Nashi Skazki
Русские народные сказки и сказки таких писателей, как А.С. Пушкин и C.Т. Аксаков, являются неотъемлемой частью нашей культуры. Умение изложить их на английском языке поможет учащимся ознакомить иностранцев с нашей страной, её культурой. Задания к текстам сказок помогают усвоить лексику, развивают навыки чтения.
Every child in this country knows these tales from his or her early childhood. They are stored deep in our minds, and so many wonderful painters, musicians, craftsmen have been inspired by them!
THE SCARLET FLOWER
By S.T. Aksakov
 A. Once upon a time in a faraway land a merchant (купец) was preparing to set out on a long journey. This merchant had three daughters, and he asked all of them what they would like as gifts (подарки) for themselves when he returned from his voyage. The first daughter requested a golden crown, and the second one wanted a crystal mirror. The third daughter asked only for a little scarlet flower.
B. The merchant set out on his journey. It did not take him very long to find a beautiful golden crown and a fine crystal mirror. He had difficulty, however, finding the third gift, the scarlet flower. He searched everywhere, and eventually his search led him into a magical forest. Deep within these woods there was a palace, and in its courtyard grew a beautiful flower. As the merchant drew closer to the flower he realized what it was the scarlet flower. Cautiously, the merchant picked the flower that his youngest daughter wanted so badly. Upon picking the scarlet flower he was confronted (столкнулся) by a hideous beast, who demanded that, in return for picking the flower, the merchant must send one of his daughters deep into the enchanted forest (заколдованный лес), to live with the beast forever.
C. Upon receiving the scarlet flower, the merchant’s youngest daughter agreed to go to the beast. She journeyed alone into the forest and found the castle where she would dwell (жить) forever. For a time, she lived there very happily. The beast had not revealed himself to her (не показывался ей), and showered her daily (осыпал её ежедневно) with kindness and gifts. She started to grow quite fond of her invisible keeper (невидимый хозяин), and one day asked that he show himself. The beast reluctantly gave into her plea (поддался на её уговоры), and, just as he had feared, she recoiled in terror (в ужасе отшатнулась) at the sight of him.
D. That night the girl had a haunting dream (преследующий сон) about her father falling deathly ill. She begged the beast to release (освободить) her, so that she could visit her dying father. Touched by her concern (забота), the beast released her on one condition – that she return to him in three days’ time. The girl spent some time with her father, and prepared to return to the beast at the alloted time (в указанное время). However, her sisters altered the time on the clocks, causing her to arrive late, because they were jealous (завидовали) of her wealth and well-being. Upon her arrival at the castle the girl was horrified at what she encountered (обнаружила). The beast was dead, lying there clutching her scarlet flower. Heartbroken, the girl embraced the dead beast, and declared her love for him. Having done this, she unknowingly broke the evil spell, and her beloved (возлюбленный) beast awoke, turning into a handsome prince.
E. They lived happily ever after.
Activity A. For paragraphs A–E match the corresponding titles 1–6. Write the numbers in the table. One title is extra.
1. How the spell was broken.
2. The merchant’s adventures in the magic forest.
3. The merchant gets requests from his daughters.
4. The merchants cross the sea in ships.
5. Happy end.
6. The beast shows himself to the girl.
Keys: A. 3; В. 2; C. 6; D. 1; E. 5; 4. extra
Activity B. Re-read the tale. Find the words which were formed from the following
verbs: keep, haunt, die, arrive, love;
nouns: gold, magic, beauty, day, death;
adjectives: far, cautious, young, bad, happy, kind, visible, reluctant, knowing
two words: be well, break heart.
Keys: from verbs: keeper, haunting, dying, arrival, beloved; from nouns: golden, magical, beautiful, daily, deathly; from adjectives: faraway, cautiously, youngest, badly, happily, kindness, invisible, reluctantly, unknowingly; from two words: well-being, heartbroken
Submitted by Irina Ishkhneli, School No. 1738 |