Lesson 40
Text A
Learn to Eat Like a Grown-up
MOTHER: The table's laid. Come along, both of you, and let us begin.
FATHER: I'm ready; I feel quite hungry.
CHRIS: So am I; I could eat a horse.
MOTHER: Well, we haven't got a horse for you , but what we have got is quitenice. Sit there and see how well you can behave. Remember, you'regetting quite a big boy and must learn to eat like a grown-up.
CHRIS: DOes that mean that I can eat more?
MOTHER: We want you to make a good meal, though we don't want you to stuffyourself. Your place has been laid just like ours.
CHRIS: What's this little plate for?
MOTHER: That's for your bread. Most people eat a little bread with their meatand vegetables.
CHRIS: Mother, aren't you going to cut my meat up for me any more?
MOTHER: No, I'm not. We have put a knife and fork for you and you must learn .
how to use them. Here is your meat; help yourself to vegetables fromthe dish Don't take more than you can eat.
CHRIS: All right; Mother; may I take some mustard?
FATHER: You may, but I don't think you'll like it. You'll find it hot. Nowsit up properly; don't lean back and don't Iean too far forward.
MOTHER: And take your elbows off the table-cloth.
FATHER: And don't take too much on your fork. You shouldn't open your mouthwide at meals.
MOTHER: And don't make a noise when you are eating.
CHRIS: Good gracious!I think it would be better if I took my plate away tothe nursery. I shan't be able to eat at, all if I try to rememberall those things.
FATHER: Stay where you are. You'll soon learn.(Chris begins to eat; he putssome vegetables into his mouth with his knife. )MOTHER: What are you doi ng? Don't you know that you must never put you knifeinto your mouth?
CHRIS: But why, Mummy? It's easier like that sometimes.
FATHER: You .might cut your mouth. Do you want to make your mouth bigger than it k.
is? Use your forCHRIS: No, I don't. But I might prick my tongue with the points of my fork.
FATHER: Well, you must learn not to.
MOTHER: There, leave the lad alone. He'll soon learn. Have you finished, dear?
Lay your knife and fork on your plate. No, don't cross them. Put thehandles towards you.
FATHER: Now, here come the sweets. Here's your plate. Use that spoon and fork;use your fork more than your spoon.
CHRIS But why? Isn't it polite to use the spoon?
MOTHER: Of course it is, but most people use the fork more. than the spoon. Usethe spoon when you have to.
CHRIS: You mean for eating very soft stuff?
MOTHER: That's right. Why, you haven't drunk any water! (Chris drinks some waterand puts his glass down on the left of his plate. )FATHER: Not there. On your right.
CHRISL But why?
FATHER: Because it is nearer to your right hand. It's handier there.
CHRIS: All right, Dad. There seems to be a great deal to learn. Give me some morepudding, MotherMoTHER: "Give me" doesn't get; say, "Please may I have?"CHRIS: Please may I have some more pudding?
MoTHER: Here you are. What's that I see? Dirty hands? See that you don't come totable with dirty hands again.
FATHER: And brush your hair next time you come.
CHRIS: I'll try to remember. But you mustn't expect me to learn every't'hing atonce. May I get down now?
MoTHER: Very well. Run along.
Text B
A Red Cross Nurse
Mary wanted to be a nurse when she left school , but in the meantime, she joined the Red Cross and had some limited trainingShe was taught that, in case of an accident-and they were plentiful in her town-she should give first aid at once and then send for a doctor.
One day, there was an accident in a busy street, and when Mazy arrived soon after, she saw a man bending over a woman who had been accidentally knocked down by a car and was lying motionless in the street.
Mary ran up, pushed the man away, informed the crowd that she was a Red Cross nurse and began to help the wounded woinan.
After a few minutes, the man who had been bending overthe woman when Mary arrived touched her on the shoulder and said, "When you reach the part about sending for a doctor,don't worry. I'm here already. "
Questions on Text B
7. Read the following passage once. Underline the key words while reading and retell the passage to your partner.
We say that a person has good manners if he or she behaves politely andis kind and helpful to others. Everyone likes a person with good manners but no one likes a person with bad manners. "Yes," you may say, "but what are good manners? How does one know what to do and what not to do?"Well, here are some examples of the things that a well-mannered person does or does not do.
He never laughs at people when they are in trouble. Instead, he tries to help them. He is always kind, never cruel, to people. When people are waiting for a bus, or in a post office, he takes his turn. He does not push to the front line of the queue. In the bus he gives his seat to an older person or a lady who is standing. If he accidentally bumps into someone, or gets in their way, he says "Excuse me" or "I'm sorry".
He says "Please" when lte makes a request , and "Thank you" when he receives something. He stands up when he is speaking to a lady or an older person, he does not sit down until the other person is seated. He does not in'terrupt other people when they are talking. He does not talk too much himself. He does not talk loudly or laugh loudly in public. When he is eating he does not speak with his mouth full of food. He uses a handkerchief when he sneezes or coughs. |