EF C1.1 p 26. Roald Dahl: Boy. Open Cloze and Word Formation

Open Cloze

Part 1 

Every (1)_____________ and again, a plain grey cardboard box was dished (2)__________ to each boy in our House, and this, (3)____________ it or not, was a present from the great chocolate manufacturers, Cadbury. Inside the box there were twelve (4)___________ of chocolate, all of different shapes, all with different fillings, and all with numbers from one to twelve stamped on the chocolate underneath. Also in the box there was a (5)__________ of paper with the numbers one to twelve on it as well as two blank columns, one for giving marks to each chocolate from nought to ten, and the other for comments. 

Word formation

All we were required to do in return for this (6)___________ (SPLENDOUR) gift was to taste very (7)_____________ (CARE) each bar of chocolate, give it marks, and make an intelligent comment on why we loved or (8)___________ (LIKE) it. 

It was a clever stunt. Cadbury’s were using some of the (9)____________ (GREAT) chocolate-bar experts in the world to test out their new inventions. We were of a sensible age, between thirteen and eighteen, and we knew (10)___________ (INTIMACY) every chocolate bar in (11)_____________ (EXIST), from the Milk Flake to the Lemon Marshmallow. Quite (12)____________ (OBVIOUS) our opinions on anything new would be (13)___________ (VALUE). All of us entered into this game with great gusto, sitting in our studies and nibbling each bar with the air of connoisseurs, giving our marks and making our comments. ‘Too subtle for the common palate’ was one note that I remember writing down.

Part 2 

For me, the (14)_____________ (IMPORTANT) of all this was that I began to realize that the large chocolate companies (15)_____________ (ACTUAL) did possess inventing rooms and they took their inventing very (16)_____________ (SERIOUS). I used to picture a long white room like a laboratory with pots of chocolate and fudge and all sorts of other delicious fillings bubbling away on the stoves, while men and women in white coats moved between the bubbling pots, tasting and mixing and concocting their wonderful new (17)_____________ (INVENT). I used to imagine myself working in one of these labs and suddenly I would come up with something so (18)________________ (BEAR) delicious that I would grab it in my hand and go rushing out of the lab and along the corridor and right into the offices of the great Mr Cadbury himself. ‘I’ve got it, Sir’ I would shout, putting the chocolate in front of him. ‘It’s fantastic! It’s fabulous! It’s marvellous! It’s (19)_______________ (RESIST)!’ 

Slowly, the great man would pick up my newly-invented chocolate and he would take a small bite. He would roll it round his mouth. Then all at once, he would leap up from his chair, crying, ‘You’ve got it! You’ve done it! It’s a miracle!’ He would slap me on the back and shout, ‘We’ll sell it by the million! We’ll sweep the world with this one! How on earth did you do it? Your salary is doubled.’ 

It was lovely dreaming those dreams, and I have no doubt at all that thirty-five years later, when I was looking for a plot for my second book for children, I remembered those little cardboard boxes and the (20)____________ (NEW) invented chocolates inside them, and I began to write a book called Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

KEY

1. now

(every) now and then/again: sometimes, but not very often. From time to time. Occasionally.

E.g.

We meet up for lunch now and then, but not as often as we used to.

2. out

dish something out ​(informal): to give something, often to a lot of people or in large amounts. Sp. repartir.

E.g. 

Students dished out leaflets to passers-by. 

She's always dishing out advice, even when you don't want it 

3. believe

believe it or not ​(informal): used to introduce information that is true but that may surprise people.

E.g.

 Believe it or not, he asked me to marry him!

4. bars

a bar of chocolate

5. sheet

a sheet of paper

6. splendid

7. carefully

8. disliked

9. greatest

10. intimately

11. existence

12. obviously

13. valuable/ invaluable

14. importance

15. actually

16. seriously

17. inventions

18. unbearably

19. irresistible

20. newly

EF p 10. Relationships and Personality. Speaking

 

 

 

A. Have a conversation as natural as possible with a partner about the topic. Use the pictures above and the questions below to help you.

1. Do you know anyone who is always trying to put people down?
2. Can you talk about a couple whose relationship could be described as rocky? Do they fight like cat and dog?
3. Think about someone who got divorced or split up. What turned their relationship sour?
4. Have you ever turned your back on anyone? Do you know anyone who has?
5. Think about someone you have never actually taken to. Do you try to keep them at arm's length?
6. Do you know any teachers who look down on their pupils?
7. Talk about someone you know that keeps himself / herself to himself / herself.

8. Sometimes people can be critical and judgmental without having the intention of hurting us. How do you deal with them?

9. What character traits do you particularly admire in the people you know? Is it openness to change? Admirable people are often open-minded and welcome change throughout their lives. Could it be: humility, loyalty, accountability, resilience, honesty, respectfulness, compassion....?

10.  Have you ever struck up a friendship with someone who is diametrically opposed to you, your values and views? Do you know two people who are like chalk and cheese? What do you do when you don't see eye to eye with somebody?

11. Who is the most gregarious member of your family? What do they do? Are there any members in your family who are very set in their ways? Who is the most headstrong of your friends? And the most opinionated? Does any of them want to be the centre of attention? Who is the life and soul of your family gatherings? Who would you describe as laid-back? Who is the most supportive and sympathetic?

12. Do you take after your mum or dad? Do you know anybody who is the spitting image of their father or mother?

13. Do you agree that nothing is more valuable than a tight-knit group of friends and relatives? 

14. How can you build good rapport with your colleagues? 

15. Do you sometimes go to extraordinary lengths to help others? 

B. MONOLOGUE

Student A

1.    Do you and your parents get on like a house on fire? Do you get on like a house on fire with anybody?

2.    What kind of problems can put a great strain on a relationship?

3.    Which of your acquaintances gets on your nerves? Why?

Student B

1.    Have you ever taken an instant dislike to anyone? Were you proved right or did you have to change your mind later on?

2.    Did any of your teachers ever have it in for you or any of your classmates? Why? What was the cause of this feeling?

3.    Can you tell us about the last time you took an instant liking to somebody?

 

Sample dialogue:

 

1. Have you ever had a friendship that went through a rough patch but managed to recover?

2. Is it possible to form a strong connection with someone whose personality or values are very different from yours?

3. Which personal qualities do you find most admirable or important in the people you surround yourself with?

---

Emma: You know, I’ve been reflecting on how delicate friendships can be. Have you ever had one that hit a rough patch but somehow survived?

Josh: Yes, actually. A close friend and I had a serious disagreement a couple of years ago — it really put a (1)____________ on our relationship. However, with some honest communication, we managed to patch things (2)___________ in the end.

Emma: That’s reassuring. So, would you say that openness and willingness to compromise were the key factors?

Josh: Absolutely. Neither of us wanted to turn our (3)____________ on the friendship. To be fair, we’d always got along before the argument, (4)_____________ there was a solid foundation to rebuild upon.

Emma: I can relate. I drifted away from a friend a while back — nothing dramatic, but over time the relationship just turned a bit (5)____________. People sometimes change, and it’s hard to keep up.

Josh: Exactly. Change can make things complicated. Out of curiosity, do you think you’d ever try to reconnect with her?

Emma: Possibly, although she’s quite set in her (6)______________, whereas I’ve grown more open-minded and resilient. I prefer surrounding myself with people who are compassionate and supportive — those who inspire rather than put others (7)_______________.

Josh: I couldn’t agree more. I struggle to get along with people who are excessively opinionated or tend to look (8)____________ on others.

Emma: Oh yes, I know exactly what you mean. It can be so draining. But, on the flip side, have you ever struck (9)____________ a friendship with someone who’s completely different from you?

Josh: Funny you should mention that — yes! I became really close friends with a colleague who’s almost my opposite. We’re like (10)_____________ and cheese in terms of personality and outlook, but surprisingly, we still get on like a (11)____________ on fire.

Emma: That’s fascinating! What do you think makes that kind of friendship work despite the differences?

Josh: I’d say mutual respect and genuine support. He’s very headstrong, whereas I tend to be laid-back. Yet that contrast works in our favour — he’s fiercely loyal and would go to extraordinary (12)_____________ to help a friend.

Emma: That’s really impressive. It goes to show that differences don’t have to divide people — they can actually enrich a friendship.

Josh: Exactly. By the way, who would you say is the most gregarious person you know? I imagine you’ve got some lively friends.

Emma: Definitely my cousin — she’s the life and (13)___________ of every family gathering. She has this incredible ability to make everyone feel welcome. How about you?

Josh: Probably my sister. She’s extremely outgoing and has a tight-knit circle of friends. I, on the other hand, tend to keep myself to (14)____________, at least until I’ve built some rapport.

Emma: Really? I would never have guessed that — you come across (15)__________ very approachable.

Josh: Well, I suppose I am, but only with people I trust. (16)______________, I prefer to observe and stay in the background.

Emma: Fair enough. Not everyone wants to be the centre of attention. I think what matters most is authenticity — being genuine in your interactions.

Josh: So true. At the end of the day, honesty, humility, and kindness are what sustain any relationship.

Emma: I couldn’t have put it (17)___________ myself.

 

 

 

KEY

 

 

 

1. strain 

 

 

 

 

2. up 

 

 

 

 

3. backs 

 

 

 

 

4. so 

 

 

 

 

5. sour 

 

 

 

 

6. ways 

 

 

 

 

7. down 

 

 

 

 

8. down 

 

 

 

 

9. up 

 

 

 

 

10. chalk 

 

 

 

 

11. house 

 

 

 

 

12. lengths 

 

 

 

 

13. soul 

 

 

 

 

14. myself 

 

 

 

 

15. as 

 

 

 

 

16. Otherwise 

 

 

 

 

17. better 

 

EF C1.1 p 28. Early Childhood Memories. Listening

Part 1. (2.3)

Speaker 1

- He had been to a (1)____________. 

- He had been bought a (2)____________.

- He (3)______________ on purpose.

- He felt (4)________________. 

- The new one didn't (5)_____________ him.

Speaker 2

- Her uncle, instead of reading, was (6)____________, which made her (7)_____________.

Speaker 3

- The carpet was a (8)________________

- The (9)_________________ were made out of glass.

- She felt (10)________________.

Part 2 (2.4)

- It's impossible to remember being in your (11)_____________. 

- Before the age of two we don't have a (12)_______________ of ourselves as individuals.

- Not until we have an (13)_________________ can we begin to have memories.

- Our first memories (14)_________________ the development of linguistic skills.

- The fact that many early memories are related to frightening experiences (15)______________ the evolutionary theory that the human memory is linked to self-preservation.

- First memories are almost (16)________________ described as pictures rather than smells or sounds.

- Our first memories can be (17)_______________.

- Stories we have been told can be (18)________________ our memory.

Part 3 (2.5) 

- Piaget's first memories seem to have been of a man trying to (19)________________ him. 

- Piaget's nanny returned the watch when she (20)_________________ to making up the story.

KEY

mind over matter      the use of the power of your mind to deal with physical problems. Used to say that you can use your thoughts to control physical feelings or an unpleasant situation.

E.g.

He said that keeping running in spite of the pain was just a question of mind over matter. 

I’m scared, yes, but it’s a case of mind over matter.

1. fun fair

2. helium balloon

3. let go

let go to stop holding something or someone. Sp. soltar. 

E.g.

Let go! You’re hurting me

4. (absolutely) devastated/ heartbroken

heartbroken: extremely sad because of something that has happened

E.g.

He was heartbroken when she left him.

Friends are tonight trying to comfort the heartbroken teenager.

 

 

 

5. console /kənˈsəʊl/

 

 

6. making it up 

7. (quite) annoyed

8. dark green check

check: a pattern of squares, usually of two colours. Sp. estampado de cuadros.

E.g.
Do you prefer checks or stripes?

a check shirt/suit

 a yellow and red check skirt

a shirt with brown and black checks

9. baubles

bauble: /ˈbɔːbl/ a decoration for a Christmas tree in the shape of a ball.

 

 

10. resentful 

resentful: /rɪˈzentfl/ feeling bitter or angry about something that you think is unfair

E.g.

    a resentful look
    resentful of/at/about something They seemed to be resentful of our presence there.
    She was resentful at having been left out of the team.

11. pram or cot

pram: a small vehicle on four wheels for a baby to go out in, pushed by a person on foot. Sp. cuco.

E.g.

    She was pushing her baby along in a pram.

cot: (AmE crib) a small bed with high sides for a baby or young child

    a travel cot (= one that can be moved around easily, used when travelling

12. clear sense

13 awareness of self

14. coincide with

 

 

 

15. bears out

bear somebody/something out
(especially British English) to show that somebody is right or that something is true. Sp confirmar, corroborar.

E.g.

The other witnesses will bear me out.

The other witnesses will bear out what I say.

Evidence bears out the idea that students learn best in small groups.

These figures bear out the fact that more children are becoming obese nowadays.
    Sp. Las cifras confirman que más niños se vuelven obesos en la actualidad.

16. invariably

invariably /ɪnˈveəriəbli/ always. without fail     

E.g.

This acute infection of the brain is almost invariably fatal.
This is not invariably the case.
Invariably the reply came back, ‘Not now!’

17. unreliable

18. incorporated into

19. kidnap

20. confessed

confess to (doing) something She confessed to the murder.
confess (that)… He confessed that he had stolen the money.
confess to somebody (that)… She confessed to me that she had known his true identity for some time.

EF p 190. An Article about Childhood. Word Formation

Children’s lives have changed (1)____________ (ENORMOUS) over the last 50 years. But do they have (2)___________ (HAPPY) (3)____________ (CHILD) today?

1 It’s difficult to look back on one’s own childhood without some element of (4)_____________ (NOSTALGIC). I have four brothers and sisters and my memories are all about being with them, playing board games on the living room floor, or spending days outside with the other (5)_______________ (NEIGHBOUR) children, racing around on our bikes or exploring the (6)___________ (NEAR) woods. My parents (7)_____________ (HARD) ever appear in these memories, except as (8)_____________ (PROVIDE) either of meals or of severe reprimands after some (9)______________ (PARTICULAR) (10)________________ (HAZARD) adventure. 

2 In the UK at (11)__________ (LITTLE), the nature of childhood has changed (12)______________ (DRAMATIC) since the 1970s. First, families are (13)______________ (SMALL) and there are far more only children these days. It is common for both parents to work outside the home and far (14)____________ (FEW) people have the time to bring up a large family. As a result, boys and girls today spend much of their time alone. Another major change is that (15)_____________ (YOUNG) tend to spend a huge proportion of their free time at home, inside. This is often due to the fact that parents worry much more than they used to about real or imagined dangers, so they wouldn’t dream of letting their children play outside by themselves. 

3 (16)____________ (FINAL), the kinds of toys children have and the way they play is (17)____________ (TOTAL) different. Computer and video games have (18)____________ (PLACE) the board games and more active (19)____________ (TIME) of my childhood. The fact that they can play the games on their own (20)_______________ (FAR) increases the sense of (21)___________ (ISOLATE) felt by many young people today. The irony is that so many of these games are called ‘(22)___________ (ACT)’. 

4 Do these changes mean that children today have a (23)___________ (LITTLE) (24)__________ (IDYLL) childhood than I had? I personally believe that they do, but perhaps every generation feels (25)__________ (EXACT) the same. 

 

KEY

 

1. enormously

 

 

2. happier 

 

 

3. childhoods 

 

 

 

4. nostalgia /nɒˈstældʒə/

 

 

 

5. neighbourhood 

 

 

 

6. nearby 

 

 

 

7. hardly 

 

 

 

8. providers 

 

 

 

9. particularly 

 

 

 

10. hazardous /ˈhæzədəs/

hazardous: Involving risk or danger, especially to somebody’s health or safety.     

hazardous waste/materials/substances/chemicals     

They endured a hazardous journey through thickening fog.     

It would be hazardous to invest so much.     

hazardous to somebody/something 

a list of products that are potentially hazardous to health  

 

 

 

11. least

 

 

 

12. dramatically 

 

 

 

13. smaller 

 

 

 

14. fewer 

 

 

 

15. youngsters 

 

 

 

16. Finally 

 

 

 

17. totally 

 

 

 

18. replaced 

 

 

 

19. pastimes 

 

 

 

20. further

(adv)

to a greater degree or extent      Sp. más, más a fondo.

to develop/increase/enhance/improve something further     

to strengthen/support something further     

Costs must be further reduced.     

The police decided to investigate further.     

My life is further complicated by having to work such long hours.     She was getting further and further into debt.     

Nothing could be further from the truth.     

Their share price fell further today.  

 

 

 

21. isolation 

 

 

 

22. interactive 

 

 

 

23. less 

 

 

 

24. idyllic 

 

 

 

25. exactly