Is history of art something you want to pursue after degree?
W. – I’m much more interested in doing something with the environment I’m not sure what yet.
St. Andrew’s is very different from Eton*. How easy will it be to make friends?
W. – I don’t choose my friends on the basis of where they are from or what they are. It’s about their character and who they are and whether we get on. I just hope I can meet people I get on with. I don’t care about their background.
Are you excited about moving away from home and being able to take more control of your life?
W. – Having more independence is quite a big thing, although I’ve always got policemen around so I’m never completely independent. However, I’m looking forward to being able to manage my own time in a relaxed atmosphere.
Will you return home often?
W. – No. Although I will miss it, it’s going to be difficult to get back home. Even if I had the time – and I probably won’t – it’s seven-and-a half by plane. I’ll be a long way from friends at home. I know a couple of guys at St. Andrew’s who are older and a couple in my year, but most of my friends are at other universities. So I would like to spend weekends with my friends. I’m not a party animal, despite what people might think, but I like to go out sometimes like anyone else.
Are you worried about media intrusion into your student life?
W. – The way the media treated me in my gap year was great and if that could continue everyone would be happy, especially me. If it does get too curious and intrusive, I will feel really uncomfortable.
*St. Andrew’s – Сент-Андрус, приморский город-курорт в графстве Файф, Шотландия.
*St. Andrew’s – старейший в Шотландии университет, основанный в 1411г.
*Eton [‘i:tn] – Итон, одна из старейших престижных мужских привилегированных средних школ, находится в г. Итоне. Основана в 1440 г. Учащиеся – в основном выходцы из аристократических семей; многие премьер-министры Великобритании – бывшие воспитанники этой школы; плата за обучение очень высокая.
Ex.12. HOME READING
Read the text and then do the following exercises.
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WHY ARE THE BRITISH MAD ABOUT HARRY?
Who has the most recognized face in Britain at the moment? No, it isn’t the Queen, nor is it the Prime Minister, Tony Blair, it’s not even Robbie Williams! The most recognized face belongs to a young man called Daniel Radcliffe, although he is not generally known to the public as Daniel Radcliffe. In fact, some people don’t even know that his name is Daniel Radcliffe, they only know his face as being that of his alter ego, Harry Potter. Daniel Radcliffe is the actor who plays Harry Potter in film and whose face looks out from a thousand posters across the nation. The image of Harry Potter is so familiar that even people who haven’t read any of the books or seen any of the films know exactly who he is and exactly what he looks like.
The phenomenal success of JK Rowling’s Harry Potter books has been one of the most talked about and unexpected success stories in the book world. The big surprise has been how many children have been drawn to the books, often with little encouragement from either teachers or parents. The subsequent success of the films is far less surprising, but the fact that thousands of children have actually read the original books has been seen as almost incredible. It has to be said that many parents and teachers have been as impressed by the books as the children, and libraries and bookshops across Britain have had to deal with a great demand for the Harry Potter series.
Since the 1960s Britain has seen a steady decline in the popularity of reading among school-age children (especially boys), and this has been blamed on the lure of television, films, computer games and excitingly presented magazines. The popularity of the Harry Potter series was seen so unusual that many newspaper and magazine articles were written about it to try to understand its success. The theme of the books is not very original and there have been many similar tales published before without the same success. Why then, should these books be so popular in this day and age?
Firstly, Harry, like all the best heroes or heroines, appears to be a normal child. Of course, this is only on the surface, as the lightning scar on his forehead gives the reader a clue to who he really is! Thanks to JK Rowling’s story telling talent, it’s easy to believe that Harry’s transition from sad schoolboy to famous wizard is the most natural thing in the world.
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Secondly, British people always like to take the side of the underdog and Harry has all the attributes of one. Harry is an orphan and is forced to live with his cruel Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon, and their dreadful son, Dudley.
Thirdly, the school which Harry is sent to, Hogwarts, has a lot in common with a classic British public school. For example, a lot of the problems that Harry and his friends are facing in Hogwarts are class-related, such as the question of “pure blood”. It is well-known that in many public schools children from poorer families are looked down on. The organization of Hogwarts is also very similar to a public school with its strict teachers, boarding houses and attention to sports. However, it is still easy for children to identify with Harry and his friends because they also behave like ordinary modern teenagers. And, of course, children (and their parents) just love all the horrible, dark things that happen in the books.
The popularity of Harry Potter and the sale of Harry Potter goods are likely to stay for the near future at least. However, amongst the hundreds of things for sale connected to the books and films, the most interesting development has been the dramatic increase in the sale of traditional broomsticks. Look towards Britain on a clear night and you never know what you might see flying in the sky!
alter ego [æltər’i:gəu] – второея
in this day and age – внашвек, внашевремя
on the surface [‘sə:fis] – внешне, наповерхности
telling talent [‘tælənt] – замечательный, яркийталант
to give a clue [‘klu:] - намекать
to take the side of – приниматьчью-либосторону
theunderdog [‘ ndədg] – несчастные, обиженные
pureblood [‘pjuə ‘bld] – чистая (аристократическая) кровь
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boarding [‘b :din ]house – пансион
broomstick [‘bru:mstik] – метла
a) find the English equivalents of the following words and phrases:
самое узнаваемое лицо, образ, знакомый, точно знать, невероятный (феноменальный) успех, неожиданный, притягивать (привлекать), поддержка (поощрение), последующий успех, невероятный (удивительный), спрос, серия (книг), постоянный спад (падение), винить (относить вину на чей-либо счет), соблазн, журнальная статья, пытаться понять, похожие истории, превращение (переход), маг (волшебник), свойство (отличительная черта), сирота, заставлять (силой), ужасный (отвратительный), частная школа, связанный с классовыми различиями, смотреть на кого-то свысока, строгие учителя, вести себя, обычные современные подростки, продажа товаров, увеличение (рост) продаж.
b) write the questions for these sentences:
1). The most recognized face belongs to a young man called Daniel Radcliffe. (Whom?)
2). Harry Potter’s face looks out from a thousand posters across the nation. (Where…from?)
3). Many parents and teachers have been greatly impressed by the books. (Who?)
4). Libraries and bookshops across Britain have had to deal with a great demand for the Harry Potter series. (What country?) (What…with?)
5). Since the 1960s Britain has seen a steady decline in the popularity of reading among children. (How long?) (Yes/ No?)
6). Many newspaper and magazine articles were written about the incredible success of the Harry Potter series. (What?) (…or…?)
7). Harry appears to be a normal child. (What sort of child?)
8). British people always like to take the side of the underdog. (Whose?) (Who?)
9). Harry is forced to live with his dreadful relatives as he is an orphan. (Who…with?) (Why?)
10). In many public schools children from poorer and lower-class families are looked down on. (Who?) (Where?) (How?)
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