Read the text and consider its following aspects

a) Comment upon the choice of words in:

I'm always fibbing привираю (why not "lying"?); I never want to set eyes on видеть you again (why not "I never want to see you again"?); you've a good deal in common with that cracked выживших из ума brother of yours (why not "you've much in common with that mad brother of yours?"); some damned silly little squabble перебранку (why not "quarrel"?)

b) Explain a considerable number of abbreviations occurring in the text (we're, it's, that's, you'll, you're, I've, etc.).

c) Indicate the figure of speech in "What fun they have at the B.B.C.!".

d) Explain the allusion in:

1. The sleeping dog was the truth, do you see, and that man in­sisted upon disturbing it. 2. To lie or not to lie — what do you think, Olwen?

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e) Express in your own words:

I think telling the truth is about as healthy as skidding round the corner at sixty. — What stylistic device is used in the sentence? Com­ment upon its effectiveness. How does the statement characterize the speaker?

f) Indicate the stylistic devices in:

1. And life's got a lot of dangerous corners — hasn't it, Charles? 2. It can have — if you don't choose your route маршрут well.

g) Explain:

a match for her or anybody else present; you won't face up to real things; that cracked выживших из ума brother of yours; fool's paradise; you're busy building yourself a fool's hell to live in; someone who seemed to me to represent some lovely quality of life; you were getting very senti­mental and noble about her; in love with somebody who really wasn't there; I began this evening with something to keep me going; we'd... had some silly little squabble перебранку; a hand at bridge; on the tiles

h) Comment on the methods used for heightening the emotion in the conclud­ing episode.