On Screen p 100. Robert, the Tallest Man Ever. Extra Cloze

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 wouldn't be surprised if someone told me that he might have felt somewhat ostracised. It must have been hard for him not to feel despondent. I also wonder how his disorder may have 12__________ about.

It is a story brimming 13__________ poignancy. Being still a young man, Robert's size began to take its 14__________. Towards the end of his life he had to 15_________ up to the fact that he had difficulties to walk. He must have mulled 16__________ the daunting prospect 17__________ using a wheelchair. He may have grown rather dejected thinking that he might never be able to walk again. He finally 18__________ 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 wouldn't be surprised if someone told me that he might have felt somewhat ostracised. It must have been hard for him not to feel despondent. I also wonder how his disorder may have come about.

It is a story brimming with poignancy. Being still a young man, 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 of using a wheelchair. He may have grown rather dejected thinking that he might never be able to 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: 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.

ostracised: ostracize somebody (formal) to refuse to let somebody be a member of a social group; to refuse to meet or talk to somebody. E.g. He was ostracized by his colleagues for refusing to support the strike. The regime risks being ostracized by the international community.

despondent: 
despondent (about something) sad, without much hope. E.g.  She was becoming increasingly despondent about the way things were going. There are times when it is hard not to feel despondent.

brim: to be full of something; to fill something. Tears brimmed in her eyes. Brim with something Her eyes brimmed with tears. The team were brimming with confidence before the game. A young man brimming with confidence.

poignancy: /ˈpɔɪnjənsi/ the fact of having a strong effect on your feelings, especially in a way that makes you feel sad the poignancy of parting and separation Of particular poignancy was the photograph of their son with his sisters, taken the day before he died. 

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. 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.
 
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.

dejected: unhappy and disappointed. E.g She looked so dejected when she lost the game.