Looking for a book

Exercise 5

Examples

In the morning John and I went to the zoo.

Where else did you go?

Then they visited a museum.

What else did they visit?

1In the morning John and I went to the zoo.

2 Then they visited a museum.

3 After lunch a guide showed them the colleges.

4The children went to the park.

5 Mr. and Mrs. Hunt looked at the shops.

6 Mr. Hunt bought a camera.

7 Mrs. Hunt wanted a new skirt.

8 Sheila went to the newsagent's.

9 She had a coffee.

10 They went to the theatre in the evening.

BIG CITIES – LONELY PLACES

I had now been jobless for nearly eighteen months. I was hating these people who could deny¹ me the right to earn my living. I was considered too well educated, too good for lowly jobs and too black for anything better.

Fortunately for me, every now and then, some person or persons would say or do something² so unselfishor friendly that I would for a while forget my difficulties and hurts. It was from such an unexpected quarter that I received the helpful advice which changed the whole course of my life.

I had been sitting beside the lake in St Jame's Park, watching passers- by throwing bits of food to the ducks³. Near me was seated a thin old gentleman reading the Times, who occasionally commented on the colour or habits of the ducks. He sounded quite pleasant but I didn't feel like talking with anybody. He did not seem to mind my attitude, however he said to me:

"Been in England long, haven't you?"

I did not feel like conversation, especially on the subject of being in England.

"Big cities are lonely places and London is no exception." He wanted to talk: some old gentlemen are like that.

"It's no one's fault, really," he continued; "a big city cannot afford to be distracted⁴ from the important job of being a big city by such an unimportant item as your happiness or mine."

I was suddenly interested. He knew I was with him⁵, listening and his grey eyes were kind. He continued:

"Those tall buildings there are monuments to the industry and effort which have made this a great city. You need to be a fighter to live in it, not

exist, live. Anybody can exist, but living is different. It can be hard, but it can also be fun, there's so much going on all the time that's new and exciting.

If you were a Negro you'd find that even existing would provide more excitement than you care for."

He looked at me and suddenly laughed; a laugh gay and rich. "I wondered how long it would be before you talked to me," he said. "Talking helps, you know; if you can talk with someone you are not lonely any more, don't you think so?"

As simple as that. Soon we were talking like old friends and I had told him everything.

"Teaching," he said. "That's the thing. Why not get a job as a teacher?'" "I have had no training as a teacher."

"Oh, that's not absolutely necessary. Your degrees will be taken into account-instead, and I feel sure that with your experience and ability you could do well. They needteachers badly. I don't suppose Education Authorities⁶ can be bothered about the colour of people's skins. Anyway you needn't mention it in your letter of application." "I've tried that before. It didn't work."

"Try it again, you've nothing to lose. I know for a fact that there are many vacancies for teachers in the East End of London." "Why especially the East End of London?"

"Peopfe say it is rather a though area and most teachers prefer to look for jobs elsewhere."

"And you think it will be just right for a Negro, I suppose." "Now, just a moment, young man. Don't ever underrate⁷ the people of the East End; from those very slums come many professional and scien­tific men and quite a few of our politicians." I felt that I had angered him, and apologized. "Anyway, you try it. No need to mention your colour at this stage." It happened just as he predicted. I was invited to the Ministry of Education for an interview, and later a letter arrived informing me that I would be accepted subject to a satisfactory medicalexamination. After that was arranged I received a final letter confirming my appointment.

(After E. R. Braithwaite)

Notes:

1 to deny smb. smth. — отказывать кому-либо в чем-либо

2 Every now and then some person would say or do something — зд. would употребляется для обозначения повторяющегося или привычного действия в прошлом.

3 duck — утка

4 to distract — отвлекать

5 I was with him — ( followed him

6 Education Authorities — органы обраэова

7 to underrate — недооценивать

ЧЕТВЁРТЫЙ СЕМЕСТР

LESSON TWENTY THREE (23)

TWENTY THIRD (23^d) LESSON

The doctor

Part 1

Mrs. Hunt I'll have to take Simon to a doctor today. When he woke up this morning, he didn't feel well. At breakfast he complained about a headache. He'd taken some aspirin but that hadn't helped. After we'd had breakfast, I phoned my sister and she gave me her doctor's number. Then I rang the surgery.

After I'd explained the trouble to the receptionist, she gave us an early appointment so that I wouldn't waste the whole day. If we were at home, I wouldn't worry about him but I want to be careful here so that he won't spoil his holiday. If I told him to stay in bed, he'd probably be angry but if the doctor tells him to go to bed, he'll go.

Simon hates going to the doctor's. He's afraid of doctors. He hates taking medicine and he's afraid of injections.

Part 2

An accident

Receptionist Good morning. Have you got an appointment?

Mrs. Hunt Yes. I'm Mrs. Fenton's sister, Mrs. Hunt. And this is my son, Simon.

Receptionist Oh yes. You rang this morning. How are you feeling?

Simon Not very well.

Receptionist The doctor won't be able to see you yet. There's been an emergency that he's got to take care of first.

Simon Was there an accident?

Receptionist Yes, a little while ago a woman came into the surgery with a little boy. She'd put a towel round his head.

Simon Why had she done that?

Receptionist So that the bleeding would stop.

Simon What had happened?

Receptionist The child had fallen off his bicycle. When he fell, he hit his head against the edge of the pavement. He'd cut his face and head.

Simon Has he got to go to hospital?

Receptionist No. His mother thought he'd broken his arm or his leg but he hadn't.

A cold

Doctor I'm sorry you had to wait so long.

Simon That's all right. Was the boy hurt badly?

Doctor No. After I'd cleaned his head, he felt much better. So did his mother. The blood had frightened her.

Simon She probably thought it was much worse than it really was.

Doctor Yes, mothers are always worrying about their children. Now, what's the matter with you?

Simon I've got a sore throat and a headache.

Doctor Do you feel tired?

Simon Yes, my whole body feels weak. I really feel terrible.

Doctor I'm sorry to hear that. I'll have to examine you.

Injection

Doctor Open your mouth wide so that I can look at your throat. Yes, it's very red. It looks sore. I'll have to give you an injection.

Simon Can't you give me pills?

Doctor An injection is better than pills. If I gave you pills, you'd probably be ill for a few

days but if I give you an injection, you'll feel better tomorrow.

Simon Are you sure? I hate injections.

Doctor Yes, I'm sure. I advise you to have an injection. You won't get better quickly unless I give you one.

Simon Will I be able to go out tomorrow?

Doctor Probably, if you rest today.

Simon Good. I'll sleep today so that I'll be able to go out tomorrow.

Advice

Doctor Simon's caught a cold. His throat's very red and he's got a temperature.

Simon I'll be better soon.

Mrs. Hunt Will he?

Doctor Yes. I've given him an injection.

Mrs. Hunt What's your advice, doctor?

Doctor My advice is that he gets plenty of sleep. If he goes out, he'll probably catch ‘flu.

Mrs. Hunt Yes, and if he caught ‘flu, it would ruin his holiday.

Doctor Yes, he won't enjoy his holiday unless he's feeling well. He ought to get plenty of sleep today so that he won't get tired again. Oh, I almost forgot. Here's a prescription for some medicine. Take it every two hours, Simon, so that you won't cough.