand stood stood a sta n picioare
steal stole stolen a fura
swim swam swum a innota
take took taken a lua
tell told Told a spune, a
povesti
think thought thought a gndi, a crede
understand understood understood a nelege
wake woke woken a se trezi
wear wore worn a purta
win won Won a ctiga
write wrote written a scrie
- La timpul trecut verbele au aceeai form pentru toate persoanele, general
vorbind :
Negative (Negativ)
I did not work.
You did not work.
He / she /it did not work.
54
We / you / they did not work.
Affirmative Question
I was Was I ?
You were Were you ?
He / she / it was Was he/she/it ?
We / you / they were Were we/you/they ?
Negative
I was not
You were not
He / she / it was not
We / you / they were not
55
momentul cnd s-a petrecut aciunea nu este important. Present Perfect leag
trecutul de prezent. In cea de-a doua propoziie, ne ateptm ca o expresie de
timp s ne precizeze cnd exact se petrece aciunea.
e.g. I worked as a barman when I was in France.
1. Care este forma?
- subiect + have + participiu trecut (past participle)
56
e.g. I have been a teacher for ten years.
He has had a car since he was 18.
Expresii de timp: - for (ten years, two weeks, half an hour, ages) +
perioada;
- since (August, last year, Christmas, 8.00) + momentul.
B. Experience (experiena): Present Perfect Simple se folosete pentru o
aciune care s-a petrecut n trecut i este ncheiat, dar pe noi nu ne
intereseaz cnd, ci ne intereseaz experiena de via a cuiva. De notat este
faptul c dac sunt date mai multe detalii, atunci timpul se schimb n Past
Tense.
e.g. The taxi has arrived. (It is outside the house now.)
She has broken her leg. (That is why she cannot walk.)
57
When we say that something has happened, we are thinking about the
present and the past at the same time. The action started in the past, but there
is a result or consequence in the present:
Ive lost my purse. (Present perfect)
We know that the action losing the purse was in the past, but there is a
consequence in the present (you dont have the purse now).
If you say I lost my purse (past simple) we dont know that the consequence
is now. Maybe you dont have the purse, maybe you found it later and you
have it now; the sentence gives us no information about now.
Practice
58
How was the applicant sitting during the interview?
Still
Moving a lot
Leaning forward
Leaning back
Did the applicant do any of these things?
Touching hair or clothes
Folding arms
Crossing legs
Waving hands
Showing the palms of the hands
Avoiding eye contact
Mirroring the interviewers body language
How did the applicant speak? You can tick more than one box.
Spoke clearly
Didnt speak too loudly or too quietly
Didnt speak too quickly or too slowly
Answered questions well
Used good vocabulary
Sounded interested and enthusiastic
How often did the applicant say err or uh or um (or similar things)?
Frequently
Quite often
Occasionally
Hardly ever
MORE PRACTICE
59
1. Complete the text with the verbs: look, feel, taste, smell.
a. Her perfumelike summer flowers.
b. Put a shell to your ear. It..like the sea.
c. Ergh! The water from the kitchen tap.like water from a swimming
pool!
d. That woman is very good-looking. She..like Princess Diana.
e. The cardigans very soft. It..like 100% wool, but it isnt. its
acrylic.
5. Write a list of five things that you and your partner have. Compare
them.
E.g. My pen is less expensive than her pen, but its newer.
60
c. It rains in England.
d. It rains in the Sahara Desert.
e. TV programmes are violent.
f. I am late for work.
g. I drink tea.
8. Object pronouns are: me/ you/ her/ him/ it/ us/ them.
Put object pronouns into the spaces.
a. Thats my pen! Give it to ..
b. Mr. and Mrs Gray? I dont know
c. Shes very nice. I like
d. Jenny and I will be in the coffee shop at 11 oclock. Can you
meet there?
e. I cant find my book. I put over there somewhere.
f. Id like to phone later. Are you going to be at home?
10. Answer the following questions about the text Keep your distance.
1. Who stand close when theyre asking question?
2. How do we feel when somebody stands or sits too close?
3. Who stands closer people in big cities or people in small towns?
4. Who stands the closest?
5. How far do people in India stand or sit?
6. What about Britain, Australia and North America?
7. And Japan, Denmark and Brazil?
8. Can you explain why some cultures say about others that they are cold and
unfriendly, while other cultures say there are assertive and aggressive
cultures?
61
11. Use the suitable gesture.
Sit down!
Stay back I dont want trouble.
You, yes you!
Do you want a punch in the nose?
Sorry, I cant hear!
She cant stop talking! Talk, talk!
No! No way! Im not going to do it!
I really dont understand at all.
Who? Me?
62
d. operate/ you/ computer?/ Can/ a Macintosh
e. processing?/ word/ Have/ studied/ you
f. college?/ you did/ When/ leave
g. us/ you/ Would/ to/ any/ like/ questions?/ ask
UNIT 8
LONDON AND NEW YORK
63
Read the following text:
London
The capital city of England and the United Kingdom lies on the River
Thames, which winds through the city. Its many bridges are a famous sight.
The oldest is London Bridge, originally made of wood but rebuilt in stone
in 1217. The most distincitve is Tower Bridge, which was designed to
blend in with the nearby Tower of London. The Tower which is guarded by
the Yeoman Warders, was built in the 11th century. In the medieval period
London grew rapidly in size and importance. Westminster Abbey and the
Guildhall date from this time, and the Palace of Westminster became the
meeting place of Parliament. In 1666 many buildings were destroyed in the
Fire of London. This provided an oportunity for architects like Cristopher
Wren to redesign much of the city. As Londons population increased, new
streets, squares and parks were added, and many public buildings. London
was heavily bombed in World War II, after which a new cycle of rebuiding
began.
London is a busy commercial and cultural centre. Many important financial
organizations, including the Bank of England and the Stock Exchange, are
located in the area called the City. Part of the old port in east London has
been redeveloped as a business centre, called Docklands. In the West End
there are theatres, cinemas, museums and shops. Many people who work in
London commute by train or bus from the suburbs because buying a house
or flat near the centre is very expensive. Differents parts of the city are
linked by the famous red London buses, black taxi cabs and the London
Underground, often called the Tube.
People from all over the world have been attracted to London and it is now a
cosmopolitan, multicultural city. People from other parts of Britain
sometimes think that it is very noisy and dirty. Many go there only for the
bright lights the theatres round Shaftesbury Avenue or the shops of
Oxford Street. Others take their children to see the sights, such as
Buckingham Palace, where the Queen lives, and the clock tower from
which Big Ben sounds the hours. Young people are attracted to the bars and
comedy clubs of Covent Garden, to live music concerts, and to live music
concerts, and to the stalls of Camden market. Ever since 2000 many people
have been visiting the Millennium Dome, a very large structure with a
round roof designed for exibitions, built on the occasion of the 21st century,
opened to the public on 1st January 2000 until 31st December 2000. It is
now the O2, a large entertainment district including an indoor arena, a music
club, a cinema, an exhibition space, pizzas and bars and restaurants.
Practice:
64
1. Find the answers for these questions.
1. Where does London lie?
.
2. Name two of its most famous bridges.
.
3. When was the Tower of London built?
.
4. What other old buildings can you name?
2. In no more than 100 words (10 minutes) speak about our capital
city including information like facts about its important sights, its
history, something which in your opinion is worth visiting.
3. Summarize the text about London in no more than 150 words.
65
late into the night. The city offers enormous contrasts. Some of the most
expensive homes in the world are in New York City, but on the pavements
outside are poor people without a home. It is possible to pay hundreds of
dollars for a meal in a restaurant or eat good filling food for a couple of
dollars from a street vendor.
Many Americans have never been to New York, but everyone knows
something about the city. They are familiar with the tall Manhattan skyline,
Times Square with its brightly lit advertisements, Madison Square
Garden, where many sports events take place, Wall Street, its financial
heart, the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
where many of their ancestors first arrived in the US.
New York was founded in 1624 by the Dutch who called it New
Amsterdam. Its Dutch origins can be seen in the names of old New York
families like Stuyvesant and Vanderbilt, and in the place names such as
Brooklyn (originally Breukelen) and Harlem. In 1664 the English gained
control and changed the name to New York. In 1898 several towns were
combined to make Greater New York City, which became the second largest
city in the world after London, though at the time part of it consisted of
farms. Soon after, many buildings were constructed, and in 1904 the New
York subway was opened.
Many immigrants to the US stayed in New York, giving the city the variety
of cultures it has today. During the 1920s New York had many speakeasies
(= bars serving alcohol), which were illegal but very popular. This was also
the time of the Harlem Renaissance, when Harlem became a centre for
African American arts and culture. In the latter half of the century wealthier
people began moving out to the suburbs. Today there are about 7 million
people in the city and 18 million in the area around it.
New Yorkers speak in a very direct way which can seem rude to people from
other parts of the US. Some have little patience with visitors who are not
used to the fast pace of the city. But for many visitors, meeting real, rude
New Yorkers is part of the attraction of going to the city.
Practice (1):
1. Make questions for the following answers.
1..?
Other names used to call New York are the city that never sleeps and Big
Apple.
2. ?
66
It is called like this because it feels alive, fast and it is the centre of
everything.
3...?
It is the city of contrasts because here you can find the most expensive
homes in the world and poor people on the pavements, you can pay hundreds
of dollars for a meal in a restaurant or eat good, filling food for a couple of
dollars from a street vendor.
4.?
Some of the well-known places in New York are: Manhattan skyline, Times
Square, Madison Square Gardens, Wall Street, Empire State Building, the
Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island.
5?
The city was founded by the Dutch in 1624 who called it New Amsterdam.
6. ..?
We can see the Dutch origins of the city in the names of old families in New
York, Stuyvesant and Vanderbilt and also in place names, Brooklyn and
Harlem.
7?
The English called it New York in 1664.
8.?
In 1898 it became Greater New York City, the second largest city in the
world after London and the New York subway was opened in1904.
9. ..?
New York has 7 million inhabitants in the city and 18 million in the suburbs.
10...?
New Yorkers are direct, even rude but for the visitors they are part of the
attraction of going to the city.
67
moving quickly and changing
direction often, especially to
avoid things
3. pavement road for people to walk on
4. street vendor the fast rate or speed of
something
5. ancestor (of people or their behaviour)
showing no respect or
consideration
6. subway to sound the horn of a vehicle
7. suburb a person who sells food or
small items from a stall in the
open air
8. rude (US) an underground railway in
a city
9. pace any of the people from whom
somebody is descended
10. filling food a district away from the centre
of a town or city
68
UNIT 9
THE BRITISH AND THE AMERICAN PEOPLES
69
and Scottish people feel their national identity very strongly, and value their
cultural heritage. In Wales the Welsh language is used alongside English, and
in Scotland over 75 000 people speak Gaelic. There are also many people of
Asian, West Indian and African origin living in Britain, who retain some of
their formal loyalties and cultural traditions.
Until recently, British politics tended to be dominated by England, but
both Wales and Scotland now have their own political assemblies, as well as
continued representation in the British parliament. In Ireland nationalism has
been complicated by religious and political loyalties. Pressure for Irish
independence grew during the 19th century and finally led to independence
for the south of Ireland in 1921. Northern Ireland remained part of the
United Kingdom, a cause of the recent Troubles. After many years of
violence a Northern Ireland Assembly was set up in 1998.
Although people move around the country to study or find work,
national and regional rivalries based on traditional stereotypes can still be
found. The most significant division in England is the North-South Divide. It
is primarily an economic division between the richer south, particularly the
area around London, and the poorer north. Some Londoners dismiss the
whole of England north of London as the provinces where, they believe,
there is little culture. The south likes to think that it is more sophisticated and
more outward-looking. But the north can claim many positive things such as
beautiful countryside, a less pressured lifestyle and often cheaper housing.
Northerners are also said to be more cheerful and friendly than the
southerners. Rural north Wales tends to be more traditional than the
industrial south, where English influence is stronger. In Scotland, Highland
people traditionally regarded form Lowlands as untrustworthy and weak.
Lowlanders believed Highlanders were more aggressive and less civilized.
Perhaps the greatest unifying factor between the two has been a dislike of
Sassenachs (= English people).
For many British people the ideal place to live is a village set in
attractive countryside. To those living in towns, villages conjure up images
of peace, a slow pace of life, pretty cottages and a country pub. But living in
a village may be inconvenient, especially for people without a car, as many
village shops have been forced to close and public transport services are
limited. Most people now live in towns, in city suburbs or in larger villages
which have become dormitory communities for nearby towns.
Some cities, such as Bath, Chester, York and London, are very old.
New Castle, Manchester and Birmingham are industrial towns which have
good and bad times according to the changing patterns of industry. New
towns like Milton Keynes were built to relieve overcrowding in older cities.
Aberdeen, Glasgow, Swansea, Bristol and Liverpool all developed as ports.
70
Important industries in Britain today include gas and oil production
from the North Sea, engineering, pharmaceuticals, textile manufacture, food
processing, electronics, tourism and insurance. Along the coasts fishing is an
important source of income. Coal mining is now much less widespread than
before. Much of the coal produced is used in power stations to generate
electricity. The main centres of the steel industry are in south Wales, northern
England and the Midlands. Factories are often located together on an
industrial estate on the edge of a town. Many service industries are still
based in or near London, but modern telecommunications have allowed
companies to move to places where rents are cheaper and there are people
needing jobs.
Practice
1. Find the questions for these answers.
1.?
The United Kingdom consists of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern
Ireland.
2. ?
The Welsh people speak Welsh alongside with English whereas the Scots
speak Gaelic alongside English.
3?
Politically speaking, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own
assemblies and the south of Ireland gained its freedom in 1921.
4..?
Nowadays there are still rivalries between north and south, principally based
on economic reasons.
5. ..?
The southerners think they are more sophisticated and more outward-looking
whereas the northerners are said to be more cheerful and friendly.
6. ?
The southerners are more industrial and the northerners are more traditional.
7?
The greatest unifying factor between Lowlanders and Highlanders is that
they dislike English people.
8. .?
Most of the British people prefer living in a village, but living in a country
may sometimes be inconvenient especially for people without a car.
9?
Some important industries in Britain are gas and oil production, from the
North Sea, engineering, pharmaceuticals, textile manufacture, food
processing, electronics, tourism and insurance or fishing along the coasts.
10.?
71
Many service industries are based in or near London, but the
telecommunications allowed companies to move to places where the rent is
cheaper.
2. Speak about the Romanian people in about 100 words (10 minutes).
3. Now write about the Romanian people under the same coordinates
100 words.
72
their own bedrooms. Extra rooms are used as a study or playroom or as guest
bedrooms. Downstairs there is a kitchen, a living room and a dining room.
There is usually also a bathroom or a half bath, which has only a toilet and
sink (BrE washbasin). Many houses have a porch (= covered area outside
the house) where people sit when the weather is hot. Americans take pride in
their homes and like to show visitors round.
Bedrooms are usually considered the private space of the people who
sleep in them, and children are allowed a great deal of freedom in their
bedrooms. Parents usually knock before entering. Children are given the
responsibility of cleaning their rooms, and the right to decide when that is
necessary. This often leads to disagreement between parents and children.
In summer screens are put in doorways and windows, which allow
fresh air to come in but keep insects out. Most houses have air-conditioning.
In winter screens are replaced with glass storm doors and storm windows to
keep the cold out. Central heating is standard, but many houses have also
fireplaces where wood can be burned.
Americans often move home from one city to another. Finding a new
place to live is not difficult, except when moving to a very large city. It is
usually possible to find an apartment to rent one day and to move into it the
next.
About 65% of US homes are owned by the people who live in them.
The costs of buying and selling are relatively low. People thinking of buying
a house ask a real estate agent or realtor, to show them several houses. When
they decide on one, they discuss the price with the people who are selling it,
and then arrange a mortgage (= loan) with a bank.
People look different kinds of homes at different points in their lives.
Students and young professional people tend to live in apartments near city
centres. When people get married and have children they often move out of
the city and buy a house in a suburb. In most suburbs it is possible to tell
how much money people have by the size of their houses and yards. In some
parts of the US it is also possible to guess the racial background of the
person living in a house. Although it is illegal to practise racial
discrimination, there is still segregation in many cities since white people
tend to live in some areas and black people in others.
Practice:
73
2. There are types of houses associated with certain parts of the country.
Enumerate some of them.
3. Why do some Americans prefer living in the suburbs?
7. What is a porch?
75
UNIT 10
SHOPS AND SHOPPING
76
and try clothes on. Book stores have comfortable chairs where people can sit
and read, and often also have a caf. People expect to have a wide choice of
goods, and most stores have several different makes and brands of each item.
Price is also important. People look for special offers or wait to buy
something is a sale, when the prices of most goods are reduced. Some people
cut coupons out of newspapers and magazines to get money off products.
Most stores give a high priority to customers comfort and convenience,
because they want to make it easy and fun for them to spend their time and
money in the store.
Years ago, every British town had a range of small shops, including a
grocer, a butcher, a greengrocer and a newsagent. Many of these specialist
shops have gone out of business because large supermarkets or superstores,
such as Sainsburys and Tesco, can change lower prices. Many supermarkets
are on the edge of town and people need a car to get them. People who do
not own a car may find shopping difficult. Some villages still have a post
office and general store, and in towns there are usually several corner shops
and mini-markets selling food and other items. Petrol stations often have a
small shop selling food.
In the US people may drive half an hour or more to a supermarket, and
so buy food to last them a long time. Between trips, they buy food at small
grocery stores or convenience stores close to where they live. Some are a
part of big chains, some are mom-and-pop stores, run by a family, and others
sell oriental or other foreign foods. Convenience stores are more expensive
than supermarkets.
In the US many food stores are open 24 hours, every day of the week.
Others are open until at least 11 p.m. in Britain supermarkets may stay open
for 24 hours on some days, but most food shops close at 9 p.m. or earlier.
Many British people buy fruit and vegetables at a market because they
are cheaper than in the supermarket. By contrast, food sold in markets in the
US is usually more expensive. Many markets also sell clothes and household
goods.
In Britain, town centre shops are busiest at weekday lunchtimes and
on Saturdays. Most of the shops are chain stores or department stores which
sell clothes, shoes and things for the home. Prices are fixed, and most items
have a price tag attached. Many towns have a covered shopping arcade or
precinct, or an out-of-town shopping centre with branches of all the major
stores.
Americans used formerly to shop in the downtown areas of cities. In
places like New York and Philadelphia there is still plenty of choice in
downtown shopping, but elsewhere downtown shops have lost business to
shopping malls, which people go to by car. A typical mall has one or more
anchor stores, well-known stores which attract people in. The Mall of
America in Minnesota is one of the largest, with 400 stores on four levels.
77
Outlet malls have stores selling products at lower prices than in
ordinary stores. The goods may be seconds (items with a slight fault), or
have failed to sell during the previous season. In Britain outlet stores can
usually be found in out-of-town shopping villages.
Many people buy second-hand books, clothes, toys and households
goods. Most towns have at lest one second-hand shop run by a charity, to
which people give things they no longer want so that they can be sold to
raise money for the charity. Other second-hand shops sell things on behalf of
people and give them part of the sale price. People also buy and sell things
through the classified advertisements columns in newspapers.
In the US garage sales and yard sales also enable people to sell things
they no longer want. Many people make a hobby out of going to garage sales
to look for bargains. In Britain car boot sales are equally popular. Sometimes
people organize a jumble sale (Am E rummage sale) to raise money for a
school or charity.
Mail-order shopping has a long tradition in the US. In the days when
people were moving west many people lived a long way from any shops.
The solution was the Sears and Roebuck catalogue, a thick book giving
descriptions of every kind of product. People sent in their order by mail and
the goods arrived the same way. Although Sears stopped producing its
catalogue in the 1990s, mail-order shopping is still popular. People can now
also browse the products of many companies on the Internet, place an order
and pay by credit card. There are several mail-order services in Britain, and
shopping on-line, especially for books, is becoming increasingly popular.
Practice:
1. Provide suitable answers for these questions.
1. What does shopping represent for the Americans and British?
.
2. What are different opinions about shopping?
.
3. Which are the two opinions that show how the Americans want to be
treated when they shop?
5. Name a few shops where the British used to do shopping some time ago?
78
8. What is a shopping mall?
9. What is a second hand shop? What can you buy at a second hand shop?
10. How can you buy things when you live in a far away place?
79
UNIT 11
INTERVIEW FOR A JOB
80
you want. It isnt a bad idea to go to your prospective place of work some
time before the day of your interview to see how people are dressed. To
project a professional image, it is important to try to match the best of what
you see and make sure you look clean and tidy. Most employers think that
the more people care about themselves, the more they will care about their
work.
WHAT TO CARRY
Dont go to an interview carrying a bulging briefcase, heavy overcoat
or any other unprofessional paraphernalia. If you must bring these things to
the interview, ask the secretary to keep them in her office or find another safe
place to store them for the duration of your interview. You should bring a
slim briefcase with a hair brush, some mints or breath freshners (pop one
into your mouth a few minutes before going in), a handkerchief (to wipe
your hands with if you find that youre sweating before that crucial first
handshake which should be firm, but not a real finger crusher!) and some
shoe polish and clothes brush if youve travelled a long distance. None of
these items should be seen by your interviewer, of course.
WHERE TO SIT
The most common layout for interviews is across the table the classic
negotiation style, eyeball to eyeball. When invited to take a sit, it is
advisable to turn the chair 45 degrees. This displays considerable self-
confidence because you have moved the interviewers chair. (Practice doing
it first, though, in the privacy of your own home!) Now you can turn your
trunk, head and shoulders towards the interviewer as a sign of friendliness
and interest. Whatever you do, dont sit on the edge of your chair, and dont
make yourself too comfortable by stretching and leaning back, giving the
impression that you own the chair and the office.
WHERE TO LOOK
Eye to eye contact is essential for this all-important moment. It makes
the other person feel you are self-confident and interested in the conversation
taking place. If you find it difficult to look people in the eye, practice
beforehand, or if you find yourself more than one metre away, just look at
your interviewers ear. Whatever you do, dont study the photographs on the
desk, or look at the ceiling, your fingernails or your shoes.
81
otherwise you create the impression that you only want to please. Again,
practice makes perfect.
HANDS AND LEGS
What you do with your hands and legs is particularly important if you
are interviewed across open space. Cross your legs at the foot or lower leg,
not at the knee avoid the defensive high cross. Or place one foot firmly
on the floor in front of the chair and the other foot tucked away under the
chair with only the toe of the shoe touching the floor. If you tend to fidget,
try interlacing your fingers and keeping your hands in you lap. The less
people move their hands and arms, the more powerful they appear, as they
dont have to gesticulate to communicate their message. So try to maintain
LPM low peripheral movement to help you look relaxed and self-
confident.
Practice:
1. After you have read the text attentively answer the following
questions.
1. What is the first thing you should do before start looking for a job?
2. Which is the next step after your CV has been read?
3. What clothes should you wear when going to an interview for a job?
4. What is the employers opinion regarding this aspect?
5. Which are the things you should carry at the interview?
6. Describe the position which the interviewee should adopt when invited to
sit down.
7. Where it is advisable for the interviewee to look during the interview?
8. What do you do with your face and head?
9. What do you do with your hands and legs?
10. Do you think that gesticulating is important to communicate your
message?
2. Now imagine you are interviewed for a job. Answer the following
questions, posed in this respect.
1. Tell me about your family.
2. How do you spend your holidays?
3. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
4. What decisions do you find easy/ difficult to make?
5. How do you react to stress?
6. How do you work in a team?
7. Why did you choose to study this subject?
8. What is your ideal work environment?
9. When do you work best?
10.Why did you apply for this job?
82
11.How would you approach to this job?
12.Have you got any questions for your potential interviewer?
13.What sort of salary are you expecting?
14.What could you offer your organisation?
15.How did you learn English?
3. Write your CV. Do not forget to mention facts about you education,
professional experience, other qualifications and skills, interests and also
the name and address of someone who has known you personally.
4.Choose from the list to complete the sentences: good track record,
dynamic, PC literate, good communication skills, highly motivated, good
command, good career prospects, and mother tongue.
1 You are ambitious and want to gain a promotion. You want a
job with
2. You use the language well and are good at expressing yourself
and communicating your ideas. You have
3. You are able to use a personal computer, so you
are.
4. You are enthusiastic and very interested in the job. You
are
5. You have been successful in your work up to now. You
have.
6. You have lots of energy. You are..
7. You were born and brought up in Italy. Italian is
your.
8. You speak English well. You haveof
English.
83
MORE PRACTICE
7. Now imagine you are interviewed for a job. Answer the following
questions, posed in this respect.
1. Tell me about your family.
2. How do you spend your holidays?
3. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
4. What decisions do you find easy/ difficult to make?
5. How do you react to stress?
6. How do you work in a team?
7. Why did you choose to study this subject?
8. What is your ideal work environment?
84
9. When do you work best?
10.Why did you apply for this job?
11.How would you approach to this job?
12.Have you got any questions for your potential interviewer?
13.What sort of salary are you expecting?
14.What could you offer your organisation?
15.How did you learn English?
8. Write your CV. Do not forget to mention facts about you education,
professional experience, other qualifications and skills, interests and also the
name and address of someone who has known you personally.
ENGLISH TEXTS
Why we went nuts about the iPhone
85
But sales figures and reviews dont speak to the unprecedented hoopla.
What was it that made a 142-gram slab of silicon, aluminium and glass so
important to us?
In part, you can chalk it up to the iPod factor. Before 2001, Apple was
a company that made cool computers that only a small fraction of the public
cared to buy. But the next few years, 100 million customers discovered
Apples tiny music player, and bonded with it as they had with no previous
gadget. The same crowd welcomed the news that apple was going mobile.
Everyone we talk to hates their phones, Steve Jobs told me the week
before the launch. People wondered if Apple could do for cell phones what it
did for MP3 players.
When something comes along that promises to fulfill our ambitions,
we pay attention. And when that something also promises to perform its
duties with beauty and pizzazz- Apples trademarks we get a visceral buzz
thats as much artistic enthusiasm as consumerism.
In 1967, it was All You Need is Love. In 2007, its All You Need Is
AT&T Activation. Welcome to the summer of technolust.
86
U. of Europe?
Not long ago, moving students and staff between Europes largely
state-controlled universities was next to impossible; U.K. admissions
officers, for example, were baffled when confronted by Portuguese
transcripts, which graded students on a 20-point scale. And the Portuguese
were equally confused by what exactly differentiated a British first-class
degree from an upper second. National funding systems across Europe
discouraged mobility, rewarding institutions that retained students and
providing no incentives to study away from home.
Now finally much of that is changing. Degrees have become much
easier to translate, thanks to the introduction of a uniform academic
transcript the Diploma Supplement. And the length of time it takes to
complete a bachelors degree or a masters degree is also being unified. The
continents students hoping to study abroad wont be the only beneficiaries.
The better Europe gets at moving its own students and academic staff around
and the less idiosyncratic its famously eccentric schools become the
more competitive it will be on the global education market.
87
In this sense, the changes are well timed. Around the planet, more and
more students are starting to act like picky global consumers. Europe has
little choice but to make its academic menu as appealing an easy to read as
possible. To that end, 45 nations have been working since 1999 through the
so-called Bologna process to make comparing courses and transferring
students and staff easier.
Already the changes have produced a quiet revolution. A full 82
percent of European universities have ditched their old five- to six-year
undergraduate program, which tended to be expensive for both the tax-
payers and students. Teaching requirements on various subjects are also
being aligned, and 75 percent of institutions now use a common system for
bestowing and transferring academic credits.
The new European Higher Education Area (as the Bologna process is
properly known) should have fully standardized its member states by 2010,
as planned. That represents an extraordinary successs for advocates of a
unified Europe. Lesley Wilson, secretary-general of the European University
Association, says the new system should entice more students to travel
across the wider European area, producing the kind of flexible,
cosmopolitan grades whom employers are looking for and raising the overall
competitiveness of Europe and its schools.
Of course, on a continent with so many languages and cultures, the
process has been far from simple. Bologna promises to raise quality by
imposing baseline controls; for their degrees to be recongnized, universities
must meet minimum requirements on hour spent in the classroom and
coursework submitted.
But comparing university quality is notoriously difficult, particularly
across borders. Predictably, the speed and reliability of the process have
lagged: the new systems credit-accumulation and -transfer program has
even been abused in some places, according to a European University
Association study released this year. And than half of participating schools
issue a Diploma Supplement to all graduating students (theyve all supposed
to). There seems to be little chance that the renegades will be brought into
line. European officials have stressed that the Bologna process should be
voluntary.
To be fair, the system has created awkward dilemmas for many
universities, forcing them to choose between autonomy on one hand and
Bologna transparent accountability on the other. But in the end, market
forces should prevail; each institution will ultimately get to decide for itself
to what extent it wants to cooperate and therefore compete.
Unsurprisingly, universities that could benefit most from the added
legitimacy Bologna will confer mostly those in Eastern Europe and Russia
88
have been eager to adjust. Even Australia has voiced interest in aligning
with the Bologna model. But universities in Britain, which already have
sterling reputations worldwide, have felt little incentive to change. Britain
does not yet automatically give standardized transcripts to its graduates. And
this will disadvantage the students when seeking employment in mainland
Europe.
Another problem that arises is the confusion concerning the fact that in
Braitain a three-year degree is called bachelors , whereas in Scotland it
takes four years and is called masters.
Nevertheless, despite all these so-called problems, what is really important is
that the student mobility should spill over into new research and business
collaboration, making the whole European economy more dynamic and
efficient. In other words, if Bologna makes it easier for students to move
around while learning and to get better jobs after graduating abroad than
much of the continent should profit from i
I wish I had read your articles about exercise and the brain 30 years. I
spent most of my adult years living a sedentary life and fighting overweight,
high cholesterol, triglycerides and blood pressure. A few years ago I changed
my lifestyle and began to jog and work out daily. The results came almost
immediately. Ever day after jogging and working out, I feel great. That is my
daily dose of virtual Prosac in action. I lost 40 pounds in a period of six
months and everything else adjusted into their proper levels with no pills and
no magic, just exercise.
(a reader from Brazil)
Your article is what Ive been waiting for a long time. Im 60 years
old and, continuing with my exercise, I have found the key to good health.
Twice a week I swim 1,500 meters in 43 minutes. Exercise is the best thing
we can do for our life, health, mind and body. For me, it has become a habit.
With all my problems, I do not think I could cope with depression: Im sure
now that exercise has been helping by controlling this problem. (a reader
from Finland)
89
You write that no one really understands why stretching, weight
lifting, etc., have little to no effect on cognition. I find this very hard to
believe since earlier in the same article, you write that blood volume
increases with exercise, and you specify that blood volume to the brain, the
dentate gyrus, increases with exercise. Stretching and weight lifting do little
to increase heart rate or oxygen uptake so it would seem that, according to
the logic in the article overall, there should be a clear reason that these types
of exercise have little to no effect on congnition. I would be very surprised if
none of the researchers have thought of this. (a reader from Japan)
90
sweatpants, faded T shirt and floppy hat, walking briskly in her
neighbouhood. Might I volunteer myself? (a reader from California, USA)
91
dont know whether to hurry up to find out how it ends or slow down and
savor every word. (a reader from Ohio)
Would I take a Kindle to the bath-tub to read? No. If I dropped it, the
spash would cost $399. Ill stick to the durable, dependable, no-battery
books. (a reader from Japan)
92
I now realise relationships need hard work
The list of actors whove made Hamlet their own reads like a whos who
of thespian greats Olivier, Gielgud, Burton, McKellen, Branaghand
more recently, David Tennant. Cracking the turbulent Dane remains the
ultimate test pulling on the hose is far easier than pulling off the role. To
this illustrious roster we can now add Jude Law. For too long branded a
movie pretty boy I have three names. Im called Hunk Jude Law or
Heartthrob Jude Law, he grumbles his recent award-winning turn as the
Prince of Denmark has proved what most of us have known for ages: that
when it comes to British actors, hes up there with the very best.
Born in Lewisham, southeast London, to teacher parents whose love
of Thomas Hardy was manifestly evident, David Jude Heyworth Law grew
up in Blackheath. Keen theatregoers, his parents would take along their son
and daughter, Natasha (now a noted illustrator), whenever possible. Judes
interest was thus sparked early. Signed up by the National Youth Theatre,
aged 12, he was soon headlining Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor
Dreamcoat.
The focus on his craft was unswerving. I was angry as a kid, he
remembers, because I knew what I wanted to do and I didnt see why I
couldnt be out doing it. School was just slowing things up. At 17, he left
93
education to work in the Granada Television soap Families. Theatre
remained his first love.
Sure enough in The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999), Minghella granted
Jude a show-stealing turn as the dazzling Riviera playboy Dickie Greenleaf
object of affection of both Gwyneth Paltrow and Matt Damon. It propelled
Law to a Bafta award, an Oscar nomination and major recognition by
Hollywood. He was soon wooing Nicole Kidman in Minghellas Civil War
epic Cold Mountain, for which he was nominated for an Academy Award
again. With films like Sam Mendes Road to Perdition and Steven
Spielbergs A.I.: Artificial Intelligence to his name, Jude was confirmed on
the A-list.
Married in 1997, Jude found himself on an accelerated path through
life. By his thirtieth birthday he had fathered three kids Rafferty, Iris and
Rudy, now 13, nine and seven to go with his stepfather role to Finley, now
19, Frosts son from her marriage to Spandau Ballet guitarist Gary Kemp.
Without question, he relishes parenthood. Being a daddy is what
counts. My daughter made me realize that if theres anything thats going to
make a man of you, its having your will broken by a little girl. But, despite
Judes proclamation that all that was missing was the white picket fence,
trouble came creeping into paradise.
Jude had bemoaned how screen storytelling was often too neat;
everything tied up in a neat bow: Life I feel isnt like that, relationship
arent like that.
If theres one thing about him, its that despite his various
indiscretions, he has never come across the proverbial love rat, rather
something of a poor unfortunate with his nearest and dearest tending to rally
round. His life woes led him into a cathartic and relentless period of work
he appeared in no less than six films in 2004, including the rather timely
love-sucks drama Closer.
Another outlet has been his charitable ventures, a response, he says, to
being a wishy-washy middle-class Londoner. He has worked with Aids
orphans in South Africa, taken part in Soccer Aid (hes a big Spurs fan) and
the Make Poverty History campaign. Closer to home, he has been the patron
of the Young Vic Theatre, helping to develop young acting talent. More
recently, Jude has been the Afghanistan, working with Unicef and WHO,
involved in a polio immunization programme. His documentary about it, The
Day after Peace, was shown at Cannes.
Workwise, Jude has a few things in the pipeline, most immediately
the action-thriller Repo Men. And as for life? I think women like bad boys.
Thats been my experience. I just think its kind of a given. You know, at a
certain age you figure out what works for you and being a good boy never
worked for me. But, eventually, you have to grow up and realize
94
relationships are hard work. Its like cultivating anything. They need
attention.
95
It turns out that the boys are obsessed with their father, Carlo
Tetrochini, a famous conductor played with routine campness by Klaus
Maria Brandauer. The father is celebrated to the cost of the sons, it is felt,
and Tetro has been writing a play about him in secret, using the kind of code
that would make the enigma code look something written in plain English on
a T-shirt. Young Bennie works it out, though, with the use of a mirror, and is
soon cramping his older brothers creative style, forcing him to meet head-on
the troubles of their past.
Coppola has form, of course, when it comes to the old Cain and Abel
problem. The brothers in The Godfather were no slouches when it came to
pursuing the full operatics of sibling rivalry; Rumblefish (1983), too. Who
can forget the Motorcycle Boy played by Mickey Rourke, in the days when
he still had a face, and Matt Dillon as his young brother Rusty James? Its
true the Rumbefish id the closest of Coppolas films to this one, not only
showing two brothers struggling to cope with a dominant father but
presenting the story as a kind of homage to classic film. Tetro, like that
earlier film, has a beautiful, monochrome look, and the pictures are
composed and shot with a sometimes breathtaking fitness of visual style.
There are moments when you realise that Coppola has Fellini very
much on his mind. But most of the time, as the plot turns out of joint, you
realise he is fixated on the circus-like emotional and sexual worlds of Pedro
Almodovar. It might seem a big jump from La Dolce Vita to All About My
Mother but there is a shared vision there, of lusty decadence and latent
tragedy in European-accented places, and Coppola is smitten with it. As it
goes on, Tetro becomes more and more camp, more carnivalesque, more
circus-like indeed, moving towards its finale less like a B-movie, which it is
at its best, and more like a masterpiece of Grand Guignol.
Coppola, in fairness, has always been interested in getting movie
history into his movies. He has always been interested in steering them
towards recognition of their own confected-ness. Think of his 1982 film One
From the Heart, which made the fake-ness of the set very apparent, and
which idled, as Tetro does, with the notion that strong emotion can survive
the directors attempt to show you the wires that suspend disbelief. That
would be fine, but the Almodovar strain becomes too much here when the
brothers get mixed up with troupe who are mounting an all-female Faust,
which Bennie commandeers to perform his brothers secret play, now
completed by himself. A famous critic turns up, hilariously named Alone,
and she is played by none other than Carmen Maura, one of the actresses
closely associated with our friend Almodovar.
For all its mysteries of plot and influence, Tetro is compelling to
watch. The story becomes pretentious, but the visuals never do, despite
risking everything, and you will find images here more original than
anything on film this year. I love Coppolas fierce artistry and his pursuit of
96
beauty. Even when you feel the scene is getting it wrong about human
nature, it is always getting it right about aesthetic nature, finding revelatory
and always fresh ways of looking at things.
Since early in his career, Coppola has shown a magical ability to find
great actors with memorable faces. Once upon a time he found Al Pacino and
Tom Cruise, and in Tetro he finds the young Aiden Ehrenreich, who has a
natural, likeable way with the camera and the making of stardom. Vincent
Gallos prowling style is always a bit self-advertisingly menacing for me, but
he succeeds in lifting the part of Tetro into the arena of proper pain. When
the film threatens, as it often does, to lose control of itself, there are always
Gallos mocking eyes to keep things keen. The brothers actually move
towards something I wouldnt call it understanding but its powerful
nonetheless. Francis Ford Coppola is now 71, and hes a one-off, a hit-and-
miss guy like the best of them, but someone who can never forget the magic
of cinema and the hunt for authority.
(Andrew OHagan, Evening Standard, Friday 25 June 2010,
standard.co.uk)
BIBLIOGRAPHY
97
9. *** Oxford Guide to British and American Culture, Oxford
University Press, 1999
10.NatWest Sense London, U.K., cover story I now realise
relationships need hard work, pp 24 27
11.Andrew OHagan, Evening Standard, Friday 25 June 2010,
standard.co.uk
98