There was a big house in the dense forest between high malachite mountains.
Braided with green ivy, hidden in the heart of the dark wood, it looked mysterious and lonely. Actually, when you approached it, you could see that it was cosy, warm and friendly. The dwelling with its large windows, dark green door and tiled roof resembled a marvellous house in a fairyland.
A little boy Tommy and his family lived in this house. He was a smart child of eight, looking funny with freckles and a snub nose on his round face. His brown hair was slightly curly. The boy looked at the world with bright green eyes and a timid smile.
Tommy could be different almost every day. He was fickle like a leaf in the wind. His mood changed according to the situation. His behaviour varied depending on the expectations of his parents. Sometimes the kid was cheerful and talkative, but pretty soon he became reserved and shy. One day he could be generous and responsive, but the next day he didn’t want to speak and share anything with anyone.
For a boy of his age Tom was very observant, witty, and quite self-centred like most children.
Tommy’s parents took care of him, and of course, they loved their son, but they were too busy at work. That is why he often spent time alone, though he didn’t feel sad or lonely. Tommy wandered about the house, travelling from one room to another. He always found some interesting activities there. Each room had something special for him.
HELPFUL WORDS AND NOTES
malachite [mæləkaıt] – малахитовый
braided with ivy [breıdıd] [wɪð] [aıvı] – оплетённый плющом
dwelling [dwelıŋ] – дом, жилище
tiled roof [taıld] [ru f] – черепичная крыша
to resemble [rızembl] – походить на
кого-либо, напоминать
fairyland [feərɪlænd] – сказочная
страна
freckles [freklz] – веснушки
timid smile [tɪmɪd] [smaɪl] – робкая,
застенчивая улыбка
fickle [fɪkl] – переменчивый,
непостоянный
according to smth [əkɔ dɪŋ] [tu] —
в зависимости от чего-либо
talkative [tɔ kətɪv] — разговорчивый,
словоохотливый
reserved [rɪzɜ vd] – сдержанный,
замкнутый
responsive [rɪspɔn(t)sɪv] – отзывчивый, чуткий
observant [əbzɜv(ə)nt] – наблюдательный, внимательный
witty [wɪtɪ] — остроумный
self-centred [_selfsentəd] – эгоцентричный, эгоистичный
to wander [wɔndə] – прогуливаться, бродить
VOCABULARY AND GRAMMAR TASKS
I Match the words that go together.
B malachite> ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ 2. roof
С slightly> ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ >⠀ ⠀ ⠀ 3. forest
D dark ⠀ >⠀ ⠀ >⠀ ⠀ ⠀> ⠀ 4. nose
E timid >⠀>⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ >⠀ 5. child
F dense ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ >⠀ 6. face
G tiled ⠀ ⠀ >⠀>⠀ ⠀ ⠀ 7. curly
H round> ⠀ ⠀>⠀ ⠀ ⠀ >⠀ 8. mountains
I large ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ 9. eyes
J snub ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ 10. wood
K bright ⠀ >⠀ ⠀ ⠀> ⠀ 11. window
II Here are several words and expressions from the text (A – I). Match the definition of each of them from the list below (1 – 9).
A timid
B talkative
C self-centred
D fairyland
E freckles
F reserved
G witty
H responsive
I observant
1. only concerned with their own wants and needs and never thinks about other people
2. showing a lack of courage or confidence; easily frightened
3. fond of talking
4. someone who keeps their feelings hidden
5. responding readily and with interest or enthusiasm
6. an imagined ideal place
7. someone who pays a lot of attention to things and notices more about them than most people do
8. showing or characterised by quick and inventive verbal humour
9. small patches of light brown colour on the skin, often becoming more pronounced through exposure to the sun
III Make up sentences of your own with the word combinations from exercises I and II.
