On Screen p 143. Review of a Science Museum. Open Cloze

Close-up p 31

Review of a Science Museum

(1)__________ someone who was never any good (2)__________ science while at school, I was tempted to give the National Science Museum a (3)_________ when my friends suggested (4)_________. I’d always felt that physics and maths were too complicated for me, and wondered what – (5)_____________ anything – I would find (6)__________ interest at the museum. As it turned (7)___________, there was more than (8)__________ to engage me.

With six floors of interactive and educational (9)_________, this museum will fascinate people of all ages. It covers everything from early technology to space travel. You don’t have to have any knowledge of science to appreciate the exhibits, which is (10)_________ makes it (11)___________ thoroughly enjoyable. And if you want to learn a little more, the interactive screens dotted (12)__________ the galleries provide loads of interesting facts.

Walking through the museum, I was totally enthralled (13)_________ everything I saw, but the highlight for me was ‘Man in Space’, (14)__________ traces the history of our earliest space exploration. This was the time (15)__________ Russia and the USA were locked in a race to be the first to enter space. The exhibition features real rockets and satellites, plus a full-size replica of the lander (16)__________ took Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin to the moon in 1969. When you see (17)__________ small it was, you really appreciate the courage of the astronauts who travelled in it.

The great thing about the museum is that it approaches science from the perspective of the average person. The explanations are in language that anyone can understand, and this (18)__________ a visit very worthwhile. Just make sure you go during the week as it gets pretty crowded at the weekend.

The National Science Museum is extraordinary and incredibly engaging. So don’t be put (19)__________  by the notion that science is ‘too hard’ or ‘too boring’. Do yourself a (20)__________ and go along as soon as you can. You won’t be disappointed!

Close-up p 31

Review of a Science Museum

(1) As someone who was never any good

(2) at science while at school, I was tempted to give the National Science Museum a

(3) miss when my friends suggested

(4) going. I’d always felt that physics and maths were too complicated for me, and wondered what

– (5) if anything – I would find

(6) of interest at the museum. As it turned

(7) out, there was more than

(8) enough to engage me.

With six floors of interactive and educational

(9) exhibits, this museum will fascinate people of all ages. It covers everything from early technology to space travel. You don’t have to have any knowledge of science to appreciate the exhibits, which is

(10) what makes it

(11) so thoroughly enjoyable. And if you want to learn a little more, the interactive screens dotted

(12) around the galleries provide loads of interesting facts.

Walking through the museum, I was totally enthralled

(13) by everything I saw, but the highlight for me was ‘Man in Space’,

(14) which traces the history of our earliest space exploration. This was the time

(15) when Russia and the USA were locked in a race to be the first to enter space. The exhibition features real rockets and satellites, plus a full-size replica of the lander

(16) that took Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin to the moon in 1969. When you see

(17) how small it was, you really appreciate the courage of the astronauts who travelled in it.

The great thing about the museum is that it approaches science from the perspective of the average person. The explanations are in language that anyone can understand, and this

(18) makes a visit very worthwhile. Just make sure you go during the week as it gets pretty crowded at the weekend.

The National Science Museum is extraordinary and incredibly engaging. So don’t be put

(19) off by the notion that science is ‘too hard’ or ‘too boring’. Do yourself a

(20) favour and go along as soon as you can. You won’t be disappointed!

On Screen p 143. Ad Review: Sample Answer. Extra Cloze

An international film magazine wants readers around the world to contribute a review to a special edition entitled The Art of Advertising: Selling Products through Film. You decide to write a review of a particularly memorable advertisement. In your review, you should evaluate the visual impact of the advertisement, outline its other features, and assess how much influence such advertisements have on us.
Sample answer
It is true that advertising has become an art form in its own 1_________. Nowadays, some of the very best film directors are employed to produce a visually impressive fifty or sixty seconds of footage 2________ we will remember and associate ever afterwards with the product being sold. My own favourite is a recent Guinness advert, which lives 3__________ to the high standards set by earlier adverts for this dark beer from Ireland.
The product becomes part of a visual extravaganza, 4_________ somewhere in South America or the Caribbean. 5_________ the outset, you are unsure what you are witnessing. Tension is in the 6_________ and you realise that a race is about to start – incredibly, a snails’ race! Each snail lines 7__________ in its own lane, with a number on its 8_________, and bets are taken 9_________ which one will be the winner. Snails being what they are, the race gets 10__________ to a slow start, but then, one snail finds its way into an almost-empty glass of Guinness, takes 11_________ the necessary sustenance 12__________ streaks home, to the wild cheers of the crowd.
One striking image follows another and special effects are judiciously 13_________ to accentuate the snail’s speed. The film is also shot from unusual angles – a snail’s eye 14_________, you might say, where human faces become slightly distorted and more unusual. At the end, we are almost participants in the vibrant celebration, which is fuelled 15_________ Guinness and exudes 16________ good humour and love of life.
Characteristically of a Guinness advert, busy scenes alternates 17__________ stillness. There is no need for a voice-over, which would only labour the 18_________. The overwhelming 19___________ created is that you are watching something utterly unique, a message that you will then associate with the product itself.
In general, I believe adverts have a huge effect on our lifestyle and aspirations. If they didn’t, far 20__________ money would be spent on them.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NzRSCIKUlk

KEY

1. right
In your own right: because of your personal qualifications or efforts, not because of your connection with somebody else. As a result of your own ability, achievements, qualifications etc and not because of anyone else. E.g. She sings with a rock band, but she's also a jazz musician in her own right. Her father's a well-known author, but she's an excellent writer in her own right.



2. that/ which
Footage: /ˈfʊtɪdʒ/ part of a film showing a particular event. E.g. Old film footage of the moon landing. People see live footage of the war at home on their televisions.



3. up
Live up to: to do as well as or be as good as other people expect you to. E.g. He failed to live up to his parents' expectations. The team called ‘The No-Hopers’ certainly lived up to its name.



4. set 
set something + adverb/preposition to place the action of a play, novel or film/ movie in a particular place, time, etc. E.g. The novel is set in London in the 1960s.
 
Extravaganza: /ɪkˌstrævəˈɡænzə/ a large, expensive and impressive entertainment. Sp. Gran espectáculo. E.g. A musical extravaganza. A five-day extravaganza of art, music and dance.



5. At
At/from the outset (of something): at/from the beginning of something. E.g. I made it clear right from the outset that I disapproved.



6. air
in the air: felt by a number of people to exist or to be happening. E.g. There's romance in the air.



7. up
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.



8. shell



9. on
bet: an arrangement to risk money, etc. on the result of a particular event; the money that you risk in this way. E.g. to win/ lose a bet. Bet on something We've got a bet on who's going to arrive first. He had a bet on the horses. They all put a bet on the race. I hear you're taking bets on whether she'll marry him.



10. off
Get off to a slow start: slow beginning.
be/get off to a good/bad/slow etc start used for saying that something begins in a particular manner, especially a race or a competition. E.g. She got off to a slow start in her election campaign. The Games are off to a flying start with a new world record in the women's marathon
Get off to a flying start/ get off to a flyer: to make a very good start; to begin something well. E.g. She's got off to a flying start in her new career.
Get off to a good start: begin with success. E.g. In Math, it's important to get off to a good start. I tried to get off to a good start with my new job.



11. in
Take sth in: to absorb something into the body, for example by breathing or swallowing. E.g. Fish take in oxygen through their gills /ɡɪlz/ (Sp. branquias).



12. and
Sustenance: /ˈsʌstənəns/ the food and drink that people, animals and plants need to live and stay healthy. Sp. Sustento. E.g. There's not much sustenance in a bowl of soup. 

Streak: /striːk/ to move very fast in a particular direction. E.g. She streaked home in under 54 seconds.

Home: a place on a sports field that a player must try to get to in order to score a point in some sports. Sp. Meta. E.g. He was four fences from home.



13. used
Judiciously: /dʒuˈdɪʃəsli/ carefully and sensibly; showing good judgement. E.g. A judiciously worded letter.



14. view 
a bird's-eye view (of something) a view of something from a high position looking down. E.g. From the plane we had a bird's eye view of Manhattan. 



15. by
Fuel: /ˈfjuːəl/ to increase something; to make something stronger. E.g. To fuel speculation/rumours/fears. Higher salaries helped to fuel inflation.



16. only
Exude: /ɪɡˈzjuːd/ if you exude a particular feeling or quality, or it exudes from you, people can easily see that you have it. Sp. Emanar, irradiar. E.g. She exuded confidence.

Humour: (uncountable) 



17. with
Stillness: /ˈstɪlnəs/ the quality of being quiet and not moving. Sp. Quietud, calma, tranquilidad. E.g. The sound of footsteps on the path broke the stillness.



18. point
Labour the point: to continue to repeat or explain something that has already been said and understood. Sp. Insistir, machacar. E.g. I understand what you're saying—there's no need to labour the point.



19.  impression
Overwhelming: very great or very strong; so powerful that you cannot resist it or decide how to react. E.g. The evidence against him was overwhelming. The overwhelming majority of those present were in favour of the plan. An overwhelming sense of loss. She had the almost overwhelming desire to tell him the truth. You may find it somewhat overwhelming at first. There was overwhelming support for our policies.



20. less

On Screen p 107. Report: William Shakespeare Course. Cloze

 Introduction

The (0) aim of this report is to describe and evaluate the four-week William Shakespeare course that I (1)___________ at the community college in April, as well as assess (2)___________ usefulness and give some recommendations.

Content

The course approached the works of Shakespeare in a way (3)__________ I found to be quite novel and thoroughly engaging. As a class, we did not look at a play in its entirety, but parts of different works (4)___________ connected themes such as love, ambition and conscience. This enabled us to trace the development of Shakespeare's views. In addition, the tutor drew wonderful parallels between Shakespeare and present-day situations. This brought Shakespeare to (5)______________ and made the works very accessible.

Organisation

The classes were very well-organised. The course objectives were clearly explained at the start and the class discussion was directed towards (6)_____________ achievements. Due to this, we were able to cover all of the material. Our tutor was also very firm in steering us along the way- while encouraging plenty of discussion, she ensured we never strayed far from the topic (7)____________ hand. Clearly, the tutor is a very experienced and competent teacher.

Atmosphere

The course was conducted in a friendly and supportive atmosphere. There was encouragement from the tutor, as well as a good rapport (8)___________ class members. The relaxed nature of this course put everyone (9)___________ ease and this promoted a risk-free atmosphere in which participants could express their views without fear or hesitation.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I believe anyone attending this course would find it stimulating. It is particularly useful to students of English literature who will gain new insight into Shakespeare, but equally of value to anyone who enjoys a lively discussion. In the (10)_____________ of this, I would suggest each session be slightly longer in order to accommodate further discussion.

KEY

1. attended

 

 

 

2. its 

 

 

 

3. which

 

 

 

4. through

 

 

 

5. life

 

 

6. their

 

 

 

7.  at/in

at hand

needing to be dealt with now. Happening or present at this time. Sp. que nos ocupa. E.g.The space shuttle crew must stay completely focused on the task at hand.    Peter turned his attention to the task at hand.

in hand:

the job, question, etc. in hand is the one that you are dealing with.

E.g.
Please confine your comments to the topic in hand. 

task in hand Sp. tarea en cuestión  

matter in hand Sp. asunto en cuestión

 

8. between

 

 

 

9. at 

 

 

 

10. light

in the light of sth/ in light of sth

in view of, after considering something. because of. E.g. In light of recent incidents, we are asking our customers to take particular care of their personal belongings. He rewrote the book in the light of further research. In light of recent developments, we're postponing our meeting. In the light of the weather forecast we've cancelled the picnic,

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.