sure is (Да, конечно).
***
Are you fond of the countryside (Вам нравится сельская местность)?
Not in the least (Нисколько, ни в малейшей степени).
It’s a pity (жаль), isn’t it (не так ли)!
As for me (Что касается меня) I’m fond of (любить, нравиться) the countryside (сельский, загородный) landscapes (пейзаж, ландшафт).
***
You must be able to guess (догадаться) the meaning (значение) of some words and elements:
San Juan – Сан Хуан, Saint Juan – Святой Хуан
St. [snt] (saint – священный).
Saint Petersburg – St. Petersburg – Санкт-Петербург.
***
Сolombo is the capital (столица) of Sri Lanka (Ceylon), isn’t it?
It sure is (да, совершенно верно).
It is a beautiful country, isn’t it? The landscapes are so fascinating (чарующий)! Going sightseeing (знакомство с окрестностями, городом) there is so impressive (так впечатляет).
– Once (однажды) we were caught (мы попали) by a tropical rain. It poured down (хлынуть) as though (как будто) from a pail (ведро). It began (он начался) all of a sudden (coвершенно неожиданно).
– It came down in torrents (поток, ливень).
– Yes, it poured down in bucketfuls (лить как из ведра).
***
By the way, once when I was talking with American guests I said: «It’s raining cats and dogs». They were surprised and said that they had never heard such a phrase before. I said the phrase was first recorded in the middle of the 18th century by Jonathan Swift. And the phrase «rain dogs and polecats (хорек) ” was used in the 17th century in Richard Brome’s «The City Witt». I added that I analyzed some English words and phrases in my essay (эссе, реферат) when I was a student.
I said I was sorry (жаль) I had used a literary phrase which had not yet got penetrated (проникать) into the spoken (разговорный) English.
That’s how (вот как; вот так) I apologized for (извиняться за) my fault (упущение).
***
A foreigner’s (иностранец) English is often very far from (очень далекий от) the live (живой) spoken (разговорный) English. But the native speakers (носитель языка) are kind enough (достаточно добрый) and patient (терпеливый). They treat (относиться; воспринимать) the non-native speakers (не носитель языка) with great benevolence (доброжелательность, благосклонность). I am so much thankful to them (я так им благодарна).
English is spread (распространен) everywhere (повсюду). We must know it to be able to talk (чтобы быть в состоянии говорить) with the other people on the planet.
***
It’s very important (очень важно) not to feel (не чувствовать) greatly sorry (сожаление, неудобство) for making mistakes (за то, что делаешь ошибки), the people around (вокруг; окружающие вас) will be tolerant (терпеливый, толерантный) and understanding (понимающий), they will be ready (быть готовым) to help you.
***
I remember I liked Malaysia so much. Kuala Lumpur is magnificent. Up to now I remember I was presented a bouquet of orchids by a kind lady who grew those flowers. I did not see her. She passed them to me through my companions. The flowers were marvelous.
It is a pity I did not go to Penang, it was so close by. The island of Penang is beautiful, they say.
***
Subway – метро (амер); подземный проход, переход
Double-decker – двухэтажный автобус
***
A-ha – moments (моменты прозрения и озарения).
Do you happen (вам случается) to use this interjection (восклицание, междометие) in your speech (речь)?
When do you use (использовать) it?
Do you use it when you have understood something at last (наконец), when you’ve got (понимать) something?
***
Do you know, the capital of Jordan is the city of Amman [ə’ma: n]. Could you say a few words about it?
***
St. Petersburg became Leningrad in 1924.
And when has it become (когда он стал) St. Petersburg again, I wonder (интересно)?
Do you happen to remember (Случайно, не помните)?
St. Petersburg is so beautiful!
There are magnificent (великолепный) palaces (дворец), museums, bridges (мост) and a lot other beautiful places. The Hermitage alone is worth I don’t know what (чего стоит один Эрмитаж). It’s exceptional (исключительный), striking (поразительный) and phenomenal (необыкновенный). It might take a few years to see the things that are exhibited there. You can walk from one hall to another for many years running
