Tommy’s house

Illustrator Alexander Tsimailo

© Marina Nitsinska, 2022

© Alexander Tsimailo, illustrations, 2022

ISBN 978-5-0051-9139-7

Created with Ridero smart publishing system

CHAPTER 1

Tommy

There was a big house in the dense forest between high malachite mountains.

Braided with green ivy, hidden in the heart of the dark wood, it looked mysterious and lonely. Actually, when you approached it, you could see that it was cosy, warm and friendly. The dwelling with its large windows, dark green door and tiled roof resembled a marvellous house in a fairyland.

A little boy Tommy and his family lived in this house. He was a smart child of eight, looking funny with freckles and a snub nose on his round face. His brown hair was slightly curly. The boy looked at the world with bright green eyes and a timid smile.

Tommy could be different almost every day. He was fickle like a leaf in the wind. His mood changed according to the situation. His behaviour varied depending on the expectations of his parents. Sometimes the kid was cheerful and talkative, but pretty soon he became reserved and shy. One day he could be generous and responsive, but the next day he didn’t want to speak and share anything with anyone.

For a boy of his age Tom was very observant, witty, and quite self-centred like most children.

Tommy’s parents took care of him, and of course, they loved their son, but they were too busy at work. That is why he often spent time alone, though he didn’t feel sad or lonely. Tommy wandered about the house, travelling from one room to another. He always found some interesting activities there. Each room had something special for him.

HELPFUL WORDS AND NOTES

malachite [mæləkaıt] – малахитовый

braided with ivy [breıdıd] [wɪð] [aıvı] – оплетённый плющом

dwelling [dwelıŋ] – дом, жилище

tiled roof [taıld] [ru f] – черепичная крыша

to resemble [rızembl] – походить на

кого-либо, напоминать

fairyland [feərɪlænd] – сказочная

страна

freckles [freklz] – веснушки

timid smile [tɪmɪd] [smaɪl] – робкая,

застенчивая улыбка

fickle [fɪkl] – переменчивый,

непостоянный

according to smth [əkɔ dɪŋ] [tu] —

в зависимости от чего-либо

talkative [tɔ kətɪv] — разговорчивый,

словоохотливый

reserved [rɪzɜ vd] – сдержанный,

замкнутый

responsive [rɪspɔn(t)sɪv] – отзывчивый, чуткий

observant [əbzɜv(ə)nt] – наблюдательный, внимательный

witty [wɪtɪ] — остроумный

self-centred [_selfsentəd] – эгоцентричный, эгоистичный

to wander [wɔndə] – прогуливаться, бродить

VOCABULARY AND GRAMMAR TASKS

I Match the words that go together.

II Here are several words and expressions from the text (A – I). Match the definition of each of them from the list below (1 – 9).

A timid

B talkative

C self-centred

D fairyland

E freckles

F reserved

G witty

H responsive

I observant

1. only concerned with their own wants and needs and never thinks about other people

2. showing a lack of courage or confidence; easily frightened

3. fond of talking

4. someone who keeps their feelings hidden

5. responding readily and with interest or enthusiasm

6. an imagined ideal place

7. someone who pays a lot of attention to things and notices more about them than most people do

8. showing or characterised by quick and inventive verbal humour

9. small patches of light brown colour on the skin, often becoming more pronounced through exposure to the sun

III Make up sentences of your own with the word combinations from exercises I and II.

IV Translate the sentences using the vocabulary of chapter 1.

1. Его тётя была отзывчивой и щедрой. Она напоминала добрую волшебницу из сказки.

2. Голос мамы менялся в зависимости от её переменчивого настроения.

3. Мальчик бродил по густому лесу и увидел старый дом, оплетённый плющом.

4. Внешний облик девушки с курносым носом, слегка вьющимися светлыми волосами и застенчивой улыбкой производил на всех обманчивое впечатление.

5. По словам её брата, она вовсе не была застенчивой и замкнутой.

6. Его болтливая сестра делилась своими секретами со всеми.

7. Ты заметила того эгоцентричного парня вчера на вечеринке? На самом деле он очень внимательный и остроумный.

DISCUSSION TASKS

I Answer the following questions.

1. Where was the house situated?

2. What did the dwelling resemble?

3. How old was Tommy?

4. Who did he live in the house with?

5. What influenced his mood and behaviour?

6. Did he have a good sense of humour?

7. Did Tommy’s parents spend much time with him?

8. Why was Tommy often alone?

9. Did the boy feel lonely when he stayed alone?

10. What did he do in the house?

II Complete the following tasks:

1. Describe Tommy’s house.

2. Describe Tommy. Tell about his character.

3. Tell about Tommy’s attitude to the house.

TALKING POINTS

I Describe your place (a flat, a house).

II Tell about your dream home.

CHAPTER 2

Lilly

Lilly was Tommy’s younger cousin. She was almost five. The little girl with pure freedom in her magnificent black eyes and fair tresses visited the house with her mum occasionally.

Lilly asked too many questions with her squeaky voice and made much noise. It irritated Tommy. Dressed in a short yellow skirt and a green t-shirt with flower print, she could whirl in front of the mirror and sing a child’s song.

She had a handmade date bones bracelet1 on her right wrist. The girl said that it was her talisman. She was in the habit of touching and twisting the glossy brown bones with her tiny fingers. Lilly never took it off and allowed nobody to touch it.

The little girl attracted all parents’ attention and admiring glances, though the boy considered her to be a spoilt, capricious child. When he refused to play with her or to give the little girl some toys, parents often scolded Tommy for his behaviour.

Lilly was a really lively child. Everything in the world aroused her keen interest. She was open to any activity and capable of vivid communication with everyone.

“Tommy, what is your favourite book?”

“I like all books.”

“Well, don’t you have a special book that you would read again and again?!”

“No, I don’t.”

“Tommy, what season do you like most of all?”

“I like winter, though all seasons are good enough.”

“Oh, Don’t you like swimming in the lake and admiring the flowers in your garden in summer?!”

“I do.”

“Tommy, where would you like to travel?”

“The whole world.”

“And what is the place of your dream?”

“There are a lot of them on the planet.”

“Tommy…”

“I have to go.”

Three Lilly’s questions were the little man’s limit of patience. He got tired of her activity very quickly. Usually Tom tried to avoid speaking to the girl. Her emotional reactions made him nervous. The girl could tell him some amusing stories, gushing with admiration, but he stayed aloof. She shared her profound impressions with him, but it didn’t touch him, he just didn’t care. For this reason he hardly ever spent time with her. He often slipped away and hid in one of the rooms when she stayed at the house.

HELPFUL WORDS AND NOTES

squeaky voice [skwi_kɪ] [vɔɪs] – писклявый, визгливый голос

to irritate [ɪrɪteɪt] – раздражать, надоедать

to be in the habit of doing smth [bi] [ɪn] [ðə] [hæbɪt] [əv] [duɪŋ] – иметь привычку делать что-либо

glossy [glɔsɪ] — глянцевый, гладкий

to consider smb to be [kənsɪdə] [tə] [bi] – считать кого-либо кем-либо, каким-либо

spoilt child [spɔɪlt] [ʧaɪld] – избалованный ребёнок

to scold [skəuld] — ругать (ся), ворчать

lively [laɪvlɪ] – живой, активный,

весёлый

to arouse keen interest [ərauz] [ki n] [ɪnt(ə)rəst] – вызывать большой интерес

to be capable of smth [bi] [keɪpəbl] [əv] – быть способным на что-либо

limit of patience [lɪmɪt] [əv] [peɪʃ(ə)n(t)s] – предел терпения

to gush with admiration [gʌʃ] [wɪð] [_ædməreɪʃ(ə)n] – захлёбываться от восторга

aloof [əlu f] – равнодушный,

отчуждённый

profound impression [prəfaund] [ɪmpreʃ(ə)n] – глубокое, сильное впечатление

to touch [tʌʧ] — трогать, задевать за живое, волновать

VOCABULARY AND GRAMMAR TASKS

I Fill in the gaps with the words and phrases from the list below in the appropriate form.

squeaky voice; spoilt child; to gush with admiration; to irritate; to touch; to scold lively; to consider; to be limit of patience;

aloof

1. Don’t ______________ your small cousin for her wild behaviour. Try to talk to the girl and explain everything to her.

2. She often __________________________even when she sees something ordinary.

3. His sister ________________ me, especially when she pronounces words with her high _____________________.

4. The governess tries to teach manners and to bring up that _________________.

5. That boy looks remote, he ________________________ cold and tough.

6. Actually, he is not so ________________, he can be really _____________ when somebody or something __________________ the strings of his soul.

7. Lady Canterville was stressed to _____________________________when she saw a ghost in the castle again.

II Complete the following sentences:

1. I am in the habit of _______________.

2. I am capable of _______________.

3. I am not capable of _______________.

4. It made a profound impression on me when _______________.

5. It arouses my keen interest when _______________.

6. I hardly ever _______________.

III Open the brackets using the verbs in Present Simple or Past Simple.

1. This curious girl usually (ask) a lot of questions about everything she (see) in the museum.

2. Lilly (lose) her gorgeous talisman somewhere in the house yesterday.

3. Where you (hide) the bracelet?

4. What song his cousin often (sing) when she whirls in front of the mirror?

5. This serious boy usually (not find) exciting the stories his little sister (tell) him.

6. Professor Whitehouse (say) that he (know) several scientists who (make) that experiment a long time ago.

7. The girl’s mother (call) the teacher every day and (ask) about her daughter’s progress.

8. Why the student (show) his essay to the rest of the group?

9. Doctor Sam regularly (give) new prescriptions to Granny.

10. Tommy hardly ever (speak) to his capricious cousin.

DISCUSSION TASKS

I Describe Lilly. Tell about her nature.

II Answer the following questions.

1. What was Tommy’s attitude to Lilly?

2. What was the parents’ attitude to Lilly?

3. What did parents often scold Tommy for?

4. What did Lilly wear on her right wrist?

5. Did Tommy and Lilly have much in common?

6. How did Tommy behave when Lilly asked him questions?

7. What was Tommy’s usual reaction to Lilly’s stories?

8. What did Tommy do when his cousin stayed at his house?

9. Why did he avoid Lilly?

10. What Lilly’s character traits were unlike Tommy’s features?

TALKING POINTS

I Describe the appearance of your sister/brother/cousin/friend.

II Tell about his/her temper, habits, special features.

III Tell about the place where he/she lives.

IV Answer the following questions.

1. What do you have in common with your sister/brother/cousin/friend?

2. What are you different in?

3. Do you get on well with him/her?

4. What do you like about this person?

5. What do you not like about him/her? Why?

CHAPTER 3

The Kitchen

Every morning Tommy ran to the kitchen.

He liked eating scrambled eggs with a slice of ham and a toast with cheese and having a big cup of mint tea for breakfast. Sometimes he had a plate of porridge, but it was his least favourite dish. Pancakes with honey or cranberry jam Tommy preferred to cornflakes with milk. He adored eating them, it was his best breakfast.

When his granny Kate, who lived not far from his place, visited the house, she made a real feast. She started cooking the most delicious things in the world: grilled meat or fish with herbs, spices and vegetables, baked mushrooms, wonderful pumpkin or cherry pie. The kitchen was filled with tasty flavours and warmth.

She often allowed Tommy to help her and gave him some errands. In spite of Granny’s control, the boy could find a piece of freedom at those moments. He was glad to learn how to slice tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, to peel potatoes and carrots. He grated cheese and garlic, listening to granny’s wise advice. With great pleasure and care the kid blended different ingredients of granny’s special dough for biscuits. Then Tommy decorated them with flavorous plum jam.

When Lilly unexpectedly entered the kitchen, Tommy wasn’t glad to see her. She was constantly breaking the order. He knew her habit of tasting almost all products that she could see on the table or in the fridge.

“Oh, it is so sweet! Wow! The cookies smell vanilla! Ah, the steak looks so juicy! Tommy, taste the blueberry cake, it’s terrific!”

She gave comments to everything, what was happening there at that moment. She kept her eyes on Tommy’s and Granny’s every motion and gesture.

“Tommy, what are you doing?”

“I am washing onions.”

“Are you crying over the onions?”

“I am not crying now. Why are you saying that?”

“I’m just joking! Oh, your mum is waiting for you in the library.”

“We are finishing here. I’ll be there in several minutes’

“Ok. Tommy, what is your favourite food?”

“Pancakes.”

“Oh, I adore pancakes! Do you prefer eating them with sour cream or honey?”

“Both.”

“What about chocolate?! Don’t you like it?”

“I do.”

“Tommy,..”

“Lilly, please, let me finish preparing vegetables for the stew!”

“Let me help you, Tom.”

“Thanks, I’ll do it myself.”

“Have you tasted this mushroom soup? Oh!..”

When Lilly was trying to smell it, she turned the bowl upside down by accident. The girl was standing, staring at the puddle of soup on the floor and at her wet clothes. She was so embarrassed that didn’t know what to say.

“You see? You are always making a mess, silly-billy!”

Her cousin said it with a smile, and then they started to laugh.

“Tommy, I’ll help you later by all means!”

“O, no! Don’t distract me anymore!”

Granny helped Lilly to wipe her hands and sent the little girl to change her clothes.

The process of making tea was pure magic. Granny Kate had her secret recipe to mix some herbs and berries, fragrant dry leaves, pomegranate grains and ginger, orange peels and candied fruit. It looked like boiling a potion. This brew was a remedy for all diseases. After drinking it, Tommy was full of energy and ready to discover some wonders of the house, exploring room after room.

HELPFUL WORDS AND NOTES

porridge [pɔrɪʤ] — каша (овсяная)

herb(s) [hɜb(z)] – трава(ы), лекарственные растения

spice(s) [spaɪs(ız)] — специя(и)

baked [beɪkt] – печёный, выпеченный

to slice [slaɪs] – резать ломтиками,

слоями

to peel [pi l] – чистить, снимать кожуру

to grate [greɪt] – тереть, натирать на тёрке

to blend ingredients [blend] [ɪngridɪənts] – смешивать ингредиенты

dough for biscuits [dəu] [fə] [bɪskɪts] – тесто для печенья

flavorous [flāvərəs] – ароматный

to break (broke, broken) the order [breɪk] [ðɪ] [ɔ də] – нарушать порядок

stew [stju ] – рагу, тушёные овощи, мясо

to be embarrassed [ɪmbærəst] —

смутиться

pomegranate grains [pɔmɪgrænɪt] [greɪnz] — зёрна граната

ginger [ʤɪnʤə] – имбирь

to boil a potion [bɔɪl] [ə] [pəuʃ(ə)n] – варить зелье

brew [bru ] – напиток, варево

remedy for all diseases [remədɪ] [fərɔ l dɪzi zız] — лекарство от всех болезней

VOCABULARY AND GRAMMAR TASKS

I Fill in the gaps with the verbs from the list below in the appropriate form.

to peel; to slice; to decorate; to grate; to bake; to taste; to blend; to boil;

to mix.

1. Granny ______________ a delicious pumpkin pie every month.

2. Mum is going to cook a stew for dinner. She _________________ potatoes.

3. Dad’s idea ________________ milk cocktails is brilliant, but today we are going to eat the best ice-cream in the city!

4. Could you help me ____________some cheese for your favourite pasta, please?

5. First you should ______________ the ingredients of the salad in a bowl, and then add the dressing to the dish.

6. I’m trying to prepare a quick snack, so I _____________________ tomatoes to serve them with mozzarella and herbs.

7. His girlfriend is always coming earlier to parties and ______________ each dish on the table.

8. The girls are playing with their toy dishes. Now they_________________ a potion for their teddy bears.

9. Mum __________________ the birthday cake with cream flowers. Look at these lovely petals and leaves!

II Give a recipe for a dish.

Provide a list of ingredients and a set of instructions, then tell how to cook it using the verbs from exercise I.

III Complete the crossword puzzle.

Across

1. Having a pleasant flavour. (adj)

3. A dish consisting of oatmeal or another meal or cereal boiled in water or milk. (noun)

6. Any plant with leaves, seeds, or flowers used for flavouring, food, medicine, or perfume. (noun)

7. A thick mixture of flour and liquid, used for baking into bread or pastry. (noun)

8. The root of a plant that is used to flavour food. It has a sweet spicy flavour and is often sold in powdered form. (noun)

9. A dirty or untidy state of things or of a place. (noun)

Down

2. A round fruit with a thick reddish skin. It contains lots of small seeds with juicy flesh around them. (noun)

4. An aromatic or pungent vegetable substance used to flavour food, e.g. cloves, pepper. (noun)

5. Tidiness, neatness. (noun)

10. A particular kind of tea or coffee. (noun)

DISCUSSION TASKS

I Say true or false. Correct the false statements.

1. Tommy’s favourite dish was porridge.

2. Tommy preferred cornflakes with milk for breakfast.

3. The boy ate pancakes with plum jam.

4. Mum allowed Tommy to help her in the kitchen.

5. Tom could find a piece of freedom when Granny was in the kitchen.

6. Tommy was glad to learn how to slice vegetables.

7. Tommy was happy to see Lilly in the kitchen.

8. Lilly was quiet and accurate there.

9. Granny turned over a bowl of fish soup.

10. Granny’s tea was a remedy for all diseases.

II Explain why:

1. Tommy really liked to spend time in the kitchen.

2. The boy did his granny’s errands with pleasure.

3. Tom wasn’t glad to see Lilly in the kitchen.

4. Lilly behaved like that in the kitchen.

5. Tommy didn’t want the girl to help him.

TALKING POINTS

I Describe your kitchen.

II Tell about your favourite dish.

III Answer the following questions.

1. What is your least favourite food?

2. Do you like cooking?

3. What do you prefer for breakfast/lunch/dinner?

CHAPTER 4

The Library

Later he headed for the Library, the place of intellect in the house. The boy thought that his mum was still there, but she had already left.

It was a snug room, panelled in black oak, with large windows and purple curtains. It had a special smell of wood and ink. Fine curled leaves and buds of the carved ornament on the wall were replicated on different subjects in the house – on the family china print, and on the embroidery on the cushions and coverings. That tracery always reminded of the invisible presence of family roots and standards2.

There was a very high wooden bookcase, dark of age, full of different dictionaries, thick volumes of directories and books of all genres – adventures, detectives, novels, science fiction, poems, fantasy and fairy tales.

Tommy had a special ritual of choosing a book. He climbed the ladder to get to the upper shelves of the bookcase and slowly ran his fingertip over the many-coloured spines of the books3, reading the titles and the names of the books’ authors. The process was really serious for the boy. It took him quite long. Some books attracted him by their uncommon prints, others by bright covers or even by the special paper and printer’s ink smell of the pages. He was able to define if the book was fresh or old only by its smell.