2 Learning for life

WORD STORE 2A | Synonyms – exaggerated language

VOCABULARY 3 Complete the dialogue with the words and phrases
from the box. There is one extra item.

6.2
2.1 Studying and exams • synonyms
• phrasal verbs • phrases to
all the books under the sun flit frazzled
hammer in looming manic minefield
describe being relaxed/stressed
plastered regurgitate swimming in

K: You look tired, Maddie.

SHOW WHAT YOU KNOW M: Well, Kit, you sure know how to make a girl feel good.
But you’re right. I’m so frazzled I can hardly keep my
1 Choose the correct forms to complete the headlines. eyes open.
K: Well, yeah, you do look pretty awful. How come?

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Report reveals widespread 1plagiarise /
plagiarism at prestigious university. M: Awful? Er, well, life is just 1 at the moment.
I seem to 2 between school, hockey team
Celebrity 2unrecognisable / recognises and babysitting and never actually have a spare moment.
after plastic surgery nightmare. K: You should slow down a bit.
M: Well, I’d love to.

PL
Minister for Education claims he has no 3memorable /
memory of alleged incident at five-star hotel.

Education supplement: Top tips on

effective 4revision / revise.

Penguins 5familiarise / familiar themselves

with new enclosure at city zoo.
K: Then again, with the exams 3

be in the school play, aren’t you? That’s a 6

All those lines to learn and 7
all that pressure to perform.
M: Well, thanks Kit. If you were trying to 8
next month
I suppose that’s going to be difficult. Soon you’ll be
textbooks and your bedroom walls will be
with revision notes. And you’re going to

on the night –

just
 .

how stressful my life is, then you’ve done a perfect job.

WORD STORE 2B | Phrasal verbs

M
4 Complete the sentences with the correct forms of the
words from the box.

come face kick lead notch set top

Sorry I didn’t call you. I forgot to top up my phone

credit before I left home.
1 Congratulations to last week’s winning contestant who
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returns to today’s show after up an incredible

score of 131 points.
2 I know it hurts now, but soon the painkillers will
in and you’ll feel much better.
3 Experts hope that analysis of the flight recorder will
reveal more about the events up to the crash.
2 Complete the sentences with the correct forms of the 4 When with such a wide choice of handsets, it
words in brackets. can be difficult to choose the best phone for your needs.
To say that all teenagers are awkward and moody is an 5 This is a very rare school textbook from around 1830.
unfair generalisation. (general) How did you by it?
1 Jenny is so (organise) she is unable to find her 6 I need four volunteers to help out the desks
to-do list and can’t even find a pen to write a new one. in the gym hall for tomorrow’s exam.
2 Jeremy found a website where he could order
(personal) trainers with his name on.
3 I realise my fear of birds is completely
(rational) but I simply can’t get over it.
4 Emma, assuming you did your homework, could you
(summary) chapter two for the class, please?
5 The brain’s capacity to process (vision)
information is remarkable.

16
WORD STORE 2C | EXTRA Phrasal verbs with up
SHOW WHAT YOU’VE LEARNT
5 Complete the television announcements. The first
letters are given. 7 Choose the correct answer A–D.
1 You can have all the money the sun but that
doesn’t guarantee happiness.
‘For those who may have missed L is for A through B under C of D by
Love then, for the next ninety minutes, 2 The country is in debt and the government can
there’s a chance to catch up on all this no longer afford to provide free education for all.
week’s heartbreaking episodes.’ A hammering B looming C swimming D falling
‘Watch top-class chefs 1c up new dishes 3 Generally speaking, it takes around forty-eight hours
on Ultimate Chef Master Guru after the break.’ for antibiotics to kick and for patients to begin
feeling better.
‘Next on Home Plus, is your ironing 2p
A in B off C up D over

E
up? Windows need cleaning? Bathroom’s a mess?
4 Faced overwhelming evidence, the defendant
Fear not! The team from Get Scrubbing are here
finally admitted his guilt.
with golden tips to help you save time around
A in B against C to D with
the house’.
5 If you hadn’t let your work up, you’d be free to
3
‘B up on your number skills now with
enjoy the weekend.

documentary, BBC1 will be 4l

brought you It’s a Guy Thing.’

‘If you haven’t had chance to 5r

PL
our educational series Making Maths Manageable.’

‘After tonight’s compelling and heart-wrenching

things
up a bit with a new comedy from the team that

up on
the latest tech developments, then sit back and let
the DBC bring you up to date in this week’s
A read
6 I’ve read up

A nervous
B notch

B with
7 Melanie was a bundle of
driving test.
B nerves
C soak
revision methods and I think I know
the best way to go about it.
A on C in D to
on the day of her
D pile

C nervousness D nervy
8 The first part of the online music production course was
Tech-talk Magazine.’ so complicated that Simon felt totally out of his .
A depth B grip C calm D mind
M
‘Fans of quiz show IQ now have the chance to
6
l up a double portion of facts and fun 9 Selena always gets butterflies in her before a visit
with our back to back Sunday special.’ to the dentist.
A stride B stomach C brain D legs
‘Which of our powerful female athletes will
10 As her tutor had predicted, Mia sailed her piano
7
s up the strength to become this
exam and got a distinction.
year’s Miss Mega-muscle? Find out after the
A over B round C through D past
news headlines.’
SA

/10

WORD STORE 2D | Relaxed/stressed

6 Complete the diary entries. The number of letters in each missing word is in brackets.

12 June 13 June

Exam tomorrow , Can’t sleep. I’m a bundle Feel like a 6 (6) has been lifted. Managed
(6) of nerves and I’ve got 1 (11) to 7 (3) a grip last night and finally get
in my stomach. Trying to remember what some sleep. Breakfast – Dad told me to keep
I revised but my 2 (4) just keeps going things in 8 (11) and just do my best.
3
blank. Feel completely (3) of my Reminded me that I had sailed 9 (7) the
depth. Why didn’t I study more? I’ll never get mock exams. Got there, opened the paper, saw
to sleep. My 4 (5) is pounding and I’m the essay questions and a 10 (4) came
a5 (7) wreck. over me. Knew what to write – remembered
everything. Just as Dad said – took it in my
11
(6). Such a relief m

17
 READING
6.2
2.2 Bird Brains • phrases with
prepositions • collocations

BIRD BRAINS
In many cultures, crows have long been thought of in rather negative
terms. These large black birds have been regarded as bad omens:
dangerous and impure, bringers of bad luck or death. Even in the 21st
century, for many the sight of their dark shapes and large, hammering
beaks is as unwelcome as their ear-splitting cries, and few of us view them
as more than unattractive pests*.
1

E
One example of such adaptability has been observed among communities
of crows living in the urban environment of a Japanese city. There, they
have found a way of reaching food that is normally inaccessible. The birds
wait patiently at traffic lights for the oncoming traffic to stop at the red light for pedestrians. Next, they hop in front of the waiting
cars and place walnuts gathered from nearby trees on the surface of the road. Just before the lights turn green, they fly away
and, when the traffic begins to move again, the cars roll over the hard-shelled nuts and crack them open. Finally, once pedestrians
regain the right of way, the crows return and collect their delicious snacks.
2

level rises high enough for it to drink.

3
PL
In another revealing demonstration of avian* intelligence, researchers found that rooks, members of the crow family, can use
stones to raise the level of water in a container – just like the bird in the tale The Crow and the Pitcher. In the story, written thousands
of years ago by the Ethiopian slave Aesop, a thirsty crow finds a pitcher, a deep jar for storing liquids, containing too little water
for its beak to reach. The bird solves the problem by throwing pebbles, or small stones, into the pitcher one by one, until the water

To start with, the tasty treat was out of reach. Videos of the experiments show the birds examining the tube from different angles,
appearing to think the problem through. Then the researchers provide a solution in the form of a handful of pebbles. The rooks can
be seen picking up the stones and dropping them into the tube to raise the water level and bring the worm within reach. The birds
appeared to estimate* how many pebbles were needed from the start and, rather than try for the worm after each stone was
dropped, they waited until the water level was high enough. They also selected larger stones over smaller ones, for greater effect.
4
M
Rooks and crows both belong to the corvid family. According to Mr Bird, ‘corvids are
exceptionally intelligent, and in many ways rival* the great apes in their physical intelligence
and ability to solve problems. This is remarkable considering their brain is so different to the
great apes.’
5
‘Wild tool use appears to be dependent on motivation,’ said Mr Bird. ‘Rooks do not use tools
in the wild because they do not need to, not because they can’t. They have access to other
food that can be acquired without using tools.’
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Corvids are by no means the only intelligent species of bird. Parrots too demonstrate amazing
brain power. Known for their ability to ‘talk’, parrots were once thought only to mimic*
human words and phrases, but research on
captive birds has shown that they are able
to learn and use basic speech.
6
After tutoring, Alex, as he is known, has learned a vocabulary of over 100 words,
which he appears to be able to use meaningfully. Even more impressively, Alex
uses phrases such as ‘no’, ‘come here’ and ‘I want X’ in order to engage in what
appears to be genuine communication.
The old saying ‘bird brain’, traditionally used to insult someone who does
something stupid, would, it seems, perhaps be better used as a compliment for
those who show intelligence.

GLOSSARY
pest (n) – a small animal or insect that destroys crops or food supplies, or annoys other animals or humans in some way
avian (adj) – relating to birds
estimate (v) – to try to judge the value, size, cost, etc. of something without measuring it exactly
rival (v) – to be as good or important as something else
mimic (v) – to copy the behaviour, look or sound of something else
dexterity (n) – skill and speed doing something with a part of your body; in humans, usually the hands
captivity (n) – when an animal is kept in a cage or zoo rather than living in the wild

18
1 Read the article without looking at the missing 3 Complete the sentences with words from the text.
paragraphs. What is the main purpose of the text? Use the definitions in brackets to help you.
1 To highlight the intelligence of a particular species The town of Niagara is renowned for (famous for) its
of bird. huge waterfalls.
2 To compare avian intelligence to that of other 1 Giraffes have long necks so they can at
species of animals. (gain access to) leaves and fruit in the tallest trees.
3 To report a new development in research into
2 the most of (use something to the best
avian intelligence.
advantage) your visit because you might never have
2 Read the article again. Complete gaps 1–6 with the opportunity to come here again.
paragraphs A–G. There is one extra paragraph.
3 The book that Kristy needed was out of
A A similar challenge faced the rooks studied by the (not near enough to be touched) on the top shelf,
appropriately named Cambridge University zoologist, so she climbed on Daniel’s shoulders.
Christopher Bird. In a series of tests, the four rooks
4 One of the most important road signs to learn before

E
named Cook, Fry, Connelly and Monroe were offered
you drive in a foreign country is the one that shows
a worm floating on the surface of water in a vertical
who has the right of (the legal right to go
tube.
before another car or pedestrian, e.g. at a junction).
B Through the work of a professor at the University of
5 The only way to tell the twins (tell the
Arizona, one such bird is now believed to have the
difference between two similar things) is to hear them
intelligence and emotional make-up of a three- or
four-year-old child.

PL
C Crows have been engaged in this remarkable
behaviour since the 1990s and have since been
observed doing something very similar in California.
There, it is thought to be an adaptation of a method
used for opening clams. The crows were known to drop
the tightly sealed shellfish from a height onto rocks
on the seashore in order to crack them and get at the
speak. Lewis has a slightly higher voice than Tyler.

WORD STORE 2E | Collocations

4 Complete the sentences with the correct forms of the
words from the box.

dismiss
reserve
meet monotonous
stand think

nutritious flesh hidden inside. I need to break the monotony of revision somehow,
D Corvids can tell human beings apart by their voices and even if it’s just a quick walk with the dog.
M
recognise people who have fed them. They are also 1 My parents the idea of a gap year before
alarmed by the sound of those they have never seen university saying I should get my qualifications first.
before. Most intriguingly, the scientists speculate that 2 I have about doing the science project
they may be clever enough to cooperate with other with Michael because, to be frank, he’s lazy.
bird species. 3 Please give your degree some serious as
E Research, however, suggests that the common view of choosing the wrong subject is the fastest route to
the crow may be wrong. They might not be beautiful, failure.
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but they are amongst the most intelligent creatures 4 I had to stay up all night to do it, but in the end
on the planet. For example, they have demonstrated I the deadline for submission of my final
a remarkable ability to change their behaviour assignment.
according to their surroundings in order to make the 5 Katarina has always out from the crowd
most of opportunities presented. with her unusual height and that frizzy hair.
F The only animal believed to have done a similar
fluid-mechanics task is the orangutang, said Mr Bird,
a PhD student. The orangutangs were reported to have
brought a peanut within reach by spitting water into
a tube.
G One member of this incredibly bright species, the
Caledonian crow, is renowned for its ability to make
twig and leaf tools in the wild and adapt them with
great dexterity* to extract grubs and caterpillars.
However, such behaviour has never been seen in rooks
living outside captivity*.

19
 GRAMMAR
6.2
2.3 Speculating 4 Complete the sentences with the correct form
of the verbs in brackets and may, might, could or must.
Sometimes more than one answer is possible.
Ian: Rob, soon we’ll have to decide which university we
want to apply to. Does MOOCs ring a bell?
SHOW WHAT YOU KNOW Rob: Yeah, I think I may have come (come) across an
article on them some time ago. You
1 Decide what functions are expressed by the modal 1
(refer) to Massive Open
verbs in the sentences below. Online Courses, right?
We could learn together at the weekend. e Ian: Exactly. So what do you think of them?
1 At that time the students of his class could get Rob: Well, the idea of studying for a degree at the most
punished for whatever silly thing they did. prestigious universities around the world without
2 Martin and his classmates have been notified that leaving your home 2 (sound)
their A-level results may come any time. exciting, but I look at university education as a social

E
3 Sadly, my flatmates and I might not meet again. experience. Besides, there are many concepts which
4 Back then Rachel could recite very long poems require real-time discussions with fellow students
without referring to her poetry book even once. and tutors.
5 I know I must try harder if I want to get a good job. Ian: You 3 (be) right, but full-time
6 The lights in Maggie’s room are still on. She must be university fees are really high these days and you
revising for tomorrow’s test. 4
(admit) that the financial

2
a past possibility
b past ability
c obligation

Write sentences from the prompts.

PL
d speculation
e future possibility

probably / difficult / the / will / more / real / be / exam

The real exam will probably be more difficult.
1 scored / harder / work / term / those / next / poorly /
benefits of distance learning are quite appealing.
Online courses aren’t so expensive, many of them
are in fact free, plus you 5
the opportunity to juggle studies with part-time
work.
Rob: I can see you 6 (give) this
distance learning idea a lot of thought.
(have)

Ian: I’m just beginning, actually. I will definitely do some

research before making my final decision.
definitely / will / much / who

2 slackers / won’t / there / the / be / probably SHOW WHAT YOU’VE LEARNT

M
3 well / by / the / might / closed / supermarket / be / 5 Complete the second sentence so that it means the
now same as the first. Do not change the words in capitals.
Use between three and four words in each gap.
It’s impossible the cleaner saw Matt yesterday. CAN’T
REMEMBER THIS The cleaner can’t have seen Matt yesterday.
1 It’s possible they had been copying answers from each
We can use will to express certainty or confidence about:
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other long before the examiner realised it. MIGHT

• the present: Don’t text her now – she’ll be busy revising They answers from each other long
for tomorrow’s test. before the examiner realised it.
• the past: Don’t text her now – she’ll have gone to bed. 2 I’m convinced that the students themselves removed
some of the podcasts from the webpage. MUST
3 Choose the option that explains each sentence. Some of the podcasts from the
1 Most students will have memorised the wordlist by now. webpage by the students themselves.
A I’m sure most students have already memorised it. 3 His English stands no chance of improving because
B It’s possible most students have already memorised it. he doesn’t do any homework. DEFINITELY
C Perhaps most students have already memorised it. His English if he doesn’t do any homework.
2 You could have told me you weren’t taking the test. 4 I’m sure you’ve realised by now that Monica is not
A Thank you for telling me you weren’t taking it. very good with modern technology. WILL
B Why didn’t you tell me you weren’t taking it? You by now that Monica is not very
C It was possible for you to tell me you weren’t taking it. good with modern technology.
3 Ben may have annoyed the boss by asking that question. 5 Perhaps you don’t know it, but Ned came top of the
A Perhaps Ben annoyed the boss by asking it. class in Geography last year. MIGHT
B I’m sure Ben annoyed the boss by asking it. You it, but Ned came top of the class
C It’s impossible Ben annoyed the boss by asking it. in Geography last year.
4 We remember our Maths teacher could be sarcastic. 6 It’s possible we’re talking to the next Einstein. COULD
A We remember he was always sarcastic. We to the next Einstein.
B We remember that he can be sarcastic at times. /6
C We remember that he was sometimes sarcastic.
20
 USE OF ENGLISH
6.2
2.4 Accuracy with articles 3 Find six more mistakes in the text, two in each
paragraph, by adding or crossing out a/an.

a
V
Most English schools introduced ban on mobile phones during
1 Complete the pairs of sentences with a/an or Ø classes a long time ago and now they have conclusive proof
(no article). that they were right. According to the latest study, not giving
students an access to their phones translates into extra week’s
a If students want to have a good education, they education in a school year. Researchers also observed that test
need to be highly motivated. results in such schools went up by over 6 percent.
b In many countries Ø education is free only until the The research was conducted at several British schools before
age of sixteen. and after bans were introduced. ‘While it’s true that a modern
1 a Freedom of speech and belief are fundamental technology used in the classroom engages students and improves
human rights. a performance, there are also potential obstacles, as it could lead
b There is strong belief that every child should to distractions,’ the researchers say.

E
have access to education. The findings will definitely provide powerful arguments in the
2 a Marcia was widely considered as outstanding ongoing debate about pupils’ access to mobile phones. In  the
UK, staggering 90 percent of teenagers own smartphone; in the
beauty.
US, almost 75 percent.
b Do you know the saying that beauty is in the
eye of the beholder?
3 a We all have to suffer pain at one time or another. 4 Read some comments on the article in Exercise 3 and
b
4 a

b
Stop being such

PL
pain and start helping us instead!
Last year I did a lot of voluntary work for
called Sightsavers.
charity

Most people think it’s a good idea to give money to

charity.
choose the best option.

Why ban phones? Teachers should teach our children

phone etiquette instead. They should be taught from
1
Ø / a / an early age about responsible use.

My phone means everything to me. It’s 2Ø / a / an

tremendous help and I wouldn’t want to part with it.
Yeah, it helps you play games or check your
Facebook account. Thanks for 3Ø / a / an great laugh!
M
What I meant was 4Ø / a / an mobile technology
offers useful educational apps that students can use
during classes, like graphic display calculators.

Using mobile apps for checking everything is 5Ø / a /

an example of overdependence on technology.

Phones are 6Ø / a / an terrible distraction.

REMEMBER THIS I wish my school would ban them.
SA

• Some nouns are not preceded by a/an, however, putting

an adjective in front of them requires using a/an:
have breakfast but have a big breakfast SHOW WHAT YOU’VE LEARNT
• Putting an adjective in front of a number also requires
5 Complete the gaps with one word wherever necessary.
using a/an: 2 percent but a mere 2 percent
• Most uncountable nouns can never be preceded by None of us seemed to be in a hurry to see the exam
a/an even if you put an adjective in front of them: results. We were walking there rather hesitatingly.
1 It was great sacrifice for Ruby to give up her
All our students have easy access to the Internet.
place on the football team.
2 Complete the sentences with a/an or Ø. 2 They say that money is not the key to
happiness.
My parents are sending me to England because they 3 Jon will need to do a lot of preparation before the
want me to speak Ø excellent English. presentation because he hasn’t done anything like it
1 In some countries shocking 60 percent of people in a .
are illiterate. 4 It was real pleasure to train your puppy to fetch
2 We’re having such beautiful weather right now that a ball, he’s really intelligent.
it’s hard to believe it’s autumn. 5 Chris was on his way to the airport when all of a
3 Every student will get packed lunch before the trip. he received an urgent call to go back to work.
4 Gina’s grandparents enjoy very good health. 6 Having good laugh with friends always cheers me
5 Most of my classmates do voluntary work. up and makes me feel great.
6 If you sign up for our course now, you’ll save /6
amazing 30 percent off the regular price.
21
 LISTENING LANGUAGE PRACTICE
6.2
2.5 Verb forms • phrases 3 Complete the sentences using the correct form of the
underlined phrases from Exercise 1.
James, can you help Dan install this new application?
You know that you are a lot more technical than he is
and his whinging is driving me up the wall.
1 Complete the conversation between the man and woman
1 This homework is doing my head in. I’ve never been
and with the correct form of the verbs in brackets.
good at Maths, but I’m this Algebra
problem like you wouldn’t believe.
Extract from Student’s Book recording 1.20 2 Wow! You finished that assignment .
W: Have you ever consulted (ever/consult) an online video Nobody else has even started it yet and you’ve already
for help with 1 (fix) something? You know, handed it in!
one of these ‘how-to’ videos? I’m a bit wary of 7 3 Don’t you just love the Internet? Everything you
them – I’m not sure I trust the advice fully. ever need to know is only .

E
M: Yeah, I 2 (use) them. When I 3 (have) Take Wikipedia®, for example. An absolute fount
issues with software, anything like that, I go on these of knowledge.
specialist sites or forums. They’ve got detailed advice 4 Tomas admits to not being very good at DIY but when
and videos there. Like the other day I had a problem he takes it slowly and does things ,
4
(install) an update for my computer and he can do a decent enough job.
I went online immediately, and this guy sorted out 5 Tamara tends to be doing or saying
the whole problem for me in no time

M: Not always. It’s often ordinary people who

5
PL
(have) similar problems … or people
!
W: So it’s professionals sponsored by tech companies?
Otherwise, it seems odd.

who are technical geniuses and want to share their

expertise. First you type in your problem, and then
loads of videos pop up with people who are a lot
6
something wrong when she meets new people. First
impressions are really important to her.
Alright, alright! You don’t have to keep going on about
it – I

WORD STORE 2F | Phrases

.

4 Complete the sentences with suitable words to make

phrases. The first letters are given.
more technical than you or me. What they say is It looks like Marty and Jake will both have to re-sit the
really easy 6 (follow) because they’re like test. You could say they’re in the same boat now –
M
tutorials that show you how to fix problems step by however unenviable that might be.
step . You 7 (think) that the videos posted 1 Ah. There’s nothing like a breath of fresh air to help
by experts might be too complicated or too difficult clear your h . I reckon I’ll be ready to start
for the average person to follow, but they’re not. work again soon.
W: Right. And I guess it doesn’t really matter if the 2 If only you’d told me that you were worried about the
videos are a bit amateurish – I mean they’re free – school gala. I had no idea that we shared the same
and you can always re-watch them if you c and that we could have supported each other.
SA

8
(not/get) it the first time . When real 3 Why doesn’t Tom use his i for a change and
experts choose 9 (share) their knowledge do something without asking first? He might find it very
with everyone for free, it’s really helpful. liberating and he’ll probably get more recognition for
M: Absolutely – it’s good 10 (know) help is just his work.
a few clicks away . 4 A lot of blogs are all about people wanting to share
their e in a particular field. There’s a great one
about 1960’s underground rock! It’s really informative.
2 Match definitions 1–6 to the underlined phrases 5 Wayne finds it hard to keep his c when Barbara
in the text. talks to him. Everything goes out of his head and he
1 to do something very quickly ends up blathering like an idiot. It’s quite funny really.
2 to encounter problems with somebody/something 6 You know what? I feel a real a with the new
3 to do something methodically by going from one stage History teacher. He seems really cool and it turns out
to the next he’s a big fan of The Flaming Lips like I am.
4 to be quickly accessible via a computer program 7 If you’d only use your c sense you’d be able
5 to have greater knowledge regarding technology than to work it out in no time. It’s really not that complicated
somebody else you know.
6 to understand something without needing for it to be
repeated
7 to worry about something because it might cause
a problem

22
 SPEAKING
6.2
2.6 Giving supporting examples A For , when children are left with nothing
specific to do, they often find or invent an activity
to alleviate the boredom, and this helps them to
understand their own natural interests.
B at the many cases of childhood
1 Put the words in order to make phrases used for giving over-occupation around you, and then find ways to
supporting examples. allow more freedom, and even a bit of boredom, into
my / case / in In my case your own child’s life.
1 obvious / is / an / example C A in point is a friend’s child, who was
2 is / notable / most / of / the / one / examples kept constantly busy until the family went on an
off-the-grid holiday, when the boy picked up a pencil
3 of / example / a / it’s / prime and paper and revealed an amazing talent for drawing.
4 a / illustration / is / useful D Whether or not this case is factual, it certainly serves as
5 mind / the / example / comes / is / graphic / the / that a striking of a real problem, which is that
many children are not being allowed to experience the

E
/ most / to
pleasure of inventing their own activities and playing
on their own.
6 classic / is / a / case
E that a child who is never given a music
2 Complete the sentences with appropriate prepositions lesson or a dance class may never know they have
or Ø if no preposition is necessary. Sometimes more a real talent, but exposing them to too many activities
than one answer is possible. can lead to confusion and frustration.

2
Consider

perceived importance

Think
PL
A case in point is the intriguing story of Laika,
one of the first animals ever to orbit Ø the Earth.
how many towels are washed
unnecessarily each day by the world’s hotels and the
comfort and luxury over
environmental responsibility becomes clear.
last year’s Tweed Run cycle event,
which around 1,000 people took part, including many
F One of the most extreme examples of this is the
son of an ambitious family who ended up suffering
from severe exhaustion as a result of being occupied
fourteen hours per day.
4 Correct the mistakes.
Typical example of such misunderstandings occurred
during a teacher-student meeting held last week.
A typical example
cyclists abroad.
1 The most striking example comes to mind is that
3 Take the success of reality shows such
of Lance Armstrong, who finally admitted using
The Great British Bake Off. It is tempting to conclude
M
performance enhancing drugs during all seven of his
that the average TV viewer is not seeking
Tour de France victories.
intellectual stimulation part of their
2 A useful illustrator is given as part of the discussion on
primetime entertainment.
p. 17.
4 Look how many people are involved
3 A case on point is the huge investment that has gone
the Park Run movement around the world. Clearly,
into the city’s new concert hall.
the popularity of running as a method of keeping fit
4 For instant, a UK report from 2012 found that only 27.2
is the rise.
percent of the population aged from sixteen to seventy-four
SA

3 Match arguments 1–5 with supporting examples A–E. had a degree or equivalent, or higher.
Then complete the supporting examples with the words 5 Consider about how many times people share articles
from the box. on social media sites without actually having read more
than the headline.
case consider extreme illustration 6 Look to the wonderful work done by specialist animal
instance look welfare groups such as the Albino Squirrel Preservation
Parents around the world are trying to ensure their Society.
children’s future success by signing them up for so
many extra activities and classes that they no longer
have time to be kids! F
1 According to various accounts, the boy became so
exhausted mentally and physically that he eventually
had to be hospitalised.
2 In fact, psychologists say that boredom is a key
part of growing up.
3 Children who are kept constantly occupied may
never discover their true talents.
4 Of course it is also true that exposing kids to
a variety of activities allows them to discover
their real interests.
5 As with most things in life, finding the right
balance is key.
23
 WRITING
6.2
2.7 An article 2 Read the article again and underline examples of the
following items:
• Three direct questions
• A direct address to the reader
• A quotation
1 Read the article and choose the most suitable title.
• An exclamation
1 Use it or lose it: how to educate a gifted child.
2 Teaching everyone: how to divide attention in the 3 Put the words in order to make phrases for addressing
the reader directly in an introduction.
classroom.
3 Special needs: why gifted pupils need attention too. details / the / at / look
Let’s look at the details.
1 arguments / examine / the
Let’s

E
2 debate / sides / the / both / of / consider
Let’s
3 the / points / against / clarify / for / and / main
Let’s
4 the / issue / angles / from / explore / opposing

PL
Schools and colleges around the world quite rightly
devote a great deal of time and effort to helping
children and young adults who are deemed to have
special educational needs. Nine times out of ten, this
effort is focused on those who are struggling to reach
Let’s
5 main / view / of / the / elaborate / on / points
Let’s

4 Complete the first part of each quotation with the words

from the box. Then match the sentence halves.

according observed
quote said words
pointed

a minimum standard and therefore falling behind with It was Benjamin Franklin who said ‘an investment
their education. However, is it not the case that if you are in knowledge F
M
gifted, you also have distinct educational requirements
and just as much right to individual attention in the 1 In the of Oscar Wilde, ‘education is an
classroom? Let’s consider both sides of the debate. admirable thing, but it is well to remember
from time to time
‘The cream always rises to the top’, they say, and so it is 2 ‘It is ordinary people who have to be educated’.
often assumed that bright children will excel at whatever
out Jean-Jacques Rousseau, ‘and their
they take on. Don’t consistently good grades at school
education alone can serve
amount to proof of the satisfactory academic progress of
those who achieve them? If so, then surely teachers are 3 As Arthur Schopenhauer famously ‘truth
SA

justified in their decision to concentrate on those who acquired by thinking of our own
are lagging behind. Add to this the claim that labelling 4 To Alexander Pope, ‘men must be
certain children as ‘gifted’ sends an unproductive
taught as if you taught them not
message to those who don’t measure up, and there is
really nothing left to debate, is there? 5 to Anatole France, ‘the whole art of
teaching is
Not so fast. Gifted children need attention too! Exceptional
pupils should face rigorous challenges at school if they A only the art of awakening the natural curiosity of
are to remain engaged and realise their full potential. young minds’.
Without such challenges to rise to, these pupils soon B is like a natural limb, it alone really belongs to us’.
become bored and then distracted. It is a tall order for
C that nothing that is worth knowing can be taught’.
them to thrive if they are constantly asked to twiddle
their thumbs while their peers catch up. According to D and things unknown proposed as things forgot’.
US researchers, by not stretching the brightest of their E as a pattern for the education of their fellows’.
students ‘teachers could be squandering the talent of F always pays the best interest’.
the most creative minds of a generation’.

Clearly, there is a case for attending more closely to REMEMBER THIS

the needs of top pupils, as well as helping those who
are struggling to make the grade. There will always Avoid overusing exclamations as this can make your
be competition for teachers’ attention and schools’ writing seem trivial or immature. Also, if you use too
resources and, in my opinion, every child is entitled to many, they will lose their significance. Consider including
their fair share during the time they spend at school or a maximum of two in your piece of writing.
college.

24
 5 Complete the adverts with the words in bold from the 7 Complete the sentences with the correct forms of the
article. phrases in bold from Exercise 6.
Nine times out of ten everything is fine, but just
Do you excel at video games? occasionally something unexpected happens.
Ever thought about becoming a professional gamer?
1 The lifeguards are to reach the stranded
Call us to find out more.
couple because the waters are so rough.
2 Collins, last year’s world snooker champion, really does
at these long corner pocket shots.
Private science tuition.
Helping secondary students 3 , buddy! Remember who is in charge
to make the 1 here. I’ll tell you when we are ready.
since 1998. Realise your 4 To win, Simons needs to cover the last ten kilometres
full 2 with in less than thirty minutes. A by anyone’s
our world-renowned standards.
life-coaching

E
5 Gordon is late and Sarah has been sitting
Are you programme.
for nearly an hour.
3
behind in English?
Study privately with a qualified 6 These climbers to their preparations as they
native speaker. know how many lives Everest has claimed in the past.
Call 77 804 904. Could you pass your
child’s final exams?
SHOW WHAT YOU’VE LEARNT

Gifted
footballer?
Avoid 5 your
talent. Contact Ellis
and Marks football
4

PL
Find out how you
up against
the country’s brightest
secondary students.

Ensure your cacti

6

8 Read the writing task. Then follow the instructions
below.

Should physically disabled students be encouraged to

study alongside able-bodied students rather than in
schools that are specially adapted to their needs?

Write an article for a student website giving

agents to find out with our specially arguments for and against and stating your view.
how we can help formulated food mix.
1 Brainstorm arguments for and against.
you reach your goal.
M
2 Select the best ideas and make a plan for your article.
3 Add an interesting title.
6 Complete the definitions. Use the article to help you 4 Write your article and remember to use a fairly
if necessary. informal style.

SHOW THAT YOU’VE CHECKED

SA

Finished? Always check your writing (especially in

the exam!) Can you tick ✓ everything on this list?

In my article:

• I have begun with an eye-catching title.

• I have addressed the reader directly.

If someone twiddles their thumbs, they do nothing
while they wait for something to happen. • I have asked direct questions.
1 If something happens or is true nine times out of
t , it is almost always the case. • I have included at least one quotation.
2 If someone is s to do something, they are • I have included an exclamation.
finding it very difficult.
3 If someone e at something, they are • I have used a fairly informal style.
extremely good at it.
• I have explored both sides of the issue.
4 Not so f is an informal way of saying ‘wait or
think before you do or believe something’. • I have given my own opinion.
5 If something is a t order, it is an unreasonable
• I have checked my spelling.
or difficult demand.
6 If you devote supreme e to something, you • I have checked my handwriting is neat enough for
try your very hardest at it. someone else to read.

25
 2.8 SELF-CHECK

VOCABULARY GRAMMAR

1 Choose the correct words to complete the sentences. 4 Choose the correct options. Sometimes two answers
Having begun university studies at sixteen, Agnes are possible.
definitely gets / stands / walks out from the crowd. 1 You must / will / can be feeling tired after such a long
1 The aftermath of the principal’s decision to expel the day in the lab. Sit down and I’ll make you a cup of tea.
troublesome students turned out to be quite a/an 2 Are Tom and Jim sure they’ve got the right address
minefield / composure / expertise. of the boarding house? They couldn’t / mustn’t / can’t
2 The news about bankruptcy came as a blow so Fiona have written it correctly. We’re too far from the school.
needed time to clear her thoughts / brain / head. 3 The supervisor definitely can’t / may not / won’t
3 Dan’s determination to revise Maths shows he’s worried tolerate any smartphones during the exam.
about his rambling / summoning / looming exams. 4 Mr Jenking is often working in the garden now. I guess
4 With so few pupils the village school was venturing / he might / could / can have lost his job in the bank.
teetering / mustering on the edge of closure. 5 A: Why isn’t Sue here yet? B: I don’t know, but her

E
5 Matthew and Libby are going bungee jumping next train will / may / must be running late today.
weekend provided neither gets cold feet / hands / legs. /5
/5
5 Complete the sentences with the correct form of the
2 Match the words from the two boxes to make words in brackets. Do not change the word order.
expressions. Then complete the sentences with the Use between three and four words in each gap.

B
expressions.

bundle of common in the same

leap into meet under

boat nerves sense the deadline

the sun the unknown
PL
Don’t you find Zoe tiring? She seems to have an
1

3
The owner of the mansion may be staying (may/stay)
there now so we can only look around the gardens.
Don’t worry. I’m sure Sandra
(must/borrow) your laptop. She needed one this morning.
If you ask me, making Jeff rewrite his assignment
definitely
his handwriting. It’s pointless.
(not/help/improve)

Since James is so poor at playing the piano,

opinion on every subject under the sun. he (can/be/learn) it for very long.
1 For Harry, going to do voluntary work in Africa was 4 Earlier this morning we
M
a , as he’d never done it, or even been (might/come) across some snakes in the grass but they
to Africa. were unlikely to be poisonous.
2 When the parents finally found their daughter, she was 5 It’s most probable that class 3B is in the gym. But they
a , trembling and crying over her lost dog. (could/prepare) for the final
3 Oh, come on. Use some when connecting exams in the library right now.
the printer to the computer. It’s not rocket science. /5
4 There’s no point in working until late tonight. You’re 6 Read the following text and correct five more mistakes
SA

not going to anyway. with the use of articles. The numbers in brackets
5 Sorry Jen, I can’t lend you any money. We’re indicate the number of mistakes in each paragraph.
now because I’ve also lost my job.
/5
What education is needed nowadays? an
3 Complete the sentences with the appropriate verbs in
It is said that schools should provide students withV
the correct form. The first letters are given.
excellent education to help them in their career and life
I need to top up my phone before I can call you again. choices. But is that really the case?
1 Thanks to Roy’s outstanding performance we’ve School leavers emphasise how few subjects offer a
n up another victory! practical experience and not just theory. They also feel
2 You’d better b up on your Italian before that their timetables are filled with incredible number of
you go to Sicily, as few people speak very fluent uninspiring subjects rarely allowing them to have good
English there. night’s sleep. It is obvious that students need a help, but
3 It’s unbelievably difficult to listen to Luke giving a talk does being given a lot of homework work? (4)
because he just f between subjects and Both educationalists and students claim that there
rarely sticks to the point. should be less focus on tests and more attention paid
to a progress that students make in the course of
4 Although the new vinyl shop has an impressive
education. (1)
collection of LPs, anything by my favourite composer is
hard to c by.
5 Can you s out the aim of the questionnaire
/5
more clearly so that everybody understands why it’s
necessary to conduct it?
/5 Total /30

26
 USE OF ENGLISH 8 Complete the text with the correct forms of the words
in brackets.
7 Choose the correct answer A, B, C or D.

Preparing for college

You're all set to make your first application (apply) for
college – how should you go about it? Unsurprisingly,
there are several 1 (administration) hurdles
to get over.
Firstly, producing an impressive CV – there should be
Why I prefer teaching myself no irrelevant 2 (ramble)! Simply construct
a clear summary of your qualifications so far, and
Although I’m only sixteen, I’m perfectly capable of B remember to 3 (rational) your reasons for
my own decisions. I also love doing things on my own wanting to do the course. Check if the university
and rarely get 1 by difficulties I come across. I can website provides any useful 4 (guide) on

E
be a case in 2 for all of those who would prefer to how to do this.
go for home schooling rather than formal education. Use your 5 (initiate) – try contacting
students already at the college to find out what the
Everyone has their preferred learning style and I learn
course is like. You might get some valuable tips from
more efficiently when I choose what I do rather than
people who've been through the experience.
when I’m faced 3 tasks imposed on me. I go at
Finally, present yourself as a 6 (depend)

PL
my own speed, taking everything in my 4 . I don’t
feel isolated, because the goals I set with the help
of others are chosen with my ultimate ambitions in
mind – like what qualifications I might need for the
career I want. Another important point is revision and
preparation for exams. I avoid just 5 for exams.
The key point is having a good understanding of the
subject. If I don't understand something, I look it up –
there’s no shortage of options around.
and serious person – colleges take students who will
maximise their time, and if you're confident, you'll go far.

9 Complete the second sentence so that it means the

same as the first. Do not change the words in capitals.
Use between three and six words in each gap.
/6

I often do more than strictly necessary because I’m

It’s possible the teacher has already left to prepare the
self-motivated, and I rarely get frazzled because I can
6
things in perspective. I’m deeply convinced that speech. MAY
M
thinking for myself is worth my 7 because I tend The teacher may have already left to prepare the speech.
to sail through exams thanks to it and my increased 1 Knowing good Spanish can be useful when travelling
knowledge. Obviously, some might think it’s easier around Mexico. HAVING
to stay in their comfort 8 and be spoon-fed, but
the extra effort involved in self-teaching has given me When travelling around Mexico
a will to succeed. Spanish can be useful.
2 I’m sure he didn’t rush doing it and that’s why the
presentation was so brilliant. HURRY
SA

A doing B making He can’t and that’s why the

C getting D finding presentation was so brilliant.
1 A put off B let down 3 The number of our students rose sharply thanks to
C cooked up D written off some new departments having been opened. ROOF
2 A idea B mind Thanks to some new departments having been opened,
C point D example the number of our students .
3 A to B with 4 Sarah isn’t here yet. Maybe the train is running slightly
C at D through late. MIGHT
4 A stride B way The train bit late and that’s why
C footstep D pace Sarah isn’t here yet.
5 A hammering B regurgitating 5 I would have been able to help you there and then if
C breezing D venturing you had asked me to explain the matter. COULD
6 A maintain B hold It’s a pity you didn’t ask me to explain the matter as
C carry D keep there and then.
7 A period B time 6 I’m sure you have never felt as tired in your life as after
C while D moment such a long and exhausting exam. FEELING
8 A area B section You must after such a long
C place D zone and exhausting exam than ever before.
/6
/8
Total /20

27