Лучшие смешные рассказы / Best Funny Stories

[23 - on the outskirts of Brussels – в предместье Брюсселя] The ground was bordered by a wood.

It was a glorious spring afternoon. The courts were crowded. The red earth and the green grass formed a background against which the women, in their new Parisian toilets,[24 - Parisian toilets – парижские туалеты] under their bright parasols, stood out like moving flowers. The whole atmosphere was delightful.

Just nearby a group of peasants were working in the field. An old woman and a young girl, with ropes about their shoulders, were drawing a harrow,[25 - were drawing a harrow – тащили за собой борону] an old man was guiding them.

They paused for a moment at the wire fencing, and looked through. It was an odd contrast; the two worlds divided by the wire fencing – so slight, almost invisible. The girl swept the sweat from her face with her hand; the woman pushed back her grey locks underneath the handkerchief about her head; the old man stood himself with some difficulty. So they stood for a minute, gazing with quiet faces through that slight fencing.

Was there any thought, I wonder, passing through their brains? The young girl – she was very nice in spite of her ugly garments. The woman – she had a wonderfully fine face: clear, calm eyes under a square broad brow.

The old man bent again over the guiding ropes. They moved forward up the hill. It is Anatole France,[26 - Anatole France – Анатоль Франс, французский писатель и литературный критик (1844–1924).] I think, who says: Society is based[27 - is based – зиждется] upon the patience of the poor.

Упражнения

1. Выберите правильный вариант:

1. Baseball is gaining favour more and more throughout Europe.

2. Hockey is gaining favour more and more throughout Europe.

3. Football is gaining favour more and more throughout Europe.

4. Basketball is gaining favour more and more throughout Europe.

ОТВЕТ:

Football is gaining favour more and more throughout Europe.

2. Who won greater applause from the crowd?

1.

 Adams

2. Tammas

3. Anatole France

4. Doherty

ОТВЕТ: Doherty

3. Who does not understand how to play?

1. The Englishman

2. The Frenchman

3. The German

4. The Spanishman

ОТВЕТ: The Englishman

4. How many peasants were working in the field?

1. One

2. Two

3. Three

4. Four

ОТВЕТ: Three

5. What is a club?

1. It is a round object.

2. It is a stick used to hit a golf ball.

3.