Курс английского языка

Intermediate English Course
Programme 4
Text Two

Career Prospects

Susan How have your two sons been doing at school lately, Andy?
Andy Terrible! James never starts working, and Malcolm never stops working.
Susan You're joking, of course. I hear that Malcolm is likely to win all the prizes in the exams this year.
Andy Yes, so his teachers say. But he deserves to do well. He's always been so conscientious and hard-working, and he's been slaving at his books every evening for months on end recently. He wants to go to Oxford University next year.
Susan Maybe he'll become a university lecturer himself eventually.
Andy Maybe. But I think he studies too hard; I sometimes wish he'd go out and enjoy himself for a change.
Susan Yes... What about the younger one?
Andy Well, James' teachers say that he has ability, but that he's too inconsistent and that he rarely does his best. In other words, he's not bad when he makes an effort, but he's too idle. He couldn't care less about exams. He does his homework in ten minutes every evening and then rushes out to play tennis.
Susan He's crazy about tennis, isn't he? Perhaps he can make his fortune at it. You can make more money from sport than from an old-fashioned profession these days.
Andy So I believe. But my wife always worries about the children's future. She wants James to give up tennis and study law, but I don't believe in forcing boys to take up careers they're not cut out for. I wonder how James'll develop in a couple of years' time!

Prepositions, Verbs, Phrases, Idioms

Susan	How have your two sons been doing at school lately, Andy?
Andy	Terrible! James never starts working, and Malcolm never stops working.
Susan	You're joking, of course. I hear that Malcolm is likely to win all the prizes in the exams this year.
Andy	Yes, so his teachers say. But he deserves to do well. He's always been so conscientious and hard-working, and he's been slaving at his books every evening for months on end recently. He wants to go to Oxford University next year.
Susan	Maybe he'll become a university lecturer himself eventually.
Andy	Maybe. But I think he studies too hard; I sometimes wish he'd go out and enjoy himself for a change.
Susan	Yes... What about the younger one?
Andy	Well, James' teachers say that he has ability, but that he's too inconsistent and that he rarely does his best. In other words, he's not bad when he makes an effort, but he's too idle. He couldn't care less about exams. He does his homework in ten minutes every evening and then rushes out to play tennis.
Susan	He's crazy about tennis, isn't he? Perhaps he can make his fortune at it. You can make more money from sport than from an old-fashioned profession these days.
Andy	So I believe. But my wife always worries about the children's future. She wants James to give up tennis and study law, but I don't believe in forcing boys to take up careers they're not cut out for. I wonder how James'll develop in a couple of years' time!