Comprehension

Ex 1 Answer the following questions.

1. What was Coleman like? 2. Why did he go duck shooting that day? 3. What happened as he was crossing one of Barney's fields? 4. How did the girl drive the bull away? 5. Why did Coleman feel ashamed and angry? 6. What were Coleman's thoughts as he looked at the girl? 7. Why did Coleman keep thinking about Maggie several days after the incident? 8. What was he afraid of? 9. When did Coleman see Maggie next? 10. Why was he happy to hear that she was coming to the dance? 11. When did Coleman understand that he loved Maggie? 12. What promise did he give Maggie? 13. How did he prepare for the visit to Maggie's house? 14. Why didn't Coleman keep his promise? 15. What made him change his mind about marrying her? 16. What happened that night at the village pub? 17. Why did Coleman go up to Maggie's house first thing in the morning? 18. How did he know that all was lost and there was no hope for him? 19. Why didn't Coleman ever marry?

Ex 2 Look through the text once again, and:

1. Say if the author's purpose in writing the story was portrayal of character, the creation of a particular mood, or atmosphere, or the presentation of a serious theme or idea. 2. Give as much of the background story of (a) Coleman, (b) Maggie as you possibly can. 3. Find facts to prove that (a) Coleman truly loved Maggie; (b) Maggie loved Coleman; (c) Maggie's pride was greater than her love for Coleman. 4. Say if Maggie was really as ugly as people said she was. 5. Say what traits of character are, in your opinion, reflected in (a) Coleman's appearance; (b) Maggie's appearance. 6. Say whose character — Maggie's or Coleman's — proved the stronger. 7. Say how the characters of Maggie and Coleman are presented: in parallel or in contrast. 8. Explain why Maggie found it impossible to marry Coleman. 9. Explain why the author believed it necessary to mention that Coleman never married, and said nothing of Maggie. 10. Say which of them — Maggie or Coleman — has the author's (a) sympathy, (b) pity.

Ex 3 Find in the text the English for the following phrases, and use them in retelling and discussing the text.

пойти охотиться на уток; волевое лицо; ровные белые зубы; прямой нос; длинные ресницы; быть ровно 6 футов (= 1 м 80 см) ростом; играть на аккордеоне; с ружьем под мышкой; оглянуться; сделать посмешищем; ежемесячная ярмарка; покупать скот; чувствовать на себе чей-н взгляд; ехать на велосипеде; лунная ночь; проснуться утром; зайти выпить кружку пива; напиться (допьяна); затеять ссору; избить; никто так и не узнал...; посмотреть в глаза; понять, что всё пропало.