he had almost nothing to leave to his sons — он мало что мог оставить своим сыновьям.
They can put them together and make enough money to live an honest life. — Они могут держаться вместе и честно зарабатывать себе на хлеб.
Не put on a serious face — Он посмотрел на своего хозяина с серьезным видом.
you're lucky to have me — тебе повезло, что я тебе достался.
This cat's very good at catching rats and mice. — Этот кот отлично умеет ловить крыс и мышей. (Запомните, что во множественном числе существительное mouse (мышь) принимает особую форму mice.)
Не played so many cunning tricks on them. — Он столько раз их обманывал, придумывая хитрые уловки.
after all — всё-таки.
1. Answer the questions.
1) How many sons did the miller have?
2) What did the old miller leave to his sons?
3) What did the youngest son get?
4) Why was he upset?
5) What did the Cat say to the young man?
6) What did his master answer?
2. Complete the sentences.
1) The miller worked at the ___.
a) factory
b) mill
c) post-office
2) The second son took the ___.
a) cat
b) horse
c) donkey
3) The Cat asked his master to get him a pair of ___.
a) dance shoes
b) boots
c) blue jeans
3. Fill in the adjectives from the text.
1) The older brothers could put their things together and live an ___ life.
2) The Cat could be more useful ___ than dead.
3) The Cat played a lot of ___ tricks on mice and rats.
4. Choose right.
1) The Cat's master was the youngest / younger son in the family.
2) The miller's oldest / old son took the mill.
3) The Cat's master was younger / young than his brothers.
5. Fill in the prepositions from the box.
of on at among
1) The miller's sons divided his things ___ themselves.
2) The Cat's master was afraid to die ___ hunger.
3) The Cat was good ___catching mice and rats in the house.
4) The Cat put ___ a serious face and spoke to his master.
6. Speak about the miller's youngest son.
1) Say what you know about his family.
2) The miller's youngest son wanted to live an honest life like his brothers. How can you prove that?
3) The young man agreed to order the boots for the Cat. Why?
7. Speak about the Cat.
1) Say what he was good at.
2) The Cat never before spoke to anyone from the miller's family. Why did he begin talking only now?
8. Answer the questions and speak about yourself.
1) Do you have brothers or sisters?
2) Are you good at sports? What sports are you good at? What is your best friend good at?
3) Do you have pets?