Part II  Reading Task

Text A

Comprehension

Possible answers to content questions

1. A surgeon's scar cuts across his lower back. The fingers on his right hand are so twisted that he can't tie his shoes. His mother's challenge and the voices of those who believed him stupid, incapable of living independently keep him going on.

2. He is a door-to-door salesman. His weapons are: dark slacks, blue shirt and matching jacket, brown tie, tan raincoat, hat and a briefcase.

3. He is afraid that someone will steal his briefcase. He was different in that cerebral palsy affected his speech, hands and walk.

4. First a school for the disabled and then Lincoln High School, where he was placed in a class for slow kids.

5. She was certain that he could rise above his limitations.

6. He applied for a salesman's job.

7. With his mother setting up a meeting with a Watkins representative, as well as by his own persistence.

8. He lacked confidence. It took him quite a while to have the courage to ring the first doorbell.

9. He keeps coming back until the customer buys. He tells himself not to worry if his day has not turned out to be profitable.

10. Because he was laid up for five months after back surgery and couldn't work.

11. Like a home of the past era. He leads a solitary life.

12. No, he doesn't. Because he lives a life of dignity.

Text Organization

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2.

Language Sense Enhancement 

1.

Vocabulary

I. 1.

2.

3.

1) It wasn’t that she couldn’t hear me, but that what I said sometimes didn’t register with her.

2) Inside all was in disorder, drawers pulled out, shoes and boots scattered.

3) 5,000 dollars was transferred from Father’s account to my account.

4) Mrs. Smith has made a pledge to contribute 100,000 dollars to the Children in Need charity campaign.

5) Car manufacturing is the most profitable business in that province.

4.

1) Sam was riding his bicycle to work. He was not aware that a speeding motorcycle was gaining on him at a crossroads, where it bumped into him and threw him off balance. Sam fell to the ground and was badly injured. He was laid up in hospital for months before he recovered, and the accident left a permanent scar on his mind. He is now scared of motorcycles and has never since ridden a bicycle.

2) John was born a cripple/crippled. Even after repeated surgery, he still walks with a tilt. Despite his physical limitations, he successfully completed his college education and developed an interest in literature. He writes fascinating stories and his works enrich the life of millions of young readers.

3) John has recently found himself a job selling insurance. He works on straight commission. Most of the time, he is on the phone but sometimes he sells door to door in some section of his territory. He works so hard we are worried that it might be too great a strain on him. We tell him to slow the pace, but our advice never registers with him.

II. Usage

1. I never did go over these books, although I probably should have.

2. I know this is a personal question. You don't have to answer if you don't want to.

3. I think this topic should have attracted far more attention from philosophers than it has.

4. "I think you're right."—"I'm sure I am."

5. "He thought that the condition was hereditary in his case." — "Well, it might be."

6. "Sugar?"— "No. Maybe next time."

7. The house is only a building. It is a place to live, nothing more.

8. DIANE: You didn't! Tell me you didn't!

FATHER: Oh, yes. Anything for my children.

III. Word Family

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2.

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Comprehensive Exercises

I. Cloze

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2.

II. Translation

1.

1) I grew terribly scared when I heard sound of footsteps echoing round the hallway at midnight yesterday.

2) The name-brand sports shoes are guaranteed for 12 months.

3) Snowstorms threw communications and transportation into disorder.

4) I’ve been suffering a lot of stress from work lately. I feel like taking a vacation at the seaside.

5) Living in an apartment is all right, but it has its limitations—for example, you don’t have your own garden.

2.

Tom was born a cripple, with one of his lower limbs useless. Early in his childhood, he learned that unless he so exerted himself as to rise above his limitations, he could not earn a living, and unless he succeeded in making a living on his own, he could not win/gain the respect of others. That was the price he had to pay for his dignity as a human being.  

Tom applied for numerous jobs, only to be turned down, before he finally got one as a delivery boy for a Pizza Hut. He then worked as a sales representative for a sportswear company in a territory no one else would want. Today he owns a fairly profitable retail shop in his hometown, and hires several people to work for him.