4 wild — неточный
5 well out — с значительного расстояния от ворот
6 two yards out — два ярда от ворот
7 to press home their advantage — использовать свое преимущество
8 to net — забить гол
9 Press stand — трибуна прессы
10 to rule it no goal — не засчитать гол
11 winning goal — выигрышный гол
12 stalemate — ничья
2. ON THE TRACK
In the most fantastic mile race ever run, N., the 20-year-old wonder, smashed the world record in 3 min. 54.5 sec.
From the start the pace was extremely hot and M., who had made a particulary smart beginning, completed the first quarter in 56 seconds. M. also led at the half-mile mark, but N. set about the task of overhauling M., and on the third lap moved up. He and M. increased the pace and the rest of the field began to tail off1.
As they went into the last lap, N. came up with M. It was on the final bend2 that N. made a tremendous effort and shot into the lead putting himself some yards ahead of M.
With about 50 yards to go3 N. brought the cheering crowd to its feet as he stretched his lead over M., and reached the tape in 3 min. 54.5 sec.
N. was rather tired after his effort. However, despite his tremendous performance, he still had enough energy to do a lap of honour4 in front of the cheering crowd. Before he stepped up the rostrum5 he was garlanded with a laurel wreath6.
Vocabulary Notes
1 to tail off — отставать
2 final bend — последний поворот
3 with 50 yards to go — за 50 ярдов до финиша
4 lap of honour — круг почета
5 rostrum — пьедестал
6 to be garlanded with a laurel wreath — быть увенчанным лавровым венком
3. ON THE ICE
(Peter and his sister, Ann, have come to the skating-rink where they happen to meet their friend, Paul.)
PETER. Well, Ann, have you put on your skates?
ANN. Yes, I have. I say, Peter, isn’t that Paul over there?
PETER. It is, indeed. Hey, Paul!
PAUL (Coming over.) Why, hello, Peter! Oh, that’s you, Ann? How do you do?
ANN. How do you do, Paul? You come here frequently, I suppose, don’t you?
PAUL. Rather. Skating is my hobby, don’t you know?
PETER. Say, Paul, is the ice good?
PAUL. Not very. A bit soft.
PETER. Well, let’s go. Come on, Ann.
ANN. Oh, my, I can’t stand on my feet!
PAUL. But can’t you skate, Ann?
ANN. I? Why, this is the first time I’m ever on skates! Peter has promised to teach me.
PETER. So I have. But Paul is (by far) a more experienced skater than I. Couldn’t you possibly give her a hint, Paul, how to learn the trick.
PAUL. With the greatest pleasure. Well, Ann, hold on to my arm. Now, let’s go on the ice.
{On the ice.)
ANN. My, how slippery it is! I’m afraid to lift my foot.
PAUL. Don’t get worried. Give me your hand, please. Now, bring out your right foot the way I do it. That’s it. Now your left. ANN. Oh, I’m losing my balance!
PAUL. Steady, Ann. Now, let’s try it again.
ANN. I look like a baby, trying to walk, don’t I?
PETER. You do, indeed. Well, I’m off for a run. Good luck to you, Annie.
{After some time.)
PETER. Well, how are you getting on, Annie?
PAUL. Oh, she’s doing fine. {To Ann.) You are tired, aren’t you?
ANN. Rather. Let’s sit down on this bench for a while.
PETER. I say, Paul, are you good at figure cutting?
PAUL. Well, there is nothing to boast about.
ANN. Oh, do show us how you skate, Paul.
{Paul begins to cut figures on the ice.)
PETER. Well, Ann, how do you like it?
ANN. Oh, it’s lovely! He simply glides on the ice.
{Paul comes up to them.)
PETER. You did fine, Paul. You have mastered the technique rather well, I should say.
ANN. Oh yes, I wish I could skate like that.
PAUL. Oh, you’ll learn to skate even better, by and by, Ann. Patience and a great deal of training.
PETER. I say, Paul, what’s wrong with my skates? They slip when I’m on the ice.
{Paul examines them.)
PAUL. Why, they are blunt. You must have them sharpened.
PETER. Can it be done here?
PAUL. Certainly. You’ll have to go into the hut for that. Well, Ann, are you ready for another lesson?
ANN. Oh yes. You are so kind, Paul.
4. SWIMMING
Every person should endeavour to acquire the power of swimming. The exercise is a healthy accompaniment of bathing.
The art of swimming is, in reality, very easy. Do not attempt to learn to swim too hastily. Belts may be of service for supporting the body while one is learning what is called the stroke, or that manner of drawing in and striking out the hands and feet that is necessary to produce progressive motion.
But you will be no swimmer till you can place confidence in the power of water to support you.
Choose a place where the water deepens gradually, walk into it till it is up to your breast; then turn round your face to the shore, throw yourself forward and begin striking out with your hands and feet so as to prevent the lower part of the body, that is the legs, from sinking; keep your head as high as possible above the water.
During the great heat in summer there is great danger to throw oneself into cold water — one is apt to be seized with a cramp.
Do not forget to cool yourself before getting into the water.
XIII. Town
1. A TOWN
A town is a large number of houses, schools, hospitals, theatres, factories, works and other buildings built near each other. All these buildings are divided into blocks by streets. Short narrow streets that join larger ones together are called lanes. On one side of the streets the buildings have even numbers, on the other — odd numbers. The main streets are usually paved with stone or asphalt. Along the streets run carts, cars, buses and trolleybuses. In large towns tramways are laid down the wider streets, along which tramcars rattle with great noise. On both sides of the streets are raised pavements on which people walk.
In very large towns, which are generally called cities, countless pedestrians walk along the foot-pavement forming two smoothly- flowing ceaseless currents. In England walkers keep to the right, while vehicles on the road keep to the left.
People usually cross the streets at special places, called crossings. When the traffic is very heavy, the policeman, who regulates the movement of the cars and buses, has to stop the never-ending stream by raising one hand, thus affording the pedestrians a chance of crossing the street. On the foot-paths, close to the gutter, stand dustbins, into which refuse is put.