This book is for junior students who want help with reading. These and other spheres of belles-lettres literature are illustrated in the book, namely, legends, stories, poetry, an extract from the novel, jokes. There are exercises and tasks on each sphere. The book is intended mainly for the students who have already studied the basic grammar of English vocabulary, a bit of stylistics and acquainted with translation theory and practice. Some advanced students who have to deal with translation will find the book useful. The book will probably be useful, as all or nearly all the material can serve for reading, understanding, retelling, interpreting and translating. The book is suitable for classroom use and for individual reading. The exercises can be done individually, in class, or as homework. And additionally students are directed in holding discussion on the given topic, showing their attitude to this or that situation, being agreed or disagreed with the statement, conclusion given at the end of the plot. It goes without saying that the book aims at not only learning the language, but has an educating purpose too.