UNIT 21 1
One Always Eats Better at Home
Marg. - I like this restaurant, Tom! The soup is good. Very good! Tom - Uh huh. It isn’t bad. But the soup that my mother
makes is better. Marg. - Oh, well! One always eats better at home. My mother
makes delicious soup. She’s a wonderful cook! Tom - Ah! That is very good news! Marg. - Why is it good news, dear? Tom - Well, Margaret... your mother’s eyes are as blue as
the sea, but your eyes are even bluer. Your mother is
a very good pianist, but you are even better. You say
that your mother is a wonderful cook, so I hope that
when you begin to cook for me, you will be - Marg. - But Tom! You know that I can’t cook at all! I can’t
even make coffee. Tom - And I say that you will soon learn to cook. You say
that your mother makes delicious soup. Well, I’m sure
that your soup is going to be even more delicious.
The most delicious soup in the world! Marg. - No, Tom. It will be bad. Very bad. It will be worse
than poison. It will be the worst soup in the world. Tom - My darling, you are a pessimist! You always expect
the worst. Marg. - And you are a foolish optimist. You always expect the
best. Tom - Optimists aren’t foolish. They’re very wise. Marg. - Do you think you are wise, Tom? Tom - Sometimes I am, aren’t I? I was wise in choosing you
for my fiancée, wasn’t I? Marg. - Darling! What a delightful compliment!
>>>
UNIT 21 2
(continuation) One Always Eats Better at Home
Tom - Do you think so, dear? Well, now you are going to
hear something even more delightful. Marg. - What? Tom - After we leave Barcelona we are going to visit Rome
and Athens. Marg. - Oh Tom! - Really? Tom - Yes, really. And now listen to this: Last night, just
before going to sleep, I had a splendid idea. Instead of waiting till next summer, we could marry this winter! What do you think about that?
Marg. - Tom! How wonderful! Tom - Do you still think I’m foolish, dear? Marg. - Oh no, of course I don’t! You are the best and wisest
of all men!
Le parole sottolineate si debbono pronunciare con enfasi!
Carmelo Mangano – http://www.englishforitalians.com
<<< >>> <<< >>> <<< >>>
UNIT 21 3
one = uno
1. In alcuni casi “one” traduce il pronome italiano “si”.
> One always eats better at home. (Si mangia sempre meglio in casa.)
2. Si usa “one” di fronte a un nome per mettere in evidenza che si sta parlando di una singola persona o cosa.
> Christianity teaches us that there is one God.
(Il cristianesimo ci insegna che c’è un solo Dio.)
3. Si usa “one” come pronome per non ripetere un nome.
> Margaret looks pretty in every dress, but she looks prettier when she wears the green one.
4. Se il nome è plurale si usa “ones”.
> Abel likes all subjects, but the ones that (quelli che) he likes best are: history and foreign languages.
5. “One of” si usa spesso davanti ai superlativi.
> America is one of the richest countries in the world.
6. Quando ci riferiamo a un tempo nel passato o nel futuro.
> One day last summer, I spent the whole day roller-skating.
One evening next week I am going to take Barbara out
for a pizza. === whole = intero
<<< >>> <<< >>> <<< >>>
UNIT 21 4
one
Abel One of my best friends is my American cousin, Ivan. But
my parents and some of my relatives don’t like him.
In my opinion, Ivan is one of the cleverest boys that I
know. But he is considered the black sheep of the family,
just because he stopped going to college, and above all
because he has long hair and earrings.
I think that one should respect other people’s ideas.
Even if Ivan is not going to college, he spends most of
his time reading and studying. He is, in fact, interested in
many subjects. But, the ones that he prefers are History
and Politics. There is only one thing that he should do. He should
stop smoking, because it is bad for his health. Ivan is not a rebel, as most people think, even if he
behaves like one. In my opinion he has a strong personality.
Unfortunately grown-ups don’t understand him. === sheep = pecora, pecore above all = soprattutto to respect = rispettare most of... = la maggior parte di... to behave = comportarsi unfortunately = sfortunatamente
* * * home = casa
Con verbi di movimento “home” non richiede nessuna preposizione.
> Every evening Robert leaves the factory at six o’clock and
goes home. Millie generally goes to the market in the morning, but
she soon returns home.
at home = in casa
Robert usually spends his evenings at home, reading a book or a newspaper.
<<< >>> <<< >>> <<< >>>
UNIT 21 5
it isn’t bad = non è cattivo
Robert and Millie
Millie - Is dinner good this evening, Robert? Rob. - It isn’t bad. Millie - Well, the steak is good, isn’t it? Rob. - It isn’t bad. Millie - And the fried potatoes are good, aren’t they? Rob. - They aren’t bad. <<<☺☺☺☺>>>
to make = fare
Millie I don’t know what to do about Robert.
In the morning I always make him a nice big cup of
coffee and some toast with jam and butter. But he always
finds an excuse to complain; sometimes about the coffee,
and sometimes about the toast or the jam.
When he comes back home in the evening, I make some
delicious soup or pasta, and I cook some meat or fish, and
a big salad, too. But he is never satisfied, and he always
makes some rude remarks. I think he is bored with his work and with his life. But
when I make suggestions about getting a new job or going out more often and trying to make new friends, he only makes silly comments.
I also suggested taking a trip from time to time, but he only makes promises, and never keeps them.
===
excuse = scusa remark = osservazione to complain = lamentarsi to suggest = suggerire satisfied = soddisfatto suggestion = suggerimento to make comments = commentare to make a promise = fare una promessa to keep a promise = mantenere una promessa
<<< >>> <<< >>> <<< >>>
UNIT 21 6
even = persino > Margaret’s eyes are even bluer than the sea.
When Margaret wears pink, she looks charming. But when
she wears green, she looks even more charming. Yesterday the weather was bad. Today it is even worse. === to wear = indossare
even = persino not even = nemmeno Robert and Millie
(In the morning) Rob. - Is my coffee ready? Millie - Just a moment, dear! Rob. - Just a moment? Just a moment? Do you know that
it’s already seven o’clock? I’ll be late for the factory! Millie - Oh, Robert! - Please be patient! I really can’t
understand it, dear! Rob. - Understand what? Millie - I can’t understand why you are always so impatient.
You know Robert, - even a little child can learn to
be patient. You know that very well, dear. Rob. - Yes - and I know another thing too! And it’s this...
not even a saint can be patient with a wife who nags
from morning to night! ===
to be late = giungere tardi; essere in ritardo
saint = santo
to nag = assillare
<<< >>> <<< >>> <<< >>>
UNIT 21 7
to be going to
Con l’espressione “to be going to” si esprime il futuro d’intenzione.
> Tom and Margaret are going to marry this winter. (Tom e Margaret si sposeranno questo inverno.) cioè: (Hanno intenzione di sposarsi questo inverno.) Margaret says, “When I marry, I am going to have a
cook.” But Tom says, “I am going to buy you a cookery book.” Robert and Millie
(In the afternoon) Rob. - Millie! What are we going to have for lunch today? Millie - Soup, dear. Rob. - Soup?! Only soup?! Do you mean that we are going
to have only soup?! Millie - Oh no, Robert! Of course not. We are going to have
meat and potatoes, too. And cheese and fruit. Rob. - Well, I hope so. Because if there is only soup, I’m
going to eat at a restaurant!
<<<☺☺☺☺>>> Nota I was going to leave I was about to leave he was going to leave
= stavo per partire = stavo per partire = stava per partire etc.
> Last night when I was going (I was about) to fall asleep the
telephone rang. ===
to fall asleep = addormentarsi (lett. cadere addormentato) rang = suonò
<<< >>> <<< >>> <<< >>>
UNIT 21 8
instead of = invece di
Robert and Millie (In the evening) Millie - What do you want for dinner this evening, Robert? Rob. - Steak. Millie - Always steak, dear? Why not some fish this evening,
instead of steak? Some nice fried fish. Rob. - No. Steak. With fried potatoes. Millie - But too many fried potatoes will make you fat, dear.
Why not a nice green salad instead of fried potatoes this evening?
Rob. - No! You know that I never eat salad. Millie - All right, dear. And... dear... the doctor says that
wine is bad for your liver. Why don’t you drink mineral water instead of wine?
Rob. - Why don’t you start preparing dinner instead of
talking all the time? Millie - Oh Robert! Robert!
===
to make fat = ingrassare liver = fegato
<<<☺☺☺☺>>> always = sempre never = mai
> We never spend our holidays in England.
We always visit foreign countries.
But we never learn foreign languages.
We speak only English, because foreign languages are
difficult and we always find somebody who can
understand English.
<<< >>> <<< >>> <<< >>>
UNIT 21 9
often = spesso sometimes = a volte Tom and Margaret Marg. - When we are married, Tom, how shall we spend our
evenings? Tom - Well, sometimes we’ll go to the theatre. And of
course, we’ll often go to the cinema. Marg. - Yes, and sometimes we’ll visit our friends. Tom - Uh-huh. But often we’ll spend a quiet evening at home. Marg. - Doing what, dear? Tom - Oh, sometimes we’ll talk... sometimes we’ll watch
television. Sometimes we’ll read. You will often want to sew, I’m sure.
Marg. - Oh no! I can’t sew at all. I can’t even sew on a button! Tom - You’ll learn to sew, dear. You’ll learn. === quiet = quieto, tranquillo to sew = cucire to sew on a button = cucire un bottone <<<☺☺☺☺>>>
word study
news = notizia, notizie What is the news. What are the news. Errore! This is very bad news. La parola “news” vuole il verbo al singolare. Non si può dire: “a news”. = (una notizia) Si può parlare di: “a piece of news” = una notizia oppure “some news” = delle notizie
<<< >>> <<< >>> <<< >>>
UNIT 21 10
word study furniture = mobilia, mobili My furniture is beautiful and artistic. (I miei mobili sono belli e artistici.)
La parola “furniture” vuole il verbo al singolare.
Non si può dire: “a furniture”. = (un mobile) Si può parlare di: “a piece of furniture” = un mobile oppure “some furniture” = dei mobili
La parola “furnitures” non esiste.
<<<☺☺☺☺>>> information = informazione, informazioni His information was completely wrong (Le sue informazioni erano completamente sbagliate.)
La parola “information” vuole il verbo al singolare. Non si può dire: “an information”. = (un’ informazione) Si può parlare di: “a piece of information” = un’ informazione oppure “some information” = delle informazioni
La parola “informations” non esiste.
> I would like some information about flights to New York.
I am going to give you an important piece of information. For further information please write to… (Per ulteriori informazioni per piacere scrivere a…)
<<< >>> <<< >>> <<< >>>
UNIT 21 11
word study advice = consiglio - consigli Abel says, “The advice that my mother gives me is always very good. But I can’t always follow it.”
La parola “advice” vuole il verbo al singolare.
Non si può dire: “an advice”. = (un consiglio) Si può parlare di: “a piece of advice” = un consiglio oppure “some advice” = dei consigli
La parola “advices” non esiste.
Abel
I don’t like to give any advice to anybody, for two
reasons. The first reason is that I myself don’t like to
listen to advice. And the second one is that nobody likes
to listen to advice anyhow. Of course my mother always gives me very good advice
but it is almost impossible to follow it. She tells me that I shouldn’t play football because my
friends are rough. She tells me that I shouldn’t go roller-
skating because it is dangerous... and so on, and so on. When I go out on Saturday evening, before leaving the
house she always says to me, “And now Abel, let me give
you one last piece of advice: Remember that smoking
and drinking alcohol are very dangerous for your health.” Poor mama! She gives me the same advice every
Saturday. ===
reason = ragione I myself = io stesso to follow = seguire anyhow = comunque rough = rozzo
dangerous = pericoloso
<<< >>> <<< >>> <<< >>>
UNIT 21 12
word study
large = grande (Non significa “largo”.)
Tokyo is a very large city. (Tokyo è una città molto grande.)
wide = largo
<<<☺☺☺☺>>>
parents = genitori (Non significa “parenti”.)
Parents make a lot of sacrifices to bring up their children. (I genitori fanno molti sacrifici per allevare i loro figli.)
relatives = parenti
relations = parenti
<<<☺☺☺☺>>>
magazine = rivista (Non significa “magazzino”.)
Tom likes to read magazines about politics. (A Tom piace leggere riviste di politica.)
storehouse = magazzino
<<<☺☺☺☺>>>
factory = fabbrica (Non significa “fattoria”.)
Robert works in a car factory. (Robert lavora in una fabbrica di automobili).
farm = fattoria - podere
<<< >>> <<< >>> <<< >>>
UNIT 21 13
word study
disco = discoteca (Non significa “disco”.) > A disc jockey works in a disco.
Disco è la forma abbreviata di discotheque.
record = disco > Abel’s parents don’t allow him to go to the disco because
he is too young.
<<<☺☺☺☺>>>
economical = risparmiatore (Non significa “economico”.)
Lydia is not economical at all. On the contrary, she is very
extravagant. ===
cheap = economico (a buon mercato)
<<<☺☺☺☺>>>
library = biblioteca (Non significa “libreria”.) A public library is a building where you can read or borrow
books, magazines, videos etc. In some large houses people have a room where they keep
all their books. They sometimes call this room “the library”. ===
to borrow = prendere in prestito
to lend = dare in prestito
bookcase = libreria (mobile)
bookshop = libreria (negozio)
<<< >>> <<< >>> <<< >>>
UNIT 21 14
suffixes = suffissi -ful = pieno di use uso useful utile beauty bellezza beautiful bello care cura, attenzione careful attento delight delizia delightful delizioso wonder meraviglia wonderful meraviglioso
-less = senza use uso useless inutile home casa homeless senzatetto mother madre motherless orfano heart cuore heartless senza cuore
-ness good buono goodness bontà clever intelligente cleverness intelligenza happy felice happiness felicità useful utile usefulness utilità tired stanco tiredness stanchezza cold freddo coldness freddezza ill malato illness malattia sad triste sadness tristezza -ship friend amico friendship amicizia dictator dittatore dictatorship dittatura champion campione championship campionato -ity rapid rapido rapidity rapidità real reale reality realtà stupid stupido stupidity stupidità
<<< >>> <<< >>> <<< >>>
UNIT 21 15
1. to wait (for) = aspettare (qualcuno o qualcosa) Si usa “to wait” quando si sta aspettando che succeda
qualcosa o che arrivi qualcuno.
> Every morning George goes to the train station and waits patiently until the train arrives.
- What are you doing here? - I am waiting for my girlfriend.
2. to expect = aspettarsi; presumere; prevedere
> When George comes back home from work, he expects to find some nice dinner, but he always finds boiled potatoes or cold boiled rice.
There are many clouds in the sky. I expect that it will rain
soon. Tom is an optimist. He always expects the best. Margaret is a pessimist. She always expects the worst. <<<☺☺☺☺>>> He speaks English better than I (do). (Parla inglese meglio di me.) He speaks English better than me. (Parla inglese meglio di me.) Nell’inglese colloquiale, dopo il comparativo, si possono usare
i pronomi: me - him - her - us - them. Dal punto di vista grammaticale, sarebbe più corretto usare le
forme: I - he - she - we - they.
> He earns more than me. = Egli guadagna più di me. He earns more than I (do). = Egli guadagna più di me.
<<< >>> <<< >>> <<< >>>
UNIT 21 16
Come dire “grazie” Thank you. = Grazie. Thank you very much. = Moltissime grazie. Thanks. = Grazie. Thanks a lot. = Moltissime grazie. “Thanks” e “Thanks a lot” si usano in un inglese più casuale.
Come dire “prego” That’s all right.
That’s OK.
It’s a pleasure. Se una persona ci sta ringraziando in una forma molto
calorosa, si può rispondere così: Not at all. - It was nothing. Negli Stati Uniti si usa pure l’espressione: You are welcome.
(lett. Sei benvenuto.) Mrs Wilson and Mrs Paganini Mrs P. - Dear Mrs. Wilson, how are you? Mrs W. - I’m very well, thank you. And how about your husband
and your children? Mrs P. - They are very well, too. Thanks. Mrs W. - Why don’t you take off your coat and sit down. We
could have tea together. Mrs P. - Oh, thanks a lot. I really need some tea, I feel so tired. Mrs W. - You should work less, my dear. Mrs P. - I know. But with my job, my family, the house and
the garden, it is impossible. Mrs W. - As you know, if you need my help, call me and I’ll be
pleased to give you a hand. Mrs P. - Oh, that’s so kind of you. I don’t know how to thank you. Mrs W. - That’s all right.
<<< >>> <<< >>> <<< >>>
UNIT 21 17
a pessimist = un pessimista (sostantivo) pessimistic = pessimista (aggettivo) an optimist = un ottimista (sostantivo) optimistic = ottimista (aggettivo)
> Margaret is pessimistic. She is a pessimistic person. She generally expects the worst. She is a pessimist. Tom, on the contrary, is optimistic. He is an optimistic
person. He generally expects the best. He is an optimist. Optimists are happy people. Pessimists are seldom happy. So it is better to be optimistic, isn’t it? <<<☺☺☺☺>>>
It is very nice of you. = È molto carino da parte tua.
It is very silly of her. = È molto sciocco da parte sua.
It is very rude of him. = È molto scortese da parte sua.
> When Tom teases Margaret, she becomes offended. That is very silly of her.
Robert often hurts Millie’s feelings. That is very unkind of
him. But, Millie always forgives him. That is very sweet of her. Debra is a good student. She prepares all her lessons
carefully. That is very wise of her. ===
careful = attento carefully = attentamente wise = saggio
<<< >>> <<< >>> <<< >>>
UNIT 21 18
George Gray
Hello! This is George Gray speaking. The man
from Glumville. The man that is married to Lydia,
the pretty lady with very expensive tastes.
I get up early every morning, at six o’clock,
because as you know I work in a Department
Store in the centre of London. And as I have no
car, I have to go to work by train.
come sapete
siccome
My life is tough! But I don’t like to complain,
because I know that there are lots of people who
live worse than me.
lamentarmi
peggio di me
Of course in winter, at six it is still dark, and
when it rains or snows, or when it is windy,
getting up so early, preparing my breakfast in a
hurry and going to the train station on foot, is not
very pleasant. But I don’t mind, because I know
many people who get up even earlier than I do. I
also know some other people who work all night,
and sleep only a few hours in the morning,
because in the afternoon they have another job.
fa buio
nevica >
ventoso
piacevole
più presto
lavoro
I repeat, I don’t like to complain, but after a hard
day’s work, and after a boring train journey, one
expects to arrive home and find a good dinner
waiting for him. But I seldom find a good dinner
waiting for me. - Why?
duro
viaggio
raramente
Because my wife cooks very badly. Oh so badly! My
dear mother was a bad cook, but Lydia is even worse
than my mother was. Lydia is the worst cook that I
know. For example, if she gives me boiled potatoes
for dinner, they are always harder than stone. And
she gives me boiled potatoes for dinner three or
four times a week!
male
peggio
la peggiore
>>>
UNIT 21 19
(continuation) George Gray
It’s really very strange, because she knows very
well that I don’t like boiled potatoes. But when I
say to her, “What! Potatoes again, my dear?”, she
always answers, “You say that we must be careful
with our money. You say that we mustn’t waste
money.” She is right, of course, but I think that
she exaggerates a little.
sprecare
When she doesn’t give me boiled potatoes, she
prepares some boiled rice. Well I like rice, but
when it is well-prepared, with meat and
vegetables, or with vegetables and curry, or
Chinese style. But she only boils the rice, puts it in
a bowl and, if she remembers, she puts some
butter on top. And that is all. Can you imagine it?
riso
scodella
sopra
After the rice, if I am still hungry, I have to eat
some bread and cheese, or a glass of milk,
because she never gives me any fish or meat.
According to Lydia, fish and meat are expensive.
debbo
She never gives me any dessert, of course,
because she never buys any sweet things. She
says that sweets are bad for the figure. Well I
have no problem with my figure. On the contrary,
everybody is telling me that I am too thin, and
that I should eat more. Well, what can I do? As
French people say, “C’est la vie!” Such is life!
dolce
magro
Così è la vita!
On Sundays she doesn’t cook at all, because
she’s too busy. She always gives a little party on
Sunday afternoon. She invites three or four of her
lady friends, and they have a nice time together,
talking, laughing, listening to music, and of
course, eating and drinking. She never invites any
men. She says that men have enough fun in life.
occupata
assieme
divertimento >>>
UNIT 21 20
(continuation) George Gray
And so, she spends Sunday morning preparing
some delicious snacks for her guests. Lydia is a
very bad cook, but she can make very good
snacks: little pieces of toast with ham, biscuits
with cheese or olives, delicious little sandwiches. I
often say to her, “Your snacks look so delicious.
Why can’t you learn to boil potatoes well?” And
she always answers, “Cooking is one thing, snacks
are another. They are not the same.” Perhaps she
is right.
sembrano
forse
As it is a party only for ladies, I am not even
allowed to go into the living room or into the
kitchen. So I have to spend Sunday afternoon in
my room reading the paper, or watching
television.
giacché -
permesso
debbo
Every Sunday Lydia says to me, “Now, George!
Remember! If you eat any snacks, there won’t be
enough for my guests.”
non ce ne > saranno
As I was saying before, life is tough! come
Carmelo Mangano – http://www.englishforitalians.com
<<< >>> <<< >>> <<< >>>
UNIT 21 21
Margaret’s Friend, Caroline
Margaret’s old schoolmate Caroline lives in a quiet
little town, in a charming house with a garden all
round it. The garden is full of flowers of every
colour, and there are also many fruit trees.
tranquillo
paesino
The house is very near the hospital where
Caroline’s husband works. (He is a physician, as I
am sure you all remember.) It is the only hospital
in the town, but it is big and modern. There is a
garden all round the hospital too, because English
people like gardens so much, as we all know.
medico
unico
come
Caroline’s husband is a very busy man. He works
at the hospital all day. He is at home for
breakfast, lunch and dinner, and, of course, at
night. But for the rest of the day, Caroline, her
little girl Betty and the maid are alone in the
house. But Caroline doesn’t get bored at all. In
fact, she is always saying, “I am too busy to get
bored. I have so many things to do.” But is she
really as busy as she imagines?
occupato
il resto
non si annoia
She gets up early - about seven o’clock - and has
breakfast with her husband and child. Little Betty
likes to get up early too. They don’t eat much at
breakfast. Just toast, with a little ham, coffee and
some fruit. Little Betty prefers jam with her toast -
strawberry jam, and a glass of orange juice.
Caroline eats the least of the three, because she is
so busy talking.
meno di
What does she talk about? Nothing interesting.
But she talks and talks. And she laughs and
laughs.
ride
>>>
UNIT 21 22
(continuation) Margaret’s Friend, Caroline
“Oh! I must do so many things! I must go to the
butcher’s to buy the meat for lunch. Then I must
go to the baker’s - because if I send the maid
there she always forgets to buy the brown bread
for little Betty. Then I must go to the
hairdresser’s. I want to change the colour of my
hair. And I need a new lipstick, and a bottle of
that perfume that you like so much, darling. Then
I must telephone at least six people - and - oh!
What a beautiful morning it is! Look at the sun!”
macellaio
panettiere
parrucchiere
per lo meno
“Uh-huh,” says the doctor, “but I’m afraid that it
will rain before lunch-time.”
temo che
“No, it won’t!” laughs Caroline. “Don’t be a silly
pessimist, darling! Be an optimist! Like me! I
always expect the best! And she goes on
laughing.
non pioverà
come
continua
When the doctor comes back home from the
hospital at lunchtime, she is still laughing.
ritorna
During lunch she talks all the time. Once or twice
her husband begins to speak about his work at the
hospital, but she doesn’t listen to him. She wants
to talk about her visit to the hairdresser’s. She
tells her husband all the things that the
hairdresser said to her, and she talks a lot about
two other women who were there. She remembers
everything about these women - their clothes,
their shoes… the colour of their hair and eyes...
And while she talks, she laughs. Her husband
doesn’t ask, “But what are you laughing about?” It
isn’t necessary. Because he already knows the
answer: she is laughing about nothing, as always.
durante
le disse
>>>
UNIT 21 23
(continuation) Margaret’s Friend, Caroline
In the evening, at dinner, Caroline continues to
talk and laugh. After dinner, her husband often
goes back to the hospital. “Poor man!” perhaps
you will say - “He must be so tired!” But he
doesn’t mind going back to work. Probably he is
more relaxed at the hospital than at home.
ritorna
non le >
importa
rilassato
When he returns home (about one o’clock in the
morning), Caroline is usually sleeping.
The doctor comes into the bedroom as quietly as
possible. He doesn’t want to wake Caroline up. But
suddenly he hears a strange little noise. Has he
woken his wife up after all? The poor man feels
very sorry.
silenziosamente
svegliare
ha svegliato
dopo tutto
But no! It’s all right. Caroline is only laughing in
her sleep.
sonno
Carmelo Mangano – http://www.englishforitalians.com
<<< >>> <<< >>> <<< >>>
UNIT 21 24
Translation
1. Traduci oralmente.
2. Copia tutta la pagina.
1. Pessimists are foolish people.
2. They always expect the worst.
3. Optimists always expect the best.
4. Perhaps they are foolish too.
5. But they are happier than pessimists.
6. They say that I am the black sheep of the family. 7. They say that with my long hair and my earring I make a
bad impression on people.
8. They say that I wear very funny clothes.
9. They also say that I only think about rock music and discos. 10. How strange! Nobody says that I am the best of the class
in English, in maths and even in Latin!
11. George is a very quiet person.
12. When he comes home from his work, he likes to spend his
evenings at home reading the paper or watching TV.
13. His wife Lydia loves to go to the cinema, to the theatre and
to restaurants.
14. Every Sunday afternoon she gives a little party, and she
offers her guests the most delicious snacks.
15. Her parties are for women only, because she thinks that
men have too much fun in life. 16. I love my French lessons so much! But when I speak I
make too many pronunciation mistakes. 17. I don’t mind when my teacher corrects me. But I can’t
stand when my schoolmates make rude remarks about it. 18. It makes me very angry. 19. Instead of making some good suggestions about French
pronunciation, they only make stupid comments. 20. But in summer I am going to take a trip to France, and so
when I come back I am going to speak French like a Parisian.
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UNIT 21 25
Translation
1. Tradurre in inglese per iscritto e oralmente. 1. I pessimisti sono persone sciocche.
2. Loro sempre s’aspettano il peggio.
3. Gli ottimisti sempre s’aspettano il meglio.
4. Forse loro sono sciocchi pure.
5. Ma loro sono più felici dei pessimisti. 6. Dicono che sono la pecora nera della famiglia.
7. Dicono che con i miei capelli lunghi e il mio orecchino
faccio una cattiva impressione sulle persone.
8. Dicono che indosso vestiti molto strani.
9. Dicono pure che penso solamente alla musica rock e alle
discoteche.
10. Che strano! Nessuno dice che sono il migliore della classe
in inglese, in matematica e persino in latino. 11. George è una persona molto tranquilla.
12. Quando viene a casa dal suo lavoro, gli piace passare le
serate a casa leggendo il giornale o guardando la
televisione.
13. Sua moglie Lydia ama andare al cinema, al teatro, e ai
ristoranti.
14. Ogni domenica pomeriggio lei dà una piccola festa, e lei
offre ai suoi ospiti i più deliziosi snacks.
15. Le sue feste sono per donne solamente, perché lei pensa
che gli uomini si divertono troppo nella vita. 16. Io amo le mie lezioni di francese tanto! Ma quando parlo,
faccio troppi errori di pronuncia.
17. A me non importa quando il mio insegnante mi corregge.
Ma io non posso sopportare quando i miei compagni fanno
scortesi osservazioni su ciò.
18. Mi fa arrabbiare moltissimo.
19. Invece di fare dei buoni suggerimenti circa la pronuncia
francese, loro fanno solo stupidi commenti.
20. Ma in estate, farò un viaggio in Francia, e così quando
ritorno parlerò francese come un parigino.
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UNIT 21 26
La soluzione di questi esercizi si trova dalla pag. 29 a 31. Exercises
1. Rispondi alle seguenti domande:
1. Where does one eat better, at home or at a restaurant?
2. Is Margaret’s mother a good or a bad cook? - Why?
3. What does Margaret say about her cooking?
4. When Margaret says that she can’t cook at all, what does
Tom say?
5. Which do you generally expect in life - the best, or the
worst?
6. So which are you - an optimist or a pessimist?
7. When Tom and Margaret leave Barcelona which cities are
they going to visit?
8. When are Tom and Margaret going to marry?
9. According to you, is it wise or foolish to marry very
young?
10. According to you, which is the right age to marry?
11. When you marry, how many children would you like to have?
12. How old were your parents when they married?
13. Who is Ivan?
14. Abel’s parents don’t like Ivan. - Why?
15. How is Ivan considered by some of his relatives? - Why?
16. How does Ivan spend his spare time?
17. Which subjects interest Ivan most?
18. What do you think about smoking?
19. What does Millie make Robert for breakfast?
20. What does Robert complain about?
21. When Robert isn’t satisfied with his dinner, what does he do?
22. According to you why do you think Robert is always
irritable?
23. When Tom and Margaret are married, how do they want to
spend their evenings?
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UNIT 21 27
Translation
above all Ebúv o : l soprattutto Athens A† inz Atene beauty b ju : t i bellezza to behave t u b ihe iv comportarsi button bú tn bottone care keE cura, attenzione careful keE fu l attento carefully keE fu l i attentamente to choose t u t Su :z scegliere Christianity kr i s t iAn i t i Cristianesimo cleverness k levEn i s intelligenza coldness kou ldn i s freddezza comment kØmen t commento to complain t u kEmple in lamentarsi compliment kØmpl imEn t complimento dangerous de indZE rEs pericoloso delight d i l a i t delizia delightful d i l a i t fu l delizioso dictator d ik te i t E dittatore dictatorship d ik te i t ES ip dittatura even i : vEn persino excuse i k sk ju : s scusa to expect t u i k spek t aspettarsi to fall t u f Ø : l cadere farm f a :m fattoria, podere to follow t u f Ø lou seguire foolish fu : l i S sciocco fortunately f Ø : tSn i t l i fortunatamente friendship f r endS ip amicizia God gØd Dio goodness gudn i s bontà heart ha : t cuore heartless ha : t l i s senza cuore homeless houml i s senzatetto illness i l n i s malattia liver l i vE fegato
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UNIT 21 28
Translation
to make fat t u me ik fA t ingrassare most of mous t Øv la maggior parte di motherless múTE l i s orfano not even nØ t i : vEn nemmeno optimist Øp t imis t ottimista (sost.) optimistic Øp t imis t ik ottimista (agg.) pessimist pes imis t pessimista (sost.) pessimistic pes imis t ik pessimista (agg.) promise prØmis promessa quiet kwa iE t tranquillo rapid rAp id rapido rapidity rAp id i t i rapidità reason r i : zn ragione remark r ima :k osservazione to respect t u r i spek t rispettare sadness sAdn i s tristezza saint se in t santo satisfied sAt i s f a id soddisfatto to sew t u sou cucire sheep S i :p pecora storehouse s t ØEhaus magazzino stupidity s t j up id i t i stupidità to suggest t u s EdZes t suggerire suggestion sEdZes tSEn suggerimento sure Su :E sicuro tiredness t ú i Edn i s stanchezza unfortunately únfØ : tSn i t l i sfortunatamente use j u : s uso useful j u : s fu l utile usefulness j u : s fu ln i s utilità useless j u : s l i s inutile uselessness j u : s l i sn i s inutilità wide waid largo wise waiz saggio wonder wúndE meraviglia
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UNIT 21 29
Soluzione Esercizi Exercises
1. Rispondi alle seguenti domande:
1. Where does one eat better, at home or at a restaurant?
One usually eats better at home.
2. Is Margaret’s mother a good or a bad cook? - Why?
Margaret’s mother is a wonderful cook, and she makes
delicious soup.
3. What does Margaret say about her cooking?
Margaret says that she can’t cook at all, and that she can’t
even make coffee.
4. When Margaret says that she can’t cook at all, what does
Tom say?
Tom says that she will soon learn to cook.
5. Which do you generally expect in life - the best, or the
worst?
In life I generally expect the best/the worst.
6. So which are you - an optimist or a pessimist?
I am an optimist/a pessimist.
7. When Tom and Margaret leave Barcelona which cities are
they going to visit?
When they leave Barcelona they are going to visit Rome
and Athens.
8. When are Tom and Margaret going to marry?
They are going to marry this winter.
9. According to you, is it wise or foolish to marry very young?
In my opinion, to marry very young is wise/foolish.
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UNIT 21 30
Soluzione Esercizi Exercises
10. According to you, which is the right age to marry?
In my opinion, the right age to marry is from twenty-five
to thirty.
11. When you marry, how many children would you like to
have?
When I marry, I would like to have two/three/four
children.
12. How old were your parents when they married?
When my parents married my mother was twenty-
two/twenty five, and my father was twenty-eight/thirty.
13. Who is Ivan?
Ivan is Abel’s American cousin.
14. Abel’s parents don’t like Ivan. - Why?
Abel’s parent’s don’t like Ivan because he stopped going to
school.
15. How is Ivan considered by some of his relatives? - Why?
Some of Ivan’s relatives consider him the black sheep of
the family because he didn’t go to college/university.
16. How does Ivan spend his spare time?
He spends most of his spare time reading and studying.
17. Which subjects interest Ivan most?
History and politics interest him most.
18. What do you think about smoking?
I think that smoking is a very bad habit.
19. What does Millie make Robert for breakfast?
She always makes him a nice big cup of coffee and some
toast with jam and butter.
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UNIT 21 31
Soluzione Esercizi Exercises
20. What does Robert complain about?
Sometimes he complains about the coffee, and sometimes
about the toast or the jam.
21. When Robert isn’t satisfied with his dinner, what does he
do?
When he is not satisfied with his dinner he goes to eat at a
restaurant.
22. According to you why do you think Robert is always
irritable?
In my opinion Robert is always irritable because he is
bored with his work and his life.
23. When Tom and Margaret are married, how do they want to
spend their evenings?
When they are married, they will sometimes go to the
theatre or to the cinema, but they will often spend some
quiet evenings at home.
Carmelo Mangano – http://www.englishforitalians.com
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