- Listen to the beautiful inspirational story “The race called life”. While listening spot new words and write them down in your dictionary.
2. Find the English translation for the following words and word collocation.
- жаждать успеха
- стать свидетелем спортивного зрелища
- свидетельствовать
- бег начался
- ровная партия (в состязании)
- “копать” глубоко
- призывать к решимости
- занять выигрышную линию
- толпа была восторженна
- не выражать (никаких) чувств
- назначить (призывать к ) гонку
- здоровый претендент
- умолять, просить
- пожилая болезненная (хрупкая) старушка
- слепой человек
- единственный
- кивать головой
- я не понимаю! (старинное)
- без сомнения
3. Practice smooth interpretation of new words and fill in the blank space with missing prepositions.
Однажды, there was a young athletic boy жаждающий успеха. For whom winning was everything and success was measured just ____ winning.
One day the boy was preparing himself _____ a running competition _____ a small village, himself and two other young boys to compete. A large crowd had gathered to witness спортивное зрелище and a wise old man ____ hearing of the little boy had traveled far стать свидетелем спортивного зрелища.The race начался. Looking like ровная партия в состязании _____ the finishing line, but sure enough, the boy “копнул глубоко” and called ___ his решимость, strength, and power… Он занял выигрышную линию and was first. Толпа была восторжена and cheered and waved ___ the boy. The wise man remained still and calm не выражая чувств. The little boy however felt proud and important.
The second race был назначен and two new young fit challengers came forward to run ____ a little boy. The race was started and без сомнения, the little boy came through and finished first once again. The crowd was ecstatic again and cheered and waved ____ the boy. The мудрый man remained still and calm, again expressing no sentiment. The little boy however felt proud and important. Another race! Another race! – умолял the little boy.
The wise old man stepped ____and presented the little boy ____ two new challengers, an elderly хрупкая lady, and a blind man. “What is this?” quizzed the little boy. “This is no race! ” he explained. “Race!” said the wise man. The race was started and the boy was the only finisher, другие two challengers left standing ____ the starting line. The little boy was восторженный, he raised his arms ____ delight. The crowd however was silent showing no sentiment _____ the little boy. “What has happened? Why not do people join in my success?” he asked the wise old man.
“Race again!” – replied the wise man, “this time finish together, all three of you, finish together” continued the wise man. The little boy thought a little, stood _____ the middle of слепой man and хрупкая old lady, and then took the two challengers _____ the hand. The race began and the little boy walked slowly ever so slowly ___ the finishing line and crossed it. The crowd were/was ecstatic and cheered and waved ___ the boy. The wise man smiled gently кивая his head. The little boy felt proud and important.
“Old man, I understand not! Who are толпа cheering for? Which one ___ us three” asked the little boy. The wise old man looked ____the little boy’s eyes placing his hands on the boy’s shoulders and replied нежно. “Little boy, ___ this race you have won much more than any race you have ever run ______. And _____this race, the crowd cheer not ___ any победитель.
You see ___ life, in your life, what are you running ___? Are you hungry ___ success? Is winning the only измерение ___ you, in your life? Who are you running ____? And if you always win ______ everybody then soon the people will stop cheering ____ you. ____the end of your life if you look _____, the question is who was running _____ you in this соревнование. If they were weaker and old, did you help them to get _____ the line? Did you all finish together? Because that is the best race you can ever run. So run, run this race called life but don’t forget it is not important if you win. It’s important how you run this race.
4. Retell the story. Use the plan below for a reference.
- A young athletic boy is hungry for success.
- The boy wins the first race, hence the wise man expresses no sentiment.
- The second race was called on. The little boy still feels proud and important.
- The boy pleads for another race. The wise old man steps forward and presents the little boy with two new challengers, an elderly frail lady, and a blind man. The crowd shows no sentiment.
- The boy runs the fourth race. This time he finishes together with the two other challengers.
- The lesson learned. What should success mean and how it should be measured? When should you feel proud and important? When does the crowd stop cheering? How does the best race look like?
5. Prepare for dictation the following words.
to be hungry for success, to witness the sporting spectacle, to bear witness, the race commenced, a level heat, to dig deep, to call on the determination, to take the winning line, the crowd was/were ecstatic, to express no sentiment, to call the race, a fit challenger, to plead, elderly frail lady, a blind man, the only finisher, to nod the head,