Unit 4

IF PEOPLE ONLY
KNEW HOW HARD
I’VE WORKED TO
GAIN MY MASTERY, IT
WOULDN’T SEEM SO
WONDERFUL AT ALL.
—MICHELANGELO

UNIT 4 - YES, YOU CAN!

74
4A
What Can You Do?
READING AND LISTENING

LISTENING
Listen to track 1 and mark ( X ) in the correct box.

ABILITY RORY ABIDEMI

1. Can cook
2. Can sing
3. Can play an instrument
4. Can juggle
5. Can speak different languages

READING COMPREHENSION
DISABILITY - PART I (by Chris Wilson)

Nowadays in the “west”, the able bodied like “physically challenged” instead of
are constantly reminded that disabled crippled or spastic. We avoid using the
people have rights just like everyone else word “dumb” to mean stupid - and
and they mustn’t discriminate against this is not just us trying to be “politically
them in any way. Public buildings need correct”. Things like the Paralympics
to have ramps and toilets big enough for have done wonders to raise people’s
wheelchairs. Bus drivers are supposed awareness with so many positive
to announce every stop so that blind images and perceptions of disabled
people know when to get off. One is people genuinely have changed. Not
not allowed to refuse a person a job on that Western society doesn’t still have
the grounds that he or she has only one a long way to go, but disabled people
leg, or cannot speak. We use phrases are far less marginalised, far more

75
 4A

integrated than in the past when they hand, or even no hands at all. Very
were confined to institutions, out of sight recently a chip was inserted into the
and out of mind. brain of a person paralysed from the
neck down enabling him to move a
Disabled people’s own self-esteem has cursor on a screen simply by looking at
risen enormously in recent years and it. This means he can now do all sorts
they have become far more assertive and of things—switch the television and the
insistent on their rights, and their ability lights on and off, type, surf the internet,
to compete with everyone else. Even the even send e-mails. Who knows what
words “disabled” and “handicapped” are he’ll be able to do next? Drive a car?
challenged. Is a blind person disabled
when he or she can function just as Also many things that previously were
well as everyone else? New technology not considered disabilities now are
of course is making a huge difference. recognised for what they are—serious
Instead of clumsy wooden legs, for handicaps, and arrangements have
example, new materials and designs in been made for the people who suffer
prosthetic limbs enable people to walk from them. Dyslexia is a good example.
and run as fast as everyone else. High Not so long ago dyslexic people were
tech hearing aids exist for the deaf, as considered at school to be slow, or
well as laser surgery for the very short stupid, and that was that. Nowadays it is
sighted. Cars are adapted so that seen as a serious condition and teachers
people can drive them with only one have to be aware of it.

76
4A

1 Complete the following sentences.

1. What facilities do public buildings need to have for disabled people?

2. What do bus drivers are supposed to do?
3. What happened with disabled people self-esteem in recent years?
4. Is dislexia a disability or a serious handicap?

2 Draw a mind map with the information in the reading.

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 4A
Vocabulary
Look up in a dictionary the following words and prepare a vocabulary study
sheet for each one.

1. blind 5. short sighted 9. deaf

2. handicap 6. clumsy 10. get off
3. crippled 7. limbs 11. aware
4. prosthetic 8. aid 12. enable

Vocabulary Study
Definition

Word

Sentence

Noun
Illustration Verb
Adjective
Adverb

Synonym

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4A
GRAMMAR

CAN - COULD - BE ABLE TO

Can is used to say that somebody has FORMULA

the ability to do something. Also to say
that something is possible. Subject + can + verb base form +
complement
You can see it tomorrow.
Can you cook spaguetti?
Sara can speak 3 languages.

The negative is cannot (= can’t).

I’m so sorry, I can’t accept the

invitation.

Be able to is used instead of can, but

can is more usual.

I can run 10 km. = I am able to run 10

km.
Sebastian can dance Marinera. =
Sebastian is able to dance Marinera.

Can has only two forms: can (present)

and could (past), so you need to use
be able to for the other tenses.

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 4A

Complete the blanks with can or be able to.

1. Jerry ________ see the ocean from his bedroom.

2. ____________ the kids open the door?
3. _________ the man ________ speak in public?
4. The girls ____________ to dance in the show.
5. Katherine __________ to dance all night long.
6. ________ the doctors _______ to bring the medicine?
7. ________ you finish all the homework?

PRONUNCIATION TIPS
The letter a can be pronounced in several ways. Try saying these
English words:

APPLE - ALL - FATHER

The letter a in these three words represents three distinct simple vowel
sounds.
If you want to say a word that has two vowel sounds, the vowels can no
longer be simple vowels, they become a diphthong. Letter a becomes
part of a diphthong and takes on a new sound. For example:

MAY - MATE - WAIT

Or it sounds as a different diphthong such as in hair-wear and another

one again in words such as ear.

80
4B
What Can’t You do?
Vocabulary
Match the two columns.

1. Surgical removal of part of a limb, hand, or foot. a. bionic

2. An arm or leg (or major branch of a tree). b. visual
3. An assistive device (artificial limb) that replaces c. injury
a lost body part.
4. Ability to move. d. innovate
5. Sight; the ability to see. e. rehabilitation
6. Inability to see. f. employment
7. Damage to some part of the body, often g. prosthesis
accidental.
8. Inability to move one or more limbs. h. paralysis
9. Assistance in regaining normal functioning after i. vision
injury.
10. Having a job. j. blindness
11. Adjective meaning related to the sense of sight. k. limb
12. Adjective describing artificial body parts, usually l. amputation
with electronic components.
13. To think of new ways to solve a problem. m. mobility

1 2 3 4

5 6 7 8

9 10 11 12

13

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 4B

2 Classify these words by the

ways they can be used (put
them into the three groups
below the list).

accident / amputate / amputation / bionic / blind / blindness /disabled

/ disability / employ / employed / employment / injure / injured / injury
/ innovate / paralysis / paralyzed / prosthesis /prosthetic / rehabilitate /
rehabilitation / visual / mobility / vision / limb

NOUNS ADJECTIVES VERBS

82
4B
Grammar

COULD and WAS ABLE TO

Could is used to express that Could is used specially with see,

somebody had an ability or hear, smell, taste, feel, remember
permission to do something. and understand.

My younger sister could read when I could understand what the teacher
she was 4 years. said.
In my grandma’s house we could do When we went into my aunt house,
what we wanted. we could taste her delicious food.

Comparing could and was/were Remember that be able to is possible

able to: in all tenses:

We use could for general abilities in He is able to run in a marathon.

the past, but if we are talking about (PRESENT)
what happened in a particular He was able to run in a marathon.
situation in the past that you (PAST)
manage to control, we use was/ He will be able to run in a marathon.
were able to. (FUTURE)
He has been able to run in a
The fire started, finally all the family marathon. (PRESENT PERFECT)
was able to escape. He had been able to run in a
My mom didn’t want to go to the marathon. (PAST PERFECT)
party but we were able to persuade
her.

Recommended video:
www.ted.com/talks/amy_purdy_living_beyond_
limits

83
 Money and Charity 4C

LISTENING:

I Put the words in the blanks.

homeless disabled $
registered elderly
difficult reluctant
happy better

Paul: Hi, this is Paul from England wonder. There are so many charities in
speaking with Katia from Mexico. First the world, and you wonder really how
question is: do you give money to charity? much money do the people actually get,
so it’s difficult to really know.
Katia: Well, Paul, it’s a (1)___________
question because you really want to Paul: How about if you’re walking
help people, but I always question down the street and you see a
myself if the money really gets to where (3)________________ person asking
it’s supposed to go, so personally I rarely for money?
do give money to charities. I’d rather
give my time, so I know if it’s actually Katia: Homeless people! That’s also
something happening. What about you? difficult because you can’t see they
need money or food. Sometimes I
Paul: Yeah, I guess that makes sense. If feel that if you give money, you are
it’s a (2)___________ charity then I don’t supporting their way of life so I would
see there’s a problem really with giving rather give some food so they can eat,
a donation. but maybe if it’s a (4)___________
person, I am more willing to give,
Katia: Yeah, I guess so, but really I rather than just the homeless.

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4C

Paul: For sure. Do you give money if

you see children on the street?

Katia: Well, it depends, because that’s

also giving money to children so they
can continue asking for money, so I
avoid it. I also avoid it. What about
you?
Paul: Yeah, I’d agree with you. It’s
difficult to know what they’re gonna Paul: I’m a little bit (7)_____________
use the money for, so usually I never to give money. I heard in a lot of poor
give money to men but if it’s like an countries that it can actually even be
(5)__________________ woman, I’m a business, like parents will send their
(6)________________ to give a small children onto the street.
donation.

Katia: Why not men and only women?

Paul: Well, going back to what you

said about supporting their way of
life, I mean, not in every case, but I
think that often it can just be man’s
choice to be homeless on the street
and he does have a chance to get a
job I think.
Katia: Unfortunately, that’s true.
Katia: So you think the woman really
doesn’t have a choice, and the man... Paul: OK, so maybe you like what you
said before: it’s (8)_______________
Paul: I think it’s more difficult for a to donate your time than to donate
woman. money.

Katia: Possibly. Possibly. That’s a Katia: Possibly. And hopefully things

difficult question. will change.

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 4C
II Answer the following questions about the interview.

1. Who prefers to donate time?

a) Paul b) Katia c) Both

2. What does Paul think?

a) Men have more options. b) Men work harder than women.
c) He wants to help everyone.

3. Who does Katia mention helping?

a) Disabled people b) Elderly women c) Anyone

4. How do they feel about giving to children?

a) They try not to b) They give extra c) They never do it

III Match.

1. Question myself It’s logical

2. That makes sense Handicapped
3. Disabled Helping
4. Supporting Slow to make a decision
5. Reluctant Wonder

86
4C
Speaking
What do you think about?

1. Do you give money to people on the streets?

Explain your answer.

2. How do you feel about giving money to children?

3. “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day;

teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.”
What is the meaning of this phrase?

4. Do you give money to any charity program? Which

one?

USEFUL LANGUAGE
- I think that helping children
on the streets is a good/bad
idea because they…
- In my opinion…
- I would say that…
- I feel happy/worried when
I help…

87
 Inspirational Story 4D

Reading
1 Read the following story about Shanti Raghavan.

THIS WOMAN HAS

HELPED MORE THAN
4,500 DISABLED
PEOPLE GET JOBS

DECEMBER 22, 2016—BANGALORE,

INDIA
When 15-year-old Hari Raghavan
was diagnosed as having retinitis
pigmentosa and started losing his
vision, his elder sister Shanti Raghavan
was working as an information surprising approach: they made him
technology professional in the United participate in adventure sports.
States.
“We focused on what he could still
“We called him over to the U.S.” she do, rather than focusing on what
recalls. “Though his eyesight had he couldn’t. We made him go
deteriorated a little, my husband and swimming, rock climbing, kayaking,
I took him to see cool touristy places hot-air ballooning, and snorkeling in
like Niagara Falls.” She had him look the ocean. We ensured that he had
at colors in contrasting arrangements a lot of fun!” Raghavan says. At the
so he could see with the little vision end of the visit, he told his sister that
he had. he felt he could walk on water and do
anything he set his mind to.
After his eyesight had further
deteriorated, Ms. Raghavan called And that he did. Mr. Raghavan
her brother over to the U.S. again. This completed his bachelor’s degree in
time, Raghavan and her husband, commerce and went on to get an MBA
Dipesh Sutariya, took a perhaps in marketing from Narsee Monjee

88
4D

College, one of the top 10 colleges In 1999, Ms. Raghavan and Sutariya
in India. His sister and Mr. Sutariya founded Enable India in Bangalore,
assisted him significantly during this offering employability training to
period. They found out about screen disabled people and working closely
readers, with which he could study. with companies to obtain jobs for these
They helped him learn how to go individuals. From a modest start, the
places on his own by using a white organization has positively affected the
cane and taught him how to cook lives of more than 130,000 people with
and access the internet, thus allowing various disabilities—with 4,500-plus
him to do whatever he wanted and being placed in 600 companies.
needed to.
“Shanti Raghavan is an exceptional
But even though Raghavan was first individual,” says Javed Abidi, a well-
in his MBA class and sat through 70 known disability rights activist in India,
job interviews, he wasn’t offered a in an email. “Motivated by her brother’s
position. In India, disability is often struggles, she got associated with the
considered a curse, and finding disability sector and today, she is an
employment can be especially enabler and a leader in the disability
challenging. space in her own right,” adds Mr.
Abidi, who is chairperson of Disabled
Finally, however, Raghavan got a job People’s International.
with Tata Finance. Still, his sister and
her husband hardly thought they
were done.

“On this journey of enabling him, we

felt that we needed to do something
with the knowledge we had. We were
not thinking of anything big at that
time, but we felt we could assist those
who needed help,” she says.

89
 4D
Vocabulary
EXTREME SPORTS
1. mountain biking 6. rock climbing

2. bungee jumping 7. paragliding

3. sky diving 8. rafting

4. paintballing 9. scuba diving

5. skateboarding 10. car racing

90
4E
Review
I Vocabulary
A Choose the correct alternative.

1. It was very difficult for her. She was ____________ about her decision.
a. agree b. reluctant c. handicapped

2. I ___________ why Maria didn’t go to the party, she is a partygoer girl.

a. disabled b. reluctant c. wonder

3. With your donations you are ________ this group of abandonned kids.
a. reluctant b. wonder c. supporting

4. That ___________ man is always on that corner asking for some food
and money. Poor thing! Fortunately, people support him a lot.
a. reluctant b. wonder c. disabled

5. I ______ with his answer, I prefer to teach how to fish than to give a fish.
a. wonder b. agree c. disabled

6. His ___________ was not an excuse for being a successful singer. Ray
Charles was a great musician.
a. blindness b. supporting c. injury

7. My ___________ were paralyzed after the accident. After the

______________ therapy I was able to walk again.
a. limbs/rehabilitation b. prosthesis/limbs c. injury/sight

8. After the accident, Sandra suffered an _____________ of her left foot.

Now, she has a ___________ to help her doing her normal activities.
a. injury/bionic b. amputation/rehabilitation
c. amputation/prosthesis

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 4E

B Unscramble the words.

1. rapalsisy ______________ 5. mibl __________________

2. litomybi ______________ 6. cinboi ________________
3. trispohess ____________ 7. linbd __________________
4. yirunj ________________ 8. ybiidaslit ______________

C Write sentences with the words above.

1. ____________________________________________________________

2. ____________________________________________________________

3. ____________________________________________________________

4. ____________________________________________________________

5. ____________________________________________________________

6. ____________________________________________________________

7. _________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

8. _________________________________________

_________________________________________

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4E

II Grammar

A Put the correct form of either can or be able to for

each sentence. Only use be able to if absolutely
necessary.

1. I haven’t _________ concentrate recently at work. I don’t know what it is.

2. My brother _________ cook very well. He is a chef in a French

restaurant.
3. When he was only 2, my friend Lee _____________ speak quite well.

4. I have to go to a business dinner tomorrow night so I _________ (not)

come to the party. I’m very sorry.

5. Kevin lived in Italy for six years, so he must ___________ speak Italian

quite well. He will help you with your homework.

6. This telephone is terrible. I _________ (not) hear you at all.

7. When the car drove into the lake, one of the passengers ________ (not)

open the door and had to be rescued.

8. Despite the arrival of the storm, they _______ finish the football match.

9. When I was very young, I used to ________ touch my toes, but I can’t

now!!
10. The house was totally empty all day yesterday and I _________ finish

that book I was reading.

11. My mother tells me that her grandfather was one of the best musicians

of his time in the city and __________ play the piano like a professional.
12. I hope to ____________ speak English very well after this course

finishes.

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 4E

B Complete the sentences with can, could or be able to and the verbs in
parentheses.

1. When I was 5, I ________(play) the piano very well.

2. My grandpa was a talented artist, he ______(play) the

guitar when he was a child.

3. Carlitos is _______(speak) 3 languages, his mom is

from France, his father from Peru and they live in the

United States.

4. After 2 years of studying hard, Sandra ___________

(enter) at San Marcos University to study Medicine. Her

family is proud of her!

5. Simon _______(sing) beautifully, he is organizing a

presentation for next month.

6. Next year Sarita will ____________(speak) English very

well if she continues with her conversation classes.

7. After some weeks training a lot, Alex ______________

(run) in a marathon, he feels proud of himself.

94
4F
Writing Tips
Draft 1
Complete the mind map with the abilities people around you have.

My best
friend - sing

My neighbor Brother - run

- dance fast
ABILITIES
AROUND ME

Sister - draw

Dad - cook
delicious

95
 4F
Draft 2
Write sentences with your phrases on draft 1.

1. _____________________________________________________

2. _____________________________________________________

3. _____________________________________________________

4. _____________________________________________________

5. _____________________________________________________

6. _____________________________________________________

7. _____________________________________________________

8. _____________________________________________________

Final Version
Organize your ideas from draft 1 and 2 in three paragraphs
(introduction-body-conclusion). You can follow the model.

Structures that you have to use: can and be able to.

96
4F

Abilities
around
me

Everybody has abilities to share. Around me, I

INTRODUCTION
see my family and my friends doing simple things
every day.

In my family, my mom can________, my dad can

________________________________________
BODY _______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
________________. My friends also have some
abilities. Maria can ________________________.

Finally, writing about me; I am able to __________,

CONCLUSION to _________ and to _______________________
________________________________________.

97
 Unit 5

CHALLENGES ARE
WHAT MAKE LIFE
INTERESTING.
OVERCOMING
THEM IS WHAT
MAKES LIFE
MEANINGFUL.
—JOSHUA J.
MARINE

UNIT 5 - FACING CHALLENGES

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5A
Have You Ever Faced a
Difficult Situation?
Grammar
1 Look at the pictures and match them with the correct situation.
a. Being a new student at school. c. Being stuck in a lift.
b. You text your crush and she ignores you. d. Your favorite shirt stains.

1 2

3 4

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 5A
2 Have you ever experienced any of the situations mentioned above?
Talk with your peers about them.

3 Below there are some recommendations that might help to overcome

some bad experiences. Match the recommendations with the most
suitable situation of activity 1.

Calm must be kept to be able to think Even though friendships can blossom
clearly what to do. If it is case modern naturally, some energy is taken to
phones should be used to have a light go out and meet a new friend. So,
source and make emergency calls. easy and simple topics should be
Also The Emergency button is pressed considered at first starting.
to alert people and be rescued the
sooner as possible.

When your favorite garment is marked Time should not be wasted by you
with a dirty and colored mark, difficult expecting a genuine reply and
to remove, you can follow these ideas: delaying your sleeping waiting for
a piece of tape should be pressed her/him. Life should be lived on your
onto the dirty mark, then peel it off. own. Move on!
Talcum powder should be sprinkled
onto it and should be tapped down
with your fingers. This works great on
silk.

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5A
Look at the structures in bold of the previous activity and complete
the chart with the correct passive voice taken from it.

ACTIVE VOICE PASSIVE VOICE

You marked your favorite garment. Your favorite garment is marked by you.
You must keep calm. Calm ______________ by you.
You should live life on your own. Life ________________ on your own.
You shouldn’t waste time. Time ______________ by you.

We often use passive voice when is not clear or important who does
an action.

The passive voice indicates the the

subject of the verb receives the
result of an action that somebody
or something else performs. The
active voice indicates that the
subject of the verb carries out an
action.

SUBJECT VERB OBJECT

ACTIVE VOICE You shouldn’t time.
waste

PASSIVE VOICE
OBJECT VERB SUBJECT

Time shouldn’t by you.

be wasted

Present passive voice form

Your favorite garment is marked by you.

Object verb to be in present + verb in PP

101
 5A

Change into passive voice

the following sentences.

1. People shouldn’t throw rubbish in the streets.

Rubbish shouldn’t be thrown by people.
2. Paul wastes money buying a lot of sweets.
Money _______________________________________________________
3. Children usually stain clothes with sauce.
_____________________________________________________________
4. Generally, boys start chats with girls.
_____________________________________________________________
5. Parents must have patience with their children.
_____________________________________________________________
6. My crush often ignores me.
_____________________________________________________________
7. You mustn’t use lifts during an earthquake.
_____________________________________________________________
8. People lose calm when are stuck in the elevator.
_____________________________________________________________
9. Teenagers love chatting on their cellphones.
_____________________________________________________________
10. You should turn off the TV when you go to bed.
_____________________________________________________________

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5A
Vocabulary

Use the context in the

sentences to help you
work out the meaning of
the words in bold.

a. Heavy snow delayed the start of the game.

b. Really, the conference was a waste of time.

c. I like to sprinkle a little bit of cheese over my pasta.

d. She washed the garment and then hung it.

e. Willy peeled the old paint off the wall before applying the new paint.

f. A good relationship blossoms when you invest the best of you in it.
g. After the earthquake the police department rescued the victims.

1. To drop a few pieces or drops of something over a surface. _______________

2. A piece of clothing. _____________________

3. To flourish. ____________________________

4. To make something happen at a later time than originally planned or

expected._____________________________
5. An unnecessary or wrong use of money, substances, time, energy, abilities,

etc. __________________________________
6. To help someone or something out of a dangerous, harmful, or unpleasant

situation. _____________________________
7. To remove the outer layer from something. __________________________

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 5A
What’s a collocation?

Collocation is a group of two or more

words that like to hang out together.
Here are some examples of common
collocations that you might know.

make tea - I made a cup of tea for lunch.

do homework - I did all of my homework
yesterday.

Even though is possible to use other word combinations, understanding collocations

help us to improve our fluency because they are words that usually go together.

Find the collocations

Find a verb that will go with the three words given in any one square.

fruit a baby a $20 bill

old a speech your clothes
a beard a letter trains

a bed your way your best

a mistake a purse the washing up

a fuss your temper your homework

do / deliver / finish / change / grow / lose / make

104
5B
Can Tech Make Our Life
Easier?
Listening
Listen to the radio program and number the order
these gadgets are mentioned in the audio.

Now listen again and write the name of the gadgets.

chariot w_______ h_______ g________

________ p______ w_______ t________

Write the name of the gadget according to the benefits they offer.

1. You’ll never have burnt bread again.

___________________________________.

2. You can ride them on the pavement, in a field or on the ground.

___________________________________.

3. You won’t never have cold hands at least for four hours.
___________________________________.

4. You can make a call, listen to music and know the time.
___________________________________.

105
 5B
Listen again and match the gadgets with their inventors.

1. The glass toaster was invented by Sanyo

2. The watch phone was developed by Michael Jenkins
3. The Chariot skates were designed by Inventables Company
4. The hand warmer was invented by LG Electronics

Grammar
They were invented, designed, made for making life easier.

Let’s analyze these two examples extracted from the listening activity.

What’s the difference between them? When do you think we use the
second form?

1 LG Electronics developed the

watch phone.
The watch phone was
developed by LG Electronics.

2 Michael Jenkins designed

the Chariot skates.
The Chariot skates were
designed by Michael Jenkins.

The 1st sentences in both examples are in active voice because the performer of the
action comes first. When we don´t want to emphasize the performer of the action but
the person or thing acted on (object of the main verb) we use passive voice (PV) putting
it at the beginning of the sentence.

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5B
Remember that...
Passive form of the verb in PV structures is
signaled by a form of the verb to be followed
by a verb in past participle.

Past passive voice forms

Change the sentences in active voice into passive voice.

1. During World War II Einstein wrote a letter to President Franklin Roosevelt.

__________________________________________________________________
2. Einstein outlined Roosevelt’s potential uses of an atomic bomb and ways to
support American scientists.
__________________________________________________________________
3. Roosevelt created a Committee of scientists and engineers to develop Einstein’s
idea.
__________________________________________________________________
4. Roosevelt called this secret Project against Nazy Germany “The Manhattan Project”.
__________________________________________________________________
5. The development of the Atomic Energy also brought out some benefits to society.
__________________________________________________________________
6. In 2004, Mark Zuckerberg designed and developed a social platform called The
Facebook.
__________________________________________________________________
7. Initially, only Harvard students accessed to The Facebook.
__________________________________________________________________
8. The Facebook expanded invitations to other top colleges.
__________________________________________________________________
9. In 2006, The Facebook changed its name and domain to Facebook.
__________________________________________________________________
10. Finally, Facebook opened membership to anyone with a valid email address.
__________________________________________________________________

107
 5B
Reading
The Shard Tower
1 Quickly read the text,
then write the correct
paragraph headings in
the spaces above the
four paragraphs.

a. New building, new name

b. For the public
c. Construction
d. History

___________________________________
In early February 2013, the tallest building in the EU was open/
were open to the public. This structure was originally knew as/was
P1 originally known as London Bridge Tower, but became the Shard
after critics claimed it looked like “a shard of glass”.

___________________________________
The Shard is designed/was designed in the year 2000 by an Italian
architect called Renzo Piano, whose work also includes the Pompidou
P2 Centre in Paris and the Lloyds building in London. People said that
he were inspired/was inspired by church spires across the city of
London. In 1998, a property developer called Irvine Sellar purchased
a site near London Bridge in the London borough of Southwark, and
later met with Renzo Piano in a restaurant in Berlin to discuss the
redevelopment of the area. It was report/was reported that Mr. Piano
at first rejected the idea of designing a tall building, as he believed
they were “statements of arrogance”; however, he persuaded/was
persuaded to participate in the project and began drafting a design
of the Shard on the back of a menu.

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5B

___________________________________
The Shard ____________________ (construct) around a very strong
concrete centre, which _____________ (contain) key building services
P3 such as escape routes and 44 lifts. To ensure that people can move
around the building efficiently, the offices _______________ (service)
by double-decker lifts and, in case of emergencies, there are also
three sets of stairs. The structure ___________________ (design) to
move as much as 20 inches if necessary, so that the centre of the
building can withstand forces such as high winds and earthquakes.
In total, 11,000 glass panels _________________ (use) and the glass
exterior is 56,000 square metres, which is equivalent to eight football
pitches. An interesting fact is that the Shard __________ (build) using
approximately 95% recycled materials.

___________________________________
When it opens in February, past and present icons of Britain’s capital
city ____________ (display) in illustrated form throughout the entrance
P4 lobby. Visitors will be able to access viewing spaces on levels 68 to
72 of the skyscraper. The public ____________ (take) to the 68th floor
in lifts that __________ (travel) at approximately six metres a second,
listening to music composed by the London Symphony Orchestra.
The developers ____________ (claim) that guests will be able to see
for 64 km on a clear day, taking in the capital’s famous landmarks
and far beyond. Information about more than 200 London attractions
will be accessible via digital telescopes called ‘tell:scopes’, which
guests will be able to use to see both day and night views of the city.
It ____________ (expect) that 1 million people will __________ (visit)
the Shard per year, and it will also be possible to stay at the 200-
room hotel, go to the spa, or eat at a variety of restaurants which
____________ (locate) in the Shard.

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 5B
2 Read the first two paragraphs in more detail. Choose the correct option
to complete the sentences.

3 Write the correct forms of the verbs in brackets (present or past passive
voice) to complete the sentences in paragraphs 3 and 4.

Vocabulary
Find the definition of the words in bold.
Follow the context of the sentence.

1. The government purchased modern patrol cars to improve security in the streets.
2. Japanese buildings are built to withstand strong earthquakes.
3. After their soccer team had won, supporters invaded the pitch.
4. People who clean skyscraper glass windows are well paid.
5. Shards of glass were put at the top of the wall to stop people climbing over.
6. Let’s take the lift to the top floor.
7. Photographs of her childhood were displayed on her desk.

1. A device like a box that moves up and down, carrying people or

goods from one floor of a building to another. __________________
2. A piece of a broken glass, cup, container, or similar object.
________________________________________________
3. To buy something. ________________________________
4. To resist. ________________________________________
5. An area painted with lines for playing particular sports, especially
football. _________________________________________
6. To arrange something or a collection of things so that it can be seen
by the public. ____________________________________
7. A very tall modern building, usually in a city. ___________________

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5B

PRONUNCIATION What’s a silent letter?

A silent letter in a word is one that is written but not pronounced, such as the words
given in the list below.

Silent Letter

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 Can You Live Without 5C

Your Smartphone?
Listening
Look at the picture.
What do you think is
happening?

1 Listen to the track and complete the blanks.

a. The people are ___________ of being without their ____________.

b. __________ percent in the UK confessed to nomophobia this year.
c. Feature phones which we use predominantly for _________ and _________
text messages.
d. We don’t forget the __________ at home.
e. We’re so _______________ on it.
f. We’re using it in all ____________ when we need it and we can use it for
good ___________.
g. What would you do a week if you didn’t have access to your
_______________?

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5C
2 Listen again and answer the questions.
a. What is nomophobia?
________________________________________________________________
b. What kind of phones existed before the smartphones?
________________________________________________________________
c. According to the presenter why is it less probable to forget our mobile at home?
________________________________________________________________

Speaking time How smartphone-dependent are you?

Survey your friends, complete the chart and find out how smartphone-dependent
are they?
Always Sometimes Never

Would you panic if you forgot your cellphone at home?

Would you get scared if your cellphone ran out of

battery?
Would you feel anxiety for not having data signal and
not be able to connect Wi-Fi?
Would you feel awkward because you could not check
your notifications?
TOTAL

Would you panic

if you forgot your Yes, I would.
cellphone at I can’t live
home? without my
cellphone.

always = 3 points sometimes = 2 points never = 1 point

IF YOU GET:
9 TO 12 = No doubt you’re definitely a smartphone dependent.
5 TO 8 = You are on the way to be a possible smartphone dependent.
1 TO 4 = Congratulations you are not dependent on your smartphone.

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 5C
Vocabulary
Match the words with their correct definition.

panic / run out / awkward / Wi-Fi / anxiety

1. A system for connecting electronic equipment such as

computers and electronic organizers to the internet without
using wires. ________________________
2. Difficult to use, do, or deal with. ________________________
3. When all of it has been used or it is completely finished. ________________________
4. A sudden strong feeling of fear that prevents reasonable
thought and action. ________________________
5. An uncomfortable feeling of nervousness or worry about
something that is happening or might happen in the future. ________________________

Idioms What’s the meaning of the idioms? Choose the correct option.

To hit the panic Every time a tremor starts Mirell hits

button the panic button and leaps from
her seat and runs outside home.

To react to a situation with fear and

confusion.

To react with calm and patience.

Click with someone Rose introduced me her brother and

/something I clicked with him. Now we are good
friends.

To like someone immediately.

To realize I don’t like someone.

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5D
Review
Complete the sentences with the present or past simple passive of
the verb in brackets.

1. How many newspapers __________ (print) in Britain every day?

2. Who __________________________ (this play/write) by?
3. German _______________________ (speak) in Germany, Austria, and part
of Switzerland.
4. The royal wedding _______________ (watch) by millions of people in 2011.
5. Nowadays, a lot of computers ______ (make) in Korea.
6. The Harry Potter films _____________ (not direct) by Steven Spielberg.
7. How much ______________________ (paper/recycle) in Poland each year?
8. In the UK, alcohol ________________ (not sell) to anyone under 18. It’s
against the law.

Rewrite the sentences in passive voice.

1. He opens the door. ____________________________________________

2. We set the table last night. _______________________________________
3. She paid a lot of money for her smartphone. ________________________
4. I drew a picture of Machu Picchu. _________________________________
5. They wear white tennis for school . ________________________________
6. They don’t help you. ____________________________________________
7. He doesn’t open the book. _______________________________________
8. You do not write romantic letters. __________________________________
9. Does your mom pick you up? _____________________________________
10. Does the police officer catch the thief? ______________________________

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 5D

Complete the sentences with the words in the box.

garment / lift / sprinkle / waste / run out

1. I don’t want to go up the stairs, I’ll take

the __________________.
2. Is there any salt? I want to
______________ it over my soup.
3. Can you take this _____________ to the
laundromat?
4. Oh no! I’m ___________ of cash. I need
to go to the bank.
5. Do your homework! Do not
______________ your time.

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5E
Writing Tips
Write an essay about technology advantages and disadvantages.

Draft 1
Write the advantages and disadvantages you think technology has currently.

Advantages Disadvantages
_________________________ _________________________
_________________________ _________________________
_________________________ _________________________
_________________________ _________________________
_________________________ _________________________

These expressions may be useful for your essay:

TO INTRODUCE THE OPINION OF OTHERS TO EXPRESS YOUR OPINION

Many people believe that… I personally feel that…

It is considered by many that… I (do) believe that…
It is thought that… I firmly believe that…
Others argue/claim/say/maintain that… I partfully agree that…
Another point of view is that… In my opinion…
Many people believe/think that… My personal view is that…
It is widely believed that… It seems to me that…
It is generally agreed that…
It is sometimes claimed/said that…
TO GIVE EXAMPLES
According to…
For instance,…
For example,…

TO EXPRESS CONTRAST: on the other hand, but however

TO END YOUR WRITING: finally, in conclusion, to summarize

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 5E
Final Version
Organize your ideas from draft 1 and try to use the expressions.

Structures that you have to use: PASSIVE VOICE

Technology: a
problem or a
benefit?
Have you ever wondered the impact technology
INTRODUCTION
has in society nowadays?
It is believed by many that technology makes our
lives easier, however, others think that it is causing
terrible effects in our society. Here I analyze the
advantages and disadvantages of technology.

It is generally agreed that technology may bring...

(write the advantages of draft 1)
BODY On the other hand, others claim that… (write the
disadvantages)

In conclusion, I think technology is a good thing,

CONCLUSION and that is has its advantages, but it depends on
the users control over it.

118
 Unit 6

YOU DON’T
DROWN
BY FALLING
IN THE WATER;
YOU DROWN BY
STAYING THERE.
—ED COLE

UNIT 6 - AT THE BACKSTAGE

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6A
Hollywood Celebrities
Reading

1 Read the following text.

a. Look at the photos. Who is the real

actor and who is the stuntman?
b. Read the article and match the titles
with the paragraphs. Write A-D in
the boxes. There is one title you do
not need to use.

A. Membership and training D. Necessary skills

B. A risky hard work E. Advantages of being a stuntman
C. Salary income

Movie Stuntman Jobs

If you want to feel alive, try living on the
edge. Nothing compares to heart pumping
adrenaline. It’s addicting. If you would
rather dodge bullets, crash cars, or leap
out of airplanes, then you should consider
a career as a stuntman. Stuntmen are the
faceless action heroes of film and television.
They work the scenes of the movies that are
risky. They do live action stunts that make all of us action film lovers drool. Imagine
dangling from a helicopter, driving a Ferrari in a high speed chase on windy
mountain roads, jumping off rooftops, crashing an 18-wheeler, or falling off a cliff.
This is just a day in the life of a stuntman.

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 6A

Not everyone can be a stuntman. Stuntmen

are highly trained professional performers.
They take risks as part of their jobs. Every
stunt is executed exactly as planned,
practiced, rehearsed, and reviewed. Stunts
are designed to be as safe as possible.
A beautifully choreographed sequence is
amazing to watch.
Stunts take lots of work. This means long days. You may work 14 hours a day for
multiple days in a row. You’ll also find yourself in interesting locations. Who knows
where a stunt might need to be filmed - climbing the Eiffel Tower, skiing the Grand
Tetons, blowing up the Great Wall of China.

Though no formal education is required to work as a stuntman, to apply for a job

you must be a union member of either the Screen Actors Guild or the American
Federation of Television and Radio Artists. These major film unions dictate who
can work on what films. It’s hard to get into these unions, but once you do you can
start to apply for jobs. Stuntmen often attend stunt school. Stunt schools often last
around a month and can be quite costly. Precision driving skills, wire work, martial
arts, high falls, rappels, stair falls, foot falls, harness work, weaponry, and unarmed
combat are a few of the things you’ll learn at a school like the International Stunt
School.

Stuntmen average $70,000 per year. If you’re newer to the industry, you may only
make $5,000 per year. It all depends on how much work you manage to find. The
highest end stuntmen can make up to $250,000 per year. All it takes is one stunt
to make money - the highest paid stunt ever was $150,000 for jumping off the CN
Tower in Toronto. That’s about a $15,000 per second wage. Could you do that?

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6A

2 Answer the following questions.

1. What kind of scenes does a stuntman do?

______________________________________________________
2. What requirement do you need to work as a stuntman?
______________________________________________________
3. What kind of training does a stuntman need to have?
______________________________________________________
4. Is it easy to be a stuntman?
______________________________________________________

Listening
Who’s your favorite actor?

Track 1. Listen to a conversation

between Kate and Todd and
complete the blanks.

1. Kate’s favorite actor is (1)__________________. He’s (2)__________________

but he’s (3)_______________ a very good actor.
2. Kate really likes (4)________________. That was a very good movie.
3. Kate said that he has a (5)_____________ _____________ out called Mr. and
Mrs. Smith with Angelina Jolie.
4. Kate heard that Angelina Jolie has been with Brad Pitt while they were
(6)__________ __________ __________, although Brad Pitt is (7)__________
___________ ___________ with Jennifer Anniston.
5. Kate prefers Jennifer Anniston because she’s (8)__________ __________ and
more… they seem like they could have a nice little (9)___________ ___________.
6. Kate thinks that his (10)__________ and his __________ makes him attractive.

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 6A
Vocabulary
A Match the words with its definition.

1. Dodge To practice a play or a piece of music to prepare a

public performance.
2. Pump To hang loosely.
3. Stunt To go down a very steep slope by holding into a rope
that is fastened to the top of the slope.
4. Drool Cable or metal strand.
5. Wire A particular amount of money that is paid to an employee
who does work that needs physical skills or strength.
6. Dangle To jump out-ward from something.
7. Rappel To move quickly away from something so that it doesn’t
hit you.
8. Rehearse Force (liquid, gas, etc.) to move in a specifical direction.
9. Wage An exciting action in a film that is dangerous and needs
to be done by someone skilled.
10. Leap out To allow saliva to flow out of your mouth.

B Match the words with its definition.

cliff / rooftop / 18-wheeler

123
6A Grammar
Relative clauses

A stuntman is a person who works on risky

scenes.
Risky scenes which are part of movies make film
lovers drool.
The Eiffel Tower where the movie was filmed was
the stuntman’s favorite location.
2001 when Ocean’s Eleven was released was a
great year for Brad Pitt.
Stuntmen whose profession is very risky earned
good money.

We use _____________ to give extra information about people.

We use _____________ to give extra information about things.
We use _____________ to give extra information about places.
We use _____________ to give extra information about possessions.
We use _____________ to give extra information about dates.

1 Complete the blanks with the correct relative pronoun.

2 Join and rearrange the two sentences to make one. Use the
word at the end.

a. The film was made in Australia. The director was born there. (where)
________________________________________________________
b. Brad Pitt became a big star after Interview with the Vampire. His
career began when he was a child. (whose)
________________________________________________________
c. He had to be away from home. This was difficult for him. (which)
________________________________________________________
d. Anniston got married to Brad Pitt in 1999. She divorced in 2005. (who)
________________________________________________________
e. The stuntman had to go to The Great Wall of China. The last scene
took place there. (where)
________________________________________________________
f. Brad and Angelina fell in love in 2005. They filmed Mr. and Mrs. Smith
in 2005. (when)
_______________________________________________________

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 Movies, Movies! 6B

Grammar
Defining and non-defining relative clauses

Look at the sentences below. Would the sentences

keep the same meaning if we tried omitting the
relative clauses from the sentences?

We’re looking for someone WHO/THAT can speak German fluently.

main clause relative clause

Are you talking about the film WHICH/THAT won seven Oscars?
main clause relative clause

The restaurant WHERE we had dinner last night was very expensive.
relative clause

Defining relative clauses give essential information about the person, thing, etc.
they refer to. The main clause is incomplete without the defining relative clause (DRC).
DRCs are not separated from the main clause by commas.

Now look at these sentences. Is it posible to omit the

relative clause without changing the meaning of the
whole sentence?

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6B

The animation Coco WHICH I saw last month, won two Oscars.
relative clause

To be a stuntman, WHICH is a risky occupation, is well paid.

relative clause

Non-defining relative clauses (NDRC) give extra information about the person,
thing etc. they refer to. The meaning of the main clause is not affected even if the
non-defining clause is omitted. NDRC are always separated from he main clause
by commas.

Are these relative clauses defining or non-defining?

London, which is the capital of England, is one of the largest cities in the world.
(______________________)
This is the dress my mother has made for me. (_______________)
Queen Elizabeth II, who is 83, has been the queen of England for 57 years now.
(______________________)
That’s the dog that bit me. (________________________)
Tom Cruise, who has starred a lot of films, is a famous American actor.
(______________________)
The village where I grew up is very small. (____________________)
Greg, whose job involves traveling a lot, has been in nearly all the countries in the
world. (______________________)
The office I have just rented is near my home. (_____________________)
This is the officer that arrested the burglar. (________________________)
Lady Gaga, who is a well-known pop star, is only 24. (_______________)

126
 6B
Vocabulary: Strange Occupations
A Read the information in the boxes and number the pictures from 1 to 8.

1. Train pusher 2. Snake milker

If you think the London Underground Not for the light hearted. The job of a
is bad, you should see the trains in snake milker is to collect the venom
Japan. ‘Oshiyas’ are hired to help of poisonous snakes in jars for use in
cram as many people onto a train as anti-venoms and other medication.
possible by pushing them from the Thank god someone’s brave enough!
outside until the doors will close.

3. Professional 4. Dog food taster

sleeper The dog food tester’s job is to taste
new dog food products, including
A hotel in Finland hired a member
bones, tinned meat and biscuits. They
of staff as a ‘professional sleeper’
do this to test for flavor and texture in
to test the comfort of their beds. The
comparison to rival dog food brands
individual sleeps in a different one of
and human food. Hmm… tastey?
the hotel beds each night and writes
a review about her satisfaction with
each one.

5. Full-time Netflix
Imagine being paid to watch TV all day! Well for one lucky employee this dream has
become reality. Netflix have hired someone to watch all of their content before it is
available to the public and their role is to review and assign each program its correct
tag, which help us viewers find exactly what we’re after, whether it’s a romantic crime
movie based on classic literature or witty talking-animal TV show.

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6B

6. Scuba diving 7. Vomit collector

pizza delivery Inevitably, some people who can’t
man handle the twists and turns of
rollercoasters end up losing their
If the fact that there’s an underwater lunches. But have you ever thought
hotel in Florida isn’t bizarre enough, about the person who has to clean it
to add on to that, they have a scuba all up? Meet Rhys Owen, the official
diving pizza delivery man who vomit collector at Thorpe Park, a theme
supplies them with pizza by carrying park in England. The park needed a
them through the sea in a watertight dedicated ‘chunder-cleaner’, as they
case. What a service! so charmingly put it in Britain, for a
particularly stomach-churning ride.
“Although being responsible for
cleaning up peoples’ puke is a bit
gross, I am up for taking on the
chunder challenge,” says Owen.
“I absolutely love rollercoasters and
the perk of being able to ride them for
free makes the sick collection worth it
8. Armpit sniffer - I may have to invest in a nose peg
Store shelves are packed with all kinds though!”
of deodorant - and some work better
than others. But who determines
whether a deodorant is actually
effective? Since test subjects can’t
necessarily be trusted to evaluate their
own bodily odors, odor testers have
to step in and sniff for themselves. It’s
a dirty job, but someone’s gotta do it.

128
 6B

129
6B

Collocations
Handle = To deal with
a situation, a person,
an area of work or a
strong emotion.

Be (un)able to handle
Ex. Sarahi was unable to handle that situation.
Handle (competently, properly, efficiently)
Ex: The situation was handled properly.
Can/can’t handle (criticism, the truth, the loss, etc.)
Ex: Marco can’t handle the truth!
Know how to handle
Ex: I know how to handle it!
Learn how to handle
Ex: No problem, she will learn how to handle the group.
Be easy to handle
Ex: It’s easy to handle!

130
My Favorite Movie Ever! 6C

Listening
Track 2: you are going to listen to a conversation between Wendi and Ken.

1 Complete the chart with yes - no - doesn’t say according to the

preferences of Wendi and Ken.

JURASSIC
TITANIC DINOSAURS UNICORN
PARK
WENDI

KEN

2 Answer to the questions.

a. How many times Ken watched Titanic?

______________________________________________________________
b. Who had t-shirt dinosaurs?
______________________________________________________________
c. Why this person likes dinosaurs?
__________________________________________
__________________________________________

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6C
Grammar Causative verbs: have and get
Has somebody given to you any responsibility to do?
Look at the picture. In the scene of the movie Not Instructions Included Julie gave
Valentin Bravo, an ex boyfriend, to raise up their daughter.

Julie had Valentin raise up their daughter.

Have = give someone else

the responsibility to do something.
Grammatical structure:
have + person + verb (base form)

Complete the causative sentences using the correct verb.

make / call / write / bring / look

I’ll have my assistant ______________ you to reschedule the appointment.

The businessman had his secretary ______________ copies of the report.
Your car engine is making some strange sounds. Why don’t you have a
mechanic _________ at it?
The teacher had everyone ________ a story about a special childhood
experience.
Just wait here. I’ll have someone _______ your suitcases up to your room.

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 6C

Have you ever been convinced to

do something?

Look at the picture. In the scene of

the movie Not Instructions Included
Maggie convinced his father who is
a stuntman to jump from a very high
building.

Maggie got his father to jump from a high building.

Get = convince/encourage
someone to do something
Grammatical structure:
get + person + to + verb

Complete the causative sentences using the correct verb.

take / wash / arrive / try

How can we get all the employees ________________ on time?

My husband hates housework; I can never get him __________ the dishes!
I was nervous about eating sushi, but my brother got me _________ it at a
Japanese restaurant.
The non-profit got a professional photographer ___________ photos at the
event for free.

133
6C
Speaking
What’s your favorite movie?

Ask your partner the

following questions.

1. What is your favorite movie?

2. What kind of movie is it?
3. Explain the plot (3 ideas).
4. Who is your favorite movie
star?

Useful Language
- My favorite movie is _______________.
- It’s a ______________________ movie.
- My favorite movie star is ___________.
- The story starts when ______________,
then ___________________________,
finally __________________________.

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 6C

Idioms

THE SHOW MUST GO ON = Something that we say, which means that an

event or activity must continue, even if there are problems or difficulties.
For example: I’ve got a terrible cold, but I’ve got to go to work. The show
must go on.

TO BE IN THE LIMELIGHT = To be the centre of attention.

For example: Ignore her, she’d do anything to keep herself in the limelight.

A DOG AND PONY SHOW = A show or other event that has been organized
in order to get people’s support or to persuade them to buy something.
For example: The whole party was just a dog and pony show for the
politicians.

GIVE SOMETHING TWO THUMBS UP = To show that you thought a movie

was excellent.
For example: I love that movie, I give it two thumbs up.

BREAK A LEG = For wishing someone good luck, especially before a

performance.
For example: Hey, hope you break a leg tonight!

135
6D
Did You Know That?
HOW TO STOP STUTTERING?
Stuttering is a speech disorder. If you remaining 25 percent experience this
stutter, you may know what you want to disorder throughout adulthood. About
say but find it hard to get the words out. 3 million children and adults in the
The words may seem to get stuck, or United States are affected.
you may find yourself repeating them
over and over. You may also pause at
certain syllables.
Stuttering affects people of all ages, but
it’s most commonly seen in children
ages 2 to 6. About 75 percent of
children lose this stutter with time. The

Although stuttering can’t be feel more at ease with yourself

completely cured, there are a few and the way that your speech
things that you can do to improve sounds.
your speech. Tip #3: Go electronic. In some
Tip #1: Slow down. One of the cases, a specialized ear device
more effective ways to stop a called as a speech monitor may
stutter is to talk slowly. Rushing be helpful. These devices use
to complete a thought can cause delayed and frequency-altered
you to stammer, speed up your feedback software to help you
speech, or have trouble getting speak more fluently. These devices
the words out. Taking a few deep often cost anywhere from $2,500
breaths and speaking slowly can to $4,500, so it’s important to be
help control the stutter. sure that this is the best option for
Tip #2: Practice. Reach out to a you. Talk with your doctor about
close friend or family member to what benefits an ear device may
see if they can sit with you and offer and whether there are any
talk. Practicing your speech in a financial assistance programs
safe environment may help you available.

136
 Inspirational Story 6E

Ed Sheeran

Ever wonder how Ed Sheeran’s life Let’s take a closer look at the struggles
story goes like? Well, he - like many of and wins of pop superstar Ed Sheeran.
us - didn’t have it easy. Dealing with his Edward Christopher Sheeran was born
fair share of struggles from bullying, to in February 1991 in Halifax, England. He
inner battles, insecurity and shame, to had one older brother and his parents
becoming an award-winning singer, were running an art consultancy at the
Ed Sheeran’s story shows how the artist time.
learned to embrace his uniqueness and While he struggled with socializing in
overcame his challenges in order to school, he had an interest in music from
bring us one of the most beautiful voices a very young age. He became part of
of our time. a church choir at 4 and soon started
The English singer, songwriter, and playing the guitar. At 11 he was already
guitarist is loved by young and old writing songs, which was inspired by a
everywhere across the world. His voice backstage chat with Damien Rice. Not
gathers people together, even those who only was his love for music obvious, but
usually don’t prefer this type of music. He also his talent started being noticed by
appeared on stage as a shy ginger boy, others around him.
but instantly won the hearts of everyone Speech therapy wasn’t going well and
listening. And that was just the beginning. one of his biggest fears was that he’ll

137
6D

be like that for the rest of his life. But Example, who liked his style so much
things changed when one day his that he invited him to tour together.
dad brought him Eminem’s record. Ed That allowed Ed Sheeran to start
Sheeran was amazed by how fast the dreaming bigger. He knew that if he
singer was rapping. This inspired him wanted to see progress, he had to move
and he learned every word by the time to America. He arrived in LA without a
he was 10. He began writing more of his recording contract or a place to stay.
own music, and suddenly his stutter was He began sending out his music to
gone. anyone he could reach out to, but
Ed knew music was his calling and he received no answers. Until one day,
had to do something about it. So in while on the show of a local radio host,
addition to playing the guitar and writing he was brought to the stage. Terrified, he
songs, he started performing in different started playing. 12 minutes later, he got
venues. Soon he had 12 shows in a a standing ovation.
week. That continued for four years, and The host’s name was Jamie Foxx, who
not long after he was already recording was so impressed that he let Ed Sheeran
CDs and selling them. use his recording studio. Not just that, but
At the age of 14, Ed Sheeran took his he also let the boy crash on his couch for
guitar, packed some clothes, and a few weeks.
headed to London to officially start his
music career and see where it can take
him.
Being on the road was far from easy.
He shares that when he couldn’t find a
couch for the night, he had to sleep in
parks or in the subway. He had some
nights when he didn’t have any money
for food and was often on the verge of
giving up but he didn’t.
The big leap was in 2010, and while it
wouldn’t be possible without the hard
work and everything Ed Sheeran had
done so far, social media made the
success of the boy happen faster.
Not many singers were leveraging
the potential of social media channels
at the time, but Ed Sheeran quickly
spotted (and leveraged) their potential. Image: Ed Sheeran as a child.
He was posting his videos online, and Credit: The Telegraph.
one of them was noticed by the rapper

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Being weird is a
wonderful thing

Ed Sheeran’s life story is one of the modern inspiring

tales that can bring back the hope in the starving
artist and the unpopular kid. He likes to remember
the fact that one of the coolest kids from his school
later ended up being his plumber. That’s why he
believes in being yourself rather than following the
crowd or hiding your differences.
I hope that the events in Ed Sheeran’s life so far
and all that he’s been through will motivate you to
do something big too. We all have it within, and we
need to embrace our uniqueness, work with what
we’ve got, and never stop trying.

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6F
Review
I Grammar

A Complete these sentences with a suitable

relative pronoun.

1. That is the man __________ helped me when I fell

down in the street.

2. Is that your car? No, mine is the one _________ is

parked just opposite the bank.

3. That is the woman _____________ complained about

the room service.

4. This is the park _______________ we first met. Do you remember?

5. So, James is the man __________ son came on the school trip with
us? I didn’t know.

6. If you have any question, ask the girl __________ is standing at the
desk. She’ll help you.

7. They had to put away the dog ____________ bit the boy. It was too
dangerous.

8. I’m looking for a person _____________ surname begins with a k.

9. Do you still go to that pub ___________ we used to go as students?

10. The heating is not working. Do you know anyone _______________

can fix it?

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B Join these sentences using relative pronouns beginning with the

words given. Omit the pronoun if possible. Add commas if
necessary.

1. My school is very big. It is in Madrid. My school ______________ is very

big.

2. Robert Pattinson is an actor. He plays Edward Cullen in the Twilight saga.

Robert Pattinson is _____________________________________.

3. Robert Pattinson is a British actor. He plays Edward Cullen in the Twilight

saga. Robert Pattinson __________________________ is a British actor.

4. I bought this cake yesterday. It tastes delicious. The cake

________________________ tastes delicious.

5. Michael is a policeman. His father is a judge. Michael

_________________________ is a policeman.

6. I bought a computer last month. It doesn’t work properly. The computer

___________________ doesn’t work properly.

7. Prince Charles will be the king of England one day. His mother is Queen
Elizabeth. Prince Charles ________________ will be the king of England
one day.

8. I was given a dog. It is very friendly. The dog __________ is very friendly.

9. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was

written by Mark Twain. I enjoyed it a lot.
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
___________________ was written
by Mark Twain.

10. Mrs. Kelly is the woman. She took me

to hospital when I fainted at school.
Mrs. Kelly is the woman
_____________________________.

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6F

C Fill in the blanks

with the correct
form of the verb.

I need to get _____________ the leak in the kitchen. (fix)

The school should have the carpenter __________ the broken

door. (replace)

It took me a long time to get somebody _________ my question.

(answer)

Dr. Smith got his nurse __________ the patient’s temperature.

(take)

I had the mechanic __________________ the brakes. (check)

I am going to have the mechanic __________ my car. (repair)

I am going to have the gardener __________ my plants. (water)

I got my sister ____________ this maths exercise. She loves

trigonometric functions. (do)

I am going to get Peter ____________ at my old computer.

Perhaps he will be able to mend it. (look)

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II Vocabulary

A Choose one strange occupation and complete the blanks.

1. A person who collects venom from snakes: ___________________________.

2. A person who tests the comfort of the beds: __________________________.
3. A person who helps to cram people into a vehicle: _____________________.
4. A person who works near rollercoasters to clean up around: _____________.

B Choose the correct word to complete the sentences.

can handle / drooling / rehearse / wage / dodge / break a leg / pumps

1. My dog is __________-_____ because he wants to eat from my plate.

2. Sandy has to _____________ quickly to avoid the hit.

3. My uncle is in the hospital, his heart is not working well and his blood
____________ with difficulty.

4. Before the show he has to ____________ many times.

5. “_______________!” my father told to my brother before his presentation.

6. This kid is really a problem, but don’t worry I ______________ him.

7. After working all the week Carlitos received his ____________. He needs
to pay some bills.

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6F
BIG
PROJECT
…and the Oscar goes to...

Leonardo DiCaprio

Emma Stone

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 6F

Coco
Best
animated
movie
award

In groups you are going to choose the 1. The best movie

following categories for the movies you 2. The best actor
have seen and give an Oscar to: 3. The best actress
4. The best animated movie
5. The best visual effects

You have to justify the reason

of your choice.

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