По следам детективов: увлекательные истории для изучения английского языка

become a household name [b?'k?m ? 'ha?sh??ld ne?m] – стать именем нарицательным

catchphrase ['kae?fre?z] – коронная, крылатая фраза

plot twist [pl?t tw?st] – поворот сюжета

provoke public outrage [pr?'v??k 'p?bl?k 'a?tre??] – вызывать возмущение общественности

resurrect [?rez?'rekt] – воскрешать

proper treatment ['pr?p? 'tri:tm?nt] – правильное, надлежащее лечение

make a miracle [me?k ?'m?r?kl] – сотворить чудо

measured life ['me??d la?f] – размеренная жизнь

supposedly [s?'p??z?dl?] – предположительно, якобы

hoax [h??ks] – мистификация, выдумка, обман

transparent [traen'spaer?nt] – прозрачный

mythical creature ['m???kl 'kri:??] – мифическое существо

be confused [bi k?n'fju:zd] – смущаться, растеряться

confess [k?n'fes] – признаваться, сознаваться

be embarrassed [bi: ?m'baer?st] – стесняться, смущаться

wrongly convicted ['r?:?li k?n'v?kt?d] – несправедливо осужденный

spirit medium ['sp?r?t 'mi:d??m] – медиум; ясновидящий, который общается с духами

twilight state ['twa?la?t ste?t] – сумеречное состояние [2]

show up [??? ?p] – появляться

2

Сумеречное состояние – состояние, характеризующееся кратковременной потерей ясности сознания и отрешенностью от окружающего мира.

ups and downs [?ps ?n da?nz] – взлеты и падения, плюсы и минусы

Exercises

Exercise 1. Answer the following questions:

1) When and where was Arthur Conan Doyle born?

2) What kind of family was Arthur Conan Doyle born into?

3) What was his mother passionate about?

4) What was his father’s occupation?

5) What was Doyle’s personality like?

6) Did Arthur like going to a boarding school?

7) Did Doyle follow in his father’s footsteps?

8) What sports was Doyle good at?

9) Who was Dr. Bell? And how would you describe his personality?

10) How old was Arthur Conan Doyle when he wrote his first book? When was it published?

11) How many times did Arthur Conan Doyle get married? How many children did he have?

12) How did Arthur Conan Doyle meet his first wife?

13) What happened to his first wife, Louisa?

14) What was his reaction when he realized how serious her condition was?

15) Why did he become interested in spiritualism?

16) When was his first novel published? And what was it called?

17) Was Sherlock Holmes’ character inspired by a real person?

18) What image pops up in your mind when you hear the name Sherlock?

19) What kind of stories did Arthur Conan Doyle write?

20) Were the Cottingley Fairies real of fake?

21) What are Doyle’s greatest books of all time?

22) In your opinion, what are the best mystery novels of all time?

23) What are your favorite mystery novels?

24) Who are your favorite writers and why?

25) What book genres do you love?

26) Did someone read to you when you were a child?

27) Are there any genres you dislike?

Exercise 2. Find the equivalents of the following words and phrases in the text:

вымышленный персонаж; блестящий рассказчик; испытывать финансовые трудности; получить степень бакалавра; его талант не был полностью раскрыт; многоуважаемая творческая семья; какой образ возникает в вашем представлении; это лишь предположения; крылатое выражение; тяжело переживать утрату; страсть к чтению; неприятный опыт; посвятить себя медицине; журнал в мягкой обложке; расследовать преступление; как ни странно; пышная свадьба; дела не шли в гору

Exercise 3. Give the Russian equivalents of the following words and phrases:

to be born into a prosperous family; to have a strong impact (on); to be surrounded by family; to earn some extra money; to be raised in the environment of love; to devote time (to); to extend life; to live a measured, quiet life; a science fiction novel; to be inspired (by); to be common; exceptional skills; to try one’s hand (at); life filled with ups and downs; to live another thirteen years; things changed drastically; to show an interest (in)

Exercise 4. Match each word with its synonym:

Detective Riddle No. 2

Do you like solving mysteries? If so, put your detective hat on and have fun! Read the story carefully and collect all the clues that lead to the suspect. Find all the information needed to solve the mystery.

? Collect the evidence, check out alibis, and interrogate each suspect to solve the crime.

? Possible suspects: Jessica, Linda, Grace, Jane, Jeremy.

The night before the wedding, Mary was having some close friends over: Jessica, Linda, and Grace. They were watching romantic comedies, singing songs, and gossiping. Mary was so excited and happy because her dream was about to come true. She had been dating Mark since high school, and he finally proposed to her.

Everyone was laughing, cheering, and clapping their hands when Mary showed her elegant wedding dress to them. She looked like a queen in it. She said that it was a present from her mom Jane. As a parent, Jane wanted only the best for her daughter. Her eyes were filled with tears of happiness, and she was proud of Mary. Jane was on good terms with Mark and hoped they would make a loving couple. Everyone seemed to be having fun. Actually, all of them had their own secrets.

Jessica was secretly in love with Mark but kept her feelings hidden. Mark lived in her neighborhood and sometimes gave her a ride home. They had much in common: they had exactly the same taste in music, films, sports, etc. Jessica hoped that one day he and Mary would split up. She was not going to give up.

Linda disliked Mark, and she had her own deeply personal reasons as well. First, Linda’s brother Jeremy was in love with Mary. Second, Mark pretended to be something he wasn’t. He was a gambler and constantly lost large sums of money. Linda had discussed it with Mary, but she didn’t want to believe her. So, Linda made peace with Mary’s choice. She hoped that Mark would change after marriage.