6 What do these sentences tell us about how Maggie was feeling? Match them with the
descriptions (a-f).
1 Her cheeks were red.
(line 18
2 She felt an
unexpected pang
(line 23)
3 Her cheeks lost their
colour and her mouth
started to tremble a
little. (line 26
4 She stamped and
gave Tom a push.
(line 28)
a angry
b extremely upset
c surprised by a sudden
feeling of pain
d excited and enjoying
herself
e very embarrassed
f worried and losing
confidence
5 Her cheeks and ears
began to burn. (lines
33-34)
6 Her heart swelled and
she burst into tears.
(lines 42-43)
Being an only child can be either good or bad, depending on how you perceive it and how you are brought up by your parents.
The advantages could be that you get the undivided love and attention of your parents. ~
Obviously, being an only child means that your parents have only you to spend the money on and not have to share it among other siblings.
As an only child, you may also be spared the complications arising out of having an overbearing, unhelpful, competitive sibling.
(~) Not having an older sibling to help you every step of the way may in that sense be beneficial and make you capable of looking after yourself earlier in life.
(~) When you parents are no longer around, not having a sibling to talk about things with or look up to for any kind of help or support can be quite a disadvantage.
When your parents get older, being an only child, you would have to shoulder the responsibility of taking care of your parents.
As an only child, you may also face an immense pressure put on you by your parents.
As an only child, you would also be watched with an eagle eye by your parents.
This may be quite suffocating and stressful for you.
2. At the weekend Alexander meets them at the metro station. False. Alexander meets them on the landing.
3. He shows them a rich collection of English and Russian books. False. He shows them all the modern conveniences: central heating, running hot and cold water, electricity gas, the Internet, two lifts and a chute to carry rubbish down, as well as three rooms, and a balcony.
4. Peter likes Alexander's library and pictures on the walls. False. Jane likes Alexander's library and pictures on the walls.
5. Jane is not a designer but she works for a building company. False. Jane is not a designer, she is a sociology student, but she has good taste.
6. Jane thinks that Alexander does not follow fashion trends. True.
7. She recommends Alexander to change the wallpaper in the living room. False. She recommends Alexander to change the wallpaper in Alex's room (bedroom).
8. Jane prefers it in pink. False. Jane prefers wallpaper colours in Alex's room in green. Peter prefers pink colour.
9. Peter thinks it is better to move the bookcase. True.
10 Alex is ready to follow his advice. False. Alex is at a loss, he doesn't know whose advice to follow.