Text 23. ENGLISH IS A CONFUSING LANGUAGE.

When I arrived in England, I could not speak a word of English, so I decided to take some lessons. My teacher told me, “It is necessary to study English very well as English is a confusing language.” At first I didn’t understand him. But some time later I understood what he meant.

I remembered an evening I had spent in a bar in my hotel.

I decided to speak English to the barman. I ordered, “A bear, please.” The barman could not believe his ears. He thought for a moment and then said, “Listen to me, young man, you are in a bar, not in a Zoo.” I didn’t understand him but I saw he wasn’t pleased. A friendly Englishman saved me and ordered a beer for me. He invited me to his table. He was very patriotic and talked about the Queen. I didn’t understand half of what he had said, but I decided to please him. “God shave the Queen,”

I said. He stood up, looked at me and walked away without saying a word. When I think of that day now I see how right my teacher of English was.

confuse - приводить в замешательство

shave - брить

I. Find English equivalents in the text.

1. прибывать
2. язык
3. необходимо
4. заказать
5. без слов

II. Complete the sentences.

1. When I arrived in England, I could not speak a word of English________________________________________.
2. I remembered an evening________________________.
3. I didn’t understand him but_______________________.
4. He was very patriotic and________________________.
5. When I think of that day now_____________________.

III. Say if the sentences are true or false according to the text.

1. The author could not speak English when he arrived.

2.The author understood what the word “confusing” meant.

3. The barman was angry because he understood him correctly.

4. A friend decided to help him.

5. He was friendly at first.

6. The young man left the author of the story because he was angry with him.

IV. Answer the questions.

1. Why did the author of the story decide to take lessons of English?
2. Why did the friendly Englishman decide to help the author of the story?
3. Why did he leave angrily?
4. Did the author of the story understand meaning of the word “confusing”?
5. What does it mean?

V. Is your English teacher always right? Is it important to learn English? Why?