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Unit 4 Relationships

one another are granted a licence for unlimited beastliness such as is denied to mere sworn enemies. For alt that, some of 45 our most tenacious black bek quarrellers have come to it Iate in life and mastered every throw, from the Crushing Silence to the Gloating Apology . in less than ten years of marriage.

50 A quarrel may last years. Among brooding types with time on their hands, like writers. half a lifetime is not uncommon. In its most refined form, a ąuarrel may consist of the participants not 55 talking to eaeh other. They will necd to scheme laboriously to appear in public

together to register their silence.

Brief, violent ąuarrels are also known as rows. In all cases the essentlal ingredient 60 remains the same; the original cause must be forgotten as soon as possible. From here on, dignity, pride, sdf-esteem, honour are the crucial issues, which is why ąuarrelling, like jealousy, is an all-65 eon sum i ng business, virtually a profession. For the quarrdler’s verv self-hood is on the linę. To lose an argument is a brief disappointment, much like losing a gamę of tennis; but to be crushęd in a quarrel... 70 rather bite off your tongue and spread it at your opponent’s feet.

from ‘Flying in the face of authariiy by łan McEuian in the Observer

Look at paragraphs 2-5 and find the words which mean the same as:

a bad-tempered (2)    ...............................................

b brothers and sisters (2)    ...............................................

c process of tiring or weakening (2)    ...............................................

d excuse (3)    ...............................................

e temperament (4)    ...............................................

/ examining closely (4)    ...............................................

g novice/beginner (5)    ...............................................

h husbands and wives (5)    ...............................................

1    risks (5)    .............................................

j persistent (5)    ...............................................

Complete these statements by choosing the answer which you think fits best.

X Unschooled ąuarrellers are said to be at a disadvantage be cause a their insults fail to offend their opponent. b they reveal their nervousness to their opponent. c they suffer from remorse for what they^łve said. d they are apprehensive about speaking their minds.

2    According to the writer, ąuarrels between married couples may be a physically violent.

b extremely bitter. c essentially trivial. d sincerely regretted.

3    When ąuarrelling, both children and married couples may, according to the writer, a be particularly brutal

b use politeness as a weapon. c employ skilfulmanoeuvres. d exaggerate their feelings.

4    The difference between a ąuarrel and an argument is said to be that a the former invoIves individual egos.

b the former concerns strong points of view. c the latter has well-established rules. d the latter concems trivial issues.

5    In the passage as a whole, the writer treats ąuarrelling as if it were a a military campaign.

b a social skill. c amoralevil. d a natural gift.

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