Текст книги "Английский шутя. Английские и американские анекдоты для начального чтения"

But one day (но однажды), he became determined to ask her the question (он стал /достаточно/ решительным, чтобы задать ей этот вопрос = он решился задать ей этот вопрос). So he calls her on the phone (он звонит ей по телефону), “June.”

“Yes, this is June (да, это Джун).”

“Will you marry me (ты выйдешь за меня)?”

“Of course I will (конечно, выйду)! Who's this (кто это)?”

really ['rɪǝlɪ], propose [prǝ'pǝʋz], years [jɪǝz; jɜ:z], married ['mærɪd], course [kɔ:s], past [pɑ:st], timid ['tɪmɪd], suggesting [sʌ'ʤestɪŋ], marriage ['mærɪʤ], phone [fǝʋn]

A man really loved a woman, but he was just too shy to propose to her. Now he was up in his years and neither of them had ever been married. Of course, they dated about once a week for the past six years, but he was so timid he just never got around to suggesting marriage much less living together.

But one day, he became determined to ask her the question. So he calls her on the phone, “June.”

“Yes, this is June.”

“Will you marry me?”

“Of course I will! Who's this?”

• Will you marry me?

23. Jack was living in Arizona (Джек жил в Аризоне) during a heat wave (в период сильной жары: «тепловой волны») when the following took place (когда имело место следующее: to take place – происходить: «брать место»).

“It's just too hot to wear clothes today (сегодня слишком жарко, чтобы носить одежду; just – точно, как раз, именно; совсем, прямо, просто),” complained (пожаловался) Jack as he stepped out of the shower (когда вышел из душа). “Honey (душечка: «мед»), what do you think the neighbors would think (как ты думаешь, что подумали бы соседи) if I mowed the lawn like this (если бы я косил луг вот так)?”

“Probably that I married you for your money (наверное, что я вышла за тебя из-за твоих денег).”

during ['djʋǝrɪŋ], following ['fɒlǝʋɪŋ], clothes [klǝʋðz], complained [kǝm'pleɪnd], shower ['ʃaʋǝ], mowed [mǝʋd], probably ['prɒbǝblɪ]

Jack was living in Arizona during a heat wave when the following took place.

“It's just too hot to wear clothes today,” complained Jack as he stepped out of the shower. “Honey, what do you think the neighbors would think if I mowed the lawn like this?”

“Probably that I married you for your money.”

• It's just too hot to wear clothes today.

24. Sue and Bob, a pair of tight wads (пара скупердяев; tight – плотный, тугой; wad – связка, пучок; пачка бумажных денег), lived in the Midwest (жили на Среднем Западе), and had been married years (и уже были женаты /долгие/ годы). Bob had always wanted to go flying (Боб всегда хотел полетать). The desire deepened (желание становилось глубже) each time a barnstormer (каждый раз, когда летчик-спортсмен, выступающий с летными шоу в провинции; barn – амбар + to storm – стремительно проноситься; штурмовать) flew into town to offer rides (прилетал в город предложить покататься; to fly-flew-flown – летать; ride – поездка; to ride – ехать верхом). Bob would ask (бывало предлагал), and Sue would say, “No way (ни в коем случае), ten dollars is ten dollars (десять долларов есть десять долларов).”

The years went by (прошли годы), and Bob figured he couldn't wait much longer (понял, что не может ждать больше), so he got Sue out to the show (он брал Сью на представление), explaining (объясняя), it's free to watch (смотреть /можно/ бесплатно), let's (давай) at least (по крайней мере) watch.

And once he got there (и однажды, когда он пришел туда) the feeling became very strong (это чувство = желание полетать стало очень сильным). Sue and Bob started an argument (начали дискуссию, спор).

The Pilot, between flights (пилот между полетами), overheard (подслушал; to hear – слышать, услышать) that, and said, “I'll tell you what (вот что я вам скажу), I'll take you up flying (я возьму вас полетать), and if you don't say a word the ride is on me (и если вы не произнесете ни слова, поездка на мне), but if you utter one sound (но, если вы издадите /хоть/ один звук), you pay ten dollars (вы платите 10 долларов).

So off they flew (и они взлетели). The Pilot doing as many rolls (пилот проделывал столько «бочек»: roll – свиток, сверток; авиац. «бочка» – двойной переворот через крыло) and dives (и пикирований; dive – ныряние; to dive – нырять) as he could – heading to the ground (сколько мог – направляясь в землю) as fast as the plane could go (так быстро, как самолет мог лететь) and pulling out of the dive at just the very last second (и выходил из пикирования прямо в самую последнюю секунду). Not a word (ни слова). Finally he admitted defeat (наконец он признал поражение) and went back the airport (и вернулся в аэропорт).

“I'm surprised, why didn't you say anything (я удивлен, почему вы ничего не сказали)?”

“Well I almost said something (ну, я чуть не сказал что-то) when Sue fell out (когда Сью выпала; to fall-fell-fallen – падать), but ten dollars is ten dollars.”

pair [peǝ], desire [dɪ'zaɪǝ], explaining [ɪk'spleɪnɪŋ], became [bɪ'keɪm], argument ['ɑ:ɡjǝmǝnt], overheard [,ǝʋvǝ'hɜ:d], admitted [ǝd'mɪtɪd], airport ['eǝpɔ:t]

Sue and Bob, a pair of tight wads, lived in the Midwest, and had been married years. Bob had always want to go flying. The desire deepen each time a barnstormer flew into town to offer rides. Bob would ask, and Sue would say, “No way, ten dollars is ten dollars.”

The years went pay, and Bob figured he didn't have much longer, so he got Sue out to the show, explaining, it's free to watch, let's at least watch.

And once he got there the feeling became very strong. Sue and Bob started an argument.

The Pilot, between flights, overheard, listened to they problem, and said, “I'll tell you what, I'll take you up flying, and if you don't say a word the ride is on me, but if you utter one sound, you pay ten dollars.

So off they flew. The Pilot doing as many rolls and dives as he could – heading to the ground as fast as the plane could go, and pulling out of the dive at just the very last second. Not a word. Finally he admitted defeat and went back the airport.

“I'm surprised, why didn't you say anything?”

“Well I almost said something when Sue fell out, but ten dollars is ten dollars.”

• No way.

• I'm surprised, why didn't you say anything?

25. At a local coffee bar (в местной кофейне), a young woman (молодая женщина) was expounding on her idea (разъясняла/излагала свою идею) of the perfect mate to some of her friends (об идеальном муже кому-то из своих подруг).

“The man I marry (человек, за которого я выйду) must be a shining light amongst company (должен быть светочем: «сияющим светом» в обществе: «среди общества»). He must be musical (он должен быть музыкальным). Tell jokes (рассказывать анекдоты). Sing (петь). And stay home at night (и оставаться дома ночью/вечером)!”

An old granny overheard and spoke up (старушка услышала и заговорила; to speak-spoke-spoken – говорить; сказать), “Honey, if that's all you want, get a TV (дорогая, если это все, что ты хочешь, купи телевизор)!”

local ['lǝʋk(ǝ)l], coffee ['kɒfɪ], expounding [ɪk'spaʋndɪŋ], idea [aɪ'dɪǝ], perfect ['pɜ:fɪkt], amongst [ǝ'mʌŋst], company ['kʌmpǝnɪ]

At a local coffee bar, a young woman was expounding on her idea of the perfect mate to some of her friends.

“The man I marry must be a shining light amongst company. He must be musical. Tell jokes. Sing. And stay home at night!”

An old granny overheard and spoke up, “Honey, if that's all you want, get a TV!”

• Honey, if that's all you want, get a TV!

26. A boy is about to go on his first date (парень собирается идти на свое первое свидание), and is nervous about what to talk about (и волнуется, о чем говорить). He asks his father for advice (он просит у своего отца совета).

The father replies, “My son, there are three subjects that always work (мой сын, есть три темы, которые всегда работают). These are food, family, and philosophy (это еда, семья и философия).”

The boy picks up his date (встречается со своей девушкой; date означает и свидание, и человека, с которым у вас свидание) and they go to a soda fountain (и они идут к автомату с газировкой). Ice cream (мороженое; ice – лед, cream – сливки) sodas in front of them (перед ними), they stare at each other for a long time (они смотрят пристально друг на друга долго), and the boy's nervousness builds (и нервозность парня растет). He remembers his father's advice (он вспоминает отцовский совет), and chooses the first topic (и выбирает первую тему).

He asks (спрашивает) the girl, “Do you like spinach (ты любишь шпинат)?” She says “No” and the silence returns (и тишина/молчание возвращается).

After a few more uncomfortable minutes (несколькими неуютными = неловкими минутами позже), the boy thinks of his father's suggestion (думает об отцовском совете; to suggest — предлагать, советовать) and turns to the second item on the list (и переходит ко второму пункту списка). He asks, “Do you have a brother (у тебя есть брат)?” Again (опять), the girl says “No” and there is silence once again (и снова тишина).

The boy then plays his last card (затем разыгрывает свою последнюю карту). He thinks of his father's advice and asks the girl the following (следующий) question: “If you had a brother, would he like spinach (если бы у тебя был брат, он бы любил шпинат)?”

subjects ['sʌbʤɪkts], philosophy [fɪ'lɒsǝfɪ], fountain ['faʋntɪn], nervousness ['nɜ:vǝsnǝs], builds [bɪldz], spinach ['spɪnɪʧ; 'spɪnɪʤ], uncomfortable [ʌn'kʌmf(ǝ)tǝbl], minutes ['mɪnɪts], brother ['brʌðǝ], silence ['saɪlǝns]

A boy is about to go on his first date, and is nervous about what to talk about. He asks his father for advice.

The father replies, “My son, there are three subjects that always work. These are food, family, and philosophy.”

The boy picks up his date and they go to a soda fountain. Ice cream sodas in front of them, they stare at each other for a long time, as the boy's nervousness builds. He remembers his father's advice, and chooses the first topic.

He asks the girl, “Do you like spinach?” She says “No” and the silence returns.

After a few more uncomfortable minutes, the boy thinks of his father's suggestion and turns to the second item on the list. He asks, “Do you have a brother?” Again, the girl says “No” and there is silence once again.

The boy then plays his last card. He thinks of his father's advice and asks the girl the following question: “If you had a brother, would he like spinach?”

• Do you like spinach?

27. When I was younger I hated going to weddings (когда я была моложе, я ненавидела хождение на свадьбы); it seemed (мне казалось) that all of my aunts (что все мои тетушки) and the grandmotherly types (и бабушки: «/женщины/ типа бабушек») used to come up to me (подходили ко мне; to use – использовать, употреблять; иметь обыкновение /что-либо делать – только по отношению к прошлому/), poke me in the ribs (тыкали мне в ребра) and cackle (кудахтали), “You're next (ты следующая).”

They stopped that kind of thing (они перестали /делать/ подобные вещи) after I started doing the same thing to them at funerals (после того, как я начала делать то же: «ту же вещь» с ними на похоронах).

aunts [ɑ:nts], used [ju:zd], funerals ['fju:n(ǝ)rǝlz]

When I was younger I hated going to weddings; it seemed that all of my aunts and the grandmotherly types used to come up to me, poke me in the ribs and cackle, “You're next.”

They stopped that kind of thing after I started doing the same thing to them at funerals.

• You're next.

28. A bum asks a man for $2 (попрошайка просит у человека 2$).

The man asked, “Will you buy booze (ты купишь спиртного)?”

The bum said (сказал), “No.”

The man asked, “Will you gamble it away (проиграешь /в карты/)?”

The bum said, “No.”

Then the man asked, “Will you come home with me (пойдешь домой со мной) so my wife can see (так моя жена может увидеть = чтобы моя жена увидела) what happens to a man who doesn't drink or gamble (что происходит с человеком, который не пьет и: «или» не играет в карты)?”

buy [baɪ], booze [bu:z]

A bum asks a man for $2.

The man asked, “Will you buy booze?”

The bum said, “No.”

The man asked, “Will you gamble it away?”

The bum said, “No.”

Then the man asked, “Will you come home with me so my wife can see what happens to a man who doesn't drink or gamble?”

29. A man dies and goes to Heaven (мужчина умирает и отправляется в рай: «в небеса»). He gets to meet God (он попадает на встречу с Богом) and asks God if he can ask him a few questions (и просит у Бога разрешения задать ему несколько вопросов).

“Sure,” God says (конечно, говорит Бог), “Go right ahead (начинай, давай /действуй/: «иди прямо вперед»).

“OK,” the man says. “Why did you make women so pretty (зачем ты сделал женщин такими хорошенькими)?”

God says, “So you would like them (чтобы они вам нравились).”

“OK,” the guy says. “But how come you made them so beautiful (но как «случилось», что ты сделал их такими красивыми)?”

“So you would LOVE them (чтобы вы их /по/любили),” God replies (отвечает).

The man ponders a moment (задумался на секунду; to ponder – обдумывать) and then asks, “But why did you make them such airheads (такими легкомысленными: «воздушноголовыми»)?”

God says, “So they would love you (чтобы они /по/любили вас)!”

ahead [ǝ'hed], pretty ['prɪtɪ], beautiful ['bju:tǝfǝl]

A man dies and goes to Heaven. He gets to meet God and asks God if he can ask him a few questions.

“Sure,” God says, “Go right ahead”.

“OK,” the man says. “Why did you make women so pretty?”

God says, “So you would like them.”

“OK,” the guy says. “But how come you made them so beautiful?”

“So you would LOVE them,” God replies.

The man ponders a moment and then asks, “But why did you make them such airheads?”

God says, “So they would love you!”

• Go right ahead.

30. A New York Divorce Lawyer (нью-йоркский адвокат по бракоразводным процессам) died and arrived at the Pearly Gates (умер и попал к Жемчужным Вратам = к вратам рая). Saint Peter asks him (Святой Петр спрашивает его), “What have you done to merit entrance into Heaven (что ты сделал, чтобы удостоиться входа в рай)?”

The Lawyer thought a moment (подумал секунду), then said, “A week ago, I gave a quarter to a homeless person on the street (неделю назад я дал четвертак бездомному человеку на улице; quarter – четверть, четвeртая часть; 25 центов /четвeртая часть американского доллара/).”

Saint Peter asked Gabriel to check this out (попросил /архангела/ Гавриила проверить это) in the record (в записи/архиве), and after a moment (через секунду) Gabriel affirmed that this was true (подтвердил, что это правда).

Saint Peter said, “Well, that's fine (ну, это здорово/прекрасно), but it's not really quite enough to get you into Heaven (но этого на самом деле не вполне достаточно, чтобы взять тебя в рай; quite – вполне, довольно).”

The Lawyer said, “Wait! Wait! There's more (подождите, подождите, вот еще)! Three years ago (три года назад) I also (также) gave a homeless person a quarter.” Saint Peter nodded (кивнул) to Gabriel, who after a moment nodded back (кивнул в ответ), affirming this, too, had been verified (подтверждая, что это также проверено).

Saint Peter then whispered (шепнул) to Gabriel, “Well, what do you suggest we do with this fellow (что ты предлагаешь нам сделать с этим парнем)?”

Gabriel gave the Lawyer a sidelong glance (косой взгляд), then said to Saint Peter, “Let's give him back his 50 cents and tell him to go to Hell (давай отдадим ему обратно его 50 центов и скажем ему отправляться к черту: «в ад»)!”

arrived [ǝ'raɪvd], entrance ['entrǝns], quarter ['kwɔ:tǝ], record /сущ./ ['rekɔ:d], affirmed [ǝ'fɜ:md], true [tru:], Heaven ['hev(ǝ)n], verified ['verɪfaɪd], suggest [sǝ'ʤǝst]

A new York Divorce Lawyer died and arrived at the Pearly Gates. Saint Peter asks him, “What have you done to merit entrance into Heaven?”

The Lawyer thought a moment, then said, “A week ago, I gave a quarter to a homeless person on the street.”

Saint Peter asked Gabriel to check this out in the record, and after a moment Gabriel affirmed that this was true.

Saint Peter said, “Well, that's fine, but it's not really quite enough to get you into Heaven.”

The Lawyer said, “Wait! Wait! There's more! Three years ago I also gave a homeless person a quarter.” Saint Peter nodded to Gabriel, who after a moment nodded back, affirming this, too, had been verified.

Saint Peter then whispered to Gabriel, “Well, what do you suggest we do with this fellow?”

Gabriel gave the Lawyer a sidelong glance, then said to Saint Peter, “Let's give him back his 50 cents and tell him to go to Hell.”

• Go to Hell!

31. Three men died in a car accident (три человека погибли в автомобильной аварии) and met Jesus himself at the Pearly Gates (и встретили самого Иисуса у Жемчужных Врат).

The Lord spoke unto them saying (Господь /Иисус/ обратился к ним, говоря; unto = to /высок., поэтич./), “I will ask you each a simple question (я задам вам каждому простой вопрос). If you tell the truth I will allow you into Heaven (если вы скажете правду, я пущу вас в рай; to allow – позволять), but if you lie (но если вы солжете)… Hell is waiting for you (ад вас дожидается/ждет вас).”

To the first (первого) man the Lord asked, “How many times did you cheat on your wife (сколько раз ты изменял своей жене; to cheat – жульничать, мошенничать; to cheat on smb. – изменять, нарушать верность кому-либо)?”

The first man replied, “Lord, I was a good husband (я был хорошим мужем). I never (никогда) cheated on my wife.”

The Lord replied, “Very good (очень хорошо)! Not only will I allow you in (я не только позволю тебе войти), but for being faithful to your wife (но за верность жене; faithful – верный; faith – вера) I will give you a huge mansion (огромный особняк) and a limo (лимузин) for your transportation.”

To the second (второго) man the Lord asked, “How many times did you cheat on your wife?”

The second man replied, “Lord, I cheated on my wife twice (дважды).”

The Lord replied, “I will allow you to come in, but for your unfaithfulness (неверность), you will get a four-bedroom house and a BMW (ты получишь дом с четырьмя спальнями и БMВ).”

To the third (третьего) man the Lord asked, “So, how many times did you cheat on your wife?”

The third man replied, “Lord, I cheated on my wife about 8 times (около восьми раз).”

The Lord replied, “I will allow you to come in, but for your unfaithfulness, you will get a one-room apartment (однокомнатную квартиру), and a Yugo[1]1
  Yugo – архаичный автомобиль сербского производства, по виду напоминающий 4-ю модель «Жигулей»; в настоящее время не выпускается.


[Закрыть] for your transportation.”

A couple hours later (пару часов спустя) the second and third men saw (увидели; to see-saw-seen) the first man crying his eyes out (горько рыдающим: «выплакивающим свои глаза»).

“Why (почему) are you crying?” the two men asked. “You got the mansion and limo!”

The first man replied, “I'm crying because I saw my wife a little while ago (я плачу, потому что видел свою жену некоторое время назад), and she was riding a skateboard (и она ехала на скейтборде; skate – конек; to skate – скользить /на коньках/; board – доска)!”

accident ['æksɪd(ǝ)nt], truth [tru:θ], mansion ['mænʃ(ǝ)n], unfaithfulness [ʌn'feɪθf(ǝ)lnǝs], apartment [ǝ'pɑ:tmǝnt], skateboard ['skeɪtbɔ:d]

Three men died in a car accident and met Jesus himself at the Pearly Gates.

The Lord spoke unto them saying, “I will ask you each a simple question. If you tell the truth I will allow you into Heaven, but if you lie… Hell is waiting for you.”

To the first man the Lord asked, “How many times did you cheat on your wife?”

The first man replied, “Lord, I was a good husband. I never cheated on my wife.”

The Lord replied, “Very good! Not only will I allow you in, but for being faithful to your wife I will give you a huge mansion and a limo for your transportation.”

To the second man the Lord asked, “How many times did you cheat on your wife?”

The second man replied, “Lord, I cheated on my wife twice.”

The Lord replied, “I will allow you to come in, but for your unfaithfulness, you will get a four-bedroom house and a BMW.”

To the third man the Lord asked, “So, how many times did you cheat on your wife?”

The third man replied, “Lord, I cheated on my wife about 8 times.”

The Lord replied, “I will allow you to come in, but for your unfaithfulness, you will get a one-room apartment, and a Yugo for your transportation.”

A couple hours later the second and third men saw the first man crying his eyes out.

“Why are you crying?” the two men asked. “You got the mansion and limo!”

The first man replied, “I'm crying because I saw my wife a little while ago, and she was riding a skateboard!”

• I never cheated on my wife.

• Why are you crying?

32. Three buddies die in a car crash (три дружка умирают в автомобильной аварии; to crush – раздавить; crash – грохот, треск; авария, крушение), and they go to heaven to an orientation (и они отправляются в рай для «ориентации» = чтобы их направили/распределили по заслугам).

They are all asked, “When you are in your casket (когда вы в гробу; casket – шкатулка; /амер., эвф./ гроб) and friends and family are mourning upon you (и друзья и семья оплакивают вас, скорбят над вами), what would you like to hear them say about you (чтобы вы хотели услышать от них о вас)?”

The first guy says, “I would like to hear them say that I was a great doctor of my time (что я был великим врачом своего времени), and a great family man (и отличным семьянином).”

The second guy says, “I would like to hear that I was a wonderful husband and school teacher which made a huge difference in our children of tomorrow (что я был чудесным мужем и школьным учителем, который сильно изменил /к лучшему/ наших детей завтрашнего дня: «сделал огромную разницу/огромное отличие в наших детях грядущего дня»).”

The last guy replies, “I would like to hear them say, “Look! He's moving (смотрите; он шевелится)!”

orientation [,ɔ:rɪen'teɪʃ(ǝ)n], casket ['kɑ:skɪt], mourning ['mɔ:nɪŋ], guy [ɡaɪ], husband ['hʌzbǝnd], moving ['mu:vɪŋ]

Three buddies die in a car crash, and they go to heaven to an orientation.

They are all asked, “When you are in your casket and friends and family are mourning upon you, what would you like to hear them say about you?”

The first guy says, “I would like to hear them say that I was a great doctor of my time, and a great family man.”

The second guy says, “I would like to hear that I was a wonderful husband and school teacher which made a huge difference in our children of tomorrow.”

The last guy replies, “I would like to hear them say, “Look! He's moving!”

• Look! He's moving!

33. This guy dies and is sent to Hell (этот = один парень умирает и послан в ад; to send). Satan meets him and shows him the doors to three rooms (сатана встречает его и показывает ему двери к трем комнатам) and says he must choose one of the rooms to spend eternity in (и говорит, что он должен выбрать одну из комнат, чтобы проводить в ней вечность).

So Satan opens the first door (открывает первую дверь). In the room there are people standing in cow manure up to their necks (в комнате люди, стоящие в коровьем навозе по шеи). The guy says, “No, please show me the next room (нет, пожалуйста, покажи мне следующую комнату).”

Satan shows him the next room and this has people with cow manure up to their noses (до носов). And so he says no again (снова).

Finally (наконец), Satan shows him the third and final (и последнюю) room. This time there are people in there with cow manure up to their knees (по колено) drinking cups of tea and eating cakes (пьющие «чашку» чая и «едящие» пирожки).

So the guy says, “I'll choose this room (я выберу эту комнату).” Satan says O.K.

The guy is standing in there eating his cake and drinking his tea thinking (думая), “Well, it could be worse (могло быть хуже),” when the door opens (открывается). Satan pops his head around (всовывает голову), and says,

“O.K., tea-break is over (перерыв на чай закончен). Back on your heads (снова /встать/ на головы)!”

Satan ['seɪt(ǝ)n], eternity [ɪ'tɜ:nǝtɪ], manure [mǝ'njʋǝ], final ['faIn(q)l, break [breɪk]

This guy dies and is sent to Hell. Satan meets him and shows him the doors to three rooms and says he must choose one of the rooms to spend eternity in.

So Satan opens the first door. In the room there are people standing in cow manure up to their necks. The guy says, “No, please show me the next room.”

Satan shows him the next room and this has people with cow manure up to their noses. And so he says no again.

Finally, Satan shows him the third and final room. This time there are people in there with cow manure up to their knees drinking cups of tea and eating cakes.

So the guy says, “I'll choose this room.” Satan says O.K.

The guy is standing in there eating his cake and drinking his tea thinking, “Well, it could be worse,” when the door opens. Satan pops his head around, and says,

“O.K., tea-break is over. Back on your heads!”

• It could be worse.

34. Recently a teacher, a garbage collector, and a lawyer wound up together at the Pearly Gates (недавно учитель, мусорщик и адвокат поднялись вместе к Жемчужным Вратам; to wind – виться; наматывать(ся); to wind up – поднимать при помощи лебедки). St. Peter informed them (сообщил им) that in order to get into Heaven (для того, чтобы попасть в рай), they would each have to answer one question (каждый из них должен будет ответить на один вопрос).

St. Peter addressed the teacher and asked (обратился к учителю и спросил), “What was the name of the ship that crashed into the iceberg (как назывался корабль, который врезался в айсберг)? They just made a movie about it (о нем как раз сделали фильм).”

The teacher answered quickly (ответил быстро), “That would be the Titanic (это, должно быть, Титаник).” St. Peter let him through the gate (пропустил его в ворота; to let).

St. Peter turned to the garbage man (повернулся к мусорщику) and, figuring (подумав; to figure – изображать; считать, полагать) Heaven didn't really need all the odors (Раю точно уж: «действительно» не были нужны все эти ароматы/запахи) that this guy would bring with him (которые этот парень принес бы с собой), decided to make the question a little harder (решил несколько усложнить вопрос: «сделать вопрос немного жестче»): “How many people died on the ship (сколько человек погибло на корабле)?”

Fortunately for him (к счастью для него), the trash man had just seen the movie (мусорщик видел фильм; trash – мусор). “1,228,” he answered.

“That's right (правильно)! You may enter (можешь войти).”

St. Peter turned to the lawyer. “Name them (назови их /по именам/).”

recently ['ri:s(ǝ)ntlɪ], garbage ['ɡɑ:bɪʤ], answer ['ɑ:nsǝ], Titanic [taɪ'tænɪk], odors ['ǝʋdǝz], decided [dɪ'saɪdɪd], fortunately ['fɔ:ʧ(ǝ)nǝtlɪ]

Recently a teacher, a garbage collector, and a lawyer wound up together at the Pearly Gates. St. Peter informed them that in order to get into Heaven, they would each have to answer one question.

St. Peter addressed the teacher and asked, “What was the name of the ship that crashed into the iceberg? They just made a movie about it.”

The teacher answered quickly, “That would be the Titanic.” St. Peter let him through the gate.

St. Peter turned to the garbage man and, figuring Heaven didn't really need all the odors that this guy would bring with him, decided to make the question a little harder: “How many people died on the ship?”

Fortunately for him, the trash man had just seen the movie. “1,228,” he answered.

“That's right! You may enter.”

St. Peter turned to the lawyer. “Name them.”

35. A police officer attempts to stop a car for speeding (офицер полиции пытается остановить машину за превышение скорости) and the guy gradually increases his speed until he's topping 100 mph (и человек /за рулем/ постепенно увеличивает скорость, пока она не превышает 100 миль в час; mph = miles per hour; top – вершина, верхушка; to top – подняться на вершину, перевалить /через гору/; превысить). He eventually realizes he can't escape and finally pulls over (он в конце концов понимает, что не может убежать, и наконец останавливается; to pull – тянуть, тащить; to pull over – перетягивать, перетаскивать; здесь: отъехать к обочине и остановиться).

The cop approaches the car and says (полицейский подходит к машине и говорит), “It's been a long day (был длинный день) and my tour is almost over (и моя смена почти закончилась), so if you can give me a good excuse for your behavior, I'll let you go (и если вы сможете представить мне подходящее оправдание вашему поведению, я отпущу вас).”

The guy thinks for a few seconds and then says (думает несколько секунд и затем говорит), “My wife ran away with a cop about a week ago (моя жена сбежала с полицейским около недели назад). I thought you might be that officer trying to give her back (я подумал, что вы, возможно: «можете быть» тот /самый/ офицер, пытающийся возвратить ее /мне/)!”

attempts [ǝ'tempts], gradually ['ɡrædjʋǝlɪ; 'ɡræʤʋǝlɪ], increases /гл./ [ɪn'kri:sɪz], realizes ['rɪǝlaɪzɪz], escape [ɪs'keɪp], approaches [ǝ'prǝʋʧɪz], behavior [bɪ'heɪvjǝ]

A police officer attempts to stop a car for speeding and the guy gradually increases his speed until he's topping 100 mph. He eventually realizes he can't escape and finally pulls over.

The cop approaches the car and says, “It's been a long day and my tour is almost over, so if you can give me a good excuse for your behavior, I'll let you go.”

The guy thinks for a few seconds and then says, “My wife ran away with a cop about a week ago. I thought you might be that officer trying to give her back!”

36. A rookie police officer was out for his first ride with an experienced partner (новичок-полицейский был на своем первом дежурстве: «в своем первом рейде/выезде» с опытным напарником; experience – опыт). A call came in telling them to disperse some people who were loitering (поступил сигнал, говорящий им разогнать людей, которые слонялись без дела).

The officers drove to the street (приехали на улицу; to drive-drove-driven) and observed a small crowd standing on a corner (и заметили небольшую толпу, стоящую на углу; to observe – наблюдать).

The rookie rolled down his window (опустил: «открутил вниз» стекло) and said, “Let's get off the corner people (давайте-ка уйдем с угла, народ).”

A few glances, but no one moved (несколько взглядов, но никто не сдвинулся), so he barked again (снова рявкнул; to bark – лаять), “Let's get off that corner… NOW (сейчас же)!”