Англиискии для вас Новый курс XXI века

Exercise 15. Read and translate this conversation.
Mr Page, the owner of the local newspaper “The Northern Light”, receives two visitors, Mr Smith and Mr Nye, representatives of the newspaper tycoon Somerville, who wants to buy Mr Page’s paper.
Smith: Mr Page, may 1 say that we approach you in the most cordial and friendly spirit. You know, of course, the reason for our being here. The Somerville group is very interested in your publication.
Page: What I cannot understand is why there should be this interest in “The Northern Light.”
Smith: We are anxious to expand. Also we know the reputation of your paper. Mr Page.
Page: You believe that to be good?
Smith: We do. sir. We consider “The Northern Light” absolutely first in its own class.
Page: Then why should 1 sell it?
Smith: I will tell you. Mr Page. We know you’ve done well. But times are changing fast. There are only half a dozen independent papers of your type left in the provinces and, I promise you. within two or three years they will all be absorbed. We estimate that your entire property is worth seventy-five thousand pounds. I am now authorized to increase the amount.
Page: I’ve no quarrel with you, gentlemen. You are only doing your job. Still... you must realize what’s happening to our press today. A few powerful groups are reaching out for every paper they want with the objective to increase cir­culation and outsell their rivals in the cutthroat competition that now exists. We, all of us, know the power of the press. It can make or break an individ­ual. create or destroy a government, it may even start a new war. It’s the application of this power by certain papers with enormous national coverage that is the curse of our country today and may well be its ruination tomor­row.
Nye (breaking in): 1 suppose you exempt your own paper from this ruination business.
Page: I do. In its own limited sphere it follows the papers that lead and educate the people, and try to create intelligent citizens, rather than a nation of gap­ing primitives reared on a mixture of sex, sensation and scandalous gossip.
Nye: Let me inform you that sex and money are the two main objectives of the human race. What do you think a working man wants with his morning cup of tea at six o’clock on a foggy morning? Not the soapy sermon that you serve up but the bit of spice we give him in the “Gazette.”
Page: Even if I were desperate to sell I would never sell it to the “Gazette.” Smith: Don’t let’s be hasty. Take a few days to think things over.
Page: No, my decision is final.
Nye: Then we’ll have to see that you get a little extra competition. And believe me it will be hot and strong.
(After “The Northern Light" by A. J. Cronin)
Exercise 16. Dramatize these situations.

1. 
   Ask your sister, brother (wife, husband) what is on channel I (2, 3) and say that you would like to see part 2 of the serial (the play, the film, etc.) that is on another channel.
   
2. 
   Discuss advantages and disadvantages of television with a foreign col­league.
   
3. 
   Imagine that you have to give an interview. Think of the subject you would want to give an interview on.
   

LESSON FIFTEEN