Exercises

1. Answer the following questions in English:

1) What is the Sapir–Whorf hypothesis?

2) Using an etymological dictionary, look up and compare the origins of the names of the days of the week in Russian and in English.

3) Explain in Russian and in English the difference between “house”and “home”.

2. Translate into Russian:

1) John built a modern house with garage and a large garden.

2) Their home was always filled with interesting people – artists, writers and musicians.

3) I never really feel at home in Mark’s house – it’s so formal and filled with antiques that I’m always afraid of breaking something.

4) There is a saying in English, “it takes a heap of living to make a house a home”.

Explanation: (“heap of” means “a lot of”, i.e. you have to live in a house a long time to feel that it is a “home”. Suggestion: You might want to use the words «родной» or «обживать / обжить» in your translation.

3. Translate into English:

1) Желая примирения, Иванов протянул руку своему бывшему сопернику.

Suggestions: In English you can “extend a hand”, “put out a hand”, “offer your hand”.

2) Джим не смотрел, куда бежит, споткнулся и сильно повредил большой палец на левой ноге.

3) Больная старушка опиралась на руку медсестры.

4) Ты не понимаешь, с кем имеешь дело, – она пальцем не шевельнет, чтобы тебе помочь.

Suggestions: “Whom you’re dealing with”, “the kind of person she is” – use the English idiom: “Won’t lift a finger to help you”.

4. Translate into Russian:

1) Tom is a great asset to the basketball team because he’s got such long arms.

2) The child clutched the candy tightly in his hand, afraid that his mother would take it away from him.

3) Did you notice the pianist’s long and slender fingers?

4) By the fourth week of ballet class Mary had learned to dance on toe.

5. In what situations can you say “I’m gonna do that right away” and “I wanna go to the Crimea this summer”?

6. Вас интересует, сколько ваш американский коллега зарабатывает. Задайте этот вопрос по‑английски его другу, который в курсе его финансовых дел.

Suggestion: Try using expressions such as “doing well for himself”, “doing all right for himself”.

7. Translate into English:

1) От всей души ему сочувствую.

2) Вадим такой хороший парень, душа нараспашку, открытый, честный человек.

3) От души желаю вам удачи! (success, all the best, good luck).

4) Он мне ничего не говорит, но в душе чувствую, что он затаил на меня злобу (he’s resentful because / holding it against me that) за то, что я не принял его приглашения.

5) Такая счастливая пара (couple)! Вчера они справили 25‑й юбилей свадьбы – все эти годы живут душа в душу.

6) Мне очень понравились курсы в университете в Калифорнии, но к концу семестра появилась жуткая тоска по родине, я стала тосковать по семье.

8. Translate into Russian:

1) He’s quite a cold person, and seems totally devoid of any emotions.

Suggestion: Try and use the word «сухой» in this sentence.

2) The detective realized that the murder was not committed by the victim’s brother, but by a hit man – there was a contract on his life.

Suggestion: Try «заказное убийство» for “a contract on his life”.