Unit6

Active reading (1)

Reading and understanding

Dealing with unfamiliar words

5 Match the words in the box with their definitions.

1 to make a fire stop burning (extinguish)

2 the total number of people who have been killed or hurt (toll)

3 an extremely difficult or frightening situation (nightmare)

4 a very sad event that causes people to suffer or die (tragedy)

5 as much as possible (utmost)

6 impressive actions that prove someone is very brave (heroism)

7 happening in a confused way and without any order or organization (chaotic)

 

6 Complete the paragraph with the correct form of the words in Activity 5.

For a firefighter arriving on the scene of a fire the first few minutes are usually the most (1) chaotic. He has to (2) extinguish the fire, he also needs to find out if human lives are in danger. When people are trapped inside a building he must act swiftly to prevent (3) tragedy, or, – in the (4) nightmare scenario – to keep the death (5) toll to a minimum. Actions like these require the (6) utmost degree of (7) heroism.

 

7 Replace the underlined words with the correct form of the words in the box.

1 He’s a very honest, fair and well-behaved sort of person. (decent)

2 I’d like to express my thanks for everything you’ve done for me. (gratitude)

3 There was a group of cows standing in the corner of the field. (herd)

4 There have been very big increases in food prices over the last few months. (massive)

5 All the people should leave the building immediately when the alarm sounds. (evacuate)

6 She has displayed all the qualities needed for being a leader in her job. (leadership)

 

8 Answer the questions about the words and expressions.

1 If you are raring to go, are you eager to (a) leave, or (b) start an activity?

2 If you get your bearings, do you (a) lose your way, or (b) find out where you are?

3 If you are nowhere close to done, do you (a) still have a lot more work to do to finish the job, or (b) still feel strong and ready to work?

4 If you haven’t made a dent in something, have you (a) made good progress, or (b) hardly begun the job?

5 Is a racket (a) a loud and unpleasant noise, or (b) a low musical sound?

6 If something goes berserk, is it (a) quiet and well-behaved, or (b) out of control?

7 Does whatever the hell it was suggest that the writer (a) knew exactly what the noise was, or (b) didn’t know what the noise was?

8 If something is part of the shorthand, can you (a) easily understand it, or (b) not understand it?

9 If you are fumbling for a fix, are you (a) trying to understand something, or (b) trying to stay where you are?

Active reading (2)

Dealing with unfamiliar words

3 Match the words in the box with their definitions.

1 someone who is chosen to represent a group of other people at a meeting (delegate)

2 to believe that something is the cause of someone or something else (ascribe)

3 a newspaper or television reporter, especially one who deals with a particular subject or area

(correspondent)

4 a very high level of skill or ability (genius)

5 to control someone or something, often in a negative way, because you have more power or influence (dominate)

6 used about a feeling or thought you do not realize you have (unconscious)

7 to watch something in order to check that it works in the way that it should (oversee)

 

4 Complete the paragraph with the correct form of the words in Activity 3.

Eleanor Roosevelt showed her (1) genius for getting the support of other (2) delegates in the UN Assembly. She was a great speaker who knew how to (3) oversee important meetings without being seen to (4) dominate them. She was also a talented (5) correspondent and she wrote a daily column for many years. Franklin D. Roosevelt’s success as president was (6) ascribed by many to her support and wonderful character. She became involved in politics because of her sense of right and wrong and an (7) unconscious need to help people.

 

5 Replace the underlined words with the correct form of the words in the box.

1 He has been unable to use his legs since birth. (crippled)

2 We need to call a meeting for world leaders about this issue. (summit)

3 The first thing I read in the newspaper is the regular section about the arts. (column)

4 Our class visit to the United Nations was a wonderful experience. (marvelous)

5 It’s important to try to influence politicians about the need to improve transport facilities in our area. (lobby)

6 How many millions of people live in the very poor areas of Mumbai? (slums)

 

6 Answer the questions about the words and expressions.

1 In a fishbowl atmosphere, are you (a) likely, or (b) unlikely to see what everyone is doing?

2 Is a mishap a (a) positive, or (b) negative experience?

3 If you have a humane attitude, are you (a) kind and caring, or (b) cruel and uncaring?

4 If you win over someone to your cause, do you (a) defeat them, or (b) persuade them to join you?

5 Does an affliction make your life (a) easy, or (b) difficult?

6 If you ride the storm, do you (a) survive it, or (b) fall victim to it?

7 Is a superlative performance (a) very good, or (b) just good?

8 If a politician has a throng of admirers, are there (a) many people, or (b) a few who like them?

9 If you are on a par with someone, are you in (a) the same position, or (b) different positions?

Unit 7

Active reading (1)

Dealing with unfamiliar words

3 Match the words in the box with their definitions.

1 something harmful or unpleasant that happens to someone (misfortune)

2 neither positive nor negative (neutral)

3 relating to or involving mathematics (mathematical)

4 weak or easy to hurt physically or mentally (vulnerable)

5 happening or coming after something else (subsequent)

6 the number of times that something happens during a period of time (frequency)

 

4 Complete the sentences with the correct form of the words in Activity 3.

1 Some people seem to blame all their misfortunes on bad luck.

2 Many people would argue that there is no such thing as bad luck; all events are neutral.

3 The frequency with which things seem to go wrong may depend on things like health factors.

4 Is it a mathematical certainty that toast will always fall butter side down?

5 We need to help the most vulnerable people in our society.

6 If you’re depressed, and one thing goes wrong, all subsequent events are likely to seem negative too.

 

5 Replace the underlined words with the correct form of the words in the box. You may need to make other changes.

1 Which is the quickest way to the town centre? (route)

2 Our math teacher’s lesson included part of yesterday’s lecture. (overlapped)

Our math teacher’s lessen overlapped with yesterday’s lecture.

3 You’ll find the statistics department in the building next to this one. (adjacent)

4 Unfortunately, two hundred people lost their jobs last month. (sacked)

Unfortunately, two hundred people were sacked last month.

5 Why do certain groups of letters stay close together in this language? (cluster)

6 The office will be closed for the whole period of the Christmas holidays. (duration)

 

6 Answer the questions about the words and expressions.

1 If you subject something to scrutiny, do you look at it (a) carefully, or (b) superficially?

2 If something is marginally interesting, is it of (a) great interest, or (b) limited interest?

3 If a problem is alive and kicking, (a) can you ignore it, or (b) must you do something about it?

4 Is a reminder intended to (a) keep you awake, or (b) stop you forgetting?

5 If you are made redundant, have you (a) been given a job, or (b) lost your job?

6 If something crops up, were you (a) expecting it, or (b) not really expecting it to happen?

7 If you duplicate a document, do you (a) send it to someone, or (b) make a copy of it?

8 Do two consecutive events happen (a) at the same time, or (b) one after the other?

9 After physical exertion, do most people feel (a) tired, or (b) full of energy?

 

Active reading (2)

Dealing with unfamiliar words

4 Match the words in the box with their definitions.

1 to continue trying to achieve something difficult (persevere)

2 used for showing that something you say is really true (literally)

3 a new business or activity (venture)

4 the belief that you are able to do things well (confidence)

5 to provide the conditions in which something can happen or exist (sustain)

6 feeling annoyed and impatient (frustrated)

 

5 Complete the paragraph with the correct form of the words in Activity 4.

I never thought I would become a musician. I’ve always liked music, but didn’t study it at school and I found it a bit (1) frustrating not to be able to read music or to sing in tune. That is, until the day I decided to learn to play the piano. It was quite a difficult (2) venture at first. The hardest thing was to (3) persevere with practice. But little by little I began to make progress, and, with it, to grow in (4) confidence. In fact, I managed to (5) sustain the enthusiasm to such an extent that, at the age of 35, I gave up my job as a data analyst to

become a professional musician. In my case, music (6) literally changed my life.

 

6 Replace the underlined words with the correct form of the words in the box.

1 When I play the piano I usually mix different styles such as jazz and classical. (blend)

2 One of my favourite pieces of music is called The Planets. (entitled)

3 I thought I would learn quickly, but I was clearly mistaken. (evidently)

4 How much is left if we take off 80 euros from your fee? (subtract)

5 The photocopier is broken, but you can use the machine which copies images and stored them on a computer. (scanner)

6 To have such wonderful children has been a great source of happiness for us both. (blessing)

7 The new hospital is open now, but it isn’t working as it should. (functional)

 

7 Answer the questions about the words and expressions.

1 If you are haunted by something, do you think about it (a) often, or (b) hardly ever?

2 If you are turned off from something, do you (a) show interest in it, or (b) lose interest in it?

3 When someone collaborates with you, do they (a) help you, or (b) prevent you from doing what you want to do?

4 Are the rudiments of musical knowledge (a) the basic facts, or (b) the most recent discoveries?

5 Does a precocious child show skills and intelligence (a) above, or (b) below the average?

6 Are excerpts from a film or a piece of music (a) short extracts, or (b) critical reviews?

7 If you do something in the intimacy of your own home, do you expect (a) strangers, or (b) only your own family to see you do it?

8 If you stumble, do you (a) fall and then keep going, or (b) fall and stop completely?

9 If you feel elated about something, do you feel (a) very happy, or (b) very sad?

 

Unit8

Active reading (1)

Dealing with unfamiliar words

5 Match the words in the box with their definitions.

1 to put something somewhere in a careless way, especially something that is Unit2

2 to lie, sit, or lean in a relaxed or lazy way (lounge)

3 loved very much by someone (beloved)

4 to move somewhere quietly and secretly so that no one can see you or hear you (sneak)

5 a feeling of very strong anger that usually does not last very long (fury)

6 to talk about other people or about things that are not important (gossip)

 

6 Replace the underlined words with the correct form of the words and expressions in the box.

1 I unexpectedly met an old friend in the shopping mall yesterday. (bumped into)

2 The men demonstrate how true and honest their love for their wives is by drinking a lot. (sincere)

3 While the men are doing the shopping, the women will clean the carpets, and dust the room. (vacuum)

4 Please remain here and wait for a while – she will come back soon. (stick around)

5 I think it is a good idea to soak clothes before washing them. (advisable)

6 After hearing what he had been through, her eyes were full of tears. (filled up with)

 

7 Answer the questions about the words and expressions.

1 If someone is dewy-eyed, are they likely to (a) lack experience about life, or (b) be in love?

2 If someone accepts you on your own reckoning, do they (a) accept you without considering if you are what you claim to be, or (b) have a clear idea of your real character?

3 If you bask in your fame, do you (a) feel bothered, or (b) enjoy being famous?

4 Does charred mean (a) black and burnt, or (b) cooked perfectly?

5 If something shrivels in the summer heat, does it (a) grow rapidly, or (b) become smaller and not fresh?

6 If someone’s face turns scarlet, is it because they feel (a) embarrassed or angry, or (b) tired and hungry?

7 If you go to bed on the dot of 11 pm, do you sleep (a) at exactly 11 pm, or (b) around 11 pm?

8 If you pop into somewhere, do you (a) go there only for a short time, or (b) stay there for a long time?

9 If someone is in a stupor, are they unable to think or act normally because they’re (a) too sleepy, orunable to think or act normally because they’re (a) too sleepy, or (b) not completely conscious?

Active reading (2)

Dealing with unfamiliar words

4 Match the words in the box with their definitions.

1 simple (humble)

2 to show that there is a good reason for something, especially something that other people think is wrong (justify)

3 to experience something, especially something that is unpleasant but necessary (undergo)

4 a large meal for a lot of people, usually in order to celebrate something (feast)

5 a system for measuring the length of a year and dividing it into periods such as weeks and months (calendar)

6 a child, or a young person (youngster)

7 pleasant or attractive qualities or features (charm)

8 the quality of being morally good (goodness)

9 to express a strong opinion and try to persuade other people to accept it (preach)

 

5 Complete the paragraph with the correct form of the words in Activity 4.

There is some (1) justification to scholars’ fears that a lot of Chinese (2) youngsters have recently become more interested in festivals from the Western (3) calendar, such as Christmas which I must admit does have some (4) charm. The world is (5) undergoing many changes, and even though we come from a genuinely modest and (6) humble culture, we’re more and more attracted by the bright lights and comforts of the West. But Christmas is actually a winter (7) feast and is similar to our own festivals because it (8) preaches the importance of being morally (9) good and showing love for mankind.

 

6 Answer the questions about the words and expressions in the box.

1 Is oriental likely to mean (a) Eastern, or (b) Western?

2 If you vent your feelings, do you (a) express them strongly, or (b) hide them?

3 Is an indigenous American likely to be (a) someone who has arrived from another country, or (b) someone who has lived in America before others arrived?

4 If you feel at one with something, are you likely to feel (a) unhappy and uncomfortable, or (b) happy and relaxed with it?

5 Is zeal likely to be (a) great energy and enthusiasm, or (b) a lack of interest?

6 If you want to conserve something, do you want to (a) keep it as it is, or (b) change it?

 

7 Answer the questions about the words and expressions.

1 If you’re caught in a trance, are you likely to be (a) aware, or (b) unaware of your state?

2 If something happens for good or bad, do you (a) know, or (b) not know whether it will have good or bad results?

3 Is a rider likely to be (a) a condition to what has been said, in order to limit it, or (b) an addition to what has been said, adding extra information?

4 Is an anomaly likely to be (a) a contradiction, or (b) a usual feature?

5 Is skulduggery likely to be (a) secret activities that are intended to trick or cheat people, or (b) normal events in everyday life?

6 Are mundane affairs likely to be (a) interesting and exciting, or (b) not interesting and exciting?

7 Is decadence likely to be (a) highly moral behaviour, or (b) immoral behaviour?

8 If you shut your eyes and ears to something, do you (a) pay attention to it, or (b) refuse to pay attention to it?