ASSIGNMENT #2

ASSIGNMENT #1

CHAPTER I

I. Learn the pronunciation of the following words:

gorgeous, plagiaristic, supercilious, riotous, bungalow, colossal, contour, tenor, buoy, infinitesimal, twilight, settee, crimson, insincerity, nourish.

II. Study the vocabulary and render the situations from the text. Make up your own sentences with the vocabulary:

to be privy to smth. 5, to be an eye-sore 9,10, to be a matter for reproach 10, to hate smb’s guts 11, a brute of a man, to take down a drink 15, it is beyond me 15, to go from bad to worse 18, to grasp one’s meaning 20, see you anon 23, to fling smb. together 23, to give smb. a heart-to-heart talk 24, gossip 24, (to be the gossip of).

III. Find synonyms in the text to the following words:

to pretend 5, to be free from 6, prosperous 7, haughty 11, out of place/inappropriate 13, happening soon 14, to send friendly greetings 14, to be on the alert 17, to improvise 19, experienced in fashionable life 22, imperious 25.

IV. With a situation of your own encourage your group-mates to use the vocabulary of tasks I – III.

V. Comment on the following sentences:

1. “ … as my father snobbishly suggested and I snobbishly repeat, a sense of fundamental decencies is parceled out unequally at birth”. (p. 6)

2. Life is much more successfully looked at from a single window, after all. (p. 9).

3. The extract on p. 12 “We talked for a few minutes … We’ll go inside”.

4. “Civilization is going to pieces…” (p. 17).

5. “I’m glad it’s a girl. And I hope she’ll be a fool – that’s the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool”. (p. 21).

VI. Speak on the following:

1. When and where does the action take place?

2. Speak about the Carraways. What was the reason for Nick Carraway to leave the parents and move to the North?

3. West Egg and East Egg: the bizarre contrast between them.

4. What is your impression of the Buchanan’s family life? What epithets does the author use to describe Tom, Daisy and Jordan Baker?

VII. Translate the passage on p. 11 “He had changed since his … who hated his guts”

ASSIGNMENT #2

CHAPTER II

I. Learn the pronunciation of the following words:

impenetrable, borough, jovially, crepe-de-chine, proprietor, surplus, airdale, pivot, chiffon, hauteur, portfolio, chandelier

II. Study the vocabulary and use it in the situations from the text:

halfway 27; to resent smth. 28; to take (get) hold of smth. (smb.) 28; a drawbridge 28; to force smb. from somewhere 28; halt 28; to saunter about 28; to fade off 29; to be contiguous to 29; in the vicinity 30; scrawny 30; to bear resemblance to smb. 31; to interpose 32; to decompose 33; to be attired in 35; to be discreet 38; to gyp smb. out of smth. 38, to lick smb’s shoe 39; to cry to beat the band 39; to be through with smth. 40; in a daze 41

III. Give English equivalents to:

предаваться размышлениям /созерцать 28, его решимость граничила с жесткостью 28, флакон духов 31, перейти из рук в руки 31, уступать чьему-либо мнению 31, я живу с ним по соседству 37, рекомендательное письмо 37, изощрённая ложь 38, пока все не уладится 38, деланный смех 40.

IV. Paraphrase the following sentences using the vocabulary of tasks I – III:

1. Turning to Mrs. McKee with artificial laughter Myrtle confessed that she was done with that one and was about to buy another.

2. Everyone knew Tom had a mistress but at the same time everyone resented the fact that when they happen to see Tom with her in public places, he would walk around socializing with all her acquaintances in a very confident manner.

3. There are women who are willing to obey their husbands like slaves, through fear and admiration.

4. While heading to New York once Nick and Tom occupied two seats facing each other with nobody nearby. At some point the train stopped in the valley of ashes and Tom just got firmly Nick out of the car.

5. Though Nick had created an image of a thin young girl Myrtle turned to be faintly stout and in the mid-thirties.

6. The Airedale was reluctant to eat anything and the food just decayed in the saucer.

7. Tom insisted upon nick’s staying at their place and added some comments into the conversation from time to time.

8. Mr. McKee was a bit stupefied after having a short sleep and tried to make his way towards the door.

V. Comment on the following sentences:

1. ‘Throwing a regal homecoming glance around the neighborhood, Mrs. Wilson gathered up her dog and her other purchases, and went haughtily in’. (p. 32-33)

2. ‘She came in with such a proprietary haste, and looked around so possessively at the furniture that I wondered if she lived here’. (p. 34)

3. ‘It’s really his wife that’s keeping them apart. She’s catholic and they don’t believe in divorce’. (p. 38)

VI. Topics for discussion:

1. Why did Tom Buchanan want Nick to meet his mistress?

2. The Wilsons. Why did Myrtle marry Mr. Wilson?

3. Did Tom have any serious intentions towards Myrtle?

4. What’s your opinion of the McKees.

5. What social levels do Tom and Myrtle belong to?

6. What did Tom want to show by hitting Mrs. Wilson in the face?

7. What impression did the party at Catherine’s make on you?

VII. Prepare a written translation of the passage on p. 27 from “About half way between …” up to “… operations from your sight”.

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