Владимир Аракин - Практический курс английского языка 3 курс [calibre 2.43.0]

"Well, he just told the boys and girls things and gave them homework and asked them questions."

"A man isn't smart enough."

"Sure 6 he is. My father knows as much as my teacher."

"He can't. A man can't know as much as a teacher."

"He knows almost as much, I betcha.7" Margie wasn't prepared to dispute that. She said. "I wouldn't want a strange man in my

house to teach me."

Tommy screamed with laughter. "You don't know much, Margie. The teachers didn't live in the house. They had a special building

and all the kids went there."

"And all the kids learned the same things?"

"Sure, if they were the same age."

"But my mother says a teacher has to be adjusted to fit the mind of each boy and girl it teaches and that each kid has to be taught

differently."

"Just the same they didn't do it that way then. If you don't like it, you don't have to read the book."

"I didn't say I didn't like it," Margie said quickly. She wanted to read-about those funny schools.

They weren't even hall-finished, when Margie's mother called, "Margie! School!"

Margie looked up. "Not yet, Mamma."

"Now!" said Mrs. Jones. "And it's probably time for Tommy, too." Margie said to Tommy, "Can I read the book some more with

you after school?" "Maybe," he said nonchalantly.

He walked away, whistling, the dusty old book tucked beneath his arm.

Margie went into the schoolroom. It was right next to her bedroom and the mechanical teacher was on and waiting for her. It was

always on at the same time every day, except Saturday and Sunday, because her mother said little girls learned better if they learned

at regular hours.

The screen lit up, and it said:

"Today's arithmetic lesson is on the addition of proper fractions. Please insert yesterday's homework in the proper slot."

Margie did so with a sigh. She was thinking about the old schools they had when her grandfather's grandfather was a little boy. All

the kids from the whole neighbourhood came laughing and shouting in the schoolyard, sitting together in schoolroom, going home

together at the end of the day. They learned the same things, so they could help one another on the homework and talk about it.

And the teachers were people ...

The mechanical teacher was flashing on the screen:

"When we add the fractions 1/2 and 1/4 8 — "Margie was thinking about how the kids must have loved it in the old days. She was

thinking about the fun they had.

EXPLANATORY NOTES

1. his grandfather:graphic means (italics, bold type, etc.) are very often used as expressive means of the language to enhance a

part of the utterance in order to convey in written form the emphatic intonation of the speaker.

2. gee (interj.): a very common mild euphemism based on the first syllable of the word "Jesus". Used to express surprise or the

like. (Russian: Вот так так! Вот это да! Здорово!)

3.1 guess (Am. colloq.): I think.

4. telebooks:authors of science fiction (SF) very often coin new words to describe advanced technology of the future. The term is

used by I.Asimov in the meaning "books shown on a TV screen".

5. stupid (colloq.): a stupid person.

6. sure (Am. colloq.): inevitably, without fail.

7. 1 betcha ( illit .): I am sure.

8. 1/2 and 1/4 — one half and one quarter; 1/8 — one eighth; 1/3 — one third.

ESSENTIAL VOCABULARY

Vocabulary Notes

1. stand vi 1) to be in an upright position, as to stand still (straight, motionless); to stand with one's back to smb.; to stand in one's

light; to stand leaning against smth., to stand in a line; to stand on endto rise up on the head as a result of fright or astonishment, e.

g. His hair stood on end. to stand outto be outlined, to be prominent, e. g. The green roof stood out against the clear sky. His work

stands out from that of the others, to stand up for smb. (smth.)to defend or support smb. (smth.), e. g. George stood up for precedent,

it stands to reasonit goes without saying, e. g. It stands to reason that we must do the job as well as possible. 2) to bear smth., e. g.

Montmorency couldn't stand George's music. I cannot stand heat (pain, his jokes, the climate, etc.). to stand one's groundto be firm,

e. g. Everybody was against him, but he stood his ground. 3) to remain unchanged, e. g. The agreement stands. 4) to provide and

pay for, as to stand treat (z. e. pay the bill); 5) to support, e. g. We must stand by each other. 6) to be, e. g. He stands 6 foot in

height, to stand forto mean, e. g. M.P. stands for Member of Parliament.

2. hate vt to have a strong dislike for; wish evil to; (collag.) regret, e. g. My cat hates dogs. I hate troubling you (to trouble you).

hate n hatred; extreme dislike or ill-will, e. g. He was filled with hate for his enemy.

hateful adj feeling, showing or causing hate, as a hateful crime, hateful glances, hateful lie.

hatred n hate; strong ill-will; {collog.) strong dislike, e. g. He looked at me with hatred in his eyes.

3. smile vi/t 1) to have a smile on one's face, e. g. He never smiles. What are you smiling at? Fortune has always smiled on (upon)

him. 2) to express by smiling; drive away by smiling, as to smile away vexation (grief), e. g. He is not a man to smile away

vexation.

smilen 1) the act of smiling; a smiling expression, e. g. There was a pleasant (cruel, ironical, etc.) smile on her face, to be all smiles

to look pleased, e. g. The little boy's face was all smiles when he saw his new toy. 2) pi. favour, support, as to enjoy the smiles of

fortune.

4. pat vi/t 1) to tap or hit smth. lightly (often as a sign of affection), as to pat a dog, e. g. Amy patted her shoulder with warmth. 2) to carry out the action of patting, make a patting sound, e. g. She patted the books into a neat pile. He patted his foot listening to the

music.

pat nl|a slight tap or stroke given with the open hand, e. g. He gave me a friendly pat on the shoulder. 2) a light sound made by

striking lightly with smth. flat.

5. take vi/t 1) to seize or lay hold of with the hand(s), or with an instrument; to grasp, capture, as to take a person's hand, to take

hold of smth., to take a man prisoner; 2) to accept; receive; buy regularly, e. g. He took the house for a year. Who took the first

prize? I shall take a holiday tomorrow. He was taking a nap. You must take your chance. 3) to carry; remove; borrow without

permission; steal, e. g. Take these letters to the post. He's always taking other people's ideas. 4) to go with; conduct; escort, as to take

a guest home; 5) to feel; experience, as to take pride in one's work, to take an interest in politics; 6) to eat; drink; receive into the

system, e. g. He took a deep breath. 7) to assume; presume; conclude; suppose; regard; understand, e. g. I took him to be an honest

man. Do you take my meaning? We may take it for granted. 8) to assume a certain attitude, e. g. Take care what you say. Did he take