Exercise 8C, page 1 - English File Studetn's book, pre-intermediate, Oxford

1 READING

a You are going to read and listen to a short story. First look at the photos on this page. In what century do you think the story takes place? Why?

b 8.18 Read and listen to Part 1. Then answer the questions with a partner.

1 What did the detective give Hartley?
What did he offer to do?

2 What did Hartley do when he got the address?

3 What did Vivienne look like?

4 Why was Hartley angry with her?

Think about the story so far: Why do you think Vivienne didn't answer Hartley's letter?

c 8.19 Read and listen to Part 2. Then answer the questions with a partner.

1 Why wasn't Vivienne sure about accepting Hartley's offer?

2 How did Hartley try to persuade her?

3 Where did Hartley and Vivienne first meet?

4 What did Hartley think was the reason why Vivienne didn't say yes to his offer?

5 What do you think Hartley wanted Vivienne to do?

Think about the story so far: Who do you think Héloise is?

Girl – O. Henry

Part 1

"I've found where she lives," said the detective quietly. "Here is the address."

Hartley took the piece of paper. On it were the words "Vivienne Arlington, No. 341 East 49th Street."

"She moved there a week ago," said the detective. "I can follow her if you want. It will only cost you $7 a day and expenses..."

"No, thank you," interrupted Hartley. "I only wanted the address. How much is it?"

"One day's work," said the detective. "Ten dollars."

Hartley paid the man. Then he left his office and took a tram to Broadway. After walking a short distance he arrived at the building that he was looking for. He went up the stairs, into her apartment, and saw her standing by the window.

Vivienne was about twenty-one. Her hair was red gold, and her eyes were sea-blue. She was wearing a white top and a dark skirt.

"Vivienne," said Hartley angrily, "you didn't answer my last letter. It took me a week to find your new address! Why didn't you answer me? You knew I was waiting to see you and hear from you."

Part 2

The girl looked out the window dreamily.

"Mr Hartley," she said slowly, "I don't know what to say to you. I understand all the advantages of your offer, and sometimes I feel sure that I could be happy with you. But, then sometimes I am less sure. I was born a city girl, and I am not sure that I would enjoy living a quiet life in the suburbs."

"My dear girl," said Hartley, "You will have everything that you want. You can come to the city for the theatre, for shopping, and to visit your friends as often as you want. You can trust me, can't you?"

"I can trust you completely," she said, smiling at him. "I know you are the kindest of men, and that the girl who you get will be very lucky. I heard all about you when I was at the Montgomerys'."

"Ah!" exclaimed Hartley, "I remember so well the evening I first saw you at the Montgomerys'. I will never forget that dinner. Come on, Vivienne, promise me. I want you. Nobody else will ever give you such a happy home."

Vivienne didn't answer. Suddenly Hartley was suspicious. "Tell me, Vivienne, is there," he asked, "is there – is there someone else?"

"You shouldn't ask that, Mr. Hartley," she said. "But I will tell you. There is one other person – but I haven't promised him anything."

"Vivienne," said Hartley masterfully, "You must be mine."

Vivienne looked him in the eye.

"Do you think for one moment," she said calmly, "that I could come to your home while Héloise is there?"

Glossary

advantage n a positive thing

suburb n an area where people live outside the centre of the city

trust v believe that somebody is good, honest, etc.

suspicious adj feeling that somebody has done something wrong

masterfully adv in a dominant way

Задание 1а

В каком веке, по вашему мнению, происходит действие рассказа? Почему?

Ответ:

The story likely takes place in the late 19th or early 20th century. The characters' clothing, the mention of taking a "tram", and the general atmosphere suggest this time period.

Действие рассказа, скорее всего, происходит в конце 19-го или начале 20-го века. Одежда персонажей, упоминание "трамвая" и общая атмосфера указывают на этот период времени.

Задание 1b

1. Что детектив дал Хартли? Что он предложил сделать?

Ответ:

The detective gave Hartley a piece of paper with Vivienne's address. He offered to follow her for $7 a day plus expenses.

Детектив дал Хартли листок бумаги с адресом Вивьен. Он предложил следить за ней за 7 долларов в день плюс расходы.

2. Что сделал Хартли, когда получил адрес?

Ответ:

He paid the detective, left his office, took a tram to Broadway, and went to her apartment.

Он заплатил детективу, вышел из его офиса, сел на трамвай до Бродвея и пошел к ее квартире.

3. Как выглядела Вивьен?

Ответ:

She was about twenty-one, with red-gold hair and sea-blue eyes. She was wearing a white top and a dark skirt.

Ей был около двадцати одного года, у нее были рыжевато-золотистые волосы и серо-голубые глаза. На ней был белый топ и темная юбка.

4. Почему Хартли злился на нее?

Ответ:

He was angry because she hadn't answered his last letter and he had to spend a week to find her new address.

Он злился, потому что она не ответила на его последнее письмо, и ему пришлось потратить неделю, чтобы найти ее новый адрес.

Как вы думаете, почему Вивьен не ответила на письмо Хартли?

Ответ:

I think she didn't answer his letter because she was unsure about his offer and maybe wanted to avoid the conversation.

Я думаю, она не ответила на его письмо, потому что не была уверена в его предложении и, возможно, хотела избежать разговора.

Задание 1с

1. Почему Вивьен не была уверена, стоит ли принимать предложение Хартли?

Ответ:

She wasn't sure if she would enjoy living a quiet life in the suburbs because she was a "city girl".

Она не была уверена, понравится ли ей тихая жизнь в пригороде, потому что она была "городской девушкой".

2. Как Хартли пытался ее убедить?

Ответ:

He promised her that she would have everything she wanted and that she could come to the city for theatre, shopping, and to visit friends whenever she liked.

Он пообещал ей, что у нее будет все, что она захочет, и что она сможет приезжать в город в театр, за покупками и к друзьям, когда ей будет угодно.

3. Где Хартли и Вивьен встретились впервые?

Ответ:

They first met at a dinner at the Montgomerys' home.

Они впервые встретились на ужине в доме Монтгомери.

4. Что, по мнению Хартли, было причиной того, что Вивьен не согласилась на его предложение?

Ответ:

He suspected that there was another person ("someone else") in her life.

Он заподозрил, что в ее жизни есть другой человек ("кто-то еще").

5. Как вы думаете, что Хартли хотел, чтобы Вивьен сделала?

Ответ:

I think Hartley wanted Vivienne to marry him and live with him in his home.

Я думаю, Хартли хотел, чтобы Вивьен вышла за него замуж и жила с ним в его доме.

Как вы думаете, кто такая Элоиза?

Ответ:

I think Héloise is probably Hartley's wife or another woman who lives in his home, which is why Vivienne refuses to go there.

Я думаю, Элоиза — это, вероятно, жена Хартли или другая женщина, которая живет в его доме, и именно поэтому Вивьен отказывается туда ехать.