Vocabulary notes
Date: 2015-10-07; view: 349.
| beyond conjecture | unimaginable |
| ample (a.) | plentiful, extensive; enough or more than enough; (esp. of person) large, stout |
| rough man | hooligan |
| acquisition (n.) | thing acquired, esp. when useful |
| sleight-of-hand(n.) | dexterity, conjuring |
| gem (n.) | precious stone, esp. cut and polished or engraved; thing of great beauty or worth |
| angular (a.) | (of person) having sharp features |
| boisterous (a.) | lively, noisily exuberant, rowdy; rough, stormy |
| uproarious (a.) | very noisy; provoking loud laughter |
· Explain the meaning of the following words and word combinations. Recall the situations from the story.
| 1. | similarly |
| 2. | to gratify |
| 3. | standpoint |
| 4. | to be in one's line |
| 5. | to get out of hand |
| 6. | to eclipse oneself |
| 7. | to be companionable |
| 8. | restoration of smth |
| 9. | to be on the track |
| 10. | to hunt smb down |
| 11. | to vanish |
· Questions (when possible make use of the words and word combinations given above).
1. What can you tell about Flambeau, the narrator? What kind of person is he? What did Brown mean calling him a poet?
2. What did he mean saying that the story should be studied by the stranger from the outside? Why were the diamonds called “The Flying Stars”?
3. How did it come out that the diamonds had been stolen?
4. What could damage the reputation of John Crook more: his witness or the theft of the diamonds? Justify your point of view.
5. Why did Father Brown succeed in convincing Flambeau to return the diamonds?
6. What did Sir Leopold mean saying of respect to those whose creed required to be cloistered and ignorant of this world?
· 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)
self-dependent; self-confident; artistic; aesthetic; noble; prominent; to show off; cheeky; insolent; impudent; bold ; arrogant;
b) Give character sketches of the main heroes of the story.
· Talking points:
1. Can we talk about crime as committed in a certain society or class? To what extent does environment influence people's actions?
2. What do you think can be “the right or the wrong side of the wall you are on”?
3. How does a person's character affect the line he chooses in life?
4. Who would you be more likely to rely on : a person who openly shares his views or that who denounces controversial ideas? Why?
· Prepositions
1. As an artist I had always attempted to provide crimes suitable ... the special season or landscapes in which I found myself.
2. A car or splendid speed, great elegance, and a pale green colour swept ... ... the front doors.
3. Porch and vestibule were unduly large... proportion ... the house.
4. Commonly he was a clever man, and he was inspired tonight ... a wild omniscience. ... abrupt intervals ... the outrageous performance he would hurl himself ... full costume ... the piano and bang ... some popular music equally absurd and appropriate.
5. He rose ... his full height.
6. “She has lately,” cried ... old Fischer , “opened her father's house ... a cut-throat Socialist, who says he would steal anything ... a richer man.”
7. Now he's sponging ... a half-starved sister ... endless brandies and sodas.
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| THE FLYING STARS | | | THE FACE IN THE TARGET |