Dracula. A1 / Дракула

Dracula. A1 / Дракула
Bram Stoker

English Classics: Graded Readers
Роман «Дракула» Брэма Стокера не нуждается в представлении. Это произведение стало каноническим для литературы о вампирах. Через дневниковые записи, письма и газетные вырезки автор создает атмосферу ужаса и таинственности, погружая читателя в мрачный мир, где древние легенды и суеверия пересекаются с реальностью.

Молодой адвокат Джонатан Харкер отправляется к загадочному графу Дракуле с целью продажи последнему недвижимости в Англии. Оказавшись в замке, который находится в безлюдной глуши, герой начинает испытывать чувство тревоги и страха. Какие опасности таятся в стенах пустого замка и кого можно встретить в его темных коридорах?

Текст произведения сокращен и адаптирован для уровня А1. Все самые нужные слова вы найдете в словариках, расположенных после каждой главы. В конце книги даны упражнения на проверку понимания прочитанного. Ключи к упражнениям располагаются в последнем разделе пособия.

Брэм Стокер

Dracula. A1 / Дракула

© Темурян К. Т., адаптация текста, словарь, упражнения, 2024

© ООО «Издательство АСТ», 2024

Chapter I

Jonathan Harker's diary

I left Munich on the 1st of May and got to Vienna early next morning, but the train was an hour late. I saw Budapest briefly from the train, and it looked wonderful, but I didn't walk around, because it was late and I needed to leave soon.

That night, I stayed in Klausenburgh at Hotel Royale. I had chicken with red pepper for dinner. It was very good, so I used my basic German to ask the waiter for the recipe for Mina.

In London, when I had some free time, I went to the British Museum to learn about Transylvania. I read about its people and its location. I didn't find Dracula's Castle on a map, but Bistritz, the town he wrote about, is very famous. I learnt that people in Transylvania believe in different superstitions. I want to ask Count Dracula about them.

I didn't sleep well, because I had strange dreams and a dog howled all night. I needed to get on a train to Bistritz, so I ate my breakfast quickly.

In Bistritz, I stayed at the Golden Krone Hotel, as Count Dracula suggested. It was old-fashioned but nice. Count Dracula sent me a letter. His carriage will take me to his castle the next day. I asked the landlord and his wife about Count Dracula, but they became nervous and didn't want to speak about it. After that, the landlord's wife spoke about some superstition and gave me her cross.

The next day, it was cold. I waited for the carriage, and it finally came. I did not feel frightened, but our journey was strange. It was around midnight. Somewhere, dogs started to howl, and the horses felt afraid. It was getting colder, and the wind started howling, too. Suddenly, I saw a blue flame. I thought I was sleeping and this was all a dream.

The moon appeared, and I saw wolves. Then it became dark again, and, when we got to the castle, I was still scared.

Glossary

afraid [æ'freɪd] – adj испуганный

appear [ə'pɪər] – v появляться

basic ['beɪsɪk] – adj элементарный

briefly ['bri:fli] – adv кратко

carriage ['kærɪdʒ] – n карета

castle ['kɑ:sl] – n замок

count [kaʊnt] – n граф

cross [krɒs] – n крест

diary ['daɪəri] – n дневник, ежедневник, записная книжка

flame [fleɪm] – n пламя

free [fri:] – adj свободный

frightened ['fraɪtənd] – adj испуганный

howl [haʊl] – v выть

landlord ['lændlɔ:d] – n хозяин

location [ləʊ'keɪʃən] – n расположение

midnight ['mɪdnaɪt] – n полночь

moon [mu:n] – n луна

nervous ['nɜ:vəs] – adj волнующийся

old-fashioned [,əʊld'fæʃənd] – adj старомодный

scared [skeəd] – adj испуганный

suddenly ['sʌdənli] – adv вдруг, внезапно

suggest [sə'dʒest] – v предлагать, советовать

superstition [,su:pə'stɪʃən] – n суеверие

wolf (wolves) [wʊlf] – n волк

wonderful ['wʌndəfəl] – adj чудесный

Chapter II

Jonathan Harker's diary

In the dark, the castle looked huge. The carriage left, and I just stood there, because I didn't know what to do. It felt like a nightmare. Suddenly, the door opened, and I saw a tall old man with a long white moustache. It was Count Dracula. He welcomed me with a cold, strong handshake and brought my luggage inside.

The dinner was ready, but the Count did not eat. While I was eating, he asked me a lot of questions. Outside, wolves started to howl. Count Dracula smiled and wished me goodnight.

When I woke up, there was a card from the Count. He told me he was busy, so I ate alone, and then tried to find a servant, but there was no one. I explored the castle and found a room with many English books. Suddenly, the Count appeared. He told me he used the books to learn English.

Later, we talked about business – the place I found for him to buy in England. He seemed happy about it. He spoke about his castle, too, and smiled, but to me, it wasn't a kind smile.