“A rabbit doesn’t live forty years,” the magician said, vaguely.
“But he spent this time somewhere,” the propman said, and left the dressing room.”
“So, where have you been all this time?” the exhausted actor addressed the rabbit.
The animal, as if realizing the question, ceased to nibble on his goodies, moved his ears, and jumped down on the near couch. An open scientific journal was on it. The panting rabbit settled down on the page so his right paw was clearly pointing at the title of the article, “Wormwholes.”
The magician moved the rabbit aside, picked up the journal, and read the beginning of the article:
Time machines do not exist, but astrophysics proves the existence of wormholes in the Universe, in theory. A wormhole is a hypothetical topological feature of space time. It is much like a tunnel with two ends, each in separate points in space time.
He looked at the rabbit in amazement.
– …?
Questions and Activities
I. Find English equivalents to the following Russian phrases.
– яркие афиши
– сказочное зрелище
– шатер цирка
– наплыв зрителей
– с выцветшими стенками
– подающий надежды артист
– восторженные зрители
– в свете софитов
– ужас охватил его
– прекратил грызть
– озадаченные коллеги
II. Translate the following words and word-combinations.
– a novice magician
– a worn-out prop
– a conjuror
– the repertory
– an honest deception
– a ringmaster
– intricate tricks
– a predator
– agility
– dexterity
– a kind of contorted smile
– the script
– a propman
– a couch
– a wormwhole
– a tamer
III. Find adverbs in the text. Make up your own sentences with them.
IV. Unscramble the words in bold.
1. A travelling circus was giving the first mcnproearfe of the season
in a small country town.
2. The town residents were not spoiled by qtrfnuee visits from
performing guests.
3. The jrocounr had a few minutes before his appearance on the stage.
4. Do you remember the srtcpi
5. The white-haired npramop showed his head from behind the door.
6. He stared at the btarib and could not believe what had happened.
7. But he works only with prderstao, so he can’t be responsible.
8. His gaset name was Faust.
9. A cokkn at the door brought him back to reality.
10. A mwloheor is a hypothetical topological feature of space time.
V. Give definitions of the following verbs.
– to erect
– to spoil