Лекции по "Английскому языку"

PRACTICAL ASSIGNMENT 1

The sentences given below contain synonyms. Write them out in groups and explain the difference where the words are familiar.

1. a) While Kitty chatted gaily with her neighbours she watched Walter, b) Ashenden knew that R. had not sent for him to talk about weather and crops, c) As he spoke he rose from the bed. d) He is said to be honest, e) He'll tell you all about himself, f) If you wish to converse with me define your terms. 2. a) She felt on a sudden a cold chill pass through her limbs and she shivered. b) Her lips trembled so that she could hardly frame the words, с) I was shaking like a leaf when I came here, d) He shuddered with disgust. 3. a) He gave his wrist-watch a glance, b) Tommy gave her a look out of the corner of his eye. c) But her abstract gaze scarcely noticed the blue sea and the crowded shipping in the harbour, d) Let me have just one peep at the letter. 4. a) Bessie gets up and walks towards the window, b) He did nothing from morning till night but wander at random, с) I saw a man strolling along, d) The men sauntered over to the next room. 5. a) I began to meditate upon writer's life, b) You had better reflect a little, c) The more he thought of it the less he liked the idea, d) I'm sure that a little walk will keep you from breeding. 6. a) The next witness was Dr. Burnett, a thin middle-aged man. b) The woman was tall with reddish curly hair and held a scarlet kimono round her slender figure, c) The girl was slim and dark, d) Studying him, Mrs. Page saw a spare young man with high cheekbones and blue eyes. 7. a) There was a fat woman, who gasped when she talked, b) She came in like a ship at full sail, an imposing creature, tall and stout, c) She was twenty-seven perhaps, plump, and in a coarse fashion pretty, d) He was a person of perhaps forty, red-faced, cheerful, thick. 8. a) Strange, unstable woman. It was rather embarrassing that she would cry in a public gallery. b) It was a life that perhaps formed queer characters. c) I thought it odd that they should allow her to dance quite quietly in Berlin, d) It is a veritable picture of an old country inn with low, quaint rooms and latticed windows.

 

PRACTICAL ASSIGNMENT 2

Give as many synonyms for the italicized words in the following jokes as you can. If you do not know any of them consult the dictionaries.

"I hear there's a new baby over at your house, William," said the teacher. "I don't think he's new," replied William. "The way he cries shows he's had lots of experience."

A little boy who had been used to receiving his old brother's old toys and clothes remarked: "Ma, will I have to marry his widow when he dies?"

Sma11 boy (to governess): Miss Smith, please excuse my speaking to you with my mouth full, but my little sister has just fallen into the pond.

A celebrated lawyer once said that the three most troublesome clients he ever had were a young lady who wanted to be married, a married woman who wanted a divorce, and an old maid who didn't know what she wanted.

Boss: You are twenty minutes late again. Don't you know what time we start to work at this office? New Employee: No, sir, they are always at it when I get here.

H e (as they drove along a lonely road): You look lovelier to me every minute. Do you know what that's a sign of? She: Sure. You are about to run out of gas.

Husband (shouting upstairs to his wife): For last time, Mary, are you coming? Wife: Haven't I been telling you for the last hour that I'll be down in a minute.

"Oh, Mummie, I hurt my toe!" cried small Janey, who was playing in the garden. "Which toe, dear?" I in quired, as I examined her foot. "My youngest one," sobbed Janey.

 

PRACTICAL ASSIGNMENT 3

Carry out definitional and transformational analysis on the italicized synonyms using the explanations of meanings. Draw diagrams and define the types of connotations found in them.

Old means having lived a long time, far advanced in years; elderly means approaching old age, between middle and old age, past middle age, but hardly old; aged is somewhat old, implies greater age than elderly; ancient is so old as to seem to belong to a past age.

To create means to make an object which was not previously in existence, to bring into existence by inspiration or the like; to manufacture is to make by labour, often by machinery, especially on a large scale by some industrial process; to produce is to work up from raw material and turn it into economically useful and marketable goods.

To break is to separate into parts or fragments; to crack is to break anything hard with a sudden sharp blow without separating, so that the pieces remain together; to shatter is to break into fragments, particles and in numerous directions; to smash is to destroy, to break thoroughly to pieces with a crashing sound by some sudden act of violence.

To cry is to express grief or pain by audible lamentations, to shed tears with or without sound; to sob is to cry desperately with convulsive catching of the breath and noisily as from heart-rending grief; to weep means to shed tears more or less silently which is sometimes expression of pleasurable emotion.

Battle denotes the act of struggling, a hostile encounter or engagement between opposite forces on sea or land; combat denotes a struggle between armed forces, or individuals, it is usually of a smaller scale than battle, less frequently used in a figurative sense; fight denotes a struggle for victory, either between individuals or between armies, ships or navies, it is a word of less dignity than battle, fight usually implies a hand-to-hand conflict.

 

PRACTICAL ASSIGNMENT 4

Use the definitions of the following synonyms and the explanation given in the English-Russian Synonymic Dictionary prove that synonyms possess a dual nature.

1. to shake — to tremble — to shiver — to shudder. 2. smell — scent — odour — aroma. 3. to walk — to stroll — to saunter — to wander. 4. to want — to wish — to desire. 5. weak — feeble — frail — fragile. 6. large — big — great. 7. to jump — to leap — to spring — to skip — to hop. 8. pain — ache — pang — twinge. 9. to discuss — to argue — to debate — to dispute. 10. dim — dusky — obscure.

 

PRACTICAL ASSIGNMENT 5

Single out the denotative and connotative components of meanings of the synonyms in the examples given below.

l. a) At the little lady's command they all three smiled, b) George, on hearing the story grinned. 2. a) Forsyte — the best palate in London. The palate that in a sense had made his fortune — the fortunes of the celebrated tea men, Forsyte and Treffry... b) June, of course, had not seen this, but, though not yet nineteen, she was notorious. 3. a) Noticing that they were no longer alone, he turned and again began examining the lustre, b) June had gone. James had said he would be lonely. 4. a) The child was shivering with cold. b) The man shuddered with disgust. 5. a) I am surprised at you. b) He was astonished at the woman's determination. 6. a) It's impolite to stare at people like that, b) The little boys stood glaring at each other ready to start a fight, c) The lovers stood gazing into each other's eyes. 7. a) They produce great amounts of wine but this is not all they produce in that part, b) The story was fabricated from beginning to end. 8. a) On hearing from Bosinney that his limit of twelve thousand pounds would be exceeded by something like four hundred, he had grown white with anger, b) "It's a damned shame," Andrew burst out, forgetting himself in a sudden rush of indignation. 9. a) He was an aged man, but not yet old. b) He was an elderly man at the time of his marriage. 10. The distance between the Earth and the Sun may be said to be immense', the distance between the poles is vast.

 

PRACTICAL ASSIGNMENT 6

Look through the previous material and, if necessary, through synonymic dictionaries and prove that the rows of words given below are synonyms. Use the semantic criterion to justify your opinion.

 

1. To shout— to yell— to roar. 2. angry — furious — enraged. 3. alone — solitary — lonely. 4. to shudder — to shiver — to tremble. 5. fear—terror— horror. 6. to cry — to weep — to sob. 7. to walk — to trot — to stroll. 8. to stare — to gaze — to glare. 9. to desire — to wish — to want. 10. to like — to admire — to worship.

 

PRACTICAL ASSIGNMENT 7

Say why the italicized synonyms in the examples given below are not interchangeable.

1. a) The little boys stood glaring at each other ready to start a fight. b) The Greek myth runs that Narcissus gazed at his own reflection in the water until he fell in love with it and died. 2. a) She is a very pretty American girl of twenty-two, with fair hair and blue eyes. b) She was a tall, blonde woman, slender, and stately and beautiful. 3. a) You don't know what a shock it was, Constance. I was knocked endways. I'd been brooding over it ever since till I was afraid I should go mad. b) She'd evidently had time to reflect because when I came again she asked me quite calmly what it was exactly that I proposed. 4. a) She began to sob hysterically. b) Mortimer looks from Marie Louise who is quietly weeping to Constance with the utmost bewilderment. 5. a) You only want a car so that you can be independent of me. b) She longed with all her heart for him to take her in his arms so that she could lay her head on his breast. 6. a) People turned in the street and stared at her with open mouths, b) R. got up and strolled slowly about the room and when he passed the windows as though in idle curiosity, peeped through the heavy crep curtains that covered them, and then returning to his chair once more comfortably put his feet up. 7. a) He was puzzled at the letter, b) I was astonished at seeing him so changed. 8. a) Many of them had their sleeves rolled up, revealing bare arms, b) He saw naked children playing on the heaps of rubbish. 9. a) There was a scent of honey from the lime-trees in flowers, b) The room was permeated with the familiar smells of dust and yesterday's cooking. 10. a) Questions are never indiscreet. Answers sometimes are. b) He sought for a crushing phrase, some final and intimidating repartee.

 

PRACTICAL ASSIGNMENT 8

From the sentences given below write out the synonyms in groups and classify them into: A. synonyms differentiated by the connotation of duration; B. synonyms differentiated by the connotation of degree or intensity; C. synonyms differentiated by the causative connotation. Explain the reasons for your decisions.

1. He shuddered at the thought of a meeting that lay before him. 2. The whole situation, he tells me, was extraordinary, like that of an African explorer who, endeavouring to ignore one of the local serpents, finds himself exchanging glances with a man-eating tiger. He merely blushed and said that he was jolly well going to go, because this girl was in Cannes. 4. Gosh, how I used to admire you at the dear old school. You were my hero. 5. What I really want is a meal. 6. That is the trouble about Cannes in August — it becomes very mixed. You get there splendid chaps who were worshipped by their schoolmates — and you also get men like this bookie. 7. He resents their cold stare. 8. Her voice was trembling with excitement. 9. He made a short speech in French, and the mothers all applauded, and the babies all yelled. 10. The girl was shivering with cold. 11.1 must confess I am a little surprised. 12. "A truck driver," shouted someone from the audience. 13. "You have settled it!" cried the astonished parent. 14. The audience roared with laughter. 15. He was speaking for half an hour or so. 16. His face reddened, he could hardly keep his temper. 17. "I adore you, Mary," he said. 18. His eyes glittered with malice. 19. She would have liked to go there herself but couldn't. 20. His eyes were blazing as he heard how cruelly the children had been treated. 21. I was perfectly amazed that one man, all by himself, should have been able to beat down and capture such battalions of practised fighters. 22. His eyes sparkled with happiness.

 

PRACTICAL ASSIGNMENT 9

Classify the following synonyms in two columns according to: a) degree (intensity) of the referent; b) brief or lengthy duration of the referent.

1. Gratify, please, exalt, content, satisfy, delight. 2. Cry, weep, sob. 3. Glance, gaze, glare, stare. 4. Tremble, shiver, shudder, shake. 5. Worship, love, like, adore, admire. 6. Talk, say, tell, speak. 7. Roar, shout, cry, bellow, yell. 8. Astound, surprise, amaze, astonish. 9. Cold, cool, chilly. 10. Want, long, yearn, desire, wish. 11. Vast, immense, large.

 

PRACTICAL ASSIGNMENT 10

Write out synonymic groups and classify them into:  A. synonyms differentiated by evaluative connotations; B. synonyms differentiated by connotation of manner.

1. Besides, Jack is a notorious domesticity for John! 2. His eyes sparkled with amusement. 3. "Joey-Joey...!" I said staggering unevenly towards the peacock. 4. Betty would have liked to peep in but could not. 5. Presently I saw a man strolling along. 6. Her eyes glittered with hatred. 7. Those artisans produce pottery with great skill. 8. He was a well-known scientist. 9. It's getting late, so I must trot away. 10. The boy was peering into a dark room. 11. He swaggered along the corridor, evidently in high spirits. 12. The will was fabricated. 13. There was a picture of a celebrated painter on the wall.

 

PRACTICAL ASSIGNMENT 11

Within the following synonymic groups single out words with emotive connotations.

1. Fear— terror— horror. 2. look— stare — glare — gaze — glance. 3. love — admire — adore — worship. 4. alone— single— solitary— lonely. 5. tremble — shiver — shudder — shake. 6. wish — desire — yearn — long.

 

PRACTICAL ASSIGNMENT 12

Do the italicized words possess stylistic connotations? If so, what are their stylistic characteristics?

1. a) I was a very young man when I first came to London and I made mistakes, b) I've found him very useful. Not a bad chap, с) I put a very smart lad on the job. d) He is a very nice fellow. 2. a) The sister drew back the cloth and displayed four tiny, naked infants. b) She knew that he had desperately wanted her to bear a child, с) You ought to have a kid or two. 3. a) What I really want is a meal, b) I could do with a snack, c) Let's have a bite, d) They decided to order some refreshment. a) "Now clear out," Althrope says, "both of you." b) He nodded, grinned again at her, then withdrew and went out to the main deck, c) In silence the widow departed. d) When he left the house he promised to return at nine o'clock that night, e) I'm busy. Clear off quickly. f) She liked to read before retiring for the night. a) "Fool around with chalk and crayons. It'll be fun." "Bosh!” b) "There it is, young man," he snapped. "Such foolishness. Poppy-cock!" c) He said he wouldn't stand that nonsense of yours.

 

PRACTICAL ASSIGNMENT 13

Identify the stylistic connotations for the following italicized words in the jokes given below and write their synonyms with other stylistic connotations.

1. "I must say these are fine biscuits!" exclaimed the young husband. "How could you say those are fine biscuits?" inquired the young wife's mother, in a private interview. "I didn't say they were fine. I merely said I must say so." 2. "Willie," said his mother, "I wish you would run across the street and see how old Mrs. Brown is this morning." "Yes'm," replied Willie and a few minutes later he returned and reported: "Mrs. Brown says it's none of your business how old she is." 3. "Yes, she's married to a real-estate agent and a good, honest fellow, too." "My gracious! Bigamy?" 4. Willie: Won't your pa spank you for staying out so late? Tommy (whose father is a lawyer): No, I'll get an injunction from ma postponing the spanking, and then I'll appeal to grandma and she'll have it made permanent. 5. A man entered the bar and called for "a Martinus". The barman observed as he picked up a glass, "You mean Martini, sir!" "No, indeed I don't," the man replied. "I was taught Latin properly and I only want one." 6. A foreigner was relating his experience in studying the English language. He said: "When I first discovered that if I was quick I was fast; that if I was tied I was fast; and that not to eat was fast, I was discouraged. But when I came across the sentence, 'The first one won one-dollar prize' I gave up trying."  7. Jane: Would you be insulted if that good-looking stranger offered you some champagne? Joan: Yes, but I'd probably swallow the insult.