Robert Pershing Wadlow
Robert's story is a poignant 1________. He was 2_________ of photography and stamp 3__________. He got on 4________ his family like a 5________ on fire. And although you may not know his name, you might recognise him when you lay 6_________ on this photograph.
I have seen many 7___________ photograph of
Robert but this one 8___________ out 9____________ the rest. It is a family 10_________ . It was taken in
a garden, somewhere in midwest USA, shortly before 1940. In the picture, his mum,
his dad, his brother and his sisters are smiling as they stand lined 11________ for the camera.
Robert stands behind them all. He's
got his left hand resting on his father's shoulder and his right hand resting
on his brother Eugene's.
As I look at Robert and his graceful
smile, I try to imagine what his life might have been like and how he must have suffered as
he wished that he could have joined his family in the foreground of the picture like
any normal boy. I also wonder how his disorder may have 12__________ about.
Robert's size began to take its 13__________. Towards the end of his life he had to 14_________ up to the fact that he had difficulties to walk. He must have mulled 15__________ the daunting prospect that he would never walk
again. He finally 16__________ away when he was just 22
years old and 2.72 meters tall. He is the tallest man in medical history.
KEY
Robert's story is a poignant one. He was fond of photography and stamp collecting. He got on with his family like a house on fire. And although you may not know his name, you might recognise him when you lay eyes on this photograph.
I have seen many a photograph of
Robert but this one stands out above the rest. It is a family snapshot. It was taken in
a garden, somewhere in midwest USA, shortly before 1940. In the picture, his mum,
his dad, his brother and his sisters are smiling as they stand lined up for the camera.
Robert stands behind them all. He's
got his left hand resting on his father's shoulder and his right hand resting
on his brother Eugene's.
As I look at Robert and his graceful
smile, I try to imagine what his life might have been like and how he must have suffered as
he wished that he could have joined his family in the foreground of the picture like
any normal boy. I also wonder how his disorder may have come about.
Robert's size began to take its toll. Towards the end of his life he had to face up to the fact that he had difficulties to walk. He must have mulled over the daunting prospect that he would never walk
again. He finally passed away when he was just 22
years old and 2.72 meters tall. He is the tallest man in medical history.
Robert
poignant: /ˈpɔɪnjənt/ having a strong effect on your feelings, especially in a way that makes you feel sad. Moving. Sp. conmovedor. E.g. a poignant image/moment/memory, etc. Her face was a poignant reminder of the passing of time.
fond of (doing) something finding something pleasant or enjoyable, especially something you have liked or enjoyed for a long time. E.g. fond of music/cooking. We had grown fond of the house and didn't want to leave.
line up: to stand in a line or row; to form a queue / line. E.g. Line up, children! Cars lined up waiting to board the ship.
graceful:
1. moving in a smooth and attractive way, or having an attractive shape or form. Sp. Elegante. E.g. Her movements were graceful and elegant. The branches formed a graceful curve.
2. polite and kind in your behaviour, especially in a difficult situation. His father had always taught him to be graceful in defeat. At the age of 70, she withdrew into graceful retirement.
Come about: to happen. E.g. Can you
tell me how the accident came about?
take a heavy toll (on somebody/something), take its toll (on somebody/something)
to have a bad effect on somebody/something; to cause a lot of damage, deaths, suffering, etc. E.g. Illness had taken a heavy toll on her. The recession is taking its toll on the housing markets.
Face up to: to accept and deal with something that is difficult or
unpleasant. Sp. aceptar, afrontar. E.g. she had to face up to the fact that she would never walk
again. You have to face up to your responsibilities.
mull something over:
to spend time thinking carefully about a plan or proposal. Consider.
E.g. I need some time to mull it over before making a decision.
daunting: frightening in a way that makes you feel less confident. Sp desalentador. E.g. The trip seemed rather daunting for a young girl. He’s got the daunting task of following in Ferguson’s footsteps. the daunting prospect of asking for a loan
prospect:
the possibility that something will happen. E.g. There is no immediate
prospect of peace. There's a reasonable prospect that his debts will be
paid. a daunting prospect Sp. una perspectiva desalentadora
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