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
Showing posts with label Objective Proficiency 04.4 (Writing Folder). Show all posts
Showing posts with label Objective Proficiency 04.4 (Writing Folder). Show all posts
Objective Proficiency p 39 Ex 6. Reviews. Students' Contributions
Liliana's contribution
The oncoming financial catastrophe.
Oncoming: /ˈɒnkʌmɪŋ/ coming towards you. Approaching. E.g. Always walk facing the oncoming traffic.
Providing a revealing and fascinating insight into the psychological pressures.
Insight into: an understanding of what something is like. E.g. The book gives us fascinating insights into life in Mexico. I hope you have gained some insight into the difficulties we face.
It translates the language into layman's wording.
Layman: a person who does not have expert knowledge of a particular subject. E.g. a book written for professionals and laymen alike. To explain something in layman's terms (= in simple language). In very simple and layman's wording let me try and explain it.
Obviously another remarkable strength of the film lies in its second to none cast including actors such as.
Second to none: E.g. As a dancer, he is second to none (= nobody is a better dancer than he is).
Hats off also to the first-time director J.C. Chandor who has made the most compelling Wall Street movie out of a modest budgeted drama.
I take my hat off to somebody/ hats off to somebody (informal) used to say that you admire somebody very much for something they have done.
Compelling: that makes you pay attention to it because it is so interesting and exciting. E.g. Her latest book makes compelling reading.
Ludicrous: /ˈluːdɪkrəs/ unreasonable; that you cannot take seriously. Absurd. Ridiculous. E.g. a ludicrous suggestion. It was ludicrous to think that the plan could succeed. He is paid a ludicrous amount of money. Ludicrously expensive.
Kept me totally enthralled from the beginning to the end.
Enthral: /ɪnˈθrɔːl/ if something enthrals you, it is so interesting, beautiful, etc. that you give it all your attention. Cautivar. E.g. The child watched, enthralled by the bright moving images. This book will enthral readers of all ages. An enthralling performance.
An intricate landscape of waterfalls and bridges
Intricate: /ˈɪntrɪkət/ having a lot of different parts and small details that fit together. Intricate patterns. An intricate network of loyalties and relationships.
Fire-spitting dragons kindle the still located in a huge hall guarded ceremoniously by white-clad lined-up men and decorated with white banners exhibiting Japanese ideograms.
Kindle: to start burning; to make a fire start burning. E.g. We watched as the fire slowly kindled.
Ideogram: /ˈɪdiəɡræm/
A large group of revellers are enjoying themselves
Reveller: /ˈrevələ(r)/ a person who is having fun in a noisy way, usually with a group of other people and often after drinking alcohol.
The lush imagery of the state-of-the-art animation is absolutely superb
Lush: beautiful and making you feel pleasure; seeming expensive. E.g. a lush apartment
Imagery: /ˈɪmɪdʒəri/ pictures, photographs, etc. E.g. Satellite imagery (= for example, photographs of the earth taken from space)
The lack of a voice-over is judiciously replaced by the dramatic effect of the powerful drumming
Judicious: /dʒuˈdɪʃəs/ careful and sensible; showing good judgement. Acertado, sensato. E.g. It is curable with judicious use of antibiotics. A judiciously worded letter.
Common tricks of the trade include pulling our heartstrings by drawing us into a story and making us feel good.
Heartstrings: /ˈhɑːtstrɪŋz/ strong feelings of love or pity. Tocarle la fibra sensible a alguien. E.g. to tug/pull at somebody's heartstrings (= to cause such feelings in somebody)
The oncoming financial catastrophe.
Oncoming: /ˈɒnkʌmɪŋ/ coming towards you. Approaching. E.g. Always walk facing the oncoming traffic.
Providing a revealing and fascinating insight into the psychological pressures.
Insight into: an understanding of what something is like. E.g. The book gives us fascinating insights into life in Mexico. I hope you have gained some insight into the difficulties we face.
It translates the language into layman's wording.
Layman: a person who does not have expert knowledge of a particular subject. E.g. a book written for professionals and laymen alike. To explain something in layman's terms (= in simple language). In very simple and layman's wording let me try and explain it.
Obviously another remarkable strength of the film lies in its second to none cast including actors such as.
Second to none: E.g. As a dancer, he is second to none (= nobody is a better dancer than he is).
Hats off also to the first-time director J.C. Chandor who has made the most compelling Wall Street movie out of a modest budgeted drama.
I take my hat off to somebody/ hats off to somebody (informal) used to say that you admire somebody very much for something they have done.
Compelling: that makes you pay attention to it because it is so interesting and exciting. E.g. Her latest book makes compelling reading.
Junie's contribution
Highly recommend
Set in the future
Sentient: able to see or feel things through the senses. E.g. Man is a sentient being. A sentient race.
Relatively unknown Australian actor.
It caters for everyone's tastes as it has a good helping of everything.
Out of this world computerized special effects.
Endearing: /ɪnˈdɪərɪŋ/ causing people to feel affection. Lovable. Entrañable. e.g. A very endearing love story. An endearing habit.
Has truly surpassed himself
In this day and age
Isabel's contribution
His cigarette butt
Butt: the part of a cigarette or cigar that is left after it has been smoked. E.g. an ashtray full of cigarette butts.
Out of the blue: unexpectedly; without warning. E.g. The decision came out of the blue.
His plea for a free ride
Plea: an urgent emotional request
The rear-view mirror: e.g. a mirror in which a driver can see the traffic behind.
Squeal of the brakes
Squeal: a long high cry or sound
Astonished: very surprised. E.g. My parents looked astonished at my news
It's about/high time: (informal) used to say that you think somebody should do something soon. E.g. It's about time you cleaned your room!
Somebody's jaw dropped/fell/sagged: used to say that somebody suddenly looked surprised, shocked or disappointed.
The gem of an advert
Gem: /dʒem/ a person, place or thing that is especially good. E.g. This picture is the gem (= the best) of the collection. A gem of a place. She's a real gem!
It was very satisfying taking part in this worthwhile project
Undertaking: a task or project, especially one that is important and/or difficult. Venture. E.g. He is interested in buying the club as a commercial undertaking. In those days, the trip across country was a dangerous undertaking.
It aims at upholding core beliefs
Uphold something: to support something that you think is right and make sure that it continues to exist. Sostener. E.g. We have a duty to uphold the law. The regime has been criticized for failing to uphold human rights.
The catchy tune unleashes a comfortable wave of optimism
Unleash something (on/upon somebody/something) to suddenly let a strong force, emotion, etc. be felt or have an effect. E.g. The government's proposals unleashed a storm of protest in the press.
Music and words go hand in hand
Hand in hand: if two things go hand in hand, they are closely connected and one thing causes the other. E.g. Poverty and poor health often go hand in hand.
Unarguably, this ad does not merge into insignificance and indifference
Merge (into something) if two things merge, or if one thing merges into another, the differences between them gradually disappear so that it is impossible to separate them. E.g. The hills merged into the dark sky behind them.
They have given a dazzling display of their talents.
Dazzle somebody to impress somebody a lot with your beauty, skill, etc. E.g. He was dazzled by the warmth of her smile.
This advert will exceed all your expectations
This commercial is appointed to contrive a coveted sense of well-being.
Contrive: to succeed in making something happen despite difficulties. Lograr, conseguir. E.g. I decided to contrive a meeting between the two of them.
Covet: /ˈkʌvət/ to want something very much, especially something that belongs to somebody else.Codiciar. E.g. He had long coveted the chance to work with a famous musician. They are this year's winners of the coveted trophy (= that everyone would like to win).
Nieves's contribution
A new pandemic is battering the world
Batter: to hit somebody/something hard many times, especially in a way that causes serious damage. Golpear, apalear, maltratar. E.g. She battered at the door with her fists. He had been badly battered about the head and face. Her killer had battered her to death. Severe winds have been battering the north coast.
The incessant barrage of advertising
Incessant: /ɪnˈsesnt/
Barrage of sth: /ˈbærɑːʒ/ a large number of something, such as questions or comments, that are directed at somebody very quickly, one after the other, often in an aggressive way. E.g. a barrage of questions/criticisms/complaints. The media's barrage of attacks on the President's wife.
Our urban scenery is overstocked with them
Overstock: 1. to buy or make more of something than you need or can sell. 2. to put too many animals in a place where there is not enough room or food for them.
Ads are a double-edged sword
To be a double-edged sword/weapon: to be something that has both advantages and disadvantages.
The query permeates deeply inside the contestant's head
Query: /ˈkwɪəri/
Permeate: /ˈpɜːmieɪt/ to spread to every part of an object or a place. E.g. The smell of leather permeated the room.
An imaginative gimmicky test
Gimmick: an unusual trick or unnecessary device that is intended to attract attention or to persuade people to buy something. E.g. A promotional/publicity/sales gimmick. We don't use gimmicks to sell our products.
Gimmicky: (adj) E.g. a gimmicky idea.
Our self-esteem smashed to smithereens
Smash, blow, etc. something to smithereens: /ˌsmɪðəˈriːnz/ (informal) to destroy something completely by breaking it into small pieces. E.g. The bomb blew the car to smithereens.
It is hard to recover from a wounded pride
Wounded pride: lost face. E.g. My wounded pride never recovered from her rejection. She is suffering from no more than wounded pride.
A valuable find
A find: a thing or person that has been found, especially one that is interesting, valuable or useful. E.g. an important archaeological find. Our new babysitter is a real find.
Isabel's contribution
His cigarette butt
Butt: the part of a cigarette or cigar that is left after it has been smoked. E.g. an ashtray full of cigarette butts.
Out of the blue: unexpectedly; without warning. E.g. The decision came out of the blue.
His plea for a free ride
Plea: an urgent emotional request
The rear-view mirror: e.g. a mirror in which a driver can see the traffic behind.
Squeal of the brakes
Squeal: a long high cry or sound
Astonished: very surprised. E.g. My parents looked astonished at my news
Emilio's contribution
It's about/high time: (informal) used to say that you think somebody should do something soon. E.g. It's about time you cleaned your room!
Somebody's jaw dropped/fell/sagged: used to say that somebody suddenly looked surprised, shocked or disappointed.
The gem of an advert
Gem: /dʒem/ a person, place or thing that is especially good. E.g. This picture is the gem (= the best) of the collection. A gem of a place. She's a real gem!
This advert shows some world-beating statistics
World-beater: a person or thing that is better than all others. World-beating (adj)It was very satisfying taking part in this worthwhile project
Undertaking: a task or project, especially one that is important and/or difficult. Venture. E.g. He is interested in buying the club as a commercial undertaking. In those days, the trip across country was a dangerous undertaking.
It aims at upholding core beliefs
Uphold something: to support something that you think is right and make sure that it continues to exist. Sostener. E.g. We have a duty to uphold the law. The regime has been criticized for failing to uphold human rights.
The catchy tune unleashes a comfortable wave of optimism
Unleash something (on/upon somebody/something) to suddenly let a strong force, emotion, etc. be felt or have an effect. E.g. The government's proposals unleashed a storm of protest in the press.
Music and words go hand in hand
Hand in hand: if two things go hand in hand, they are closely connected and one thing causes the other. E.g. Poverty and poor health often go hand in hand.
Unarguably, this ad does not merge into insignificance and indifference
Merge (into something) if two things merge, or if one thing merges into another, the differences between them gradually disappear so that it is impossible to separate them. E.g. The hills merged into the dark sky behind them.
They have given a dazzling display of their talents.
Dazzle somebody to impress somebody a lot with your beauty, skill, etc. E.g. He was dazzled by the warmth of her smile.
This advert will exceed all your expectations
This commercial is appointed to contrive a coveted sense of well-being.
Contrive: to succeed in making something happen despite difficulties. Lograr, conseguir. E.g. I decided to contrive a meeting between the two of them.
Covet: /ˈkʌvət/ to want something very much, especially something that belongs to somebody else.Codiciar. E.g. He had long coveted the chance to work with a famous musician. They are this year's winners of the coveted trophy (= that everyone would like to win).
Nieves's contribution
A new pandemic is battering the world
Batter: to hit somebody/something hard many times, especially in a way that causes serious damage. Golpear, apalear, maltratar. E.g. She battered at the door with her fists. He had been badly battered about the head and face. Her killer had battered her to death. Severe winds have been battering the north coast.
The incessant barrage of advertising
Incessant: /ɪnˈsesnt/
Barrage of sth: /ˈbærɑːʒ/ a large number of something, such as questions or comments, that are directed at somebody very quickly, one after the other, often in an aggressive way. E.g. a barrage of questions/criticisms/complaints. The media's barrage of attacks on the President's wife.
Our urban scenery is overstocked with them
Overstock: 1. to buy or make more of something than you need or can sell. 2. to put too many animals in a place where there is not enough room or food for them.
Ads are a double-edged sword
To be a double-edged sword/weapon: to be something that has both advantages and disadvantages.
The query permeates deeply inside the contestant's head
Query: /ˈkwɪəri/
Permeate: /ˈpɜːmieɪt/ to spread to every part of an object or a place. E.g. The smell of leather permeated the room.
An imaginative gimmicky test
Gimmick: an unusual trick or unnecessary device that is intended to attract attention or to persuade people to buy something. E.g. A promotional/publicity/sales gimmick. We don't use gimmicks to sell our products.
Gimmicky: (adj) E.g. a gimmicky idea.
Our self-esteem smashed to smithereens
Smash, blow, etc. something to smithereens: /ˌsmɪðəˈriːnz/ (informal) to destroy something completely by breaking it into small pieces. E.g. The bomb blew the car to smithereens.
It is hard to recover from a wounded pride
Wounded pride: lost face. E.g. My wounded pride never recovered from her rejection. She is suffering from no more than wounded pride.
A valuable find
A find: a thing or person that has been found, especially one that is interesting, valuable or useful. E.g. an important archaeological find. Our new babysitter is a real find.
Maria's contribution
The average person is exposed to dozens of ludicrous and dull adverts Ludicrous: /ˈluːdɪkrəs/ unreasonable; that you cannot take seriously. Absurd. Ridiculous. E.g. a ludicrous suggestion. It was ludicrous to think that the plan could succeed. He is paid a ludicrous amount of money. Ludicrously expensive.
Kept me totally enthralled from the beginning to the end.
Enthral: /ɪnˈθrɔːl/ if something enthrals you, it is so interesting, beautiful, etc. that you give it all your attention. Cautivar. E.g. The child watched, enthralled by the bright moving images. This book will enthral readers of all ages. An enthralling performance.
An intricate landscape of waterfalls and bridges
Intricate: /ˈɪntrɪkət/ having a lot of different parts and small details that fit together. Intricate patterns. An intricate network of loyalties and relationships.
Fire-spitting dragons kindle the still located in a huge hall guarded ceremoniously by white-clad lined-up men and decorated with white banners exhibiting Japanese ideograms.
Kindle: to start burning; to make a fire start burning. E.g. We watched as the fire slowly kindled.
Ideogram: /ˈɪdiəɡræm/
A large group of revellers are enjoying themselves
Reveller: /ˈrevələ(r)/ a person who is having fun in a noisy way, usually with a group of other people and often after drinking alcohol.
The lush imagery of the state-of-the-art animation is absolutely superb
Lush: beautiful and making you feel pleasure; seeming expensive. E.g. a lush apartment
Imagery: /ˈɪmɪdʒəri/ pictures, photographs, etc. E.g. Satellite imagery (= for example, photographs of the earth taken from space)
The lack of a voice-over is judiciously replaced by the dramatic effect of the powerful drumming
Judicious: /dʒuˈdɪʃəs/ careful and sensible; showing good judgement. Acertado, sensato. E.g. It is curable with judicious use of antibiotics. A judiciously worded letter.
Common tricks of the trade include pulling our heartstrings by drawing us into a story and making us feel good.
Heartstrings: /ˈhɑːtstrɪŋz/ strong feelings of love or pity. Tocarle la fibra sensible a alguien. E.g. to tug/pull at somebody's heartstrings (= to cause such feelings in somebody)
Objective Proficiency p 39. Vocabulary
Ex 3
The review is not very successful. There is only a minimal lead-in. The film is not named. The third paragraph is all plot, most of which should have been omitted. There is insufficient description of the special effects in the fourth paragraph. The evaluation is barely attempted. To improve the review, the balance of the content needs to be addressed: there should be less plot, more reference to the special effects used, and some expansion of the general evaluation at the end.
Ex 4
Ex 6
- Track somebody/something| track where, how, etc…: to follow the movements of somebody/something, especially by using special electronic equipment. E.g. We continued tracking the plane on our radar.
- Drift: to move along smoothly and slowly in water or air. E.g. Clouds drifted across the sky. The empty boat drifted out to sea.
The review is not very successful. There is only a minimal lead-in. The film is not named. The third paragraph is all plot, most of which should have been omitted. There is insufficient description of the special effects in the fourth paragraph. The evaluation is barely attempted. To improve the review, the balance of the content needs to be addressed: there should be less plot, more reference to the special effects used, and some expansion of the general evaluation at the end.
Ex 4
- Blockbuster: something very successful, especially a very successful book or film/movie. E.g. a Hollywood blockbuster.
- Sub-plot: a series of events in a play, novel, etc. that is separate from but linked to the main story. Argumento secundario. E.g. An interesting subplot.
- Portray: to act a particular role in a film/movie or play. Play. E.g. Her father will be portrayed by Sean Connery.
- Head: to move in a particular direction. E.g. The boat was heading out to sea.
- In the eye of the storm: in the middle of a difficult situation. E.g. He decided to go through the eye of the storm.
- Kick in: Start. to begin to take effect. Sp. Notarse, empezar a hacer efecto. E.g. Reforms will kick in later this year.
- Imaging: [ɪmɪdʒɪŋ] the process of capturing, storing and showing an image on a computer screen. E.g. imaging software. Digital imaging.
- Star: if a film/movie, play, etc. stars somebody, that person has one of the main parts. E.g. A movie starring Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan. The studio wants to star her in a sequel to last year's hit.
- Cut to: cut (from something) to something (in films/movies, radio or television): to move quickly from one scene to another. E.g. The scene cuts from the bedroom to the street. Then the film cuts to the girlfriend.
- Prerequisite: [ˌpriːˈrekwəzɪt] something that must exist or happen before something else can happen or be done. E.g. A degree is an essential prerequisite for employment at this level.
- Blend into something: to look so similar to the background that it is difficult for you to see it separately. E.g. He blended into the crowd.
- Seamlessly: /ˈsiːmləsli/ with no spaces or pauses between one part and the next. E.g Used wisely, special effects blend into a film seamlessly as demonstrated in Ang Lee's Oscar-winning Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
- Crouch: /kraʊtʃ/ to put your body close to the ground by bending your legs under you. Sp. Agacharse, ponerse en cuclillas. E.g. He crouched down beside her. Doyle crouched behind a hedge.
- Heighten: /ˈhaɪtn/ become stronger or increase. Intensify. E.g. Tension has heightened after the recent bomb attack.
Ex 6
- In your own right: because of your personal qualifications or efforts, not because of your connection with somebody else. E.g. She sings with a rock band, but she's also a jazz musician in her own right.
- 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.
- 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.
- Extravaganza: /ɪkˌstrævəˈɡænzə/ a large, expensive and impressive entertainment. Gran espectáculo. E.g. A musical extravaganza. A five-day extravaganza of art, music and dance.
- 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.
- 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.
- Get off to a slow start: slow beginning.
- 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.
- 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/ (branquias).
- Sustenance: /ˈsʌstənəns/ the food and drink that people, animals and plants need to live and stay healthy. 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. Meta.
- Judiciously: /dʒuˈdɪʃəsli/ carefully and sensibly; showing good judgement. E.g. A judiciously worded letter.
- Fuel: /ˈfjuːəl/ to increase something; to make something stronger. E.g. To fuel speculation/rumours/fears. Higher salaries helped to fuel inflation.
- Exude: /ɪɡˈzjuːd/ if you exude a particular feeling or quality, or it exudes from you, people can easily see that you have it. Emanar, irradiar. E.g. She exuded confidence.
- Stillness: /ˈstɪlnəs/ the quality of being quiet and not moving. Quietud, calma, tranquilidad. E.g. The sound of footsteps on the path broke the stillness.
- Labour the point: to continue to repeat or explain something that has already been said and understood. Insistir, machacar. E.g. I understand what you're saying—there's no need to labour the point.
- 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.
Objective Proficiency p 38. Clint Eastwood . Extra Listening
Min: - UP TO 9.15
1. What was significant about
Clint Eastwood’s involvement in the series “Rawhide”?
2. The idea of sitting next to
a stream with a can of beer is ……………………. at times.
3. Was Eastwood influenced by
his age when he embarked on the film “Hereafter”?
4. When discussing special
effects, Eastwoods comments that they are now ………………. rapidly.
5. What is Eastwood’s attitude
to technology in his daily life?
6. What has been said about
Eastwood’s move from acting to directing?
7. What was special for
Eastwood about the film “Unforgiven”?
8. What does he say about his
film “Letter two Jima”?
9. What is Eastwood referring
to when he discusses films that have been a hard sell?
Vocabulary:
a lark
engrossed
in something
hard sell
Objective Proficiency p 38. BAFTAS 2012. Extra Listening
Watch the video and fill in the gaps with a word or phrase.
1. The star of Single Man, The King's Speech and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is a man so brilliant, so talented and so successful that we would have been _________________ by his presence with us. However, it ______________ we do live in an ideal world because _______________, the Colin they call Firth!
2. "Actress in a leading role" is a category in which Colin Firth has been _________________________.
3. Viola Davis: "Just 24 years old, he _____________ the best part of a person's life. Anniversary of his death comes every year and I can't breathe. But to you all, it's just another day at Bridge"
4. Meryl Streep: "Perhaps the Right Honourable gentleman could attend more closely to what I'm saying, rather than how I am saying it. He may receive a valuable education________________ himself"
5. Meryl Streep: "the ________ of the well-known is to be misunderstood. And the ambition of this film, The Iron Lady, was to look at the life of the Iron Lady from the inside out and to locate something real, maybe hidden, but _____________ in the life of someone that we've all decided we all know everything about already."
6. Meryl Streep: " I owe so much to Phyllida Lloyd, Abi Morgan, Pathe, Damien Jones for _____________ this, for asking and expecting so much of me. I want to thank the _____________ Jim Broadbent, the __________________ Olivia Colman, my beloved moths, all 300 beautiful actors and crew that worked on this film
7. Prince Charming tried the ___________ on and it fitted.
8. A true Hollywood superstar is standing back there ____________ the BAFTA mask and golden envelope makes me all ____________, if I say Vanilla Sky, Volver and Pirates of the Caribbean, you will know who I mean. In fact she's so popular, they've even named a type of very popular beach, __________ and common leisure activity after her. The great Penelope Cruz.
KEY
1. bowled over (bowl somebody over: to surprise or impress somebody a lot) turns out,
behold (to look at or see somebody/something).
2. grievously overlooked
(grievous: very serious and often causing great pain or suffering)
(overlook: to fail to see or notice something. Miss. E.g. In my hurry to finish the exam I had overlooked part of one of the questions.)
3. skipped
4. in spite of
5. fate (the things, especially bad things, that will happen or have happened to somebody/something)
truthful (saying only what is true, honest)
6. sticking with
(stick with sth: to continue with something or continue doing something. E.g. They decided to stick with their original plan.)
soulful (expressing or appearing to express deep and often sorrowful feeling)
divinely gifted
7. slipper (a loose soft shoe that you wear in the house)
8. clutching.
(Clutch: to hold somebody/something tightly.)
flattery (praise. Sp. Halagos)
heath (a large area of open land that is not used for farming and is covered with rough grass and other small wild plants)
Transcript
Colin Firth: Good evening! It's my great privilege to present a category in which I have been grievously overlooked- "Actress in a leading role". Let's have a look at the nominees.
Viola Davis- The Help
"Just 24 years old, he skipped the best part of a person's life. Anniversary of his death comes every year and I can't breathe. But to you all, it's just another day at Bridge"
Meryl Streep- The Iron Lady
"Perhaps the Right Honourable gentleman could attend more closely to what I'm saying, rather than how I am saying it. He may receive a valuable education in spite of himself"
Colin Firth: And the BAFTA goes to Meryl Streep
Meryl Streep: I'll get there! I'll get there! Oh my God. Thank you so much. That couldn't be worse, that couldn't have gone worse! Oh, gosh. Somebody once said, I think it was Margaret Atwood, actually I always say it was Atwood but I don't even know if she said this, but somebody once said, "the fate of the well-known is to be misunderstood. And the ambition of this film, The Iron Lady, was to look at the life of the Iron Lady from the inside out and to locate something real, maybe hidden, but truthful in the life of someone that we've all decided we all know everything about already. And I'm very proud of the film and I owe so much to Phyllida Lloyd, Abi Morgan, Pathe, Damien Jones for sticking with this, for asking and expecting so much of me. I want to thank the soulful Jim Broadbent, the divinely gifted Olivia Colman, my beloved moths, all 300 beautiful actors and crew that worked on this film and to say that half of me is Streep, but the other half is Wilkinson from Lincolnshire so I come by it honestly, this part. Thank you very very much I’m so grateful. I’m so grateful, thank you.
Stephen Fry: Oh Prince Charming tried the slipper on and it fitted Cinderella at once. What a happy ending! It follows as the night, the Dame that if there is to be an award for Best Actress, there should also be one for Best Actor. To remind us of the nominees and announce the chosen one, a true Hollywood superstar. Just knowing she's standing back there clutching the BAFTA mask and golden envelope makes me all flattery, if I say Vanilla Sky, Volver and Pirates of the Caribbean, you will know who I mean. In fact she's so popular, they've even named a type of very popular beach, heath and common leisure activity after her. The great Penelope Cruz.
Objective Proficiency p 38. Shipwrecks: Britain's Sunken History. Extra Listening
The nineteenth century saw the 1___________ of Britain's Industrial Revolution 2___________ around the world.
Thanks to her mastery of the sea, Britain became the greatest economic 3___________ in the world. However, the 4___________ profits led to 5__________ and a struggle that 6__________ money against lives.
Lloyd's of London kept 7___________ of this disaster.
Insuring against shipwreck is a 8______________ trade.
Every time a ship 9____________ at sea, the historic Lutine Bell would toll
The loss book from 1799 shows one 10___________ after another.
The 11_________ pursuit of profit at the 12_____________ lives collided with 13____________ social reformers.
The search for greater safety inspired key innovations like lifeboat 14__________, ingenious inventors and our greatest 15______________.
'31''40
In order to improve safety, ships were inspected in dock to check that they were 16______________. However, that was not the case for 17__________ ships. Few cared about the 18__________ of sailors until Samuel Plimsoll. Before him the 19_____________ of ships was a lottery. Despite advances like iron 20__________ and steam engines, most cargo ships were made out of wood. They were death traps. A 21__________ skeleton of a ship would be bought and disguised as a new 22_________, a fresh 23___________ of paint would be put over 24____________. The owners of these ships heavily 25_____________ them in order to be 26_____________ financially. It was a vast insurance 27______________.
In 1869, 177 ships were wrecked in sea conditions officially 28____________ as no stronger than a gentle breeze.
Seamen could not refuse to go 29_____________ a ship. They would be arrested and 30__________ in jail.
In the course of three years, over 1,500 sailors had to do time for refusing to 31__________ ships they believed 32____________, which brought poverty and 33___________ to their families. This is why sailors were 34___________ on to these coffin ships. Plimsoll demanded that ships in a bad state of repair should not be allowed to leave port, and that all 35_________ ships must display a line marking the maximum safe-loading limit. Harbour masters should be allowed to 36__________ ships not showing a visible line above the water. Plimsoll was 37___________ himself against huge 38___________ interests.
In the 20 previous years not a single British ship had ever been 39___________. They had all been 40____________ and sent back to sea.
KEYS
1. might
2. reverberate
reverberate /rɪˈvɜːbəreɪt/ to have a strong effect on people for a long time or over a large area. E.g. Repercussions of the case continue to reverberate through the financial world.
3. powerhouse
powerhouse: a group or an organization that has a lot of power. E.g. China has been described as an ‘emerging economic powerhouse’.
4. soaring
soar: if the value, amount or level of something soars, it rises very quickly. E.g. soaring costs/ prices/ temperatures. Air pollution will soon soar above safety levels. Unemployment has soared to 18%.
5. greed
6. pitted
pit somebody/something against something to test somebody or their strength, intelligence, etc. in a struggle or contest against somebody/ something else. E.g. Lawyers and accountants felt that they were being pitted against each other. A chance to pit your wits against the world champions (= in a test of your intelligence).
7. tally
tally: a record of the number or amount of something, especially one that you can keep adding to. Sp. cuenta, cómputo. E.g. He hopes to improve on his tally of three goals in the past nine games. Keep a tally of how much you spend while you're away.
8. time-honoured
time-honoured: respected because it has been used or done for a long time. Sp. consagrado, tradicional. E.g. They showed their approval in the time-honoured way (= by clapping, for example). A time-honoured custom/ method/ procedure.
9. perished
perished: to be lost or destroyed. E.g. Early buildings were made of wood and have perished.
10. wreck
wreck: a ship that has sunk or that has been very badly damaged.
11. relentless
relentless: not stopping or getting less strong. E.g. Her relentless pursuit of perfection. The sun was relentless.
12. expense of
at the expense of somebody/something with loss or damage to somebody/ something. E.g. He built up the business at the expense of his health. An education system that benefits bright children at the expense of those who are slower to learn.
13. zealous
zealous /ˈzeləs/ showing great energy and enthusiasm for something, especially because you feel strongly about it. Sp. entusiasta. E.g. a zealous reformer.
14. provision
provision: the act of supplying somebody with something that they need or want; something that is supplied. E.g. housing provision. The government is responsible for the provision of health care.
15. shipwrights
shipwright: /ˈʃɪpˌraɪt/one that builds or repairs ships.
16. seaworthy
seaworthy /ˈsiːwɜːði/ in a suitable condition to sail.
17. merchant
merchant: connected with the transport of goods by sea. E.g. merchant seamen.
18. massacre
massacre: /ˈmæsəkə(r)/
19. seaworthiness
seaworthiness /ˈsiːwɜːðinəs/ the fact that it is in a suitable condition to sail.
20 hulls
hull: the main, bottom part of a ship, that goes in the water. Sp. casco. E.g. a wooden/ steel hull. They climbed onto the upturned hull and waited to be rescued.
21. frail leaky
frail: easily damaged or broken
leaky: having holes or cracks that allow liquid or gas to escape. E.g. a leaky roof.
22. craft
craft plural craft a boat or ship. E.g. Hundreds of small craft were around the liner as it steamed into the harbour. A landing/pleasure craft
23. lick
a lick of paint (informal) a small amount of paint, used to make a place look better. E.g. What this room needs is a lick of paint.
24. rotten timbers
25 insured
26 recompensed
27 scam
scam a clever and dishonest plan for making money. E.g. an insurance scam.
28 logged
log something to put information in an official record or write a record of events. Record. E.g. The police log all phone calls.
29. aboard
30. thrown
31. crew
crew to be part of a crew, especially on a ship. E.g. crew (something) Normally the boat is crewed by five people.
32. unseaworthy
33. destitution
destitution: the state of having no money or possessions
34. lured
lure: /lʊə(r)/ / ljʊə(r)/ to persuade or trick somebody to go somewhere or to do something by promising them a reward. E.g. The child was lured into a car but managed to escape. Young people are lured to the city by the prospect of a job and money.
35. freight
freight /freɪt/ goods that are transported by ships, planes, trains or lorries/trucks; the system of transporting goods in this way. E.g. to send goods by air freight. A freight business. Passenger and freight transportation services.
36. impound
impound something (of the police, courts of law, etc.) to take something away from somebody, so that they cannot use it. Confiscate. E.g. The car was impounded by the police after the accident.
37. pitting
pit somebody/something against something to test somebody or their strength, intelligence, etc. in a struggle or contest against somebody/ something else. E.g. Lawyers and accountants felt that they were being pitted against each other. A chance to pit your wits against the world champions (= in a test of your intelligence).
38. vested
vested interest (in something) a personal reason for wanting something to happen, especially because you get some advantage from it. E.g. They have a vested interest in keeping the club as exclusive as possible. Vested interests (= people with a vested interest) are opposing the plan. She thinks that lawyers have a vested interest in making the legal process move slowly.
39. scrapped
scrap something to cancel or get rid of something that is no longer practical or useful. Sp. desechar. E.g. They had been forced to scrap plans for a new school building. The oldest of the aircraft were scrapped.
40 patched up
patch something/somebody up (rather informal) to repair something, especially in a temporary way by adding a new piece of material or a patch. E.g. Just to patch the boat up will cost £10000.
Transcript
1800, the start of the century that would see the might of Britain's Industrial Revolution reverberate around the globe. The sea and her mastery of it would help Britain become the greatest economic powerhouse the world had ever known. Ships were a vital part of the engine that was driving Britain's economic success, but the soaring profits that the sea provided led to greed and a struggle that pitted the power of money against the safety of sailors. The terrible human cost of shipwrecks came to shock the Victorian public. Keeping tally of this soaring humanitarian disaster was Lloyd's of London. Insuring against shipwreck is a time-honoured trade. The historic Lutine Bell would be rung to announce that a ship had perished at sea. This Grim Reaper's toll meant a fresh entry into Lloyd's loss book, a frozen moment in time like the room that now holds it. This is the loss book from 1799. And if you open it on any day you're confronted with wreck after wreck after wreck. It gives you a real sense of the scale of the problem that they faced. Imagine if each of these were a plane! Something just had to be done. The relentless pursuit of profit at the expense of sailors collided with another great Victorian force, the zealous social reformer. Furious Parliamentary battles were fought by campaigners like Samuel Plimsoll to prevent shipowners risking lives by overloading ships. And as emigration put more women and children aboard, the search for greater safety inspired key innovations like lifeboat provision, ingenious inventors.....and our greatest shipwrights. With the might of industry behind them, engineers entered a race to build bigger and ever-stronger ships in the belief that they would be unsinkable. It was a race that ended with the most famous shipwreck of all time.
'31''40
The need to improve passenger safety led to a series of new regulations and laws in the 19th century. Ships were inspected in dock to check that they were seaworthy. They were fitted with lifeboats and captains and crew were given better training. And yet none of these new regulations and laws applied to merchant ships. There was one set of rules and standards for passenger ships and another for those that carried cargo. Of almost 2,500 shipwreck fatalities in 1867, just 1 death in 20 were passengers. Few cared about this massacre of merchant seamen until one man was driven to change things. In the war against the shipwreck, one campaigner stands out as commander-in-chief, Samuel Plimsoll. In his battle to make ships safer he became a national hero. Today his fight for social justice has been forgotten, but before Plimsoll the seaworthiness of ships was a lottery. Despite advances like iron hulls and steam engines, much of Britain's merchant fleet was still made out of wood. Many ships were death traps. A frail leaky skeleton of a ship would be bought and disguised as a new craft, a fresh lick of paint would be put over rotten timbers like these, and the ship would be given a new name and nameplate. But whatever the plate said, sailors had just one term for these vessels, coffin ships. Elderly ships would be disposed of and what would happen...it was a terrible practice by which people would buy up old ships, repaint them, rename them and send them out to sea again, often heavily insured. The only danger to the owner was that the sailors would lose their lives, but, if they were recompensed financially, it was alleged to be worth the risk. It was a vast insurance scam. Shipowners could heavily insure their vessels for far more than they were really worth. Successfully reaching port was becoming less profitable than the shipwreck. Shipwrecks were soaring. Plimsoll reported that in 1869, 177 ships were wrecked in sea conditions officially logged as no stronger than a gentle breeze. According to Samuel Plimsoll, one shipowner had lost a dozen ships in three years, and 105 men. They were regarded as coffin ships because men knew that if they sailed on them, there was a very good chance they were going to die. And the law was against even the men there. You could not refuse to go aboard a ship. Once you'd signed the papers, if you refused to go aboard the ship that you'd signed to, once you took a look at it and realised how overloaded or unseaworthy it was, you would be arrested and thrown in jail. The only way you could go was to sail on the ship. Many men registered their protest and then sailed, and many men sailed to their deaths as a result. In one three-year period, over 1,500 sailors were jailed for refusing to crew ships they believed unseaworthy. And jail often brought poverty and destitution to their families. Ever-more sailors were lured on to these coffin ships. Plimsoll had two main demands. Firstly, no unseaworthy ship should be allowed to leave port, and that all freight ships must display a line marking the maximum safe-loading limit, with harbourmasters being allowed to impound ships not showing a visible line above the water. Plimsoll was pitting himself against huge vested interests. When Samuel Plimsoll began his campaign against the overloading of ships, which had led to so many deaths, he cited a statistic that in the 20 previous years not a single English ship, not a single British ship had ever been scrapped. They'd all been patched up and sent back to sea because it was in the shipowners' interest to keep them afloat.
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