Vocabulary notes
Date: 2015-10-07; view: 524.
| vehement (a.) | showing or caused by strong feeling, ardent |
| C.I.D. | Criminal Investigation Department |
| motto (n.) | maxim adopted as rule of conduct; phrase or sentence accompanying coat of arms; sentence inscribed on object; verses etc. in paper cracker |
| to bar (v.) | exclude from consideration |
| harrowing | distressing greatly |
| rueful (a.) | expressing sorrow, genuine or humorously affected |
| solicitude (n.) | being anxious or concerned; eager to do thing, desirous of |
| amicably(adv.) | in a friendly manner, showing friendly feeling |
| placid (a.) | calm, peaceful; not easily disturbed |
| contented | satisfied; willing to be content with |
| defiant (a.) | showing open disobedience, bold resistance |
· Explain the meaning of the following words and word combinations. Recall the situations from the story.
| 1. | to be jubilant |
| 2. | to be a wide-awake person |
| 3. | to acquit smb of smth |
| 4. | to give a verdict on the evidence |
| 5. | the thing's over and done with |
| 6. | to take smth up |
| 7. | to be in one's line |
| 8. | to be content with smth |
| 9. | to exert one's authority to do smth |
| 10. | to give way |
| 11. | to attain smth |
| 12. | to arrest smb red-handed |
| 13. | to make a slip |
· Questions (when possible make use of the words and word combinations given above).
1. What made the ex-Inspector Evans turn to Mrs Anthony's case again?
2. Why did he become suspicious of Mrs. Merrowdene?
3. What was the ex-Inspector's aim?
4. What kind of woman was she?
5. Why do you think Mr. Evans found himself at fortune - teller's?
6. Why did Mr. Evans make a mistake the result of which was death?
· Comment on the following:
1. “Mrs. Merrowden at one time of her life was unfortunate enough to be tried and acquitted of murder ... . The thing's over and done with.., it's none of our business to take it up...”
a) Do you agree with the statement that if something is over and done with it's better not to take it up? Justify your point of view.
2. Do you agree that “A murderer is seldom content with one crime? Give him time and a lack of suspicion and he'll commit another”? Why?(Give more than one reason)
3. “She sat there a minute longer looking at the dead man, the third man who had threatened to cross her path and separate her from the man she loved...”
a) Do you think a person should fight for his happiness?
· Characters
a) Which of the adjectives and word combinations characterize the main heroes of the story? (Your choice should be illustrated by the facts from the story)
gentle and kindly in manner; absent-minded; practical; superstitious; independent; selfish; to have self-command; a person of lightning rapidity of thought and action; jubilant; a wide-awake person; persistent; pushy
b) Give character sketches of the main heroes of the story.
· Talking points
1. Some people think that “the aim justifies the means”.
Do you agree with that? In which case might it be accepted?
Give reasons.
2. Explain the meaning of the saying: “The Road to Hell is paved with good intentions”?
· Prepositions
1. “Acting ... information received” - had been his motto ... early days, and he had improved ... it ... the extent ... finding ... his own information.
2. Even now, when he had retired ... the force, and had settled … ... the country cottage ... his dreams, his professional instinct was still active.
3. Anthony was ... the habit ... taking arsenic. His wife got it ... him. One day, ... mistake, he takes far too much. Was the mistake his or his wife's? Nobody could tell, and the jury very properly gave her the benefit ... the doubt. I'm not finding fault ... it, but I'd like to know.
4. I'm coming ... the point. That's all right if there's a past to
look... . But suppose you catch your murderer ... his or her first crime? Then the test will be one ... which you get no reaction. But the prisoner acquitted- starting life ... another name. Will or will not the murderer repeat the crime?
5. The guileless George Merrowden hardly realized how it came ... that he and the ex-Inspector were strolling ... the village together, and still less could he have said how it came ... that the conversation should come ... ... the subject of his life insurance.
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