EF C1.1 p 61. Spoilers. Word Formation

Spoilers actually enhance your enjoyment 

I am one of those people who can’t read a book without flicking to the end to check what’s going to happen. It turns out that, actually, I am very (1)___________ (WISDOM). Psychologists at the University of California in San Diego gave students 12 short stories, by authors (2)____________ (INCLUDE) Agatha Christie and Roald Dahl. Some stories were in their original form and others had spoiler paragraphs added at the beginning. And do you know what? The readers of ‘spoiled’ stories actually had more fun. 

According to the psychologists who carried out the research, ‘students (3)_____________ (SIGNIFY) preferred the spoiled versions of the stories. For instance, knowing in advance in an Agatha Christie story that Poirot will discover that the ‘victim’ of the attempted murder is, in fact, the real murderer, not only didn’t hurt the (4)______________ (ENJOY) of the story, but actually improved it.’ 

As a huge reader of crime and thrillers, this (5)___________ (DEFINITE) rings true for me. When I’m reading horror novels, I need to check the hero or heroine is still alive at the end of the book. And I usually take a (6)___________ (SNEAK) look at the end of a romantic novel, just to make sure who is going to end up with whom. ‘It could be,’ says psychologist Jonathan Leavitt, ‘that once you know how the story turns out, you’re more comfortable processing the information and can focus on a deeper (7)_______________ (UNDERSTAND) of the story.’ 

I will also admit that, even when I know full well what is going to happen in a book, either because I’ve read it a million times before, or because I’ve read the end, I often find myself hoping that, this time, it’s going to be different, that the sad (8)__________ (END) will turn into a happy one! Adapted from The Guardian

 

 

 

KEY

 

 

 

1. wise

 

 

 

 

 

2. including 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. significantly 

 

 

 

 

4. enjoyment 

 

 

 

 

 

5. definitely  

 

 

 

 

 

6. sneaky

 

 

 

 

 

7. understanding 

 

 

 

 

 

8. ending 

EF p 47. History Brought To Life. Word Formation

A 

Gladiator, which won five Oscars, tells the story of a Roman general, Maximus Decimus Meridius, a favourite of Marcus Aurelius, Emperor in the second century AD. The Emperor wants Maximus (Russell Crowe at his best) to succeed him, but Commodus, the Emperor’s weak and (1)_______________ (TREACHERY) son ((2)____________________ (WONDER) played by Joaquin Phoenix), has other plans. Commodus kills his father and becomes Emperor himself, and arranges for Maximus and his wife and child to be executed. Maximus escapes, but cannot save his family. He is captured and sold as a gladiator, and eventually makes his way to the Colosseum in Rome, where he becomes a hero by (3)_________________ (ENGINEER) a spectacular victory against (4)________________ (OVERWHELM) odds. In this (5)_______________ (GRIP) scene, Emperor Commodus descends to the arena to congratulate him – not knowing his true identity. Maximus confronts the Emperor in one of the most (6)________________ (STIR) speeches in modern cinema: ‘My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius, commander of the armies of the north, general of the Felix Legions, loyal servant to the true Emperor, Marcus Aurelius, father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife, and I will have my (7)________________ (VENGEFUL) in this life, or the next.’ And somehow, we just know he’s going to get it! 

B 

The Darkest Hour is set in May 1940, early in World War II. German forces are winning the battle for Europe, and British soldiers are trapped in northern France. Winston Churchill, the new Prime Minister, is faced with a (8)______________ (DESPERATION) decision – to continue the fight against Hitler and the Nazis, or to (9)______________ (NEGOTIATION) a peace treaty. 

(10)_______________ (ABILITY) to decide what to do, and under pressure from Parliament to reach an (11)_________________ (AGREE), Churchill decides that he needs to find out what the people want. For the first time in his life, he travels on the London Underground, where he asks his (12)_______________ (STARTLE) fellow passengers two questions. First, he asks, ‘What would you do if the enemy (13)____________________ (INVASION)?’ and they answer ‘Fight!’ Then he asks them, ‘Should I negotiate with Hitler?’ and their answer is a very clear ‘Never!’ Churchill is inspired by their (14)__________________ (CERTAIN), and goes on to use their words in one of his most famous speeches: ‘We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender.’ 

This is the key scene in the whole film, but unlike almost all the rest of the film, it has been criticized for its historical (15)________________ (ACCURATE) – Churchill’s ride on the Tube never happened. The director, Joe Wright, has defended the scene as ‘a (16)__________________ (FICTION) of an (17)___________________ (EMOTION) truth’. Does it matter? Not to the awards committees, who gave the film two Oscars and (18)_________________ (NUMBER) other awards.

KEY

1. treacherous

treacherous: that cannot be trusted; intending to harm you.

E.g.

He was weak, cowardly and treacherous. 

lying, treacherous words

treachery: behaviour that involves hurting somebody who trusts you, for example by telling their secrets to other people; an example of this.

E.g.

an act of treachery 

He was punished for his treacheries.

2. wonderfully

3. engineering

engineer: to make something happen by skilful secret planning.

E.g.

powerful enemies who engineered his downfall 

Perhaps she could engineer a meeting between them?

4. overwhelming

impossible/overwhelming odds

making success seem extremely unlikely

E.g.

They face impossible odds simply trying to get an education. 

They face overwhelming odds in their struggle to preserve the park.

to fight against overwhelming odds

Sp. luchar con todo en contra

5. gripping

gripping: exciting or interesting in a way that keeps your attention. Sp. apasionante

E.g.

a gripping story 

His books are always so gripping. 

The film was absolutely gripping.

6. stirring

stirring: causing strong feelings; exciting. Sp. emocionante

E.g.

a stirring performance 

stirring memories 

listening to stirring accounts of their heroic history

7. vengeance/revenge

vengeance 

the act of punishing or harming somebody in return for what they have done to you, your family or friends.

Synonym: revenge 

E.g. 

a desire for vengeance

8. desperate

9. negotiate

10. Unable

11. agreement

12. startled

13. invaded

14. certainty

15. inaccuracy

16. fictionalization

17. emotional

18. numerous

EF C1.1 p 43. Share the Hate, Ruin the Date. Word Formation

Victoria Coren Mitchell

Hater promises to bond potential lovers over things they loathe. (1)____________ (TURN) the traditional cheery positives, Hater allows eager singletons to form relationships based on their mutual (2)_______________ (AVERT) instead. Boy, let's really get that negativity out there! More openly expressed (3)____________ (HATE) in the world- just what we need!

Nevertheless, like most apps, it would pass the time (4)___________ (HAPPY) enough at a bus stop. If someone else at the same bus stop were also on the app, (5)________________ (SIMULTANEITY) swiping their own (6)_______________ (LIKE) of cat calendars or people who walk too (7)______________ (SLOW) in the street, that would make a decent start for (8)________________ (FLIRT). 

And yet, and yet. One of the key dangers of the internet is that it (9)______________ (COURAGE) us to give everything an immediate verdict, a thumbs up or down (and usually down). It’s easy for our first thoughts on anything to be negative, and we forget to be kind. 

The search for love has always motivated us to make an effort; on first dates, we are usually our best selves. Our hair is at its (10)_______________ (CLEAN), our interest its (11)_______________ (SHARP), our smiles their (12)______________ (READY). That’s why dating (13)_______________ (QUESTION) (14)_______________ (TRADITION) list the things we enjoy: it’s a shop window for the happy life we are offering a (15)__________________ (PROSPECT) partner. And (16)_________________ (SURE), the longer you keep trying to be your best and most (17)_________________ (CHEER) self, the happier life will be? It can’t be wise to start (18)__________________ (COMPLAINT) before you’ve even had your first date. When it comes to finding a partner, (19)_____________ (COVER) the things you both love is a far (20)________________ (HEALTH) start. 

Adapted from The Guardian

KEY

1. Overturning

2. aversions

3. hatred

4. happily

5. simultaneously

6. dislike

7. slowly

8. flirtation

9. encourages

10. cleanest

11. sharpest

12. readiest

13. questionnaires

14. traditionally

15. prospective

16. surely

17. cheerful

18.complaining

 

19. discovering

20. healthier

EF p 12. Work. Speaking Mock Exam

 

SPEAKING C1.1

TOPIC 1: WORK                                                               

                       

PART 1. CONVERSATION

Talk to each other about some or all of the following. (7 minutes approx.)

1. Advantages and disadvantages of working from home.

2. Work-life balance. How to improve it. 

3. Work experience. How important is it?

4. Equal work deserves equal pay.

PART 2. MONOLOGUE

Preparation time: 5 minutes 

Talk about at least two of the following ideas. (4 minutes approx.) 

The examiner may ask you further questions about the topic.

CANDIDATE A

1. Do schools and universities prepare students for the world of work?

2. Are we slaves of our jobs? 

3. How do you recharge your batteries?

CANDIDATE B

1. ‘Burnout’ at work? What might lead to this situation and how to prevent it?

2. How Important is ‘job satisfaction’ in today's workplace?

3. What dream jobs would fulfil your wildest expectations?

EF p 12. How important is it for students to gain some work experience? Speaking. Sample Answer

 

Student B: Do you think it is crucial for students to get some work experience?

Student A: Absolutely! I feel (1)__________ strongly that work experience is vital to students.To begin with, I would like to mention that it has been said that all experience is valuable. In my opinion, work experience is extremely valuable to students for a (2)________ of different reasons.

Student B: I couldn't (3)_________ more. Firstly, you can put it on a CV and use it to help you get job interviews.  

Student A: Undeniably,  a graduate who has some work experience is (4)________ more likely to get a job after university than someone who has (5)_________. 

Student B: Secondly, working while at university allows you to explore career options. For instance, you can find out (6)_________ or not a particular line of work suits you. 

Student A: This is very (7)_________. In addition, working while studying has financial benefits. Not only will you be able to have some pocket money, but you will also avoid being burdened (8)_________ so many debts when you leave university.

Student B: I see your point. (9)_________, there is one disadvantage. It must be taken into (10)__________ that working while studying reduces the time you have for your university work.  

Student A: I fully agree with you. This is why you need to have good time (11)___________ skills. 

 

Student B: That's so (12)________. We all seem to be so (13)____________ for time these days. (14)________ for you personally, have you had any work experience (15)_________ far? 

Student A: Surprisingly (16)________, this summer I am planning to work in the hospitality sector. Wish me luck!

Student B: Don't worry! You will be a great asset (17)_______ the company 

Student A: You are too kind! Thank you for the encouraging words anyway. I really (18)________ that.

 

 

KEY

 

 

1. very

 

 

2. number 

 

 

3. agree 

 

 

4. far/much 

 

 

5. none 

 

 

6. whether 

 

 

7. true 

 

 

8. with 

 

 

9. However 

 

 

10. account 

 

 

11. management 

 

 

12. true 

 

 

13. pressed/pushed 

 

 

14. As 

 

 

15. so 

 

 

16. enough 

 

 

17. to  

  "You're too kind" is not meant to be taken literally. It is a hyperbole. Read literally, the person is saying "I do not deserve the amount of kindness you display to me." As an idiom, it means "Thank you for being kind.

 

 

18. appreciate