Государственный университет – Высшая школа экономики
ФАКУЛЬТЕТ ЭКОНОМИКИ
КАФЕДРА АНГЛИЙСКОГО ЯЗЫКА
Барановская Т.А., Васильева И.Б., Поспелова Т. Б.
МАТЕРИАЛЫ ДЛЯ САМОСТОЯТЕЛЬНОЙ
РАБОТЫ СТУДЕНТОВ
(домашнее чтение, John Grisham, “The Firm”)
МОСКВА 2008
ВВЕДЕНИЕ
Данное методическое пособие предназначено для организации самостоятельной работы
студентов и проведения занятий по домашнему чтению (John Grisham, “The Firm”). Оно
включает вопросы на понимание текста, темы для обсуждения и лексические
упражнения, направленные на расширение словарного запаса и активизацию навыков
устной речи. Рекомендовано для студентов первого курса факультета экономики
(аспект “General English”).
2
JOHN GRISHAM
THE FIRM
CHAPTERS 1-2
Comprehension
1. What is the firm’s name?
2. What are its business activities?
3. When and by whom was it founded?
4. What was the founder’s greatest passion?
5. Speak about the firm’s recruitment policy, its choice of secretaries, the dress code.
6. What information on Mitchell McDeer did the firm possess prior to the interview?
7. How did they manage to obtain it?
8. Why did they select this particular person?
9. What was their offer to Mitch (salary and perks)?
10. What can you say about Lamar Quin, Kay Quin and Abby McDeer?
11. How can you describe Memphis?
Discussion
1. Why did the firm pay such generous salaries and offered a lot of fringes? What was
this policy directed at?
2. According to Key Quin the firm was like a big family. Comment on that.
3. What do you think of the way the interview was conducted?
4. The interviewers had found out a lot about Mitch. However, something he said during
the interview impressed them greatly. What was it?
Vocabulary Work
1. Find the following words in the text and translate them into Russian. Be ready to
describe the situation they were used in.
Page 1. background
mandatory
Page 2. private intelligence outfit
Page 3. to handle the recruiting
Page 4. fringes
Page 8 … you’ll be paid handsomely
Page 9. arrogant
cordial
healthy fee
Page 11. turnover rate
Page 14. …when they achieved affluence.
Page 18. …admired the quaint, picturesque, yet somehow imposing home of the quiet
Bendini firm.
Page 19. guided tour
Page 22. philandering
Page 25. unpretentious
selective
be in the spotlight
Page 27. …the firm does not meddle…
Page 30. unanimously
alumni
Page 31. teetotaler
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Page 33. profit sharing
Page 35. to each his own
Page 36. infamous
2. Explain the following phrases from the text in your own words.
Page 1. The firm recruited, and remained lily white.
Page 4. …three years of sweat and torture would be down the drain.
We keep a low profile.
Page 5. He stared at Royce McKnight and exposed a mammoth chip on his shoulder.
Page 7. Our firm frowns on drinking.
Page 8. If you want to pursue a master’s in taxation, we’ll pay for it.
Page 11. cutthroat competition
We are a close-knit fraternity.
Page 17. Every associate … was indoctrinated in the evils of the loose tongue.
Page 19. He will graduate with honors.
Page 22. … and keeps them jumping.
Page 25. brunch
Page 27. I thought we’d start downtown.
Page 35. condo (condominium)
Page 36. sweatshop
4
JOHN GRISHAM
THE FIRM
CHAPTERS 3-5
Comprehension
1. There were no law offices on the fifth floor of the Bendini Building. What was it used
for?
2. Speak about DeVasher: his position in the firm, the impression he produced, etc.
3. How did DeVasher obtain information on the McDeers’ behaviour and talks during
their visit to Memphis?
4. What saddened the McDeers’ first day in Mempis?
5. How did DeVasher characterize McDeer?
6. Speak about Kozinsky and Hodge and their connection with the FBI.
7. What questions were discussed in McKnight’s office?
8. Who became McDeer’s supervisor?
9. What did Avery Tolar have in common with Mitchell McDeer?
10. Tell about Tolar’s position in the firm and the areas of his work.
11. What did Avery Tolar tell Mitch about the work in the firm (billing, competition,
working hours, the bar exam)?
Discussion
1. Analyse Mitch’s conversation with Lamar Quin. What did Mitch find unethical and
what was Lamar’s response to it?
2. Lamar said that after working with the firm for some time he acquired a certain
amount of cynicism. Comment on that.
3. McDeer and his sense of humour: did he have any? Give some examples.
4. Avery Tolar’s personality. What do you think of him?
5. Being a workaholic: a vice or a virtue?
Vocabulary Work
1. Find the following words in the text and translate them into Russian. What situations
were they used in?
Page 38. to penetrate
with great reluctance
Page 42. bits and pieces
overzealous
Page 43. to coax
to eliminate
Page 45. to reimburse
mutt
Page 46. to trim
sparse belongings
hilarious
Page 55. eloquent
Page 56. somber atmosphere (BrE sombre)
Page 57. Milligan was head of tax.
compatible
Page 58. to flunk an exam
Page 59. to mumble incoherently
foster family
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Page 60. billing
Page 60. reprimand
to swap assets
to neglect
Page 61. exorbitant
to endure an ordeal
entrepreneur
Page 65. rooky
Page 67. tax shelter
Page 68. padding
to take shortcuts
Page 69. drudgery
2. Explain the following phrases from the text in your own words. What situations were
they used in?
Page 39. Let’s get specific.
They were ecstatic.
She had a ball.
Page 40. Kids must really be broke.
Page 41. I think he got the message.
Page 43. He’s having second thoughts.
He ain’t some thug who gets in the way.
Page 46. They bought a houseful.
Page 48. Mitch could not place Joe Hodge.
He had lost touch.
Page 57. I felt I belonged at the funerals.
Page 60. Billing was the lifeblood of the firm.
Page 63. Avery was at home.
Nobody punched a clock.
Page 64. There was an unwritten dress code and Mitch had caught on.
His past was forgotten. He had arrived.
Page 65. the Ego Wall
Page 67. He’s sort of a loner.
Page 68. …mouthpieces for sale to the highest bidder, available to anybody, any crook,
any sleazebag with enough money to pay our outrageous fees.
3. Give synonyms, using words from exercises 1-2
to ignore billing
to have a great time
novice, newcomer
mongrel
official disapproval
possessions
to fail an exam
gloomy
6
JOHN GRISHAM
THE FIRM
CHAPTERS 6-8
Comprehension
1. What proves McDeere’s ambitious character?
2. Describe the routine of Mitch’s first working day.
3. What impression did Nathan Locke make on Mitch?
4. Summarize the conversation between Oliver Lambert, Nathan Locke and DeVasher.
5. Describe the bar exam procedure. Speak on each part of it in great detail. How was Mitch
supposed to revise for it? How did he prepare for it?
6. How did Mitch react on a great amount of emergent tasks he had to do? How did he feel
after his first two working days?
7. Why did Oliver Lambert want to see Mitch in his office?
8. What was the real reason for the McDeeres being invited to dinner with Oliver Lambert?
9. What was Abby busy with while her husband worked? What changes did she want to
introduce into her family life in the new house? Why did she forgive her husband for his
being late for dinner?
10. Comment on the Saturday dress code.
Reading
Read the following extracts and translate them.
1. Page 73. “Avery Tolar was waiting … the partnership agreement for this venture”
2 Page 101. “Here it is …. and returned to his office”
Speaking
Describe the main clients of the firm.
1. Sonny Capps
2. Koker-Hanks
Vocabulary work
1. Find the following words in the text. What situations were they used in?
Page 70. nuisance
Page 71. flip (on the light)
legal pad
Page 72. gawk at sb
pupil, n
sinister, adj.
Page 73. towing service
litigation
Page 74. prospectus
letter of intent
письмо о
помеха; досада; неприятность
слегка ударять; щелкать
блокнот
таращить глаза
зрачок
зловещий, злой; предвещающий несчастье
услуги по буксировке
тяжба; судебный процесс (over; with)
проспект (учебного заведения, компании и т. д.)
гарантийное письмо (о совершении заявленной покупки);
намерении; предварительный заказ
disclosure statement документ, перечисляющий условия индивидуального
пенсионного счета простым языком, без использования
специальной терминологии
limited partnership agreement соглашение о создании компании с ограниченной
ответственностью
rough draft
черновой набросок, предварительный проект
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venture
pittance
scrutinize, v
Page 77. sanctimonious
take precautions
Page 78. deceptive
substantive law
tort
thorough, adj
Page 79. transaction
assess, v
Page 82. abuse, n
lose steam, phr
Page 86. bestow, v
Page 87. divulge, v
Page 89. decipher, v
Page 96. carry a grudge
Page 99. attire, n
Page 101. outfit, n
swap, v
rake off, v
Page 102. inconspicuous
рискованное предприятие, рискованное начинание
небольшая часть или небольшое количество
внимательно изучать, тщательно исследовать
ханжеский
принимать меры предосторожности
обманчивый, вводящий в заблуждение
материальное право
гражданское правонарушение
основательный, доскональный; тщательный
дело; сделка, соглашение
оценивать
плохое, жестокое обращение
терять энтузиазм, подходить к концу, заканчиваться
давать, даровать, награждать (on, upon)
разглашать, раскрывать, обнародовать (to)
раскодировать, расшифровывать
испытывать недовольство, быть в обиде, обижаться
одежда, одеяние, наряд
организация; предприятие, учреждение, фирма
менять, обменивать, обмениваться
загребать (деньги)
не привлекающий внимания, незаметный, неприметный
2. Explain the following phrases from the text in your own words.
Page 73. “… keeps his thumb on every penny…”
“to spread the risk and pool their resources.”
Page 75. “ why can’t we keep our people in line?”
“The leaks have been plugged.”
“…they planned to rendezvous to spill their guts”
Page 87. “Loose tongues lose lawsuits.”
Page 94. “I’m up to my ears in deadlines.”
Page 99. “There was enough denim to launch a cattle drive.”
8
JOHN GRISHAM
THE FIRM
CHAPTERS 9-12
Comprehension
1. Give the summary of Chapter 9.
2. The paintings in the main library: speak about the fate of Alice Knauss, Robert Lamm
and John Mickel.
3. The mysterious figure of Nathan Locke: look through these chapters and find all that
is said about him.
4. What can you say about Abby’s parents?
5. Describe the way the news of Mitch’s success in the bar exam was broken to him.
6. Speak about Tarrance’s conversation with Mitch.
7. What did Mitch do after his talk with Tarrance and what do you think his attitude to
the whole thing was?
8. How did Nathan Locke explain the FBR’s interest in the firm and the death of Hodge
and Kozinski?
9. What information on Ray McDeere did DeVasher obtain?
10. What did Ray do to pass the time and what were his plans for the future?
11. Describe Eddie Lomax and Tammy.
12. Why did Mitch hire Lomax and what did he want him to do?
13. Be ready to describe the visit of Abby’s parents as if you were Mitch/Abby/Mr
Sutherland/Mrs Sutherland. Speak about what you felt, what you thought, how you
interpreted the others’words and behaviour.
Vocabulary Work
1. Find the following words in the text and translate them into Russian.What situations
were they used in?
Page 106. cram
Page 107. steal a glance
dedication to one’s family
vast void
Page 109. contentious
shrink
Page 110. superstitious
Page 111. roam the dark halls
Page 113. remodelling
be on the verge of collapse
Page 115. relentless
Page 117. brag (coll.)
noncommittal
collateral
Page 119. misspelled word
Page 122. proofread
brogue
Page 123. confide in
Page 128. harass
Page 129. jeopardize
Page 131. warrant
Page 133. frisk
Page 137. parole
9
Page 138. assault
court martial
Page 139. eavesdrop
child custody
Page 140. feel dizzy
Page 142. get framed
2. Explain the following words and phrases from the text in your own words. What
situations were they used in?
Page 108. scholarship
seasoned negotiators
Page 109. avid hunter
Page 121. catcall
Page 124. Money doesn’t grow on trees.
Page 127. Some of our clients are high rollers.
Page 131. Tell him to get lost.
Page 133. …they could pass for twins.
Page 135. You are the first McDeer in two generations to amount to a damned thing.
3. Translate the following sentences into Russian.
Page 108. He glared at the wall with his penetrating lasers and ignored the ceremony.
“She was a mistake,” Avery said under his breath.
Page112. Mitch thought of a dozen smart retorts, but let it pass.
Page 114. He was a stuffed shirt who jumped when she barked and lived in eternal fear of
making her mad.
Page 125. He … told Lamar’s secretary to mind her own business.
Page 127. We are talking about very sophisticated businessmen who understand risks.
Page 128. The police down here are not that sophisticated.
Page 138. She calls her mother a lot – collect, so he won’t know.
10
JOHN GRISHAM
THE FIRM
CHAPTERS 13-16
Comprehension
1. Why were the partners concerned about Mitch’s excessive billing and long hours at
work?
2. What did Mitch read about the Cayman Islands?
3. What were Avery and Mitch going to do in the Royal Bank of Montreal?
4. While they were in the bank Mitch asked Avery a question he didn’t like at all. Why
did he ask it and what was Avery’s reply?
5. Mitch thought there was something suspicious about the firm’s clients. Expand on
that.
6. Give a brief account of Mitch’s actions from the moment he came to the library up to
his meeting with Abanks.
7. What did Abanks tell Mitch about
a) what had happened to the boat;
b) where the bodies had been found and if there was anything suspicious about
them;
c) why the explosion couldn’t have occurred at the Roger’s Wreck Point;
d) why it was unlikely that Hodge and Kozinski were just exploring a new
territory.
8. What did Abanks think of the cause of the “accident”?
9. When Mitch came to see Abby in the school he was not sure what he was going to do
and say, but he had laid his plans on the plane…What happened?
10. Describe DeVasher’s conversation with Oliver Lambert.
11. What did Abby tell Kay about how things were between her and Mitch and about her
attitude to the firm?
12. What information did Eddie Lomax obtain for Mitch and what did he think of the
whole affair?
13. Give the summary of Chapter 16.
Translation practice
Translate the extract on page 165 into Russian.
“Exactly what are we doing here? … this is a good way to keep them honest.”
Vocabulary work
Find the following words in the text and translate them into Russian. What situations were
they used in?
Page 147. legitimate
stamina
Page 151. take refuge
loot
Page 154. buffet
Page 155. obnoxious
Page 162. authorization
expire
scrutinize
Page 164. violate
11
Page 165. balance
fee
Page 176. compassion
Page 179. tough
Page 180. …there’s no love lost…
Page 182. cautious
Page 192. … they play for keeps.
Page 193. quest
Page 200. ambush
12
JOHN GRISHAM
THE FIRM
CHAPTERS 17-19
Comprehension
1. Why did Mitch and Abby decide to spend Christmastime apart? What were their plans?
2. Describe Mitch’s mother.
3. Why do you think Mitch did not want to speak to his mother? What did he feel as he was
watching her?
4. How was Eddie Lomax killed?
5. What happened in the firm on the twenty-eighth of December every year?
6. Speak about the new copying system which was installed in the firm. What was the reason
for changing the system (according to Oliver Lambert)? Did Mitch have another explanation?
7. Why did Tammy Hemphill want to see Mitch?
8. What was the purpose of Avery Tolar’s flight to Georgetown, Grand Cayman?
9. How did the FBI organize Mitch’s meeting with Denton Voyles?
10. Why did the FBI’s agent take him to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial?
11. What did Denton Voyles tell Mitch about the firm: who it belonged to, how it had been
operating, etc.?
12. What did he say about Anthony Bendini, Oliver Lambert and Nathan Locke?
13. How did the firm manage to do so much illegal work and keep it in secret?
14. Why did the FBI need a man inside the firm and why did they decide on Mitch?
15. Mitch had to make a decision that would influence his whole life. At this point, if you
were in his place, what would you choose to do and why?
Vocabulary Work
1. Find the following words in the text and translate them into Russian. What situations were
they used in?
Page 207.
Page 208.
Page 209.
Page 210.
Page 213.
Page 214.
Page 230.
Page 231.
Page 233.
Page 235.
Page 236.
Page 237.
Page 239.
Page 241.
Page 242.
fidget
pier
accomplice
assassin
rumor
be in a festive mood
inevitable
be oblivious of
ruthlessness
blackmail
laundering
tax return
run errands
invincible
self-reliant
2. Explain the following phrases and sentences from the text in your own words.
Page 211.
Page 220.
Page 220.
Page 222.
Page 225.
small talk
He was very street-smart.
There are a lot of nuts out there.
…but the years in lounges and nightclubs were taking their toll.
You need to unwind.
13
Page 237. fraud
Page 240. It’s best to play dumb.
3. Translate the following sentences into Russian.
Page 211. The rested and rejuvenated lawyers returned to the fortress on Front Street with a
vengeance.
Page 224. You timing is great, McDeer.
Page 235. You know the firm stinks, Mitch.
Page 236. If we can bust that firm, we can indict every significant member of the Morolto
family.
Page 236. … that would be the single devastating blow to organized crime in the last thirty
years.
Page 239. He was headed for Wall Street and had been side-tracked by the money.
Page 241. If you choose to help us, we will of course make it worth your while.
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