In the staff canteen at lunchtime I see Mr. Radcliffe again as he orders a main course and two sweets, but this is not an unusual occurrence as far as I am aware. I don’t often come here, preferring to eat in my room upstairs, there I can read uninterrupted. But today I choose the canteen, although even here I am isolated to an island table set for six – that’s fine. I am not so naive to be unaware that I have a certain reputation here – a kind of gruff aloofness. I don’t actually believe this is part of my nature.. or at least it never used to be. I like to be my own man, that’s all. I’ve little time for idle gossip. Years ago, when the new, young starters would arrive in June or July, I was more sociable. They would plague me for tips on the horses, or pop up to my «office’ for a skive or a cup of tea. But it all got a little out of hand. I no longer had any peace. So I became a little testy with them, and my annoyance soon became more organised. I became unpredictable and aggressive, this became a bit of a game, then a habit, and in the end.. finally.. me.
It’s dusk now and the store is quiet again. The kettle rocks gently on the metal frame of the stove. I glance around my room; the rows of books and piles of magazines, the ancient portable television, the radio. I have very few real possessions. What, really, does one man need? I’ve brought the things little by little from the flat. Now I think I have all that is required. I suppose, on occasion, they have suspected I stay here through the night, but that doesn’t bother me. It was a relief to let the flat go completely, I never felt at home there.
I have taken the retirement letter from its envelope and dropped it onto the worn lino. Now it lies there like a broken kite. I will sit here; wait until the mice come out from their hidden places to nibble at its corners and eat its words.
12. The narrator’s stove…
1) was bought in the second-hand shop.
2) was bought twelve years ago.
3) was rather expensive.
4) cost less than its usual price.
Ответ:
13. According to the narrator,
1) the working hours of the store are always the same.
2) there are things that people do regularly.
3) there is always a sale in the shop before Christmas.
4) he hates the routine.
Ответ:
14. While shopping…
1) husbands show real interest in what their wives are buying.
2) ladies examine carefully all the goods.
3) children are easy to control because they are tired.
4) shop assistants don’t want to help customers.
15. Mr Radcliffe…
1) is a tall slim man.
2) always wears a sweater.
3) wants to show his importance.
4) speaks quietly.
16. The narrator usually…
1) chooses the staff canteen to have lunch.
2) has lunch with the management.
3) doesn’t have lunch at all.
4) prefers to read during his lunchtime.
Ответ:
17. The narrator has a reputation of…
1) an unfriendly person not wishing to talk to people.
2) a friendly and sociable person.
3) a person who enjoys gossiping.
4) a person who tests people.
Ответ:
18. The narrator lives in his office because…
1) it is very comfortable.
2) he doesn’t bother to go home.
3) he doesn’t like his flat.
4) he has very few real possessions.
Ответ:
По окончании выполнения заданий 10—18 не забудьте перенести свои ответы в БЛАНК ОТВЕТОВ №1! Запишите ответ справа от номера соответствующего задания, начиная с первой клеточки. При переносе ответов на задания
