Unit VII

Chapters XXX-XXXIV

1. Study the following words and word combinations, explain their meaning in English, give the context in which they are used:

1. a wakeful night

2. to forsee disaster

3. to resist the temptation of doing smth.

4. averted face

5. the smart of the blow

6. to be at hand

7. a woman of violent passions

8. demure appearance

9. to fly into a temper

10. to make despairing gestures with one’s hands

11. a hint of mockery

2. Say whether the following statements are true or false:

1. Blanche Stroeve was merely bored with her husband and went to Strickland out of a callous curiosity.

2. Strickland was a man without any conception of gratitude.

3. Dirk Stroeve agreed to go to the North of Holland where his parents still lived.

4. Dirk Stroeve wanted to forget his unhappiness, he didn’t want to remain a ridiculous object.

5. When the narrator met Blanche and Strickland in front of the café, he was surprised that she had not changed.

6. Dirk Stroeve was frightened, he knew something was going to happen, but he could do nothing to stop it.

7. The narrator felt a great sympathy for Blanche Stroeve.

8. Dirk made no claim on his wife, and on the recovery would not seek to induce her to return home to him, she would be perfectly free.

9. The doctor let Dirk Stroeve see his wife, because he didn’t look upon the case, as a case and Dirk was the husband anxious to forgive.

3. Fill in prepositions:

1. Blanche had never really cared … her husband, and what the narrator had taken … love was no more than the feminine response to comfort which … minds … most women passes … it.

2. Mrs. Stroeve was … the cruel grip … appetite.

3. Strickland had no tenderness either … himself, or … others.

4. Dirk told his wife that Strickland would soon tire … her.

5. … all his pain, Dirk Stroeve remained a ridiculous object.

6. She must be a woman … complicated character, and there was something dramatic … the contrast … that her demure appearance.

7. Dirk was conscious that his wife regarded him … an indifference so profound that the sight … his handwriting would have not the slightest effect … her.

8. Women are constantly trying to commit suicide … love, but generally they take care not to succeed.