Tommy’s house

Since then Tommy had got his parents’ permission to play only in the game room or on the sports ground.

The boy’s mum and dad quite often discussed his future, appraised prospects of his success, and planned his life several years ahead. Everything was predetermined – his future profession, mode of life, place to live and what people to communicate with. Each step was under control.

“Tommy, have you completed all Maths tasks? Where is your exercise book?”

“Not yet, mum, I am going to do sums a bit later.”

“Do it right now. And where is your essay?”

“I’ll bring it.”

“Remember that you must study hard.

You are my pride, you will achieve the highest goals.

Will you do it for me, darling?”

“I’ll try…”

“You are the best. You’ll be a great man!

Next year you are going to have more difficult tasks. Are you ready?”

“Yes, I think so.”

“Besides a course of geometry is starting soon.”

“Ok, now I’d like to draw, mum, I’m going to the game room.”

“Wait, son. We haven’t finished yet.

Don’t waste your time on insignificant matters!

You should be more serious.

I suppose it will be great for you to study Italian, won’t it?”

“I don’t know, mum… May I go to the sports ground?”

“Not yet. You’ll go there later, little boy.

Do you love your mummy?”

“I do, mum.”

“What a good boy!” she said with a sweet voice and gave him a warm glance.

His parents were rather strict, but fair. They wanted for their son the best education, successful career and tried to bring him up as a gentleman. There were a lot of rules for him to follow. Tommy was an obedient child.

HELPFUL WORDS AND NOTES

crystal chandelier [kr?st(?)l] [_??nd?l??] – хрустальная люстра

to reign [re?n] – царить, преобладать, править

to be accustomed to smth [?k?st?md] – привыкнуть к чему-либо

absorbedly [?bz? b?dl?] – увлечённо

loud crash [laud] [kr??] – громкий треск

in the dead silence [?n] [??] [ded] [sa?l?ns] – в мёртвой тишине

reproachful glance [r?pr?u?f(?)l], [-ful] [gl? n(t)s] — укоризненный взгляд

eye contact [a?] [k?nt?kt] – зрительный контакт

in embarrassment [?n] [?mb?r?sm?nt] – в смущении, растерянно

to make efforts [me?k] [ef?ts] — прилагать усилия, стараться

to comfort [k?mf?t] — подбадривать, утешать, успокаивать

to do smth on purpose [du] [?n] [p? p?s] – делать что-либо нарочно, с целью

permission [p?m??(?)n] — разрешение, позволение

to appraise prospects [?pre?z] [pr?spekts] – оценивать перспективы

predetermined [_prid?t?m?nd] — предопределённый, предрешённый

to do sums [du] [s?mz] — решать задачи, примеры

to achieve a goal [??i v] [?] [g?ul] —

достигать цели

insignificant matters [_?ns?gn?f?k(?)nt] [m?t?z] — пустяки

VOCABULARY AND GRAMMAR TASKS

I Here are several words and expressions from the text. (A – J) Match the definition of each of them from the list below (1 – 10).

A reproachful

B to reign

C predetermined