а) Cut your coat according to your cloth.

b) A drowning man will catch at a straw

 с) A friend in need is a friend indeed

Тask 8. Make up a story using one or more of the given proverbs at the beginning.

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush

A burnt child dreads the fire

A burnt child dreads the fire

A drowning man will catch at a straw

A friend in need is a friend indeed

Тask1. Read and translate the meaning of the proverbs using the vocabulary.

Explanatory notes:

1. All's well that ends well: fears and anxieties are forgotten as soon as one's aim is reached.

Example: When the books were signed the vicar congratulated the husband and wife on having performed a noble, and righteous, and mutually forgiving act. "All's well that ends well," he said smiling. (Th. Hardy)

2. A rolling stone gathers no moss: a person who frequently changes his occupation does not attain a position of security, prosperity, success (just as a stone that never stays long in one place gives no chance for moss to grow on it). A person who moves around, never staying in one job, is called a rolling stone.

Example "I want to see Dan settled somewhere. 'A rolling stone gathers no moss', and at twenty-five he is still roaming about the world without a tie to hold him . (L. Alcott)"

3. Ask no questions and you'll be told no lies: one should not ask inappropriate questions that may lead to deceitful answers.

Example "What made you part from him?"

" Ask no questions and you'll be told no lies ." (Т.А. Hardy)

4. A rolling stone gathers no moss: a little effort at the right time saves much work later.

Examples:

A Stitch in Time, or Pride Prevents a Fall. (J. Laver)

We take a stitch in time that may save nine. (B. Stevenson)

5. As you make your bed, so you must lie on it:

a person must take the responsibility for, and suffer from, the results of his own unwise actions, just as a man who makes his bed badly will certainly sleep uncomfortably

Example "Stop crying," she says, harshly, "you have made your bed, and you must lie on it." (R. Broughton)

Тask 2. Complete the following proverbs.

1) A rolling stone ...............

2) ...............saves nine.

3) Ask ................ no lies.

4) .................. that ends well.

5) As you make your bed, .........................

Тask 3. Find English equivalents to the Russian proverbs below.

Все хорошо, что хорошо кончается.

Что посеешь, то и пожнешь.

Кому на месте не сидится, тот добра не наживет.

Хороша ложка к обеду.

Не лезь поперек батьки в пекло

Тask 4. In the following passages find proverbs or parts of proverbs, explain their meaning in English and translate the passages , into Russian.

1) One can almost hear the formula, "She has made her bed, now let her lie on it." (S. H. Adams)

2) If you do your rolling up-hill you will gather some moss. (B. Stevenson)

3) No one must know - certainly not her father, who had warned her so desperately! She had made her bed, and would have to lie on it. (J. Galsworthy)

4) I've been here twenty years myself. I always was one for sticking to a job. I always say when you get a good place, then stick there. A rolling stone gathers no moss, and it's true. (R. Wright)

Тask 5. Translate the passage into Russian. Retell it, and explain the use of proverbs.

Montanelli came slowly down the steps, the people crowding about him to kiss his hands.

"Peace be with you, my children!"

At the sound of the clear, silvery voice, the Gadfly bent his head, so that the white hair fell across his face. If only he could shrink into some corner and stop his ears to shut out, the sound! Indeed, it was more that any man should have to bear - to be so close, so close that he could have put out his arm and touched the dear hand.

"Will you not come under shelter, my friend?" the soft voice said. "I am afraid you are chilled."

The Gadfly's heart stood still. For a moment he was conscious of nothing but the sickening pressure of the blood that seemed as if it would tear his breast asunder; then it rushed back, tingling and burning through all his body, and he looked up. The grave, deep eyes above him grew suddenly tender with divine compassion at the sight of his face.