A. Exploring Themes. 1. Explain: (p. 133) 'Real policy lies in the media and in backroom policy-making'

1. Explain: (p. 133) 'Real policy lies in the media and in backroom policy-making'

2. Translate and explain: (p. 135) 'He'd seen my latest appearance … to be paying off.'

3. Explain and expand on: (p. 140) 'Quality is quantifiable.'

4. Explain and expand on: (p. 146) 'You have to work at … there's nothing worse than being on your own.'

5. Connect what is given on p. p. 157 - 158, 161 'I was never to know …'` with the epigraphs.

6. Do you agree with Michael's words on p. 153 'It never really occurred to me that luck can also bring happiness?'

B. Judging for Yourself

1. Why do you think the author introduced Michael's memories of his childhood? His first love?

2. What do you think about Michael judging by his dreams and the quotations from Orphee by Jean Cocteu's film? (p. 157)

3. Have you 'a giving nature' like Fiona? What does it mean?

C. Making Connections

1. Do you think politicians and other public figures in this country come to power the same way as in the novel through media and backroom policy-making? Are you interested in politics?

2. What do you think about our 'здравоохранение'? Is it efficient?

3. What are the brightest memories of your childhood and did they influence your life?

Part III

Building the Vocabulary

Consult the English-English dictionary for the following words and phrases:

agenda (p. 127)

millstone (p. 128)

to see to (p. 129)

to get a foothold (p. 129)

to pay off (p. 130)

rat race (p. 130)

to make a poor job of (p. 131)

a ballot (p. 132)

to worm one's way inside (p. 133)

to have wits about smb. (p. 134)

to come off from (p. 136)

commitment (p. 137)

to be match for smb. (p. 138)

stamina (p. 144)

to get through (p. 144)

to take in smb.'s stride (p. 144)

to talk to a closed door (p. 145)

to keep oneself to oneself (p. 145)

to be agog (p. 145)

preposterous (p. 146)

wrongfooted (p. 146)

to be on to smth. (p. 149)

to be screwed up (p. 150)

homicidal (p. 152)

imminence (p. 153)

stalker (p. 154)

impetus (p. 157)

evocative (p. 159)

to fail to do smth. (p. 159)

inpenetrable (p. 160)

to be on the intellectual side (p. 161)

UNIT VI (p. p. 163 - 203)

Part I

First Reading