Английский язык. 20 смешных историй для обсуждения и пересказа

Елена Анатольевна Корнетова, 2022

Данное учебное пособие предназначено для развития коммуникативных навыков у широкого круга лиц, изучающих английский язык. Оно включает в себя 20 смешных историй с упражнениями к ним.

The theory of evolution

Little John was a very curious boy. He was interested in everything that surrounded him. He constantly asked his parents questions about space, animals and plants. John’s parents were very patient and educated people who wanted to answer all their son's questions.

One day the father decided to explain the theory of evolution to him. Since John was only five years old, his father tried to explain in simple words:

— Your great-great-great-grandfather was descended from monkeys.

Perplexed, the boy answered:

— Really!? I thought people were descended from aliens.

— Of course not! A famous scientist proved that our ancestors were monkeys.

A day later, the father decided to check his son’s understanding of what he had learned. He asked his son to explain the meaning of Darwin's theory. John answered cheerfully:

— Dad, of course I understood everything, I'm not stupid after all! My great-grandfather was a monkey!

Vocabulary:

curious — любознательный

to surround — окружать

to ask questions — задавать вопросы

constantly — постоянно

space — космос

animal — животное

plant — растение

patient — терпеливый

educated — образованный

to answer — отвечать

theory — теория

to explain — объяснять

great-grandfather — прадедушка

monkey — обезьяна

to descend from — происходить

perplexed — растерянно, озадаченно

alien — инопланетянин

famous — известный

scientist — учёный

to prove — доказывать

ancestor — предок

to decide — решать

to check — проверять

meaning — значение

cheerfully — весело

stupid — глупый

Answer the questions:

1) How old was John? What kind of boy was he?

2) What was he interested in?

3) What were his parents like?

4) What did his father explain to him and how?

5) How did the father decide to check what his son had learned?

6) What did John answer?

Express the same in English:

1) любознательный мальчик;

2) интересоваться всем;

3) постоянно;

4) задавать вопросы о космосе, животных и растениях;

5) терпеливые и образованные люди;

6) отвечать на все вопросы сына;

7) одним днём;

8) объяснять теорию эволюции;

9) стараться объяснять простыми словами;

10) прадедушка;

11) происходить от обезьяны;

12) инопланетянин;

13) в недоумении (растерянно);

14) знаменитый учёный;

15) доказывать;

16) предки;

17) спустя день;

18) проверять изученное;

19) объяснять смысл;

20) весело отвечать;

21) глупый.

Retell the story.