Intermediate Part 1 Ready

The night-walkers of Uganda
Level 1 l Intermediate
1 Key Words
Fill the gaps using these words from the text.
toddler rags warden thug rebellion

abduction beat aid agency damage alcoholism
1. An is an organization that helps people affected by wars or natural disasters.
2. A is a violent criminal.
3. A is a very young child who is learning to walk.
4. A is someone whose job is to be responsible for a place and check that rules are obeyed.
5. An is the act of taking someone way from their home or family using force.
6. If something causes , there is strong opposition to it.
7. To someone is to hit a person violently several times.
8. To something is to break it or spoil it.
9. are clothes that are old, torn and dirty.
10. is a medical condition that makes it difficult for people to control the amount of drinks such
as wine or beer that they drink.
2 Find the information

Look in the text and find this information as quickly as possible.
1. What country is Mary Aciro from?
2. Where is this country?
3. What is the LRA?
4. When did children start going into towns?
5. Approximately how many children spend the nights in towns?
6. What problem has existed in Mary’s country for 19 years?

Mary Aciro has spent the day gathering grass to feed the cattle, weeding the vegetables and helping her
mother cook dinner over a fire: the life of any African girl in any African village. But before the sun sets, Mary
leaves the family’s tiny mud hut and walks down a sandy track into the nearest town. The adults in the town
of Lacor in northern Uganda are going home for dinner on buses. Mary and hundreds of other children are
going the other way. They are dressed in rags and flip-flops; some carry sacks or rolled-up blankets on their
shoulders. They are on the way to the night shelters, which are guarded by government troops.
In any other country, a 14-year-old girl leaving her home and an anxious mother for the night would cause
rebellion. Here, it is necessary to survive. “We fear the rebels, we fear thugs and robbers who come at night
to disturb us,” says Mary as she walks.
1
On a continent with many wars, the war in this region is particularly bad. It is Africa’s longest civil war, and
perhaps the only conflict in history in which children are both the main victims and the main attackers. Mary
and the other children walk to safety every night because they fear, with good reason, abduction by the
Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), a religious rebel group that uses children as soldiers, porters and sexual
slaves. The LRA attacks the villagers at night, killing adults and forcing children to beat their parents before
taking them away to camps deep in the bush.
Mary’s 15-year-old brother, Geoffrey, was abducted by the rebels. He was held for three months. “They
made him carry heavy things, beat him at times, gave him no food,” says their mother, Agnes. Geoffrey only
escaped when a government helicopter attacked the rebel camp he was in. Mary’s neighbour, a girl named
Florence, was abducted too. She spent three years with the rebels: she was forced into sexual slavery and
became pregnant.
In 2002, desperate parents in northern Uganda began sending their children—about 40,000 of them—into
nearby towns at night. Aid agencies built shelters to give them somewhere safe to go, and it’s one of these
that Mary is going to. Mary lives near the town, but some of the other children walk for hours to reach safety.
When she reaches the shelter, it is already full of children of all ages. The shelter is made up of concrete
buildings and giant white canvas tents.
Lillian Apiyo, 14, is already inside. “I come here for protection,” she says. “I always get new friends from
here. There is nowhere to stay at home.” The children walk through the gates looking sad, but a party
atmosphere soon develops. A dozen or so children begin dancing. At other shelters, they sing songs that
cheer them up. The children are not given anything to eat. The shelters are busy enough as it is, and if food
were provided, they would be even busier.
Adult wardens patrol with torches, stopping occasional fights and checking on children who look scared or
upset. “When I am here, I feel I am somebody,” says Gabriel Oloya. “When I am at home, I’m always upset.
Here, I forget my worries.” Gabriel, 15, is responsible for the four younger brothers who walk with him to the
shelter. “My parents are dead, killed by the rebels,” he says.
Childhood is short in rural Africa, but it is even shorter in this society damaged by the war. The children who
come to the shelters are in need of affection. Many of them live with their extended family because their
parents were murdered by the rebels.
In the shelter the wardens keep boys and girls apart, but outside its gates young couples are alone in the
semi-darkness. This sort of thing worries Mary’s mother. “We can’t follow our children up to the shelter,” Agnes
says. “Sometimes a girl says she has gone there, but she has gone to a boyfriend, and she becomes pregnant
and leaves school.” But then there is more to worry about than teenage boys. The tribes of northern Uganda
were once farmers who kept cattle and grew maize. But 19 years of war have destroyed everything: almost
the entire population of the north, 1.5 million people, now live in crowded temporary shelters on the outskirts of
towns. There is alcoholism and violence, and the horror of war is part of everyday life.
The hope of returning to a normal life is slowly disappearing. This is a culture with few written records. When
their parents are gone, the children’s link with their villages will be lost. Who will tell the children the bounda-
ries of farmland or the distance to the nearest stream? “For me, the worst thing that may happen here is a
situation where there is no war, but everybody stays in the camps,” says Father Carlos Rodriguez Soto, a
Roman Catholic priest who has spent 18 years in Uganda.
2
The wardens wake up the children before the sun rises. After a prayer and a wash, some children roll their
blankets on to their shoulders and the older ones gather up younger brothers and sisters. They walk out of
the gates on to the road. By 9 am the sun will burn, but now it is gentle. It is a good time to walk home.
3 Comprehension check
Choose TWO correct answers to complete each sentence:

1. In northern Uganda 40,000 children
a. spend the night in shelters built by aid agencies.
b. leave their homes at the age of 14.
c. are afraid of being captured by the rebels.
2. The LRA is a rebel group that

a. captures children to use them as slaves.
b. attacks villages and murders people at night.
c. takes adults away to camps in the bush.
3. The shelters
a. provide children with food.
b. are a safe place for children to stay.
c. are guarded by government troops.
4. The war in Uganda has lasted so long that

a. it has completely destroyed society.
b. there is little hope of returning to a normal life.
c. people will have to stay in camps forever.
4 Vocabulary 1 Descriptions
Match the words in the left-hand column with those in the right-hand column to form descriptions from the text.
1. a mud a. building
2. a sandy b. tent
3. a concrete c. hut
4. a canvas d. shelter
5. an extended e. track
6. a crowded f. family
3
5 Vocabulary 2 Word building
Complete the table. Check your answers in the text.

Noun (person) Noun (thing)
1. governor _____________
2. rebel _____________
3. abductor _____________
4. slave _____________
5. child _____________
6. farmer _____________
6 Vocabulary 3 Find the wrong word
Cross out the word or phrase that CAN’T complete the sentence. The first one is done for you.
1. The children are dressed in rags / torches / flip-flops.

2. Some children carry tracks / sacks / blankets.
3. Villagers fear wardens / thugs / rebels.
4. The rebels use children as soldiers / slaves / victims.
5. Shelters are safe / desperate / crowded.
6. Some children are full / scared / upset.
7. Children need alcoholism / affection / protection.
8. In northern Uganda, the society is damaged / destroyed / murdered by war.
7 Discussion
Of all the problems in Uganda, which do you think is the most serious of all? Why? What could be done to help
solve it?
4
No strawberries and cream for fruit pickers
1 Pre-reading 1 Discussion
1. Have you ever had a job like picking fruit? Was it hard work? Did you enjoy it?
2. Look at the headline. What do you think the article will be about?
2 Pre-reading 2 Key Words
See if you can guess the meaning of these words from the text by matching them with the definitions.
a polytunnel a walking frame to complain to cheer
a protest a strike a contract a migrant
1. is to say that you are not satisfied with something.
2. is a metal support that helps old or disabled people to move.
3. is a strong disagreement.
4. is to shout loudly to show that you are happy about something or somebody.
5. is a long, transparent polythene cover to protect growing plants,
tall enough for people to work inside.
6. is an agreement in writing, about work or business.
7. is someone who moves to another country to work or live.
8. is when the workers all stop work to show the management that
they are not happy about their working conditions.
Now read the text quickly to check the words, and to see if your answer to question 1 2 was right.
1
Val Salisbury walked down her road in the English countryside and went into a giant plastic polytunnel.
Inside, lots of people from eastern Europe were picking strawberries. The workers were surprised to see
a 69-year-old Englishwoman using a walking frame come in. But when she started pulling the strawberry
plants out of the ground, they began to understand that she was angry with the company they worked for.
2
Mrs Salisbury herself was surprised when the east Europeans clapped and cheered her act of protest against
S&A Davies, Europe’s largest strawberry grower. By the time the farm manager had arrived, Mrs Salisbury
was very popular. Popular, not just with the local people who don’t want large areas of farmland covered in
plastic, but also with the workers from all over eastern Europe who pick fruit for British supermarkets.
3
“I felt so much better after my protest,” said Mrs Salisbury last weekend. “We don’t need these strawberries
and these polytunnels in Herefordshire”.
5
4
Every year, at the beginning of summer, at least 5,000 people from eastern Europe arrive in Herefordshire
and Worcestershire to pick fruit. This year, two villages, with more than 1,700 people in each, have been built
there. Each one has about 400 caravans, football pitches, internet cafes and even saunas. Most local people
welcome the fruit-pickers, but some are afraid that the fruit company is treating the migrant workers unfairly
to make money out of them. Last weekend, 50 people working in the tunnels were interviewed, and many
seemed as angry as Mrs Salisbury. Those who could speak English complained about their conditions, and
thought the company was making too much money from their stay.
5
“In Lithuania I earn 200 pounds a month,” said a policeman from Vilnius. “I thought I could earn more here.
It looks like I am not going to. It cost more than I thought to get here; it costs more to live.”
6
“None of us like strawberry picking,” said a Ukrainian student. “Today I have earned 23 pounds. But I must
pay 35 pounds a week to live in a box with three other people. Perhaps I earn 150 pounds in a week, but
when I have paid for food, accommodation, tax, everything, maybe I have 70 pounds for a six days. It’s not
good”.
7
“The money is bad,” said a waiter from the Czech Republic. “We waited days to have work. Last year we
heard there was a strike here; perhaps there will be one this year, too. It is like a prison. I have been given a
yellow card already. One more and I am sent home.”
8
The Guardian has seen the contracts S&A Davies gives the east Europeans. The rules and conditions are
hard. The workers have to pay £26.25 a week to live four or five in one room. They must pay GBP3 a week for
toilets and waste collection, £2.25 for electricity, and £2.75 for leisure facilities, including a TV set, football pitch
and disco. For £30, they can get medical and translation advice.
9
The contracts say that pickers can lose their jobs for eating a single strawberry, for stopping work, for going to
the toilet at the side of the field, or for smoking indoors. If their rooms are not “clean and tidy”, the workers can
be asked to leave. If they want to invite a visitor to the camp, they must ask permission two days in advance.
“I have never been anywhere like this,” said a Ukrainian housewife. The company said they promised to
pay pickers £5.05 an hour when there was work, and extra money if they picked more than a set amount of
strawberries. But they said that they could not promise full-time work for everyone at the start of the strawberry
season, or in bad weather. “When 3,500 people arrive, it’s hard to give everyone work at the same time.
We reduced the cost of accommodation to £10 when it was raining, two weeks ago,” said Graham Neal, a
manager with S&A Davies.
10
Mr Neal blamed agents in east European countries for sending the wrong kind of workers. “Under the old
system, where fixed numbers of students came to do farm work, we could go to an east European university
and get excellent people. Now the government says that we must take anyone from the EU. Some coun-
tries ... have sent over their unemployed drunks,” he said.
11
The strange but sad thing is that the east Europeans cannot even afford to buy the fruit they pick. “Yes, we
like strawberries but we cannot pay for them,” said a Ukrainian who was buying cheap white bread and
margarine in the local supermarket. “The next time you eat one, just think of us in the tunnels.”
6
3 Reading for Information
Find the numbers (they are all in paragraphs 4-8).
1. How many foreign workers come to the strawberry farms every year?
2. How much does the policeman earn at home?
3. How much does the student earn each week?
4. How much rent does she pay?
5. How many people share her room?
6. How much does it cost to see the doctor?
4 Vocabulary 1 Find the word
Find words in the article that match the definitions. Use the paragraph numbers (in brackets) to help you.
1. Hit their hands together, many times, to show that they think something is good (2)
2. A sign or warning (used in football) that you have done something wrong (7)
3. Things you can use to help you enjoy your free time (8)
4. Made (it) less (9)
5. Says or thinks that somebody is responsible for something bad (10)
6. People who have no work, and drink too much alcohol (10)
7. To have enough money to buy something (11)
5 Vocabulary 2 Collocation
See if you can remember the missing propositions. Use the paragraph numbers (in brackets) to help you.
1. angry somebody (1)

2. work somebody (1)
3. complain something (4)
4. pay something (6, 8 and 10)
5. advance (9)
6. the same time (9)
7. the cost something (9)
8. blame somebody something (10)
Now quickly read the article to check.
7
6 Word order
Put the words in these sentences in the right order:
1. could / thought / more / I / much / earn / here / I / money
2. never / anywhere / have / this / like / been / I
3. strawberries / them / like / pay / but / cannot / we / for / we
4. time / you / the / one / eat / next
5. of / think / us / tunnels / just / the / in
Now read the text quickly to check.
7 Discussion
Do you think Mrs Salisbury was right to pull up the strawberry plants? Why / why not?
8
Modern pirates
1 Key vocabulary
Fill the gaps using these key words from the text.
machete ambush secluded decline jurisdiction
risk free detain vulnerable non lethal cost-cutting
1. A place is private and peaceful and not near other people or places.
2. If something is , it does not involve any danger.
3. If something it gets smaller, less effective or weaker.
4. If you someone, you keep them under arrest.
5. If you someone, you attack them after hiding and waiting for them.
6. If something is it will not kill you.
7. is the process of taking certain actions to reduce the costs of a business.
8. is the right or power to make legal decisions.
9. A is a large knife with a long wide blade used as a weapon or tool.
10. If something is , it is weak or easy to attack.
Look in the text and find this information as quickly as possible:

1. Which area is the centre of modern-day piracy?
2. How many pirate attacks have been reported since 1992?
3. How many people have died in these attacks?
4. When was the ‘golden age’ of piracy?
5. What percentage of world trade is carried by sea?
6. How much do Filipino crew members on container ships earn each month?
The Return of the Pirates

A large container ship, the Australian Star, was sailing across the South China Sea on its way to New
Zealand. It was evening and Captain Peter Newton had returned to his cabin. As the ship passed the
Indonesian island of Bintan, nine armed men burst into Captain Newton’s cabin. They held a machete to his
neck and tied his hands with rope. The gang leader told him that if he didn’t open the ship’s safe – or if he
set off its alarm – they would kill him. When the pirates had taken the $20,000 they found in the safe, they
used a rope to leave the ship and climb down to their boat.
Pirates have always had a glamorous image. Hollywood loves to make films about pirates but now real-life
pirates are more active than ever before. Over the last ten years attacks by modern pirates have increased
by 168%. Since Captain Newton was attacked in 1992, there have been 3,583 piratical attacks reported
worldwide, causing 340 deaths. Last November, a ship called Seabourn Spirit was ambushed off the coast
of Somalia. The pirates who attacked the ship were armed with rocket-propelled grenades.
9
Modern pirates
The golden age of piracy was the 17th century, when European powers colonised the Caribbean. Pirates
such as Edward ‘Blackbeard’ Teach and ‘Calico’ Jack Rackham attacked trading ships, taking advantage of
the political vacuum and a secluded coastline that was perfect for ambushes. During the age of empire, the
navies of the great powers enforced order on the high seas and piracy declined; but now, as the empires
have vanished, piracy is on the increase again. It is helped by a number of things – from cost-cutting by the
shipping industry to fact that there are no international arrangements to deal with piracy.
The centre of modern-day piracy is the South China Sea, where more than a third of last year’s 266 reported
pirate attacks took place. The seas around failing states are particularly dangerous. The Indian Ocean off
Somalia is home to a special brand of piracy, in which ships are hijacked and crews are kidnapped and
ransomed.
Modern pirates use intelligence (including information from corrupt port officials), satellite phones and tracking
technology to plan attacks on valuable cargo, but one tool of modern pirates remains the same: the rope
and grappling hook. Climbing onto a ship in motion requires special forces-style skills and many in the
shipping industry believe some modern pirates have a military background. According to Newton, the
increase in piracy is also the result of the fact that there are few risks for the pirates.
‘Our ships don’t have armed guards and nobody is going to go after you because it is international waters
and no one has jurisdiction,’ he says. ‘Once they are on your ship, there is nothing you can do if they are
armed and you are not.’ Another reason why piracy is so risk free is that many victims fail to report the
crime. Shipping companies would rather lose $20,000 stolen from a safe than report it to their insurers and
face a large increase in premiums. Insurance premiums rose by 300% for vessels entering Yemeni waters
after a suicide boat crashed into Limburg, a French oil tanker, in October 2002. Ships sometimes do not
report piracy because they think that no country will bother to investigate crimes in international waters.
Naval vessels often discourage pirates but rarely want to capture and detain them in international waters.
The US navy recently caught and detained pirates who attacked a Thai fishing vessel near Somalia, but had
to release the men because neither the Thai government nor any other government was willing to put them
on trial. When ships have been seized and crews kidnapped off the coast of Somalia, shipping companies
simply pay the ransom demands.
About 90% of world trade is carried by sea. Cost-cutting has made modern cargo ships extremely vulnerable
to attack, according to Andrew Linington of Numas, the ship officers’ union in London. There are only 20–24
crew members on modern container ships. Usually, just two crew members patrol the bridge at night. ‘You
can have ships the size of two football pitches and at any one time you will have just five or six people up
and working,’ says Linington.
Few companies are willing to pay for security measures such as non-lethal electric fences or sonic weap-
ons. As well as being small in number, modern multinational crews are poorly paid. Many boats use Filipino
crew members, who earn just $400 a month. For that money, few captains expect their crew to risk their
lives by defending their ship.
Even oceans full of warships have seen an increase in pirate attacks. There were no attacks in Iraqi waters
in 2004, yet last year there were 10 attacks on oil tankers and cargo vessels near Basra. Ships are soft
targets for terrorists. It would only take couple of major incidents in a key area – such as the Suez canal – to
cause chaos. ‘Piracy isn’t fantasy,’ says Linington. ‘It is happening every week. It is an advertisement to
terrorists that it is easy to attack something that is so crucial to world trade.’
10
Modern pirates
Choose the best answer according to the information in the text.

1. Why don’t navy ships capture and detain pirates?
a. because it’s too dangerous
b. because no country wants to put them on trial
c. because it’s too difficult to catch them
2. What is the main reason for the increase in piracy?

a. many victims do not report the crime
b. cost-cutting by the shipping industry makes piracy easy
c. the pirates often have inside information
3. Why don’t captains expect their crews to defend their ships?

a. because it’s impossible to defend a big ship
b. because the ships are the size of two football pitches
c. because they are poorly paid
4. Why do some experts believe some pirates have a military background?

a. because they are able to climb onto a moving ship
b. because they wear special uniforms
c. because they use intelligence
4. Vocabulary – two-word expressions
Match these two-word expressions from the text with their meanings:
1. failing state a. a metal hook attached to a rope and used for climbing
2. cargo vessel b. a military ship
3. political vacuum c. a country with no government or social order
4. golden age d. a ship carrying goods
5. grappling hook e. the money paid for an insurance policy
6. naval vessel f. the money kidnappers ask for to free their victim
7. insurance premium g. a period when something was the most successful
8. ransom demand h. a situation when political leadership is missing
11
Modern pirates
5 Vocabulary – prepositions
Complete these expressions from the text by adding a preposition. Check your answers in the text.
1. take advantage a situation
2. the coast of Somalia
3. the increase
4. deal a problem
5. put someone trial
6. vulnerable attack
7. armed grenades
8. shipping is crucial world trade
6 Vocabulary – word-building
Complete the table.
Verb Noun
1. arrange
2. hijack (person)
3. kidnap (person)
4. move
5. risk
6. investigate
7. advertise
8. insure
7 Discussion
What measures should countries adopt to defend themselves against pirates?
12
No going back to Mugabe
1 Before you read 1 Key words
Fill the gaps using these words from the headline and the text.
the go-ahead asylum seekers fled militia appeal
threaten vouchers slum refugee status deport
1. A is a very poor area in or around a city.

2. If someone says that they will do something very bad to you if you don’t do what they say, they
you.
3. are people who are in danger in their own country and move
to another country and ask for the right to stay there in safety.
4. If the government allows these people to stay in the country, they have .
5. If someone gives you permission to do something, they give you to do it.
6. A is a group of ordinary people trained to fight in an emergency.
7. means ‘ran away’, or ‘escaped’
8. If you against a court decision, you formally ask the court to change it.
9. When a government forces someone to leave the country, they them.
10. are pieces of paper, instead of money, that let people buy what they need.
2 Before you read 2 What do you think?
Look at the headline, and guess which answer is right:

1. Mugabe is:
a. a town in Zimbabwe; b. the president of Zimbabwe; c. the refugee’s girlfriend.
2. The refugee:
a. doesn’t have to go back; b. cannot go back; c. doesn’t want to go back.
3. The British government:
a. can now deport Zimbabwean refugees; b. can no longer deport them.
4. The refugee:
a. escaped from Zimbabwe; b. escaped from Britain; c. fought the militia..
Now read the article and see if you were right.

D
E
13
No going back to Mugabe by Alison Benjamin 1
1
I first met Thomas last spring, when I asked him to write an article about living secretly in Britain. He had
applied for asylum, afraid for his life in Zimbabwe because Robert Mugabe’s youth militia, the Green Bombers,
threatened to kill him for leaving their organisation.
2
Now, months later, he looks more relaxed, living with his new partner, Tanya, in a village in East Anglia. But it
has been a long, hard journey surviving as an unwanted visitor in Britain. And it is not over yet.
3
After his final appeal for asylum was rejected in 2004, Thomas lived rough in Manchester; on friends’ floors
and in an empty factory with other failed asylum seekers. One night, five white youths attacked and injured
him badly. But he wouldn’t go to the police. “I was terrified that they would send me back to Zimbabwe.”
4
Frightened by the attack, he went to Glasgow to stay with friends, but an old illness forced him to go to
hospital. He was afraid to give his real name, so he didn’t attend his check-up, went back to Manchester
and slept in the bus station. The next day Refugee Action – the charity that had helped him with his asylum
case – sent him to a homeless hostel in Liverpool, because hostels in Manchester can’t take people like
Thomas without government support. “It was a huge room full of drug addicts,” says Thomas. “Five o’clock,
they gave me dinner, and six o’clock you had to be in bed. I was scared of the other residents. They made
racist jokes. I couldn’t sleep all night. The next morning I took the first bus back to Manchester.” He spent his
second night in the bus station before another friend let him stay.
5
At this time, the asylum and immigration tribunal decided that Zimbabweans would be in danger if they were
sent home, so Thomas reapplied for asylum. But his claim was rejected. His case worker at Refugee Action
appealed, and Thomas attended an appeal hearing in London.
6
He won the appeal, and returned to Manchester expecting to move into a hostel and receive government
food vouchers, instead of depending on friends and charity, but nothing arrived for another two months.
Three days before Christmas, he was finally given a room in a National Asylum Support Service [Nass]
hostel. But it was horrible. “My bedroom floor was covered in water, the kitchen ceiling leaked, there was
mould growing everywhere.” And the first food vouchers didn’t arrive until Christmas Eve, when the only
supermarkets that accepted them were closed. “I spent Christmas Day ill with hunger,” he says.
7
But in the new year, life improved: Thomas was transferred to a better Nass hostel, and then he heard that
his sister, who he hadn’t seen for three years since escaping from Zimbabwe, was living in the Midlands!
“I couldn’t believe it,” he says. “She had left the same night as myself, after the Green Bombers had beaten
me up in front of my family. None of us had heard from her.”
8
He remembered Sonia as a big woman. Now 43, also a failed asylum seeker, she was tiny. “We hated each
other when I was growing up,” Thomas laughs. “But now I just wanted to be with her. She is the only family
I have here.”
9
He has one brother still in Zimbabwe and another who died last year. Another brother and two other sisters
are in South Africa, where his mother now lives, too. Her house in Zimbabwe was destroyed by Mugabe’s
so-called slum clearance programme.
10
Thomas met Tanya through a friend of Sonia’s, and they liked each other immediately. She invited Thomas
to move in with her and her four young children. With Tanya at work all day, Thomas became a house
husband. “It’s the happiest I have ever been,” he smiles, holding Tanya’s hand. They plan to marry when
14
Thomas has his refugee status. “I don’t want anyone to think we are only getting married so I can stay,” he
insists. “She’s been there for me, more than anyone else in my life. She took me in when I had nothing.”
11
Thomas wants to support his new family, but asylum seekers are not allowed to work. Five months on, the
Home Office has told him nothing about his case, and this makes him nervous. “It’s not knowing what is
going on that is stressful,” he says. In April, the government obtained permission to send failed asylum
seekers back to Zimbabwe, allowing it to deport up to 7,000 people.
12
What will he do if the Home Office does deport failed asylum seekers to Zimbabwe? Thomas says: “It’s
harder now. I have a family here, but I’ll have to go underground again. No way am I going back.” And
Tanya? Without hesitation, she replies: “I’ll go wherever he is.”
Are the following statements true or false?

1. Alison Benjamin has written about Thomas before.
2. He was given permission to stay in 2004.
3. Manchester is his favourite place.
4. He was afraid that the police and the hospital would report him to the authorities.
5. The British government has never changed its ideas about refugees from Zimbabwe.
6. He wants to marry Tanya so that he can stay in Britain.
7. He still doesn’t have permission to stay.
4 Vocabulary Development 1 Word building
Change the word in brackets to fit the sentence. All the correct forms are in the text.
1. is the action of removing things that you don’t want. (CLEAR).
2. People who hate other people just because of the colour of their skin are . (RACE).
3. ‘Please can I have to leave the room?’ (PERMIT)
4. is when people move to another country to live there always. (IMMIGRATE).
5. A feeling of is when you cannot be sure what is going to happen. (CERTAIN)
15
5 Vocabulary Development 2 Word groups
Put these words into three groups connected with ‘living’, ‘fear’ and ‘health’.
house afraid hospital hostel illness scared surviving
stressful move in with injured residents check-up slum
frightened took me in room terrified stay nervous
Living Fear Health

e.g. house e.g. afraid e.g. hospital
leave
be
sleep

won’t
go

can’t

send

give

have

6 Discussion
How do you feel about Thomas’s situation?

Do you think countries should restrict or refuse refugees?
16
Marriage Indonesian-style
1 Key Words
Fill in the gaps in the sentences with the words below.
bridegroom bride cuddle (vb) unconvincingly cleric

divorce (n) disobedient widower tsunami object (vb)
1. is a legal way of ending a marriage.
2. If someone is , they do not do what people in authority tell them to do.
3. If you to something, you are opposed to it.
4. The is a man who is getting married.

5. is a general word for priest.
6. A is a man whose wife has died.
7. If you someone, you put your arms round them and hold them close to show that you
like or love them.
8. A is a huge tidal wave.
9. The is a woman who is getting married.
10. If you do or say something , you do it in such a way that no-one really believes you.

1. How old is Tri?
2. What is Yanti’s job?
3. How big is Tri’s farm?
4. Where is Yanti from?
5. Where does Tini work?
6. How old was Tini when her parents tried to force her to marry?
Indonesian parents still pick children’s marriage partners

by John Aglionby in Bumi Agung
When the bridegroom, Tri Cayono, and the bride, Yanti, saw each other on their wedding day, their reactions
were rather unusual for a future husband and wife. Yanti greeted Tri with a formal handshake and a nervous
smile. Tri nodded briefly at her and moved away. During the evening they did now show any affection towards
one another. They did not kiss. They didn’t want to cuddle one another, even when the photographer tried to
persuade them to do so.
17
This is an example of the traditions that continue to exist in many parts of Indonesia. Not only had Yanti,
22, a restaurant cook, and Tri, 24, a farmer, just met for the first time, they hardly knew anything about each
other. “Er, what does he like to do in his spare time?’ Yanti asked a cousin the day before the wedding.
Two months ago Tri told his friends and family that he wanted to marry a girl from central Java. “I think
they’re cooler and more fun,” he said. The fact that he didn’t know any girls from central Java wasn’t a
problem for him. A friend of his, Fajar, said he had a cousin, Mursiyati, who might be a good wife. Tri accepted
the offer immediately. Mursiyati’s parents forced her to accept Tri’s offer – the fact that Tri has a one and a
quarter acre (0.5 hectare) farm was very attractive to her labourer father – and she agreed to marry Tri.
A month later Mursiyati met someone she liked and married her new boyfriend instead. But Tri was still
determined to marry a woman from central Java and Fajar felt he had to find one for him.
So early in June the family suggested Yanti, a cousin. Again land was the central factor. “As soon as I heard
her voice, saw her photo and learnt she was a cook, I knew that she was the woman for me,” Tri said,
unconvincingly. Yanti said she was “happy and excited” at the prospect of marrying Tri, but her father,
Saulusmin, was not. “I mean they haven’t even met - how can they get married?’ he said. But he did want
to argue with his wife, Gina. “She would have been angry with me if I had objected. It would not have been
pleasant,” Saulusmin said.
It is impossible to know how many Indonesians end up in arranged marriages like these. Saman, the cleric
who married Yanti and Tri, said “extreme” stories such as theirs, where the couple had not met, are rare and
perhaps only 1% of marriages are like this. “But there are many where the children do what they’re told,” he
said. Tini, a maid in Jakarta who ran away after her parents tried to force her, at the age of 15, to marry a
28-year-old, thinks about a third of all marriages in her district take place without the full agreement of the
bride and groom.
World Vision, an international aid agency, says that arranged marriages are “still common” and experts say
it is unlikely they will die out soon. “It’s the tradition and it’s hard to go against traditions,” said Gadis Arivia,
of the women’s group Jurnal Perempuan. “Parents don’t believe in modern practices, particularly when they
see divorce rates going up. Daughters who obey their parents get support. The disobedient ones have a
much harder life.”
The series of recent natural disasters and communal conflicts in Indonesia have also helped to maintain the
tradition, said Samsidar, a commissioner of the National Commission for Violence Against Women. “In
situations where women have died, it is traditional for their younger sisters to look after their children, and
this usually means they have to marry the widower,” she said. There is also a strong economic aspect. “After
something like the tsunami many people had financial problems,” Samsidar said. “So we saw a lot of people
hurrying to marry off their children to make their own lives that much easier.”
Back in Bumi Agung, Yanti tried to convince everyone she was happy. “If I don’t have to go to work again
- it’s his job to provide for me - and if I can have a couple of children, then I’ll be happy,” she said. “And I’ll
probably be able to come back and visit central Java once a year.”
18
Are these statements True or False according to the text?

1. Arranged marriages are dying out in Indonesia.
2. Natural disasters have prolonged the tradition of arranged marriages.
3. Tri and Yanti were cool towards each other at their wedding.
4. Yanti’s father was happy and excited about his daughter’s wedding.
5. Most marriages in Indonesia are arranged marriages.
6. The bridegroom’s land is an important factor.
7. Yanti says she will be happy if she has a couple of children.
8. When women die, their older sisters look after their children.
4 Vocabulary Collocations
Match the words in the left-hand column with those in the right-hand column to make collocations from the text.
1. wedding a. agency
2. nervous b. rate
3. spare c. agreement
4. full d. day
5. aid e. conflict
6. divorce f. time
7. natural g. smile
8. communal h. disaster
5 Vocabulary Word Building
Complete the table.
Verb Noun Verb Noun
1. exist 5. accept
2. marry 6. agree
3. offer 7. obey
4. arrange 8. provide
19
6 Vocabulary Word family
Look at the example with agree and then make a similar word family with obey.
agree obey
agreement
(adjective)
disagree
disagreement
(adjective)
7 Discussion
Do you agree with the idea of arranged or forced marriages? Make a list of points for and against the practice.
20
Ceausescu’s child spies
1 Key Vocabulary
recruit (vb) blackmail (vb) allegedly archive collaborator
patriotic Abuse (n) prosecutor promote access
1. If you someone, you move them to a job at a higher level.
2. If someone does something, another person says they have done it, even though this has
not been proved.
3. means cruel, violent or unfair treatment.
4. A is a lawyer whose job is to prove in court that someone accused of a crime is guilty.
5. If you someone, you make them give you money or do what you want by threatening to tell
people embarrassing information about them.
6. A is someone who secretly helps an enemy or opponent by giving them information.
7. If you have to something, you have the right or opportunity to use it.
8. If you someone, you get them to join an organisation.
9. An is a collection of historical documents and records.
10. A person is someone who feels a lot of love, respect and duty towards their country.
2 Find the Information
Look in the text and find this information.

1. When was the Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceausescu shot?
2. What was the name of Ceausescu’s secret police?
3. Which town was ruled by Ceausescu’s son Nicu?
4. What percentage of police informers in Romania were children?
5. When were the secret police archives opened?
6. Which town is European Capital of Culture in 2007?
Ceausescu’s police forced children to become spies

by Daniel McLaughlin in Budapest
The secret police of the Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceausescu recruited thousands of children to spy on
schoolfriends, parents and teachers, according to documents from the communist era. The documents show
that the Securitate blackmailed children into becoming informers in the late 1980s, when liberalisation in
other Eastern European countries forced a worried Ceausescu to increase his control over the people of
Romania.
21
The information in the files has led many people to ask for an inquiry into why many agents who allegedly
recruited the child spies continued to work for the security services after Ceausescu was removed from power
and shot in 1989. “In every Romanian county there were complex networks of these children, aged between
12 and 14,” said Cazimir Ionescu, a member of the state council responsible for studying the Securitate
archives. A Romanian historian, Marius Oprea, found a collection of these files in the Transylvanian town of
Sibiu, the 2007 European Capital of Culture, which was controlled by Ceausescu’s son Nicu.
“In Sibiu in 1989 the Securitate recruited 830 informers; 170 were under 18,” Mr Oprea said. “On the basis
of Sibiu, you could say that possibly 15% of the whole country’s informers were children.” Historians believe
the Securitate had hundreds of thousands of collaborators by 1989, as Soviet power began to disappear
in eastern Europe. “What kind of information could these children give, except on family, teachers, and so
on?” Mr Oprea asked. “This shows that, by 1989, the Securitate was being used to control its own ordinary
people.”
The children were expected to tell Securitate agents about their friends’ and families’ opinions on the
Communist party, and whether they listened to western radio stations, had contact with foreigners or made
jokes about Ceausescu.
“In the 1980s the situation in Romania made it difficult to recruit anyone by asking them to do it for patriotic
reasons, so they had to blackmail people, even children, with things they had done wrong at school or with
information they threatened to use against them,” Mr Oprea said.
The secret police focused their attention on intelligent and sporty children, whose participation in teams and
clubs meant they had contact with many teachers, other children and their parents. “This was incredible
abuse,” Dan Voinea, the public prosecutor investigating the case, told Romanian reporters.
Several alleged recruiters were promoted in the secret police after 1989, and some brought their young
spies to work with them when they left school. “This is a tragedy which must not only be publicised but must
also have clear consequences for the people responsible for it,” said Stejarel Olaru, a historian working with
Mr Oprea at the state institute for studying communist crimes.
Mr Oprea found evidence of the child-spy programme soon after 1989, but at that time the ex-communists
who seized power after the fall of Ceausescu were not interested in his story so he remained silent for 15
years. It was only after reformers won the 2004 elections and removed the old guard that the Securitate
archive was opened. Access to the archive is now increasing under pressure from the EU, which Romania
hopes to join in January.
3 Comprehension Check
Choose the best answer according to the text.

1. Why did Ceausescu increase control over the people of Romania in the late 1980s?
a. because the same thing was happening in other Eastern European countries.
b. because the Securitate was blackmailing children.
c. because other Eastern European countries were becoming more liberal.
22
2. Why did the Securitate recruit children?
a. because they couldn’t find any adult informers.
b. because they wanted information about family members and teachers.
c. because they wanted to blackmail them.
3. Why did the Securitate have to use blackmail in order to recruit informers?
a. because few people wanted to become informers for patriotic reasons.
b. because a lot of children did things wrong at school.
c. because they needed to recruit intelligent and sporty children.
4. When were the Securitate archives opened?

a. after the death of Ceausescu in 1989.
b. after the reformers won the election in 2004.
c. they haven’t been opened yet.
Match the words in the left-hand column with those in the right-hand column to make collocations from the
text.
1. secret a. services
2. security b. guard
3. ordinary c. police
4. public d. people
5. old e. network
6. complex f. prosecutor
23
Complete the table.

Verb Noun
1. collect
2. disappear
3. threaten
4. participate
5. investigate
6. promote
7. remove
8. blackmail
6 Vocabulary Prepositions
Use prepositions to complete these phrases from the text.
1. control someone
2. remove power
3. contact foreigners
4. make jokes someone
5. focus attention something
6. participation teams and clubs

7. spy someone
8. access something
7 Discussion
Can you think of any situation when it is right for people to spy on their friends, family and school or work-
mates?
24
Madame la Présidente?
1 Pre-Reading 1
Have you heard of Ségolène Royal?

What do you know about her?
2 Pre-Reading 2 Key Words
an elite the left ageing a clique chauvinism run-down a trade union
1. Workers can join an organization called because they want to improve their pay or
working conditions.
2. is a polite word for ‘old’.
3. A building or district that is in very bad condition is .
4. People whose political ideas are more socialist than conservative are known as .
5. is the belief that your own country, race or sex is better than any other.
6. is a small group of people with a lot of power or influence.
7. is a small group of people who seem very unfriendly to others.
Now read the article and see if you were right.
Madame La Présidente?
Could Ségolène Royal become France’s first female head of state, asks Angelique Chrisafis
1
In a sports hall in a small town outside Bordeaux, a crowd of more than 1,000 fans suddenly jumped up,
arms in the air, and began stamping and clapping to the rhythm of a second world war Italian partisan song:
“Bella, ciao! Bella, ciao! Bella, ciao, ciao, ciao!” From the back of the hall, smiling benevolently, waving to
the beat, stepped La Bella, Ségolène Royal.
2
In less than a year, Royal, the 53-year-old mother of four and head of the regional government in
Poitou-Charentes, has unexpectedly become very popular. She is now the only MP among the top 50
most-loved personalities in France, and appears in all France’s celebrity gossip magazines. They love her
personal story of success out of difficulty: she was the shy teenage daughter of an ultra-Catholic,
authoritarian army colonel who brutally punished his children and believed women should stay at home
like his wife; now she is fighting against French male chauvinism.
25
3
Royal doesn’t accept that the French left should be ruled by men. Instead of just helping the ageing men who
run the socialist party - “les éléphants” - she now has an army of devoted followers of her own movement,
Désirs d’Avenir - “Wishes for the Future”. They support her totally, unpaid, and believe that she alone can save
France from the depression and terrible social inequalities of 12 years under President Jacques Chirac.
4
France certainly has problems. Youth unemployment is high, violent crime is rising and many fear that last
year’s riots in the run-down, immigrant suburbs, where teenagers say racism ruins their lives, could rapidly
start again. Nicolas Sarkozy, the centre-right interior minister who would also like to be president, is openly
trying to attract the far-right with his strict immigration policies.
5
Royal’s huge popular support makes her seem the only possible Socialist president. But the elephants will
not go down without a fight. They say she is inexperienced, and her popularity cannot last. “It is going to be
nasty,” admits one Royal supporter.
6
Like the last Socialist president, François Mitterrand, who she once worked for, Royal is focusing on the
provinces, touring the country’s regions and promising to move power away from the Paris elite. In one
village, more than 200 wine-makers who may lose their vines as Europe tries to reduce its wine-lake were
so impressed that the old ladies lined up to kiss her and be photographed with her.
7
“It’s all about the people,” she smiled between meetings in Bordeaux. I asked her what kept her going:
“My need to rise to the challenge of the trust that the people, the country, has given me.”
8
At the exclusive Ecole National d’Administration, where the French ruling class are trained, Royal was
in the same class as the prime minister, Dominique de Villepin. There, too, she met her partner, François
Hollande. Later, she worked in the ministries of education, environment, family and childhood, while he
became Socialist party leader in 2002. They have four children but have never married.
9
For months, people criticized Royal for talking vaguely about family values and public morals and having no
clear policies. Now she is clarifying her plans to modernise France, but, like Mitterrand, her opinions seem
both right and left. She annoyed the left by suggesting a form of military service for difficult teenagers, and
criticising the Socialists’ beloved 35-hour working week. However, she strongly supports trade unions, and
has promised to ban genetically modified food. Unlike the rest of her party, she admires Tony Blair, but she
is against the war in Iraq. “My diplomatic policy would not consist of going and kneeling in front of George
Bush,” she has said.
10
“I don’t think she always wanted to be president. I think she stood up because she had another message to
give,” says MEP Gilles Savary, part of Royal’s inner circle. “The Socialist party in France has been a clique
of men, cut off from the population.” Royal is promising to speak for ordinary people in a society where those
in power don’t listen to them.
11
Socialist rivals have attacked her for avoiding difficult subjects. “What is the first measure you’ll take if
you’re elected?” she was asked in Bondy, but she didn’t really answer. Before she left, she promised the
crowd, “Power won’t change me.” But many outside the Segosphere still wonder who Royal really is, and
what won’t be changing.
© Guardian News & Media Ltd 2006
26
3 General comprehension
Are the following statements True or False? If they are false, say why.
1. Ségolène Royal was not always so popular.
2. She had a happy childhood.
3. She wants to save the elephants.
4. She doesn’t think Jacques Chirac’s government helped the French people.
5. All her own party members support her.
6. François Hollande is her husband.
7. Not all her policies are typically socialist.
8. She wants to help ordinary men and women.
4 Vocabulary development 1 Collocations
Match an adjective on the left with a noun on the right to make common collocations from the text.
1. socialist a. values
2. violent b. service
3. immigration c. leader
4. prime d. crime
5. party e. unions
6. family f. minister
7. military g. policies
8. trade h. party
Now scan the article quickly to see if you were right.

(Different combinations are sometimes possible in other texts!)
27
5 Vocabulary development 2 Adverbs 1
These adverbs come from the article. Match each one with a definition below.
strongly openly genetically brutally rapidly suddenly vaguely benevolently

1. very cruelly
2. warmly and kindly
3. not very clearly
4. very quickly
5. all at once
6. not trying to hide what you are doing
7. positively, without hesitation
8. connected with the genes, or DNA
6 Vocabulary development 3 Adverbs 2
See if you can remember which adverb fits each of the phrases below. The phrases are in the order in
which they appear; some have been shortened.
1. More than 1,000 fans leapt to their feet

2. … from the back of the hall, smiling ,
3. …an… authoritarian army colonel who punished his children
4. …last year’s riots… could start again
5. Nicolas Sarkozy… is targeting far-right sympathizers
6. Royal was ridiculed for talking about family values
7. She supports trade unions
8. …she… has promised to ban modified food.
Now re-read the article quickly to check.
7 Discussion
Does your country have a woman president?
If not, do you think you are likely to have one in the future?
Why / why not?
What do you think of Ségolène Royal’s policies?
Would you vote for her?
Why / why not?
28
The colour of crime in South Africa
1 Key words
folk hero racial harmony revenge martyr mass murderer

instill low profile apartheid regime unwillingness
1. is the political system that existed in South Africa, in which only white people had
political rights and power.
2. A/An is a system or form of government.
3. A/An is someone who has killed several people.
4. A/An someone who is admired for his achievements by the people of a region.
5. If you show to do something, you show that you do not want to do it.
6. If you terror in someone, you make that person feel very afraid.
7. is a type of behaviour that deliberately does not attract attention.
8. is something that you do to hurt or punish someone because they have hurt you or
someone else.
9. is a situation in which people of different races live and work well together.
10. A/An is someone who suffers or is killed because of their religious or political beliefs.
Look in the text and find out who the following people are as quickly as possible.
1. Louis Van Schoor
2. Heidi Holland
3. Sabrina Van Schoor
The Colour of Crime in South Africa

Sympathy for an apartheid mass murderer highlights the refusal of whites to take responsibility for the past
By Rory Carroll
South Africa’s most famous mass murderer drinks some coffee, sits back in his chair and pauses when he is
asked if it is true that he shot more than 100 black people. “I can’t argue with that,” says Louis Van Schoor.
“I never kept count.” Seated at a restaurant terrace in East London, a seaside town in the Eastern Cape,
the former security guard looks confident as he relaxes in the sunshine and thinks about his days as an
apartheid folk hero.
In the 1980s, he was hired to protect businesses owned by white people. He is thought to have shot 101
people, killing 39, in the course of three years. Some were burglars; others were passersby. All were black
or coloured, the term for those of mixed race. Convicted of murder but released from jail after 12 years, Van
29
Schoor does not regret his actions. “I was doing my job - I was paid to protect property. I never apologised
for what I did.”
He is not the only one. According to black clerics and politicians, whites in general have never apologised
for what happened during the apartheid regime. This unwillingness to admit past sins is revealed in a book
published last month, The Colour of Murder, by Heidi Holland, which investigates the cruel actions of Van
Schoor and also his daughter, Sabrina, who hired a hitman to murder her mother. “The story is of a family
but it is also the story of a divided country and of the people of that country trying to find new ways to live
with each other,” says Holland.
Magistrates and the police, grateful for the terror he instilled in black people, covered his tracks until local
journalists and human rights campaigners revealed his actions when apartheid started coming to an end.
During his 1992 trial white residents displayed “I Love Louis” stickers decorated with three bullet holes
through a bleeding heart. People still feel sympathy for him. “The reaction is 90% positive. Strangers say,
‘Hey, it’s good to see you,’“ says Van Schoor.
Van Schoor was convicted of seven murders and two attempted murders. Since his release two years ago,
after benefiting from a sentence reduction for all convicts issued by Nelson Mandela when he was president,
Van Schoor, 55, has slimmed down, shaved off his beard and kept a low profile, working as a cattle farm
foreman outside East London.
When he was released in 2004, Van Schoor said he had found God and expressed sorrow to the relatives of
his victims. “I apologise if any of my actions caused them hurt.” In an interview last week, he tried to clarify
his position. “I never apologised for what I did. I apologised for any hurt or pain that I caused through my
actions during the course of my work.”
Thanks to his changed appearance and low profile, he has faced no revenge. Few black people recognise
him, including the bookseller who took his order for The Colour of Murder. When Van Schoor gave his name,
she realised who he was. “She nearly fell off her chair,” he says, smiling.
Married four times and now engaged once more to a local woman, Van Schoor, says he is “happy and
content”. But he does not seem to approve of the new South Africa. “Everything has changed - people’s
attitudes, the service in shops, it’s not the same.” On the contrary, say black leaders, one crucial thing has
stayed the same: the whites still won’t admit past sins.
Van Schoor’s killings were made possible by a white establishment that did not react as his victims increased.
Many of them were poor children such as Liefie Peters, 13, who was shot while hiding in the toilet of a
Wimpy restaurant after breaking in to steal cash. Eating a burger yards from where Van Schoor killed the
teenage boy, Jacques Durandt, a 33-year-old white former member of the security forces, defended the
killer. “I won’t say he’s a murderer. For him it was a job.”
East London does have at least one white supporter of racial harmony: Van Schoor’s daughter, Sabrina,
25. While her father was in jail she shocked the white community by dating black men and giving birth to a
mixed-race child. In 2002, she hired a black man to kill her mother, claiming she was a racist. Convicted of
murder and sent to the same prison as her father, Sabrina Van Schoor is seen as a martyr by some black
people. She seems popular among fellow inmates at Fort Glamorgan jail. “That girl, she’s not like the whites
outside of here. She’s OK,” says one inmate.
Speaking through iron bars, Sabrina Van Schoor, powerfully built like her father, says she is nervous that
everyone will start talking about her family again because of the book. “I’m afraid it might open old wounds.”
30
Choose the correct answers according to the text. If both a. and b. are correct, choose c.
1. In the 1980s, Louis Van Schoor was .
a. a member of the security forces b. an apartheid folk hero c. both
2. He was found guilty of murdering .

a. black people b. Sabrina’s mother c. both
3. never apologized for what happened during the apartheid regime.

a. Louis Van Schoor b. The whites in general c. both
4. He was released from prison .

a. before completing his sentence b. after twelve years c. both
5. When he was freed, he started working as a .

a. security guard b. foreman c. both
6. So far, no one has taken revenge on him because .

a. people have sympathy for him b. he has kept a low profile c. both
7. Van Schoor’s daughter shocked the community because .

a. she dated black men b. she had a coloured child c. both
8. Sabrina Van Schoor hired someone to kill her mother because .

a. her mother didn’t respect black people b. her mother didn’t respect her father c. both
4 Vocabulary 1 – Nouns for people
Read the references and complete the sentences with nouns that describe different kinds of people.
Louis Van Schoor killed (1) and (2).
(1) people who enter a building illegally to steal things

(2) people who are walking past a place
According to black (3) and (4), the whites have never apologised.
(3) people who are members of the clergy
(4) people who have a job in politics
31
(5) and the (6) hid the evidence of Louis Van Schoor’s crimes.
(5) judges in court for minor cases
(6) people who catch criminals and check that the law is obeyed
(7) and human rights (8) revealed Van Schoor’s crimes.

(7) people whose job is to report the news
(8) people who try to produce political or social change
All (9) benefited from the sentence reduction issued by Nelson Mandela.
(9) people who are in prison for a crime they committed
Van Schoor expressed sprrow to the relatives of his (10).
(10) people who have been injured or killed as a result of a crime
Sabrina Van Schoor claims that her mother was a (11).
(11) someone who does not like or respect people from other races.
5 Vocabulary 2 – Idiomatic expressions
Choose a verb and a noun or noun phrase from each column to complete the idiomatic expressions used
in the text.
Verb Noun/noun phrase

cover a low profile
keep his tracks
keep old wounds
open count
1. Van Schoor did not of the number of people he killed.

2. The police decided to because they were grateful for the terror he instilled.
3. When he was freed, he slimmed down and shaved off his beard to .
4. Van Schoor’s daughter is fearful that Holland’s book might .
Now match each expression with one of the explanations below.
a. To try to stop people from noticing you.

b. To make someone remember something bad that happened in the past.
c. To hide any evidence that you were somewhere or did something.
d. To remember or record a number as it changes over a period of time.
32
6 Vocabulary 3 Prepositions
Use the prepositions in the box to complete the sentences based on the text. Use each preposition twice.
from for of to with
1. Van Schoor was convicted seven murders and two attempted murders.
2. He was released jail after 12 years.
3. He benefited a sentence reduction.
4. He has never apologised what he did.
5. Thanks his low profile, he has faced no revenge.
6. The police were grateful the terror he instilled.
7. “I love Louis” stickers were decorated three bullet holes through a bleeding heart.
8. He does not approve the new South Africa.
9. His daughter gave birth a mixed-race child.
10.In South Africa, black and whites are trying to find new ways to live each other.
7 Discussion
How do you think Van Schoor should be dealt with? Should he and the whites in general apologise for the
killings during the apartheid period? Why/Why not?
33
Christmas is coming - all the way from China
1 Key words
Fill the gaps using the key words from the text.
cargo goods cracker capital maiden

decorations exploitation wrapping paper implications
1 A is a decorated paper tube that makes a noise when you pull it apart. It contains a small
toy, a paper hat and a joke inside. It’s used traditionally at Christmas in the UK.
2 In countries which celebrate Christmas, people often put up in their house.
3 is special paper used for wrapping presents.
4 are objects produced for sale.
5 is money or property that you use to start a business or invest.
6 is unfair treatment of someone in order to get benefit for yourself.
7 are possible effects or results
8 are things that are sent by ship, airplane or truck.
9 A voyage or flight is one that is done for the first time.

1 What is the Emma Maersk 3?
2 Where is it from?
3 Where is it going?
4 What is on the Emma Maersk 3?
5 Are people happy about this?

by John Vidal
Christmas is coming this year on board the biggest ship afloat, on its maiden voyage from China. To the
relief of children, parents and shopkeepers everywhere - but to the despair of European manufacturers
- mountains of crackers, toys and games as well as decorations, wrapping paper, food and every imaginable
gift are on the way to Felixstowe, Suffolk, aboard the Emma Maersk 3.
If anything should happen to this 400m-long, 61 metre-high boat, that is as wide as a motorway and is
powered by the largest diesel engine ever built, then Christmas might have to be cancelled. The 3,000
containers of goods that it will drop off in Britain on its way to mainland Europe contain the largest amount
of Christmas goods ever delivered - a floating world of British desires and necessities. Crackers, poker
tables, bingo sets, drum kits, electronic toys and pre-school building blocks will be delivered in astonishing
quantities: 1,886,000 Christmas decorations are loaded in one container, 40,000 rechargeable batteries and
22,280kg of Vietnam tea in another. In another are 12,800 MP3 players.
34
There are potato mashers and spoons to cook with, leather sofas to recline on, new spectacles to watch
new televisions by, and pyjamas to go to bed in. Pets will be especially happy; 138,000 tins of catfood are on
their way, as are mountains of dogfood. But the ship and its cargo was the subject of an intense row over the
increasing number of imports from China. Caroline Lucas, Green Member of European Parliament (MEP) for
southeast England, said it was a “microcosm of globalisation gone mad”. “All these goods could have been
made in Europe,” said Ms Lucas “Whole sectors of global trade are now being dominated by China. The real
cost of the goods that the Emma Maersk is bringing in should include the environment, the markets destroyed
in developing countries and the millions of jobs lost.” Britain exported more than GBP 2.8bn of goods to China
last year but imported nearly GBP 16bn, a 30-fold increase on 1980. The UK is Europe’s third-biggest trading
partner with China but in global terms represents less than 2% of China’s trade.
The Emma Maersk is carrying about 11,000 containers and is by far the largest container ship ever built.
Yentian port, from which it set off last month, now exports nearly three times that many containers every day.
Last year Ms Lucas led an EU study into trade with China and found its implications terrifying. “These are
the goods that Europe used to make. We are faced with a country that has an almost absolute advantage
in an increasing number of sectors. This a triumph for multinational capital, not for Chinese workers who, as
well as suffering from some of the worst labour exploitation on record, are also losing jobs at a phenomenal
rate,” she said.
The Emma Maersk, the first of a fleet of seven equally large container ships, will soon be on its way back
to China taking back the waste of Christmas. One of Britain’s biggest exports to China is now waste plastic
- which is turned back into soft toys and decorations.
GBP: Great Britain Pounds

bn: billion
Choose the correct answer.
1 The Emma Maersk contains 3,000 containers for .

a) China
b) Britain
c) Europe
2 The UK represents of China’s trade with the world.

a) the majority
b) a small part
c) the third-largest part
3 According to Christine Lucas, the Emma Maersk

a) harms the environment
b) creates jobs
c) creates markets in developing countries
35
4 Yentian port exports containers every day.
a) around 11,000
b) around 33,000
c) 2.8 bn
5 The goods on board the Emma Maersk 3 .

a) used to be made in Europe
b) are made in Europe
c) are made in Britain
6 When the Emma Maersk 3 returns to China it will contain .

a) decorations
b) soft toys
c) waste plastic from Britain
4 Vocabulary Lexical sets
Put the words and phrases in the box into one of the different categories:
on board ship trade maiden voyage

manufacturers capital labour decorations
wrapping paper abroad globalisation boat
floating goods cargo port
imports sectors markets fleet
trading partners crackers exports toys afloat
SEA TRAVEL vocabulary: on board,
TRADE vocabulary: trade,
CHRISTMAS vocabulary: toys,
5 Vocabulary Word information
Complete the table.
Verb Adjective
float
recharge
develop
terrify
imagine
36
Make collocations with the words in A and the words in B. Check your answers in the text.
A B
1 intense trade
2 building countries
3 trading rate
4 phenomenal row
5 rechargeable batteries
6 developing blocks
7 global partner
7 Discussion
Do you think people consume too much at Christmas?

Is it wrong to import so many goods from China?
37
Another country
1 Key words
bewilderment revenge pacifist buggy emigrate
gadget dispute persecute determined preserve
1. A is a person who believes violence is wrong and refuses to fight in wars.
2. A is a serious disagreement between two or more groups of people.
3. is something you do to punish someone because they have hurt you.
4. If a society someone, they treat then very badly because of their race, religion or political
beliefs.
5. A person is someone who is not willing to let anything stop them from doing what they had
decided to do.
6. If you a way of life, you keep it from changing or being lost.
7. is a feeling of extreme confusion.
8. A is a light vehicle pulled by a horse.
9. If someone , they leave their country in order to live abroad.
10. A is a small piece of equipment that does something useful.

Look in the text and find this information.
1. In which American state do the Amish live?
2. How many children did Charles Roberts kill?
3. What was the name of the 1985 Harrison Ford film about the Amish?
4. Where did the Amish religion originate?
5. When did the Amish emigrate to the United States?
6. What percentage of Amish teenagers who move away eventually return to the community?
Another country
Ed Pilkington on the extraordinary survival, and even prosperity, of the Amish in the modern world
Last week’s horrific shootings in the schoolhouse in Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania attracted an enormous
amount of attention in the newspapers and on television. Looking at the television pictures, it was the little
details that made you think. For example, the fact that the police had to use vans to take the parents to
hospital to be at the bedsides of their children because they refused to go by police helicopter. The scene
of worried mothers shyly peeking over the heads of television cameramen filming a press conference near
the school while the pictures were being relayed instantly around the world. The parents had to be there in
person as they had no televisions at home. There is something about those images of life in the Amish
community of Lancaster county that is difficult for many people to understand. Apart from the horror of the
38
Another country
killing of five girls by a milk truck driver, there is bewilderment. How is it possible, in this digital age where
news travels at the speed of light, that people living just a few miles from the tragedy were still learning
about the murders hours after they had happened?
Why did Charles Roberts decide to take revenge for an insult he suffered at the age of 12 on girls on the
Amish community? The Amish are pacifist. At times of war they will undertake civilian duties but will not
fight in the army. The community where Roberts committed the murders, 80km west of Philadelphia, has no
police force and no guns. In the United States that is extremely unusual. Anyone who can remember Witness,
the 1985 Harrison Ford film, will have a feeling for the setting of Lancaster county. Green rolling hills with
black and white cattle, weather-beaten barns, plain, simple buildings, and black horse-drawn buggies. Add
to that the ‘plain’ dress, as they call it and it all looks like what it is – a community of farmers that has hardly
changed since the late 19th century. The word ‘hardly’ is important. Many people think the Amish are
completely opposed to everything modern.
In reality, the Amish are the product of change, some of it dramatic. They were originally Mennonites,
a religion born in Switzerland in 1525, when the Mennonites broke away from the Protestants. Later, in
Switzerland in 1693, the Amish broke away from the wider Mennonite community after a religious dispute.
The Amish emigrated to Pennsylvania around the 1730s to after William Penn offered protection to persecuted
religions. The Old Order of Amishes, the main group of people in Lancaster county, was then formed when
they broke away from their fellow Amish in a disagreement over the technological changes brought by
the industrial revolution. The Old Order was determined to take from technology only those elements that
matched their interpretation of the Bible.
“It is easy to get it wrong about the Amish,” says Peter Seibert, president of the Heritage Centre of Lancaster
county and a non-Amish. “They are not putting up walls to block out the modern world. What they are doing
is adapting their community to modernity in order to preserve it as a simple farming society. They pick and
choose what they want from our world”.
So they do not have television, not because they think it is a modern evil but because they do not want their
children to see sexual and violent images. They travel by buggy to keep the community together because they
believe motor cars drive people apart. And there is some modernity in Lancaster county. They do not have
phones in their houses, but they will have one in the shed where they have a woodworking business. They
don’t have electrical gadgets but they have battery-powered cash registers and even laptop computers.
“Tourists can be quite disrespectful. They walk straight into Amish houses or schools thinking that they are
there as a tourist attraction. They have no sense that this is a living community that greatly values its privacy”,
says researcher Stephen Scott. The joke is, as Scott points out, that the Amish are the ones who benefit. They
may dislike being like zoo animals but they also make a great deal of money out of the flow of tourists.
These contradictory aspects of Amish life were clearly illustrated a couple of years ago when a reality TV
company made a programme called Amish in the City, a show in which a group of Amish teenagers were
taken out of their communities and transported to downtown LA. Yet the Amish faith was able to accept that.
The teenagers were going through a period known as the “running around years”, the period between the
end of school, at the age of 14, and the entry into the church in one’s late teens or early 20s.
In those five to eight years of freedom the children are not officially members of the church so they cannot
be expelled from the church. The result is a successful community. 80% of the teenagers who move away
from the community eventually return. The main problem for the Amish is now population growth, together
with a lack of land for them to farm.
39
Another country
None of this will be any comfort to the parents and neighbours of the five girls who died in last week’s
shooting or the others who remain critically ill. Any comfort will come from their faith itself. Seibert puts it
well: “For them this is God’s will, and that is all. Our world is all about the individual. Their world is all about
the community before God and the better life they will lead after death. That is difficult for us to understand,
but that is how it is.”
Are these sentences True or False according to the text?
1. The Amish are opposed to everything modern.
2. The Amish think television is evil.
3. The Amish are a simple farming community.
4. Some Amish have laptop computers and telephones.
5. The Amish are pacifists.
6. The Amish don’t make any money out of tourists.
7. Most young Amish eventually return to the community.
8. The main problem for the Amish is that their numbers are falling.
4 Vocabulary Words and Definitions
Match these words from the text with their definitions.
1. peeking a. extremely quickly
2. shyly b. belief in a god or gods
3. at the speed of light c. the freedom to do things without other people watching you or knowing
what you are doing
4. weather-beaten
d. damaged or made rough by being out for long periods in wind and rain
5. faith
e. showing no respect
6. community
f. in a nervous and embarrassed manner
7. disrespectful
g. looking at something quickly, especially secretly or from behind something
8. privacy
h. a group of people who live together in a particular area
40
Another country
Complete the table.
Adjective Noun
1. modern
2. private
3. religious
4. worried
5. tragic
6. violent
Which prepositions follow these words? Check your answers in the text.
1. apart
2. revenge
3. opposed
4. adapt
5. expel
6. lack
7 Discussion
Imagine that you lived in a society that was isolated from the modern world. What things would you miss?
What aspects of the modern world would you be happy to avoid?
41
Hollywood caught in gem warfare
1 Key words
profitable mercenary inspire evict trivialise
vital eliminate conflict jeweller pariah
1. If something is , it is very important, necessary or essential.
2. If you someone, you force them to leave their home or their land.
3. If you something, you get rid of it because it is not wanted.
4. A is fighting between two countries or groups.
5. A is a soldier who fights for any army that will pay him.
6. If an activity is , it produces a lot of money.
7. If you someone, you give them the enthusiasm to do something.
8. A is someone who makes, sells or repairs jewellery.
9. A state is a country that other countries dislike and avoid.
10. If you something, you make it seem less important or serious than it really is.

1. Who stars in the film Blood Diamond?
2. How many people died in the civil war in Sierra Leone?
3. How much is De Beers planning to spend on publicity?
4. What percentage of jobs in Botswana are linked to diamonds?
5. What is the biggest employer in Namibia?
6. What was the diamond market in Britain worth last year?

Jeevan Vasagar on a DiCaprio film that threatens to take the shine off Africa’s diamond trade
The diamond industry has begun an advertising campaign to protect its highly profitable business from
the negative publicity that might result from a Hollywood film about the trade in African “conflict diamonds”.
De Beers, the world’s biggest diamond company, plans to spend $15m on publicity, before the film Blood
Diamond is released in December. The film could make diamonds as unfashionable as fur.
In the film Leonardo DiCaprio plays a South African mercenary trying to find a rare pink diamond in
rebel-held territory in Sierra Leone, a west African country where the civil war was financed by diamond
smuggling, and led to 75,000 deaths. In real life DiCaprio has become a symbol for people who believe that
the diamond industry is destroying lives. The film has inspired a band of Kalahari Bushmen to advertise in
the Hollywood magazine Variety, attacking the diamond business. The Bushmen, who say they have been
evicted from ancestral lands in Botswana to make way for diamond mining, asked DiCaprio for his support.
42
In an open letter to the star they said: “After diamonds were found on our land we were evicted . . . Those
diamonds are a curse for us. We hope you will use your film to let people know that we too are victims of
diamonds and we just want to go home.”
Some people in the diamond industry have accused Hollywood of trivialising the truth about African diamonds.
Eli Izhakoff, chairman of the World Diamond Council, said: “This movie is about something that happened years
ago, something that has already been put right.” The industry has started a website to counter any negative
publicity from the film. Diamondfacts.org talks about the benefits the industry has brought to its workers and also
uses Nelson Mandela, who describes the diamond industry as “vital” to southern Africa’s economy.
In Botswana 25% of jobs are directly or indirectly linked to diamonds, while in Namibia the diamond trade is
the second-biggest employer after the government, the industry says. The Bushmen are not the only African
voices in the debate. Patrick Mazimhaka, a Rwandan diplomat who is now deputy chairman of the African
Union, wrote in a US newspaper recently saying that highlighting the negative role of diamonds in civil wars
“misses the fact that a lot of good can be done with money earned from natural resources. With good
management and careful leadership . . . natural resources have been a great force for good in Africa.”
The purpose of the diamond trade’s campaign is to protect a market worth $2.3bn in Britain last year.
Diamond retailers make a fifth of their sales at Christmas, when the film is due for its US release. It is
expected to come out in Britain in the New Year. “We don’t see [the film] as damaging so long as the
historical perspective is clear,” Izhakoff said. The industry says that conflict diamonds now make up less
than 1% of all diamonds sold, compared with 4% in the late 1990s, the period in which the film is set. The
Kimberley Process, a scheme that requires governments to track rough diamonds from mines to the
polished stage, has almost eliminated conflict diamonds, the industry says.
“This system is not perfect, but we are trying very hard to make it perfect,” Izhakoff said. “We don’t want a
single conflict diamond on the market.” But not everyone agrees that the problem has been solved. After
peace agreements ended several African civil wars, the main source of conflict diamonds is Ivory Coast, where
rebels control some mining areas. According to the pressure group Global Witness, diamonds smuggled out
of Ivory Coast into Mali are being sold on to international dealers. Congo-Brazzaville has been prohibited
from diamond trading because many people believe it is a centre of diamond smuggling, and next door in the
Democratic Republic of Congo, there is still occasional fighting for control of diamond mines and other
minerals even though the civil war is over. Susie Sanders, Global Witness campaigner, said: “We want
stronger internal controls to make sure that conflict diamonds can’t be smuggled into countries that are [in the]
Kimberley Process and exported. There is lots of smuggling. The control systems just aren’t strong enough.”
Jewellers in London’s Hatton Garden diamond district said they had been offered west African diamonds by
smugglers. One jeweller said: “The only thing we can do is make sure they’re non-conflict through our sources.
We don’t buy from Angola or anywhere that it can be turned into arms. “Sierra Leone is one of the countries we
don’t touch. We get people coming in from there [saying]: ‘Do you buy rough diamonds?’. We say: ‘Where are
they from?’ - [they say] ‘Sierra Leone’, and we say ‘Get out’. We’re doing everything we can to make sure we
don’t end up providing money that is used to buy weapons.” In fact, both Sierra Leone and Angola have peace
agreements now and can trade in diamonds again but conflict diamonds from Ivory Coast are still illegal.
There is a fear that the film will stop people buying all African diamonds, something both the industry and
the campaigners want to avoid. “It would be terrible if the film meant that people saw Sierra Leone as a
pariah,” said Sanders. “Quite a few African countries have weak control systems. It’s [the case] in West
Africa and the Congo. “What we really hope doesn’t happen is that people say ‘I’m not going to buy African
diamonds’. What we want to do is protect the legitimate diamond trade from Africa.”
43

1. De Beers is the world’s biggest diamond company.
2. The diamond industry is worried that the film Blood Diamond will have a negative effect on its business.
3. Blood Diamond is set in South Africa.
4. The Kalahari Bushmen are in favour of the diamond industry.
5. Nelson Mandela believes the diamond industry is very important for the economy of southern Africa.
6. 99% of all diamonds sold come from conflict zones.
7. Congo-Brazzaville is allowed to trade in diamonds.
8. Both the diamond industry and campaigners want to protect the diamond trade.
4 Vocabulary Adjectives
Match the adjectives from the text in the box with their opposites.
unfashionable rare careful natural occasional illegal weak internal
1. careless 5. artificial
2. strong 6. common
3. frequent 7. external
4. fashionable 8. legitimate
5 Vocabulary Adjectives + Nouns
Match the adjectives with the nouns. Check your answers in the text.
1. negative a. lands
2. natural b. perspective
3. legitimate c. war
4. ancestral d. resources
5. civil e. trade
6. historical f. publicity

44
6 Vocabulary Word building
Complete the table.
Verb Noun
1. release
2. agree
3. describe
4. publicise
5. manage
6. protect
7. smuggle
8. solve
7 Discussion
Is it right to prohibit trade in items like fur for moral reasons? What about the lives of poor people who depend on
these items to make a living?
45
US population passes 300 million
1 Key words
milestone census net sunbelt myth

urban impact decline ageing congestion
1. The adjective means ‘relating to towns and cities’.
2. If something has or makes an , it has an effect or influence.
3. is a situation where a place is crowded with people or vehicles.
4. A is a gradual reduction in the amount or quality of something.
5. A is a situation where government officials count the number of people in a country.

6. A is an event that marks an important stage in a process.
7. immigration is the number of people arriving minus the number of people leaving.
8. The is the southern part of the USA from California to Florida.
9. An population is one that is growing older.
10. A is a story that people wrongly believe is true.
1. What is the current population of the USA?

2. In what year did the US population reach 200 million?
3. When will the US population reach 400 million?
4. What percentage of Americans live in urban or suburban areas?
5. What percentage of the world’s energy does the USA use?
6. How much farmland is covered in concrete every day in the USA?

by Ed Pilkington in New York
A baby born in America this week took the population of the USA to 300 million. It’s highly possible that the
baby was the child of a Latin American immigrant, perhaps in Los Angeles. In 1967 Life magazine identified
the 200 millionth American as Robert Ken Woo, a fourth-generation Chinese-American from Atlanta. That was
simply a guess too. But this story has some substance. America has reached a milestone in its population
growth and this is making people reflect in the same way they do on major birthdays or anniversaries.
The US census bureau calculates that one American is born every seven seconds, one dies every 13 sec-
onds, and an immigrant arrives (net) every 31 seconds. Add those together and you get a net population gain
of one person every 11 seconds. Over the past 100 years the US has seen the largest population growth in
its history. And this trend will probably continue through this century, though the rate of growth is expected to
stop rising around the year 2070. The population increased from 200 to 300 million in just 39 years and it is
expected that the population will reach 400 million in just 37 years time.
46
Apart from the increase in population, the composition of America, its human make-up, and even its culture
and lifestyles, are changing dramatically. The first major change is where Americans live. The main population
centres are slowly moving from the northeast to the south and west. The fastest-growing states are Nevada,
Arizona and Texas. The population is not evenly spread across America either. More than half live in 10 of
the 50 states, most of them along the coasts.
William Frey, a population expert at the Brookings Institution in Washington, said the US was now moving
towards a new sunbelt beyond Florida, Texas and California. “As the coastal areas become crowded, people
have started to move further inland to places like Arizona, Nevada, Georgia and Tennessee.” The other
side of this trend is that the Great Plains, the cultural symbol of cowboy America, is becoming increasingly a
myth. The mid-western states are emptying as the population moves to the big cities. In the past 100 years the
proportion of Americans living in urban and suburban areas has doubled to 80%. The idea of the “frontier”, of
existence under an open sky, still exists in movies, but fewer and fewer people live in such places.
Population change is also having an impact on the environment. According to the Centre for Environment
and Population, an independent research body, the main effects of a growing population are felt around the
urban areas and are increased by Americans’ belief that bigger equals better. “When I travel abroad and
come back, I’m always shocked by the consumption here. Cars are bigger, people travel further distances,
they build bigger houses,” the centre’s director, Victoria Markham, said. It is often said that the US has 5%
of the world’s population but uses 25% of its energy. A less known fact is that each American now occupies
about 20% more land for housing, schools, shops, roads and so on than he or she did 20 years ago. Almost
1,214 hectares of farmland are covered in concrete every day, and the rate is increasing.
This brings us to the most controversial change: America’s ethnic composition and the role of immigration. In
1970 the newly immigrant proportion of the American people was 5%. Today it is 12.1% and rising. The
largest single national group of immigrants is Mexican, and the largest ethnic group Hispanic. By 2050
the census bureau believes that the proportion of non-Hispanic whites will have fallen from 69% in 2000
to about 50%, Hispanics will have doubled to 24%, Asians also to 8%, while the proportion of African-
Americans will increase slightly to 14%. For Mr Frey, the rise of the Hispanic community, with their younger
average ages and higher birth-rates, will help to stop the decline in a rapidly ageing white population. For
Roy Beck, president of NumbersUSA, a research group focusing on immigration, the long-term increase is
entirely the result of immigration. “If we had zero net immigration we would never have reached 300 million;
the population would be about 245 million today.” The result, he says, is more congestion, more restrictions
and the decline of individualism, freedom and space. In short, America is turning into Europe.
© Guardian News & Media 2006

1. What happens every 11 seconds in the USA?
a. an immigrant arrives
b. someone dies
c. the population increases by one
2. When is the rate of growth in population expected to stop?

a. around the year 2070
b. in 37 years time
c. when it reaches 400 million
47
3. What is happening to the mid-western states?
a. their population is declining
b. their population is increasing rapidly
c. people are moving to big cities in these states
4. What does Roy Beck think the result of immigration is?

a. a large increase in population
b. more congestion and less freedom and space
c. a higher birth-rate
Match the words in the left-hand column with their opposites in the right-hand column.
1. urban a. inland
2. coastal b. minor
3. major c. long-term
4. net d. gradual
5. rapid e. rural
6. short-term f. gross
Complete the table.
Verb Noun
1. grow
2. guess
3. arrive
4. exist
5. consume
6. compose
7. decline
8. restrict
48
Fill the gaps using an appropriate preposition. Check your answers in the text.
1. the largest population growth its history
2. this trend will continue this century
3. the population increased to 300 million just 39 years
4. apart the increase in population
5. the population is not evenly spread America
6. most people live the coasts
7. the US is moving a new sunbelt
8. existence an open sky
7 Discussion
Would you like to move to another country? If you had to move to another country, which country would
you move to and why?
49
Car boom leaves Caracas in one big jam
Level 2 Intermediate
1 Key words
Fill the gaps using these key words from the text:
commuter road rage shoot-out irritable tense

disruption stationary potholed neglect shanty town
1. If a vehicle is ____________, it isn’t moving.
2. A ____________ is a fight in which guns are used.
3. ____________ is a situation in which something cannot continue because of a problem.
4. A ____________ is an area in which poor people live in badly built houses made of wood, metal or other thin
material.
5. ____________ is a situation where drivers behave violently towards other drivers.
6. If a road or street is ____________, it is full of holes.
7. If you ____________ something, you don’t look after it properly and you don’t pay any attention to it.
8. If you are ____________, you become angry or impatient very easily.
9. A ____________ is someone who travels regularly to and from work.
10. If you are ____________, you feel nervous and you cannot relax.
2 What do you think?
The article gives advice on what to do if you are stuck in a traffic-jam. Which three of these six pieces of
advice do you think will be given?
1. read a newspaper
2. close your eyes
3. take deep breaths
4. do a crossword puzzle
5. eat a snack
6. punch someone
Now look in the text and check your answers.
50
by Rory Carroll in Caracas
The capital city of Venezuela, Caracas, has traffic streams into potholed streets that have
some of the worst traffic jams in the world. The been neglected for years.
situation is so bad that psychiatrists have now
begun to give advice to commuters about what Caracas lies in a long narrow valley between
to do when they are in a traffic jam. The advice skyscrapers and shanty towns. In the hot tropical
includes the following: eat a snack, read a book, sun it can appear to be the site of a battle against
do a crossword, listen to music but don’t punch both geography and climate.
or shoot anyone. The government, with plenty of money from the
The number of car owners in Caracas has sale of oil, has started a programme of build-
increased dramatically and the result of this has ing bridges and metro lines before next month’s
been blocked motorways and side-streets that presidential election, but many of these are unfin-
are jammed from early morning until late at night. ished, including a bridge connecting Caracas to
Entire districts are paralysed and the situation the airport, which means that drivers have to take
is driving some motorists crazy. Doctors say the detours through hillside barrios that can turn the
stress is causing both physical and mental dam- 16-mile trip into a five-hour nightmare.
age and is leading to more cases of road rage, Everyone agrees that the traffic jams are getting
including shoot-outs. worse every month. Taxi drivers say their income
People who try to avoid the traffic jams by leav- has fallen dramatically because they are down
ing home at 5 a.m. have been warned that they from an average of five to three fares a day. “It’s
may suffer from lack of sleep, which will reduce impossible. If someone asks to go into especially
productivity, make them irritable and have a heavy traffic I say no because it will take up half
negative effect on their sex lives. my day,” said Fredy Afanador, a local taxi driver.
People are feeling more and more anxious and President Hugo Chávez has criticised former
tense, Robert Lespinasse, the former head of infrastructure ministers but has praised the
the Venezuelan Society of Psychiatry, told the present minister for doing a good job. He is also
daily newspaper Ultimas Noticias. A psycholo- looking abroad for help. In return for cheap fuel
gist, Hernan D’Oliveira, said that the disruption in for London buses, the mayor of London, Ken
mental processes was making people less open Livingstone, will share his ideas on congestion
to criticism. Armed motorcycle gangs who attack charging and other policies in an attempt to solve
and rob stationary motorists in broad daylight do the problem of traffic jams in Caracas.
not help the situation.
With no obvious solution, people have been © Guardian News & Media 2006
advised that when they are sitting in a traffic jam
they should have a drink or something to eat and
occupy their minds with music, a book, newspa-
per or crossword.
The rapid increase in vehicle ownership in Ven-

ezuela is the result of huge profits from the sale
of Venezuelan oil. Last year car sales doubled
to 300,000. There are no new roads so the extra
51
Are these statements True or False according to the text?
1. Traffic jams in Caracas are not as bad as in other parts of the world.
2. The jams are caused by a rapid increase in car ownership.
3. There is no simple solution to the problem.
4. The government has a lot of money from the sale of oil.
5. Taxi drivers are earning more money now.
6. There is a new bridge linking Caracas with the airport.
7. The president has criticised the work of the current infrastructure minister.
8. The mayor of London will try to help solve the traffic problems in Caracas.
4 Vocabulary Opposites
Replace the underlined words with their opposites. Check your answers in the text.
1. increase productivity ____________
2. increase slightly ____________
3. gradual increase ____________
4. very small profits ____________
5. getting better ____________
6. light traffic ____________
7. too much sleep ____________
8. a long wide valley ____________
5 Vocabulary Find the word or expression

Find these words or expressions.
1. A word meaning a street that is not a main street. (para. 2)
2. Two more words for blocked. (para. 2)
3. An expression meaning in the middle of the day. (para. 4)
4. A verb meaning to increase by 100%. (para. 6)

5. A word meaning a very tall building containing offices or flats. (para. 7)
52
6. A word meaning a way of going from one place to another that is not the shortest or the usual way. (para. 8)
7. A word meaning a poor district in a city in a Spanish-speaking country. (para. 8)
8. A system of making drivers pay to enter city centres. (para. 10)
Complete the table.

Verb Noun
1. advise ____________
2. warn ____________
3. criticise ____________
4. reduce ____________
5. rob ____________
6. disrupt ____________
7. attack ____________
8. appear ____________
7 Discussion
Do you have traffic jams in your town or city? What are the best ways to avoid such jams in the future?
53
Secret Santa revealed
1 Key words
Complete the sentences with words from the box.
tunic unsuspecting anonymity sleigh

Santa Claus nickname deputy withdraw
1. _______ is an imaginary man with a white beard and red suit who brings gifts to children at Christmas.
2. A _______ is a long loose shirt.
3. A _______ is a vehicle pulled by animals and used for travelling over snow.
4. Shorty is a _______; my real name is James.
5. If you live in _______, then nobody knows who you really are.
6. _______ means not knowing about something that is happening or about to happen.
7. A _______ is someone who helps a leader and who takes over their responsibilities in some situations.
8. When you _______ money from a bank, you take out money from your account.
2 What do you know?
1. Why is Larry Stewart called Secret Santa?
2. What is Larry’s problem now?
3. Why did Larry start giving money to people?
4. Who was the first person he gave money to?
54
Secret Santa reveals his identity really are Santa,” she told him. There is a Secret
at last Santa website and even a book telling his story,
Santa’s Secret: A Story of Hope, written by a
Generosity born out of own experience of local journalist.
poverty. Illness forces benefactor to retire from
giving role. Stewart’s generosity was born out of his own
by Dan Glaister in Los Angeles experience of poverty. In the early 1970s, poor
and jobless, he resorted to living in his car, a
yellow Datsun 510. One day he finally decided to
For years the fat man dressed in a red tunic and
approach a church to ask for help. He was told
wearing a large white beard has been delighting
that the person who could help had left and he
unsuspecting strangers with his extreme
should return the following day.
generosity. But now Santa has been forced to
hang up his sleigh bells and stay at home – but “As I turned around, I knew I would never do that
not before revealing his true identity. again,” Mr Stewart told Associated Press.
Over the last 26 years, Larry Stewart, a 58-year- By the late 1970s Stewart had a job and some
old businessman from Kansas City, has given money, but he was still unlucky. In 1979, for the
$1.3m (£687,000) to strangers he met in the second year in succession, he was fired from
street. He started by handing out $5 and $10 his job in the week before Christmas. But when
bills to people who seemed down on their luck. he saw a shivering, roller-skating waitress at a
With inflation and a rise in his own wealth – he drive-in restaurant, he realised that were others
has made millions running a cable television and worse off than him.
long-distance telephone service – the gifts rose
to $100 bills. “It was cold and this waitress didn’t have on a
very big jacket, and I thought to myself, ‘I think
But Mr Stewart always insisted on anonymity, I got it bad. She’s out there in this cold making
never revealing his identity and earning him the nickels and dimes,’ ” he said.
nickname Secret Santa. This spring, however, he
was diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus, He gave her a $20 bill.
which has since spread to his liver. The $16,000
“And suddenly I saw her lips begin to tremble
monthly cost of the chemotherapy is not covered
and tears begin to flow down her cheeks. She
by his health insurance policy, and the treatment
said, ‘Sir, you have no idea what this means to
has left Mr Stewart weak.
me.’”
So he has decided to reveal his identity in the
Stewart went to the bank, withdrew $200 and
hope that he might inspire someone else to take
drove around Kansas looking for people to give it
over his Santa duties.
to. The Secret Santa myth was born.
Mr Stewart still has a team of little helpers,
who in recent years have given out $100,000
travelling between Chicago and Kansas City and
he has also trained four deputy Santas who this
year will hand out $65,000.
Over the years Stewart has become something

of a celebrity, featured in news reports and
appearing – in full costume – on Oprah Winfrey’s
television show, still hiding his identity. “Why, you
55
Choose the correct answer to the questions.
1. Larry Stewart… 6. In 1979, Larry…

a) gives money to Santa Claus. a) lost his job just before Christmas.
b) dresses as Santa Claus and gives money to poor b) lost two jobs.
people. c) quit his job for a Christmas holiday.
c) dresses as Santa Claus and takes money from
poor people. 7. Larry gave the waitress $20 because…

a) she parked his car.
2. In the beginning, Larry Stewart gave out… b) she gave him good food.
a) $100 bills. c) she didn’t look very happy.
b) $5 and $10 bills.
c) $1.6 million.
3. Larry has cancer and now…
a) he wants somebody else to be Secret Santa.
b) he wants to give people $16,000.

c) he doesn’t want to work anymore.
4. In the United States, Secret Santa…
a) is unknown.
b) is quite famous.
c) is in every city.
5. In the 1970s, Larry Stewart asked the church…
a) for help with his car, a yellow Datsun.
b) for a job.
c) for help only once.
56
4 Vocabulary: American idioms
Put the words in order to make American English expressions from the text.
1. dimes she’s and making nickels.
2. bad I think got I it.
3. people are worse there me than off.
4. this means you idea what no have.
5. luck are down on their they.
5 Vocabulary: American idioms 2
Match the definitions below to the expressions in 4.
a) I believe my situation is bad.
b) She isn’t making a lot of money.
c) There are people in a worse situation than mine.
d) They are not in a good situation.
e) You don’t understand what it means.
6 Vocabulary: Collocations
Complete the gap with a suitable word.
1. ___________ a secret / a true identity / an answer
2. ___________ millions of dollars / phone calls / a mistake

3. ___________ with cancer / correctly / by the doctor
4. ___________ reports / flash / item
5. ___________ appear / flow down / fill your eyes
7 Discussion
What do you think of people like Larry Stewart? Should more rich people give money to poor people?
57
The power of the desert
1 Key words
solar desalinated grid fossil fuels vessel

horticulture cost-effective irrigate phase out outlook
1. ____________ is the production of garden plants.
2. If you ____________ something _______, you gradually stop using it over a period of time.
3. ____________ water is water from which salt has been removed by an industrial process.
4. A ____________ is a container for liquid or gas.
5. An ____________ is a view of what a situation will be like in the future.
6. If something is ____________, it gives the maximum profit or advantage in relation to the amount of money that
is spent.
7. A ____________ is a network of wires that carry electricity.
8. If you ____________ land, you bring water to it through a series of pipes.
9. ____________ means relating to the Sun.
10. Coal and oil are examples of ____________.
1. What does CSP stand for?

2. Apart from electricity, what other two things could CSP provide?
3. How much does a barrel of oil currently cost?
4. How much energy do DC cables lose?
5. How much will the new nuclear reactor in France cost?
6. What percentage of world energy does nuclear power provide?
58
Scientists say global energy crisis and which are irrigated by desalinated water
can be solved by mirrors and the generated by the plants. Cold water produced for
desert sun air conditioning means there are three benefits.
“CSP energy has three separate uses and this
by Ashley Seager
maximises its overall energy efficiency” says Dr
Knies.
The Sahara desert could provide a carbon-free,
nuclear-free electrical future for the whole of This form of solar power is also attractive
Europe, if not the world. We are not talking about because the hot liquid can be stored in large
the enormous oil and gas deposits in Algeria and containers, which can keep the turbines running
Libya, or uranium for nuclear plants, but some- after the sun has gone down. The cost of obtain-
thing much simpler - the sun. Every year the ing energy from CSP is equivalent to about $50
sun’s rays provide the equivalent of 1.5m barrels per barrel of oil. That cost will probably fall to
of oil of energy for every square kilometre. Most about $20. It is about half the cost of using solar
people think of solar power as a few panels on energy panels that people have on their roofs.
the roof of a house producing hot water or a bit So CSP is cheaper than oil, which currently
of electricity. But according to two reports pre- costs about $60 a barrel.
pared for the German government, Europe, the
Middle East and North Africa should be building Dr Knies says CSP is not yet as cheap as natu-
vast solar farms in the deserts of North Africa. ral gas for producing electricity alone. But if you
The technology is simple. It is more like using add desalination and air conditioning, CSP is
a magnifying glass to burn a hole in a piece of cheaper than gas, and does not produce carbon
paper than any space age technology. emissions. It is cheap to buy land in the desert
and there is about three times as much sunlight
Two German scientists, Dr Gerhard Knies and in hot deserts as in northern Europe. This is why
Dr Franz Trieb, calculate that covering just 0.5% the reports recommend that the countries of Eu-
of the world’s hot deserts with a technology rope, the Middle East and Africa work together
called concentrated solar power (CSP) would to construct a high-voltage direct current (HVDC)
meet the energy needs of the entire world. Apart grid to share carbon-free energy. Most electricity
from electricity, CSP would also provide desali- grids in Europe use alternating current (AC) but
nated water for desert regions and air-condi- this is not suitable for long-distance transport of
tioning for nearby cities. The scientists say that electricity because too much electricity is lost
Europe should build a new high-voltage direct during transportation.
current electricity grid to allow the easy transport
of electricity from different sources. Britain could Dr Trieb, of the German Air and Space Agency,
provide wind power, Norway hydroelectric power, says that DC cables only lose about 3% per
and central Europe biomass and geo-thermal 1,000 kilometres. “It is both possible and cost-
power. Together the region could provide all its effective to transport solar electricity over long
electricity needs by 2050 with no nuclear power distances, despite what many people think.”
and almost no fossil fuels. This would also The two reports make it clear that an HVDC grid
reduce carbon dioxide emissions from electricity around Europe and North Africa could provide
production by 70%. enough electricity by 2050 to make it possible to
phase out nuclear power and sharply reduce the
There are different forms of CSP, but they all use use of fossil fuels. A group of scientists has been
mirrors to concentrate the sun’s rays on a pipe formed across the region called the Trans-Medi-
or vessel containing some sort of gas or liquid terranean Renewable Energy Cooperation (Trec)
that heats up to about 400˚C and is used to drive but governments do not yet seem interested in
steam turbines. The large mirrors also create the idea.
shaded areas that can be used for horticulture
59
Neil Crumpton of Friends of the Earth, said:

“Most major politicians, particularly Tony Blair
and George Bush, seem to have little or no
awareness of the potential of CSP and they don’t
see how it could be used to help build global
energy and climate security.” The Trec scientists
hope the German chancellor, Angela Merkel, will
try to get an agreement on a European DC grid
and the start of a CSP programme. The outlook
is not optimistic. Last week more than 30 coun-
tries agreed to spend $13.5bn on a new nuclear
reactor in France that critics say will not produce
any electricity for 50 years, if at all.
Mr Crumpton continued: “Nuclear power

provides just 3.1% of global energy supply and
would be unlikely to be able to provide more. Yet
CSP could supply 30% or 300% of the world’s
future energy needs much more simply, safely
and cost-effectively. We need to invest in CSP in
hot deserts, not uranium mines or oil wells.”
60
Decide whether these statements are True or False according to the text:
1. Leading politicians are very enthusiastic about CSP.
2. CSP turbines do not work at night.
3. CSP could supply all the world’s energy needs.
4. CSP is very complex technology.
5. CSP is more expensive than oil.
6. AC cables are more effective than DC cables for transporting electricity over long distances.
7. Some countries are still investing in nuclear power.
8. CSP does not produce carbon emissions.
4 Vocabulary 1: Types of energy
Fill the gaps using these types of energy.
solar hydro-electric biomass geo-thermal wind nuclear
1. ____________ energy is obtained from animals or plants.
2. ____________ energy is obtained from natural hot water beneath the earth’s surface.
3. ____________ power is produced on wind farms.
4. ____________ energy is produced by changing the structure of atoms.
5. ____________ power is produced by large amounts of water.
6. ____________ energy comes from the sun.
5 Vocabulary 2: Find the word
Look in the text and find these words:
1. an adjective meaning enormous (para. 1)
2. a noun meaning gas going into the air (para. 2)
3. a verb meaning to make something as large as possible (para. 3)

4. the unit for measuring crude oil (para. 4)
5. an adjective meaning without carbon (para. 5)
61
6. an adverb meaning suddenly and by a large amount (para. 6)
7. a noun meaning knowledge or understanding of a subject, issue or situation (para. 7)
8. a verb meaning to use money in order to make a profit (para. 8)
6 Vocabulary 3: Word building
Complete the table.
Adjective Noun
1. ____________ awareness
2. hot ____________
3. efficient ____________
4. ____________ attraction
5. ____________ security
6. possible ____________
7. suitable ____________
8. long ____________
7 Discussion
The text mentions a number of different ways of producing energy. Which do you think are the best for the environ-
ment? Which are the worst for the environment?
62
The ‘Angel of Soweto’?
1 Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text.
orphan prostitute traumatised destitute donor

claim (vb) recite sponsor (n) disgruntled bursary
1. If you ____________ something, you learn it and then say it to an audience.
2. If you ____________ something has happened, you say that it is true even though there is no proof.
3. A ____________ is someone who gives money to an organisation that helps people.
4. An ____________ is a child who has no parents.
5. A ____________ is money given to someone to pay for their college or university studies.
6. A ____________ is someone who is paid to have sex with people.
7. A ____________ is someone who agrees to support an organisation by giving it money.
8. If you are ____________ , you feel disappointed and annoyed about something.
9. If you are ____________ , you have no money and nowhere to live.
10. If you are ____________ , you are upset, afraid and shocked because of a bad experience.
1. Where is the Ithutheng Trust school?

2. How much did Oprah Winfrey give the Ithutheng Trust school?
3. Which sports organisation gave money to the Ithutheng Trust school?
4. How many children from Soweto went to the US in 2001?
5. What does Lindiwe Thusi’s father do?
6. How many board members have resigned from the Ithutheng Trust school?
63
‘Angel of Soweto’ a fraud, TV show the hardship they had suffered. “We went to the
claims United Nations and [Ms Maarohanye] said that
today you better cry seriously ... you better cry
Celebrity donors backed woman who set up
more than the other days you have been crying,”
school for traumatised orphans
said the unidentified student.
by Chris McGreal in Johannesburg
Carte Blanche filmed at the school five years
ago and went back to talk to some of the same
To Oprah Winfrey, Nelson Mandela and others
children. Many said their original stories were
who gave millions of dollars to help South African
not true. Lebogang Makheta said in 2001 that
orphans and street children, the woman who
both her parents had been murdered in political
cared for them was the “Angel of Soweto”. The
violence. “My mother was killed by a spear and
children she helped knew her simply as Mama
my father was shot dead,” she said at the time.
Jackie.
Now Lebogang says that was a lie.
The children had horrific stories to tell. Their
“I spoke to Mama Jackie and she told me that
parents had been murdered. They had to work
whatever they ask me, I must say it the way
as prostitutes to feed their younger brothers and
she wrote down because it would help us get
sisters. When they heard these terrible stories,
sponsors who would give us money,” she said. “I
many people gave large amounts of money
told myself I was just doing to get sponsors and
to Jackie Maarohanye and her Ithuteng Trust
to get help with our scholarships.” She also told
school to provide shelter and an education to
the programme in 2001 that she was involved
thousands of traumatised and destitute children.
with drugs and gangsters. “None of that was true.
The money came from famous donors such as
It was all lies, just lies,” she now says.
Winfrey, who wrote a cheque for $1m during a
visit to the school last year, and organisations Lebogang’s mother, Phyllis Makheta, went to
including the US National Basketball Association. a fundraising function at the school and was
“I think Mama Jackie is a living angel on earth,” surprised to discover that her daughter was
said Winfrey. supposed to be an orphan. “I was there in the
school. I don’t understand English very well, but
But now the school’s gates are locked and
I did ask them, even Jackie, why these children
Winfrey, America’s most influential talk show
are crying and saying they are orphans, but we
host, along with Mr Mandela and Bill Clinton, has
[their parents] are here. She said: ‘Don’t worry, it
requested copies of a South African television
is a play.’“
documentary that claims Ms Maarohanye
pressurised pupils into making up stories about Five years ago Lindiwe Thusi told Carte Blanche
murdered parents and poverty in order to raise that she saw her father’s body with his head
money. The film also claims that donations to cut off. She now says: “Mama Jackie gave us
educate children went missing while students a script with those words written on it.” When
went hungry. different people came we had to get ready and
start crying and tell that whole story,” she told
The investigative TV programme Carte Blanche
Carte Blanche. Lindiwe says her father is alive
showed that pupils who said they had seen their
and in the army. She also said that her earlier
parents killed are now living with them, and that
claim that she worked as a prostitute to feed her
those who said they had been saved from the
sisters was not true.
streets never left home. One of a group of 45
children from the Ithuteng school who travelled to Ms Maarohanye has refused to comment but she
the US five years ago as guests of Bill and Hillary told Carte Blanche that the accusations against
Clinton said they were made to appear before her were a “smear campaign” by disgruntled
the United Nations and recite false stories about
64
former pupils. However, she was unable to
explain how it was that she told the media
Lebogang Makheta’s parents had been murdered
or that Lindiwe Thusi’s father had been brutally
killed. She said no student was ever forced to
repeat false stories. “I never pushed a child. I
have never put a gun on a child’s neck. I have
never strangled a child. I have never said if you
don’t go, this is what I am going to do. I have
never done that. You can never prove that I have
done that.”
The children’s stories brought numerous

donations from around the world. Some of the
money was to pay college bursaries. But three
years ago some donors, including a large bank
and a hotel group, stopped dealing with the
Ithuteng Trust after finding out the money was
not reaching the students or their colleges.
Several former Ithuteng students say they were
forced to leave their higher education courses
because the donors had stopped paying. A
former finance officer at the University of the
Western Cape said some students had so little
money they had to live on bread. Donors started
paying the fees direct to ensure that students
were able to graduate.
The chairman of the Ithuteng Trust board,

Joseph Kganakga, has described the news as a
nightmare that left him angry and disappointed.
He has resigned from the board, along with two
other board members who said they had lost
confidence in Ms Maarohanye.
65
Are these questions True or False according to the text?
1. Lebogang Makheta’s mother was murdered.
2. The Ithutheng Trust school is no longer open.
3. The children cried at the United Nations because they were orphans.
4. Ms Maarohanye says that no-one was ever asked to repeat false stories.
5. Donors gave a lot of money as a result of the stories.

6. All the former Ithutheng Trust school students finished their studies.
7. The members of the Ithutheng Trust board still have confidence in Ms Maarohanye.
8. Oprah Winfrey described Ms Maarohanye as “the Angel of Soweto”.
4 Vocabulary: Find the word
Find the words or phrases that mean:
1. so shocking that it upsets you (para. 2)
2. a place where people can be protected from danger (para. 2)
3. a long weapon like a stick with one sharp end (para. 5)
4. the activity of trying to persuade people to give money for a specific purpose (para. 7)
5. the written words of a play, film, speech etc (para. 8)

6. claims that someone has done something illegal or wrong (para. 9)
7. a series of attempts to damage someone’s reputation by telling lies about them (para. 9)
8. to kill someone by squeezing their neck (para. 9)
66
5 Vocabulary: Word stress
Put these words into two groups according to their stress.
recite nightmare ensure resign strangle comment

murder request travel involve explain suffer
1. 0 o 2. o 0
6 Vocabulary: Puzzle
Rearrange the letters to make words from the text that match the definitions.
1. b – y – l – t – l – u – a - r in a cruel and extremely violent way
2. m – g – t – a – i – n – h – e – r a frightening and unpleasant dream
3. s – g – n – e – r – i to state formally you are leaving a job or position
4. r – o – n – e – m – s – u – u existing in large numbers
5. f – e – s – u – r – e to say you will not do something
6. d – a – t – a – r – g – u – e to complete college or university studies
6 Vocabulary: Discussion
Is it right to lie to help people who are in a terrible situation?
67
The news through French eyes
1 Key words
rival launch cuisine simultaneously heated

media gala funding ceasefire bulletin
1. A ____________ is a special performance or event to celebrate something.
2. A news ____________ is a short news broadcast.
3. ____________ is a particular style of cooking, especially the cooking of a particular country or region.
4. A ____________ is an agreement to stop fighting for a period of time.
5. If things happen ____________, they happen at exactly the same time.
6. A ____________ is a person, team or business that competes with another.
7. If a discussion or argument is ____________, people become angry and excited.
8. ____________ is the money that a government or organization provides for a particular purpose.
9. If you ____________ a new product or service, you start offering it to the public.
10. The ____________ includes newspapers, radio, television and the internet.
1. How many journalists will work for France 24?
2. What is the annual budget of CNN?

3. How long will each news bulletin be on France 24?
4. How often will a news bulletin be broadcast?
5. When did Mr Chirac first have the idea of a French 24-hour news channel?
6. How many viewers does France 24 plan to have?
68
The news through French eyes: of the US. Earlier this year he announced plans
Chirac TV takes on ‘Anglo-Saxon for a Franco-German search engine to compete
imperialism’ with Google and Yahoo, called Quaero, Latin for
I search.
by Angelique Chrisafis in Paris
6 December, 2006 But although the president will launch France 24
at a gala in Paris, the station’s chief executive,
For more than 10 years President Jacques Alain de Pouzilhac, says the station will not
Chirac of France has dreamt of a French become ‘Chirac TV’. “We have public money
24-hour television news channel to act as a but we are an independent channel,” he says.
rival to English-speaking channels such as The centre-right presidential hopeful Nicolas
BBC World and CNN. Now, after many years Sarkozy will also not be able to use the channel
of disagreements and internal problems, the to broadcast his views. “I know Nicolas very well.
channel will finally be launched, promising a I don’t believe we will have a problem with that.
revolution in world news reporting. He hasn’t called me,” Mr Pouzilhac added.
France 24 intends to report international news The channel wants to have a similar number of
‘through French eyes’. It will offer a French viewers to al-Jazeera’s English service, about
perspective on world events from the Middle 75 million households in more than 90 countries,
East to Madagascar, and also aims to reflect and describes itself as a ‘third way’ between the
the French way of life. It will explain the news Qatar-based al-Jazeera and CNN.
with typical French TV debate shows where But the birth of France 24 has not been easy.
philosophers discuss current affairs. Test It is a partnership between France Télévisions,
programmes have included topics from Rwanda the country’s public broadcaster, and TF1, one
to the French rugby team or the changing tastes of Europe’s largest private TV channels, two
for Beaujolais nouveau wine. groups which are normally rivals. There have
At least 20% of the programming will focus on been several protests by trade unions and
culture and lifestyle, including everything from management disagreements – there have even
world museums to cuisine, fashion and French been disagreements over the channel’s name.
chocolate. It will broadcast simultaneously Some French politicians believe the station
on two channels, in English and French. But will not generate enough income to compete
broadcasting in English will not affect the French internationally.
character of the channel. France 24 executives France 24’s pictures will mainly come from its
hope the English debate shows will be even parent TV stations as well as other partners such
more heated than the French. The channel also as the main French news agency and Radio
plans to broadcast in Arabic and Spanish. France International, which has led some people
Mr Chirac first had the idea of a French 24-hour to say that it will just be a summary of other
news channel when he was prime minister in channels’ content. France 24 will have a team
the late 1980s. It was then one of his election of 170 journalists of an average age of 30 and
promises for the presidency in 2002. The public funding of €86m (£58m) for the first year,
following year, when Mr Chirac criticized the France 24 is much smaller than its competitors.
American preparations for war in Iraq, he was CNN has a budget of €1.2bn and a staff of 4,000.
attacked by the media in the US and Britain. But journalists at its headquarters say the station
People clearly saw the need for a news channel will influence world politics. Mark Owen, who
with a French voice. Mr Chirac now wants to will present the English morning news bulletins
launch it as one of the projects that continue and debate show, said: “Look at the conflict in
France’s struggle against the global dominance
69
Lebanon this summer. If Jacques Chirac’s call for
a ceasefire – which wasn’t reported by the BBC
or CNN – had been reported earlier, it could have
ended the conflict earlier. If Chirac’s call had
been reported more widely, it maybe could have
saved thousands of lives. That was a story that
needed a French angle, with France’s historic
links to Lebanon.”
The France 24 website will launch tonight

and the station goes live tomorrow. There will
be a 10-minute news bulletin each half hour
and between the news bulletins, magazine
programmes with topics including ‘humanitarian
affairs’, lifestyle, culture, and a monthly show on
economics and business. The Week in France
will discuss politics and society, and other weekly
specials will come from Asia, the Americas, Africa
and the Middle East.
Outside the shining new building, the critical

reaction has been favourable. Guillaume
Parmentier, director of the French Centre on the
United States, said: “It’s not an anti-American
operation. It’s more than that. France didn’t have
an international news channel while many other
countries have them. What is remarkable is that
is has taken such a long time for France to get
one.”

First published in the Guardian, 6/12/06
70
1. France 24 plans to have as many viewers as CNN and BBC News 24.
2. France 24 will broadcast in both French and English.
3. France 24 is also known as Chirac TV.
4. All the journalists at France 24 are 30 years old.
5. The critical reaction to France 24 has been positive.
6. Everyone agreed that France 24 was the best name for the channel.
7. France 24 is the world’s first 24-hour television news channel.
8. The main aim of France 24 is to report the news from a French point of view.
4 Vocabulary 1: Verb + noun collocations
Match the verbs in the left-hand column with the nouns or noun phrases in the right-hand column.
1. launch a. the news
2. debate b. a rival
3. have c. lives
4. compete with d. a new service or product
5. generate e. a television programme
6. present f. an idea
7. save g. income
8. report h. a topic
71
5 Vocabulary 2: Prepositions
Fill the gaps using prepositions. Check your answers in the text.
1. focus _______
2. taste _______
3. perspective _______
4. preparation _______
5. need _______
6. struggle _______
7. compete _______
8. disagreement _______
6 Word building
Complete the table.
verb noun
1. disagree ____________
2. criticize ____________
3. prepare ____________
4. dominate ____________
5. announce ____________
6. compete ____________
7. summarise ____________
8. fund ____________
7 Discussion
Do you think it is a good thing or a bad thing that English is the so-called ‘international language of business’?
Why?
72
Democrats hail new era for US
1 Key words
Complete the sentences using key words from the text.
stalemate bipartisanship inducement sweep

redeploy legislative pledge bill
1. __________ is the act of two opposing political parties voting the same way on a piece of law or
government decision.
2. A __________ is a situation in which progress is impossible because the people cannot agree.
3. If you __________ an election or a race, you win it easily.
4. If you __________ something, you promise publicly to do it.
5. __________ is an adjective that means relating to law.
6. To __________ something is to move it to another place or a different job.
7. An __________ is something that persuades someone to do something (often something wrong).
8. A __________ is a proposal for a new law.
2 What do you know about American politics?
Choose the correct answer.
1. In the United States there are … major political 4. The US Congress comprises:
parties.
a) the House of Representatives
a) two b) the Senate
b) three c) both a) and b)
c) five
5. The leader of the House of Representatives is:
2. George Bush and the … party have controlled
government for the past six years. a) the President of the United States
b) the Speaker of the House
a) Democrat c) the top general in the US army
b) Republican
c) Labour
3. The US Congress has elections every … years.
a) two
b) six
c) ten
73
Democrats hail new era for US as they clear to the Iraqis that they must defend their
sweep into Congress own streets and their own security, a plan that
promotes stability in the region and that allows
by Suzanne Goldenberg in Washington
us to responsibly redeploy American forces,” Ms
January 5, 2007
Pelosi said.
A new era was proclaimed in Washington as Pentagon officials said there could be an
the Democratic party recaptured control of increase of between 20,000 and 40,000 to the
both houses of Congress after 12 years on the forces in Iraq.
sidelines of power.
Mr Bush faces trials on the domestic front too as
“The Democrats are back,” exulted Nancy Ms Pelosi plans to exercise the Democrats’ new
Pelosi, who went on to make history when she majority with an ambitious legislative agenda,
became the first woman speaker of the House of beginning almost immediately with measures
Representatives. to clarify relationships between lobbyists and
politicians. The move, banning such inducements
“This is an historic moment - for the Congress,
as free seats at basketball games and trips on
and for the women of this country. It is a moment
private jets, was the first step in a Democratic
for which we have waited more than 200 years,”
plan to pass six new pieces of legislation through
Ms Pelosi, 66, told Congress.
the House before Mr Bush makes his State of the
In another first Keith Ellison of Minnesota Union address on January 23.
became the first Muslim to serve in Congress,
In the Senate, where the Democratic majority
taking his office on a Qur’an that once belonged
is very thin, Mr Reid said that the focus would
to former president Thomas Jefferson.
remain on Iraq. Mr Reid has not said no to
Amid the celebratory feeling among Democrats, support for more troops, but other senators
the official message from Ms Pelosi as well as have said they intend to use their new powers
the new Democratic Senate majority leader, to increase scrutiny of the administration, with
Harry Reid, was about cooperation with hearings scheduled in at least two committees on
their Republican opponents. But the limits of the progress of the war.
bipartisanship were made starkly apparent when
In addition to ethics reform, the Democrats have
Ms Pelosi signalled that George Bush, who had
pledged to raise the federal minimum wage
a Republican House and Senate in his first six
for the first time in a decade, as well as make
years in the White House, would face new and
federal funds available for stem cell research.
energised opposition.
But the limit of their new power was underscored
“Nowhere were the American people more clear when the White House announced that Mr Bush
about the need for a new direction than in Iraq. remains opposed to stem cell research. Mr
The American people rejected an open-ended Bush went on to warn of further confrontations.
obligation to a war without end,” Ms Pelosi said. “If the Congress chooses to pass bills that are
simply political statements, they will have chosen
She warned Mr Bush that he could expect fierce stalemate,” he wrote in the Wall Street Journal
opposition to his new strategy for Iraq. He is this week.
expected to announce his decision to increase
America’s military commitment there with the © Guardian News & Media 2007
deployment of thousands more soldiers. First published in the Guardian, 5/1/07
“It is the responsibility of the President to

articulate a new plan for Iraq that makes it
74
Decide if these statements are True (T) or False (F) according to the text.
1. Nancy Pelosi is the first woman in Congress. ___
2. There have been Muslims in the US Congress in the past. ____
3. The Republicans controlled the House and the Senate for the first six years of George Bush’s presidency. ____
4. The speaker of the house believes that Americans want a foreign policy change in Iraq. ____
5. The Pentagon has increased the number of soldiers in Iraq by 30,000. ____
6. The Democrats want to examine political lobbyists. ____
7. The Senate is not concerned with Iraq. ____
8. George Bush does not want federal funds to be used in stem cell research. ____
Find the words in the article to match the definitions. Use the paragraph numbers in brackets to help you.
1. To say something publicly. _____________ (1)
2. To feel or show great pleasure and excitement. ________ (2)
3. If something happens ________ feelings or events, it happens while people have these feelings or while the
events are happening. (5)
4. To not agree to an offer or proposal. ________ (6)
5. The military of a country. ________ (8)
6. Careful examination of someone or something. ________ (11)

7. To emphasize or show something is important. ________ (12)
75
5 Vocabulary 2: Politics
Reorder the words to make phrases relating to the world of politics. Check the text for the correct answers.
1. control government of recapture
_________________________________________
2. the power of sidelines on
_________________________________________
3. new opposition and face energised
_________________________________________
4. the direction for new a need
_________________________________________
5. in serve to Congress
_________________________________________
6. region the stability in promote
_________________________________________
7. bill a veto
_________________________________________
8. front trials on the domestic face
_________________________________________
6 Vocabulary 3: Collocations
Choose the correct word.
1. to make/do history
2. to take/make office
3. starkly obvious/apparent
4. a private/personal jet
5. to stay/remain opposed
7 Discussion
Do you think the political changes in the US Congress will make a difference to America’s foreign policy?
76
Six thousand women missing from top jobs
1 Pre-reading 1
Look at the headline of the article: Six thousand women missing from boardrooms, politics and courts.
What do you think it means?
1. Someone has kidnapped 6,000 women from these places.

2. 6,000 women are refusing to go to work in these places.
3. There are jobs for 6,000 women in these institutions.
2 Pre-reading 2
Which do you think has the lowest percentage of women in parliament: Afghanistan, Britain, Iraq,
or Rwanda?
3 Key words
boardrooms glass ceiling flexible working headhunters

address the barriers ethnic minorities shortlist thrive
1. People paid to find excellent workers from other companies and employ them. ____________
2. Something invisible that stops women getting promoted to the top jobs. ____________
3. The final list of names when you choose someone (for a job, etc.). ____________
4. To stay alive and do very well. ____________
5. Places where company directors meet to discuss and make important decisions. ____________
6. Look at and change the things that are stopping people. ____________
7. Being able to choose or change the hours you work. ____________
8. Small groups of people from a different race to most people in the country. ____________
Now read the text quickly to see if you were right.
77
Six thousand women missing from communities would be stronger if women from
boardrooms, politics and courts different backgrounds had an equal voice. And in
business, we could not afford to look at only half
Polly Curtis
the population to fill the best jobs.
Friday January 5, 2007
1 The glass ceiling is still stopping 6,000 women 7 The commission identified the 33,000 most
influential jobs in the private sector, politics, the
from getting any of the top 33,000 jobs in Britain,
legal system and the public sector in Britain.
according to new research from the Equal
To achieve a representative proportion, women, it
Opportunities Commission. Thirty years after
said, should fill another 6,000.
the introduction of the Sex Discrimination Act,
women are badly “under-represented” in the
8 At the current rate of improvement, it would
country’s boardrooms, politics and courts.
take 20 years to achieve equality in the civil
2 Even if they have a nanny, it’s hard for successful service, 40 years in the judiciary and 60 years
among FTSE 100 companies. But it would take
women with children to continue their careers,
200 years – at least another 40 elections – to
the EOC research suggests, because men
achieve an equal number of MPs in parliament.
dominate the professions and they resist flexible
By contrast, in the Scottish assembly, nearly
working.
40% are women and 51.7% in Wales. The EOC
3 Women are moving into top jobs at a “painfully said there was an argument for parties to use
all-women shortlists, as in Wales.
slow” rate, the report says, and in some areas,
numbers are falling. The proportion of women in
9 But figures for women from ethnic minorities
parliament has dropped in the 12 months since
are worse. There are only two black women
the EOC’s last ‘Sex and Power’ survey, and is
MPs, four non-white top 100 FTSE directors
now only 19.5% – lower than in Iraq, Afghanistan
and nine top civil servants from ethnic minority
and Rwanda.
backgrounds. “If we want our communities to
4 Although a woman is chief executive of the thrive, this has to change,” concludes the report.
London Stock Exchange, and four senior judges
10 It says that more successful women have as
are female, the proportion of women directors of
much trouble getting the jobs they want as
top 100 FTSE companies has fallen to 10.4%,
women in lower paid work. As for age, the pay
and only 9.8% of all judges are women.
gap between men and women in their 20s is
5 Jenny Watson, chair of the EOC, said: “Today’s 3.7%, rising to 10.7% in their 30s – because after
childbirth, women’s earning power goes down.
troubling findings show just how slow the
Men’s doesn’t.
pace of change has been in powerful British
institutions. They suggest it’s time not just to
11 The UK pay gap is one of the biggest in Europe
send out the headhunters to find some of those
– 17% for full-time staff and 38% for part-time
‘missing women’, but to address the barriers that
– because part-time workers are more often low
stand in their way. Thirty years on from the Sex
paid. Then, when they have children, women
Discrimination Act, women rightly expect to share
lose opportunities for promotion and earn even
power. But as our survey shows, that’s not the
less, the Women and Work Commission found
reality.”
last year.
6 She said that everyone suffered when Britain’s
12 “Asking for flexible working still spells career
top jobs were all male. Our democracy and local
death for too many women in today’s workplace,”
78
said Ms Watson. So women with children often be pushed aside.
have to find less professional jobs to keep
working. “Extending the right to ask for flexible 14 Katherine Rake, an equal rights campaigner,
working to everyone in the workplace would protested: “This research proves beyond a doubt
change that culture and enable more women to that life at the top is white and male.”
reach the top.”
15 And Ms Watson summed up: “We haven’t solved
13 This is the last annual report from the EOC. Next the problem of sex discrimination yet. There is so
year, with the Commission for Racial Equality much more to be done.”
and the Disability Rights Commission, it will be
part of a new body called the Commission for © Guardian News & Media 2007
Equality and Human Rights. This will be headed First published in The Guardian, 5/1/07
by the present chair of the CRE, and some
people are afraid that women’s rights may then
4 Scanning for information

Scan the text to find the percentages.
1. The percentage of women in parliament: ________
2. The percentage of women running top companies: _________
3. The percentage of women judges: _________
4. The percentage of women in the Scottish assembly: _________
5. The percentage of women in the Welsh assembly: _________
6. The pay gap between men and women in their 20s: _________
7. The pay gap between men and women in their 30s: _________
8. The pay gap between men and women in full-time work: _________
9. The pay gap between men and women in part-time work: _________
5 General understanding
Match the beginnings and endings of these sentences.
1 Laws to give women better job opportunities a don’t like women to choose their own hours.
2 A lot of top male bosses b gets worse if women start to work part-time.
3 Life for everyone would be better c is even worse than for whites.
4 The male/female balance in government d have not made much difference.
5 The situation for ethnic minority women e is much better in Scotland and Wales.
6 The difference in pay between men and women f if women had equal opportunities in all areas.
79
6 Language development: Talking about numbers

Now match these percentages with the expressions below.
38% 9.8% 40% 10.4% 17% 19.5% 51.7%
1 a just over half

2 b just over a tenth
3 c just under a tenth
4 d nearly a fifth
5 e nearly two fifths
6 f exactly two fifths
7 g just over a sixth
7 Vocabulary development: Synonyms

The writer sometimes uses words with similar meaning to avoid repetition. Match the words on the left with
their equivalents on the right.
1. the legal system a. boardrooms, companies
2. the private sector b. our survey, the report
3. the public sector c. protested, summed up, found
4. from ethnic minorities d. the judiciary, courts
5. the research e. shows, suggests
6. said f. non-white, black
7. says g. the civil service, parliament, assembly, politics
8 Discussion
1. What is the situation for women in your country?
2. Do many women have top jobs?
3. Is there a big pay gap between women and men?
4. What about women from ethnic minorities?

5. What do you think should be done to improve the situation?
80
Mass tourism reaches Galápagos
1 Key words
alarm conservationist enigma campaigner swarm

ecosystem cruise pest mainland graffiti
1. A ____________ is a journey on a ship for pleasure, usually involving visiting several places.
2. A ____________ is someone who works to prevent damage to the environment.
3. A ____________ is someone who is involved in a series of actions for a political or social cause.
4. An ____________ is all the plants and animals in a particular area that depend on one another.
5. Words or pictures drawn on walls in public places are called ____________.
6. If there is ____________ about something, there is a lot of fear or worry that something unpleasant or negative
will happen.
7. A ____________ is a very large group of flying insects.
8. The ____________ is the large mass of land that forms the main part of a country and does not include
any islands.
9. An ____________ is something that is mysterious and difficult to understand.
10. A ____________ is an insect or small animal that damages plants or supplies of food.
1. Which country do the Galápagos Islands belong to?
2. How many people visit the islands each year?
3. What was the increase in sales for local businesses when the cruise ship first visited the islands?
4. How far are the Galápagos from the mainland?
5. How far is San Cristóbal from Santa Fe?
6. How many passengers will arrive on the next cruise ship?
81
A rat, insects and litter: delights of greater the risk of foreign species. It is almost
mass tourism reach Galápagos impossible to search a boat that size thoroughly.
These large numbers mean it’s much easier for
David Adam, environment correspondent
something to slip through our controls. And if we
January 10, 2007
can’t protect the Galápagos then what does it say
about the other natural spaces in the world?
The Galápagos Islands lie in the Pacific Ocean
“The Galápagos are not suitable for this kind of
almost 1,000 km west of the coast of Ecuador. As
mass tourism. We’re not being elitist: the islands
a result of their geographical isolation, the islands
simply do not have the infrastructure for that
have unique forms of wildlife and do not have
number of people. We’re not anti-tourism, but it’s
wildlife found in other parts of the world. Rats, for
got to be high-value, low-volume tourism.” Before
example. Now a rat has been found on the island
the visit of the Discovery, almost all visitors to the
of Santa Fe, causing concern and alarm among
islands flew direct from the mainland. “This cruise
the conservationists who are trying to prevent
ship has travelled all the way down the coast of
foreign wildlife reaching the islands.
South America and could bring all sorts of things
It is alleged that the rat arrived on the MV with it,” Ms Stjepic said.
Discovery, a giant British cruise liner that visited
As well as the rat, and the insects,
the islands in April. Today, the ship is due to
environmentalists say the Discovery’s last visit
return to the Galápagos. There are 460 paying
left the islands covered in litter, dropped by
passengers on the ship. It will be met with
wealthy tourists who “have no idea where they
protests and a campaign to protect the islands
are or the impact their visit may have”. Someone
from such mass tourism.
even wrote graffiti at the visitor centre and one
Voyages of Discovery, the company that owns passenger reportedly asked where the local
the ship, promises visitors to the islands: “The Starbucks was.
enigmas, secrets and charms of this spectacular
The study of the impact of the liner’s first visit
and rich landscape are, like a dream, an
was carried out by the local Charles Darwin
adventure just waiting to be discovered.” But the
Foundation and the Galápagos National Park
ship’s arrival is a nightmare for environmental
Service. As well as the foreign wildlife, it found
campaigners. Conservationists on the Galápagos
that sales for local businesses increased by 5%,
have also found swarms of foreign insects on the
a third of what was expected. There were too
islands since the ship’s last visit and are worried
many visitors for the local infrastructure, they
that when it returns it could introduce more
said, and local tour operators, who take visitors
foreign species that might do further damage to
around the different islands, had to land large
the sensitive ecosystems.
boats on fragile beaches because elderly cruise
The Discovery, the first large cruise ship to have passengers were unable to get in and out of
visited the islands, is scheduled to return again rubber dinghies.
in April and then twice a year after that. The
However, David Yellow, managing director of
islands belong to Ecuador and the Ecuadorian
Voyages of Discovery, said the campaigners
government has granted permits that could mean
were “speaking from ignorance”. He said the
that one cruise ship stops there every month.
firm operated under strict restrictions and carried
Leonor Stjepic, director of the Galápagos out a detailed environmental impact study
Conservation Trust, warned that such an before it received its licence to operate in the
increase in visitor numbers would make it very Galápagos. “We are experienced at operating
difficult for conservationists to keep out pests in environmentally sensitive areas and we know
and disease. “The more people that come, the what to do. All our people [passengers] are
82
given a lecture before they go ashore and we
know they obey the instructions.” The Discovery
anchored at the island of San Cristóbal during
its stay, he said, at least 25 miles from Santa Fe
where the rat was found.
Mr Yellow said there was no proof that the

graffiti and litter were left by Discovery tourists.
“Local people also make litter. They are not as
sensitive to the environment as the people we
take there. There are local people who smoke a
cigarette and throw it into the street.” Attracted
by the unique wildlife and mystique, the number
of visitors to the islands each year has increased
from about 40,000 in the late 1980s to more than
100,000 now.

First published in The Guardian, 10/1/07
83
1. Conservationists believe that the rat arrived on the cruise ship.
2. Cruise ship tourists have brought an economic boom to the islands.
3. Conservationists are worried that the cruise ships will bring more foreign species to the islands.
4. The Discovery will visit the islands once a month.
5. All the visitors are well informed about the islands.
6. The Galápagos are suitable for mass tourism.
7. Ships need permits to visit the islands.
8. All visitors to the islands fly direct from the mainland.
Look in the text and find these words or phrases.
1. A verb meaning to say that something is true even though it has not been proved. (para 2)
2. An adjective meaning extremely impressive. (para 3)
3. An adverb meaning very carefully so that nothing is missed. (para 5)

4. A two-word verb meaning to pass without being noticed. (para 5)
5. An adjective meaning believing that a small group of people should keep the most power and influence. (para 6)
6. An adjective meaning rich. (para 7)
7. An adjective meaning easily damaged or broken. (para 8)
8. A noun meaning an attractive quality that something has because it seems mysterious in an exciting
way. (para 10)
84

Match the verbs in the left-hand column with the nouns in the right-hand column.
1. cause a. litter
2. do b. a lecture
3. grant c. a study
4. drop d. concern
5. have e. graffiti
6. write f. damage
7. carry out g. a permit
8. give h. an impact
Which prepositions follow these words and expressions? Check your answers in the text.
1. as a result _______
2. due _______
3. protect _______
4. damage _______
5. belong _______
6. suitable _______
7. covered _______
8. sensitive _______
7 Discussion
What problems can mass tourism cause? Should tourism be restricted to protect the environment?
85
Milestones that showed the way to modern medicine
1 Key words
Match these words from the text with their definitions.
asylum breakthrough contraceptive culture

germ in labour milestone therapy
1. an important event or process

2. a discovery after a lot of hard work
3. an old mental hospital
4. a method of preventing pregnancy
5. bacteria grown in experiment
6. bacteria that spreads disease
7. when a woman is having a baby
8. a form of treatment for an illness
Skim the text and find the significance of the following numbers and names.
1. 15
2. Alexander Fleming
3. Pierre Deniker
4. Watson and Crick
5. 1847
6. Wilhelm Roentgen
7. salt, sugar and clean water

8. Louis Pasteur
86
Milestones that showed the way to health, whoever or wherever we are.
modern medicine
5. DNA
Sarah Boseley, health editor
The nature of the infectious agent causing
January 5, 2007
Sars was published within weeks, thanks
to DNA testing. Newborn babies are now
Fifteen of the most important milestones on
tested for genetic diseases and all patients
the road to modern medicine are identified
for surgery have their blood group analysed,
today by the British Medical Journal. They
after the discovery of the structure of DNA by
range from vaccines to computers to the pill
Watson and Crick in the 1950s. It has also
- and the journal is calling for readers to vote
made possible genetically targeted drugs.
on which was the most significant. The 15
have been shortlisted from more than 100
6. Evidence-based medicine
nominated discoveries since the BMJ was
Evidence-based medicine was first
launched in 1840.
described in 1991 as a result of the
recognition that pulling together all the
1. Anaesthesia
information on a topic leads to more valid
Revolutionised surgery. By the end of the
results than a single study and that bias
19th century, anaesthesia had become a
pervades many clinical trials.
symbol for the humanitarian movement. It
is still the most vivid example of medicine’s
7. Germ theory
capacity to diminish human suffering.
In Vienna in 1847 Ignaz Semmelweis
realised that germs carried on the hands of
2. Antibiotics
doctors could transmit lethal infections to
The first ‘wonder drugs’. Alexander Fleming
women in labour. This led to the accepted
reported on penicillin’s potential to kill
germ theory of disease. At the end of the
bacteria in 1929. Cheap mass production
19th century, infection caused 30% of
was achieved in the US during the second
deaths. By the end of the 20th century it
world war, allowing soldiers to be protected
caused less than 4%.
from wound infections but also sexually
transmitted diseases. Antibiotics transformed
8. Imaging
healthcare.
Wilhelm Roentgen won the first Nobel prize
for physics in 1901 for identifying that the
3. Chlorpromazine
passage of electricity though rarefied gases
Breakthrough drug for schizophrenia,
produced X-rays. X-rays proved invaluable
which helped close the asylums. Pierre
for diagnosis and soon became therapeutic
Deniker, who ran the first trial on psychotic
tools as well, in cancer and palliative
patients, published in 1952, wrote that
medicine.
‘aggressiveness and delusive conditions of
schizophrenia improved’, and contact with
9. Magic bullets
patients was re-established.
Magic bullets are monoclonal antibodies
which the immune system will not reject.
4. Computers
Their discovery has led to dramatic new
Computers have allowed decoding of the
treatments for disease. Over a million people
genome and permitted doctors to see the
have been treated for rheumatoid arthritis,
body and its functions in three dimensions.
with a spectacular reduction of symptoms.
Computers could help us achieve good
They have helped reduce organ transplant
87
rejection. These “magic bullets” can also 13. Sanitation
target radioactive treatment for cancer First came the industrial revolution, then
precisely to the tumour. urbanisation, and by the 1800s infectious
diseases were rampant. Cholera outbreaks
10. Oral rehydration turned attention to urban water systems
Children in poor countries are faced with and modern sanitation was born. By the
episodes of diarrhoea about three times a beginning of the 20th century death rates
year. Simple, cheap and easily prepared oral fell.
rehydration therapy, which combines salt
and sugar with clean water, saves millions of 14. Vaccines
lives. Louis Pasteur’s unveiling of the rabies
vaccine in 1885 paved the way for every
11. The pill other vaccine. The discovery has saved
The oral contraceptive brought about a millions of lives.
social as well as a medical revolution and
had huge benefits for women. It was the first 15. Tissue culture
potent drug to be taken by millions of healthy The invention of laboratory-reared tissue
people and the active ingredient is still the cultures has played a role in 18 out of the
same. last 52 Nobel prizes for medicine. Using
tissue culture doctors can grow viruses for
12. Risks of smoking experimentation and test drugs.
Two important studies in the 1950s led to a
growing body of evidence about the harmful © Guardian News & Media 2007
effects of tobacco. Since then there has First published in The Guardian, 05/1/07
been a gradual decline in the numbers of
people smoking and dying of tobacco-related
disease.
1. The British Medical Journal is asking … to choose the most important medical milestone.
a) doctors
b) readers
c) specialists
88
2. Antibiotics were produced on a large scale to … soldiers during the second world war.
a) wound
b) transmit sexual diseases to
c) protect
3. Computers have allowed doctors to …

a) see how the body functions.
b) see the body better.
c) cure the human genome.
4. DNA testing helped …

a) understand SARS.
b) cure babies of AIDS.
c) close the asylums.
5. In the past doctors ...

a) killed 4% of patients.
b) transmitted germs to women having babies.
c) only practised evidence-based medicine.
6. Magic bullets are used ...

a) to treat cancer.
b) to treat arthritis.
c) both a) and b)
7. In the 19th century infectious diseases were caused largely by …

a) urbanisation and dirty water.
b) tobacco.
c) vaccines.
89
8. Tissue culture has …
a) many uses.
b) won a Nobel prize.
c) killed many people in the 1800s.
4 Vocabulary: Chunks
Complete these expressions from the text using prepositions. Check your answers in the text.
1. the end ___ the 19th century

2. range ___ vaccines ___ the pill
3. see ___ three dimensions
4. ___ a result
5. children are faced ___ episodes of diarrhoea
6. a gradual decline ___ numbers
7. to pave the way ___ every other vaccine
8. 18 out ___ the last 52
5 Pronunciation: Word formation

Complete the gap with the correct form of the word given. All the words are in the text.
1. It was a significant … (discover)

2. Medicine has the … to diminish human suffering. (capable)
3. … is a characteristic of schizophrenia. (aggressive)
4. SARS is an … disease. (infect)
5. X-rays are invaluable for the correct … of illnesses. (diagnose)
6. Cholera was caused in part by … drinking water. (health)
7. The pill caused a … revolution. (medicine)
8. Doctors use tissue culture for … (experiment)
90
Milestones that show the way to modern medicine
6 Vocabulary: Odd word out
Circle the word which is not specifically connected to medicine.
1. treat cure diagnose grow

2. illness discovery disease sickness
3. doctor nurse soldier paramedic
4. antibiotic drug vaccine breakthrough
5. labour diarrhoea cholera cancer
7 Discussion
How is medicine different now than in the past? Do you think that other diseases will be cured? Which
ones?
91
Racism, ratings and reality TV
1 Key words
controversy allegation condemn regulator petition

elocution contestant fake overt prejudice
1. If someone is a ____________, they pretend to have skills they do not really have.
2. A ____________ is a document signed by many people asking the authorities to do something.
3. If you have ____________ lessons, you learn to speak clearly and with an accent that is considered correct.
4. If something is ____________, it is not hidden or secret.
5. ____________ is an unreasonable opinion or feeling, especially the feeling of not liking a group of people.
6. An ____________ is a statement that someone has done something wrong or illegal even though this has
not been proved.
7. A ____________ is a disagreement that a lot of people have strong feelings about.
8. If you ____________ something, you say publicly that something is bad or wrong.
9. A ____________ is an organization whose job is to check that companies, systems etc. act fairly
and follow rules.
10. A ____________ is someone who takes part in a contest or competition.
1. What is Celebrity Big Brother?
2. What TV station broadcasts Celebrity Big Brother?
3. How many people signed the online petition against the programme?
4. How many people watched the Monday night edition of the programme?
5. How many complaints will the police investigate formally?
6. Who is the UK Chancellor of the Exchequer?
92
Racism, ratings and reality TV: now attack on women but also on the colour of her
Big Brother creates a diplomatic skin and her country,” he said. 19,300 complaints
incident were made to the UK media regulator, more
Complaints over Channel 4 show hit record than double the previous record, while a further
22,000. Police to investigate abuse of Bollywood 3,000 complaints were made direct to Channel 4.
film star. Another 20,000 people signed an online petition
organised by the newspaper Eastern Eye.
by Owen Gibson, Vikram Dodd and Randeep
Ramesh in Delhi. January 18, 2007 The local police said they would formally
investigate 30 complaints. A spokesman said:
The reality TV show Celebrity Big Brother is “We are investigating allegations of racist
already in its fifth year. The number of viewers behaviour in the Big Brother house, and
has been falling but now a controversy over will conduct an inquiry, including a review
the alleged racism of some of the participants of videotapes of the programme.” Channel
in this year’s show has led to demonstrations 4 executives and the show’s producers met
on Indian streets, shock and anger in Downing yesterday to discuss the row, but privately they
Street, condemnation from the Chancellor of the may be delighted. Tuesday night’s show was
Exchequer on a state visit to India and a police watched by 4.5 million people, one million more
investigation. than on Monday.
The Channel 4 show has always been The controversy started after a series of incidents
controversial but has never before caused an involving a group of contestants led by Goody,
international incident. However, as the number of and including her boyfriend Jack Tweed, Lloyd
complaints from angry viewers grew to 22,000, and former pop singer Jo O’Meara. At one point
the Indian government criticised the programme Goody, after an argument with Shetty, had said:
and local police confirmed they would investigate “You need elocution lessons. You need a day in
allegations that three white fellow contestants the slums. Go to those people who look up to you
had behaved in a racist way towards Bollywood and be real. You’re a fake.”
star Shilpa Shetty.
Channel 4 released a statement saying that
The number of complaints looked sure to rise last there had been no overt racism, and claiming
night as Channel 4 broadcast a furious argument that the arguments were the result of class and
between Shetty and Jade Goody, who earned cultural differences. But in India, the row has
millions after appearing on the non-celebrity united all the major political parties. Communists,
version of the show. Speaking to another Hindu nationalists and the ruling Congress party
contestant, Cleo Rocos, after the argument have all demanded action be taken to preserve
Shetty said: “I’m representing my country. Is Shetty’s dignity. “[Big Brother] is holding a mirror
that what today’s UK is? It’s scary. It’s quite a to British society. This is not a one-off situation.
shame actually.” Rocos said: “I don’t think there’s We should thank Channel 4 for showing us the
anything racist in it.” But Shetty replied: “It is, I’m hidden prejudices of Britain,” Mahesh Bhatt, a
telling you.” Later, glamour model Danielle Lloyd, Bollywood director, told the Guardian.
talking to Goody, said that the Bollywood star
should go back home. Dozens of Shetty’s fans protested on the
streets in Patna, eastern India. In Bangalore,
India’s Information and Broadcasting Minister the UK Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon
appealed to Shetty to appear before the Indian Brown, had to answer questions from journalists
High Commission in London when she came out about a reality show he said he had never
of the house. “If there has been some racism seen. “I understand that in the UK there have
shown against her in the show, it is not only an already been 10,000 complaints from viewers
93
about remarks which people rightly regard as
offensive,” he said. “I want Britain to be seen as
a country of fairness and tolerance. I condemn
anything that goes against that view.” Tony
Blair’s spokesman later added that racism is not
tolerated in any way in the UK.
In one exchange, Goody said about Shetty: “She

makes me feel sick. She makes my skin crawl,”
while another contestant continually referred to
her as “the Indian”. Later Lloyd claimed that the
Bollywood star “wants to be white” and called
her a “dog”. After Shetty cooked a roast chicken
dinner, Lloyd had said: “They eat with their hands
in India, don’t they. Or is that China?” She added:
“You don’t know where those hands have been.”

94
1. This is the first time that Celebrity Big Brother has caused an international incident.
2. People in India are angry because a Bollywood actress appeared on the show.
3. A record number of people have complained to the UK media regulator.
4. The number of people watching the programme has fallen since the controversy started.
5. Channel 4 executives will probably be angry about the controversy.
6. The UK Chancellor of the Exchequer is a fan of the programme.
7. Some of the contestants made fun of Shilpa’s accent.
8. The police are not involved.
Look in the text and find the following:
1. An adjective meaning frightening. (para 3)
2. A verb meaning to try to find the facts about something in order to find the truth. (para 5)
3. A noun meaning an argument or a serious disagreement. (para 5)
4. An adjective meaning extremely pleased. (para 5)
5. A noun meaning a very poor area of a city where the buildings are in a very bad condition. (para 6)
6. A noun meaning the respect that other people have for you. (para 7)
7. An adjective meaning unpleasant or insulting. (para 8)
8. An expression meaning to suddenly feel uncomfortable because you dislike someone very much. (para 9)
95

1. investigate a. an inquiry
2. cause b. a petition
3. make c. someone’s dignity
4. sign d. action
5. conduct e. an allegation
6. release f. an international incident
7. demand g. a statement
8. preserve h. a complaint
Complete the table.
verb noun
1. tolerate
2. complain
3. allege
4. condemn
5. behave
6. refer
7. criticise
8. argue
7 Discussion
Would you appear on a reality TV programme like Big Brother? Why? Why not?
96
Into the aurora
1 Key words
phenomenon particle turbulence shield orbit

glow substorm satellite circuit power grid
1. A ____________ is an object that is sent into space in order to receive and send information.
2. A ____________ is a storm created by energy released by the Earth’s magnetic field.
3. A ____________ is an extremely small piece of matter that is part of an atom.
4. The ____________ of a satellite is the path it follows as it travels around the Earth.
5. A ____________ is the set of wires that carries the electricity supply.
6. A ____________ is the complete path that an electric current flows around.
7. A ____________ is something that can be seen to happen or exist.
8. A ____________ is something that protects against danger.
9. A ____________ is a soft, warm light produced by a source of heat.
10. ____________ is a sudden violent movement of air or water.
Look in the text and find the following information as quickly as possible.
1. How high above the Earth’s surface is the magnetosphere?
2. How many Themis satellites will orbit the Earth?

3. What are the colours of oxygen glowing?
4. How many ground stations will track the Themis satellites?
5. In which direction does a substorm move?
6. How many satellites does the European Cluster project have?
97
Into the aurora
Into the aurora: NASA craft probe released by the magnetic field intensifies into
mysteries of the northern lights a substorm.
Project will help predict damaging space storms. “It becomes interesting when a substorm goes
Satellites will line up in orbit to measure effect. off - it brightens and then, within 30 seconds, it
Alok Jha, science correspondent starts rushing towards the north. It covers the
February 15, 2007 entire sky and breaks up into little pieces,” said
Vassilis Angelopoulos, principal investigator
The northern lights (also known as aurora on the Themis project. “It’s a magnificent
borealis) are a unique natural phenomenon, phenomenon to watch.” The sequence of events
caused as the Earth’s atmosphere is hit by that leads to a substorm is unknown. “The
energy particles from magnetic storms in space. problem so far is that we cannot find the source
For scientists, however, the lights also represent of the process using just one satellite,” said
one of the oldest mysteries in space physics: Professor Angelopoulos.
how and where in space do the displays of light
begin? And how can they be predicted? The five Themis satellites will orbit the Earth in
such a way that they line up along the sun-Earth
Today, NASA will launch five identical spacecraft line every four days and track the flow of energy
from Cape Canaveral in Florida, in an attempt from one to the other. Possible sources for the
to answer the question. By measuring how the substorms have different locations in space,
magnetic field around the Earth changes in real so placing the Themis spacecraft in various
time, the Themis project will allow scientists locations in the Earth’s magnetic field will help
to better predict the weather in space that lies find the source. They will be able to record that
behind the northern lights. This information is a particular source of energy happened between
important for keeping communications satellites two particular spacecraft at a particular time.
safe as they orbit the Earth and will also be vital
for humans as they travel in space. More than 20 ground stations across the US
will track the Themis satellites, to give precise
The northern lights are a visual representation locations for the magnetic substorms that
of turbulence in the Earth’s magnetic field. The are observed. Themis will also work with the
sun continually sends energy towards our planet, European Cluster project which uses four
some of which is stored by the Earth’s magnetic satellites to measure the Earth’s magnetic field.
field at heights of 10,000 km above the surface.
The field creates a protective shield for the Earth “In the same way that meteorologists study
in space, called the magnetosphere, which tornadoes in order to understand the large
protects our planet from much of the deadly thunderstorms, we study substorms to get
radiation coming from the sun. But every now better insight into large space storms,” said
and then, the field releases the energy it has Professor Angelopoulos. Predicting these
stored and sends showers of energetic electrons storms is important for scientists to describe
towards the upper atmosphere. When these the environment around the Earth and ensure
electrons come into contact with air, the energy spacecraft and astronauts can operate safely, as
released causes a characteristic glow. the particles created in the storms can damage
electronic circuits. The radiation can also knock
The colours represent the composition of the out power grids on the Earth’s surface.
air at that height. Green and red are the oxygen
glowing and violet is nitrogen. Most of the time, Modern warnings of space storms are unreliable.
the northern lights are a steady band stretching “It’s like what weather forecasting may have been
from east to west but every few hours the energy a century ago. Over the last 50 years, it has
98
Into the aurora
developed quite dramatically because they
understand the sequence of events much better.
We are doing the same sort of thing, trying to
understand that sequence and give people more
accurate predictions,” says UK space expert
Mike Hapgood.
The Themis satellites will make their first working

measurements in a year’s time. They are
scheduled to operate for two years. Dr Hapgood
said that understanding the Earth’s magnetic
field will also give scientists information about
other planets in the solar system that have
magnetospheres: “These things also happen
further out in the universe. Understanding how
magnetospheres work is a universal question.”

Decide whether these sentences are True or False according to the text:
1. Scientists don’t know what the northern lights are.
2. Scientists don’t know what causes the displays of lights to begin.
3. The glow of the northern lights is caused by electrons coming into contact with air molecules.
4. Glowing oxygen is violet in colour.
5. Studying substorms will enable scientists to understand large space storms.

6. Radiation from space storms has no effect on the Earth.
7. The Themis satellites have already started taking measurements.
8. If scientists understand how the Earth’s magnetic field works, they will be able to understand how the magnetic
fields of other planets work.
99
Into the aurora
4 Vocabulary 1: Adjectives
Find the adjectives that mean:
1. not the same as anything else (para 1)
2. exactly the same (para 2)
3. extremely important (para 3)
4. able or likely to kill people (para 3)
5. firmly held in a particular position without moving (para 4)
6. all or every part of something (para 5)
7. very impressive and beautiful (para 5)
8. very exact (para 7)
5 Sequencing
Rearrange these sentences to form the sequence of events leading to the appearance of the
northern lights.
a. These electrons come into contact with air molecules.
b. The sun continually sends energy toward the Earth.
c. But sometimes the field releases the energy it has stored.
d. It is this contact which causes the characteristic glow of the northern lights.
e. This sends showers of energetic electrons towards the upper atmosphere.
f. The Earth’s magnetic field stores this energy.
100
Into the aurora

Complete the table.
noun adjective
1. phenomenon
2. turbulence
3. mystery
4. vision
5. energy
6. variety
7. accuracy
8. universe
7 Discussion
Should money be spent on space exploration?
101
Spacewoman on charge of trying to kill love rival
1 Pre-reading 1
Look at the main headline. What do you think the story will be about?
1. A woman from outer space dives to Earth to bomb another woman.
2. A woman astronaut loses her job when she is accused of attempted murder.
3. An actress playing a character like ‘Wonder Woman’ dies when her rocket crashes.
2 Pre-reading 2
Now read the sub-headings. Do they help you to decide?
3 Key words
Match these key words from the text with the definitions below.
a shuttle alleged an astronaut a tracking device

a colleague a wig a disguise a nappy stalking
1. ____________ A piece of electronic equipment that lets the police know where you are, wherever you go.
2. ____________ A piece of soft material usually worn by babies, who can’t use the toilet.
3. ____________ Annoying or frightening someone by watching and following them all the time.
4. ____________ Said to be true, but not yet proved in court.
5. ____________ Someone who travels and works in space.
6. ____________ Wearing strange clothes, etc. so that people don’t recognize you.
7. ____________ A space vehicle that travels to outer space and back to Earth.
8. ____________ Artificial hair that you wear on your head.
9. ____________ Someone who works at the same place as you.
Now read the text quickly to see if you were right.
102
Spacewoman falls to Earth on charge powered pellet gun, a folding knife with a four-
of trying to kill love rival inch blade, pepper spray, a steel hammer and
Shuttle astronaut arrested after alleged airport $600 in cash. She also had several large black
attack. Male colleague said to be at centre of bin liners, six latex gloves and rubber tubing, as
love triangle. well as a wig and two hooded trench coats for
Ed Pilkington in New York disguise.
February 7, 2007
7 She also wore a nappy on the journey, so
1 Last July, Lisa Nowak travelled 5.3 million miles, that she wouldn’t have to stop very often – a
taking 12 days, 18 hours, 37 minutes and 54 professional trick, as astronauts wear nappies
seconds, to win her position in one of the world’s during take off and landing.
most select clubs: travellers in space. Last
Monday, she went about 950 miles in 14 hours to 8 She explained that she had discovered that
lose it. Colleen Shipman, a US air force captain, was
flying in from Houston to Orlando that night. Mrs
2 Yesterday, in the strangest incident ever involving Nowak wanted to be there to “scare her” into
a professional NASA astronaut, Mrs Nowak was talking about her relationship with the man at the
charged with attempted first-degree murder, centre of the love triangle.
attempted kidnapping and battery. Apparently,
the married mother of three, separated from 9 He is Bill Oefelein, 41, from Alaska, who did
her husband, was involved in a love triangle astronaut training with Mrs Nowak. Like her, he
with a fellow male astronaut and a female air first went into space last year, also on Discovery,
force captain whom she suspected of having a although they have never flown together.
relationship with him. Police found evidence of Mrs Nowak’s feelings
for Mr Oefelein in a letter in her car, together
3 A Florida judge ruled last night that Mrs Nowak with emails between him and Ms Shipman,
could be fitted with a tracking device and and directions to Ms Shipman’s house. In her
released from custody if she could come up with statement, Mrs Nowak said she had “more than
$25,000 (£13,000) bail and did not contact her a working relationship, but less than a romantic
alleged victim. relationship” with him.
4 The group to which 43-year-old Mrs Nowak 10 Ms Shipman allegedly saw Mrs Nowak, whom
belongs is extremely ‘select’: she is one of only she had never met before, wearing a hooded
97 astronauts currently trained and ready to trench coat, dark glasses and the wig, following
fly, 20 of them women. NASA has only chosen her on a bus from the airport lounge to the car
a total of 321 astronauts since the US agency park. Afraid, she hurried to her car. She could
started its space programme in 1959. hear running footsteps behind her and as she
slammed the door Mrs Nowak hit the window and
5 All of which makes her behaviour in the early tried to pull the door open.
hours of Monday so surprising. NASA had very
carefully selected and trained her for 10 years to 11 “Can you help me, please? My boyfriend was
cope with extreme stress before her flight in the supposed to pick me up and he is not here,” Mrs
Discovery space shuttle in July. But this Monday, Nowak apparently begged. When Ms Shipman
she set off on her own private mission. said she could not help, the astronaut started
to cry. Ms Shipman wound down her window a
6 Mrs Nowak admitted to Orlando police that she couple of inches, at which Mrs Nowak let off the
started her 950-mile drive from Houston, Texas, pepper spray. Ms Shipman drove off, her eyes
to Orlando on Sunday, bringing a carbon-dioxide burning, and raised the alarm. She alleges the
103
astronaut had been stalking her for about two the international space station when the shuttle
months. joined it in space.
12 Sergeant Barb Jones of Orlando police said 15 Before the mission, she said she had first
last night that Mrs Nowak clearly intended to do become interested in space at the age of
“serious bodily injury or death.” Her behaviour five when she watched the moon landing on
and later appearance in court has amazed television, and on visits to the Air and Space
people in the closed world of space exploration. Museum in Washington.
Tariq Malik, a science reporter who interviewed
Mrs Nowak just before she went into space, said 16 Her official photograph, taken before the flight,
astronauts were carefully chosen and trained so shows her in full astronaut’s suit, smiling broadly.
that surprises did not happen. Yesterday, TV screens showed a picture with
a difference: as Mrs Nowak was booked into
13 “They have to fly in very cramped spaces and jail, she looked absolutely terrible. NASA has
under intense stress, so they have to be able to suspended her for 30 days and removed her
cope,” he said. from all shuttle mission activities.
14 Mrs Nowak had an important technical job in the © Guardian News & Media 2007
July flight, in charge of a robotic arm for repairing First published in The Guardian, 7/2/07
Some of these sentences are not true, according to the article. Say which ones, and say why.
1. Mrs Nowak won a competition to join a Space Travellers’ Club.
2. She is in love with one of her colleagues at NASA.
3. She was afraid that he loved another woman.
4. On Monday she went on a private Space mission.
5. She drove to Orlando in a car that used carbon-dioxide instead of petrol.
6. She met Bill Oefelein when they were both students.
7. Mrs Nowak did not plan to hurt Ms Shipman.
8. Mrs Nowak’s colleagues were not surprised when they saw her in court.
9. On the space flight, she worked as a secretary.
10. She has been interested in space travel since she was a child.
104
5 Vocabulary development 1: Legal language
Find words in the text that mean the following.
1 charged with a Being kept in prison until you go to court.

2 first-degree murder b Facts or objects that prove you are guilty of a crime.
3 kidnapping c Officially accused (of a crime) in court.
4 bail d When you intend to kill someone.
5 custody e Someone says this is true, but it isn’t yet proved.
6 evidence f Taking someone away illegally, and keeping them prisoner.
7 allegedly g Money you leave with the court to make sure you come for your trial.
8 battery h The crime of hitting someone.
6 Vocabulary development 2: Phrasal verbs
Replace the underlined words with one of these phrasal verbs from the text.
wound down set off on let off cope with drove off come up with pick me up
1. It was hard to produce any new ideas on such an old subject.
2. If I phone you from the station, can you come and collect me?
3. The policeman looked at his papers, and then went away in his car.
4. When are you going to start your trip round the world?
5. She’s just left her job; she couldn’t manage all the work.
6. It was so hot in the car that he opened the window a little.
7. Stand right back out of the way; they’re going to make the fireworks explode.
105
7 Understanding reference
What do these words refer to?
1. In paragraph 1, ‘it’ means:

a. last Monday.
b. one of the clubs.
c. her position in one of the clubs.
2. In paragraph 2, ‘whom’ means:

a. her fellow astronaut.
b. the female air force captain.
3. In paragraph 2, ‘him’ means:

a. her fellow astronaut.
b. the air force captain.
4. In paragraph 4, ‘the group’ means:

a. the 97 astronauts.
b. the 20 women astronauts.
c. the 321 astronauts NASA has trained.
5. In paragraph 5, ‘all of which’ means:

a. the fact that it is so hard to become an astronaut.
b. the space programme.
c. the astronauts.
6. In paragraph 11, ‘at which’ means:

a. at the window.
b. as soon as the window was open.
c. at Ms Shipman.
8 Discussion
Do you feel sorry for Mrs. Nowak at all? Why / why not?
What do you think should happen to her?
Would you like to be an astronaut? Why / why not?
106
‘Holy moly’ - sperm donor meets his children
1 Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences below using the following key words from the text.
sperm donor offspring siblings conceive

choke adopt track down willing estimate
1. If you ____________ a person, you manage to find them after a long and difficult search.
2. If you are ____________ to do something, you do it when someone asks you.
3. A ____________ is someone who gives blood, eggs or a body part to help in the medical treatment of
another person.
4. ____________ is a cell from a man that fertilizes a woman’s egg and makes her pregnant.
5. Your ____________ are your children.
6. Your ____________ are your brothers and sisters.
7. If you ____________ a child, you take them into your family and legally make them your own child.
8. If you ____________ an amount or a value, you say what you think it will be.
9. If a woman ____________ a child, she becomes pregnant.
10. If you ____________, you cannot breathe because something is blocking your throat.
1. When did Jeffrey Harrison donate his sperm?
2. How much was he paid for each sperm sample?
3. What did he say when he met his offspring for the first time?
4. How many members does the Donor Sibling Registry have?
5. How many children are conceived from donated sperm in the US each year?
6. How many people are put in touch each month by the Donor Sibling Registry?
107
‘Holy moly’ - sperm donor comes face had also provided a very attractive profile and
to face with his children 20 years later was one of the sperm bank’s most requested
donors. However, when Mr Harrison’s newly
Father comes forward after teenagers conduct
found children read his description they may
search through website.
have formed a picture of him that was different
Dan Glaister in Los Angeles from the way he is today.
February 16, 2007
5 “Degree in philosophy from Europe,” reads
1 The man and the young woman look quite Donor 150’s description. “Dancer/Musician/
similar. They have the same high forehead, their Fitness Instructor/Writer. Protestant. Interests:
noses are almost the same, even their hair and Health, guitar, swimming, dancing, writing,
build have quite a lot in common. They could be travel. Loves animals and children, calls himself
father and daughter. But there is one important ‘happy-go-lucky’.”
difference. Before this week, they had never
met. The man, Jeffrey Harrison, lives with his 6 Two of Mr Harrison’s offspring got in touch with
four dogs in a motor home in Venice, California. each other through the Donor Sibling Registry,
The woman, Ryann M, is a teenager living in a a website which Ms Kramer started three years
settled family. ago. It currently has 7,394 members, including
430 donors who are willing to be found by their
2 Now they know a lot more about each other. offspring. A third child got in touch soon after.
They know that they are father and daughter,
that Ryann was conceived thanks to sperm 7 At the weekend, Mr Harrison emailed a copy of
donated by Mr Harrison in the 1980s. They also his birth certificate to Ms Kramer, and confirmed
know Ryann is one of six half-siblings, and that that he was Donor 150. “We talked for hours
Mr Harrison may need to get a larger home. “It’s on Saturday night,” Ms Kramer said. “It was a
quite obvious that he’s their father,” said Wendy very big risk for him. He wanted to make the
Kramer, whose website put Mr Harrison and his connection but was a little bit nervous and
offspring in touch. “I looked at the picture and afraid.” The same day, Ms Kramer contacted
thought, ‘Oh my God’.” the families. “I told them to take their time and
to take things slowly. I guess they didn’t listen to
3 Mr Harrison’s reaction to meeting his offspring my advice. They were all very excited and by the
for the first time was similar. “The first thing he next day everybody was calling each other.”
said was, ‘Holy moly’,” 17-year-old Danielle
Pagano, another of Mr Harrison’s children, told 8 Ms Kramer is confident that the offspring - who
the New York Times after meeting him this week. sometimes refer to themselves as “half-adopted”
“He’s a free spirit, and I don’t care what career - will get on with their biological father. “He’s a
he has. He let me talk to his dogs.” While three simple man and he lives a very simple life,” she
of Mr Harrison’s offspring have been very active said. “These girls don’t care about his status or
in tracking him down, two of them, in their early his money. He’s very kind, very sweet and open,
teens, still do not know that he exists. and has a great sense of humour.”
4 Mr Harrison decided to come forward after 9 The extended family is now avoiding the media,
reading a newspaper article about two teenage choosing to spend the next week getting to
girls who had found out that they were conceived know each other. The story might be unusual
using his sperm and were trying to find him. The but it is not unique. There is little regulation of
article made him “choke on his coffee”. He had sperm donations in the United States. Nobody
visited California Cryobank in the 1980s and was knows whether a donor’s sperm is ever used
paid between $50 and $100 per sperm sample. to conceive a child, or how many children are
His sperm was labelled simply Donor 150. He conceived from each donor.
108
10 On a single day this week, two donor fathers been asked in country after country, in Europe
were put in touch with their offspring through the and elsewhere: what is in the best interests of the
Donor Sibling Registry. In a typical month, the child? They have considered the interests of the
website puts 60-80 people in touch with each sperm bank, the parents and the industry, but not
other, said Ms Kramer. One of the donors listed the children. Even now sperm banks and medical
on her website has 50 offspring; another recently professionals are advising parents to keep it
said he had 22 children. The sperm bank industry secret. It can be a huge shock to the children.
estimates that 30,000 children are conceived This is all about providing a new definition of
each year from donated sperm. A sharp increase what the family is,” she said. “We’re strangers but
in sperm donations in the mid-1980s means that we’re very much connected.”
many donor-conceived children are now coming
of age and are trying to find out who their fathers
were.
11 “If I ran a sperm bank I would surely be talking
about self-regulation, before it is forced,” said
Ms Kramer. “It’s just a question of doing the right
thing. Nobody’s asked the question here that has
Decide whether these statements are True or False according to the text.
1. Jeffrey Harrison didn’t want to meet his offspring.
2. Mr Harrison is exactly like his profile.
3. All sperm donors want to be found by their offspring.
4. Mr Harrison leads a very simple life.
5. Sperm donations are carefully regulated in the United States.

6. Ms Kramer believes that sperm banks do not think about the interests of the children.
7. Mr Harrison’s children are worried because he doesn’t have much money.
8. The Donor Sibling Registry tries to put people in contact with their siblings and offspring.
109
4 Find the word
Find these words and expressions in the text.
1. An expression meaning to have the same features as someone else. (para 1)
2. An adjective meaning clear to almost anyone. (para 2)
3. An American expression indicating surprise. (para 3)
4. An expression meaning not worrying too much about the future. (para 5)
5. An expression meaning to make contact with another person. (para 6)
6. A noun meaning position in society. (para 8)
7. An adjective meaning not the same as anything else. (para 9)
8. An expression meaning to legally become an adult. (para 10)
5 Prepositions
Fill the gaps in these phrases from the text using prepositions. Check your answers in the text.
1. to have a lot _______ common
2. put people ______ touch
3. reaction ______
4. he was paid ______ $50 and $100
5. to get on ______ someone
6. a great sense _______ humour
7. a sharp increase _______

8. it’s a question _______ doing the right thing
110
6 Word building
Complete the table.
verb noun
1. donate
2. exist
3. conceive
4. describe
5. contact
6. advise
7. regulate
8. confirm
7 Discussion
Imagine that at the age of 18 your parents told you that you were conceived using donated sperm. Would you like
to meet your biological father? Why? Why not?
111
Super-rich get richer
1 Key words
founder fortune inherit compile commodities

tycoon bachelor heiress entrepreneur retail
1. If you ____________ money, you get it from someone who has died.
2. The verb to ____________ means to make something such as a list, report or book by bringing together
information from many different places.
3. An ____________ is someone who uses money to start businesses and make business deals.
4. A ____________ is a rich and powerful person in business or industry.
5. A ____________ is a very large amount of money.
6. A ____________ is a man who has never been married.
7. A ____________ is someone who starts an organization or business.
8. ____________ is the process of selling goods directly to the public.
9. ____________ are things that can be bought or sold, especially basic food products or fuel.
10. An ____________ is a woman who will receive money or property when another person dies.
1. Who is the world’s richest man?
2. Where does the world’s third richest man come from?
3. What is the total wealth of all the people on the rich list?
4. How much is Harry Potter author JK Rowling worth?
5. How many dollar billionaires are there in Russia?
6. Who is the world’s richest woman?
112
Super-rich get richer Rothermere, Jonathan Harmsworth, is number
618 with $1.6bn and James Dyson also has
David Teather
$1.6bn. Harry Potter author JK Rowling is right
March 9, 2007
at the bottom of the list with a fortune valued at
$1bn. There are two others who have made their
1 The rich keep getting richer. According to the
money from a very different type of publishing;
latest Forbes ranking of the world’s richest
Richard Desmond the former soft porn publisher
people, there are now a record 946 dollar
who now owns the Daily Express is 754th
billionaires around the world. They have made
on the list with $1.3bn in the bank and Paul
their money from everything from telecoms to
Raymond, who owns Escort, Mayfair and Razzle
steel to Chinese food.
magazines, is also worth $1bn.
2 For the 13th year in a row, Microsoft co-founder
6 The list shows growing wealth in both China and
Bill Gates was the richest person in the world.
India, the two dynamic economies driving global
His personal fortune rose $6bn last year to
economic growth. Another 14 people from India
$56bn (£29bn). His friend, the investment expert
joined the list. With a total of 36 billionaires, India
Warren Buffett, was the second richest. His
has now overtaken Japan, which has 24, as
fortune increased by $10bn during the year to
home to the most billionaires in Asia. There are
reach $52bn. Both Mr Gates and Mr Buffett give
three Indians in the top 20, led by Lakshmi Mittal,
a percentage of their fortunes to charity. Third
an Indian citizen who lives in London and who is
richest is the Mexican telecoms entrepreneur
number five on the list with $32bn.
Carlos Slim Helu, who added $19bn to his
wealth, and now has $49bn. 7 There were 13 Chinese newcomers including Li
Wei, the founder of Synear Food Holding. Her
3 The total wealth of all the people on the list grew
company is one of China’s largest producers
by 35% during the year to $3.5 trillion as a result
of frozen food and is an official supplier to the
of rising property prices, commodities and stock
Beijing Olympics in 2008.
markets. Luisa Kroll who helped to compile
the list at Forbes said it was “an extraordinary 8 The US still has 44% of the world billionaires but
year”. On the previous list there were just 793 its share is getting smaller. Russia is also rising
billionaires. fast and has 53 billionaires according to Forbes.
The Wal-Mart family dropped from the top 20,
4 The richest Briton on the list is the Duke of
after a difficult year for the world’s largest retailer.
Westminster, Gerald Cavendish Grosvenor,
at number 55. Grosvenor inherited much of 9 The average billionaire is 62 years old and 60%
his wealth and is one of the UK’s wealthiest of the people on the list made their money from
landowners. He is said to be worth $11bn. Sir scratch. Around 100 unmarried men are included
Philip Green, the retail entrepreneur who controls among the world’s wealthiest. At the top of the
British Home Stores and Topshop owner Arcadia list of bachelors are Google founders Larry
is the second richest Briton at number 104 on Page and Sergey Brin - unmarried at 33 and 34
the list. Sir Philip, 55, has $7bn. Next are the respectively, they are both worth $16.6bn and are
property tycoons David and Simon Rueben, who number 26 in the overall list. Other interesting
are worth $4.5bn between them and are number bachelors are Russian metals tycoon Mikhail
177 on the list. Prokhorov, in 38th place with an estimated
fortune of $13.5bn; or divorced James Packer,
5 There are 29 British citizens on the list. Virgin who has a more modest $5.5bn media fortune.
founder Sir Richard Branson is number 230 with
$3.8bn; David Sainsbury of the grocery family is 10 One of the more interesting rich people on the list
432nd with $2.2bn; newspaper owner Viscount is the accordion-playing, fire-breathing founder
113
of Cirque du Soleil, Guy Laliberte, at number 664
on the list. The 47-year-old Canadian founded his
circus-based, animal-free acrobatic show in 1984
and still keeps 95% of the business. His fortune
is estimated at $1.5bn. The richest woman, at
number 12, is 84-year-old L’Oreal heiress Liliane
Bettencourt, with a fortune of $20.7bn. Chat
show queen Oprah Winfrey is believed to be
worth $1.5bn.

1. China has more dollar billionaires than Russia.
2. The percentage of US billionaires in the list is falling.
3. More than half the people on the list started with nothing.
4. Guy Laliberte has sold most of his Cirque du Soleil business.
5. Sir Philip Green is a publisher.
6. Carlos Slim Helu made his money from telecoms.
7. Rising property prices were the only reason for the 35% increase in the total wealth of the people on the list.
8. The founders of Google are married.

1. A noun meaning a position on a list that shows how good someone is compared to others. (para 1)
2. A noun meaning someone who knows a lot about a particular subject. (para 2)
3. A noun meaning a group of organizations which help people who are poor or ill. (para 2)
4. A verb meaning to become better than another person. (para 6)
5. A noun meaning someone who has recently started to be involved in something. (para 7)
6. A noun meaning a company that sells goods direct to the public. (para 8)
7. An expression meaning with nothing at all. (para 9)

8. An adjective meaning richest. (para 9)
114
5 Vocabulary 2: Word formation

Complete the table.
verb noun
1. invest
2. grow
3. marry
4. increase
5. inherit
6. own
7. produce
8. found
6 Vocabulary 3: Prefixes
Match the prefixes with their meanings.
1. co- a. new
2. re- b. against
3. anti- c. many
4. neo- d. joint, together
5. mal- e. below, less than
6. multi- f. across
7. trans- g. again
8. under- h. badly
7 Discussion
How much money does a normal person need? What can you do with more than $1 billion? Should the super-rich
pay more tax?
115
Dead or alive, Bin Laden haunts US
1 Key words
jihadi vulgar capture manhunt remote

cleric convinced corrupt bold sophisticated
1. A ____________ person does dishonest or illegal things in order to gain money or power.
2. A ____________ person is confident and not afraid to take risks.
3. A ____________ is someone who believes in holy war.
4. If something is ____________, it is unpleasant, offensive and in poor taste.
5. If something is ____________, it is complicated and advanced in design.
6. If you are ____________ about something, you are certain that it is true.
7. A ____________ is a search organized to catch a criminal.
8. If a place is ____________, it is far away from the nearest town or city.
9. A ____________ is a person who leads religious services.
10. If you ____________ someone, you catch them and make them your prisoner.
1. How old is Osama bin Laden?
2. Where was he born?
3. How much money has been offered for information leading to his capture?
4. How many audio and videotapes did bin Laden and his deputy release in 2006?
5. What medical problem is bin Laden said to have?
6. What percentage of Afghans have a negative opinion of bin Laden?
116
Dead or alive, on his 50th birthday 4 America’s spies are convinced OBL, as they
ghost of the Hindu Kush haunts US call him, is hiding in Pakistan’s tribal region. “As
CIA think they know where Osama bin Laden far as we know the senior leadership, number
is. So do local tribesmen - hiding in the one and two, are there,” said the new director
White House. of national intelligence, last week. ABC News
reported last Tuesday that the CIA is sending
Declan Walsh in Islamabad
new teams to trap him. But if the Americans
March 10, 2007
think he is in the border areas, the tribesmen
who live there think the opposite. Over the
1 It is Osama bin Laden’s 50th birthday today. He border in Afghanistan many people believe that
is probably hiding somewhere in the tribal lands bin Laden has already been caught by America
between Pakistan and Afghanistan. One can - and is even hidden inside the White House.
almost imagine the grey-bearded jihadi sitting “Many, many people believe such stories,” said
in his cave with a birthday cake, with his smiling Sarah Chayes, a writer who lives in Kandahar.
comrades around him. In reality it probably won’t If America really has such strong soldiers and
be much of a party. Muslims from the Wahhabi powerful satellites, they believe they must have
branch of Islam like bin Laden disapprove of captured bin Laden.
birthday parties, believing such celebrations to
5 Most Afghans do not support the man who
be a vulgar western import. But as he reaches
caused the invasion of their country in 2001.
the age of 50, he at least has reason to enjoy a
According to a recent opinion poll, nine out of
quiet smile.
10 people have a negative opinion of him. But
2 Six years after 9/11, bin Laden has still not been elsewhere in the Muslim world many people
captured, despite the world’s largest manhunt admire him. “Osama is a hero,” said Kamran Ali,
and a $25m reward offered for information a 23-year-old from Islamabad. “Americans have
leading to his capture. A powerful myth has done many bad things against Muslims. Osama
grown around him - the tall Saudi-born militant stands up to them.” Like many Pakistanis he
is now the ghost of the Hindu Kush, sometimes does not believe that bin Laden was linked to the
reported dead and sometimes alive at different World Trade Centre attacks. “There’s no proof of
points inside the remote mountain range. The that,” he said.
Pakistani army thought it had trapped him in a
6 All over the Muslim world people feel the same
village in North Waziristan in 2003. A year later
way, said Abdel Bari Atwan, editor of the al-Quds
the Spanish newspaper El Mundo said it had
al-Arabi newspaper. But, he said, support for
located him in a Muslim area of western China.
bin Laden does not mean that people are voting
One US senator announced that Bin Laden had
for terrorism. “When people in Palestine voted
died in the huge earthquake that recently struck
for Hamas it was not for radicalism, they voted
northern Pakistan.
against corruption. This is the same. Because
3 At about the same time, an undercover team people hate American foreign policy and corrupt
of American investigators arrived in Chitral, a Arab dictatorships they sympathize with al-Qaida
quiet mountain area in the north of Pakistan, and Osama bin Laden. It doesn’t mean they
where they believed bin Laden was hiding. Soon approve of al-Qaida’s actions or September 11,”
afterwards angry clerics told local people who he said.
they were and they had to leave. Bin Laden is
7 Is bin Laden dead? Mullah Dadullah, a Taliban
also said to be ill with kidney problems. Last
commander, says he has been in touch. “We
September a French newspaper reported he had
exchange messages to share plans,” he said in
died of typhoid.
one of two recent interviews. “It’s very hard for
117
anyone to see bin Laden himself now but we suggests they are ready to attack again. It is a
know he’s still alive.” The Emir, as bin Laden is very powerful and sophisticated approach,” he
known to followers, is becoming increasingly said. Meanwhile, in the mountain forests and
bold. As-Sahab, the al-Qaida video production remote valleys of the tribal region, the
house, released more than 20 audio and hunt continues.
videotapes from bin Laden and his deputy,
Ayman al-Zawahiri, in 2006. © Guardian News & Media 2007
8 “The messages are often long and complicated.
Most of the time bin Laden uses silence much
more effectively,” said Michael Scheuer, former
head of the CIA’s bin Laden unit. “The silence
1. The Americans believe bin Laden is hiding in Pakistan’s tribal region.
2. Most Afghans believe bin Laden is dead.
3. Many Pakistanis do not believe bin Laden was linked to the 9/11 attack.
4. People sympathize with al-Qaida because they hate American foreign policy.
5. Michael Scheuer believes the use of long, complicated messages is a sophisticated tactic.
6. Abdel Bari Atwan believes that support for al-Qaida means that people approve of September 11.
7. The hunt for bin Laden is the world’s largest manhunt.
8. Bin Laden will probably have a birthday party.
118
Look in the text and find these words.
1. A noun meaning a story that people wrongly believe to be true. (para 2)
2. A verb meaning to catch a criminal by forcing them into a place they cannot escape from. (para 2)
3. A noun meaning someone who uses violent and extreme methods to achieve something. (para 2)
4. A verb meaning to find out the exact place where someone or something is. (para 2)
5. An adjective meaning working secretly to catch criminals. (para 3)
6. A noun meaning an occasion when an army goes into another country to take control of it by force. (para 5)
7. A verb meaning to have a feeling of great respect for someone. (para 5)
8. A three-word verb meaning to not allow yourself to be treated badly. (para 5)
Complete the phrases using prepositions. Check your answers in the text.
1. _______ reality
2. disapprove _______ birthday parties
3. died _______ typhoid
4. _______ the border in Afghanistan
5. nine _______ 10 people have a negative opinion of him

6. according _______ a recent opinion poll
7. no proof _______ that
8. sympathize _______
119

Complete the table.
verb noun
1. disapprove
2. capture
3. announce
4. invade
5. admire
6. prove
7. sympathize
8. enjoy
7 Discussion
What is your view of al-Qaida and Osama bin Laden? Do you regard them as terrorists or freedom-fighters?
120
Big blasts or tiny tugs
1 Pre-reading 1: Key words
Match these keywords from the text with the definitions below.
a blast a tug an asteroid a catastrophe a collision

inevitable an orbit to release an ion a tractor
1. ____________ – A terrible disaster.
2. ____________ – An explosion.
3. ____________ – A mass of rock like a very small planet in space.
4. ____________ – An accident when one thing crashes into another.
5. ____________ – A small, powerful boat used for pulling larger boats.
6. ____________ – Something that nobody can prevent or avoid.
7. ____________ – The path that a small object follows round a larger object in space.
8. ____________ – An atom with an electrical force.
9. ____________ – Usually, a vehicle used on a farm to pull other machines; here, a space vehicle with the
power to pull another object towards it.
10. ____________ – To allow something to escape.
1 Pre-reading 2: Prediction
Look at the main headline, the sub-heading and the key words.
1. Do you think the Earth is in danger now?
2. Do you think the scientists have already found a solution?
Now read the text quickly to find out.
121
Big blasts or tiny tugs: how to stop an would release more than 100,000 times the
asteroid catastrophe energy released in the Hiroshima nuclear bomb.
This blast would directly affect thousands of
Great danger of a crash with Earth, but scientists
square kilometres, but the dust released into
are meeting to find a solution.
the atmosphere would affect the whole planet.
Alok Jha, science correspondent There could be dark skies* for a year or more,
March 7, 2007 destroying crops worldwide.
(Note that some words, written in italics and

6 Dr Barbee, a US space expert, thinks that if
marked like this*, are explained in the footnotes
it collided with Earth, it would be a disaster.
at the end of the article.)
“Such events have occurred in the past and will
occur again in the future”. But now, for the first
1 A huge asteroid flies in from outer space to
time in known history, humanity may have the
destroy the Earth, an unstoppable force of
technology to stop it happening.
nature from which there is no escape. Perhaps
a disaster like this killed off the dinosaurs, and
7 Dr Barbee thinks the answer is nuclear. If a
most experts think it is only a matter of time
nuclear weapon hit the edge of the asteroid, it
before the same thing happens to us.
could cause the NEO to change direction, and
“miss Earth rather than collide.” The advantage
2 But perhaps not all hope is lost. Hundreds of
of this idea is that it is possible with current
scientists, from nuclear weapons engineers to
technology - though no one has actually tried
planetary experts, are coming to Washington this
it yet.
week to try to develop a master plan to protect
the Earth from such an asteroid.
8 Piet Hut, another expert, has a less dangerous
idea - a robotic tugboat that could attach itself
3 The Planetary Defence Conference, organised
to an asteroid and push it out of the Earth’s
by the US Aerospace Corporation, will discuss
path. Modern technology would warn scientists
lots of ideas on how to develop technology to
10 years in advance, to send the tugboat into
locate and redirect objects heading towards the
position in good time.
Earth. The conference will also consider the
difficult problem of public relations - is it best to
9 The tugboat would be driven by an ion engine.
warn people if the worst comes to the worst?
These engines don’t burn chemicals for fuel; they
drive a spacecraft forwards by forcing electrically
4 Many smaller objects around the Earth’s orbit
charged particles backwards. The pressure is
break up when they reach the atmosphere and
very slight - but the engine is very efficient and
this is no more dangerous than a short fireworks
lasts far longer than normal rocket engines. Prof
display. But there are also large asteroids or
Hut calculates that such an engine could deflect
comets, also called near-Earth objects* (NEOs).
NEOs up to 800 metres across.
A NEO wider than 1km collides with Earth every
few hundred thousand years. An NEO larger
10 Ion engines would also be essential for another
than 6km, which could cause total extinction,
idea, the “gravity tractor”. But instead of landing
will collide with Earth every 100 million years.
on an asteroid, the gravity tractor would hover
Experts agree that we should expect a big one
near it, using the slight gravitational attraction*
soon.
between the probe and the NEO to change
its path.
5 A 390-metre wide asteroid named Apophis was
discovered in 2004. This has an outside chance*
of hitting the Earth in 2036. If it hit, Apophis
122
11 Psychologists will attend the Washington meeting next time it passes, in 2036. However, current
as well as technologists. They will consider how information suggests that Apophis is very unlikely
the public would react psychologically to news to pass through the keyhole, a patch of space
of a possible collision. Al Harrison, a leading US just 600 metres wide. The possibility is only 1 in
social psychologist, says an NEO collision would 5,500.
present unique problems for the authorities, as
they could know about a “near extinction level” Dark skies
danger so long in advance. Scientists have estimated the effects of a
massive asteroid collision by examining
12 The psychologists will discuss whether this simulations of what would happen during a big
kind of news should be kept secret, to prevent nuclear war.
public panic. In December 2004, for example,
scientists calculated that if Apophis did hit, it Slight gravitational attraction
would land somewhere on a line between central Everything in the universe that has mass attracts
Europe, the Middle East, the Ganges River valley anything else with mass via the force of gravity. If
(the most populated district on Earth), and the a “gravity tractor” is placed near an asteroid, the
Philippines. At the time, the information was kept asteroid will move fractionally towards it. Over a
secret, and many NEO scientists agreed it was distance of millions of kilometers, even a slight
the right thing to do. deflection could move the asteroid out of the
Earth’s way.
13 But Clark Chapman, a US planetary scientist,
says many social science experts are against © Guardian News & Media 2007
secrecy. Their studies do not suggest that the First published in The Guardian, 07/03/07
public would immediately panic about a possible
danger. But the news must be given carefully,
or people might misunderstand, become
unnecessarily frightened, stop believing official
statements and ignore important warnings.
Footnotes
Near-Earth objects
Comets and asteroids pulled into orbits near the
Earth by gravity from planets. Most NEOs are
made of ice and dust, or are bits of rock from the
asteroid belt between Jupiter and Mars.
Outside chance
Apophis was discovered in June 2004. In
December that year, astronomers started to
worry. When they calculated its future orbit, they
thought it was very likely to hit the Earth in 2029.
When the asteroid passes the Earth again on
April 13 2029, the Earth will probably deflect it,
and change its orbit. But if that change makes
Apophis pass through a particular point in space,
called “the keyhole”, it will collide with the Earth
123
Answer the following questions according to the text.
1. Where is the conference going to be?
2. What is another name for bigger asteroids?
3. What is the newest asteroid called?
4. How big can NEOs be?
5. How often could one of the biggest ones hit the earth?
6. When do scientists think Apophis could hit the earth?
7. They think this could be: a) quite dangerous; b) not very dangerous; c) very dangerous
8. Which of these are possible ways of stopping the asteroid hitting the earth?
a) a nuclear weapon; b) a robotic tugboat; c) an ion engine; d) electrically charged particles; e) a gravity tractor
9. All these methods aim to: a) destroy the asteroid; b) make it change direction; c) send it back
10. Which part of the world has more people living there than anywhere else?
4 Vocabulary development 1: World building
See if you can fill the chart below from memory. Then check the words in the text; the paragraph numbers
are given.
Meaning Word Word class Para

1. when two things collide noun 0
2. impossible to stop adjective 1
3. connected with planets adjective 2
4. when things become extinct noun 4
5. connected with danger adjective 8
6. connected with robots adjective 8
7. people who study psychology noun 11
8. people who study technology noun 11
9. people who study science noun 12
10. keeping something secret noun 13
124
5 Vocabulary development 2: Pronunciation
Now put those words into the correct column according to their stress.
planetary collision
unstoppable
6 Language development: Conditionals

Mark these sentences about future events: D (if you think the writer thinks they are Definite) or JP (if you
think he thinks they are only Just Possible).
1. The conference will also consider… (3)
2. ...the dust…would affect the whole planet (5)
3. ...it would be a disaster. (6) Definite Just Possible

will consider would affect
4. It could cause the NEO to change direction. (7)
5. Modern technology would warn scientists... (8)
6. ...the gravity tractor would hover near it. (10)
7. Psychologists will attend the Washington meeting. (11)

8. The psychologists will discuss... (12)
9. It would land somewhere... (12)
10. ...people might misunderstand. (13)
Now put the verbs into one of the columns, as in the example. What do you notice about the verbs in each
column?
7 Discussion
1. From reading this article, how worried do you think we should be?
2. Which solution do you think is the most practical?
3. Do you think the government should tell people about possible dangers like this, or do you think they should
keep them secret? Why / why not?
125
Celebrity boot camp
a boot camp stilettos combats garbage a shift

a community sentence assault SUV a warehouse the press
1. The American word for ‘rubbish’.

2. Attacking and hitting someone.
3. A large building where a lot of things are kept.
4. Working to help people as a punishment for a crime.
5. A place where young criminals have to do hard physical work and
follow strict orders.
6. Military-style clothes worn by ordinary people.
7. Newspaper and TV journalists and reporters.
8. American for a ‘four-wheeled-drive’ vehicle.
9. A period of work time, e.g. in a hospital or factory.
10. Shoes with very pointed toes and very high heels.
1. Can you guess which of these topics the story is about?
a. There is a new ‘reality TV’ show about fashion.

b. The court sends a famous model to do dirty work as a punishment.
c. A shoe company is changing its image, and throws old designs into the rubbish bin.
2. Now look at the sub headings.
Who is the ‘model’?
Now read the article to check your answers.
126
Celebrity boot camp
Celebrity boot camp: from stilettos to
combats for Campbell’s garbage shift 6 The perfect finishing touch was a pair of calf-high
Model begins community sentence for assault. black combat boots, covered with scratch marks,
Sweeping and cleaning toilets among her duties hanging casually over her shoulder. How many
hundred dollars did it cost to buy them, and how
Ed Pilkington many hours of careful attention did it take to make
March 20, 2007 them look so old?
1 Naomi Campbell’s day began along familiar lines 7 Inside the warehouse, and out of the reach of
yesterday. The supermodel was chauffeur-driven press lenses, Ms Campbell changed into her
in a black SUV with dark windows, surrounded by boots and put on the uniform gloves, dust mask
her bodyguards. Reaching the venue, she strolled and fluorescent safety vest. Then she was given
elegantly past a long line of press photographers her tasks for the day, when she must have
shouting, “Naomi, over here!” before entering the realized how horrible her punishment was going
building and changing into her costume. to be.
2 And then it all went wrong. Where were the 8 Albert Durrell, a sanitation department deputy
assistants to help her put on her clothes? Where chief, explained that she would be asked to sweep
were the makeup artists, the lighting experts and and wash the warehouse floor, the locker rooms
the dressmakers? Where, for heaven’s sake, was and windows. And yes, he said, “If they are dirty,
the Vogue editor Anna Wintour? she will be cleaning toilets.”
3 The only people in sight were a few confused- 9 The one thing she won’t have to suffer is heavy
looking garbage collectors, real ones that is, attention from the press. The judge at her trial
not actors dressed up as garbage collectors agreed she could stay indoors all week, partly
to make fashion shoots look more interesting. because of the crowds of press photographers
Ms Campbell, 36, had just begun a week-long that followed the pop star / DJ Boy George when
exercise in seeing how the other half lived, thanks he did community service on the street at the
to the New York punishment system. same station last summer.
4 She was the guest of the city’s sanitation 10 “Let me make this clear,” Mr Durrell said. “This
department and will spend each day this week, programme has been in Manhattan for over a
from 8am to 4pm, at its warehouse in downtown year now. We’ve had a couple of celebrities, but
Manhattan on the edge of the East River. The the basic rule is treat everyone with respect and
community service, along with a fine of $185 and dignity. They have a job to do and they perform
a two-day anger management course, was her well at it. So far so good, we haven’t had any
punishment for throwing a mobile phone at her problems.”
housemaid, Ana Scolavino, who needed four
stitches to the head. 11 If Ms Campbell, or any of the three other offenders
doing community service with her this week, failed
5 For a celebrity who has suffered a lot of bad to do what they were told, he added, they would
press over the incident a year ago, Ms Campbell be straight back in front of a judge.
managed her entry to the warehouse at Pier
36 very calmly. She wore six-inch stiletto heels 12 The area may at least remind Ms Campbell of her
- believed to be Christian Louboutin, with their early life in Streatham, an area of south London
characteristic red soles - brown leggings, a black quite like this concrete-rich neighbourhood of
coat and hat, and sunglasses. Manhattan. Pier 36 is opposite a line of red-brick
127
Celebrity boot camp
tower blocks. Running above the warehouse is 14 What Ms Campbell learns from her stay under the
one of New York’s busiest main roads, Franklin bridge - whether, in particular, she becomes more
D Roosevelt Drive, whose greyness is a great sympathetic to the people who work in her house
contrast to its name. - remains to be seen. If nothing else, she may
begin to respect the men and women who, up
13 At the entrance to the compound are signs until this week, have kept the New York garbage
warning “No trespassing, violators will be out of her sight.
prosecuted”. It’s hard to imagine Ms Campbell
enjoying the experience so much that she would © Guardian News and Media 2007
want to break her way back inside when First published in the Guardian 20/03/07
she has finished her sentence!
Number these events in the order in which they happened; one example is done to help you.
a Naomi Campbell put on her working gloves, dust mask and safety vest.
12bpt Naomi Campbell’s chauffeur drove her to work at the sanitation warehouse
c Naomi Campbell threw her mobile phone at her maid

1 d Naomi Campbell lived in Streatham
e Naomi Campbell put on her stilettos
f Naomi Campbell went to court and the judge told her to do community service
g Ms Scolavino’s head was cut, and she had to have four stitches
h Naomi Campbell had to clean the warehouse
Find words in the text that mean the following. The paragraph numbers are given.
1. the place where something (like a show, or a concert) happens (1)

2. short pieces of thread for joining someone’s skin together after it has been cut (4)
3. unkind publicity in the newspapers and on TV (5)
4. very soft trousers that fit closely, like thick tights without feet (5)
5. thin cuts on the surface of something (6)
6. another way to say ‘newspaper photographers’ (7)
7. in a very bright colour that is very easy to see; used for safety (7)
8. people who disobey a rule or break the law (13)
128
Celebrity boot camp
5 Vocabulary development 2: Common expressions
Find these common expressions in the text, and match them with their meanings.
1. along familiar lines a. finding out what life is like for the poor
2. for heaven’s sake b. the last detail that makes something look just right
3. seeing how the other half lived c. the most basic fact or issue in a situation
4. the perfect finishing touch d. you say this when you are surprised or annoyed
5. out of the reach of e. we cannot know yet
6. the bottom line f. far away from, hidden from
7. so far so good g. in the usual way
8. remains to be seen h. it’s been all right up to now
7 Discussion
1. In your country, can people do Community Service instead of going to prison?

2. Do you agree with the idea? Why / why not?
3. Do you think this was a suitable punishment for Naomi Campbell?
4. Some people really enjoy reading about famous people in trouble. Do you?
5. In your country, are there special magazines and TV programmes about the problems of celebrities?
6. What do you think about these?
129
Northern Ireland’s arch-enemies declare peace
1 Key words
watershed firebrand militant reconciliation transition

reluctance deadline cordial arbitrary emerge
1. A ____________ atmosphere is one which is formal but friendly.
2. If you show ____________ to do something, you do not want to do it.
3. A ____________ is someone who has strong feelings of anger and often expresses them.
4. To ____________ means to come out of something.
5. A ____________ person uses extreme and sometimes violent methods to achieve political or social change.
6. A ____________ is an event that causes an important change to take place.
7. If something is done in an ____________ way, it is not based on any particular plan or done for a particular
reason.
8. A ____________ is the process of changing from one situation, form or state to another.
9. ____________ is the process of establishing a new and friendly relationship between former enemies.
10. A ____________ is a specific date or time by which something has to be done.
1. When will the new Northern Ireland government begin to operate?
2. Who is the leader of Sinn Féin?
3. How long has the peace process been going on?
4. What does DUP stand for?
5. What is the name of the Northern Ireland parliament building?
6. Who is the leader of the DUP?
130
Northern Ireland’s arch-enemies who died in the 1916 uprising. There was no
declare peace handshake.
Owen Bowcott, Ireland correspondent 5 “In the past,” Mr Paisley said, “the British
March 27, 2007 government has set arbitrary deadlines but
now ... we as a party have agreed the timing,
1 The leader of the Northern Ireland Democratic setting up and working of the institutions. We
Unionist Party, Ian Paisley, and the leader of the have agreed with Sinn Féin that this date will be
republican Sinn Féin party, Gerry Adams, sat side Tuesday May 8 ... After a long and difficult time
by side at a meeting for the first time yesterday. in the province I believe that the future holds
At the end of the meeting they announced they enormous opportunities ... We are doing this for
had reached an agreement to share power from all the people of Northern Ireland. We must not
May 8 in a new Northern Ireland government. allow our justified loathing of the horrors and
The two men have been arch-enemies for many tragedies of the past to stop us from creating a
years and the televised statement at the end of better and more stable future. But when we look
their meeting in Stormont, the Northern Ireland to that future we must never forget those people
parliament building, will be seen by many people who have suffered during the dark period from
as a watershed in the politics of the province. which we are, please God, emerging.”
2 The private meeting, which lasted just over 6 Mr Adams welcomed the DUP’s commitment:
an hour, was the first time the two parties had “While it is disappointing that we have not
held direct talks. It enabled both sides to issue restored all the parliamentary institutions today,
statements promising political cooperation I believe the agreement reached between
and the start of a new and peaceful era. The Sinn Féin and the DUP ... marks the beginning
agreement between the unionist firebrand and of a new era of politics on this island ... The
the leader of a militant republican movement that relationships between the people of this island
once killed opponents was welcomed in London have been damaged by centuries of discord,
and Dublin as an important stage in a peace conflict, hurt and tragedy ... We have all come
process that has lasted more than 10 years. a very long way in the process of peace
Emergency laws will be introduced in the British making and national reconciliation. We are
parliament today to enable a smooth transition. very conscious of the many people who have
The new Northern Ireland government should suffered. We owe it to them to build the best
be operating before Tony Blair quits as UK prime future possible. It is a time for generosity, a time
minister. to think of the common good and of the future of
all our people.”
3 The purpose of the meeting was to discuss
the DUP’s reluctance to join a power-sharing 7 Both parties will go together to the British
government before the deadline of midnight government in the coming weeks to ask for more
yesterday. DUP politicians said they needed money for Northern Ireland. Mr Paisley said
more time to make sure that Sinn Féin would both parties would do some preparatory work
implement its promise to support the Northern before May 8 to ensure everything was ready.
Ireland police force. The postponement to May 8 To underline the importance of the occasion, the
will also help DUP members to adjust to the new DUP leader left the meeting with a broad smile
situation. and shouted to waiting journalists: “Do you have
eyes in your head?”
4 The atmosphere was described as “cordial”
and “constructive”. The Sinn Féin leader wore 8 In London Tony Blair said: “In a sense, everything
an Easter lily badge, to commemorate those that we’ve done over the last 10 years has
131
been a preparation for this moment. This won’t
stop republicans or nationalists being any less
republican or nationalist, or make unionists
any less unionist. But what it does mean is
that people can come together, respect each
other’s point of view, and share power, making
sure politics is only expressed by peaceful and
democratic means.”

1. Gerry Adams and Ian Paisley have held meetings many times before.
2. The peace process in Northern Ireland has been rather slow.
3. The atmosphere at the meeting was friendly.
4. The British government set the date of May 8.
5. Mr Paisley was angry when he left the meeting.
6. The meeting lasted just under an hour.
7. Mr Adams wore a badge in memory of those who have died since 1916.
8. The British parliament will introduce laws to ensure a smooth transition.

1. A noun meaning your main enemy. (para 1)
2. A noun meaning a period of time that has a particular quality or character. (para 2)
3. An adjective that is the opposite of rough. (para 2)
4. A verb meaning to carry out. (para 3)
5. A verbal noun meaning a strong feeling of dislike. (para 5)
6. An adjective meaning not changing frequently. (para 5)
7. A noun meaning a promise to do something. (para 6)

8. A noun meaning disagreement between people. (para 6)
132

1. reach a. new laws

2. share b. talks
3. issue c. power
4. introduce d. an institution
5. set e. a statement
6. hold f. more time
7. need g. a deadline
8. set up h. an agreement
Match the prefixes with their meanings.
1. arch- a. self
2. neo- b. former
3. auto- c. many
4. counter- d. chief; main
5. ex- e. between
6. inter- f. after
7. multi- g. new
8. post- h. against
7 Discussion
What are the main reasons for conflicts around the world? What solutions are there?
133
Gang mayhem grips LA
1 Key words
Fill the gaps using key words from the text.
backfires bury to ruin a crackdown a gang

summit turf unprecedented impoverished to mourn
1. ____________ is a group of young people who spend time together and often cause trouble.
2. When you ____________ a person, you put his or her dead body in the ground.
3. ____________ is to feel sad because someone has died.
4. ____________ is an area that a group considers to be their own.
5. ____________ is a strong action taken by the authority to stop a particular activity.
6. When leaders hold a ____________, they have a meeting or series of meetings.
7. If something is ____________, then it has never happened or existed before.
8. If a plan ____________ then it has the opposite effect you intended.
9. If you are ____________ then you have little or no money.
10. ____________ something is to destroy or seriously damage it.
2 Read quickly
Skim the text and choose the correct answer.
1. a) Father Boyle buried Jonathan Hurtado.
b) Father Boyle killed Jonathan Hurtado.
2. a) In LA there is a new race war between Hispanic gangs and white gangs.
b) In LA there is a new race war between Hispanic gangs and black gangs.
3. a) Cheryl Green was killed by police.
b) Cheryl Green was killed by gang members.
4. a) There were less gang-related crimes last year than the year before.
b) There were more gang-related crimes last year than the year before.
5. a) The gangs have published a list of the worst gangs.
b) The police has published a list of the worst gangs.

6. a) Homeboy Industries helps young people leave gangs.
b) Homeboy Industries helps young people join gangs.
134
Gang mayhem grips LA 7 Green’s death made the public aware of the gang
war between ‘brown and black’. Next week a
Paul Harris
summit will be held called the Black and Brown
March 18, 2007
Strategy Meeting which aims to head off a race
war. “All of the signs are there that a racial war is
1 Father Greg Boyle keeps a count of the young
going to explode in this city,” says Khalid Shah,
gang members he has buried. Number 151 was
director of Stop the Violence, one of the groups
Jonathan Hurtado, 18 – fresh out of jail. Now the
organizing the meeting. “You are looking at an
Jesuit mourns him. “The day he got out I found
event which could not only paralyze an entire city
him a job. He never missed a day. He was doing
but an entire state,” he warns.
really well,” Boyle says.
8 Green’s death sparked Villaraigosa’s crackdown.
2 But Hurtado made a mistake: he went back to
The police took the unprecedented step of
his old neighbourhood. While sitting in a park,
publishing a list of the 11 worst gangs, including
Hurtado was approached by a man on a bike
204th Street. They promised to go after them
who said to him: “Hey, homie, what’s up?” He
with police, FBI agents and injunctions to prevent
then shot Hurtado four times.
members meeting. But Angelenos have seen it
3 Boyle’s Los Angeles is a world away from the all before. The city’s history is full of anti-gang
glamorous Hollywood hills, Malibu beaches and initiatives.
Sunset Strip – the city that David Beckham and
9 Publishing the ‘hit list’ could backfire. “Putting out
Posh Spice will soon make their home.
a list was a bad idea. Groups that don’t make the
4 Boyle’s Los Angeles is where an estimated list will want to be on it. They don’t exactly think
120,000 gang members across five counties rationally,” said Alex Alonso, a gang historian.
battle over turf, pride and drugs. It is a city of
10 Yet there is hope. Alfonso ‘Chino’ Visuet, 23, was
violence as a new race war escalates between
sucked into the gang life as a teenager. There
new Hispanic gangs and older black groups.
was the lure of excitement and riches, the push
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who has referred
of a difficult home life. “People who join a gang
to his city as “the gang capital of America”, has
are always running away from something. They
launched a crackdown on the new threat.
flee to the gang,” Visuet says.
5 The latest front is Harbor Gateway, a nest of
11 Visuet now works for Father Boyle’s Homeboy
streets between malls and office blocks. It was
Industries, a project that helps people leave gang
here, just before Christmas, that Cheryl Green,
life. It provides jobs, an education, pays to have
a 14-year-old black girl, died. As she stood
gang tattoos removed and gives counselling. It
on a corner talking with friends, two Hispanic
aims to remove the circumstances that lead to
members of the neighbourhood’s notorious 204th
crime: poverty, abuse and unemployment. It is
Street gang walked up and opened fire, killing
staffed almost entirely by former gang members
Green and wounding three others. Traditionally,
and has created a bakery, a silk-screen printers
the outside view of LA gangs has been of
and a restaurant.
black youths but Hispanic gangs are rising and
spreading across America. 12 It worked for Visuet. He starts college this
autumn and wants to be a probation officer. “I
6 Last year there were 269 gang-related killings
was on the edge of doing something that would
in LA. Gang-related crime leaped 15.7 per cent
ruin my life, either by doing violence or having it
last year, as most other types of crime fell. Hate
done to me. That’s over now,” he says.
crimes against black people have gone up.
135
136
5 Vocabulary 2: War vocabulary
Find words relating to war and conflict in the paragraphs. The first letter has been given.
1. s__________ (Paragraph 2) 7. k__________ (Paragraph 5)
2. b__________ (Paragraph 4) 8. w__________ (Paragraph 5)
3. w__________ (Paragraph 4) 9. v__________ (Paragraph 11)
4. t__________ (Paragraph 4) 10. c__________ (Paragraph 13)
5. f__________ (Paragraph 5) 11. b__________ (Paragraph 13)
6. o__________ f __________ (Paragraph 5)
6 Vocabulary 3: Phrasal verbs into nouns
Look at the following example from the text.
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who has referred to his city as “the gang capital of America”,
has launched a crackdown on the new threat.
The noun crackdown comes from the phrasal verb to crack down.
Complete the sentences with nouns made from the following phrasal verbs.
black out blow up stop over hand out clean up lay off
1. On our flight to London we had a two-hour ___________ in Frankfurt.
2. The family had several candles in the house in case of a ___________.
3. The company was losing money and there were many ___________.
4. He’s forty and he still lives on ___________ from his parents.
5. On the wall is a big ___________ of a photo of a football player.
6. After the oil spill, the government launched a large ___________ operation.
7 Discussion
What could be the causes of gang-related crime in a city like LA? Are there gang problems in your city?
137
British Airways says goodbye to Zimbabwe
1 What are they called now?
Match the old African state and province names with their current names.
Abyssinia Somalia
Benadir Mali
French Sudan Mozambique
German Southwest Africa Ethiopia
Rhodesia Burkina Faso
Upper Volta Namibia
Portuguese East Africa Zimbabwe
2 Key words
Match the keywords with their definitions.
bureaucracy plummet conspiracy confiscate

regime hyperinflation collapse independence
1. When something does this it breaks down and (almost) stops functioning. ___________________
2. This is a secret plan to do something bad or illegal, especially in politics. ___________________
3. When you have this you are no longer controlled by another person or country. ___________________
4. This is an incredibly high increase in prices. ___________________
5. This is what we call a complicated or annoying system of rules and processes. ___________________
6. A system or form of government (often military) that controls the country in a strict or unfair way.
___________________
7. When something falls very quickly, we can say that it does this. ___________________
8. When you do this, you take something away from someone for legal reasons or as a punishment.
___________________
138
British Airways says goodbye 7 The regime says Zimbabwe is having a great
to Zimbabwe agricultural season, even though there is no bread
in the shops because the wheat harvest is down by
Last BA flight from a grounded economy
two-thirds and production of tobacco has dropped to
Chris McGreal on BA152, Harare–London one-fifth of what it once was. The government has
October 29, 2007 even announced plans to sell electricity to Namibia
next year even though it doesn’t generate enough
1 The last flight left the sparkling new Harare power to keep lights on at home.
airport, lifted over the city and dipped its wings in
farewell. With that, British Airways said goodbye 8 The reality is that a man living in a Harare township
to Zimbabwe. lucky enough to have a job earns, on average,
Z$5m dollars a month, or £2.50 at the hidden-
2 Cephas Msipa, a lifelong member of Mr Mugabe’s market rate. His transport to work in Harare costs
Zanu-PF, said he thought it was probably part more than that but he has to travel to work if he
of a British government conspiracy against the wants to keep his job.
Zimbabwean ruler, Robert Mugabe, but he said that
he was going to miss British Airways anyway. “In 9 Other European airlines left Zimbabwe as its
these difficult times, Air Zimbabwe has a reputation economy collapsed but BA stayed because historic
for being unreliable,” he said. ties with Britain meant there were still a steady
number of passengers.
3 What he means is that Air Zimbabwe is in much
the same state as the country; flights are running 10 But the airline says it has been defeated by
days late due to lack of fuel or maintenance, or escalating costs, particularly the price of having
are diverted when Mr Mugabe feels like going on to bring fuel in by road from South Africa, and the
a shopping trip in Kuala Lumpur or attending the unreal maths of the Zimbabwean economy. The
Pope’s funeral. Zimbabwe dollar has plummeted from $5,100 to the
pound at the beginning of 2006 to nearly $2m to the
4 Annie, a white Zimbabwean, is going to miss BA for pound today.
another reason. “There’s toilet paper on this plane.
I haven’t been able get toilet paper in the shops for 11 Mr Msipa and the Zimbabwean government
weeks,” she said. “I don’t know why it matters that are suspicious; they don’t understand how BA
this is the last flight, but it does. It’s as if we’re finally isn’t making money. Mr Msipa admits there is a
being cut off from the rest of the world”. crisis though, and that his dad might be part of
the problem.
5 It’s not the first time BA has been forced out of
12 His father is the Zanu-PF governor of Midlands
Zimbabwe. Flights were stopped in 1965 when
Ian Smith declared independence for Rhodesia. province where he has confiscated white-
BA was back 15 years later when Mr Smith was owned farms and has overseen the collapse of
defeated by economics as much as war; Rhodesia agriculture. Mr Msipa says this may have been a
ceased to exist and the only black man to ever rule mistake. “My father an old nationalist who believes
Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe, took power. that everything is about the land. Whereas our
generation says we should get into computers and
6 Zimbabwe’s government is losing control. Mr call centres”.
Mugabe is creating a vast new bureaucracy while
the economy shrinks amid hyperinflation and
13 The younger Mr Msipa is a property developer
collapsing production. The official exchange rate who travels regularly to London. His job has
is so different to that of the hidden market that the kept the worst effects of the economic collapse
central bank governor has to send his staff out to away from him and his five children. “We have a
buy dollars on the street. relative advantage. I can get things done ... I have
contacts,” he said. “But how I’m going to
139
get to London now is a problem. No one wants

to go through Johannesburg. They steal your
luggage there. I suppose it will just have to be
Air Zimbabwe.”

According to the article, are these sentences True (T) or False (F)?
1. British Airways now only fly to Zimbabwe once a week.
2. White Zimbabweans saw British Airways as their link to the rest of the world.
3. Robert Mugabe is the first black man to rule Zimbabwe.
4. Mugabe has been in power for over 40 years.
5. The average worker from a township in Zimbabwe earns about the same as the cost of a plane ticket to London.
6. Tobacco and wheat production has fallen dramatically.
7. Zimbabwe’s main industry is computers.
8. There are two different exchange rates in Zimbabwe, the government’s rate and the hidden market rate.
140
4 Vocabulary: Prepositions
Write in the missing prepositions then check your answers by reading back over the article.
1. British Airways said goodbye ______ Zimbabwe

2. part ______ a British government conspiracy
3. a reputation ______ being unreliable
4. going ______ a shopping trip
5. Mr Smith was defeated ______ economics
6. Rhodesia ceased ______ exist
7. a man living ______ a Harare township
8. historic ties ______ Britain
9. defeated ______ escalating costs
10. part ______ the problem
11. we should get ______ computers
12. No one wants to go ______ Johannesburg
5 Discussion
In Zimbabwe, a loaf of bread costs more than fifty times the price it was at the beginning of the year.
Compare this to inflation in your country.
In your country:
How much do dairy products (milk, butter, cheese) cost now?
How much did they cost one year ago / five years ago?
Make the same comparisons for other items such as bread, alcohol, cigarettes, petrol, houses etc.
6 Webquest
What is the current rate of exchange between the British pound and the Zimbabwean dollar?
Go to www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/zi.html to read the latest updated facts and

figures about Zimbabwe.
Go to www.swradioafrica.com and click on the ‘listen live’ button to listen to the latest independent news
from Zimbabwe. The website also contains short news articles and podcasts.
141
Shock of the new - GM Mosquitoes
1 Pre-reading 1: Introduction
You are going to read an article about ‘genetically modified’ (or GM) mosquitoes. When a living thing is genetically
modified, it means that scientists have changed its ‘genes’. These are the basic units of life that decide our char-
acteristics. They can be passed down from parent to child. Scientists do this to some species (or types) of plants
to make them more productive, or to resist (or fight) diseases or insects that destroy them. In this case, they are
doing it to an insect species – mosquitoes.
release malaria parasite ecological predators

prey devastated immune defence
1. Larger animals that attack and kill other animals for food. _____________
2. To allow something to be free, to let something go. _____________
3. A smaller animal that is used as food by a larger one. _____________
4. Very badly damaged or destroyed. _____________
5. A disease with a fever that keeps coming back. It is common in hot countries, and you can catch it if you are
bitten by infected mosquitoes. _____________

6. A system in the body that helps you to resist (or fight) disease. _____________
7. Relating to the connection between living things and their environment. _____________
8. A plant or animal that lives on or in another, usually larger one, and feeds on it. _____________
3 Pre-reading 3: Predictions
Before you read the article, think about these questions.
1. How and why do you think the scientists have changed the mosquitoes?
2. What could be the dangers of changing natural processes in this way?
The vocabulary you have looked at should give you some ideas. Now read the article quickly to see if it
your predictions were right. (Don’t worry about the names of special plants and animals – you can still
understand the general idea).
142
Shock of the new methods. New species can also affect local
Scientists hope to release GM mosquitoes plants and animals by bringing in diseases they
into the wild in an attempt to destroy malaria. have not met before.
They should be extremely careful, says James
Randerson – introducing new species has often 6 “This is a particular problem for islands in the
been disastrous. southern hemisphere,” says Andre Farrar,
March 21, 2007 a spokesman for the Royal Society for the
Protection of Birds. In the past, small oceanic
1 It is a daring scientific project that could offer islands in the southern hemisphere didn’t
hope to 300 million malaria sufferers worldwide. usually have any land-based predators because
The plan is to genetically modify the mosquitoes mammals simply couldn’t get there, and many
in countries with malaria, so that the insects can bird species nested on the ground. So when
no longer carry the malaria parasite – and so European explorers introduced rats, dogs, pigs
can’t pass it to people. Without its taxi service, and cats to the islands, the birds’ eggs were
the disease would soon die out. easy prey. When the brown tree snake (native to
Australia) was accidentally introduced to Guam
2 The release of genetically modified insects in the western Pacific in the 1950s, for example,
is not a new idea but this week, work from a it devastated local bird populations.
team at Johns Hopkins University in Maryland
gave it fresh importance. The scientists there 7 When Portuguese sailors brought animals to
cannot yet prove what would actually happen Mauritius, they probably caused the extinction of
if GM mosquitoes were released into the wild. the dodo.
However, their lab studies suggest that insects
carrying a gene that resists malaria would not 8 There are many examples of disasters. In
simply die out as soon as they met normal Australia, rabbits were introduced and quickly
mosquitoes – and might even start to take over. multiplied, destroying native species. They are
still a major problem. The African honeybee was
3 Many human lives might be saved. But what introduced to Brazil in the 1950s and spread,
would happen if millions of GM-insects were replacing the European honeybees that came
released into the wild? When the mosquitoes are to South America with the first Europeans. It
in their natural habitat, would the gene they carry is much more aggressive than native species,
jump into other species? Large scale releases attacking people and animals. In Africa, the
of GM animals have never been carried out, so water hyacinth plant was introduced from South
these questions are hard to answer. America in the 19th century. It now blocks rivers,
making them impassable.
4 However, the long list of ecological disasters that
have followed both deliberate and accidental 9 Even in this country, foreign invaders are a
releases of non-native species into new huge problem for conservationists. The worst
environments will make scientists – and non- one is Japanese knotweed, which grows well
scientists – extremely careful. in gardens. Dr Long says it causes enormous
problems for home owners, because it can grow
5 “If new species get out of their ecosystem and through walls and concrete, as well as taking
are not kept under control by other processes, over gardens.
they start to cause trouble,” says Deborah Long
at Plantlife Scotland. New species may have no 10 Another problem plant is rhododendron
natural predators, or may encounter prey that ponticum, which is taking over the so-called
cannot defend themselves against their hunting ‘Celtic rainforest’ woodlands of the west coast
143
of Scotland and Wales. It damages the special Farrar. The ground-nesting kakapo parrot from
plants there, which need precise amounts of light New Zealand, for example, has been given new
and water. The invading rhododendrons, which life by moving it to islands without rats.
were introduced by Victorian gardeners, shade
out the native plants. 14 So what are the lessons here for introducing GM-
mosquitoes? Perhaps, putting a new mosquito
11 The destructive cane toad of Australia is also the with an extra gene into a place where there
result of a failed attempt at biological control. The are lots of mosquitoes already is not as bad as
toad was brought in to control sugar-cane pests introducing an entirely new species with hunting
in 1935. But it soon began preying on – and methods, immune defences and diseases
destroying – native species. It now occupies that are entirely new to the local animals. That
much of the north east of Australia. Getting change may not be very different from something
rid of the invasive species is often much more that has happened countless times in evolution
difficult than introducing it. Despite continuing – a change to a gene that has happened by
efforts to control the cane toads, their apparently chance.
unstoppable march continues.
15 Finally, though, it will probably be what people
12 Perhaps the worst example of a disastrous think is a risk, rather than the actual risks, that
introduction is that of the snails of French matters. GM-crops had no chance in Europe
Polynesia. In 1975, the wolf snail was because of ‘what-if?’ fears: in the end, scientists’
deliberately introduced to stop the spread of the opinions had no effect. If public opinion in African
previously introduced giant African land snail. But countries is strongly against the GM-mosquito,
the predatory wolf mostly ignored its intended or if people feel that a technology rejected by
prey and instead developed a taste for the Europe is being forced onto them, it will never
smaller native partula snails. Since then, 72% of happen.
the partula species have become extinct and only
five remain. © Guardian News & Media 2007
13 But there have been successes, especially
on the islands where introduced species can
cause most damage. “It is expensive, it is time-
consuming but is potentially very effective,” says
How close were your predictions?
144
Now read the text again, more carefully, and look at the sentences below. Underline the correct answer in
each sentence.
1. The malaria mosquito… 4. Bees from Africa…
a) … is often found in taxis. a) … replaced native Brazilian bees.
b) … passes the disease to humans. b) … replaced bees imported earlier from Europe.
2. Scientists from Maryland think that GM 5. In Australia, the cane toad arrived…
mosquitoes…
a) … by chance.
a) … would be killed by ordinary mosquitoes.
b) … as part of a plan.
b) … could soon be more common than ordinary
ones. 6. The wolf snail in Polynesia…
3. Some birds in southern islands didn’t make their a) … ate most of the local snails.
nests in trees because… b) … successfully reduced the African snail
a) … there were no ground animals to attack them. population.
b) … they couldn’t fly into the trees.
5 Language development: Recognizing conditional sentences
Here are parts of some sentences from the article. They all contain a verb in the Simple Past tense.
Which ones are about things that have actually happened (A), and which are about possibilities in the
future (P)? Scan the text to find them first.
1. … what would actually happen if GM mosquitoes were released…
2. … insects carrying a gene that resists malaria would not simply die out as soon as they met normal
mosquitoes…
3. … what would happen if millions of GM-insects were released into the wild?
4. … rabbits were introduced and quickly multiplied…
5. The invading rhododendrons, which were introduced by Victorian gardeners…

6. The toad was brought in to control sugar-cane pests…
How do you know which is which? Now, check your answers in the key.
145
Good writers don’t keep repeating the same words in a text unless they have to. They use pronouns.
For example, in the two sentences above, the word they is used twice, instead of repeating the words good writers.
Sometimes it is not easy to know what a pronoun refers to (or means). For example, in the first sentence, some
readers might think that the word they means the same words.
The next few questions will give you some practice in identifying the words referred to by
certain pronouns.
1. In paragraph 2, does it refer to 5. In paragraph 8, does they refer to
a. the release of genetically modified insects? a. the rabbits that were introduced?
b. this week? b. the native species?
c. Maryland University?
6. In paragraph 7, does it refer to
2. In paragraph 5, does they refer to a. the water hyacinth plant?
a. new species? b. the 19th century?
b. other processes?
3. In paragraph 6, does it refer to a. The plant rhododendron ponticum?
a. the brown tree snake? b. the west coast of Scotland and Wales?
b. the western Pacific?

4. In paragraph 7, does they refer to a. the introduction of the GM-mosquito?
a. the sailors? b. Europe?
b. the animals?
7 Discussion
1. Do you think it is a good idea to introduce these GM mosquitoes? Why / why not?
2. Do you think richer countries should pass on their technology to poorer countries?
3. Are any species of animal or plant in danger of becoming extinct in your country?
4. Do you think people should worry about individual species of plants and animals, when so many people are
very poor and hungry?
146
Russia turns to tradition for Yeltsin farewell
1 Key words
cemetery coffin funeral collapse revival

mourner regime coup assets condolences
1. A ____________ is a ceremony that takes place after someone dies, after which the body of the dead person is
buried or cremated.
2. A ____________ is a situation in which a group of people takes control of a country by force.
3. ____________ are money, property or resources that a person, company or country owns.
4. If you offer ____________ to someone, you express sympathy because a friend or relative has died.
5. A ____________ is a person who attends a funeral to pay respect to the dead person.
6. A ____________ is an area of ground where dead people are buried.
7. A ____________ is a situation in which something fails or stops existing.
8. ____________ is the process of becoming active and successful again.
9. A ____________ is a long box in which a dead person is buried.
10. A ____________ is a government that controls a country, especially in a strict or unfair way.
1. How old was Boris Yeltsin when he died?
2. When was the last time a Russian head of state was buried in a church?
3. When did Lenin die?
4. For how long was Boris Yeltsin president of Russia?
5. When did the war in Chechnya start?
6. Which Russian leader blew up the cathedral of Christ the Saviour?

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Russia turns to tradition for Yeltsin man,” Dmitry Samarin, his former bodyguard,
farewell said outside the church. Was he a good leader,
Putin, Clinton and Major among mourners at though? “History is a very difficult thing,” he
Orthodox ceremony. replied carefully. “He managed to defeat the
communist leadership. I don’t think anybody else
Luke Harding in Moscow
could have done it.”
April 26, 2007
5 Arytom Leonidovich, a 26-year-old architect,
said it was a complicated question. “I think in
1 Former Russian president Boris Yeltsin was
time history will record that he did more positive
buried yesterday in the peaceful surroundings
than negative things. The fall of the communist
of Moscow’s Novodevichy cemetery. Before his
regime was largely because of him. “He also had
coffin was covered and lowered into the ground,
many human qualities. He was kind, unlike the
his widow, Naina, came forward to say farewell.
leadership we’ve got now.”
She kissed him several times. Then as Russia’s
national anthem sounded,Yeltsin sank into his 6 Russian state television yesterday broadcast
final resting place. The funeral was attended by hours of programmes about Yeltsin. Flags
several ex-world leaders, including Bill Clinton flew at half-mast. But many ordinary Russians
and George Bush Snr. Also there were former clearly still think Yeltsin’s seven and a half years
UK prime minister John Major and the Polish as president were a disaster. There were few
Solidarity leader Lech Walesa. mourners along the funeral route. The country
has been split over what it thinks about Yeltsin.
2 Yeltsin died of heart failure at the age of 76. As
Some praise him for bringing freedom and
Russian president, he presided over a series of
helping defeat a coup attempt by former Soviet
historical changes – the end of the cold war, the
hardliners; others blame him for handing over
collapse of the Soviet empire and a period of
state assets to oligarchs and damaging the
chaos and liberty. His state funeral was another
country’s name with his drunken behaviour.
change: a conscious return to Russia’s old
pre-revolutionary traditions. It was the first time 7 TV coverage made little mention of his disastrous
since 1894 and the death of Tsar Alexander III decision to go to war against Chechen rebels in
that a Russian head of state had been buried in a 1994. Instead it concentrated on the good things
Russian Orthodox church. – Yeltsin’s friendly relationship with ordinary
Russians and his obvious love for his children
3 Since Soviet times, and Lenin’s freezing funeral
and grandchildren. Communist MPs, however,
in January 1924, all Russian leaders except
refused to stand for a moment of silence in
Khrushchev have been buried near the Kremlin
Yeltsin’s memory in parliament yesterday. “We
Wall. Yeltsin’s funeral took place in the cathedral
will never give honour to the destroyer of the
of Christ the Saviour – an enormous church with
fatherland,” communist MP Viktor Ilyukhin said.
a gold dome not far from the Kremlin. It was
blown up by Stalin in 1931 but rebuilt during 8 Other former enemies were more generous.
Yeltsin’s presidency as a symbol of national Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev
revival. – who lost his job when Yeltsin dismantled the
Soviet Union – kissed his widow and offered
4 Hundreds of mourners had queued round the
his condolences. John Major and Bill Clinton
block to pay their respects to Yeltsin, whose body
gave her a hug. Mr Putin and his wife, Ludmilla,
had lain in state for two days. His open coffin
stood silently nearby. Every member of Russia’s
was covered by a Russian flag. Mourners went
cabinet was there, including Sergei Ivanov and
past one by one, laying flowers. “He was a strong
Dmitry Medvedev, the two men who will probably
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contest next year’s presidential election. Also
there was Roman Abramovich, an oligarch who
accumulated his billion-dollar fortune during
Yeltsin’s rule.
9 At the service, bearded priests sang passages

from the gospels and prayed for Yeltsin’s sins.
Metropolitan Yuvenaly, the second most senior
cleric in the Orthodox church, told mourners
Yeltsin had given people the freedom they
sought. Russia’s first president should be
remembered for this, he said. “Russia today lives
a full life and is returning to its historic traditions.
This is the first time in 100 years we are saying
goodbye to a Russian head of state in a church
with prayers.”

Are these sentences True (T) or False (F) according to the text?
1. George W. Bush attended Boris Yeltsin’s funeral.
2. The Cold War ended while Yeltsin was president of Russia.
3. Yeltsin was buried near the Kremlin Wall.
4. There were thousands of mourners along the funeral route.
5. Many ordinary Russians do not think Yeltsin’s presidency was a success.
6. Some people think Yeltsin damaged the name of Russia.
7. President Putin did not attend Yeltsin’s funeral.
8. Communist MPs stood during the moment of silence for Boris Yeltsin.
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Look in the text and find the following words and expressions.
1. A two-word noun that means the official song of a country. (Para 1)
2. A noun that means a roof shaped like the top half of a ball. (Para 3)
3. A noun meaning a person whose job is to protect an important person. (Para 4)
4. A three-word expression meaning a flag that has been lowered to the middle of a pole. (Para 6)
5. A noun meaning someone who is strict or extreme in their beliefs. (Para 6)
6. A noun meaning a very rich and powerful person. (Para 6)
7. An adjective meaning causing a lot of damage or harm. (Para 7)
8. A verb meaning to get more and more of something over a period of time. (Para 8)
5 Vocabulary 2: Verb collocations
Match the verbs in the left-hand column with the correct words in the right-hand column.
1. take a. a flag
2. pay b. flowers
3. lie c. condolences
4. lay d. an election
5. fly e. a TV or radio programme
6. contest f. place
7. offer g. in state
8. broadcast h. respects
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What prepositions follow these words and phrases? Check your answers in the text.
1. concentrate _______
2. relationship _______
3. love _______
4. return _______
5. say goodbye _______
6. preside _______
7. a symbol _______
8. pay respects _______
7 Discussion
What problems do countries like Russia experience when they move suddenly from a state-controlled economy to
a free-market economy?
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Fearful rich keep poor at bay in Buenos Aires
1 Key words: Adjectives
Fill the gaps using these adjectives from the text.
plush jobless remarkable secure egalitarian

ragged lax anguished polarized isolated
1. If something is ____________ , it is unusual in a way that surprises or impresses you.
2. ____________ is the opposite of strict.
3. If a place is ____________ , it is a long way from other places and may be difficult to get to.
4. A ____________ place is one that is safe from harm, attack or damage.
5. An ____________ debate is one that causes emotional pain.
6. If you are ____________, you don’t have work.
7. If a society is ____________, its people are split into opposing groups.
8. ____________ clothes are torn and dirty.
9. In an ____________ society, people have equal status and the same money and opportunities.
10. ____________ means expensive, comfortable and attractive.
1. How many new neighbourhoods have been built around Buenos Aires?
2. What percentage of the people of Argentina still live in poverty?
3. When was the economic crisis in Argentina?
4. When did the economy begin to recover?
5. How many square metres could £40,000 buy in the centre of Buenos Aires?
6. How many square metres could £40,000 buy in the suburbs?
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Fearful rich keep poor at bay with

which was once considered South America’s
gated homes and razor wire
most “European” and egalitarian, is also
Uneven economic recovery is polarizing society, becoming polarized in the same way as South
and Buenos Aires’ well-off are seeking peace Africa and Brazil.
outside the city.
Rory Carroll in Buenos Aires 4 Despite the recovery, 40% of the people of
April 25, 2007 Argentina still live in poverty. You can see this
from the shanty towns around Buenos Aires.
Vagrants sleep in doorways next to tourist
1 The landscaped neighbourhoods outside the areas and children in ragged clothes beg at
Argentine capital Buenos Aires have plush traffic lights. Many of the people living in the
houses with gardens and swimming pools. When gated communities do not see such sights, says
you look at these estates, it is difficult to imagine Celina Murga, 34, a film director. “The children
that just five years ago Argentina was in the growing up in these places are very different from
middle of an economic crisis that made millions others; they don’t know how to behave in the
jobless, destroyed the middle class and turned real world.” She is making a film, A Week Alone,
one of South America’s safest capitals into a about youths in a gated community who are left
hunting ground for muggers and kidnappers. unsupervised. “I want to show that this is a social
But today, if you visit these neighbourhoods, you crisis,” says Ms Murga. “People living outside
find new cars parked in driveways and architects the fences joke that the children inside think
designing home extensions. The economic everyone travels in golf carts and they have no
recovery of Argentina has been remarkable. idea what traffic lights are.”
2 But there is a catch. These neighbourhoods are 5 At first, the economic crisis of December 2001
gated communities surrounded by walls, razor united the middle class and the poor in their
wire and uniformed guards carrying guns and anger against the government and financial
two-way radios. The country has recovered institutions, which people blamed for the collapse
but it is different. More than 400 mostly new of businesses and the loss of all the money
neighbourhoods have been built on what were they had saved. That changed when armed
swamps and cornfields outside Buenos Aires, gangs started attacking people in rich districts of
providing homes for about 300,000 people and Buenos Aires, creating the impression that crime
covering more land than the city they left behind. was out of control. Hundreds of thousands of
Outsiders need ID to enter these communities. people protested after the kidnap and murder of
a young man, Axel Blumberg. As the economy
3 “You can’t see the poor here, that’s one reason
began to recover from 2003, more and more
why people like it,” says Ramiro Figueroa, 30,
people moved to gated communities. The high
a polo player and estate agent who lives in
walls of the gated communities now line the 10-
Tortugas about an hour’s drive from the capital.
lane motorways out of Buenos Aires.
“I love it here. Everything is secure. I leave my
windows open at night. The worst thing that can 6 “If it is a bit off the highway and they have to
happen is a stolen bicycle.” Gated communities drive through a poor neighbourhood to reach
have also been a feature of post-apartheid South home people do not buy them. They are afraid
Africa, as the middle classes try to escape from of kidnapping,” says Peter Haller, a property
crime in the city centres. The fact that this is now consultant. Some people move to gated areas
happening in Argentina is causing an anguished because they are seen as a symbol of success,
debate about whether the country’s society, he said. “It takes you to another social level.” The
153
original communities were founded 70 years ago 9 People living in the communities say that they
as weekend retreats for the super rich, and the are not isolated. High levels of crime and the
feeling that they are exclusive is still there. heavy traffic of central Buenos Aires meant that
parents had to accompany children when they
7 Foreigners are now buying apartments in went out, so they were the ones living in bubbles,
central Buenos Aires, believing that it is a good not those in the gated areas, says Connie
investment and a good place to live, says Mr Burgwardt, a 40-year-old lawyer. She moved two
Haller. About a third of city centre properties are years ago to Santa Barbara, a complex 16 miles
bought by Europeans and North Americans. The north of the city, and her social life has never
middle-class exodus shows no sign of slowing been better. Her parents and siblings live nearby,
down and lax planning regulations mean it is as do half her friends, and every weekend there’s
easy to develop new sites. a barbecue or party. “For £40,000 my choice was
8 The economic recovery is a dramatic change 40 square metres in the city - or 160 here. With
from the dark days of 2002. Now the government a garden and a swimming pool. You don’t think
is more popular and many people feel the twice. It’s like a dream ... I won’t go away from
country has recovered its independence. But here unless I’m dead.”
this mood of confidence has not stopped banks, © Guardian News & Media 2007
supermarkets and restaurants leaving the city in First published in The Guardian, 25/4/07
the same way that South African companies left
central Johannesburg for the northern suburbs
10 years ago.
1. Argentina has changed since the economic crisis.
2. Rich people prefer to live in the city centre rather than in the gated communities.
3. The attraction of the gated communities is that they are secure.
4. The government has become more popular since the economic crisis.
5. Most of the population still lives in poverty.
6. The new neighbourhoods cover more land than the city of Buenos Aires itself.
7. Housing is more expensive in the suburbs than in the city centre.
8. Foreigners own most of the properties in the city centre
154
1. A noun meaning a hidden problem in something that seems good. (para 2)
2. A noun meaning an area of land covered by water where trees and plants grow. (para 2)
3. A two-word noun meaning someone whose job is to help people to buy and sell property. (para 3)
4. A two-word noun meaning a poor area where houses are built of tin, wood and other thin material. (para 4)
5. A noun meaning a homeless person who begs for money. (para 4)
6. A noun meaning a peaceful and private place where you can go to rest. (para 6)
7. A noun meaning a situation where a lot of people leave a place at the same time. (para 7)
8. A noun meaning brother or sister. (para 9)
5 Vocabulary 2: Adjective + noun collocations
Match the adjectives in the left-hand column with nouns from the right-hand column to make collocations
from the text.
1. middle a. neighbourhood
2. economic b. world
3. real c. institution
4. gated d. traffic
5. financial e. community
6. poor f. class
7. dramatic g. crisis
8. heavy h. change
155
6 Vocabulary 6: Word-building
Complete the tables.
Crime Criminal Adjective Noun

1. kidnapping 5. poor
2. murder 6. secure
3. beg 7. angry
4. mugger 8. high
7 Discussion
What are the advantages and disadvantages of living in closed, guarded communities like those described in the
article? Would you like to live in such a place?
156
Online fraudster
1 Key words
Read the definitions of these key words and answer the questions.
1. Fraud is a crime of obtaining money from someone or tricking them.

What is a fraudster?
2. If you go on a drinking spree you drink a lot in a short amount of time.

What is a spending spree?
3. Many payment systems use microchips and personal identification numbers (PINs).
What is a chip and pin security system?
4. The majority of British people have a mortgage on their house, which can take them over twenty years to pay
back to the bank.
What is a mortgage?
5. An employee is a person who is employed. A divorcee is a person who is divorced.

What is an interviewee?
6. Credit card companies and online shops are trying to protect customers against scams.
Is a scam an honest or dishonest way of making money?
What do you think the article will be about?
Read the headline. Tick the words you think will appear in the article.
computer criminal
prison sentence climate change
athletics phone
internet conviction
fun bottle
Now read the article and check your answers.
157
Online fraudster
It’s easy money, says online fraudster 5 Now 26, Tee admits that by the time he was
who stole £250,000 caught he was looking into the possibility of
getting bank loans and even mortgages using
Bobbie Johnson, technology correspondent stolen identities. “It was just a game to see how
Thursday May 3, 2007 far you could go,” he said. “My favourite trick
was that you get a card in someone’s name
1 On the outside, Tee was a typical student.
and use it. Then, within 24 hours, you call the
Living away from home was expensive, and he
bank up and convince them that you’re the
had racked up a sizable debt in a short time.
genuine person and that you haven’t made those
Like most students, he had a computer and a
transactions - and they refund it. Then you just
phone in his room - but instead of using them
go to the cash machine and take it all out again.”
to study, he turned them into the tools of a 21st
He even sent flowers to one victim, using their
century criminal.
stolen bank details to pay for the bouquet as a
2 In his short career as a fraudster, Tee - who is cruel gesture of thanks.
trying to rebuild his life after serving a long prison
6 People like Tee represent the smallest end of
sentence, and agreed to speak anonymously
what is now a multibillion pound criminal industry.
- estimates that he stole as much as £250,000
Statistics from Cifas, the UK’s fraud prevention
through stolen credit card details, identity theft
service, show that identity theft was up almost
and bank account takeover. Police officials last
20% last year, while Internet and card fraud rose
week said the volume of online crime was so
to an all-time high of £414m in 2006.
high that they could not investigate every case,
and that big criminals were moving into the fast- 7 Martin Gill, a criminologist at the University
growing field. of Leicester, who has studied the actions and
motivations of fraudsters - Tee was one of
3 For Tee, who served almost four years for his interviewees - said the perceived ease of
conspiracy to defraud, the chance to use fraud, particularly when using the Internet, was
people’s ignorance against them was just too encouraging to those who commit crime. “One of
easy. “Although it sounds really flippant, it the things that comes through is the belief that
wasn’t even like a part-time job - because at they’re not going to get caught,” he said. Industry
least in a job you have to work a few hours,” he insiders say a large number of cases still go
said. “Maybe it took an hour a night if I really unreported because conviction has proved so
felt like it. But to me it felt like a bit of fun and a difficult.
pastime which developed into an easy way of
making money.” 8 “The common reaction among companies selling
goods is a real frustration at how hard it is to
4 In spare moments around his university schedule prosecute and get convictions for people who
- he was studying law - the young Yorkshireman commit fraud,” said Keith Marsden, managing
would take card details lifted from insecure director of 192.com, which sponsors Prove-ID,
websites or passed on from other criminals, and a private industrial forum on dealing with fraud.
embark on spending sprees that got him cars, “It’s a hard process to go through.” Instead,
clothes and cash. Sometimes scant details such companies are choosing tougher security
as a name and phone number could open the procedures and programmes to educate the
door. “I used to go through different methods public about safe Internet use.
depending on how confident I felt,” he said. “I
used to call people up and pretend to be from 9 But experienced fraudsters like Tee say that it
a fraud department and just ask them for their is still too easy: even chip and pin, which has
details. But sometimes it’s as easy as getting drastically cut physical fraud levels, can prove
information from a local video shop.” beneficial to the seasoned criminal. “I thought
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Online fraudster
chip and pin was brilliant - now cashiers think • Only open email attachments if you are entirely
they’ve got no right to look at your card. If sure it is necessary.
I wanted to, I could pretend to be anyone, • Be wary of suspicious-looking emails. Some
because nobody will ever check. It’s a new viruses use the name of somebody you trust as
opportunity for them.” a disguise.
10 How to avoid scams

• Never give personal details over the phone. First published in The Guardian, 3/5/07
Banks should never ask for pin numbers
or codes.
• Only shop on secure websites that display
a padlock or key symbol in your browser. The
address should start https instead of http.
Match the sentence halves.
1. Tee started online fraud when...

2. He stole as much as £250,000...
3. Tee viewed stealing as...
4. Statistics show that online crime...
5. Criminologists say that people commit online crime because...
6. Tougher security and public awareness are...
7. People should not give their personal...
8. People should be careful of suspicious...
a. details over the phone.

b. emails and attachments.
c. fun and easy.
d. has risen in the past year.
e. he was a student at university.
f. they think they won’t get caught.
g. through stolen credit card details, identities and bank accounts.
h. two methods to stop crime.
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Online fraudster

Find the word for the following definitions.
1. A phrasal verb meaning to accumulate. (para 1)

2. An adverb meaning unknown, that nobody knows your name. (para 2)
3. An adjective meaning not serious. (para 3)
4. An adjective meaning few, little. (para 4)
5. A verb meaning to return money. (para 5)
6. An adjective meaning having a good effect or influence. (para 9)
7. An adjective meaning safe. (para 10)
8. A noun meaning something that hides a person’s real identity. (para 10)
5 Vocabulary 2: Odd word out

Circle the odd word out in each group and explain why.
1 2 3 4 5
fraudster steal mortgage industry browser
director rob padlock money attachment
criminal react loan credit card cashier
criminologist defraud debt cash website
Complete the sentence with an appropriate preposition.
1. She’s been living ____ from home for the past three years.
2. It’s possible to use a laptop computer ____ many ways.
3. Climate change has developed ____ a major problem around the world.
4. It all depends ____ how you feel.
5. The government wants to educate young people ____ the dangers of smoking.
6. He gave his credit card details ____ the phone.
7. Be wary ____ suspicious-looking emails.
7 Discussion
Do you feel secure when shopping or giving out your personal details online? What security precautions
do you take when using the Internet?
160
Breathing lessons
1 Key words
Complete the sentences below with these key words from the text.
aggravate exhaust fumes apparent smug significant

exacerbate pollutant buggy kerb
1. A _______ is a substance that is harmful to the environment.
2. If something is _______, then it’s easy to see or understand.
3. If you are standing on the _______, then you are on the edge of the pavement.
4. Motor vehicles (like cars) release lots of _______ into the air.
5. If you _______ or _______ something, you make it go from bad to worse
6. Someone who is _______ is too satisfied with their own abilities or achievements.
7. A _______ is a light chair with wheels for pushing children in.
8. If something is _______, then it is meaningful or important.
2 What do you know?
You are going to read an article called Breathing lessons about tips on how to avoid breathing in pollution
in big cities. Which of the following things do you think will be mentioned?
1. Where to walk.
2. How to cross the road.
3. Which are the most polluted cities in the world.
4. Wearing a mask.
5. Taking children out into the city.
6. Doing exercise in the city.
7. Where to sit on a bus.
8. What to eat and drink.
9. Going to a swimming pool.
10. Driving a car.
Now read the article and check.
161
Breathing lessons
Breathing lessons 5 Pavement sense

When you’re crossing a road, stand well back
Leo Hickman
from the kerb while you wait for the lights
April 4, 2007
to change or for a gap in the traffic. Every
metre really does count when you are in close
1 Take a deep breath. If you live in an urban proximity to traffic, according to Colvile. As the
environment - which four out of five of us now
traffic moves off from a standstill, the fumes
do - then you are exposing yourself to a cocktail
can dissipate in just a few seconds, particularly
of airborne pollutants that could be seriously
if the wind is up, which means holding your
damaging your health.
breath during this momentary period can make a
2 The idea that city air is bad for you is hardly difference, silly as that might sound. Also, cross
new, but it is an area scientists are only just the road as quickly as possible.
beginning to get a real grip on. Last month the
6 Avoid pollution spikes
Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution,
Predictably, there are large spikes in pollution
an independent body set up in 1970 to advise
during times of high traffic congestion – i.e., the
the government, confirmed what many of us
morning and late-afternoon rush hours. Pollution
instinctively knew: that urban living should carry
levels generally fall during the night-time. The
a large health warning. In a major report entitled
time of year can also make a big difference.
The Urban Environment, it detailed what impact
Pollution levels tend to be at their lowest during
urban air pollution is having on our health.
the spring and autumn.
The headline conclusion was that air pollution
reduces “life expectancy in the UK by an average 7 Going outside when there is less pollution
of eight months”. obviously makes sense, but of course that’s
not always realistic. In fact, the hottest part of
3 Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation
a summer’s day - the time when most office
reports that transport-related air pollution
workers go outside during their lunchbreak - is
- which now causes the vast majority of
a particularly bad time to go out, according
urban air pollution - causes a wide range of
to Noel Nelson, one of the authors of the
health problems including “cancer, adverse
Royal Commission report. Walking in the rain,
pregnancy and birth outcomes, and lowering
conversely, is a good way of avoiding the
of male fertility”. But other than moving to
worse excesses of air pollution, he adds, as the
the countryside, what practical steps can city
rain “cleans” the air both by washing out the
dwellers take to reduce their exposure to urban
pollutants and bringing with it fresher air.
air pollution? Quite a lot, it turns out.
8 Wear a mask
4 Watch where you walk
Masks can be a good thing, but they only make
One of the best ways to reduce your exposure
a difference if they fit tightly and are cleaned
to air pollution, says Dr Roy Colvile, a senior
regularly. Even the slightest gap to allow you to
lecturer in air-quality management at Imperial
breathe more easily will cancel out any benefits.
College London, is to avoid walking along busy
Worse, if you fail to clean or change the mask
streets and thoroughfares, instead choosing
regularly, there is a danger of allowing oily
side streets and parks. Carefully choosing your
organic compounds to build up on the filter.
route has a “dramatic” effect, he says, because
Build-up can make the air you breathe dirtier
pollution levels can fall by a factor of 10 just by
rather than cleaner.
moving a few metres away from the main source
of the pollution - exhaust fumes. 9 Pushchairs
According to the Royal Commission report,
162
Breathing lessons
10 several recent studies indicate that “children carpeted, airtight homes only act to aggravate
living close to busy roads have an approximate the situation.
50% increased risk of experiencing respiratory
illness, including asthma”. Children are smaller 14 Ventilating your home is therefore an important
than adults and therefore that much closer to step to take in reducing risk - hopefully with air
the source of pollution when walking beside that’s not full of air pollutants from the outside
roads. They also breathe more rapidly, and tend - as is using a good doormat to help prevent
to inhale more pollution, than adults. One small outdoor pollutants from the pavement being
step you can take is not to push them along in a walked into your home.
buggy too close to traffic. 15 Feeling smug about the fact that you live high
11 Beware of exercising in traffic up in a flat away from outside air pollution? Well,
Cycling or jogging disproportionately expose you unless you live in a penthouse at the top of a
to air pollution - you inhale three times as much very tall skyscraper, then height doesn’t seem
as if you were walking, according to Colvile - for to offer significant sanctuary. A study by Hong
the simple reason that your lungs are gasping for Kong’s City University showed that pollution
more air than the people you’re speeding past on levels in the city remain constant up to heights
the pavement. The best times of day to exercise of 700m. Living in the suburbs, away from major
are early morning or in the evening. Alternatively, roads, seems the best way to avoid the worse
exercise indoors or in a park. Cyclists should excesses of urban air pollution. But that then
stay on side-roads where possible. means you are probably a car owner and are
therefore only exacerbating the situation.
12 Where to sit on the bus
Intriguingly, Colvile says that his own research 16 Don’t drive
shows that sitting on the driver’s side of a bus The best thing you can do, both for yourself
can increase your exposure by 10% compared and for your fellow citizens, is to get out of
with sitting on the side nearest to the pavement. the car. Fuel choice is also important: diesel
He says it’s difficult to say whether travelling on may produce less carbon dioxide compared
an undergound train, if you have that option, is with petrol, which is good news in terms
better or worse than taking the buses, but he of climate change, but it produces more
does say that the air pollution on underground ground-level pollutants.
trains tends to be less toxic by weight than that
17 Get out of town
found at street level. As long as you go by public transport so as not
13 Protect yourself indoors too to create yet more pollution, leaving of the urban
On average, we spend about 90% of our time jungle offers at least a temporary escape.
indoors and two-thirds of that time is spent at
home. And indoor pollution can actually be more © Guardian News & Media 2007
of an issue than that found outdoors, it seems. First published in The Guardian, 4/4/07
Studies by the US Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) suggests that pollution levels
can be two to five times higher indoors than out
- and this can rapidly rise depending on what
activity you are doing at home. Centrally-heated,
163
Breathing lessons
Read the article and choose DO or DON’T for the advice below.
1. Walk on busy streets. DO / DON’T
2. Stand away from the kerb. DO / DON’T
3. Go out in the middle of the day in summer. DO / DON’T
4. If you wear a mask, clean it regularly. DO / DON’T
5. Push a buggy far away from traffic. DO / DON’T

6. Go cycling in the afternoon. DO / DON’T
7. Sit on the driver’s side of the bus. DO / DON’T
8. Use a doormat. DO / DON’T
9. Drive to work. DO / DON’T
10. Leave the city. DO / DON’T
Correct the wrong choice of collocation in the sentences below. All the (correct) collocations are
in the text.
1. Get a deep breath, I have some news for you.
2. People’s life expectation is growing.
3. This product comes with a health advertisement.
4. The police found high levels of alcohol in his blood flow.
5. The big majority of the population were against the war.
6. Do not breathe the exhaust smoke of the cars.
7. The flats were in near proximity to the nuclear power station.
8. The public travel in my town is very cheap.
164
Breathing lessons
5 Vocabulary 2: City
Put the words below into the different categories.
bus pedestrian citizen cyclist flat

penthouse road side street skyscraper thoroughfare
traffic underground train
Streets People Transportation Buildings
6 Vocabulary: Body
Decide if the following body words are internal (inside the body) or external (outside the body).
back ________ liver ________

blood ________ lungs ________
bone ________ muscle ________
brain ________ nose ________
elbow ________ palm ________
hair ________ thigh ________
heart ________ toes ________
7 Discussion
Do you live in a polluted urban environment? What do you do to avoid becoming ill?
165
Blair to stand down on June 27
step down tribute failing fierce MP

appreciation vacancy impact motion opinion poll
1. A ____________ is a job that is available for someone to do.
2. If you show ____________, you express your gratitude to someone for something they have done.
3. A ____________ is a fault or a weak point that makes someone less effective than they could be.
4. If you ____________ , you leave an official position or job.
5. A ____________ is a formal proposal that people discuss and then vote on in a meeting or debate.
6. If criticism is ____________, it involves very strong feelings such as anger or hate.
7. A ____________ is something you do or say to show that you respect and admire someone.
8. An ____________ is an attempt to find out what people in general think about a subject by asking some people
questions about it.
9. ____________ is short for Member of Parliament.
10. ____________ means effect or influence.
1. How long has Tony Blair been British prime minister?
2. How long has he been leader of the British Labour Party?
3. When did he become prime minister?
4. How old is he?
5. How many general elections has he won?
6. How many other Labour leaders have won three successive general elections?
166
Blair to stand down on June 27 according to Mr Blair’s official spokesman. While
Mr Blair flew to the north-east of England, the
Matthew Tempest
man who is likely to be the next prime minister
May 10, 2007
was in the House of Commons, answering
1 British Prime Minister Tony Blair has announced questions about the economy. “There are, of
he is stepping down after 10 years as prime course, 600,000 job vacancies in the economy
minister and 13 as Labour leader. The prime – there’s one more today actually as a result
minister told a crowd of supporters he would of announcements that have just been made,”
stand down as PM on June 27. In an emotional Gordon Brown joked to laughter from all sides.
speech, he said the judgment on his 10-year
6 People have already started paying tribute
administration was “for you, the people, to make”.
to the departing 54-year old prime minister,
Mr Blair paid special tribute to his wife and
whose future plans are not yet clear. Former US
children “who never let me forget my failings”.
secretary of state Colin Powell said Mr Blair had
But he concluded: “Hand on heart, I did what I
“an enormous impact on world politics, and he
thought was right. I may have been wrong - that’s
certainly has had an enormous impact on the
for you to decide. But I did what I thought was
special relationship between the United States
right for our country. This country is a blessed
and Great Britain. He has been a friend, he has
country. The British are special. The world
been strong in the face of negative public opinion
knows it, we know it, this is the greatest country
and in the face of crises. And we could always
on earth.”
rely on his support.”
2 He spoke directly about Iraq, which many 7 Lindsey German, of the Stop the War coalition,
people believe he will be most remembered for,
said: “We cannot let this day pass without
saying: “The criticism since ... has been fierce,
reminding people what Tony Blair did in going to
continuous and damaging.” But he added: “The
war in Iraq, but this is about the future as well.”
terrorists will never give up if we give up.”
8 Meanwhile, the Liberal Democrats demanded
3 Mr Blair admitted that in May 1997, when
an immediate general election to legitimize Mr
Labour took over after 18 years of Conservative
Blair’s successor. The party leader, Sir Menzies
government, “people expected too much.” But
Campbell, has tabled a motion in the House
he added: “I would not want it any other way.
of Commons, calling on the Queen to dissolve
I was, and remain, an optimist.” Pointing to
parliament immediately, since Mr Blair promised
Africa, climate change and globalization, he
to serve a “full third term” in 2005. Mr Brown,
declared Britain had changed under his 10-year
leading a Labour Party that is short of money and
leadership, saying: “Britain is not a follower,
that is doing very badly in the opinion polls, is
Britain is a leader.” He did not say whether he
highly unlikely to grant that request.
would remain in parliament as an MP.
9 Mr Blair was unique among Labour leaders in
4 Mr Blair admitted that some people had accused
winning three successive elections. Although
him of being over-zealous but said that as prime
announcing before the 2005 election that he
minister, you were “alone with your instinct” over
would serve a “full third term”, pressure from
issues such as Sierra Leone, Kosovo and then
Labour MPs last autumn forced him to confirm
Afghanistan and Iraq.
he would stand down within a year. Now he has
5 Earlier, the PM had confirmed to senior members finally made that decision.
of his government that he would announce
his plans to step down, joking it was “not quite
a normal day”. The meeting ended with his
colleagues banging the table in appreciation,
167
1. Blair believes the terrorists will not give up until we give up.
2. Blair is a pessimistic person.
3. Blair intends to remain as an MP after he steps down as prime minister.
4. Gordon Brown is likely to be the next British prime minister.
5. Colin Powell praised Blair as a friend of the United States.

6. The Labour Party is very popular at the moment.
7. Many people have criticised Blair for his decision to invade Iraq.
8. The Conservatives were in power for 10 years before Blair became prime minister.
1. A two-word phrasal verb that means the same as step down. (para 1)
2. An adjective meaning loved by God. (para 1)
3. A noun meaning the process of developing a single world economy. (para 3)
4. A two-word adjective meaning excessively eager and enthusiastic. (para 4)
5. An adjective meaning very large. (para 6)

6. A verb meaning to give a legal basis to something. (para 8)
7. A verb meaning to formally end a parliament. (para 8)
8. An adjective meaning happening one after the other in a series. (para 9)
168
Match the words in the left-hand column with the words they go with in the right-hand column.
1. public a. change
2. fierce b. spokesman
3. general c. minister
4. climate d. vacancy
5. prime e. opinion
6. official f. election
7. job g. poll
8. opinion h. criticism
6 Vocabulary 6: Word-building
Complete the table.
Verb Noun
1. announce
2. support
3. speak
4. conclude
5. admit
6. appreciate
7. laugh
8. decide
7 Discussion
Are politicians popular in your country? Make a list of some of the good things about politicians and some of the
bad things.
169
Seize the day
flannel tap destination mug foil

dishwasher mistaken detergent loaded biodegradable
1. When you are travelling, your ____________ is the place you are travelling to.
2. A ____________ is a machine for washing dirty dishes and pans.
3. ____________ is a powder or liquid used for washing clothes or dishes.
4. If a machine like a washing-machine is ____________, it is full.
5. A ____________ material is one that can be destroyed by bacteria and will not damage the environment.
6. Baths and basins usually have a hot and a cold ____________.
7. A ____________ is a small cloth you use for washing yourself.
8. A ____________ is a large cup with straight sides and no saucer.
9. ____________ is a very thin and very light sheet of metal used to wrap foods.
10. If you are ____________, you are wrong about something.
1. How much water can a power shower use each minute?
2. How much water is wasted each minute when people clean their teeth with running water?
3. How far could a small car travel with the energy saved from switching off the equipment in an office at night?
4. How much water do people use each day if they wash dishes by hand?
5. How much water does a dishwasher cycle use?
6. What is Liftshare?
170
Seize the day
Seize the day 5 Instead of using your car to get to work, why
Many people want to live a greener lifestyle, not get on your bike – or the bus, or the train?
but don’t know where to start. To mark World You can plan your journey using public transport
Environment Day, Hilary Osborne suggests online – you just need to type in your starting
some small changes you can make to your point and destination. Londoners can find out
daily routine. how long it will take them to walk to work on
the Walk It website, while cyclists anywhere in
June 5, 2007
the UK can find out about local routes on the
National Cycle Network map on the Sustrans
1 World Environment Day is a good opportunity to website.
look at your lifestyle and decide what you can do
6 If you really have to drive, why not offer a
personally to help the environment. There are
colleague a lift? Your workplace may run a car
lots of small things you can try that will help you
sharing scheme which will put you in touch with
save energy and water and reduce the waste
someone who lives nearby, or you could use a
and pollution you produce. Here is your guide to
site like Liftshare to find someone who is making
a greener working day.
the same journey as you each day.
2 Begin the day with a shower – but if you have 7 When you get to work, instead of using a paper
a power shower, have a very quick one. While
cup for your tea or coffee, use a mug you have
five minutes under a regular shower uses only
brought from home. Do the same if you regularly
around a third as much water as having a bath,
drink water out of the office water cooler. If you
switching on the power shower is a completely
reuse a glass you have brought from home, you
different matter. Some power showers use up to
will save 20 plastic cups every four weeks. If you
24 litres of water a minute. In the long-term you
get five weeks holiday and don’t work on UK
could buy a more efficient shower head which
public holidays, you will save 227 cups a year.
will use less water, but in the short-term the best
option is to use a flannel. 8 At lunchtime look for sandwiches with
biodegradable packaging – things like cardboard
3 At breakfast time only put as much water as
are better than pure plastic. If you’re buying fruit,
you need in the kettle for your morning coffee or
don’t buy grapes in plastic boxes or any other
tea. According to figures from the government,
items that have unnecessary packaging – this
if everyone boiled only the water they needed
might mean shopping at a greengrocer’s rather
to make a cup of tea instead of filling the kettle
than a supermarket or high-street sandwich
every time, we could save enough electricity in a
shop. Make sure you take your own bag with you
year to run nearly half of all the street lighting in
to put your lunch in – that way you can say no
the UK. Saving energy also produces less CO2,
to a plastic bag. Even better, take in your own
so the result is greener tea. If you are going buy
packed lunch – and don’t wrap it in brand-new
a new kettle, why not buy an Eco Kettle? You can
kitchen foil. Wash and reuse foil from the day
fill it up in one go, but just boil the amount you
before, or buy some recycled foil.
need each time.
9 At the end of the day, don’t just log off, switch
4 After breakfast you will need to brush your
your computer and monitor off completely. And
teeth, but don’t leave the tap running while you
have a look round to see what other equipment
do it. The UK Environment Agency says you can
can be turned off. According to the Carbon Trust,
waste up to five litres of water a minute if you
switching off non-essential equipment in an office
clean your teeth with the tap running. Either turn
overnight will save enough energy to run a small
the tap on and off as you need it, or fill a small
car for 100 miles.
glass to use.
171
Seize the day
10 You probably think that using a dishwasher 12 Once the dishwasher is loaded or the washing
to clean the plates from your evening meal up is done, go out. Pubs, theatres and cinemas
uses more water than washing them by hand. will all have their lights and air conditioning on
According to Waterwise, you are mistaken. It whether you’re there or not, while your house
says that washing and rinsing dishes by hand will only be lit if you’re at home. This is a good
can use as much as 150 litres of water a day, reason to stay out until bedtime!
while a dishwasher cycle can use as little as 10
litres. A dishwasher will, of course, use more
electricity though, so only use it if it is full.
11 However you clean your dishes, try to use an
environmentally friendly detergent for the job. A
number of companies now produce washing up
liquids from natural ingredients that break down
in water and don’t pollute rivers and the sea.
Most of these come in bottles that can be reused
so there’s less waste.
Are these pieces of advice True (T) or False (F) according to the text?
1. Take a regular shower rather than a bath.
2. Always fill your kettle before boiling it.
3. You should always brush your teeth in running water.
4. Don’t drive to work.
5. Wash dishes by hand rather than using a dishwasher.
6. Always throw foil away after use.
172
Seize the day
Look in the text and find these words and expressions.
1. A noun meaning the way you live your life. (Para 1)
2. A 2-word noun meaning the part of the shower where the water comes out. (Para 2)
3. A noun meaning a container for boiling water. (Para 3)
4. A noun meaning someone you work with. (Para 6)
5. A noun meaning a shop that sells fruit and vegetables. (Para 8)
6. A noun meaning the part of a computer that contains the screen. (Para 9)
7. A two-word adjective meaning not really necessary. (Para 9)
8. A verb meaning washing soap or dirt off something with water. (Para 10)
5 Vocabulary 2: Giving advice
Complete these sentences about saving energy using either Don’t or Try.
1. _______ waste water.
2. _______ using a mug you have brought from home.
3. _______ just log off – switch your computer off.
4. _______ buy fruit in plastic packaging.

5. _______ riding your bike to work.
6. _______ fill the kettle if you only want one cup of coffee.
7. _______ buying a dishwasher – you will use less water.
8. _______ buying an Eco Kettle – it will save water.
173
Seize the day
Match the verbs in the left-hand column with the nouns in the right-hand column
1. have a. a dishwasher
2. fill b. a journey
3. brush c. someone a lift
4. plan d. a shower or bath
5. offer e. the environment
6. pollute f. your teeth
7. save g. a kettle
8. load h. energy
7 Discussion
How green are you? Do you agree with the advice given in the article? Can you think of any other ways to save
energy?
174
New citizens, good citizens
1 Key words
Choose the correct word to complete the sentences.
1. A ______________ has the legal right to live in a country. (citizen / citizenship)
2. Someone who comes to live in a country from another country is called an ______________.
(migrant / immigrant)
3. A ______________ is a legal (written) agreement between two or more parties. (policy / contract)
4. In Britain a ______________ can vote at the age of 18. (teenager / veteran)
5. A ______________ is an official group of people who make decisions about a local area. (council / government)
Use your dictionary to look up the definitions of the words you didn’t use. Compare and contrast the
meanings of each of the words.
2 Subtitles
Write down keywords you would expect to read in the part of the text that follows each of these subtitles.
Divisions in British society
___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________
A new points system
___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________
Reasons why the changes are needed
___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________

Plans for a ‘Britain Day’
___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________
Ministers set out plans in a new report
___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________
Citizenship contract
___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________
Then skim-read the text and decide where each subtitle should go. Write them into the spaces
(a-f) provided.
175
Rules to make migrants integrate understand and unclear”. In future, new citizens
Ministers say citizenship should depend on good would gain points for the length of time spent in
behaviour, passing English tests and knowledge the country, bringing substantial new investment
of the UK. into the UK, passing English tests, demonstrating
knowledge of the UK, undertaking civic work and
Patrick Wintour, political editor
living in a law-abiding way. A points system for
and Alan Travis
citizenship would allow credits to be deducted for
June 5, 2007
anti-social behaviour, fly-tipping or more serious
criminal behaviour.
a. _____________________________________ 7 “This form of points system would be the basis
1 Government ministers want to introduce a of a clearer relationship between the citizen
national British day as part of a ‘citizenship and the state. An easy to understand contract
revolution’ that would also toughen rules for such as this would encourage integration and
migrants and try to instil community pride in demonstrate a clearer sense in which citizenship
all 18-year-olds. and the rights that come with living in Britain are
earned.”
2 Under the new plans, every teenager in the UK
would be given a citizenship pack when they d. _____________________________________
became eligible to vote, and migrants would only
8 Local government should also provide a
be able to become British citizens if they could
citizenship deal for newcomers, setting out their
demonstrate good behaviour and a willingness
responsibilities to be good neighbours, as well
to integrate.
as their access to English language training and
3 The national day could be a bank holiday, similar employment, say the ministers.
to Australia Day. The proposals come from the
9 A ‘life in Britain – good neighbour contract’
communities secretary, Ruth Kelly, and the
would be provided to all migrants from inside
immigration minister, Liam Byrne, who would
and outside the EU, including those that stay
also like to introduce citizenship ceremonies for
temporarily. The contract would be introduced
anyone who wants to settle in the UK.
alongside identity cards. The ministers also
b. _____________________________________ say councils should spend less on translation
services and more on English language teaching.
4 Some of the ideas floated by the two ministers
are likely to feature in a forthcoming report. e. _____________________________________
The themes have already been enthusiastically
10 The ministers warn there is “a critical risk that
embraced by the prime minister-in-waiting,
after 40 years in which diversity has grown,
Gordon Brown.
Britain’s communities are no longer looking
5 Another idea is to improve links between outwards and celebrating what they have
veterans and young people. The pack for in common. Instead, they are beginning to
18-year-olds would provide information on look inwards, stressing their differences and
democracy, volunteering and civic duties such divisions”.
as jury service. Student loan repayments could
11 The threat to a united sense of feeling British
be reduced in return for volunteering.
comes both from Islamist extremism and
c. _____________________________________ also groups like the British National Party.
Ministers point out that the government has to
6 Mr Byrne and Ms Kelly argue that the current acknowledge and respond to the growing mood
settlement policy for new migrants is “difficult to of English nationalism.
176
12 “We risk seeing a more divided society, more that by 2011, only 20% of Britain’s workforce will
suspicious of each other and no longer coming be white, able-bodied men under 45.
together around shared goals. We need a
stronger sense of why we live in a common place f. _____________________________________
and have a shared future.” Mr Byrne admitted 15 In a speech to business leaders, Mr Byrne said
that recent eastern European migration had the new measures were needed because the
proved a “shock to the system”. “spike” in asylum claims in 2000, the unpredicted
13 He said new migrants needed to do more to level of eastern European migration and the
“help them understand British values and its way foreign prisoners crisis has badly damaged
of life.” He added: “We need to make it clearer confidence in Britain’s asylum and immigration
that citizenship isn’t simply handed out, but is system. He added, “We have to be open about
something which is earned.” the choices available to us. In the 21st century
we can’t make big decisions in secret.”
14 The ministers say new trends are pushing Britons
apart in the workplace, the family, the media
and new technology. They insist migration has
brought benefits, but say sometimes the pace of
change is rapid and destabilizing, pointing out
Choose the best answer according to the text.
1. Government ministers want to introduce a new 4. Under a new policy, points would be awarded for...
bank holiday to... a. criminal behaviour.
a. improve the relationship with Australia. b. volunteering.
b. hand out good citizen awards. c. fly-tipping.
c. toughen immigration rules. d. old age.
d. promote community relationships.
5. Mr Byrne says citizenship needs to be...
2. The Prime Minister-in-waiting, Gordon Brown, a. bought.
thinks the plans are... b. fought for.
a. a bad idea. c. earned.
b. ok, but not for Britain. d. handed out.
c. a great idea.
d. not modern enough.
3. Ministers say the current settlement policy is...

a. too easy.
b. too complicated.
c. too long.
d. too expensive.
177
Which words come before or after the words in the centre of the word wheels below? Find verbs or nouns
in the text to complete the word wheels.
2.
British
1. 3.
points citizenship
Can you think of any more words to add to the word wheels?
5 Vocabulary 2: Compound words
Skim-read and subtitle are both compound words, i.e. two or three words that are combined to make a new
word. Put these single words together to make compounds words from the text.
waiting minister abiding social fly in bodied

year anti able tipping 18 law old

_____________ - _____________
_____________ - _____________
_____________ - _____________
_____________ - _____________
_____________ - _____________ - _____________
_____________ - _____________ - _____________
Try to work out what they mean by reading the text again.
178
6 Discussion
Does your country require new immigrants to take a citizenship test?

What subjects would you include when writing questions for a citizenship test?
Is nationalism a good or a bad thing? Try to think of different instances where national pride is acceptable or
not acceptable.
7 Webquest
Choose a country you would like to move to. Search for the immigration requirements for that country on the
Internet. You can do this by writing key words such as citizenship requirements into a search engine.
Is it easy or difficult to move to that country?
179
The new passage to India, business class
1 Key words
reject vision retail expat boom

expand cope benefit invaluable crucial
1. If something ____________, it becomes larger in size.
2. ____________ is the process of selling goods direct to the public for their own use.
3. If something is ____________, it is extremely important.
4. If a country or an industry ____________, it is extremely successful economically.
5. If something is ____________, it is extremely useful.
6. If you ____________, you deal successfully with a difficult situation.
7. If you ____________ an offer or a proposal, you say ‘no’ to it.
8. ____________ is the ability to think about and plan for the future.
9. An ____________ is someone who lives and works in a foreign country.
10. If you ____________ from something, you get help or advantage from it.
1. What percentage of management and skilled positions in India are filled by expats?
2. What percentage of pilots in India are foreign?
3. What is the highest salary a chief executive can earn?
4. What can the head of public relations at an Indian corporation earn?
5. How many students graduate from Indian universities each year?
6. What is the annual rate of increase in salaries in India?
180
The new passage to India, £600,000. Senior managers can expect £100,000
business class a year. The head of public relations at an Indian
corporation earns £40,000.
• Foreign executives pour in as salaries soar
• Shortage of local talent for booming economy 5 Bharti Airtel, the country’s biggest mobile
operator, says foreign managers used to be
Randeep Ramesh in New Delhi
rare but are now as good value as Indian staff.
June 13, 2007
Sunil Bharti Mittal, the company’s founder,
told reporters last month his company had
1 Three years ago Andrew Levermore, a retail begun to hire “expats who cost less than Indian
executive who had worked in South Africa and managers”.
Britain, rejected an offer to work in India because
the country was too poor and chaotic. Now a 6 Andrea Stone, head of marketing at Bharti’s
powerful Mumbai business family has persuaded software company Telesoft, joined on local terms
him to help to set up India’s first western-style in 2005. She said her salary was “good enough
hypermarket. to live well in Delhi”. “I brought skills they did not
have. One was that I had worked in Britain, Hong
2 “I changed my mind when I saw their vision. Kong, Japan and Germany and knew how to deal
They were very serious and yes I had to change with overseas clients. The other was motivating
my lifestyle a bit but I didn’t want to miss such teams of young dynamic people.”
a good opportunity. Of course the salary was
good compared with home.” His company will 7 Ms Stone says that the real difficulties come
soon be opening another 28 stores and Mr when you leave the office. “You can’t walk
Levermore, 44, is trying to persuade two more outside easily. It’s too hot and there are not that
expats to leave their jobs in the west and work many parks. Also Delhi does not have a public
in India. “I have just hired my head of operations transport system, which is hard. You can’t just go
from Sainsbury’s and I’m in the process of hiring round the corner to Marks and Spencer to buy
another expat for buying and merchandising.” food. But you cope.”
3 Mr Levermore is part of a new movement of 8 The difficulties of living in the developing world
business people to India. As the economy are minor in comparison with the money people
booms, there is not enough talent to fill the can make there. Foreign companies are also
expanding number of middle management importing their brightest and best managers
positions and more western expatriates are to India. Cisco Systems, the US technology
taking senior positions. Recruitment consultants giant, transferred seven top managers to its
say Indian workers are asking for so much Bangalore office this year. The head of Anglo-
money that it is becoming cheaper to hire Dutch multinational Unilever in the country is a
foreigners. South African. The boss of Goldman Sachs is an
American.
4 “It’s happening very quickly now,” says Kris
Lakshmikanth, chief executive of Headhunters 9 3 million Indian students graduate from
India. “Expats are filling more than 15% of university each year but Indian industry admits
management and skilled positions. Hotel that only 15% are good enough to find work
management requires a rapid improvement in in multinationals. Finding and keeping skilled
quality and we can only get that from abroad. In Indian workers is becoming more difficult
the airline industry, 50% of pilots are foreign. A and more expensive than ever. Salaries are
few years ago only 5% of pilots were foreigners”. increasing faster in India than anywhere else in
Salaries for chief executives have doubled in the Asia. According to a study by human resources
past few years and now range from £125,000 to company Hewitt Associates, average salary
181
increases in India are running at more than 14% These skills, said chairman Mukesh Ambani,
a year, compared with about 8% in China and were crucial in creating Reliance’s trademark
slightly less in South Korea and the Philippines. convenience stores. “We were ahead of the
world in creating these stores. When Tesco went
10 But many companies say that they need foreign to California it decided to use the same model.
help as they try to expand their businesses. That shows how we benefit from foreign talent.”
Reliance Industries, India’s biggest private
company, is spending £2.5bn to create a chain of © Guardian News & Media 2007
superstores across India. Its retail division now First published in The Guardian, 13/6/07
employs 100 expatriates in senior management
who bring “invaluable global experience”.
1. More and more western expats are taking management jobs in India.
2. Local managers earn much less money.
3. Delhi has a good public transport system.
4. Big multinational companies operate in India.
5. Most Indian graduates find work in multinational companies.
6. Senior managers from abroad bring global experience to Indian companies.
4 Grammar: Verbs
Fill the gaps using the correct form of these verbs from the text.
double range transfer hire require persuade
1. Cisco Systems ____________ several senior managers from the USA to India.
2. More and more Indian companies ____________ foreign staff.
3. Salaries for chief executives ____________ in the past few years.
4. Salaries for chief executives ____________ from £125,000 to £600,000.
5. A Mumbai business family ____________ Andrew Levermore to move to India.
6. Hotel management ____________ a rapid improvement in quality.
182
Match the verbs with the nouns.
1. miss a. people
2. reject b. a new store
3. fill c. an opportunity
4. motivate d. a business
5. expand e. an offer
6. open f. a position
Complete the table.
verb noun
1. improve
2. develop
3. persuade
4. require
5. compare
6. recruit
7. divide
8. benefit
7 Discussion
Would you move to another country to find work? What factors would attract you to another country? Where would
you like to go?
183
Facebook challenges MySpace
1 Key words
Put these words, which are all used to describe people and jobs, into the sentences below.
Mogul CEO financier drop-out analyst

investor sociologist vice president co-founder
1. An ___________ is someone whose job is to carefully examine a situation and provide others with
information about it.
2. A ___________ is the most senior manager in a company.
3. An ___________ is a person or organisation that invests money.
4. A ___________ is a person or organisation that manages or lends large amounts of money.
5. A ___________ is someone who starts up something with someone else.
6. A ___________ is someone who has a degree in sociology.
7. A ___________ is an important and powerful person in a particular activity or industry.
8. A ___________ is a senior manager or leader – second in charge.
9. A ___________ is someone who leaves something such as a school, activity or competition before he
has finished what he intended to do.
2 Subtitles
1. Which of these websites do you think are most popular in the UK? Put these websites in order of
popularity (a-j).
Yahoo! Google Barclay’s Bank BBC eBay

Amazon youtube Facebook MySpace bebo
a. _______________ e. _______________ i. _______________
b. _______________ f. _______________ j. _______________
c. _______________ g. _______________
d. _______________ h. _______________
2. What do you use the Internet for? Which websites do you use regularly? Do a class survey. Which are
the most popular websites in your class?
184
3 Companies and people
What kind of companies are a-c? Match the company names with the descriptions.
a. Google and Yahoo! social networking website
b. News Corp search engine
c. Facebook and MySpace media conglomerate
Match each of these CEOs to one of the companies above (a-c).
1. Rupert Murdoch ________________________
2. Mark Zuckerberg ________________________
3. Jerry Yang ________________________
Now skim-read the article to check your answers.
185
Facebook challenges MySpace as analysts reckon the business could be worth
place for the cool set to hang out several times what Yahoo! initially offered.
Helping people stay in touch with friends online 6 In the UK, Facebook has gone from the 469th
has become the latest battleground for moguls. most popular website, in May last year, to the
Richard Wray, communications editor 18th. According to Internet statistics company
June 21, 2007 Hitwise, half the people who visit the site are
between 18-24 years old, but the real growth
over the past six months appears to have
Face to face
come from 24-35 year olds. The site seems to
1 Take everyone you’ve ever known – work
have reached what sociologists call a ‘tipping
colleagues, former school friends, close family
point’, with the name entering into many
members, your boss, your ex-partner – and put
people’s vocabulary.
them in a single room. Then give them intimate
access to every corner of your life, from your Network effect
trivial thoughts to your most recent holiday 7 The rapid growth in Facebook is due to Mr
photos and your plans for the weekend. Then sit Zuckerberg’s decision to open the network to
back and watch the social experiment unfold. everybody. Zuckerberg created Facebook while
at Harvard and up to last autumn people could
2 Financiers have been betting on which social
only join the site if they had an academic email
networking site would make the leap to the adult
address. Then in September the company threw
world. Its power, the elegance of its design and
open its doors to everyone.
the flexibility and openness of its features have
made Facebook the hot favourite to do so. 8 “The growth started slowly in late September,
early October last year and has really taken
The rise to success
off since then,” says Heather Hopkins, vice
3 “I’ve added you as a friend on Facebook...” This
president of research at Hitwise UK. It is adding
introduction to the web’s fastest growing social
more than 100,000 users a day and already has
phenomenon has been appearing with growing
27 million active users. More than half of the
frequency in email inboxes across the world.
users visit the site every day. MySpace is still
What started as a way for American college
considerably larger, with 60 million users in the
friends to stay in touch has become one of the
US alone, but Facebook is catching up.
Internet’s hottest properties.
9 The success of Facebook has not gone
4 The rise of Facebook, created by Harvard
unnoticed at News Corp. Asked earlier this month
drop-out Mark Zuckerberg three years ago,
by the Wall Street Journal why he had not made
is challenging MySpace, which is currently
an offer for another North American newspaper
the world’s most popular social networking
group, Tribune, Mr Murdoch said it was because
site. This may explain why MySpace’s owner,
readership of its newspapers was declining.
Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp, has considered
“That’s because everyone’s going to MySpace,”
exchanging it for a 25% stake in online portal and
joked the reporter. “I wish they were. They’re all
search engine, Yahoo!
going to Facebook,” the media mogul replied.
5 Yahoo! saw the potential for Facebook when 10 When Mr Murdoch bought MySpace in 2005
it tried to buy the business last year. After an
for $580m (£290m), the deal raised eyebrows
initial $1bn offer was rejected by Mr Zuckerberg,
among investors. But in August the following
Yahoo! said it could raise that to $1.6bn – but he
year, Mr Murdoch tied up a $900m deal with
made it plain that he didn’t intend to sell just yet.
Google to provide adverts for MySpace. That
At the time, many Internet watchers laughed at
deal has been a double-edged sword. The
Zuckerberg for not cashing in his chips, but today
186
MySpace site has become cluttered with time to deal with the problems in the business
advertising. before re-opening negotiations with anyone.
Online ad boom 13 But, for Mr Murdoch, the allure of the

11 Mr Murdoch’s tie-up between MySpace and Internet advertising market is not going
Google gave him a way into the world of online to go away. A recent report published by
search advertising, which is by far the largest PricewaterhouseCoopers showed that last
part of the booming online ad market. But it was year, online advertising worldwide grew 37.9%
only a foot in the door. There is a feeling among to $31.6bn, and now accounts for more than
analysts, especially in the US, that News Corp 7% of the total advertising market of $407bn.
needs to do more, which is where a potential Globally, the internet will remain the fastest
deal with Yahoo! becomes attractive. growing advertising medium. By 2011 the
online advertising market will be worth $73bn,
12 Talks between Mr Murdoch who wants to accounting for 14% of the global advertising
swap MySpace for a 25% stake in Yahoo!, market. That’s still a lot to play for.
and Yahoo!, have hit a snag. Earlier this week,
Yahoo! chief executive Terry Semel stepped
down after intense pressure from investors. His © Guardian News & Media 2007
replacement, co-founder Jerry Yang, will want First published in The Guardian, 21/6/07
4 Summary and missing prepositions
1. Put the missing prepositions into the sentences.
Now Facebook is estimated ______ analysts to be worth much more than that.
______ first, the site was only available ______ students, but now anyone can access it.
Facebook, a social networking site, is one ______ the fastest growing websites ______ the internet.
Online advertising is one of the fastest growing markets. By 2011 it will be worth more than $73bn,
or 14% of the global advertising market.
Last year Yahoo! offered over $1bn ______ Facebook – Zuckerberg refused to sell.
______ 2005, Rupert Murdoch bought MySpace ______ $580m. MySpace’s tie-in ______ Google has
cluttered MySpace ______ advertising. Murdoch now wants to swap it ______ a 25% stake in Yahoo!
It was created ______ 2004 ______ Mark Zuckerberg ______ students.
2. Now number the boxes to put the sentences in the correct order (according to the article).
187
5 Numbers and figures
1. Write out these numbers in figures.
One billion ________________
Twenty-seven million ________________
One hundred thousand ________________
2. Find the numbers in the article that correspond to these statements.
a. How much an advertising deal was worth between a social networking site and a search engine. ____________
b. The price Murdoch paid for MySpace. ____________
c. Facebook has this many daily users. ____________
d. Facebook has this many active users. ____________
e. MySpace has this many users. ____________
f. Yahoo!’s first offer for Facebook. ____________
g. The amount online advertising could be worth in 4 year’s time. ____________
6 Idioms
1. Match the idioms with their meanings.
a. To get your foot in the door. You do this when someone or something shocks or
surprises you.
b. To raise your eyebrows at something or To experience a difficulty.

somebody.
c. To cash in your chips. To make something available.
d. To throw open your doors to something or To start working in or with a company or organisation at a
somebody. low level in the hope that you will be able to progress from
there.
e. To hit a snag. Selling something to get what profit you can because you
think its value is going to fall.
188
7 Discussion
Would you join a social networking community such as Facebook, MySpace or Friends Reunited? Why? Why not?
Make a list of pros and cons before starting your discussion.
8 Webquest
Go to www.facebook.com and click on the virtual tour (you do not need to register). Then answer these questions:
Who can sign up to Facebook?
Whose profiles can you see when you sign up?
What does Facebook recommend you add when writing your profile?
Can you upload photos?
What will Facebook notify you of?
What can you do if you don’t want someone to access your profile?
189
Hilton puts her fame to good use
1 Key words
heiress released insist cynic sincere superficial

celebrity nightmare anxiety meditate
1. A ____________ person talks and acts in a way that shows they really mean what they say.
2. If something is ____________, it is not important and does not have a serious effect.
3. A ____________ is a very frightening and unpleasant dream.
4. If you suffer from ____________, you feel very worried because you think something bad might happen.
5. A ____________ is a famous person, particularly in the world of entertainment.
6. A ____________ is a person who believes that people care only about themselves and are not
sincere or honest.
7. If you ____________ , you make your mind empty of thoughts in order to relax.
8. If you are ____________ from prison, you are allowed to leave and go home.
9. An ____________ is a woman who will receive a large amount of money or property when someone dies.
10. If you ____________ that something is true, you keep saying it very firmly.
1. How long did Paris Hilton spend in prison?
2. In which American state did she go to prison?
3. How long was she alone in her cell each day?
4. How long was her interview on the Larry King Show?
5. How much was she paid for the interview?
6. What did she buy in jail?
190
Hilton to use her fame to promote 5 She spoke about her feelings “for those I left
‘great causes’ behind at the prison” and said she wanted to
“help set up a place where these women can get
Mark Oliver and agencies
themselves back on their feet.” She read: “I know
June 28, 2007
I can make a difference and hopefully stop this
vicious circle of these people going in and out
1 After spending 23 days in prison, Paris Hilton of jail.”
has said she will now be spending less time at
6 Hilton said she suffered from claustrophobia
parties and will use the fact that she is a famous
and attention deficit disorder, for which she took
personality to work for various social causes.
medication. She said the sheriff’s officials had
The hotel heiress told CNN’s Larry King that she
allowed her to serve the rest of her sentence
wants to raise money for children and cancer
at home after just three days because of
sufferers and set up a centre to help released
claustrophobia, anxiety and panic attacks. After
female prisoners to rebuild their lives.
a judge ordered her back to the California jail,
2 “There’s a lot more important things in life than Hilton said that meditating and reading letters
going to parties,” said Hilton, who was released from fans helped her to survive. But she still had
on Tuesday, during an hour-long, pre-recorded nightmares of “someone trying to break into my
interview, after which television experts described cell and hurt me”.
her as looking demure and contrite. “I’m frankly
7 “Just the whole idea of being in jail is really
sick of it. I’ve been going out for a long time
frightening,” she said. “I hate to be alone so that
now. Yeah, it’s fun, but it’s not going to be the
was really just hard for me in the beginning.” Her
most important thing in my life any more,” she
life was now at a crossroads, she said, insisting
said. She said she would never drink and drive
that her time in prison was “not a failure, but a
again and insisted she did not have an alcohol
new beginning”.
problem. She told King that the world would now
see a new Paris Hilton. 8 She said: “I’m glad it happened in a way because
it’s changed my life for ever. I feel stronger than
3 Cynics might wonder at how dramatic this
ever and I feel like this is a kind of lesson.” When
change is going to be, since one of the first
King asked her about the people she spends
things she did after her release from prison was
time with, which include the singer Britney
to talk to King, whose programme is well-known
Spears and the actress Lindsay Lohan, Hilton
for giving celebrities the opportunity to get
replied: “Everybody makes mistakes.”
publicity. But Hilton - who apparently was not
paid for the interview - said she was sincere and 9 She said that people were wrong to think that she
wanted to be a better role model. While she was lives off her family’s money. “I work very hard. I
alone in her cell for 23 hours a day, Hilton spent run a business. I’ve had a book on the New York
all her time reading, writing a prison diary and Times best-sellers list. I’m on the fifth season
thinking, she said. of my TV show. I did an album. I do movies,”
she said.
4 Reading from her prison diary on the CNN show,
she said: “I feel as if I am in the spotlight. I have 10 Last week, Hilton, who was educated at Catholic
a platform where I can raise awareness for so schools, told TV journalist Barbara Walters, in a
many great causes and just do so much with this telephone interview from her prison cell, that she
instead of doing superficial things like going to had become more religious and wanted to work
parties. I want to help raise money for kids and with children. She told King she had always been
for breast cancer and multiple sclerosis.” religious and “always had a sense of spirituality
191
but even more so after being in jail”. She bought
a Bible in jail and read it every day, she said.
When King asked her to name her favourite
passage in the Bible, she smiled and looked
away. “I don’t have a favourite,” she said.

1. After her release from prison, Paris Hilton says she wants to spend more time going to parties.
2. While she was in prison she spent most of her time reading letters from fans.
3. She now wants to work for good causes and charities.
4. She would also like to help women prisoners.
5. She was released after three days because she suffered from attention deficit disorder.
6. She feels that she is a stronger person after spending time in prison.
Find these words in the text.
1. An adjective referring to a woman and meaning quiet and shy. (Para 2)
2. An adjective meaning sorry and ashamed for something you have done. (Para 2)
3. An adverb meaning based on what you have heard, not on what you are certain is true. (Para 3)
4. A two-word expression meaning someone whose behaviour is considered to be a good example for other
people to copy. (Para 3)
5. A two-word expression meaning a process in which the existence of a problem causes other problems and this
makes the original problem worse. (Para 5)
6. A noun meaning fear of being in enclosed spaces. (Para 6)
7. A three-word expression meaning a psychological condition which means you cannot concentrate on anything
for very long. (Para 6)
8. A two-word expression meaning a sudden very strong feeling of being afraid that makes you unable to breathe.
(Para 6)
192
Match the verbs with the nouns.
1. raise a. medication
2. serve b. time
3. spend c. a business
4. make d. a prison sentence
5. take e. mistakes / a difference
6. run f. money / awareness
Fill the gaps in the phrases using prepositions.
1. to suffer _______ a medical condition
2. to release someone _______ prison
3. to take medication _______ a medical condition
4. to spend time _______ people
5. to live _______ someone’s money
6. to be sick _______ something
7. to be _______ the spotlight

8. to be _______ a crossroads
7 Discussion
Should celebrities be sent to prison? Do you feel sorry for Paris Hilton?
193
Growing cities face catastrophe
1 Brainstorming – What do you think?
Is your city or town getting bigger or smaller?

Is it changing in any other ways?
Is this a positive or negative thing?
Read the title of the article. Brainstorm reasons why you think growing cities might face major problems.
2 Keywords
1. Find words from the article and write them next to the definitions. The paragraph number is given
to help you.
a. A poor area of town where the houses are in a very bad condition.
____________ (subtitle)
b. The process of damaging the air, water or land with chemicals or other substances.
____________ (subtitle)
c. All the people who are living on the world. ____________ (para 1)
d. A plant or animal group whose members all have similar general features and are able to produce young.
____________ (para 1)
e. A change in something. ____________ (para 3)
f. An adjective to describe countries which are poor and which don’t have many industries. ____________
(para 4)
g. Conditions relating to people’s health and especially the systems that supply water and deal with human waste.
____________ (para 4)
h. The process of going to another place in order to find work. ____________ (para 7)
i. A process in which a problem causes other problems, making the first problem worse. ____________ (para 8)
j. Causing severe damage or harm. ____________ (para 10)
2. Find words that are based on urban and poor and write them next to the definitions.
(noun) ____________ is the process by which towns and cities grow bigger.

urban (verb) To ____________ means to make more like a city.
(noun) An ____________ is someone who lives in a city.
poor (noun) ____________ is a situation in which someone does not have enough money for their
basic needs.
194
Growing cities face catastrophe, population of cities in Africa is expected to grow

says UN by 440 million in the same period, and in Latin
America and the Caribbean by nearly 200 million.
• Urban dwellers to outgrow rural population
Rural populations are expected to decrease
next year
worldwide by 28 million people.
• Big rise in poverty, slums and pollution is feared
John Vidal, environment editor 6 But urbanization can be positive. “No country in
Thursday June 28, 2007 the industrial age has ever achieved significant
economic growth without urbanization, said
Ms Obaid. “Although there will be more
1 Humanity will make the historic move from a rural poverty in the urban areas, moving to a city
to an urban species sometime in the next year, can also present poor people with the best
according to the latest UN population figures. chance of escaping it. The potential benefits of
The move will be led by Africa and Asia, which urbanization, which include easier access to
are expected to add 1.6 billion people to their health centres and education, are far greater
cities over the next 25 years. than the disadvantages.”
2 The speed and scale of global urbanization is 7 However, the report warns that if we do nothing,
so great most countries will not be prepared for the growth of urbanization will mean more slums
the effect it will have, Thoraya Obaid, executive and poverty, as well as a rise in migration away
director of the UN Population Fund, says. “In from poor regions. “Today one billion people
human history we have never seen urban growth live in slums, 90% of whom are in developing
like this.” countries. The fight against poverty will take
3 Ms Obaid added: “In 2008, half of the world’s place in the slums. To win it, politicians need to
population will live in urban areas. The shift from be proactive and start working with the urban
rural to urban areas changes a balance that has poor. This is the only way to defeat urban
lasted for millennia. Within one generation, five poverty,” said Ms Obaid.
billion people, or 60% of humanity, will live in 8 The climate is expected to increasingly shape
cities. The urban population of Africa and Asia and be shaped by cities. In a vicious circle,
will double in this time.” She said that each week climate change will increase the energy demand
the number of people living in cities grows by as more people need air-conditioning in cities.
nearly a million. This demand will add to greenhouse gas
4 “Most cities [in developing countries] already emissions which could raise temperatures in
have worrying problems, including crime, lack urban areas by 2-6oC. “Heat, pollution, smog
of clean water and sanitation, and slums. But and ground-level ozone [from cities] affect
these problems are not as serious as those that surrounding areas, reducing the amount of
could be raised by future growth. If we do not agricultural production, increasing health risks
plan ahead, it will be a catastrophe. The changes and producing tornadoes and thunderstorms.
are too fast to allow planners to react, and so if The impact of climate change on urban water
governments wait, it will be too late.” supplies are expected to be dramatic,” the report
says. Cities like New Delhi, in the drier areas, will
5 According to the State of the World Population be particularly hard hit.
Report, which Ms Obaid launched in London,
large-scale population growth will take place in 9 Developing countries are at a great disadvantage
the cities of Asia, Africa and Latin America. The when they start to urbanize. They will require
report suggests that the largest move to cities houses, power, water, sanitation and roads, and
will occur in Asia, where the number of urbanites will have to build faster than any rich country has
will almost double to 2.6 billion in 2030. The ever done.
195
10 Ms Obaid said: “This problem concerns

everyone, not just developing countries. If we
plan ahead, we will create conditions for a stable
world. If we do not, and do not find education,
jobs, and houses for people in cities, then
these populations will become destructive, to
themselves and others.”
Complete the table using information from the article.
The situation now and the Expected problems Possible solutions

situation in the very near
future
196
4 Collocations – prepositions following verbs

1. Look at how these verbs are used in the article and write in the preposition that follows them.
by to by of of for of for by
lasted _____
prepared _____
decrease _____
according _____
shaped _____
raised _____
2. Now write the verbs + prepositions into the sentences.
a. ____________ the report, the urban population is growing.
b. Governments need to be ____________ the problems this will bring.
c. The shift will change the balance that has ____________ thousands of years.
d. A lot of problems could be ____________ this growth.
e. The amount of people living in rural areas is expected to ____________ about 28 million.
f. The changes in climate will be ____________ this urbanization.
5 Summary
Using the information from exercises 3 and 4, summarize the article to your partner. Be as clear and precise
as possible.
6 Discussion – Are you a town or a country person?
Get into groups with other ‘townies’ or ‘country-folk’, and discuss what you like best about living in the countryside
or in urban areas. Note down the strongest arguments for your side and then, in a whole class discussion, try to
convince the other group to move to your side.
7 Webquest – Mega-cities
Check the internet to find out which are the largest cities in the world, by population and by area.
Do different websites give different answers? Why do you think this is?
197
Cologne and antiseptic: Russia’s killer drinks
1 Key words
fluctuation campaign consumption acute binge

antiseptic abuse unorthodox crack down trend
1. If the authorities ____________ on a particular activity, they take strong action to stop it happening.
2. If something is ____________, it does not follow the usual rules.
3. A ____________ is an occasion when someone does too much of something they enjoy doing,
e.g. drinking alcohol.
4. A ____________ is a series of actions intended to achieve social or political change.
5. A ____________ is a gradual change or development that produces a particular result.
6. ____________ are frequent changes in something, particularly in numbers.
7. An ____________ is a substance used to clean injured skin and prevent infections.
8. ____________ is the use of food, fuel or drink.
9. If a medical condition is ____________, it is extremely serious or severe.
10. ____________ is the use of something in a bad, dishonest or harmful way.
1. What percentage of murders in Russia are linked to alcohol?
2. When did President Gorbachev launch his anti-alcohol campaign?
3. How much pure alcohol does the average Russian drink each year?
4. What percentage of suicides in Russia are linked to alcohol?
5. According to the figures from 2004, how long does the average Russian man live?
6. How many men did the scientists study in the city of Izhevsk?
198
Cologne and antiseptic: Russia’s in the world - an estimated 15.2 litres of pure
killer drinks alcohol per capita each year for over-15s.
They also drank more dangerously and often
Sarah Boseley, health editor, and Luke
went on binges, meaning two or more days of
Harding in Moscow
continuous drunkenness.
June 15, 2007
5 Experts from the London School of Hygiene
and Tropical Medicine examined records and
1 Almost half of the men of working age in Russia
interviewed the families of 1,750 men who had
who die are killed by alcohol abuse, according
died in Izhevsk from 2003-05. They compared
to a new medical study which says that large
these men with 1,750 who were still alive. They
numbers of the country’s males die not just
found that problem drinkers and those who
because they drink lots of vodka but because
drank alcohol not intended for consumption were
they also drink products containing alcohol, such
six times more likely to have died young than
as perfume, antiseptics and medicines. Some
those who did not have a drinking problem. The
products contain 95% alcohol.
chances of an early death were particularly high
2 An international group of scientists looked at a for those who got their alcohol from perfume and
single city in the Urals to establish the effects of other unorthodox sources - they were nine times
drinking in Russia. They chose the city of Izhevsk more likely to die.
because it is a typical industrial city where life is
6 The authors say that men living in poverty after
the same as elsewhere in Russia and where the
losing a job through drinking may be forced
death rate is the same as the Russian average.
to drink household products containing pure
The scientists wanted to find out why life
alcohol. Among those who were still alive, 47%
expectancy in Russia is so low: in 2004 it was 59
who drank products like these were out of work
years for men and 72 for women. As a result of
compared with 13% who drank only vodka and
the low life expectancy and a low birth rate, the
beer. Overall, 43% of deaths of men aged 25
population of Russia is falling by 700,000 a year.
to 54 were caused by alcohol in Izhevsk. The
3 Alcohol has always been an important factor authors say these high levels could be caused by
in death and disease in Russia. This fact is drinking household products with very high levels
supported by fluctuations in the death rate which of alcohol, as well as binges.
are linked to changes in lifestyle and politics,
7 “Almost half of all deaths in working-age men
according to a report in the Lancet medical
in a typical Russian city may be caused by
journal. “President Gorbachev’s anti-alcohol
hazardous drinking,” they write. “Our analyses
campaign in the mid-1980s led to an immediate
provide indirect support for the argument that
rise in life expectancy, but the increase in
the sharp fluctuations seen in the death rate in
the death rate in the early 1990s during the
Russia in the early 1990s could be related to
transition from communism was probably
dangerous drinking or people drinking alcohol
the result of increased alcohol consumption.
from household products.”
Deaths related to alcohol, such as acute alcohol
poisoning and liver disease, showed the greatest 8 A separate commentary points out that people
fluctuations, and there were similar trends for who get their alcohol from household products
other causes that were probably linked to alcohol often live in poor housing and have bad diets,
consumption.” and this could contribute to their chances of
an early death. The commentary adds that
4 A study published last year found that Russians,
many people also drink illegally produced
and inhabitants of other former parts of the
alcoholic drinks.
Soviet Union, drank more than anybody else
199
9 The Russian government admits that alcoholism dangers. In winter, newspapers are always full
is a huge problem. Ministers call it a “national of stories of drunks who have died after falling
tragedy”. Although President Vladimir Putin’s through ice or collapsing in the snow. According
government has seen a period of spectacular to 2005 figures, Russia has about 2,348,567
economic growth since 2000, he has not been registered alcoholics, and alcohol is linked
able to persuade Russians to drink less. The to 72% of murders and 42% of suicides. The
government has recently cracked down on World Health Organisation says Russia is one
people producing alcohol illegally. of the most alcoholic countries in the world.
10 Russian alcoholics - drinking perfume, © Guardian News & Media 2007

aftershave and cheap local alcohol - face great First published in The Guardian, 15/6/07
Are these statements True (T) or False (F) according to the text?
1. Russians drink more alcohol than anyone else in the world.
2. People drinking alcohol from household products are more likely to die young than other users of alcohol.
3. Poor housing and bad diets force people to drink household products like perfume and aftershave.
4. The city of Izhevsk was chosen for the study because it has a very high rate of alcoholism.
5. The Russian government does not regard alcoholism as a problem.
6. Newspapers rarely report stories about drunks dying in cold weather.
1. A noun meaning man. (para 1)
2. A two-word expression meaning the length of time that someone is likely to live. (para 2)
3. A noun meaning the process of changing from one form or state to another. (para 3)
4. A two-word expression meaning based on calculations that show the average amount for each person affected.
(para 3)
5. An adjective meaning relating to homes or used in homes. (para 6)
6. An adjective meaning dangerous or risky. (para 7)
7. An adjective meaning extremely impressive. (para 9)
8. A verb meaning to fall down suddenly and become ill or unconscious. (para 10)
200
Match the words in the left-hand column with those in the right-hand column to form collocations.
1. birth a. disease
2. life b. level
3. liver c. factor
4. high d. alcohol
5. bad e. rate
6. important f. diet
7. pure g. danger
8. great h. expectancy
Complete the table.
verb noun
1. grow
2. fluctuate
3. consume
4. argue
5. contribute
6. comment
7. persuade
8. abuse
7 Discussion
Excessive alcohol consumption is a problem in many parts of the world. What are the possible solutions?
201
Live Earth – an inconvenient truth?
Which of these topics would you expect to read about in an article about the recent Live Earth concerts?
stage lighting ticket prices rubbish

famous artists private jet planes scientists
programmes and t-shirts car manufacturers advertising
food websites
public transport radio
Now add three further ideas of your own.
___________________________ ___________________________ ___________________________

2 Key words
Skim the article to find words to complete the sentences. The paragraph number is given to help you.
1. Other words that are similar to _______________ are strength or power. (para 1)
2. When we talk about the _______________ of something, we mean its size. (para 1)
3. This word is used to talk about the doubts someone has about something: His _______________ was
unfounded. (para 1)
4. Unofficial information that may or may not be true is often called a _______________. (para 2)
5. The _______________ of something is a feature that makes it difficult to understand or confusing. (para 3)
6. When you make or produce things such as energy or pollution, you _______________ it. (para 4)
7. This is the same as a promise and is often made in public: a _______________ (para 5)
8. You can use this word to describe someone who commits a crime or causes a problem: an _______________.
(para 6)
9. When you publically say one thing, but secretly do the opposite, people might say you are being
_______________. (para 7)
10. An _______________ is a person who starts something up. (para 8)
11. A _______________ subject, opinion or decision is one that people disagree with or don’t approve of. (para 10)
12. ______________ is the belief that people only care about themselves and are insincere or dishonest. (para 12)
202
150 acts, two billion viewers – and a sign an international treaty pledging massively
lot of greenhouse gas reduced emissions within two years and
24-hour, seven continent show raises awareness persuading individuals to make lifestyle changes,
but at what cost to climate? such as installing four energy-efficient light bulbs,
or taking public transport to work once a week.
Oliver Burkeman and Jonathan Watts
in Beijing 6 At the heart of the challenge facing Mr Gore and
July 7, 2007 his organization, Save Our Selves, is the concept
of ‘awareness’. The worst-case scenario is that
1 The climate scientists have spoken. Now it’s raising awareness about climate change may
James Blunt’s turn. But if scepticism is a natural not lead to action – and might even instil a sense
response whenever pop stars promise to change of fatalism. It doesn’t help that touring stars are
the world, there’s no denying the scale and among the worst individual greenhouse-gas
intensity of the Live Earth concerts. offenders. Last year, Madonna’s Confessions
tour produced 440 tonnes of carbon dioxide in
2 The 24-hour, seven-continent sequence of
four months, said John Buckley, of the website
concerts, began in Sydney on July 7. The
www.carbonfootprint.com, who also provided the
organizers, led by Al Gore, expected it to reach
estimates for Live Earth concertgoers.
two billion people via 120 television networks,
Internet and radio, making it the biggest media 7 The rock group Arctic Monkeys said this
event in history. At Wembley, 80,000 people week they had declined to take part in Live
watched Madonna, Genesis, the Red Hot Chili Earth, because it would be “a bit hypocritical”.
Peppers, Snow Patrol, the Beastie Boys, Duran “Especially when we’re using enough power for
Duran and James Blunt, although the rumours 10 houses just for [stage] lighting,” said drummer
of an appearance by Paul McCartney remained Matt Helders.
just rumours.
8 Bob Geldof, instigator of Live Aid and Live8, said
3 All this has its moral complexities. The Red Hot in May that raising awareness was pointless.
Chili Peppers were flown in by private jet from “Everybody’s known about that for years,” he
Paris, the band’s management confirmed, then said. “We’re all conscious of global warming.”
left again by private jet for a gig in Denmark.
The Beastie Boys had to be in Montreux the 9 Aware of the need to minimize the event’s own
next day and Genesis played in Manchester the footprint, Live Earth organizers promised to
same evening. power all shows with renewable energy, and to
offset flights taken by the 150 acts performing in
4 And an estimate calculated for the Guardian London, New Jersey, Shanghai, Johannesburg,
suggests that spectators travelling to the Tokyo, Hamburg, Sydney, and – after a
London and New Jersey concerts generated last-minute threat of cancellation – Rio de
approximately 5,600 tonnes of greenhouse gases Janeiro. (Scientists at a base in Antarctica also
between them – the equivalent of 7,270 people performed by satellite, so the event covered all
crossing the Atlantic by plane. You can, it seems, continents.) And Gayle Fine, a New York-based
be part of the solution and part of the problem, at spokeswoman for the Red Hot Chili Peppers,
the same time. Even those who watched online said the band offsets all tour travel, while ground
found Live Earth’s website is sponsored by the crews use biodiesel fuel where possible.
Chevrolet company, which manufactures SUVs.
10 Offsetting is controversial among some
5 These warnings will count for little if the event environmentalists, who argue it simply eliminates
achieves its twin goals: pressuring politicians to guilt. But Madonna, organizers noted, lives
203
in London, and generally, bands had been 12 You might see that interpretation as the worst
assigned to perform in cities where they lived, or kind of cynicism. Then again, Live Earth’s
in the continents where they were touring. message is that we each should do whatever
we can for the climate. And polls increasingly
11 There is another possible interpretation of July suggest that something Mr Gore could do,
7’s global events – aside from the hope that they besides changing his light bulbs, is to become
will make all the difference in the world. Some president of the United States.
people think that Mr Gore will soon announce his
presidential bid, an idea he has been denying © Guardian News & Media 2007
with less force recently. First published in The Guardian, 7/7/07
Choose the correct answer (a-d)
1. Live Earth concerts took place: 5. In 2006, Madonna’s what produced 440 tonnes of
a. on the Internet. carbon dioxide in four months?
b. on every continent. a. Her houses.
c. last weekend. b. Her world tour.
d. at Wembley in London and were broadcast c. Her CD sales.
around the world. d. Her employees.
2. Bob Geldof: 6. An increasing number of US citizens would like to

a. was sceptical of the usefulness of the concerts. see Al Gore:
b. was the instigator of the concerts. a. in the greenhouse.
c. kept quiet. b. in the doghouse.
d. opened the concerts in Sydney. c. playing Dr House.
d. in the White House.
3. The Arctic Monkeys didn’t play because:
a. they were on tour. 6a. Bonus question – Give further information about
b. they wouldn’t get paid. your answer to 6: why is this?
c. they needed their own stage lighting.
d. they thought it would be hypocritical.
4. A spokesperson said the Red Hot Chili Peppers are

green because:
a. they are all vegetarians.
b. they played in New York, not London.
c. they offset their carbon footprint when on tour.
d. their crew ride bicycles.
204
Match the words on the left with those on the right to make collocations. Then find them again in the article
to see in which context they are used.
lifestyle transport
media awareness
raise warming
public footprint
global efficient
energy changes
carbon event
Now write your own sentence for each collocation.
5 Discussion
In groups, think of 5 reasons for and 5 reasons against attending a concert such as Live Earth.
Do you think that by playing at such events pop stars are helping the environment or easing their
guilty consciences?
Does this matter? / Is it important?
Would you like to attend an awareness raising concert such as Live Earth? Why/Why not?
6 Webquest
1. Go to www.carbonfootprint.com and find ways to reduce your carbon footprint. List at least 3 things you
can do that will make an immediate difference as well as 3 things you can do that will make a difference
within 1-4 years, and do them!
2. How can you offset your carbon footprint? Find examples of how to do this.
205
Putin hits back at UK by expelling diplomats
1 Key words
expel mild unjustified overcome summon

extradition targeted tit-for-tat fatal ban
1. A ____________ action is when you do the same thing to someone else that they have done to you.
2. If something is ____________, it is not fair or based on any good reason.
3. A ____________ is an official statement ordering people not to do something.
4. If an action is ____________, it is aimed at a specific group of people.
5. If something is ____________, it is not strong, severe or extreme.
6. If you ____________ a person from a place, you officially order that person to leave.
7. If you take a ____________ dose of something, it will kill you.
8. If you ____________ a problem or crisis, you succeed in dealing with it.
9. ____________ is the process of sending a criminal back for a trial to the country where the crime
was committed.
10. If you ____________ a person to a place, you officially order them to go there.
1. How many Russian diplomats did Britain expel?
2. How many British diplomats did Russia expel?
3. What is the name of the former Russian security agent murdered in London?
4. What is the name of the former KGB agent charged with the murder?
5. Who is David Miliband?
6. Who is the US secretary of state?
206
Putin hits back at UK by said. “It is necessary to measure one’s actions
expelling diplomats against common sense, respect the legitimate
interests of partners and everything will be
alright. I think we will overcome this mini crisis,”
July 20, 2007
he said.
5 The Russian response did not accuse the British

1 Just four days after Britain expelled four
of spying. This was despite claims from Andrei
Russian diplomats over the murder of Alexander
Lugovoi, the former KGB agent charged with
Litvinenko, Russia has expelled four British
Mr Litvinenko’s murder, that MI6 was involved.
diplomats and banned Russian officials from
Sergei Markov, a Kremlin adviser and leading
travelling to the UK. Russia’s foreign ministry
analyst said he thought Mr Putin had avoided too
announced that four UK diplomats had been
strong a reaction because “he doesn’t want to
asked to leave the country within the next
play the role of the Soviet Union. He doesn’t want
ten days.
to have a big conflict with the west.” Mr Markov
2 Foreign ministry spokesman Mikhail Kamynin said the ban on British officials travelling to
also announced that the Kremlin would not Russia was not as strict as it seemed and would
co-operate with the UK in fighting terrorism for not apply to Mr Miliband or to British MPs who
the time being, and would stop issuing visas wanted to visit Russia.
to British officials. Russian officials would
6 Yesterday afternoon Russia’s foreign minister
also no longer ask for visas to visit Britain, he
summoned Britain’s ambassador in Moscow,
said. This means there will be no prospect
Sir Anthony Brenton. He and the Russian
of face-to-face government contact for the
deputy foreign minister Alexander Grushko
foreseeable future. Mr Kamynin said that
discussed the Litvinenko case. After the
Russia’s action was “targeted, balanced and the
meeting the ambassador said: “He gave me
minimum necessary”.
certain messages to pass on to the Foreign
3 The Russian tit-for-tat response was milder Office. I have underlined to him my continuing
than many people expected. It came just four disappointment at Russia’s reaction to our
days after the British foreign secretary, David request for Mr Lugovoi and our hope that Russia
Miliband, announced that he was expelling will co-operate.”
four Russian diplomats because of Moscow’s
7 The Russian decision to expel the British
failure to co-operate in the investigation into Mr
diplomats means that the British government has
Litvinenko’s death. Analysts said that Mr Putin
to decide its next move. The foreign secretary
had clearly decided not to make the conflict with
said the expulsion of the British diplomats was
Britain any worse. The Russian response was a
“completely unjustified”. He added: “We are
careful mirror image of the British actions. But the
disappointed that the Russian government
foreign secretary emphasized Britain’s concern.
has not indicated any new co-operation in the
He said: “We obviously believe that the decision
extradition of Mr Andrei Lugovoi for the alleged
to expel four embassy staff is completely
murder of Alexander Litvinenko.
unjustified and we will be doing everything to
ensure that the diplomats and their families are 8 “We are, however, encouraged that over the last
properly looked after.” 36 hours across the international community,
European countries, the EU as a whole and
4 Last night Mr Vladimir Putin made an apparent
the United States have made such positive
attempt to reduce the tension. “I think relations
statements about the need to defend the integrity
between Russia and Britain will develop normally
of the British judicial system. This is something
because both countries are interested in this,” he
207
that we shall be continuing to discuss with the couldn’t have done less. But they could have
international community over the next few days done much more.”
and weeks.”
10 Mr Litvinenko, a former Russian security agent
9 Yesterday’s expulsions will probably be who fled to Britain, died in a London hospital last
welcomed by British businesses, which had November from a fatal dose of the radioactive
feared that strict restrictions would be placed isotope polonium-210. The US secretary of
on visas. “There is some hope that both sides state, Condoleezza Rice, yesterday insisted that
will stop these tit-for-tat expulsions,” Sergei Russia should not be isolated.
Karaganov, an analyst with the European
Studies Institute in Moscow, told the Guardian. © Guardian News & Media 2007
He added: “Russia has done tit-for-tat. They First published in The Guardian, 20/7/07
1. The British expelled four Russian diplomats because Russia expelled four British diplomats.
2. People expected the Russian response to be much stronger.
3. The British believe that the Russians are not co-operating with the investigation into the murder of Mr Litvinenko.
4. The man accused of Mr Litvinenko’s murder says the KGB were involved.
5. Condoleezza Rice wants Russia to be isolated over this affair.
6. British MPs will not be allowed to travel to Russia.
1. A three-word expression meaning in a situation where you are meeting and talking to another person directly.
(para 2)
2. A four-word expression meaning for as far in the future as can be determined, based on what is known now.
(para 2)
3. A two-word expression meaning an exact copy. (para 3)
4. A verb meaning to say that someone has done something wrong or has committed a crime. (para 5)
5. A verb meaning to say officially that someone has committed a crime. (para 5)
6. A noun meaning the most senior official at an embassy. (para 6)
7. A verb meaning to emphasize something or say that it is important. (para 6)
8. An adjective meaning claimed to be true, even though this has not been proved. (para 7)
208
Match the verbs in the left-hand column with the nouns in the right-hand column to form collocations.
1. issue a. a message
2. reduce b. a statement
3. pass on c. restrictions
4. make d. a crisis
5. place e. a visa
6. overcome f. tension
Complete the table.
verb noun
1. expel
2. extradition
3. announce
4. investigation
5. reduce
6. disappoint
7. restrict
8. emphasis
7 Discussion
Should a citizen of your country who has committed a crime in another country be extradited to that
country to face trial? What are the arguments for and against extradition?
209
YouTube at centre of 2008 presidential campaign
1 Key words
clip quirky free-for-all unsettles breakthrough

debate submit preventative impact coverage
1. If something ____________ you, it makes you feel nervous, confused or anxious.
2. ____________ is the amount of attention that the media gives to a particular subject.
3. ____________ medicine is treatment intended to stop an illness or a disease before it starts.
4. A ____________ is a formal discussion in which people give their opinions about a subject.
5. If something is ____________, it is slightly strange or unusual.
6. A ____________ is a discovery or achievement that comes after a lot of hard work.
7. A ____________ is a very short part of a film, TV programme or news story.
8. If you ____________ a question or a proposal, you formally give it to someone so that they can
make a decision about it.
9. An ____________ is the effect or influence that something or someone has.
10. A ____________ is an uncontrolled situation in which people compete with each other and
where there are no rules.
1. How many video questions have been submitted to the debate?
2. When did Richard Nixon and John Kennedy first debate on television?
3. How many questions has CNN selected for the debate?
4. When is the next US presidential election?
5. How many people have watched the video about Barack Obama?
6. When will the Republican debate take place on CNN/YouTube?
210
Debate brings YouTube to centre of – are intimate, emotional and personal. The
2008 presidential campaign person asking each question is in his/her own
surroundings, and that person is bringing you
Ewen MacAskill in Charleston
into their world, their reality. That makes it a very
July 23, 2007
powerful experience.”
1 Old media, in the form of CNN, and new media, 6 Some of the videos do not ask questions at all: in
in the form of the video-sharing website YouTube, one, a man plays guitar and sings a song about
are joining together to broadcast a debate potential vice-presidents; another includes a
between the Democratic candidates in the United talking duck; one man, making a point about the
States’ 2008 presidential contest. Members of impact of petrol on the environment, is shown
the public have sent in video-recorded questions driving a 1987 Chevy convertible.
for Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and the other
candidates. 7 Phil Noble, founder of PoliticsOnline, told
Reuters that YouTube’s increasing coverage of
2 More than 2,300 videos recorded on politics was significant. “In the past, presidential
webcameras and mobile phones have been campaigns only experimented a little with
submitted. Among them is a 30-second clip from technology and innovation – it was a small
a cancer survivor who removes her wig and says detail of what was going on. The difference in
her chances of survival are not as good as they this election is that technology has become
would be if she had health insurance. “What fundamental. Each candidate’s campaign has
would you, as president, do to make low-cost or worked out ways to use YouTube all the time.”
free preventative medicine available for everyone
in this country?” she asks. 8 The Internet played a small but short-lived role
in the 2004 presidential election, when people
3 The organizers say the event is a breakthrough donated money online to the campaign of the
for the new media, similar to the impact of Democrat Howard Dean. Online Democratic
television on politics when Richard Nixon bloggers played a bigger part in last year’s
debated with John Kennedy in 1960. But some Congressional elections. But the Internet is now
bloggers, who see the Internet as a democratic moving into a central position in this campaign by
free-for-all, have said that they are not happy that spreading ideas, raising money and mobilizing
CNN is involved. The candidates will meet in a support, particularly among the young.
military college in Charleston, South Carolina and
watch the questions on a 7.6 metre by 5.5 metre 9 YouTube, which did not exist during the last
screen. The fact that CNN has selected the 25- presidential campaign, has already had an
30 questions has made a lot of bloggers angry. impact on this campaign. More than 2.5 million
people have watched the video I’ve Got A Crush
4 Questions submitted so far cover climate change, ... On Obama since it was posted last month.
immigration, gay rights, welfare and foreign A follow-up video showing women fighting over
policy. The number of questions about Iraq is Mr Obama and Rudy Giuliani, the Republican
very small in comparison with the extensive daily frontrunner, has been watched more than
coverage it gets in US papers and on television. 500,000 times since it appeared last week. CNN
Although CNN is checking the questions, quirky and YouTube will join forces again on September
or emotional questions that might unsettle the 17 for a Republican debate.
candidates might still get through.
5 Steve Grove, head of YouTube’s news and First published in The Guardian, 23/7/07
politics section, told the Washington Post: “These
YouTube questions – a lot of them, anyway
211
1. This is the first time that television and the Internet have joined forces to broadcast a presidential campaign
debate of this kind.
2. All of the videos submitted to the debate ask questions.
3. The Internet is taking a central position in this presidential campaign.
4. Some bloggers are unhappy that CNN is involved.
5. The Internet was not used at all during the last presidential campaign in 2004.
6. YouTube was founded in 2003.
1. A noun meaning the process in which people enter a country to live there. (para 4)
2. A noun meaning (in American English) money given to unemployed people and other people in need. (para 4)
3. An adjective meaning very large in amount or degree. (para 4)
4. An adjective meaning relating to very personal and private things. (para 5)
5. An adjective meaning possible or likely in the future. (para 6)
6. An adjective meaning absolutely essential. (para 7)
7. A two-word adjective meaning lasting for a short period of time. (para 8)
8. A noun meaning a feeling of love and admiration for someone. (para 9)
212
Match the verbs in the left-hand column with the nouns in the right-hand column to form collocations.
1. issue a. a message
2. reduce b. a statement
3. pass on c. restrictions
4. make d. a crisis
5. place e. a visa
6. overcome f. tension
Complete the table.
noun adjective
1. person
2. power
3. emotion
4. democrat
5. environment
6. president
7. centre
8. republic
7 Discussion
What would you like your politicians to change in your country? If you could send in questions to a
political debate, what questions would you submit and why?
213
Going under
1 Pre-reading A: Predicting the content
Read the headline and the sub-heading below. What do you think the article is going to be about?
Going under
Britain is well-known for its very wet climate. We are used to suffering
week upon week of rain. So why have a few heavy showers caused such
devastation around the country this summer?
Aida Edemariam reports
July 24, 2007
2 Pre-reading B: Key words
devastation a downpour evacuated run-off drainage

sewers ploughs absorb crops sandbags
1. ____________ a very heavy shower of rain
2. ____________ removing liquids from something
3. ____________ digs up the land in lines, using machines

4. ____________ very serious damage
5. ____________ excess water that cannot sink into the ground
6. ____________ made to move away (from a dangerous place)
7. ____________ strong bags filled with sand, used to keep water out
8. ____________ a system of pipes underground to carry waste water away
9. ____________ take in liquid a little at a time
10. ____________ plants grown for food
Now read the article, check the words in context, and see if your prediction was correct.
214
Going under
Going under 5pm Friday – a sixth of what it would expect for the
Britain is well-known for its very wet climate. We whole year. South Yorkshire got a month’s worth of
are used to suffering week upon week of rain. rain on June 25. And it has been raining for weeks
So why have a few heavy showers caused such now, “and the ground is very wet, so immediately
devastation around the country this summer? you get rainfall, you get run-off”, explains professor
Adrian Saul, of Sheffield University.
Aida Edemariam reports
July 24, 2007
5 It isn’t just that the ground cannot absorb so much
so fast – drainage systems can’t either. “When
1 Anyone trying to take a train to or from the you design a system you have to plan for possible
southwest of England this weekend might think
dangers, and generally the plans are enough to
they had accidentally walked into a disaster movie.
protect our communities,” says Saul. “It’s very lucky
Trains were announced, but never arrived, as more
that the Victorians built the systems as big as they
and more lines went out of service. And the people
did. Especially in London, they imagined that there
who had to watch their homes and businesses
would be change, and that has protected London
flooded, couldn’t believe that a downpour so short
ever since.” But they were built when London’s
should cause such damage, or that such scenes
population was a quarter of what it is now – and last
should be occurring at all.
Friday, they simply didn’t hold up.
2 Their disbelief is justified. This, after all, is a country 6 “Our sewers are not designed to deal with so much
famed for its wetness. Rain is our national weather.
water flowing through them,” says Nicola Savage,
Snow – well, we all know what happens when
a spokeswoman for Thames Water. And they are
Britain gets a few millimetres of snow. Excessive
not designed for the way we treat them nowadays.
heat, like last summer’s, causes difficulties, too
We each, personally, use far more water than ever
– but rain? Given our wide experience, surely we
before. The public also tend to “use the sewers as
should lead the world in rain management.
a rubbish bin,” Savage adds. “People put nappies
down toilets, sanitary products, tights. In particular,
3 Alas, it seems not. Thousands of people had to we need to encourage people not to be pouring
be evacuated over the weekend, thousands more
stuff down the sink – for example, fat, oil and
are trapped in their homes. That’s thousands to
grease. The sewers were never designed to cope
add to those still unable to go home after floods in
with this sort of material.”
the north of England last month, which killed eight
people – and millions of pounds to add to a national
7 Saul is also involved in £5.6 million project which
insurance bill eventually expected to top £2.5
is investigating how farmers can control the flow
billion. Evesham, in Worcestershire, the worst-hit
of water off land. Farmers can decrease run-off if
town this weekend, had floods of up to five metres.
they plough across hills, rather than down them,
And it isn’t over yet: as this was printed there were
and carefully placed trees can help stop flooding.
warnings that flood waters weren’t expected to
And the more animals walk over a piece of land,
peak until tonight, and Oxford and Bedford and
the harder the ground becomes, and the less
Gloucestershire were preparing themselves to be
water it can absorb. That will damage crops, and
the next major areas hit. Everyone is asking how
there will be a shortage of food. And if intensively
such short bursts of rain – just one hour in London,
farmed animals get no drinking water for 48 hours,
slightly longer in places such as Oxfordshire – could
thousands will die, and the price of meat will rise.
have such devastating results.
8 Scientists are also investigating how individuals
4 In fact, the answer lies partly in how quickly it can help reduce a problem that, in fact, they
all happened. Brize Norton in Oxfordshire had
have helped create: by extending their houses,
121.2mm of rain between midnight Thursday and
215
Going under
paving driveways, and building car parks. All this 9 For although what Britain has experienced over
decreases the amount of soft ground to absorb the past month is, as experts explain, some very
water, and increases the amount of run-off into unusual weather events, our changing climate
drains and rivers. “In essence, anything that runs means that there may soon be more of them, more
off the house should be stored locally,” says Saul. frequently. Today Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire
Instead of going straight into the sewerage system, are having to get out the sandbags and evacuate
rainwater can be collected – in storage tanks under the citizens. Tomorrow, next month, next year
driveways, for example – and used to flush toilets – who knows?
or run washing machines. Small trenches called
soakaways can be dug in gardens and filled with
stones, to trap the water and release it into the
ground a bit more slowly. Every little helps.
Re-read the text more carefully, and decide whether the following statements are True (T) or False (F).
1. People in Britain were not surprised by the floods.

2. Insurance costs will be very high.
3. One reason for the floods was that a huge amount of rain fell in a very short time.
4. The sewers in London were built by Victorian engineers.
5. The public have been putting the wrong kinds of things down the toilet.
6. Farmers could help prevent flooding if they ploughed their land up and down hill.
7. Food will probably cost less after the floods.
8. If people keep covering more land with buildings and concrete, we may see more floods in the future.
4 Vocabulary development 1
Find words in the text that mean the following. Paragraph numbers are given to help you.
1. too much, very great (para 2)

2. kept somewhere, like a prisoner (para 3)
3. to reach its highest level (para 3)
4. often do this, as a habit (para 6)
5. succeed in working with (para 6)
6. covering (the ground) with hard material like concrete or bricks (para 8)
216
Going under
5 Vocabulary development 2: Word formation

All these words appear in the text, some as nouns, some as verbs (or adjectives), and some as both.
1. Give the NOUN form of each of the VERBS given. Some you can find in the text; others you can try to
remember, or predict.
verb noun
1. devastating devastation
2. evacuated
3. announced
4. manage
5. drained
6. flooded
7. stored
8. prepare
9. expect
10. warn
2. How many different NOUN endings are there here? What are they?
6 Language development: So and such
1. See if you can remember (or guess) which word goes in each gap: SO or SUCH. Then scan the text
again quickly to check.
1. ______ short 5. ______ as Oxfordshire

2. ______ damage 6. ______ devastating results
3. ______ scenes 7. ______ much water
4. ______ short bursts 8. ______ fast
2. What can you discover about the way to use so and such?
7 Discussion
1. Have there been floods in your country recently?

2. Have there been other changes in the weather?
3. Do you think these changes are probably because of global warming?
4. What is your government doing to help prevent global warming? What do you think it should do?
5. What do you think individuals in your country should do to help?
6. How have you changed your own behaviour to help reduce the danger?
217
Texas defies federal court with execution plan
1 Key words
accomplice parole conviction conspiracy ruling

distinction appeal defect disregard procedure
1. If you show ____________ for something, you do not consider it important and you do not pay any attention to it.
2. A ____________ is an official decision made by a court.
3. An ____________ is a formal request for a court of law to change its decision.
4. An ____________ is someone who helps another person do something illegal or wrong.
5. A ____________ is a fault in something.
6. ____________ is permission for a prisoner to leave prison before the end of their sentence.
7. A ____________ is a decision by a court of law that someone is guilty of a crime.
8. A ____________ is a secret plan by a group of people to do something bad or illegal.
9. A ____________ is the correct or usual way of doing something.
10. A ____________ is the difference between two things.
1. When was capital punishment reintroduced in Texas?
2. How many people have been executed in Texas since capital punishment was reintroduced?
3. When did Brown kill Michael LaHood?
4. How old is Kenneth Foster?
5. When was Brown executed?
6. In which city did the murder take place?
218
Texas defies federal court with plan to and Mr LaHood argued, and the three in the car,
execute man who did not kill 25 metres away, heard a “pop”. Brown returned
to the car and Foster drove off.
Dan Glaister in Los Angeles
August 20, 2007 5 The four were arrested in connection with
Mr LaHood’s murder. Dillard was never tried
for the crime, and Steen had a deal with the
1 The state of Texas is about to execute a man for prosecutors. The prosecutors sought the death
a crime he did not commit. While the person who sentence only for Brown and Foster, and at the
actually committed the murder in San Antonio district attorney’s request Brown and Foster were
was executed last year, Kenneth Foster, who was tried together. Brown’s conviction for the murder
sitting in a car 25 metres away at the time of the was straightforward but Foster’s depended on
shooting, was sentenced to death under the ‘law what Steen told the court. Steen said he had had
of parties’. “a pretty good idea” of what was going to happen
when Brown left the car. In the trial Steen’s words
2 The controversial Texas law does not make
were crucial: they showed there had been a
any distinction between the principal actor and
conspiracy to commit the armed robbery. If Steen
accomplice in a crime, and makes a person guilty
knew about it, then logically so did Foster.
if they should have known about the crime. While
a US federal appeals court said that Foster’s 6 Foster’s attorney said the decision to try Brown
death sentence contained a basic “constitutional and Foster together harmed Foster. Foster
defect”, under Texan law the state appeals court was the bigger man and appeared to be more
cannot overturn his conviction because there is dominant than Brown. And when Steen gave
no new evidence. evidence, his gang friends arrived to watch. The
jury apparently believed that the gang was linked
3 Foster’s most recent appeal failed earlier
to Foster and they requested and got armed
this month and now the 30-year-old African-
guards for the rest of the trial. In May 1997
American’s final hope of avoiding execution
Brown and Foster received death sentences.
on August 30 is to appeal to the Texas parole
Brown was executed by lethal injection last year.
board and the Texan governor, Rick Perry for
mercy. “He’s on death row because they screwed 7 Since Foster’s conviction for murder, evidence
up,” said his attorney, Keith Hampson. “There has emerged which suggests there was no
has been a series of mistakes one after the agreement to rob Mr LaHood. But the basis for
other. Now I’m asking the court to correct their Foster’s appeal has been that his punishment is
own mistake. If they don’t do so, this guy will unconstitutional. His lawyer makes this point in a
be executed.” letter this month to the head of the Texas parole
and pardons board. But the court of appeals
4 On August 14 1996 Foster and three friends were
agreed with previous rulings that Foster should
driving around San Antonio smoking marijuana
have known someone might be killed that night
and robbing people at gunpoint. Foster, who
in 1996. “Foster must have known it was possible
was driving, stayed in the car while two others,
that a human life would be taken [during] one or
Mauriceo Brown and Julius Steen, robbed. As
more of these armed robberies,” the court wrote.
they went to the home of Dwayne Dillard, the
It said he clearly showed “complete disregard for
fourth person in the car, they found themselves
human life”.
in an unfamiliar neighbourhood. A woman asked
why they were following her, and as she left 8 Foster’s lawyer is extremely disappointed. “We’re
Brown got out of the car and followed her to the caught by a problem with procedure. Every
home of her boyfriend, Michael LaHood. Brown court that has looked at this has said that his
219
execution would be unconstitutional. It makes 9 In Texas 398 people have been put to death
me very angry,” Mr Hampson said. The matter since capital punishment was reintroduced in
now rests with the Texas parole board, which 1974, more than in any other state.
can recommend that the governor reduces the
sentence to life imprisonment if at least five of © Guardian News & Media 2007
the seven board members agree. But Mr Perry First published in The Guardian, 20/8/07
has never commuted a death sentence, even on
such advice.
1. The governor of Texas will probably reduce Foster’s sentence to life imprisonment.
2. Foster was with Brown when he shot Mr LaHood.
3. The Texas state appeals court agreed with the federal appeals court.
4. Brown shot Mr LaHood after an argument with his wife.
5. Steen didn’t know what was going to happen when Brown left the car.
6. The jury thought the gang members were linked to Foster.
4 What happened?
These sentences describe how the murder happened. Put them in the correct order.
a. They found themselves in a part of town they didn’t know.
b. Brown followed the woman to her boyfriend’s house.
c. The four men were driving round San Antonio.
d. When Brown returned to the car, Foster drove off.
e. He had an argument with her boyfriend.
f. A woman asked them why they were following her.
g. The three men in the car heard the sound of a shot.
h. They were robbing people at gunpoint.
220
5 Vocabulary 1: Legal terms
Match the words with the definitions.
1. attorney a. a group of 12 people who judge a court case
2. prosecutor b. to change a punishment to one that is less severe
3. evidence c. a group who decide if a prisoner can leave prison early
4. commute d. a lawyer whose job is to prove someone is guilty
5. sentence e. a place where trials take place
6. jury f. to state officially what someone’s punishment will be
7. court g. the American word for lawyer
8. parole board h. the facts that help to prove someone has committed a crime
Complete the table.
verb noun
1. execute
2. convict
3. conspire
4. agree
5. recommend
6. reduce
7. punish
8. reintroduce
7 Discussion
What are the arguments for and against using the death penalty? Do you agree that Kenneth Foster is also
guilty of this murder?
221
Mandela takes his place in Parliament Square
1 Key words
Match the words to the definitions.
1. a cane a. to put something (e.g. a statue) up in a public place

2. a dignitary b. to remember
3. to erect c. not stopping
4. to hail d. a noisy argument
5. to recall e. a person with an important social position
6. relentless f. to say publicly how good or important someone is
7. a row g. a stick people use to help them walk
2 What do you know?
Read the text quickly. Are these statements True (T) or False (F) according to the text?
a. There is now a statue of Nelson Mandela in London’s Parliament Square.

b. Mandela’s friend Oliver Tambo was at the ceremony.
c. The Mandela statue project had problems.
d. The prime minister of Britain didn’t speak about Mandela.
e. Mandela showed signs of tiredness at the ceremony.
Look at the underlined words in the text. Who or what do they refer to?
a. We (para1) ________
b. him (para 3) ________
c. it (para 4) ________
d. them (para 4) ________
e. their (para 4) ________
f. it (para 6) ________
g. he (para 8) ________
h. he (para 9) ________
i. it (para 10) ________
222
Mandela takes his place in There were rows between the mayor of London
Parliament Square Ken Livingstone, who wanted the statue sited
in Trafalgar Square, and Westminster council,
Hugh Muir
which thought it inappropriate for that space.
August 30, 2007
There were rows between Ian Walters, the
sculptor, who has since died, and others in the
1 Few would have paid much attention to the two art establishment who said the statue was not
young black men standing on Parliament Square good enough for display.
in 1962, but it was then that Oliver Tambo and
7 When the project began, Mr Livingstone and
his friend Nelson Mandela joked about what must
prime minister Gordon Brown were barely on
have seemed a crazy idea. “We hoped that one
speaking terms. But yesterday, as Mr Mandela
day a statue of a black person would be erected
looked at the dignitaries in front of him and the
here next to the statue of the former South
noisy, adoring crowd in the middle distance, there
African leader General Jan Smuts,” Mr Mandela
was a harmony previously unthinkable.
recalled yesterday.
8 Mr Livingstone said the project was the brainchild
2 Oliver Tambo never lived to see their hope come
of the late Donald Woods, the journalist and
true, but as the morning sun beamed down
anti-apartheid activist. Though Trafalgar Square
yesterday, Mr Mandela returned to Parliament
was the mayor’s preference, he told Mr Mandela
Square to see 7,000 people and the unveiling
that there could be “no more fitting place
of a statue of a black man sharing space
than this square which you will share with the
with Winston Churchill and Abraham Lincoln,
American president who freed the slaves and the
not to mention the Commons, the Lords and
British prime minister who led a nation standing
Westminster Abbey.
alone against the evil of Nazi ideology”.
3 Mr Mandela, now 89, accepted that the figure, 9 Mr Brown sat to Mr Mandela’s right and when he
2.7 metres (9ft) tall and wearing a flowered shirt,
spoke it was with intensity. On behalf of Britain,
with arms outstretched, was a likeness of him.
he hailed “the man who will be remembered
4 But the former South African president and forever as the leader who ended apartheid”. The
Nobel prize winner said it was something greater. praise continued. “The man whom no prison
“Although this statue is of one man, it should in cell, no intimidation, no show trial, no threat of
actual fact symbolize all those who have resisted execution could ever silence,” he said. “The man
oppression, especially in my country,” he said. whose belief in the future was so powerful that
“The history of the struggle in South Africa is rich not even 27 years behind bars and barbed wire
with the stories of heroes and heroines, some of could destroy his dream and his demand that
them leaders, some of them followers. All of them by fighting apartheid from his prison cell millions
deserve to be remembered. We thank the British today could be, and are, free.”
people once again for their relentless efforts in
10 Mr Brown was cheerleader and helper to Mr
supporting us during the dark years.”
Mandela, whose face is relatively youthful but
5 He said the statue and its place would have whose legs are now weak. The prime minister
pleased his friend, who became president of the helped the guest of honour, who used a cane,
ANC. “Oliver would have been proud to have to and from the podium. Earlier, when the cloth
been here.” was pulled from the statue, exposing it to the
elements and the crowd’s gaze for the first time,
6 The mere presence of Madiba – Mr Mandela’s Mr Mandela applauded but remained in his seat.
Xhosa clan title – appears to bring healing Everyone else stood.
qualities. The project began seven years ago.
223
11 Former Labour minister Tony Benn recalled
how in 1960 he called the British government to
boycott apartheid South Africa. “If Diana was the
people’s princess,” he said, “Nelson Mandela is
president of the human race.”

4 Vocabulary 1: Lexical themes
Group the words in the box by theme.
applaud barbed wire behind bars boycott prime minister
cheerleader crowd dignitaries government guest of honour
ideology imprisoned leader mayor podium
cell praise president trial
prisoners public speeches politics
224
Connect the sentence halves. The collocations are all in the text.
1. I’d like you to pay a. the statue of the woman in the square.
2. The sun beamed b. attention to me when I’m speaking.
3. The policeman stood with arms c. bars while waiting for his trial.
4. The artists unveiled d. down on the festival crowds.
5. The prisoner spent the night behind e. oppression everywhere in the world.
6. There are heroic people who resist f. outstretched to hold back the people.
6 Vocabulary 3: Chunks
A chunk is a longer collocation, made up of three or more words that ‘go together’. Find a chunk in the
text that:
a) adds extra information for emphasis (3 words, para 2)
b) means looked like (4 words, para 3)
c) means not really talking to each other (4 words, para 7)
d) means no better (3 words, para 8)
e) means letting the air, wind and rain hit it (5 words, para 10)
225
Pavarotti dies aged 71
1 Music quiz
Match these artists with the music genre that they are most famous for and their nationality.
artist genre nationality died in aged

(year)
Luciano Pavarotti jazz American
Elvis Presley pop English
Bob Marley rock and roll American
Edith Piaf swing American
John Lennon son American
Johnny Cash opera Italian
Ibrahim Ferrer chanson American
Billie Holiday country Cuban
Frank Sinatra grunge Jamaican
Kurt Cobain reggae French
Now, in teams, try to guess the year of their death and their age when they died. One point for each
closest answer!
2 Key words

debut critic interpretation succumb
bar theme tune good cause tribute
1. When you lose your ability or will to fight something, you ____________ to it.
2. A ____________ is someone whose job it is to write about films, books, music or plays.
3. The first time a performer performs in public is his/her ____________.
4. A piece of music that is played at the beginning and end (and sometimes) throughout a film, tournament, etc. is
called a ____________.
5. A section in a line of music, containing several notes, is called a ____________.
6. An ____________ is a performer’s unique way of performing a certain piece of music.
7. When you pay ____________ to someone you say how you admire them and why.
8. A ____________ is usually an organization, plan or activity that helps people or animals in need.
226
Pavarotti dies aged 71 pounds for good causes around the world in a
number of charity performances.
Matthew Weaver and agencies
September 6, 2007 7 Domingo led the tributes to his fellow tenor. “I
always admired the God-given glory of his voice,”
he said. “I also loved his wonderful sense of
1 The Italian opera star Luciano Pavarotti died at his
humour and on several occasions during our
home in Modena aged 71. The tenor, who helped
concerts with José Carreras we had trouble
take opera to a new mass audience, had been
remembering that we were giving a concert before
diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last year and
a paying audience, because we had so much fun
had further treatment in August 2007.
between ourselves.”
2 His manager, Terri Robson, said Pavarotti died
8 The British tenor Russell Watson told GMTV that
at 5am on September 6. “The maestro fought a
Pavarotti was “without question” the man who
long, tough battle against the pancreatic cancer
brought opera to the people. “The World Cup was
which eventually took his life. Characteristically,
the Three Tenors led by Pavarotti, with a very
he remained positive until finally succumbing to
entertaining version of Nessun Dorma, in fact, it’s
the last stages of his illness,” Mr Robson said in a
now called ‘Pavarotti’s Nessun Dorma’,” Watson
statement.
said. “His voice was so distinctive you only needed
3 Pavarotti was considered by some critics to have to listen to a couple of bars and you knew it was
been the greatest tenor since Enrico Caruso. He him, he had incredible power and control.”
made his professional debut in 1961, as Rodolfo in
9 Another tenor, Ian Bostridge, agreed. “He was
Puccini’s La Boheme at the opera house in Reggio
an old-fashioned star”, he said. “Vocally he was
Emilia. His most celebrated performance came at
the best.
New York’s Metropolitan Opera House where he
hit nine high Cs in Donizetti’s La fille du regiment. 10 In a statement, the Royal Opera House said:
“He was one of those rare artists who affected
4 But Pavarotti reached a new global audience the lives of people across the globe in all walks
during the 1990 football World Cup when his
of life. He introduced the extraordinary power of
interpretation of the Puccini aria Nessun Dorma
opera to people who perhaps would never have
was chosen as the tournament’s theme tune. It
encountered opera and classical singing [and] in
became an international hit. Later the Essential
doing so he enriched their lives. That will be his
Pavarotti became the first classical album to reach
legacy.”
number 1 in the UK charts.
11 Pavarotti gave farewell performances at the Royal
5 The 1990 World Cup was also the venue of the
Opera House in January 2002 when he sang in
first of the hugely popular Three Tenor concerts
Tosca, despite the death of his mother in the final
that Pavarotti performed with Placido Domingo and
stages of rehearsals. “The applause on those
José Carreras. His most high-profile performance
evenings was probably the most moving and
in Britain was the Pavarotti in the Park concert in a
heartfelt in the history of the Royal Opera,” the
rain-sodden Hyde Park in 1991. His friend, Diana,
statement said. “He had a unique ability to touch
Princess of Wales, was in the front row.
people with the emotional and brilliant quality of his
6 Like many opera stars, Pavarotti also had a voice. He was a man with the common touch and
reputation for being demanding. At a Royal the most extraordinary gift. He will be truly missed
Variety performance in Edinburgh he reportedly by millions.”
demanded a fully fitted kitchen to be built into his
hotel suite. He also frequently cancelled concerts
at short notice. But he also raised millions of
227
3 What do you know?
Skim-read the article to find out the answers to the following questions.
1. What was the cause of Pavarotti’s death?

2. Where did Pavarotti first perform professionally?
3. Who were The Three Tenors?
4. What is the Essential Pavarotti?
5. What was the weather like at his Hyde Park concert in 1991?
6. Which famous person sat in the front row in Hyde Park?
7. How did he raise money for good causes?
8. Which piece of operatic music do people usually associate with Pavarotti?
4 Vocabulary: Adjectives
1. Find at least three adjectives in the article that describe Pavarotti’s voice.
______________________________________________________________________________________
2. Find at least four adjectives in the article that describe Pavarotti.
______________________________________________________________________________________
3. What do the adjectives moving and heartfelt describe in the article?
______________________________________________________________________________________
5 Grammar: Second conditional
1. Tick the correct answer(s).
We use the second conditional to:
Talk about a condition that cannot be fulfilled because it is unreal.

Refer to the past.
Refer to the present and the future.
Imagine the consequences if an unreal condition was fulfilled.
Talk about something that always happens.
2. Talk in pairs or small groups.
Ask: If you could go back in time, who would you like to see perform?
Answer: If I could go back in time, …
228
6 Discussion: Desert Island Discs
Desert Island Discs is a popular radio programme in the UK where guests are asked to say which music
they would take with them to a desert island.
Imagine you are going to be a guest on the programme. Write down your top five music choices:
1. ___________________________________
2. ___________________________________
3. ___________________________________
4. ___________________________________
5. ___________________________________
Now walk around your class and try to find at least one person who has a similar taste in music to you.
7 Webquest
Go to www.guardian.co.uk/music/gallery/2007/sep/06/pavarotti?picture=330690212 to see photos of

Pavarotti’s life. You can also watch videos and listen to him singing by going to www.youtube.com and
typing Pavarotti in the search box.
229
Miners unearth world’s biggest diamond
1 Key words
vault accurate gem rare astonishing

rough carat sceptre colourless misfortune
1. If something is ____________, it is not often seen or found.
2. If a diamond is in a ____________ state, it has not been cut or finished.
3. A ____________ is a stick decorated with jewels and carried by a king or queen at official ceremonies.
4. If something is ____________, it is correct or true in every detail.
5. A ____________ is a unit of weight used to measure gold and precious stones.
6. If something is ____________, it has no colour at all.
7. ____________ is another word for bad luck.
8. A ____________ is a strongly protected room in a bank where money, gold and other valuables are kept.
9. If something is ____________, it is very, very surprising.
10. A ____________ is a beautiful, expensive stone that is used to make jewellery.
1. How much could the new diamond be worth?
2. When was the Golden Jubilee diamond found?
3. How much did the Cartier diamond weigh when it was cut?
4. When was the Cullinan diamond discovered?
5. How many gems were cut from the Cullinan diamond?
6. When was the Koh-i-noor diamond taken to Britain?
230
Miners unearth world’s carats. It now forms part of King Edward’s

biggest diamond sceptre and is in the Tower of London.
David Beresford in Johannesburg and Lee 5 The Cartier diamond, which became famous as
Glendinning a gift from Richard Burton to Elizabeth Taylor,
August 28, 2007 weighed just 240.80 carats rough and 69.42
carats cut. Mr Cuellar said the most important
1 The world’s biggest diamond, believed to be information about the latest find was not yet
twice the size of the Cullinan diamond, has available, including whether the stone was
been discovered in the North-West Province of colourless or not. “The reported size of the stone
South Africa. People in the diamond industry is accurate, but there are several other factors
are extremely excited by the discovery, but we still don’t know and what matters now is how
how and exactly where the diamond was found wide, how clear and how well cut it will be.”
is a mystery. Buyers around the world will be
extremely interested in the diamond and it could 6 Mr Cuellar continued: “Will this diamond be better
sell for as much as £15 million. than the best quality diamonds in the world? I
can tell you right now, no. But as far as the list
2 A spokesman for the mining house which found of the largest diamonds ever found in the world
the diamond, Brett Joli, said it was being rushed goes, would it be on that list? Yes it would.” He
to a bank vault in Johannesburg and would be said the first seven people who looked at the
kept there for a couple of days “until we calm stone thought it was industrial grade, but now
down and decide what we are going to do”. A that view has changed and it now appears to be
security company has been hired to protect the a stone that can be cut into a piece of jewellery.
precious stone. The mining company which
made the find has not been identified. The South 7 The problem the owner of the diamond now
Africa Broadcasting Corporation said the stone faces is how best to cut the stone, according to
was believed to be twice as big as the Cullinan Mr Cuellar. “Usually with these types of things,
diamond. we know how big we could get it but we don’t
know what it will be like in terms of quality.” Some
3 Fred Cuellar, the founder of Diamond Cutters people thought the Cullinan, also known as the
International and author of How to Buy a Star of Africa, was part of a larger stone which
Diamond, said he first heard about the find a few still lies somewhere undiscovered.
days ago. “I get a phone call when any rare stone
around the world is found and when I heard 8 There will be interest in who made the find
about this one it was astonishing news. It took and how they will be rewarded. The miner who
everybody in the diamond industry by surprise. discovered the Excelsior, said to be the second
There will be a lot of private individuals who will largest uncut diamond ever found, received a
want to buy this stone.” horse and saddle, and a sum of money.
4 The Cullinan diamond, which was found near 9 The Cullinan Diamond was discovered in 1905
Pretoria more than a century ago, was until and at 3,106 carats was the largest gem-quality
recently generally regarded to be the largest cut rough diamond ever found. Cullinan I, or the
diamond in the world, weighing 530.20 carats. Great Star of Africa – at 530 carats formerly the
In 1985 it lost the record to the Golden Jubilee, largest cut diamond – was one of the 105 gems
which was found in the same mine as the cut from it. The Koh-i-noor is part of the British
Cullinan and weighed 545.67 carats. In its rough crown jewels. It originated in India but was taken
or uncut state the Cullinan weighed 3,106.75 to Britain in 1849. The diamond is supposed to
231
bring good luck to female owners and misfortune

or death to any male who wears or owns it. The
Hope Diamond is a large (45.52 carat), deep
blue diamond. It is famous for the curse it is
supposed to place on anyone who possesses
it. Previous owners include Kings Louis XV and
XVI and Marie Antoinette.

1. The diamond was discovered by Diamond Cutters International.
2. The diamond is the most valuable diamond ever discovered.
3. The Hope Diamond is famous for bringing good luck to its owners.
4. The Koh-i-noor diamond was discovered in India.
5. At first people thought the new diamond was just an industrial diamond.
6. A lot of people will be interested in buying the diamond.
Look in the text and find the words or expressions that mean the following.
1. A noun meaning something you are unable to understand, explain or get information about. (para 1)
2. A two-word verb meaning to feel more relaxed and less emotional. (para 2)
3. An adjective meaning very valuable. (para 2)
4. An adjective meaning not found yet. (para 7)
5. A noun meaning a leather seat you put on a horse’s back. (para 8)
6. A noun meaning a bad situation or event caused by someone’s deliberate use of their magical powers. (para 9)
232
1. according _______
2. twice the size _______
3. take someone _______ surprise
4. a gift _______ Richard Burton _______ Elizabeth Taylor
5. _______ terms of quality
6. extremely interested _______ the diamond
Complete the table.
verb noun
1. discover
2. excite
3. protect
4. weigh
5. accurate
6. surprise
7. believe
8. decide
7 Discussion
Should the price of natural products be controlled or should the market decide how much they are worth?
Is it right that a stone should be worth £15 million?
233
What’s in the Big Apple?
1 Pre-reading task
Which of these words or phrases would you expect to read in an article about junk food?
burger super-size fries

apple adverts snacks
cereal drive-in breakfast
tray judge calories
health cosmetic standards
TV home cooked
Add some more ideas of your own.
____________ ____________ ____________ ____________
2 Key words crossword

Skim-read the article to find words to complete the crossword.
1 2
5 6
7 4
8 9
11
10
Across
1. To make someone feel they do not
understand something. (verb)
4. A group of businesses that all belong to
the same company. (noun) Down
7. A legal matter usually brought before a 2. Extra part added, a continuation. (noun)
judge. (2 words, noun + noun) 3. Paper or plastic that is around something you buy. (noun)
10. Something special that you do or buy 5. To start selling a new product. (verb)
for yourself or someone else. (noun) 6. A portion of food. (noun)
11. Medically overweight. (2 words, 8. Boxes, bottles, plastic, etc. around a product. (noun)
adj + noun) 9. Someone who buys and uses goods and services. (noun)
234
What’s in the Big Apple? 7 “Most people know that a large portion of fries is
For every salad, McDonald’s sells eight double unhealthy”, argues Dr Bassett, “But, I don’t think
cheeseburgers. many people would guess that a McDonald’s
deluxe breakfast contains nearly all their
Andrew Clark in New York
recommended calorie intake for the day.”
September 13, 2007
8 However, the big fast food chains complained
1 In a recent court case concerning America’s
that it is expensive and unfair – and that they
junk food industry, a group of deep-fat-frying
already provide plenty of information on their
restaurants in New York persuaded a judge
websites.
that they shouldn’t have to write the number of
calories in their meals on in-store menu boards.
9 Chuck Hunt, a spokesman for the New York
State Restaurant Association, says: “The proper
2 Judge Richard Holwell ruled that New York’s
way to deal with this is through education, not
Board of Health was not allowed to demand that
through rules.”
larger restaurant chains write calorie figures
alongside prices for treats such as a McDonald’s
10 The industry argues that calories are only one
Big Mac meal (1,430 calories) or Burger King’s
of many ways to measure how healthy food is.
triple Whopper with cheese (1,230 calories).
Putting them on a menu, says the association,
will only “confuse” people.
3 The judge said the order was unfair because
it only affects restaurants which already have
11 The fast food industry has been trying hard to
calorie information available somewhere – for
present a caring, sharing image. Salads, shakes,
example, on their websites, on food wrappers
milk and fruity nibbles have appeared on menus
or on the underside of tray linings. Of New
traditionally devoted to meat and potato. Just last
York’s 23,000 restaurants, only 2,375 were to be
week, Burger King announced it was launching
included in the law.
‘apple fries’ – slices of apple cut to look like chips
– in an effort to persuade young customers to
4 The argument arose over the city’s latest effort to
embrace healthier options.
deal with an obesity epidemic which is worse in
New York than in the rest of America. More than
12 Many of these changes, however, are cosmetic.
half of the Big Apple’s residents are overweight
For every salad they sell, McDonald’s sells eight
and a third are clinically obese. Among children,
double cheeseburgers.
US obesity levels have tripled since the 1970s.
13 A few chains are taking responsibility. Subway,
5 Mary Bassett, New York’s deputy commissioner
which mainly sells fresh sandwiches, has
for health promotion and disease prevention,
decided to display calories on its menus. Its
says Americans consume nearly 50% of their
spokesman, Les Winograd, says it was to the
food outside the home. Huge helpings, high
firm’s advantage: “We look at it as an extension
salt content and fatty ingredients mean that the
of something we were already providing.
average calorie intake in restaurants is far higher
We have a reputation for offering healthier
than in home-cooked food.
alternatives to traditional fatty fast food.”
6 “When people shop in supermarkets, they can 14 Responding to pressure, the industry has
see a nutritional fact chart on the packaging
stopped marketing the worst of its food to
which tells them what they’re getting. When you
children. The Council of Better Business Bureaus
buy food in a restaurant, you have no idea what
has asked companies to stop targeting under-12s
the nutritional content is,” says Dr Bassett.
235
with promotions for high-fat foods or for anything 16 He urges the big chains to be pro-active in
failing to meet strict nutritional standards. Burger changing Americans’ diets and in helping
King, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, McDonald’s, Kellogg’s consumers to make better choices: “The
and Kraft are among the companies that have fast food industry makes a number of weak
agreed to this request. Currently, children in arguments. They say [calorie advertising] won’t
America see an average of 21 adverts a day for solve the obesity problem and that’s true. But
sweets, snacks, cereals and fast food. nothing, by itself, will solve the entirety of the
obesity problem.”
15 Experts say the fast food industry’s recent court
action cancels out such positive action. Kelly © Guardian News & Media 2007
Brownell, director of the Rudd Center for Food First published in The Guardian, 13/09/07
Policy and Obesity at Yale University, says:
“Obesity is all about calories – how many you
take in and how many you burn. For the industry
to say that’s not key information is incorrect.”
1. A New York judge ruled that all restaurants have to write the calories in their food on menus.
2. There are 2,375 restaurants in New York.
3. Subway writes the amount of calories in its food on its menus.
4. There are more cases of obesity in New York than in other parts of the US.
5. The average American child sees over twenty advertisements a day for junk food.
6. Some larger fast food chains have already agreed to stop targeting young children.
7. The New York State Restaurant Association says that writing calories on menus will solve the obesity problem.

8. According to a source in the article, the fast-food industry’s recent court action cancels out the pledge made by
some other fast-food chains.
236
4 Comparisons
Fill the gaps in the sentences according to information from the article with:
more than / fewer than / less than
Remember: fewer is used with countable nouns, and less is used with uncountable nouns!
1. A Big Mac meal has ____________ calories ____________ a Burger King triple Whopper with cheese.
2.Home-cooked food usually contains ____________ calories ____________ restaurant-bought food.
3. ____________ half of the Big Apple’s residents are overweight.
4. Food in fast food restaurants costs ____________ food in better restaurants.
5. McDonalds sells ____________ salads ____________ burgers.
5 Discussion
In small groups think of six food and drink specialities from your country. What ingredients do they contain
and how are they prepared?
Decide in your group which ones probably have the most calories and which have the least calories.
Rank them from one to six and give feedback to the class.
Was it easy or difficult to come to an agreement about the ranking? Give reasons.
6 Webquest
Which contains the most calories: a banana, an avocado or a mango? Use an online calorie counter
such as the one at www.fitandtrim.co.uk/caloriecounter.html to find out. Here you can also learn about
recommended daily calorie intakes.
237
The McCanns: Exhausted and under suspicion
1 Pre-reading 1: What do you already know about the story?
What do you know about a little girl called Madeleine McCann? Do you think these sentences about her
story are True (T) or False (F)?
1. Madeleine disappeared while her family were on holiday in Spain.

2. Madeleine’s parents have no other children.
3. The police in Portugal think Mrs McCann killed her daughter.
4. They think some blood in the McCann’s own car is important.
5. They do not think her husband was part of the crime.
6. Mr and Mrs McCann believe their daughter is still alive.
toddlers suspects presumed allege an accomplice
1. ____________ – people the police think committed a crime
2. ____________ – someone who helps someone else commit a crime
3. ____________ – believed to be true, but not yet proved
4. ____________ – to say that someone is guilty before it has been proved
5. ____________ – very small children, just learning to walk
Now read the story quickly to check your answers to the questions in 1 and 2.
238
Exhausted and under suspicion, phoning the Portuguese authorities and consular
Madeleine’s family come home officials to get permission for their trip. Downing
Street had also been informed.
Esther Addley
September 10, 2007 8 Their journey home began just after 7am, and Mr
and Mrs McCann walked hand-in-hand from the
borrowed villa in Praia da Luz where they have
1 It has been a long journey home for Gerry and been living since July.
Kate McCann, but soon after 1pm yesterday,
135 days after they left their home in Rothley, 9 With the twins already inside, they climbed into
Leicestershire, the couple lifted their twin toddlers their rented silver Renault Scenic – the vehicle in
out of a police people-carrier and shut their which police allege a trace of Madeleine’s blood
front door. was discovered, although the couple did not hire
it until 25 days after her disappearance.
2 Having left home on April 27 as mother of an
“ordinary family of five”, Kate McCann has often 10 Forty minutes later, chased by lots of cars and
said that she could not think about coming back motorbikes carrying journalists, one of them
as four, without their daughter Madeleine. In fact, standing to film through the car sunroof while
their homecoming was even more painful: they it drove at 80mph, they arrived at Faro airport.
returned as suspects in their own daughter’s Mr McCann drove into a reserved area normally
presumed death. used by politicians and VIPs, and they were
taken through check-in to the departure lounge.
3 The couple looked very stressed as they got out
of the vehicle. Mrs McCann carried her two-year- 11 A number of reporters accompanied them on
old daughter, Amelie, still holding Madeleine’s their easyJet flight to East Midlands airport, on
pink cuddly cat that she has hardly put down which the first two rows of seats were reserved
since her daughter disappeared. Mr McCann for the family. At about 12.30pm they landed, and
held their other twin, Sean, in his arms. were met by even more film crews.
4 A police officer accompanied them into their 12 When Mr McCann came out of the airport, clearly
smart, new redbrick house, where they have emotional, he read a brief statement, his son
lived for a year. A crowd of reporters and TV still asleep on his shoulder. Mr McCann thanked
crews watched, and there were noisy press people who had supported the couple during the
helicopters overhead. four months since Madeleine’s disappearance,
and said he and his wife had thought very
5 Neighbours in the quiet road politely stayed carefully before deciding to come home.
inside, but a small group of onlookers had
Although they are suspects, the Portuguese
collected at the end of the street on the edge of
police had let them keep their passports and
the pretty village just north of Leicester.
come back to Britain.
6 People in Rothley had shown enthusiastic 13 “Whilst it is heartbreaking to return to the UK
support for the couple in the weeks following
without Madeleine, it does not mean we are
Madeleine’s disappearance, with hundreds of
giving up our search for her,” Mr McCann said.
bunches of flowers and yellow ribbons tied to its
“As parents we cannot give up on our daughter
small war memorial. The flowers were removed
until we know what has happened.” He also
some time ago, though some ribbons remain in
asked people to respect the family’s privacy;
the local pub.
they wanted the twins to live an ordinary life in
7 Mr and Mrs McCann had been planning for some their home country, and they needed time to
time to return yesterday, and had already sent think about the very worrying events of the last
some possessions home. Because they were few days.
suspects, they spent most of the day before
239
14 In an interview with a Sunday newspaper, Mr are tired, very tired. If it was me, I would be
McCann had said that he and his wife, who absolutely shattered.”
police seem to think is the main suspect in
18 Asked if the couple had plans to return to work
Madeleine’s presumed death, with her husband
– Mr McCann as a cardiac surgeon, his wife
as an accomplice, were “fighting for [their] lives”
as a GP – Mr Kennedy said: “I don’t know. I
to prove their innocence.
don’t think they’ll be thinking about that for a
15 “We will clear our name and we will not give up while yet.”
on Madeleine,” he told the News of the World.
19 Behind him, on one of the downstairs
16 Ten minutes after the couple’s arrival back windowsills, was a pile of cuddly toys. The
home, Mrs McCann’s uncle, Brian Kennedy, curtains to the upstairs bedrooms, including
who is chair of the campaign to raise awareness Madeleine’s, painted her favourite pink,
about Madeleine’s disappearance, came out were closed.
and spoke briefly to reporters. 20 A family friend said the room had been left as it
17 “Kate and Gerry are just happy to be back at was, “ready for her to come home”.
home. They have been through three or four
of the most difficult days in their lives. They © Guardian News & Media 2007
3 General understanding: Order the events
Put these events in the order they happened.
a. The McCanns left their home in England.

b. The McCanns came back home to Rothley.
c. Madeleine disappeared.
d. The McCanns planned to come home.
e. They phoned Portuguese officials to get permission to leave Portugal.
f. The McCanns hired a silver Renault car.
g. Journalists followed them to the airport.
h. Mrs. McCann’s uncle talked to reporters.
240
4 Vocabulary development: Find the words
Find words in the text that mean the following.
1. ____________ a large vehicle that can hold more people than a usual car (para 1)
2. ____________ soft and nice to hold (para 3)
3. ____________ went with (para 4)
4. ____________ very small quantity of (para 9)
5. ____________ followed, chased (para 10)
6. __________ __________ __________ stop hoping to find (3 words, para 13)
7. __________ __________ __________ prove that we are innocent (3 words, para 15)
8. ____________ leader, head of an organization or meeting (para 16)
9. ____________ for a very short time (para 16)
10. ____________ very tired, (and sometimes very upset) (para 17)
5 Discussion
1. What have the newspapers and TV in your country said about Madeleine?
2. Why do you think this case has had so much media coverage?
241
Radiohead’s bid to revive music industry
1 Key words
priceless struggling piracy uproar booming

self-indulgent bypass loyal rumour retailer
1. If something causes _______________, it provokes angry public criticism.
2. _______________ is the practice of making and selling illegal copies of CDs, DVDs and so on.
3. If you are_______________ , you allow yourself to do something special that you like very much.
4. A _______________ is a business that sells direct to the public.
5. If a company is _______________, it is experiencing financial problems.
6. If something is _______________, it is extremely valuable and impossible to replace.
7. A _______________ is unofficial information that may or may not be true.
8. If a business is _______________, it is extremely successful and profitable.
9. If you are _______________, you are willing to support someone, even in difficult times.
10. If you _______________ someone or something, you avoid dealing with them.
1. What is the minimum amount of money customers will pay for the new Radiohead album?
2. How much will the expensive box set version of the album cost?
3. What is the title of the new Radiohead album?
4. How will the Charlatans give their new album away free?
5. When will the new Radiohead album be available to download?
6. When will the box set version of the album be sent to customers?
242
Radiohead’s bid to revive music said they would give their new single and album
industry: pay what you like to away for nothing through a radio station. “Record
download album companies are like the army – very regulated,”
said Creation Records founder Alan McGee,
Owen Gibson, media correspondent
who manages the Charlatans. “Whilst live music
October 2, 2007
and sales of merchandise are booming, physical
sales of CDs are steadily decreasing as more
1 For many years the music of the British group
and more fans simply copy tracks from friends
Radiohead has been praised for its scope
or get them from free download sites. The band
and originality. Now Radiohead are hoping to
will get paid more by more people coming to their
introduce another innovation to the world of rock
gigs, buying merchandise, publishing and royalty
music by inviting music buyers to decide how
fees. I believe it’s the future business model.”
much they want to pay for their new album. For
fans of Radiohead, who can hardly wait to hear 5 But Nicola Slade, editor of the music industry
their first studio album for four years, the album newsletter Record of the Day, was more
will be almost priceless. Those who believe cautious, saying that not all could do what
Radiohead’s music has long been self-indulgent Radiohead are doing or afford to give their
will probably only pay pennies. But thanks to music away. “I’m all in favour of doing things
this innovative experiment, the band will bypass differently, but you have to remember that Prince
record labels altogether and will be able to find and Radiohead have had the benefit of years of
out what the public really thinks of their music investment from their record companies and they
– in financial terms at least. wouldn’t be where they are without it,” she said.
2 The album’s release was announced with a 6 A spokesman for Radiohead said one reason
short message from guitarist Jonny Greenwood for the experiment was to get the album out to
on the band’s website, revealing that the new fans more quickly than the usual three to six
album, In Rainbows, would be available to month period required by the record labels. Loyal
download from October 10. Orders started fans are also being offered the opportunity to
coming in immediately, with customers able spend £40 on a ‘discbox’ version of the album.
to decide how much to pay – from nothing After downloading In Rainbows next week,
(plus a 45p administration charge) upwards. in December these fans will be sent a deluxe
Radiohead’s experiment will be closely box containing the album on CD and two vinyl
watched by other artists, their record labels and records, as well as a second CD containing more
management companies. new songs, digital photographs, artwork and a
hardback book.
3 In Rainbows is an attempt to restructure the
economics of a music industry struggling with the 7 As many Radiohead fans are fanatically loyal,
effects of digital piracy. Live music is booming but it is probably no surprise that on the first day
CD sales are becoming less and less profitable of sale more people had bought the expensive
thanks to increased competition and piracy. Many box set than the variably priced download. In
new groups have become well known through Rainbows has been the subject of many rumours
the Internet and now more established artists are ever since the band left their record label EMI,
using it in an attempt to revolutionize the way insisting that in future they would only sign one-
music is sold. off deals. One rumour suggested that Radiohead
would follow Paul McCartney’s lead and sign
4 Prince caused uproar among music retailers by
a deal with Starbucks. The rumour has since
giving his latest album away free with a British
been denied.
Sunday newspaper and yesterday the Charlatans
243
8 Digital versions of Radiohead’s back catalogue,
including The Bends and the highly-praised OK
Computer, became available recently thanks to
a deal between EMI and the download service
7Digital. Before that the band had always
refused to make their music available to the
market leader, iTunes, because it insists on
selling individual tracks and Radiohead wanted
to sell their albums as complete works.

1. Sales of CDs are increasing.
2. iTunes sells whole albums, not individual tracks.
3. Live music is booming.
4. On the first day of sale more people ordered the expensive box set than the download.
5. The number of people copying CDs and downloading them from the Internet is increasing.
6. Radiohead are planning to sign a deal with Starbucks.
7. Radiohead’s previous albums are not available in digital form.
8. Piracy is a major problem for the music industry.
1. An adjective meaning new, original and advanced. (para 1)
2. A noun meaning the act of making something available. (para 2)
3. A noun meaning goods that people buy and sell. (para 4)
4. A noun meaning an informal word for a live musical performance. (para 4)
5. A two-word noun meaning payments musicians receive each time their work is performed. (para 4)
6. An adjective meaning careful. (para 5)

7. A two-word adjective meaning happening only once. (para 7)
8. A two-word noun meaning all the records an artist has produced in the past. (para 7)
244
Match the verbs on the left and nouns on the right to make collocations from the text.
1. release a. merchandise
2. pay b. someone the opportunity (to do something)
3. cause c. a deal
4. follow d. an administrative charge
5. buy e. someone’s lead

6. offer f. a rumour
7. sign g. an album
8. deny h. uproar
Complete the table.
noun adjective
1. original
2. innovation
3. availability
4. profit
5. competitive
6. caution
7. loyalty
8. finance
7 Discussion
What are the arguments for and against making music available for free on the Internet?
245
Emoticons, emails and letter writing
1 Pre-reading task
Match these emoticons with their meanings.
}:-( I’m wearing glasses
;-) I’m undecided
8-) I’m married
0:-) Your toupee is blowing in the wind
:-)(-: I’m only joking!
:-\ The writer just made a sweet or innocent remark
2 Key words
Skim-read the article to find words that mean the following.
1. to show or tell – _______________ (para 1)
2. to put in – _______________ (para 1)
3. a feeling you experience – _______________ (para 1)
4. someone who is extremely interested in computers – _______________ (para 1)
5. not deliberate or planned – _______________ (para 2)
6. behaving or speaking in a way that seems rude – _______________ (para 2)
7. to feel sorry or sad about something you have done – _______________ (para 4)
8. the process of changing from one state to another – _______________ (para 4)
9. a strong sad or guilty feeling about something you have done – _______________ (para 6)
10. to destroy – _______________ (para 7)
11. without emotion – _______________ (para 8)
12. to let someone know you have received something they sent you – _______________ (para 9)
13. to communicate ideas or feelings indirectly – _______________ (para 10)
246
Emoticons, emails and letter writing didn’t you reply?” And then we regret sending it
Simon Jenkins off so quickly. We should have read it through one
September 21, 2007 more time.
Have emails made us into unemotional 6 How on earth did we manage in the past?
machines? Somehow we communicated love, hurt, remorse,
anger and joy with the help of the Oxford English
1 The emoticon is 25 years old. In 1982, a Pittsburgh Dictionary. We used quill, pen, pencil, ballpoint,
professor, Scott Fahlman, noted that his students’ even typewriter, and if anything went wrong we
emails lacked body language and voice tones and had the telephone as backup. But why is email so
could not express greetings and humour. So, the lacking in feeling that it needs its own additional
smiley was born, and with it a large amount of emoticon alphabet? How believable is J?
symbols intended to insert normal human emotion
into the cold alphabet. A–Z might have been fine 7 The authors of a book on ‘netiquette’ say that, “On
for Shakespeare, Milton, Keats and Shelley, but for email people aren’t quite themselves ... they are
today’s global nerd it is not good enough. angrier, less sympathetic, less aware, more easily
wounded, even more gossipy.” Some have even
2 Early telegraphy had its own short forms and wrecked their marriages, lost their jobs and ended
users soon realized that abbreviated language up in jail.
could sometimes cause unintentional pain and
embarrassment. Therefore, symbols were used to 8 Many of us do not know how to handle email. Do
soften remarks that might seem sarcastic or abrupt. we start Dear Sir or Hi gorgeous, or get straight
The result was not just smileys but frownies and down to business? Do we cover the screen with
various signs of confusion, love, anger and surprise. capital letters, exclamation marks and emoticons
in a desperate effort to explain what we mean?
3 There are 16 pages of emoticons in Andrew John’s Do we end with Yours sincerely, Kind regards or
Txtr’s A–Z – my favourite being }:-( which means Byeee!? Even such simple words as please, thank
‘your toupee is blowing in the wind’. These days you and sorry have a hundred different meanings
many computers automatically change the frownie when spoken but are toneless when lying flat on
into L. In other words, J and L have become the screen.
formal symbols in Internet vocabulary.
9 The truth is that, for other than routine messages
4 I agree that there is a problem. I have often sent and acknowledgements, email is not as good
a personal email or text message which I have as the telephone and the letter. Compared to
regretted afterwards. The old-fashioned pen slowed the telephone, email distances us. It not only
the transition from spoken word (and intended removes the tone of your voice, it prevents people
meaning) to script. It gave you time to think, as from interrupting or replying. It is a one-way
did the manual typewriter. Writing involved effort. conversation, a monologue, with all the rudeness
A word was thought about before being written on that can imply. Compared to a letter, email is faster
paper and sent through the post. but has none of the humanity, not to mention
politeness, of handwriting.
5 These days, thoughts quickly change into finished,
but imperfect sentences. As soon as they are on 10 Emails are bad at conveying humour or criticism,
screen they become real. And ‘send’ is always bad news or sympathy. The form is too cold. Those
clicked too soon. There is no wait for the post to who wish to communicate sincerity to another
go, no time to correct what you wrote. Nor is there human being should telephone.
any certainty that an email has arrived, so we
have to call and ask: “Did you get my email ... why 11 Better still, clear your desk, take out a crisp sheet
of note paper, pick up a pen and do something
247
you may not have done for ages. Write a proper
letter. The recipient will be amazed and delighted
that you have taken the time. You will have written
what you meant to say, and I bet you won’t have
used emoticons.

1. The emoticon was invented because the alphabet doesn’t contain human emotion.
2. A student invented the smiley in an email to his professor.
3. Manual typewriters are better than computers for conveying emotion.
4. People often regret sending emails.
5. The author says that people often hold monologues on the phone.
6. Emails can be bad for your health and your love life.
7. Many people change their personality when they write emails.
8. The author suggests that we write more letters.
4 Vocabulary 1: Pronunciation
1. Put these words into the correct columns according to their pronunciation pattern.

imperfect emoticons sympathetic communicate
exclamation sincerely interrupt humanity
recipient conversation additional abbreviate
unintentional embarrassment believable
oOo oOoo ooOo ooO ooOoo
2. Write in other words from the article that fit the pronunciation patterns.
248
5 Vocabulary 2: Word groups
Find words in the text that relate to emotions and writing equipment. Write them in the tables below.
emotions writing equipment

positive negative traditional electronic
6 Discussion
Discuss the following questions in small groups.
Do you prefer to write letters or send emails?

When did you last send an email?
When did you last write a letter?
How many emails do you send/receive per week?
How many letters do you send/receive per week?
Do you use emoticons when you write emails?
What do you think when you receive an email containing emoticons?
7 Webquest
Have a look at these websites for more information on emoticons. Which emoticons do you like best?
Unusual and funny emoticons:

www.angelfire.com/hi/hahakiam/emoticon.html
A–Z of emoticons:
www.sharpened.net/glossary/emoticons.php
Emoticons that you’ve probably never seen before:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_common_emoticons
249
Gold rush in Mongolia
1 Warmer: Gold
How many products or uses of gold can you name in two minutes? Write your answers in the box below.
Gold
2 Key words
Complete the sentences using the following words from the text.
tolerate concession black market prospector legitimate

beat nugget gold rush imprison arrest
1. When you keep someone locked up, for example in a police cell, you ________________ them.
2. When you hit someone again and again, you ________________ them.
3. A lump of gold is called a ________________.
4. When the police ________________ someone, they take them to the police station because they believe he or
she has committed a crime.
5. If you sell something illegally and secretly, you sell it on the ________________.
6. A ________________ is the right given to someone to sell something or do a particular activity.
7. When you ________________ someone, you accept them even though you don’t like or approve of them.
8. A ________________ is someone who searches an area of land or water for gold, oil, etc.
9. When something is ________________, it is legal.
10. A ________________ happens when lots of people move to a place (over a short period of time) in the hope
of becoming rich.
250
Prospectors and ‘ninja’ miners rush to of gold missed by the mining companies’
the east’s El Dorado giant machines. To do this, they used green
Central Asia’s gold fever brings rapid economic plastic bowls, which they carry on their backs
growth as well as pollution and violence like a shell. This appearance gives them their
nickname – ‘ninja’ – after the Teenage Mutant
Jonathan Watts in Ogoomor
Ninja Turtles cartoon.
October 10, 2007
6 Many were former nomads, but as the gold rush
gathered pace, students, vets and taxi drivers
1 Carefully touching the bruises on her forehead,
from Ulan Bator joined the ninjas, not just in
Enkhmaa – a middle-aged mother and illegal
Ogoomor but in other gold towns across the
gold miner – explains why she is afraid to go out
country. Today, estimates of their numbers range
on the street with a green plastic bowl. Three
from 30,000 to 100,000. This created a huge
days earlier, she says, the Mongolian police beat
black market for gold – most of it thought to be
and imprisoned her for wandering too close to a
smuggled across Mongolia’s 3,000 mile border
foreign-owned mine. “They chased after me in
with China.
a car. When they caught me, they dragged me
inside, they hit me on the face, pulled my hair 7 For years, the ninjas were tolerated. With three-
and beat my leg with a truncheon,” she recalls. quarters of the 2.9m population living on less
than $2 a day, searching for gold was a way to
2 Ogoomor, where Enkhmaa lives, is probably the
ease poverty and unemployment.
only town in the world where you can be arrested
and beaten by police for carrying a bowl. It is a 8 But a Russian mining company asked for new
bizarre side effect of a Mongolian gold rush that security measures last year after thousands
is causing problems between nomadic miners of ninjas invaded one of its mines, beat the
and foreign companies, and raising serious guards, destroyed equipment and stole gold.
concerns about human rights. Arrests are now common, local people say. “We
live in constant fear of being taken away,” says
3 Ogoomor is Mongolia’s Wild West, a dusty
Amarjargal. “We can’t even take a green bowl
town of miners and nomads, tents and wooden
onto the street, and if we have dirty clothes,
shacks, karaoke discos, Internet cafes and
or muddy shoes, it is used as an excuse to
police cells. From Ulan Bator, it is a seven-hour
arrest us.”
drive across vast plains inhabited only by a few
nomads and their herds of sheep and goats. 9 “It is hard to find any family that hasn’t had
The town did not exist 20 years ago and it only someone arrested,” said an elderly woman called
recently got a name. But reports of giant nuggets Sunjee (most Mongolians only use one name).
in the nearby hills started a gold rush that “The police have taken people younger than 16
attracted several thousand prospectors – legal and older than 60.”
and illegal.
10 When the ninjas search for gold they are
4 The area around Ogoomor has been called a trespassing or stealing. These areas are the
Mongolian El Dorado. The town is located in property of the Russian concession holders
the Zaamar valley where, geologists estimate, so the arrests are legitimate. But the police
there is at least 100 tonnes of gold. Russian and crackdown has become indiscriminate. Residents
local firms have bought up concessions to mine say they are pulled from their beds at night,
the land. chased as they walk down the street or arrested
at checkpoints without any real evidence
5 Until recently, thousands of Mongolians searched
against them.
illegally through the earth for small fragments
251
11 Visitors to Ogoomor have been shocked at the 12 The Russian mining company, Altan Dornod
changes in Mongolia which is known as Asia’s Mongol, says the ninjas are organized and
most democratic nation. But this is no black- controlled by criminal bosses. “The ninjas are
and-white story of human rights abuses and a Mongolian social problem. There are whole
wealth inequality. Most ninjas make $10 to $20 towns of them with bars and prostitutes. They
dollars a day – a higher income than policemen even use their children to get gold. It’s awful,”
or soldiers. Some strike it extremely rich. There said a spokeswoman. “We don’t want to abuse
are many stories in the town of people who human rights, but we must protect our mine and
found giant nuggets worth tens of thousands our workers.”
of dollars.
1. It is dangerous to walk around with a plastic bowl in Ogoomor.

2. Ogoomor is an ancient city in the west of Mongolia.
3. The gold rush in Ogoomor started 20 years ago.
4. Gold has been discovered in the plains near Ulan Bator.
5. Russian mining companies want to stop the ninjas searching for gold.
6. The number of people moving to Mongolia’s ‘Wild West’ is growing rapidly.
7. There is a lot of poverty and unemployment in Mongolia.
8. Ninja is a Mongolian word for nomad.
9. Much of Mongolia’s gold is smuggled to the West.
10. Residents in Ogoomor are frightened of the police.
11. Some ninjas have found enough gold to make them very rich.
12. The mining companies are happy to share the gold with the ninjas.
4 Vocabulary: Lexical fields

How many jobs and professions can you find mentioned in the article? Write them into the spidergram. Do
the same for legal terms and related words.
jobs and professions legal words and

terminology
252
5 Discussion: Presenting a case
One half of the class are the ninjas, the other half are the mining companies. In your groups prepare to
present your case to the judges.
Can you reach an agreement to work together?
Appoint two or three neutral observers to be the judges.
Make notes under the following categories to help you prepare for the discussion.
Name of group:
____________________________________________________________
What we want:
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
Why we think we should get what we want:
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
What we are willing to compromise on / agree to:
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
How we might be able to work together with the other group:
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
6 Webquest
What is the current price of gold? Is it rising or falling? Do you think gold is a good investment? Use the
following websites to help you answer the questions.
http://goldprice.org/
www.thebulliondesk.com
http://goldprices.com/
www.kitco.com
253
Extreme education
1 Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words and phrases from the text.
attitude admission appropriate zero tolerance mentor

achievement disadvantaged behaviour proficient strict
1. If you are ____________, you do not have the same advantages as other people.
2. If you are ____________ at something you have learned, you are skilled at it.
3. A person’s ____________ is the way in which he or she follows basic social rules.
4. A person’s ____________ is the way they show their feelings or opinions about something,
especially as shown by their behaviour.
5. If a rule is ____________, people must obey it completely.
6. A ____________ is an experienced person who helps someone with less experience.
7. Academic ____________ at school consists of the things children succeed in doing well.
8. ____________ is permission to join an institution like a school or a college.
9. If something is ____________, it is suitable or right for a particular situation.
10. ____________ is a situation in which all offences, even the most minor, are strictly punished in
accordance with the law or a set of rules.
Look in the text and find the answers to these questions as quickly as possible.
1. How many hours a day do pupils study in US ‘small’ or ‘charter’ schools?
2. What percentage of children at the North Star Academy get free meals?
3. How many charter schools are there in the US?
4. How many children are on the waiting list for the North Star Academy?
5. How many pupils normally attend charter schools?
6. How many children at the Kipp Academy can read music?
254
Extreme education
Coming to an inner city near you, as she finishes up her homework over breakfast.
extreme education “Even my mother’s gone back to school since I’ve
been here.” Pupils are tested every six weeks and
Small US academies with tough rules and excel-
their results are examined carefully.
lent results are model for British
5 “As a principal of a small school I know how every
Polly Curtis, education editor child is progressing and how they are behaving,”
October 22, 2007 says Mr Verrilli. He also sits in on classes himself,
observing the students and writing notes for
1 For some people it is extreme education: 10-hour the teachers.
days, contracts with parents and very strict rules 6 North Star and other small schools like it have
on behaviour in small, 200-pupil academies. The developed from the charter school movement in
result in a new type of school in the US is 100% the US. The 3,500 charter schools are independent
acceptance of college, test results as good as those schools, funded by the state, and allowed more
in private schools, and teenagers from New York’s freedom to set policies, including their admissions
South Bronx district who play the viola like their procedures. North Star runs a lottery for admissions
neighbours in Manhattan. and has 1,800 children on the waiting list. Parents
2 James Verrilli, principal of the North Star Academy have to put their child’s name into the lottery; three
in Newark, America’s second poorest city, said: times more girls apply than boys.
“These kids know drugs. These kids know crime 7 Mr Verrilli strongly rejects the idea that his students
and violence. Their fathers are in jail. We have a might not be the ones most in need. “It’s quite
school culture here which is very different from wrong to say that parents from disadvantaged
the attitude they have when they first walk through backgrounds don’t care about their kids’ education.
the door. It’s a culture that tells them they can go 95% of parents just want a better education for
to college.” their children. “We’re not taking the best kids. I’m
3 At the North Star Academy children like Charism defensive about that. It’s something a lot of people
and Queen-Ama smile politely as they shake your say. How hard is it to put your child’s name down on
hand and welcome you in. About 85% of pupils a piece of paper?” he said.
are African-American and 90% get free school 8 Every child who attends the Kipp (Knowledge
meals. Last year 80% got ‘proficient or advanced’ is Power Programme) academy in south Bronx,
grades in maths, compared with just 28% in the New York, plays in its orchestra, the best school
local neighbourhood school. This was above orchestra in New York. Every child can read music.
the state average. Pupils work in silence with a Shirley Lee, a director of the Kipp academy in the
professionalism they have learned during a three- Bronx, says the school works because there is a
day process. From the beginning pupils are taught consistent structure throughout the school. “The
to speak clearly, answer questions in full sentences truth and reality is that kids like structure,” she
and look the teacher in the eye. said. “It’s about telling them what’s appropriate and
4 Parents have to sign a three-way contract with them learning when to use it. I wouldn’t talk to you
their child and the principal, and must promise to like I am now if I was out in some of these areas.
participate themselves. When a child’s homework But if we teach them to look in my eyes when I’m
isn’t handed in by 8am, there is a phone call home. speaking to them, they will use that if they get
When the parent doesn’t turn up for a meeting, stopped by the police and that will protect them.”
their child is not allowed back into school until they 9 In the UK, there is a growing political debate about
turn up. There are signs saying ‘No excuses’ on the the differences in academic achievement between
walls. “I was working until 11 last night. I’m tired, rich and poor in schools in big cities. A recent report
but I know I’ve got to work,” says one 11-year-old,
255
Extreme education
highlighted the growing gap in achievement and 11 Ark is also helping to fund the 30 ‘Future Leaders’
the government is trying to deal with this problem. group on the school leadership training scheme
Three London academies are experimenting with visiting the US. The trainees are expected to
small school principles and last week a group of take some of the ideas they experience in the
British teachers in training visited the US looking for US back home to the UK. Many of them think it
methods they could use to deal with the problems will be difficult to transfer the model to the UK,
of ‘complex urban education’. however. They talk about the fact that most of
the US schools are middle schools, for 10–14
10 Ark, a UK educational charity, is taking key year-olds. The model has been tested less in the
components of the small school model into London secondary school age group (11–18). They also
academies. Lucy Heller, managing director of Ark, ask where the money to fund smaller schools will
says: “It’s small schools, strict rules on behaviour come from, though others point out the fact that in
and a firm belief that inner city children can be just the US facilities are basic. “They don’t even have
as successful.” The UK schools minister says small interactive whiteboards,” says one of the group’s
schools can teach disadvantaged children the skills mentors. “They just teach. Small schools might not
that middle class children take for granted: “High be practical in the UK, but what I really want these
ambition, zero tolerance of failure, an expectation new school leaders to take back is the sense of
that children will go to university and that schools culture in these schools.”
will give them the education to go to university.”
1. Newark is the poorest city in the US.

2. Pupils at the North Star Academy are better at maths than kids in the local neighbourhood school.
3. Pupils have to look teachers in the eye when they speak to them.
4. If a pupil doesn’t hand in their homework by 8am, the school calls their parents.
5. Pupils have a test every six days.
6. Mr Verrilli doesn’t go into classrooms himself.
7. More girls apply to go to North Star than boys.
8. The UK is planning to start academies like the US charter schools.
Look in the text and find these words or expressions.
1. A phrasal verb meaning to give to someone in authority. (para 4)

2. A phrasal verb meaning to arrive. (para 4)
3. A verb meaning to provide the money for something that costs a lot. (para 6)
4. An adjective meaning not changing. (para 8)
5. A noun meaning a formal discussion. (para 9)
6. A verb meaning to emphasize. (para 9)
7. An adjective meaning relating to a city. (para 9)
8. A three-word expression meaning expect something always to happen without thinking
about any possible problems. (para 10)
256
Extreme education
1. look someone _______ the eye
2. hand in homework _______ 8am
3. _______ the waiting list
4. care _______ their kids’ education
5. the difference _______ rich and poor
6. to deal _______ a problem

7. take something _______ granted
8. where will the money come _______?
Complete the table.
verb noun
1. accept
2. behave
3. tolerate
4. expect
5. believe
6. admit
7. achieve
8. educate
7 Discussion
Do pupils achieve better results in schools with strict rules? Would you like to attend such a school?
Why? / Why not?
257
1 What are they called now?
Match the old African state and province names with their current names.
Abyssinia Somalia
Benadir Mali
French Sudan Mozambique
German Southwest Africa Ethiopia
Rhodesia Burkina Faso
Upper Volta Namibia
Portuguese East Africa Zimbabwe
2 Key words
Match the keywords with their definitions.
bureaucracy plummet conspiracy confiscate

regime hyperinflation collapse independence
1. When something does this it breaks down and (almost) stops functioning. ___________________
2. This is a secret plan to do something bad or illegal, especially in politics. ___________________
3. When you have this you are no longer controlled by another person or country. ___________________
4. This is an incredibly high increase in prices. ___________________
5. This is what we call a complicated or annoying system of rules and processes. ___________________
6. A system or form of government (often military) that controls the country in a strict or unfair way.
___________________
7. When something falls very quickly, we can say that it does this. ___________________
8. When you do this, you take something away from someone for legal reasons or as a punishment.
___________________
258
British Airways says goodbye 7 The regime says Zimbabwe is having a great
to Zimbabwe agricultural season, even though there is no bread
in the shops because the wheat harvest is down by
Last BA flight from a grounded economy
two-thirds and production of tobacco has dropped to
Chris McGreal on BA152, Harare–London one-fifth of what it once was. The government has
October 29, 2007 even announced plans to sell electricity to Namibia
next year even though it doesn’t generate enough
1 The last flight left the sparkling new Harare power to keep lights on at home.
airport, lifted over the city and dipped its wings in
farewell. With that, British Airways said goodbye 8 The reality is that a man living in a Harare township
to Zimbabwe. lucky enough to have a job earns, on average,
Z$5m dollars a month, or £2.50 at the hidden-
2 Cephas Msipa, a lifelong member of Mr Mugabe’s market rate. His transport to work in Harare costs
Zanu-PF, said he thought it was probably part more than that but he has to travel to work if he
of a British government conspiracy against the wants to keep his job.
Zimbabwean ruler, Robert Mugabe, but he said that
he was going to miss British Airways anyway. “In 9 Other European airlines left Zimbabwe as its
these difficult times, Air Zimbabwe has a reputation economy collapsed but BA stayed because historic
for being unreliable,” he said. ties with Britain meant there were still a steady
number of passengers.
3 What he means is that Air Zimbabwe is in much
the same state as the country; flights are running 10 But the airline says it has been defeated by
days late due to lack of fuel or maintenance, or escalating costs, particularly the price of having
are diverted when Mr Mugabe feels like going on to bring fuel in by road from South Africa, and the
a shopping trip in Kuala Lumpur or attending the unreal maths of the Zimbabwean economy. The
Pope’s funeral. Zimbabwe dollar has plummeted from $5,100 to the
pound at the beginning of 2006 to nearly $2m to the
4 Annie, a white Zimbabwean, is going to miss BA for pound today.
another reason. “There’s toilet paper on this plane.
I haven’t been able get toilet paper in the shops for 11 Mr Msipa and the Zimbabwean government
weeks,” she said. “I don’t know why it matters that are suspicious; they don’t understand how BA
this is the last flight, but it does. It’s as if we’re finally isn’t making money. Mr Msipa admits there is a
being cut off from the rest of the world”. crisis though, and that his dad might be part of
the problem.
5 It’s not the first time BA has been forced out of
12 His father is the Zanu-PF governor of Midlands
Zimbabwe. Flights were stopped in 1965 when
Ian Smith declared independence for Rhodesia. province where he has confiscated white-
BA was back 15 years later when Mr Smith was owned farms and has overseen the collapse of
defeated by economics as much as war; Rhodesia agriculture. Mr Msipa says this may have been a
ceased to exist and the only black man to ever rule mistake. “My father an old nationalist who believes
Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe, took power. that everything is about the land. Whereas our
generation says we should get into computers and
6 Zimbabwe’s government is losing control. Mr call centres”.
Mugabe is creating a vast new bureaucracy while
the economy shrinks amid hyperinflation and
13 The younger Mr Msipa is a property developer
collapsing production. The official exchange rate who travels regularly to London. His job has
is so different to that of the hidden market that the kept the worst effects of the economic collapse
central bank governor has to send his staff out to away from him and his five children. “We have a
buy dollars on the street. relative advantage. I can get things done ... I have
contacts,” he said. “But how I’m going to
259
get to London now is a problem. No one wants

to go through Johannesburg. They steal your
luggage there. I suppose it will just have to be
Air Zimbabwe.”

1. British Airways now only fly to Zimbabwe once a week.
2. White Zimbabweans saw British Airways as their link to the rest of the world.
3. Robert Mugabe is the first black man to rule Zimbabwe.
4. Mugabe has been in power for over 40 years.
5. The average worker from a township in Zimbabwe earns about the same as the cost of a plane ticket to London.
6. Tobacco and wheat production has fallen dramatically.
7. Zimbabwe’s main industry is computers.
8. There are two different exchange rates in Zimbabwe, the government’s rate and the hidden market rate.
260
Write in the missing prepositions then check your answers by reading back over the article.
1. British Airways said goodbye ______ Zimbabwe

2. part ______ a British government conspiracy
3. a reputation ______ being unreliable
4. going ______ a shopping trip
5. Mr Smith was defeated ______ economics
6. Rhodesia ceased ______ exist
7. a man living ______ a Harare township
8. historic ties ______ Britain
9. defeated ______ escalating costs
10. part ______ the problem
11. we should get ______ computers
12. No one wants to go ______ Johannesburg
5 Discussion
In Zimbabwe, a loaf of bread costs more than fifty times the price it was at the beginning of the year.
Compare this to inflation in your country.
In your country:
How much do dairy products (milk, butter, cheese) cost now?
How much did they cost one year ago / five years ago?
Make the same comparisons for other items such as bread, alcohol, cigarettes, petrol, houses etc.
6 Webquest
What is the current rate of exchange between the British pound and the Zimbabwean dollar?
Go to www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/zi.html to read the latest updated facts and

figures about Zimbabwe.
Go to www.swradioafrica.com and click on the ‘listen live’ button to listen to the latest independent news
from Zimbabwe. The website also contains short news articles and podcasts.
261
Google reveals mobile plans
1 Key words
confirm device handset launch foothold

monitor range purchase slot deny
1. ____________ is a more formal word for buy.
2. A ____________ is a number of different things that are of the same general type.
3. If you ____________ something, you say that it is definitely true.
4. If you ____________ something, you say that it is not true.
5. If you ____________ something, you watch it regularly and check what is happening.
6. A ____________ is a time during a series of events when you can reserve a space to operate a service.
7. If you gain a ____________ in a particular market, you enter that market for the first time and take a position
from which you can become more successful.
8. If you ____________ a product or service you start selling it to the public on a specific date.
9. A ____________ is a piece of equipment that performs a particular function.
10. A ____________ is the part of a telephone that you hold next to your ear.
1. How many companies support Android?
2. How many handsets did Nokia sell in the past three months?
3. When was Google founded?
4. How much is Google worth?
5. Which company launched iPhone?
6. Who are Larry Page and Sergey Brin?
262
Google reveals mobile plans themselves. “It’s incredibly important to say this is
not the announcement of the arrival of the Google
Bobbie Johnson, technology correspondent
Phone,” he said.
November 5, 2007
6 Moving into the phone market could prove to be
a money-spinner for the Californian company. It
1 Google has finally confirmed that it plans to will enable Google to get a foothold in one of the
enter the mobile phone industry. The company is world’s fastest-growing industries. Nokia, the mobile
introducing a new mobile system called Android, phone maker and the market leader, sold more
which it hopes will bring Internet access to millions than 100m handsets in the last three months, while
of people – and help it sell more advertising. network operators such as Vodafone are some of
the largest companies in the world.
2 Google chief executive, Eric Schmidt, announced
the news. He said that Android was a software set 7 The move highlights Google’s growing influence
that would encourage people to use the Internet over our lives as more information and money
on their phones. It would also solve the problem of moves online. The Internet giant – which was
different handsets with different operating systems. founded by university roommates Larry Page
“The fundamental problem with handsets today is and Sergey Brin in 1998 – is now worth more
that they don’t have full power Internet browsers than $225bn (£108bn), making it the fifth largest
– we have to do specialized engineering to get our company in America. Thanks mainly to its ability
software on those devices,” he said. “This will give to display advertising on its search engine pages,
wireless operators and phone manufacturers the Google has built a multibillion-dollar business and
ability to create new things.” has moved ahead of other Internet giants including
Microsoft, Yahoo and AOL.
3 Increasing the amount of time people spend surfing
the Internet on their phones would also let Google 8 Google has a range of plans for future products and
gather information and display advertisements services, including office software, web monitoring
direct to mobile phones users, just as it does on and other advertising businesses. It is known to be
home computers, said Andy Rubin, the company’s testing a system for monitoring television viewing,
director of mobile. “We currently put ads on phones and last year it bought a radio advertising company
using the web browser,” he said. “Part of this is with the aim of delivering adverts across a broad
that it makes it so that there’s really no difference range of media.
between browsing on your phone or on a computer.
This helps Google’s business to grow, but you 9 Meanwhile, Google is trying to buy its own space
won’t see a cellphone that’s completely driven by on the US airwaves. Some people see this as a
advertising for some time yet.” threat to traditional phone companies and Internet
providers. If it purchases a slot on the mobile phone
4 Android – which will starting appearing on spectrum, Google could provide a series of mobile
phones next year – has support from more than services directly to the public without using the
30 companies, including mobile phone networks telecommunications networks at all.
such as T-Mobile and handset makers such as
Motorola and South Korea’s HTC. Some experts 10 The announcement of Android comes days
had previously thought that Google was planning to before Apple launches its highly praised iPhone
manufacture its own mobile phones in a similar way handset in the UK. Google denied it was trying
to Apple, whose iPhone device will be launched in to compete directly with Apple. Although some
the UK next week. Google applications such as Internet search and
maps come pre-installed on the iPhone, it does
5 But Mr Schmidt said he only intended to offer new not require any Google services in order to run. Mr
software for mobile phones – not the handsets Schmidt, who is also on the board of Apple, said
263
Android would work with existing phone companies

rather than replace them. “It’s true that I’m on the
board of Apple, but it’s also important to state that
there are going to be many different sorts of mobile
experiences,” he said.

1. Android is a mobile phone.

2. Mobile phone networks and handset makers are supporting Android.
3. The mobile phone market is one of the world’s fastest-growing industries.
4. Page and Brin were students when they founded Google.
5. Google is the fifth largest company in the world.
6. Google is trying to compete directly with Apple’s iPhone.
Look in the text and find the following words or expressions.
1. An adverb meaning at the moment. (para 3)

2. A verb meaning to look for information on the Internet. (para 3)
3. A two-word expression meaning a very profitable product or activity. (para 6)
4. A two-word expression meaning the company that sells more of a particular product than any other. (para 6)
5. A verb meaning to emphasize. (para 7)
6. A noun meaning someone who shares a room with you. (para 7)
7. An adjective meaning wide. (para 8)
8. A noun meaning a situation that could cause harm. (para 9)
264
Rearrange these words to make phrases from the text.
1. phone a system mobile new
2. power browser a Internet full
3. fastest the one growing world’s of industries
4. the some in of world companies largest the
5. fifth America company the in largest
6. future a plans and services products for range of
Complete the table.
verb noun
1. announce
2. appear
3. apply
4. encourage
5. browse
6. arrive
7. operate
8. produce
7 Discussion
Do you surf the Internet on your mobile phone? What other services would you like your mobile phone
to provide?
265
Bye bye Belgium?
1 Key words
Complete the sentences using these key words from the text.
wealthy fragile inevitable arrogance concession

courtesy manifesto compromise intimidation voluntarily
1. If you ________________, you solve a problem by accepting you cannot have everything you want.
2. If something is ________________, it is impossible to avoid or prevent.
3. A ________________ is a formal statement expressing the aims of a political party.

4. If you do something ________________, you do it because you choose to do it and not because you have to.
5. ________________ is formal politeness in social situations.
6. ________________ is behaviour that shows you think you are better or more important than other people.
7. If you are ________________, you have plenty of money.
8. If something is ________________, it can be broken or damaged very easily.
9. A ________________ is something that you give or allow to someone in order to make an agreement.
10. ________________ is the process of making other people feel frightened so they will do what you want.
1. How old is Belgium?
2. What percentage of northern Belgians think the break-up of Belgium is inevitable?
3. What is the main language spoken in the Brussels suburb of Halle?
4. What is the name of the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium?
5. What is the name of the French-speaking part of Belgium?
6. How long has Belgium been without a government?
266
Bye bye Belgium?
Bye bye Belgium? counterproductive.” At any rate, on the streets

of Halle, people have strong feelings. Here, the
Jon Henley
local council has a Flemish language manifesto
November 13, 2007
stating that Halle is a Dutch-language town,
and will remain so. “We simply ask everyone to
1 On the outside everything looks normal respect that,” says Demesmaeker.
but Belgium is in a crisis, according to its
5 The root of the problem, says Demesmaeker,
newspapers and politicians. If you believe them,
is that Halle’s French speakers show “very little
the country is in the worst trouble of its brief
willingness to learn Dutch. They come here, they
history, or at least since the dark days of the last
see Halle as some kind of extension of Brussels,
war. For the past 156 days Belgium has had
they walk into the shops and they say, ‘Bonjour’.
no government and, while this is clearly not a
Many make no attempt. Don’t misunderstand:
catastrophe in itself, there is a very real fear that
I have nothing against Walloons. I go often to
the fragile and complicated arrangement that
the far south, and there they are charming,
holds the country together may finally be coming
completely different. But here . . . Well, there’s a
apart. Belgium may soon cease to exist.
certain arrogance, I think. French was for so long
2 Belgium’s citizens seem to accept it: recent the dominant language and culture here, you
surveys show that in the north as many as 63% see. And the Dutch-speaking inhabitants of Halle,
think the break-up of their 177-year-old country well they don’t like too many people speaking
is now more or less inevitable. “This place is French here. They don’t like some of the classes
finished,” says René Vanderweiden, a telecoms in our schools being half-full of French children.”
engineer. “Maybe not now, maybe not in ten
6 A local shopkeeper agreed: “This is Flanders
years’ time. But within my lifetime, I’d guess. The
here, and we deserve as much respect as
Flemings (Belgium’s Dutch-speaking majority)
anyone else for our language and for our culture.
want to leave, and they’re no longer afraid of
If we go to Wallonia, we expect to have to speak
saying so. They’re impatient and they weren’t like
French. It’s only right. And it’s only right that
that before.”
when Belgian French-speakers come here, they
3 Joelle Rutten, a bookshop assistant, blames should speak Dutch. It’s simple courtesy. But
the politicians. “We obviously don’t need them,” most either can’t speak Dutch or don’t bother.”
she says. “Look at us – we’re all going to work,
7 Last week in a parliamentary committee,
paying our taxes, nothing has changed. They’re
Belgium’s Flemish politicians took the historic
completely out of touch with ordinary people,
step of voting for the break-up of the Halle
anyway, arguing about things that mean nothing
district. The Walloon MPs walked out of the
to most of us. It’s a scandal! They have no idea
chamber in protest. This was the first time
what they’re doing at all.”
in living memory that Belgium’s unspoken
4 Sadly, though, some politicians seem to have agreement had been broken: the politicians of
a very clear idea of what they are doing. In a one language community had forced a vote,
town hall office in the Brussels suburb of Halle, against the wishes of those of the other. It may
Mark Demesmaeker, deputy mayor, remarks not be the end of Belgium, but most politicians
cheerfully that he “can no longer see the value agree that the country’s future looks uncertain.
of Belgium, actually. There are six million of us
8 Charles Piqué, the French-speaking minister-
Flemings, we work hard, we make money, and
president of Brussels, accepts that the vote
we’re perfectly capable of being independent.
had “a very, very strong symbolic value. It is not
Indeed, we would be one of the wealthier small
decisive, I don’t think, not yet. But it is another
countries of Europe. For us, Belgium is simply
step in the continuing process of Flemish
267
Bye bye Belgium?
intimidation. We have learned in this country, 10 Unfortunately, says Piqué, for the Walloons and
over the years, to compromise more and more for Brussels, “an arrangement like that would
to avoid these kinds of situations. But this shows be very, very difficult. In a federal state, based
that they are prepared to increase tensions on co-operation and solidarity, everything is
between the communities. And this is just the possible. In a confederation, where there’s no
beginning of the Flemish demands. They will real central government to resolve disputes,
now demand a full transfer of responsibilities. everything becomes much more problematic.
What happens next is critical.” And if the Flemish get exactly what they want
out of all this, and make no concessions, and the
8 Joelle Rutten, the bookshop worker, refuses to
Walloons realize they’ve been left with nothing,
believe that Belgium is about to break up: “We’ve then there will inevitably be a radicalization.
grown up in this country; it’s a nice country, a Future historians could well look back and say:
friendly country. It would be stupid, completely ‘This moment, right now, was Belgium’s turning
idiotic, to split it all up just because a few stupid point.’”
politicians are so out of touch with reality that
they can’t see sense.” 11 The break-up of Belgium, Piqué says, would
be ‘a victory for selfishness’. It would also be
9 But for Demesmaeker and his Flemish friends, costly and sad. Maybe I’m sentimental, but on
there now has to be, at the very least, major balance I agree. On the streets of Brussels it is
constitutional reform: “We could just about live pouring with rain. But the tram comes, on time,
with a confederation – two independent states and nobody on it looks any unhappier than
that voluntarily decide what they can profitably usual in Brussels in November in the rain. The
do together. That would be sensible, and it’s a Belgians may not be missing their politicians but
very different proposition from what we have it is beginning to look like they might soon be
now,” he says. “It’s not that we’re not prepared to missing their country.
help Wallonia; nobody wants a weak neighbour.
But it would have to be on our terms: there © Guardian News & Media 2007
would have to be transparency, efficiency, less First published in The Guardian, 13/11/07
waste. What we are not prepared to do is carry
on as things are. This is a very, very deep crisis.”
1. Most French-speaking Belgians want to see the break-up of their country.
2. An independent Flanders would be one of the wealthier small countries in Europe.
3. The problem in the suburb of Halle is that French-speakers don’t want to learn Dutch.
4. Walloon politicians voted in favour of the break-up of the Halle district.
5. The minister-president of Brussels does not believe the vote is decisive.
6. Mr Demesmaeker strongly supports a confederation.

7. The Flemings are not prepared to help Wallonia.
8. Belgium is certain to break into two parts soon.
268
Bye bye Belgium?
1. A three-word expression meaning not having recent knowledge about something. (para 3)
2. A noun meaning a situation that shocks you and makes you angry. (para 3)
3. An adjective meaning having the opposite result to the one you intended. (para 4)
4. An adjective meaning more important, powerful or successful. (para 5)
5. An adjective meaning making the final result of a situation completely certain. (para 8)
6. A noun meaning an honest and open way of doing things. (para 10)
7. A noun meaning a situation in which people become angrier and more political. (para 11)
8. A two-word noun meaning a time when an important change takes place. (para 11)
5 Vocabulary 2: Words followed by prepositions
Fill the gaps using prepositions. Check your answers in the text.
1. according _______ 5. value _______
2. afraid _______ 6. capable _______
3. out of touch _______ 7. respect _______
4. argue _______ 8. based _______
Complete the table. All the answers are in the text.
verb noun
1. arrange
2. extend
3. agree
4. demand
5. propose
6. co-operate
7. concede
8. govern
7 Discussion
What are the arguments for and against dividing countries along ethnic or linguistic lines?
269
Dinosaur bone ‘found’ after 113 years on a shelf
1 Warmer
What is a palaeontologist?
Can you think of any well-known palaeontologists (real or on TV or film)?
Would you like to be a palaeontologist? Why / Why not?
2 Key words
Write the following words from the article into the sentences.
enthusiast research vertebra significant discover

diverse widespread fossil label (vb) extinct
1. When you find something that was hidden or missing, you _________________ it.
2. When something is _________________ it is large, noticeable or important.
3. An _________________ animal or plant is one that no longer exists.
4. An _________________ is someone who is very interested in something and spends a lot of time doing it.
5. When something is _________________, it is very different to something else.
6. A _________________ is one of the bones that forms a line down the centre of your back.
7. _________________ is the detailed study of something in order to find new facts and information.
8. A _________________ is (a part of) an animal or plant that lived many thousands of years ago.
9. When you _________________ something, you attach a piece of paper which provides it’s name or
other information.
10. When something is _________________ is exists in many different places.
270
Untouched on a shelf for 113 years: near Hastings, in the early 1890s, by a fossil
a dusty bone of the dinosaur no one collector called Philip James Rufford.
knew existed 8 It was studied briefly by the English
Ian Sample, science correspondent palaeontologist Richard Lydekker, before
November 15, 2007 being stored at the museum. It was labelled as
“Morosaurus brevis” once a common sauropod in
what is now North America.
1 Part-time dinosaur enthusiast Mike Taylor was
looking in the shelves of the Natural History 9 Taylor noticed features in the bone that made
Museum in London when he came across a it clear it was from a sauropod. For example,
dusty fossil. He immediately realized that the it contained large air holes that lightened the
label stuck to the fossil was distinctly wrong. skeleton, making it easier for the giants to walk.
But in other ways it was very different.
2 For 113 years it was thought that the fossil was
from a common North American dinosaur. In fact, 10 Apart from its size, Taylor says it is almost
what Mike Taylor had found was evidence of a impossible to infer anything else about the
new species that lived 140 million years ago. dinosaur. Describing how he felt when he held
the bone, Taylor said: “It’s just pure love.”
3 According to the journal of the British
Palaeontological Association, the dinosaur, now 11 “What this suggests is that these dinosaurs were
named Xenoposeidon proneneukus, belonged to much more diverse and more widespread than
a previously unknown family of sauropods. It was we realized, and that we still don’t know much
about the size of an elephant and weighed as about them,” he said.
much as 7.5 tonnes. 12 There are three major groups of dinosaurs. The
4 The astonishing find came last January during a most fearsome were the carnivorous theropods,
day of research spent looking at bones to learn among them Tyrannosaurus rex and the
more about sauropods, the largest creatures ever velociraptor. A second group is the ornithischians,
to walk the Earth. Taylor was visiting the museum such as the triceratops and stegosaurus.
as part of his research at Portsmouth University. 13 But the sauropods, including the herbivorous
5 Behind grey metal doors in a gloomy basement diplodocus and brachiosaurus, were the largest
are rows of shelves covered with the fossilized of them all, with some weighing 70 tonnes and
remains of extinct creatures. Many of the nearing 30 metres long.
museum’s 90 million fossils can be found there. 14 Angela Milner, a palaeontologist at the museum,
Taylor found the long neglected spine fossil on said the Xenoposeidon was unlikely to be the
a shelf, just a few floors beneath the offices of only undiscovered species in the collection.
some of the most respected palaeontologists
in Britain. 15 “Because the collections here are so large, some
specimens have not been closely looked at for
6 “I was searching the cabinets looking for two many, many years,” she said. “When people
particular specimens, but before I got to those, look at things using modern techniques, they
I found this thing lying on its side with a label sometimes make new discoveries and that’s why
calling it something that it clearly was not,” he museum collections are so important. Things that
said. “I took it over to the bench, laid it down did not appear very significant when they were
gently on sandbags, and started looking at it. first discovered can become important later on.”
7 The bone, a vertebra from near the hip of the © Guardian News & Media 2007
creature, was discovered in Ecclesbourne Glen, First published in The Guardian, 15/11/07
271
Match the sentence halves and then put them into the correct order to retell the story.
The fossil was discovered in Ecclesbourne ... and was in fact from an unknown dinosaur.
Glen, near Hastings...
Modern techniques showed that it is from a ... in the early 1980s, by Philip James Rufford.
Xenoposeidon proneneukus...
A leading palaeontologist said there are ... which lived 140 million years ago.
likely to be other undiscovered species...
The mis-labelled fossil lay... ... and was stored in the Natural History Museum.
A dinosaur enthusiast discovered the dusty ... on a shelf in a basement for 113 years.
bone...
He found out that the bone had the wrong ... last January while doing some research.
label...
It was thought to be a common sauropod... ... in the museum.
Join the words to make collocations from the article. Then make a sentence for each collocation.
1. dusty creatures
2. distinctly enthusiast
3. dinosaur find
4. metal basement
5. astonishing doors
6. gloomy palaeontologists
7. extinct unknown
8. respected fossil
9. major wrong
10. previously group
272
5 Discussion
Have you ever found anything exciting or interesting, something you didn’t know you had, or something
that amazed or surprised you? Think back to when you were a child.
• What was it?
• Where did you find it?
• What did you do with it?
• Where is it now?
6 Idioms
Choose one dinosaur, research it on the Internet, and then hold a short presentation about it to your group.
You can find a lot of clear information on websites such as:

www.zoomdinosaurs.com
www.abc.net.au/dinosaurs/fact_files/
You could also print out pictures from Google photos.
273
Iceberg survivors
1 Key words
hypothermia gutted survivor life raft iceberg

rescue cruise option lists thrilled
1. A _______________ is a journey by ship for pleasure that involves visiting a lot of different places.
2. A _______________ is a person who is still alive after a serious accident.

3. If you feel _______________, you feel very pleased and excited.
4. An _______________ is something you can choose in a particular situation.
5. To _______________ someone is to save them from a dangerous situation.
6. _______________ is a serious medical condition in which your body temperature is very low.
7. If a ship _______________ , it leans to one side.
8. A _______________ is a small boat used for saving people whose ship is sinking.
9. If you feel _______________, you feel extremely disappointed.
10. An _______________ is a very large piece of ice floating in the sea.
2 Find the answer
1. Where is Punta Arenas?
2. How many people were on the ship in total?
3. How many Americans were on the ship?
4. How long did they spend in the life rafts?
5. How much did the holiday cost?
6. How long did it take to get everyone off the ship?
274
Iceberg survivors
Happy to be heading home: iceberg 5 Passengers among the first group of survivors
survivors tell of fear in darkness to reach Chile spoke about their feelings as
they got off the plane. “I feel wonderful, very
One of the last to leave the Antarctic cruise
pleased to be alive,” Danish tourist Jan Henkel,
ship as it started listing believed they were all
42, told the AFP news agency. Henkel added:
going to die.
“Everybody was afraid they would die, I think.”
Mr Henkel proposed to his girlfriend when they
Karen McVeigh
reached Chile.
November 26, 2007
6 “I’m so happy that everyone got off the ship,
1 The Antarctic cruise liner Explorer hit an iceberg because it could have been a big disaster,” said
and sank last week. One of the survivors of Eli Charne, 38, from California, speaking before
the accident has spoken of the terrifying hours he left King George Island. Charne, who raised
he spent in the darkness in a lifeboat in the the alarm after he felt the ship hit the iceberg,
freezing cold with other passengers, not knowing said: “I thought the ship was sinking. We were
whether they would be rescued before they on the lowest deck of the ship, so we all ran out
died of hypothermia. The wife of Bob Flood, 52, of the room and pressed the emergency button
an ornithologist and academic, said that her as the water came in. It’s certainly nice to be on
husband thought they were going to die. the way home now. I’m just really glad to be alive
still,” he told Reuters.
2 “When they were in the life raft, they didn’t
7 The Explorer, owned by a Canadian tour
know whether a boat would come to rescue
them,” Mandy Flood said. “He didn’t know how company, GAP Adventures, had almost
long it would be before he began to suffer from completed a 19-day, £4,000 trip following the
hypothermia. I don’t really know whether they 1914-16 expedition undertaken by the explorer
had very much information. He said that he Sir Ernest Shackleton in his ship Endurance.
thought they would die.” Endurance was stuck in the ice for months before
the ice broke it up in October 1915.
3 Last night, Mr Flood arrived in Punta Arenas,
Chile, on a military cargo plane, along with the 8 A spokesman for GAP Adventures said that after
other tourists and crew from the ship. Eleven landing in Punta Arenas in Chile, the passengers
passengers and 66 staff had to stay on a military would be given the option of joining another
base in the Antarctic for two nights because of cruise or flying home. When he was asked
bad weather. They joined the 75 passengers whether an investigation was under way into the
and two staff members who arrived in Chile on accident, the spokesman said: “The investigation
Saturday night. will begin as soon as all the passengers are
safely in Chile.”
4 The Explorer began to sink after the ship hit
an iceberg just before midnight on Friday. The 9 Those on board included 23 British, 17 Dutch, 14
iceberg made a large hole in the side of the Americans, 12 Canadians, 10 Australians, four
ship. All 154 holidaymakers and staff on board Swiss, four Irish, three Danish, two Argentines,
escaped on lifeboats and then had to spend two Belgians, two from Hong Kong and single
five hours in sub-zero temperatures before a passengers from China, France, Germany,
Norwegian ship, the Nordnorge, rescued them Japan, Colombia and Sweden. The majority
and took them to two nearby military bases on of the crew were believed to be from the
King George Island. Philippines, the company stated.
275
Iceberg survivors
10 Mrs Flood, whose husband was employed by and had not been able to get these pictures, so
GAP to give lectures on the ship, said that as a he emailed me to tell me he had and he was
staff member he was one of the last people to thrilled. I thought that as soon as he got on a
leave the ship as water filled the lower decks. rescue boat, he would be absolutely gutted that
“It took an hour for everyone to get off and by he had lost his pictures. “But when I asked him
then the ship was listing. He said that was quite whether he had managed to save anything at
frightening and he realized they were in danger. all from the ship, he said yes – his passport and
He said that he knows how near they were to his computer memory stick, which had all the
dying,” she said. pictures.”
11 She said that earlier in the trip her husband had © Guardian News & Media 2007
taken some pictures of a rare bird called the First published in The Guardian, 26/11/07
snowy petrel. “He had been to the Antarctic twice
1. The Explorer was on a cruise in the Arctic Ocean.
2. The survivors were certain someone would rescue them.
3. While they were in the life rafts, the air temperature was just below zero.
4. Everyone saw the ship hit the iceberg.
5. Mr Flood was unhappy because he lost his photographs.
6. The survivors were rescued by a Norwegian ship.
1. An adjective meaning very frightening. (para 1)
2. A noun meaning someone who studies birds. (para 1)
3. A noun meaning all the people who work on a ship. (para 3)
4. A two-word expression meaning a place where members of the armed forces live and work. (para 3)
5. A verb meaning to ask someone to marry you. (para 5)
6. A noun meaning one of the levels on a ship. (para 6)

7. A noun meaning a long journey organized to a dangerous or distant place. (para 7)
8. An adjective meaning not often seen or found. (para 11)
276
Iceberg survivors
5 Vocabulary 2: Nations and nationalities
Complete the table. All these nationalities are in the text.
country nationality
1. Canada
2. The Netherlands
3. Swiss
4. Norwegian
5. Denmark
6. Belgian
6 Vocabulary 3: Noun + noun collocations
Match the words in the left-hand column with those in the right-hand column to make collocations
from the text.
verb noun
1. cruise a. boat
2. tour b. button
3. life c. plane
4. cargo d. company
5. staff e. stick
6. emergency f. liner
7. rescue g. raft
8. memory h. member
7 Discussion
Would you like to visit a dangerous place like the Antarctic? Why? Why not?
277
The future of design?
1 Pre-reading task: New ideas
Use two or more of these words to make six new design inventions. The first letter of each idea is given to
help you. Then skim-read the article to check your answers.
magnetic sticky solar-powered

clock camera tidier
robotic wastepaper transparent
garden furniture web
glowing mirrors cable bin
vague memos bathroom
a) v___________ ___________
b) s___________ – ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________
c) t___________ ___________ ___________
d) r___________ ___________ ___________
e) m___________ ___________ ___________
f) w___________ ___________ ___________ ___________
2 Key words: Synonyms
Skim the article again to find words that mean (almost) the same as:
1. boring / unexciting – _______________ (para 2)

2. rule / idea – _______________ (para 2)
3. original – _______________ (para 2)
4. factory-made in large numbers – _______________ (para 2)
5. changes – _______________ (para 2)
6. plan / project – _______________ (para 4)
7. to fail – _______________ (para 4)
8. payment – _______________ (para 4)
9. inexact / indeterminate – _______________ (para 5)
10. leads / wires – _______________ (para 5)
11. shows – _______________ (para 6)
12. normal / ordinary – _______________ (para 7)
13. no good / useless – _______________ (para 9)
278
The future of design? company has placed three designs on Nishiyama’s
Ian Sample, science correspondent website: a clock that is vague about the time, a set
November 24, 2007 of solar-powered, glowing garden furniture, and
a wastepaper bin that tidies ugly cables around
A Japanese innovator wants to change the
work desks.
face of shopping and replace mass-produced
goods with people-power ideas 6 David Tonge, founder of The Division, said: “We
wanted a relaxed clock for the home, so the hour
1 If Kohei Nishiyama succeeds, he will be financially hand is on the outside, and like a sundial it’s fairly
independent by the age of 40, living as an inventor vague. But in the centre, it displays minutes in
and being woken each morning by his robot dog. a digital form so you can use it if you’re doing
The 37-year-old Tokyo-based designer and founder something like cooking pasta for 13 minutes.”
of Elephant Design has a dream, one he hopes will
change the face of British shopping. 7 The idea for the garden furniture came after Tonge
was fed-up with the over-designed options he
2 He wants to empty the shelves of dreary, mass- found in shops, while the cable tidier is a standard
marketed and mass-produced objects and replace paper bin fitted with a powerblock and cable
them with products that we - the people - have storage compartments.
helped to develop. Nishiyama calls his idea ‘Design
to Order’ and the principle is simple. Anyone with a 8 Any item on the site that gets 1,000 votes is put
unique idea, for anything from a robotic web camera forward for manufacture. As of yesterday, Tonge’s
to a magnetic bathroom mirror, posts an image and clock had received 39 votes, the cable tidier 22
description on his website. There, people can log votes and the garden furniture nine. The leading
on to suggest alterations and improvements to the product on the site, with 235 votes, is a bathroom
design. If enough people then vote for the product, mirror that is also a whiteboard. The designers hope
he makes a deal with a manufacturer and the the buyers will be busy professionals, who can write
product is made. appointments and thoughts on it, attach memos like
fridge magnets, and see them as they brush their
3 “There are so many mass-produced products teeth in the morning.
making it on to the shelves because that’s how
large companies do things. Our idea is to give 9 For now the test site is only free to designers,
people what they want by involving anyone of any but Nishiyama says he will take ideas from other
age or nationality who has a good idea, early on in people, if there are at least ten people who
the process,” says Nishiyama. support an idea. “Because it’s a new thing and it’s
experimental, a lot of people are posting ideas and,
4 The scheme has been running in Japan for a few it has to be said, some of them are rubbish,” says
years, and has taken off among designers who use Tonge. “But it can be surprising. There are definitely
it to present their ideas instead of committing to people out there, who are not designers, who have
something that may flop. The company has recently some good, interesting ideas, and some of those
set up a test site with retailer Muji to help develop may end up in the shops.”
products for its stores. One idea, for transparent
sticky memos, was suggested by a 21-year-old © Guardian News & Media 2007
student and will be marketed next month. She will First published in The Guardian, 24/11/07
get royalties from every pack sold.
5 Ahead of the formal UK launch next year,

Nishiyama has appointed London-based designers
The Division as its first British consultancy. The
279
Are these sentences true or false according to the article?
Correct any sentences that are false.
1. Kohei Nishiyama comes from Japan but lives in London. true / false
2. Kohei Nishiyama is the founder of a new design company. true / false
3. He doesn’t like mass-marketed products. true / false
4. Elephant Design offers young designers the chance to present their ideas. true / false
5. Kohei Nishiyama wants to move the company base to the UK. true / false
6. A design needs 1000 votes before it can be produced. true / false
7. Currently the most popular product is the vague clock. true / false
8. There are no plans to market any new ideas yet. true / false
4 Vocabulary: Pronunciation
1. Pair these words from the article according to their stress-patterns.
e.g. replace + unique both have the stress-pattern oO
consultancy experimental
product financially
imagination ambitious
scheme
alterations cable
designer
independent vague
280
5 A new invention: Group work
Can you think of an item that would make your life easier – either at work or at home?
What would it do, e.g. polish your shoes, put on your make up, clean the snow off your garden path?
Make notes and present your ideas to the class.
7 Webquest
Go to the website in the article www.cuusoo.jp/muji.
Click on the pictures and see if you can guess what the designs are (the website is in Japanese).
281
‘What am I bid for the four-poster dog bed?’
1 Key words
auction curator attached baggy pastel

downsize bid artefact vintage knick-knacks
1. ____________ are small cheap objects used as decorations.
2. An ____________ is an object that is culturally or historically important.
3. ____________ colours or shades are pale and soft.

4. A ____________ is someone whose job is to look after the objects in a museum.
5. An ____________ is a public sale where things are sold to the people who offer the most money.
6. A ____________ object is old but is kept in a good condition.
7. If you are ____________ to something, you are very fond of it.
8. ____________ clothes have lost their shape and often hang down in the middle.
9. If you ____________, you reduce the size or quantity of something.
10. A ____________ is an offer to buy something at a public sale or on a website such as eBay.
1. Who gave the dog bed to the Osbournes?
2. What colour is Ozzy’s Bentley?
3. How much will the sofa cost?
4. How much will the dog bed cost?
5. What is Ozzy’s daughter’s name?
6. Where is their beachfront house?
282
‘What am I bid for the four-poster 5 Sharon, people say, is the one who has taste. It
dog bed?’ is Sharon who defined the image of the family’s
Malibu beachfront home by filling it with shabby
Dan Glaister in Los Angeles
chic, something which the younger members of
December 1, 2007
the family know a lot about.
1 Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne are the most 6 “This is a combination of celebrity and stupidity
famous husband and wife team of reality TV. in bright pinks and pastel colours,” says James
The documentary The Osbournes showed the Comisar, curator of the Comisar Collection, the
everyday lives of former rock-star Ozzie and world’s largest archive of TV artifacts. He is
reality TV show judge Sharon. It also showed standing in a reproduction of Ozzy and Sharon’s
their amazing shopping habits. Now some of their daughter Kelly’s bedroom. Next to Kelly’s round
belongings are going to be auctioned at a sale in bed there are two matching pink and black
California. The dog bed is probably the strangest bedside tables. Nearby there is a lime green
object among the items currently being displayed plastic folding egg, and in the corner is Kelly
in a guitar showroom in Beverly Hills. herself! Actually, it’s not Kelly but a shop window
model dressed up as Kelly, all pink, punk and
2 The Osbourne Collection auction is the result of
lime green.
Sharon’s wish to downsize. They have so many
things and so little time, so some of it has to 7 But pink punk is not really why we are here. We
go. Naturally, it’s all for the best possible cause are here for the gothic, the black velvet cushions
– profits from the auction will go to a cancer covered in crucifixes and icons ($50–150 each),
charity. Ozzy, however, is not so sure about the the baggy black Ozzy jumper, the limited edition
idea. “Originally we were going to be selling a Black Sabbath shoes (unworn), the floor-length
lot more,” explains Darren Julien, president of black satin coat (estimate $800–1,200).”I don’t
Julien’s Auctions, “but Ozzy is very emotionally care if that chair came from Macy’s or the
attached to a lot of his things.” Queen,” says Comisar. “Ozzy sat in it.”
3 Julien knows this because when he visited the 8 There are all kinds of treasures in the collection.
Osbourne residence in Beverly Hills, Ozzy left Osbourne family light switches, for example,
notes stuck to doors with polite messages such each one carefully labelled – ‘Ozzy bathroom’ for
as: “Auction people – Keep Out!” Ozzy may example - and each one including several lighting
have succeeded in keeping some of his favourite moods, from ‘romantic’ to ‘panic’. In a corner is
possessions, but there are still many on sale. Ozzy’s red Bentley, a present from Sharon. Ozzy
is keen to see it go. He likes black, not red. “He
4 Some of the items will be familiar to viewers of
said to me that he feels like he’s driving a fire
The Osbournes, the MTV show that made the
engine,” says the auctioneer.
former heavy metal legend into a new kind of
celebrity. For example, there is the sofa where 9 Yet among the skulls, the crucifixes, the bible
Ozzy used to sit complaining about his remote stands and the strange collection of vintage car
control (bids for the sofa are invited at $1,000– horns, you can’t help but notice the four-poster
2,000) and the vegetable basket thing so often dog bed, a gift for Minnie, the Osbournes’ pet
seen in the Osbourne’s fitted kitchen (a bargain, dog, from Sir Elton John.
starting at $100–200). Over there is the actual
coffee cup Ozzy used to hold in his shaking 10 “This shows just how absurd some celebrities
hands as he tried to make sense of all the are in this country,” says Comisar, a surprising
modernity around him (Mary Rose Young teacup comment for a man who spends his time
and saucer, estimate $200–400). collecting knick-knacks from TV land. “A bed for
283
a dog that is the price of a small automobile. You

wonder what goes through their minds that Sir
Elton would come to their home and say, ‘What
these people really need is a bed for their dog.’”
Well, not any more. The dog bed is for sale for
$1,000–1,500.

1. The Osbournes are selling some of their possessions because they need money.
2. Ozzy is more enthusiastic about the auction than Sharon.
3. The Comisar Collection is a kind of museum.
4. Ozzy does not like his red Bentley very much.
5. The Osbournes really needed a four-poster dog bed.
6. The cushions are the cheapest items mentioned.
Look in the text and find these words and expressions:
1. An adverb meaning at first. (para 2)
2. A noun which is a formal word for home. (para 3)
3. A noun meaning a famous person in entertainment or sport. (para 4)
4. A two-word noun meaning a device used to operate a tv. (para 4)
5. A four-word expression meaning to understand something difficult. (para 4)
6. A noun meaning an amount that you guess or calculate according to the information available. (para 4)
7. An adjective meaning old and worn. (para 5)

8. An adjective meaning completely stupid. (para 10)
284
Which prepositions follow these words? Check your answers in the text.
1. complain _______
2. attached _______
3. stuck _______
4. succeed _______
5. familiar _______
6. fill _______
7. combination _______
8. covered _______
Complete the table.
Adjective Noun
1. real
2. stupid
3. modern
4. romance
5. absurdity
6. emotion
7. limit
8. goth
7 Discussion
What kind of things do people collect and why? Do you collect anything?
285
Radiohead fans pay £2.90 for digital album
1 Warmer: Brainstorming
a) How many music genres can you think of in three minutes?
b) What kind of music do you like?
Can you find someone in your group who has a similar taste in music to you?
2 Key words
Use these words from the article to complete the sentences.
handling charge struggling piracy download experiment era

honesty box ultimately average remaining reveal
1. We use this word to talk about a particular period of time. _______________
2. When a company or industry experiences financial difficulties, it is said to be _______________
3. When you give out information that was not known before, you _______________ it.
4. A _______________ is a fee that a shop charges you when they send your goods to you.
5. An _______________ is the amount you get when you add numbers together and then divide the total by the
number of things you added together.
6. _______________ means the same as, in the end, or finally.
7. When you copy information from the Internet to your computer, you _______________ it.
8. When something is _______________ , it is the amount that is still left.
9. An _______________ is a container into which the seller hopes the buyer will place money.
10. _______________ is the crime of making and selling illegal copies of something, especially CDs and DVDs.
11. An _______________ is a (scientific) test to find out what happens to someone or something.
286
Radiohead fans pay £2.90 for for. This suggests that Radiohead’s experiment
digital album was successful.
Alexandra Topping © Guardian News & Media 2007

November 7, 2007 First published in The Guardian, 07/11/07
1 When Radiohead invited their fans to pay as

much - or as little - as they liked for a digital
download of their new album, In Rainbows, many
said it was the beginning of a new era for the
struggling record industry.
2 So what then, were people willing to pay? Around

£2.90, it would seem.
3 Research revealed yesterday that only 38% of

people downloading the album were willing to pay
anything at all. Two thirds paid only the 45p charge
for handling.
4 The average amount that fans were willing to pay

was still only $6 (£2.90) – far below the price of
a CD or the amount a digital album would cost to
download from the Apple iTunes store.
5 During the first 29 days of October, 1.2 million

people worldwide visited Radiohead’s In Rainbows
website. A large number of these visitors ultimately
downloaded the album. The study showed that
38% willingly paid to download the album, with
the remaining 62% choosing to pay nothing. The
percentage downloading for free in the US (60%) is
only very slightly lower than in the rest of the
world (64 %).
6 The Radiohead ‘honesty box’ experiment has been

closely watched by other artists, their record labels
and management companies. Despite an increase
in sales of live concert tickets, CD sales are less
profitable than ever due to increased competition
and piracy.
7 It is thought that worldwide, people download 20

tracks illegally for every digital download they pay
287
1. The record industry is not doing well. T/F

2. Less than 50% of people downloaded Radiohead’s album for free. T/F
3. The album was cheaper on Apple’s iTunes website. T/F
4. Recently, CD sales have been decreasing. T/F
5. Sales of live concert tickets are increasing. T/F
6. A higher percentage of people download for free in the USA than anywhere else in the world. T/F
7. There are currently more illegal music downloads than legal downloads. T/F
8. Radiohead’s experiment was a flop. T/F
4 Discussion
In groups, discuss these questions:
a) How much does a CD cost in your country?

b) How many CDs do you buy in a month/year?
c) When did you last buy a CD or download music from the Internet?
d) What do you consider to be a fair price for a CD?
e) How much would you be willing to pay to download music?
f) When did you last go to a live concert / opera / musical performance?
g) Do you plan to go to a concert in the near future?
4 Writing - Follow up
Write an email to a friend. Tell them about Radiohead’s new album.
• For more background information, please refer to the onestopenglish weekly news lesson 57 from October
11th 2007, ‘Radiohead’s bid to revive the music industry’ and http://www.inrainbows.com/
288
Thanks for the tools! Jailbreakers taunt guards
1 Key words
daring breakout emerge contradiction prosecutor

rubble fence cell manslaughter feud
1. A ____________ is a flat upright structure made of wood or wire that surrounds an area of land.
2. A ____________ is a small room where a prisoner is kept.
3. ____________ is the crime of causing someone’s death illegally but without intending to.
4. A ____________ is an escape from a prison.
5. ____________ is a mixture of broken pieces of stone, brick and concrete.
6. If you are ____________, you are brave enough to do dangerous things.
7. A ____________ is an angry disagreement between two people or groups that continues for a long time.
8. When a piece of news or certain details ____________, they become known to the general public.
9. A ____________ is a difference between two statements that makes it impossible for them both to be true.
10. A ____________ is a lawyer whose job is to prove in court that someone is guilty.
1. How many prisoners escaped?
2. How old is Jose Espinosa?
3. How tall is he?
4. What were the numbers of their cells?
5. How big was the hole they escaped through?
6. How much money has been offered as a reward?
289
Thanks for the tools! Jailbreakers is a very serious situation,” he told reporters at a
taunt guards press conference. “I really prefer not to compare
with any movie, although I can understand
• Hunt on for two prisoners after movie-style breakout
why you might do that because it does look
• Escapees used pinups to cover holes in cell walls
certainly very similar to some of them.” Then,
Ed Pilkington in New York in a complete contradiction of his previous
December 19, 2007 position, he added: “Except in The Shawshank
Redemption they had a better poster on the wall.”
1 The two escaped prisoners made fun of their 5 From The Shawshank Redemption the inmates
guards. Not only did they leave a handwritten moved to Steve McQueen’s The Great Escape.
note that said, “Thank you officer for the tools They filled their beds with pillows so the prison
we needed. You’re a real pal! Happy holidays.” guards would think they were still asleep. When
They also signed it with a smiley face. The note they had got out of the cell they jumped from a
was a leaving card from two prisoners in a New roof 10 metres high. No blood was found, which
Jersey jail who broke out of a high-security wing means they were probably not injured.
using just a thick metal wire and a metal wheel
used to turn off water pipes. The daring breakout 6 After that, all they had to do was climb an eight-
combined a detailed knowledge of Hollywood metre razor-wire fence, which didn’t seem to
prison films, an ability to squeeze through small bother them either. Tracks in the snow suggest
holes like Houdini, and an ability to jump off they split up and headed in opposite directions
high buildings. along a railway line.
2 Police are still searching for Jose Espinosa, 20, 7 It emerged that this was the second time Blunt
and Otis Blunt, 32, as details emerge about how had tried to break out using the wire method. On
they managed to escape from Union County the first occasion a fellow prisoner told the prison
jail. They began by using the wire to remove authorities about his plan and he was moved
the cement around a concrete block in the wall to what they thought was a more secure part of
between their two cells, B310 and B311. After the prison.
removing the block, Blunt managed to squeeze
8 Blunt was in prison awaiting trial for robbery and
his 1.79-metre (5ft 9in), (11½st) body through a
shooting at a corner shop. Espinosa had already
20cm by 40cm hole into Espinosa’s cell. From
pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was awaiting
there, Espinosa, who is 1.67 metres tall (5ft 5in)
sentencing in which he would have received at
and 10st 10lb, and Blunt both squeezed through
least 17 years. He had been the driver in a drive-
a similar hole that had been opened by removing
by shooting in New Jersey in what prosecutors
a block separating Espinosa’s cell from the
said was a gang feud.
outside world.
9 A reward of $8,000 has been offered for the
3 Investigators found that the men had used the
men’s recapture, and a full inquiry ordered into
heavy metal wheel to break up the concrete
prison security.
blocks and hide the rubble in the plastic boxes
they used to store their personal possessions.
Then, just like in the movies, they placed posters
of women in bikinis over the holes.
4 A local prosecutor, Ted Romankow, did not

approve of the Hollywood connection. “I think this
290
1. The prisoners escaped by climbing through a window.
2. The prisoners used posters to cover the holes in the walls of their cells.
3. The men were injured when they jumped from the roof.
4. The men ran away in the same direction along a railway line.
5. Blunt had tried to escape before.
6. The prison authorities are happy with the level of security in the prison.
4 Find the word
Find the following words or expressions in the text.
1. A verb meaning to get through a very small space. (para 1)
2. An adjective meaning almost the same but not exactly the same. (para 2)
3. A two-word expression meaning things that belong to a person. (para 3)
4. A noun meaning someone kept in a prison or an institution. (para 5)
5. A two-word expression meaning very sharp wire used for protection or security. (para 6)
6. A verb meaning to go in a particular direction. (para 6)
7. An adjective meaning safe. (para 7)
8. A three-word expression meaning a situation where someone is shot from a moving car. (para 8)
291
Fill the gaps in the phrases from the text using prepositions
1. make fun _______ someone
2. break out _______ a jail
3. squeeze _______ a small opening
4. search _______ someone
5. escape _______ a jail
6. compare _______
7. similar _______
8. travel _______ opposite directions
Complete the table.
adjective noun
1. able
2. secure
3. smile
4. person
5. injury
6. guilt
7 Discussion
The two men made a hole in their cell wall and escaped through it. Can you think of other ways that prisoners could
escape from prison?
292
India gears up for mass motoring revolution
1 Key words
boot vehicle rival boom consumer

smog emission evict nightmare switch
1. If you ____________ someone, you force them by law to leave their home or their land.
2. An ____________ is a substance, particularly a gas, that goes into the air.
3. A ____________ is an extremely difficult or frightening situation or a very bad dream.
4. A ____________ is a machine that you travel in on a road, such as a car, a bus or a motorcycle.
5. The ____________ of a car is the space, usually at the back, where you place your luggage.
6. If you ____________, you change from one thing to another.
7. A ____________ is a sudden major increase in the activity of a particular industry.
8. A ____________ is someone who buys and uses goods and services.
9. A ____________ is a person or business that competes with another.
10. ____________ is polluted air that is a mixture of smoke and fog.
1. What is the population of India?
2. What is the currency of India?
3. How much will the Nano car cost?
4. How many people per thousand people in India have a car?
5. How much carbon dioxide did cars in India produce in 2005?
6. How many cars will the Tata factory be able to produce each year?
293
India gears up for mass motoring on sale in India and analysts predict that India
revolution with £1,260 car will become the fastest growing car market
– overtaking China – in five years.
Environmentalists fear city smog nightmare if millions
of Tata’s Nanos hit the road. 4 The ‘people’s car’ is also a realization of the Tata
chairman’s dream: to put every Indian family
Randeep Ramesh in New Delhi
in a car. He says the thought came to him first
January 11, 2008
while watching families on motorbikes travelling
through dusty streets: “The father driving the
1 It has no radio, no boot, no airbag, no passenger-
scooter, his young kid standing in front of him,
side mirror and just one long windscreen wiper.
his wife seated behind him holding a baby. I
And if you want air-conditioning to deal with
wondered whether there could be a safe, cheap,
India’s summer heat you’ll have to buy the deluxe
all-weather form of transport for such a family.”
version. India’s Tata Group has just announced
the world’s cheapest car, the Nano, which will 5 The Nano costs just 100,000 rupees plus sales
go on sale later this year for 100,000 rupees tax and is less than half the price of the next
(£1,260) to bring motoring to the country’s billion cheapest car on the road in India and a bit more
inhabitants. 70-year-old Ratan Tata, the chairman than a quality motorcycle. Analysts say that
of Tata, believes that the Nano is as important the economic boom in India means that people
an event in the history of transport as the first with money will want to buy cars instead of
powered flight by the Wright brothers, or the first motorcycles. If just 10% of motorcycle owners
landing on the moon. But environmentalists say switched to the Nano it would mean 1m extra
the new car could cause a ‘nightmare’ of terrible cars on India’s roads a year.
pollution and blocked roads. 6 “Tata have been very clever and have studied
2 Like a modern-day version of Henry Ford, Tata’s the market very carefully,” said motor industry
idea is of a cheap car that is light and simple, but expert Abdul Majeed. “The Nano is like Ford’s
made from high-quality materials. The result is Model T which drove the American motor boom
a small vehicle which can just hold five adults. in the early 20th century. Tata will give the Indian
The cheapest model is very basic: its price has consumer a cheap car that is easy to drive and
been kept low by using more plastic than steel, cheap to maintain. The market possibilities
and using glue to hold the parts together. Rival are huge.”
manufacturers had questioned whether the car 7 But environmentalists say the possibility of
would meet safety standards, especially if the mass sales of the Nano could cause enormous
company plans to export such models to Europe. damage to the environment. India’s largest cities
Tata officials said the car had been designed so it are now covered in smog and rush hours last
could be easily strengthened with metal plates to long into the night. In Delhi traffic now crawls,
meet tougher safety standards. on average, at less than nine miles an hour
3 First designed four years ago, the Nano has – half the speed of ten years ago. As traffic jams
already revolutionized the motor industry. Just increase and cars slow down, the emissions
a few days before Tata showed the car to the of greenhouse gases increase more rapidly.
public for the first time, Ford announced it would India’s vehicles produced 219m tonnes of carbon
increase spending by $500m (£250m) a year to dioxide in 2005. Experts say that will increase
make India a centre of ‘small-car manufacturing’. by almost 700% to 1,470 tonnes by 2035 if car
Last October, Renault said it was considering travel is not restricted.
making a $5,000 car in India for export to the 8 “In terms of emission controls, we are five to
US. For the time being the Nano will only be 10 years behind Europe. We do not tax diesel
D
E
294
properly so more dirty car use is encouraged,” 10 In the case of Tata’s new car, more than 1,000
said Sunita Narain of Delhi’s Centre for Science acres of fields in West Bengal’s Singur district
and Environment. “We need better public were taken to build the Nano plant. The factory
transport, not policies that promote private cars, will be able to produce 250,000 cars a year.
otherwise we will not meet people’s needs.” Thousands of farmers who once grew four crops
a year have been evicted to make way for the
9 The motor industry says that Indian car
new factory. Last month Shankar Patra, a 50-
ownership is still small: seven or eight out of
year-old farmer who lost his fields to the Tata
every 1,000 people own a car, compared with
plant, killed himself. “Without our fields there is
more than 500 in every 1,000 in America. The
no work for us. The village will die,” said Patra’s
number of private cars in India – about 13m – is
22-year-old son, Pratap. “We have nothing, but
only a little more than half the number of cars
the rest of India will have a new car.”
in America at the start of the 1930s. But the
boom in motoring in India is already changing © Guardian News & Media 2008
the shape of the country. Slowly cities are being First published in The Guardian, 11/01/08
replaced by distant suburbs. The government is
spending £35bn on new road projects. Farmland
has been given to industry for the factories to
build new cars.
1. There were more cars in America in the 1930s than there are in India today.
2. Ford and Renault are also planning to make cars in India.
3. The chairman of Tata wants everyone in India to own a car.
4. The next cheapest car in India costs 200,000 rupees.
5. In Delhi traffic moves faster than it did 10 years ago.
6. There are around 13 million private cars in India.
7. The Indian government does not want to spend money on new roads.
8. The Tata factory has been built on farmland.
295
Find the following words and expressions in the text.
1. A noun meaning someone who wants to protect the environment. (para 1)
2. A comparative adjective meaning more difficult and stricter. (para 2)
3. A verb meaning say what will happen in the future. (para 3)
4. A noun meaning a small vehicle that looks like a motorcycle with a small engine. (para 4)
5. A two-word expression meaning extra money you have to pay when you buy something. (para 5)
6. A verb meaning to keep in a good working condition. (para 6)
7. A two-word expression meaning the time of day when there are a lot of cars on the road because
people are going to or from work. (para 7)
8. A verb meaning to encourage or support something. (para 8)
Match the words in the left-hand column with those in the right-hand column to make two-word
expressions from the text.
1. high a. gases
2. public b. boom
3. safety c. wiper
4. rush d. tax
5. sales e. quality
6. economic f. hour
7. greenhouse g. transport
8. windscreen h. standards
296

Complete the table using words from the text.
verb noun
1. pollute
2. revolution
3. realize
4. consume
5. emit
6. encouragement
7. own
8. eviction
7 Discussion
Does everyone have the right to own a car? How can we protect the environment if road and air travel
becomes even cheaper?
297
Clinton and Obama prepare to face off
1 Key words
Write these words into the definitions below.
legal dispute political camp race issue candidates tie destruction

racially tinged distorts controversial revive poll
1. This term is being used more frequently in US politics these days when there is any controversy that includes
possible racism. ________________
2. If people get an equal amount of points or votes we say that the result is a draw or a ________________.
3. This is a term for a group of people who support the same politician. ________________.
4. When something is ________________ ________________ it contains a small amount of racism.
5. A ________________ subject is one that many people disagree with or do not approve of.
6. A ________________ is the process that asks many people their opinion about a certain topic.
7. People who compete in an election are called ________________.
8. If someone ________________ something, they change the information so that it is no longer true or accurate.
9. A ________________ is a disagreement that has to be decided by a court.
10. When you ________________ something, you bring it back to life.
11. ________________ is another word for very severe damage or harm.
2 What do you know?
Which further ten words or names would you expect to appear in an article about the US Democratic
Party’s presidential candidates?
Compare your answers in class and then skim-read the article to see how many of your words actually appear.
_______________ _______________ _______________ _______________ _______________
_______________ _______________ _______________ _______________ _______________
298
Clinton and Obama prepare to face off 9 Bill Shaheen, a New Hampshire Clinton campaign
following round of attacks official, resigned last month after suggesting
Ewen MacAskill and Suzanne Goldenberg in Democrats should be careful of voting for Obama
Washington because of his past drug use.
January 14, 2008 10 In what seems to have been another misjudged
remark, Michelle Obama, campaigning for her
1 Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama came face-to- husband in South Carolina, also mentioned race.
face on January 15 for the first time since their two Addressing African-Americans who were unsure
camps began the dangerous strategy of trying to about his ability to win, she reminded them that
gain political points from the race issue. Iowa, which is predominantly white, voted for
Obama. “Ain’t no black people in Iowa,” she said.
2 After Obama’s victory in Iowa and Clinton’s in New
Hampshire, the two candidates – who met for a 11 Not only might the remark lose Obama some white
debate in Las Vegas on Tuesday – are hoping to votes, the comment is also factually wrong – there
break the tie in Nevada or in South Carolina. are 75,000 African-Americans in Iowa.
3 The bitter and ugly exchanges over race show the 12 John Edwards, who is in third place at 11%,
importance of South Carolina, where about half the supported Obama in the race row. The former North
Democratic voters are African-American. Carolina senator has recently gone out of his way to
find a common cause with Obama and many people
4 The Obama team today accused Clinton of being
now believe that Edwards is trying to become
“engaged in the politics of personal destruction”.
Obama’s vice presidential running mate.
5 The Clinton team has been forced to defend
13 A legal dispute over the role of unions in Nevada
themselves over a series of remarks that have
has also raised issues of race, with Obama and
been interpreted as racially tinged. The most
Clinton competing for the support of Latinos, who
controversial was a comment from Clinton that
make up about a quarter of the state’s population.
suggested she was trying to minimize the role of
Martin Luther King in the civil rights era. The Clinton 14 A poll for the Washington Post-ABC News today
team accused Obama of distorting the remarks. showed Obama closing the gap nationwide, with
Clinton on 42%, down 11% since last month, and
6 Meanwhile, Bob Johnson, a founder of the Black Obama on 37%, up 14%. But a national CBS
Entertainment Television who is among Clinton’s
News-New York Times poll showed Clinton on
most well-known African-American supporters,
42% compared to Obama’s 27%. A figure that has
revived the issue of Obama’s teenage drug use,
remained unchanged since last month.
which he wrote about in his memoir, Dreams From
My Father. © Guardian News & Media 2008
7 During an introduction for Clinton at an event,
Johnson said Hillary and Bill Clinton were engaged
in black issues when Obama “was doing something
in the neighbourhood: I won’t say what he was
doing, but he said it in his book”.
8 Johnson later said that his comments referred

to Obama’s work as a community organizer in
Chicago “and nothing else. Any other suggestion
is simply irresponsible and incorrect”. The Obama
team demanded an apology.
299
Choose the best answer according to the information given in the text.
1. What is the name of the third candidate for the Democratic nomination?
a. Bob Johnson
b. Bill Shaheen
c. John Edwards
d. Martin Luther King
2. What does the article mean by the term, personal destruction?

a. That Clinton will become ill.
b. That Clinton is trying to ruin her opponent’s chances.
c. That Clinton will ruin her own chances.
d. That the Democratic Party will personally intervene.
3. Approximately how many African-Americans are there in Iowa?

a. 750
b. 7,500
c. 75,000
d. 750,000
4. What does the CBS News-New York Times poll show?

a. That Clinton is still in the lead.
b. That Obama is likely to overtake Clinton.
c. That John Edwards is likely to be Vice President.
d. That the American public don’t care who becomes their next president.
Fill in the missing prepositions.
1. meet someone face ________ face

2. Obama’s victory ________ Iowa
3. exchanges ________ race
4. Bob Johnson is ________ Clinton’s most well-known African-American supporters.
5. doing something ________ the neighbourhood
6. because ________ his past drug use
7. Michelle Obama, campaigning ________ her husband ________ South Carolina
8. John Edwards, who is in third place ________ 11%
9. a legal dispute ________ the role ________ unions ________ Nevada
10. a poll ________ the Washington Post
300
5 Discussion
In his book, Obama admitted that he took drugs when he was a teenager.
What do you think: should things that people did in the past affect their chances of getting a particular job?
Yes / no / it depends?
Think of examples to support your answer.
6 Webquest
Check out US websites such as the www.washingtonpost.com or www.CNN.com to see who is currently
leading in the campaign to become the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee.
301
Life through a lens
1 Key words
widespread facilities sedentary decline pastime

balanced survey reluctant multitask essential
1. If you ____________, you do more than one thing at the same time.
2. If something is ____________, it happens or exists in many places.
3. A ____________ life is one in which all parts combine well together and exist in the correct amounts.
4. A ____________ is a set of questions that you ask a large number of people.
5. ____________ are things such as rooms or pieces of equipment provided at a place for people to use.
6. A ____________ is a reduction in the amount or quality of something.
7. If something is ____________, it is completely necessary.
8. A ____________ is something people do regularly for fun in their free time.
9. If you are ____________ to do something, you don’t want to do it.
10. If an activity is described as ____________, it involves a lot of sitting and not much exercise.
1. What percentage of British children watch TV in bed at night?
2. How much time on average do British children spend in front of a screen each day?
3. How many children read books in their own time each day?
4. How many children did the survey interview?
5. What percentage of five to 16-year olds use the Internet?
6. How much time on average do children spend online (on the Internet)?
302
Life through a lens
Life through a lens: How Britain’s 5 The report, based on interviews with 1,147 children
children eat, sleep and breathe TV in 60 schools around England, Scotland and Wales,
Lucy Ward, social affairs correspondent found television viewing now averages 2.6 hours
January 16, 2008 a day across the age group, though one in ten say
they watch more than four hours daily. The survey,
1 A generation of ‘multitasking’ children are living their which has been conducted annually for 14 years,
daily lives – including eating and falling asleep – to asked for the first time whether children watched
the accompaniment of television, according to a television while eating dinner or in bed before
survey of young people’s media habits. They watch going to sleep. It found that 58% watch during their
TV before they go to school, when they return evening meal, while 63% lie in bed watching the
home, as they eat their evening meal and then – for screen (rising to almost 75% of 13 to 16-year-olds).
63%, a much higher percentage than read a book Two-thirds – particularly the youngest children –
each day – in bed at night. The survey of five to 16- watch before school, and 83% turn on the television
year-olds shows that four out of five children now after returning home.
have a TV set in their bedroom.
6 Rosemary Duff, Childwise research director, said
2 Television has become so widespread that many television was now “a part of children’s lives”, but
children now combine it with other activities, added that the quality of viewing had changed.
including social networking online, looking from “People used to pay more attention when they
their laptop to the TV screen and back again. watched television. It used to be less widespread
Even if they are concentrating on the television, but much higher in its importance. Now it is
young people are now unwilling to watch just one widespread but just part of the background, not just
programme, with boys in particular often switching at home but wherever you go.”
between channels to keep up with two programmes
7 “It seems that children now multitask, keeping
at the same time. The survey, conducted by the
one eye on the television as they flick through
market research agency Childwise, will increase
magazines or use the computer,” Duff added.
worries that childhood is increasingly about private
When the company asked boys to choose between
space and sedentary activities and less about play,
programmes on different channels they often
social interaction or the child’s own imagination.
refused, saying they would ‘watch both’. “They
3 The government’s recent Children’s Plan focused switch from one to another and cannot imagine
on improving play facilities as a means of ensuring that they should have to make a decision. They are
a more balanced life for young people who surprised that you should put them in a situation
spend a lot of time watching television. Today’s where they have to make a choice.”
survey findings show that after declining for three
8 Computers are also now a key part of children’s
years, television-watching among children is now
private worlds. “The Internet is now an essential
increasing again. This is mainly the result of more
part of most young people’s lives,” says the study,
girls watching soap operas.
with 85% of five to 16-year-olds using the Internet,
4 Internet use is also continuing to increase rapidly. and over a third (including a quarter of five to six-
This means British children spend an average of year-olds) owning a computer or laptop of their own.
five hours and 20 minutes in front of a screen a day, On average, they go online just over four times a
up from four hours and 40 minutes five years ago. week, spending two hours each time.
Reading books for pleasure, on the other hand,
9 The survey shows a rise in Internet use, particularly
continues to decline as a regular pastime. While
among younger children. This is mainly the
four out of five children read books in their own
result of social networking sites, primarily Bebo.
time, only a quarter do so daily and 53% at least
Communication, says the report, “has overtaken
once a week.
303
Life through a lens
fun (e.g. online games) as the main reason to use effects of children’s TV and Internet viewing habits”.
the Internet and study is now far behind”. Almost The inquiry will report next month on children and
three quarters (72%) of children have visited a technology as part of its two-year investigation.
social networking site, and over half have their own
profile – sometimes lying about their age to avoid © Guardian News & Media 2008
minimum age requirements. Children as young as First published in The Guardian, 16/01/08
eight are now signing up.
10 Kathy Evans, policy director of the Children’s

Society, which is conducting its own inquiry into
modern childhood, said there was now “growing
public and professional concern about the possible
1. Boys often watch more than one TV programme at the same time.
2. The rise in Internet use is mainly the result of social networking sites.
3. The number of children watching television is falling steadily.
4. Less than half the children surveyed watch TV while they are eating their evening meal.
5. The survey is conducted every 14 years.
6. Many children watch TV and use a laptop at the same time.
4 Find the word
Find the following words or phrases in the text.
1. A four-word expression meaning while something else is happening or can be heard. (para 1)
2. A three-word phrasal verb meaning to continue to follow. (para 2)
3. An adverb meaning every year. (para 5)
4. A two-word phrasal verb meaning look quickly at a magazine or newspaper. (para 7)
5. A verb meaning to say you will not do something that someone has asked you to do. (para 7)
6. An adjective meaning as small in amount or degree as possible. (para 9)
7. A two-word phrasal verb meaning agree to join a course or organization. (para 9)
8. A noun meaning the time of your life when you are a child. (para 10)
304
Life through a lens
5 Verb + noun collocations
Match the verbs in the left-hand column with the nouns in the right-hand column to make collocations.
1. visit a. facilities
2. turn on b. the Internet
3. improve c. a magazine
4. flick through d. attention
5. make e. a survey
6. use f. a choice
7. pay g. a website
8. conduct h. the television
6 Word building
verb noun
1. interact
2. imagine
3. decline
4. research
5. refusal
6. inquire
7. investigate
8. please
7 Discussion
Do you think children spend too much time watching TV and using the Internet? What are the advantages
and disadvantages of these activities?
D
E
305
A tale of two ships
1 Warmer
Write down ten words you would expect to find in an article about whaling.
Compare your words with your partner’s, then skim-read the article. How many of your words can
you find?
Example: whaling - the activity of hunting whales. (definition, Macmillan English Dictionary online)
_____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________
_____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________
2 Skim-reading
Skim the text again to find the answers to these questions.
1. How many ships does the article mention and who do they belong to?
2. Where is the battle taking place?
3. Who is the captain of the MV Steve Irwin?
4. Which organization believes in non-violent action?
5. Which group is the most radical?
6. Giles Lane and Benjamin Potts are members of which organization?
306
A tale of two ships
A tale of two ships the Irwin to deliver a letter to the Japanese captain,
John Vidal requesting him to leave the whale sanctuary.
January 17, 2008 The Japanese promptly held them captive and
sailed away over the horizon. This act sparked an
1 A battle is being fought across thousands international diplomatic incident.
of miles of empty ocean, with just two boats
struggling to stop Japan’s whaling expedition 7 The drama is reaching its climax. The last time
in the Antarctic. The problem is that one boat Greenpeace, Sea Shepherd and the Japanese
belongs to Greenpeace and the other to Sea whalers met in the Antarctic, almost a year ago,
Shepherd, rival organizations. there were several near disasters. Over a period of
more than a week, acid and mud, as well as water
2 The nautical drama involving seven ships is cannons and nail guns, were used. There were
taking place in the wild, and normally extremely collisions, shouting matches and three distress
lonely, Southern Ocean on the edge of flares had to be launched – first by Sea Shepherd
Antarctica. The Nisshin Maru, a large Japanese when one of its dinghies got separated and its crew
whaling factory ship, is sailing south at 15 knots was stranded on an ice floe, then by one of the
in heavy seas with a crew of 80 and with the Japanese ships when it was rammed by the Sea
carcasses of possibly 50 whales on board. Shepherd ship and lastly by the Nisshin Maru when
it caught fire and one man died. As is customary at
3 Two miles behind it is the Esperanza, a sea, everyone stopped fighting each other to help
Greenpeace ship with a volunteer crew of 21 those in distress.
nationalities and a Dutch captain. The Esperanza
is well-equipped but it looks tiny beside the vast 8 This time, the environmentalists are aware they
whaling ship. could be sailing in to a carefully laid trap set by
the Japanese fleet. “Anything could happen”, said
4 The MV Steve Irwin, the black-painted flagship Greenpeace’s Dave Walsh, on board the Esperanza.
of Captain Paul Watson and the California-
based Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, the 9 It is clear that there is far more at stake than a
world’s most uncompromising environmental chase. Sea Shepherd and Greenpeace might
enforcement group, is also nearby. Watson’s both be chasing the same whaling ships, but
crew is smaller, but – like the Esperanza’s crew there are also other factors involved: large egos,
– is made up of brilliant and committed seamen. corporate pride, old jealousies, intense rivalries,
distrust and fundamental differences of opinion
5 The MV Steve Irwin is roughly 2,500 miles about the environment, protest and confrontation.
south-west of Fremantle in Australia. It is chasing Although the crews have deep respect for each
a group of four small whaling ships that the other in such dangerous conditions, they are in
Japanese are using to kill nearly 1,000 whales official or semi-official conflict.
in the Antarctic whale sanctuary this year. The
four ships are thought to be heading towards the 10 The two organizations, Greenpeace and Sea
Nisshin Maru to offload harpooned whales and Shepherd, are as different as chalk and cheese.
pick up stores. The tactics they use are very different. Sea
Shepherd thinks nothing of chucking acid, stink
6 One of these smaller whalers, the Yusshin Maru bombs, urine or even chocolate cake at its
No. 2, has already clashed with the Irwin and ran enemies. It will try to foul ships by putting ropes
from it with two of the Sea Shepherd boat’s crew. round their propellers and, led by Watson, the crew
In an act of extraordinary courage – or stupidity – has crept on to its enemies’ boats at night and
Giles Lane from Brighton and Benjamin Potts from opened the stopcocks to sink them. Greenpeace’s
Australia leapt aboard the Yusshin Maru No. 2 from main tactic is to put itself between the whales
307
A tale of two ships
and the whalers, or in the paths of survey ships vicious, cruel killing machine otherwise known as
– these tactics are not safe, but highly effective. the Nisshin Maru, and her fleet of boats armed
Greenpeace’s rule is non-violent direct action. with explosive harpoons. We know that if we kill
the whales, the sharks, the seals and the sea
11 Greenpeace said, “We’re not working together turtles, we will destroy the very foundation of life
in any way. We have our interpretation [of in the oceans,” he says.
direct action] and they have theirs, and we
stick to ours,” said a spokesperson. “We are 13 Both Sea Shepherd and Greenpeace know
a confrontational organization. We will put they will meet in the Antarctic regularly, and fall
ourselves at risk, but no one else. We would out with each other constantly. But meanwhile,
never endanger sailors on other ships. Our there have been no whales killed in the Southern
argument is not with the guys on the ships; it is Ocean in the past six days.
with the [Japanese] ministries”.
12 Watson is far more personal. “We are obsessed First published in The Guardian, 17/01/08
with stopping the cetacean Death Star, that
(More than one answer may be correct)
1. Which ship has the largest crew? 4. Members of whose crew had to be rescued from an
ice floe last year?
a) The Esperanza.
b) The MV Steve Irwin. a) The Japanese whaler’s.
c) The Nisshin Maru. b) Sea Shepherd’s.
c) Greenpeace’s.
2. The Southern Ocean is...
5. Greenpeace says their argument is with...
a) ... lonely and wild.
b) ... south of Australia. a) ... the Japanese whalers.
c) ... a whale sanctuary. b) ... Sea Shepherd.
c) ... the Japanese ministries.
3. According to the article, there is jealously and
rivalry between... 6. What do Sea Shepherd call the ‘Cetacean Death Star’?
a) ... Greenpeace and Sea Shepherd. a) The Esperanza.
b) ... Sea Shepherd and the Japanese whalers. b) The Japanese whaling fleet.
c) ... Greenpeace and the Japanese whalers. c) The Nisshin Maru.
308
A tale of two ships
Write the missing prepositions into these phrases from the article.
1. _____ different _____ chalk and cheese

2. miles _____ empty ocean
3. one boat belongs _____ Greenpeace, the other _____ Sea Shepherd
4. 2,500 miles south-west _____ Australia
5. Giles Lane is _____ Brighton
6. an act _____ courage (or stupidity)
7. a period _____ more than a week
8. a trap set _____ the Japanese fleet
9. differences _____ opinion _____ protest and confrontation
10. _____ any way
5 Discussion
Greenpeace try to stop the whaling by putting themselves between the whale and the whalers.
Sea Shepherd use stronger and more forceful tactics such as throwing acid and ramming the whalers.
• Which of these tactics do you think is most effective and why?

• Do you agree with either of the tactics?
• Which do you think is the most dangerous?
• Can you think of any other ways to stop whaling?
7 Webquest
Look at these websites to find out about the latest developments in the sea battle:
• www.greenpeace.org/international/
• www.seashepherd.org/
• www.whaling.jp/english/index.html
You can also read a further Guardian article at:

• www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/jan/29/whaling.conservation
309
Fly to Australia in under five hours
1 Key words
hypersonic mach reusable demand spin-off

conventional claustrophobia incredible secure firm
1. A ________________ is a company or business.
2. If there is ________________ for a particular product or service, a lot of people want it.
3. A ________________ speed is a speed which is several times faster than the speed of sound.
4. ________________ is the fear of being in a small or crowded place.
5. A ________________ is something good or useful that happens unexpectedly because of something else.
6. ________________ is a unit for measuring the speed of an aircraft in comparison with the speed of sound.
7. If something is ________________, it is difficult to believe.
8. If something is ________________, it can be used again, often more than once.
9. If something is ________________, it is fixed firmly and in a safe way.
10. If something is ________________, it is of the usual, traditional or accepted type, instead of being
new or different.
1. How fast will the A2 be able to fly?
2. How many passengers will it carry?
3. How long will it take to fly from Brussels to Australia?
4. How long will the A2 be?
5. What percentage of air travel could be hypersonic in 25 years’ time?
6. How much cargo will Skylon be able to carry into space?
310
The hypersonic plane designed to 4 Reaction Engines estimates that the flight would
reach Australia in under five hours cost about the same as the current first class
UK firm unveils exploratory plans for 3,000mph fare to Australia. Moreover, according to the
eco-friendly passenger jet company, the plane would not be able to reach
the necessary speed with normal aviation fuels
Steven Morris
so Reaction Engines has designed an engine
February 5, 2008
that would run on liquid hydrogen. A spin-off
is that liquid hydrogen could be much greener
1 The artist’s impression looks like something than conventional fuel. It doesn’t produce large
out of a science fiction film. But a hypersonic amounts of carbon emissions but gives off water
passenger plane that could fly to Australia from vapour and nitrous oxide.
northern Europe in less than five hours has
5 Another advantage of the design is that, although
been designed in Britain. With money from the
the 132 metre-long A2 is much bigger than
European Space Agency, a team of engineers
conventional jets, it would be lighter than a
and scientists has designed the A2, a plane they
Boeing 747 and could land on the airport runways
believe could carry 300 passengers at a top
used today. But there are a few problems. For one
speed of more than 3,000mph. The project is
thing, the A2 might not be great for anyone who
part of an EU programme to develop air travel.
suffers from claustrophobia, as it does not have
Scientists were asked to find out if it was possible
portholes. When travelling at hypersonic speeds,
to build a commercial plane that used the sort of
the amount of heat generated would make it
technology used in space travel.
difficult to install windows that are secure and not
2 UK-based Reaction Engines designs and too heavy. One solution Reaction Engines has
develops space transport and hi-tech rocket proposed is to install flat screen panels instead
systems. Its directors are experts in different of windows. These would show images of the
fields – from space rockets and weapons scene outside.
systems to nuclear power. One of the firm’s main
6 In recent days, people have been discussing the
projects is the development of Skylon, a pilotless,
design excitedly on science and environment
reusable space plane, which will provide
message boards. Some believe it would be too
inexpensive and reliable access to space. It will
expensive to produce commercially. There is
take approximately ten years to develop Skylon,
also concern that producing the liquid hydrogen
which will be capable of transporting 12 tonnes of
could be more environmentally damaging than
cargo into space.
Reaction Engines believes. And there are fears
3 Alan Bond, a senior engineer and managing that because the plane would fly at around the
director at the company, said the A2 could be height of the ozone layer, it could cause damage
operating within 25 years, if there was sufficient to the atmosphere.
demand for it. Bond said: “The A2 is designed
7 But Bond says that within 25 years, 10% of air
to leave Brussels international airport, fly quietly
travel could be hypersonic. Some routes, such as
and subsonically out into the north Atlantic
Europe to India, would not work so well, because
at mach 0.9 before reaching mach 5 across
the plane would have to go a long way round to
the North Pole and flying over the Pacific to
avoid having to travel at supersonic speeds over
Australia. The flight time from Brussels to
populated areas. But he thought the A2 could get
Australia, allowing for air traffic control, would
to California by travelling hypersonically across
be four hours 40 minutes. If you compare it with
the Atlantic, then conventionally across the US.
air travel today, it sounds incredible but I don’t
Reaction Engines says the A2 would be quieter
see why future generations can’t make day trips
than Concorde was.
to Australasia.”
311
8 Bond agrees that the project is only in its initial

stages. The next phase is more work on the
effect of the A2 on the environment. “Our work
shows that it is possible technically; now it’s up
to the world to decide if it wants it.”

1. The A2 is specifically designed to fly from Europe to India.
2. It will fly conventionally over populated areas.
3. The A2 will fly at the height of the ozone layer.
4. It will fly at mach 5 over the North Atlantic.
5. The A2 will have no windows at all.
6. The A2 would need specially designed airports.
1. A two-word expression meaning a picture showing what a new machine or building will look like. (para 1)
2. An adjective meaning produced in order to be sold. (para 1)
3. An adjective meaning cheap. (para 2)
4. A two-word expression meaning very small drops of water in the air. (para 4)
5. A noun meaning a window in a plane or ship. (para 5)
6. An adverb meaning with great excitement. (para 6)
7. A two-word expression meaning very bad for the environment. (para 6)
8. A noun meaning a particular period of time during the development of something. (para 8)
312
5 Vocabulary 2: Opposites
Complete the table by adding the prefixes un–, in– or dis– to form the negative forms of these words.
1. reliable ____________
2. expensive ____________
3. credible ____________
4. conventional ____________
5. advantage ____________
6. populated ____________
7. sufficient ____________
8. secure ____________
6 Vocabulary 3: Expressions using prepositions
Fill the gaps using prepositions. Then check your answers in the text.
1. suffer _______ claustrophobia
2. access _______ space
3. _______ a speed of 3,000mph
4. capable _______ transporting 12 tonnes of cargo
5. flying _______ the Pacific to Australia

6. the engine runs _______ liquid hydrogen
7 Discussion
Make a list of the points in favour of hypersonic travel and the points against. Would you like to travel
in this way?
313
Rules and respect
1 Warmer
What do you think is meant by the phrase ‘rules and respect’?
2 Key words
Write these key words into the sentences.
group mentality grim declare winning mentality qualify objective

self-confidence stroll restore native tongue pitch
1. When you officially announce that something is true or happening, you ___________________ it.
2. If your smile is ___________________, it is serious or even unfriendly.
3. When you ___________________, you walk without hurrying.
4. Thinking like a team: ___________________.
5. Thinking positively, with a view to succeeding: ___________________.
6. Your ___________________ is the language you first learnt and spoke at home while you were growing up.
7. An ___________________ is something that you plan to achieve, especially in business or work.
8. A ___________________ is a place or ground where sport is played.
9. When you have ___________________, you have the feeling that you can do things well and that people
respect you.
10. When you ___________________ something, you bring it back to the condition it was before, or make
someone have a particular feeling again.
11. When you ___________________ for something you reach a particular stage of a competition by competing
successfully in an earlier stage.
3 Skim-reading
Skim-read the article to find the answers to these questions.
1. What nationality is the England football team’s new manager?

2. Which well-known teams has he managed in the past?
3. Why didn’t Capello speak English at the press conference?
4. What language does he speak with the England team players?
5. What is going to take place in September 2008?
314
Rules and respect
Rules and respect are the buzz words “You are good at twisting things, so I want to be
as Capello seeks winning mentality very careful. But with the players I can explain and
communicate in English and I’m happy about that.”
Richard Williams
8 Capello’s objective is to create a unified team in
February 6, 2008
time for the first World Cup qualifying game against
Andorra in September. In the meantime, he will be
1 At Milan, Juventus and Real Madrid the players studying videos of each friendly match and passing
called Fabio Capello ‘Mister’, the name given to on his comments to the players.
generations of managers in Italy and Spain by the
many British football coaches around the world. In 9 “We’ve worked very hard on tactics for the last few
England, however, he will have another title. The days in order to create a group mentality and, more
players can call him ‘Boss’, Capello declared. importantly, a different way of moving on the pitch,”
he said. “I’ve seen some English clubs move on
2 The England football squad will have to do exactly the pitch in the way I want my team to move. So for
what the Italian says. And that means no wasting some it won’t be anything new. Others who aren’t
time with computer games, no strolling down to used to moving this way will have to learn.”
breakfast whenever they feel like it, and absolutely
no golf before international football matches. 10 Psychologically, his main task will be to restore
the players’ self-confidence which was so badly
3 “After the match they can play all the golf they damaged when the England team failed to qualify
like,” Capello said with a grim smile during a for Euro 2008. But that, as he pointed out, is not an
press conference, when he explained the need for overnight job.
strict rules.
11 “I want the team to regain their winning mentality
4 “We are only together for a short time,” he said, by being confident in their own resources and by
“and in that time you need to create a way of playing bravely. I believe we need to leave the past
working. To do that you need to set some rules. behind. We need a positive mind-set and to look
Eating together and getting up from the table at ahead. But we can’t perform miracles. We’ve only
the same time and being punctual – these things just started our work. Give us time to show what we
are about respect for other people and for each can do.”
other. We don’t have a long time to create a group
mentality. It’s important to spend time together. 12 So, after a month in England, what was his view of
England’s players? “I think players are the same
5 “Compared to football clubs, we don’t have many everywhere,” he concluded. “My first impressions of
days together. Therefore we need strict rules. If these players are very good. They’re very attentive
we follow those rules, we’ll create a group and a and eager to impress. With this spirit and mentality I
specific winning mentality, which is what I want.” believe we will be able to do very well.”
6 “People make mistakes but, if they want to be part © Guardian News & Media 2008
of this group, they will follow the rules. If someone First published in The Guardian, 06/02/08
doesn’t, then we will analyse why the rules were
broken and take the appropriate course of action.”
7 At the press conference, headphones were

provided for journalists who needed a simultaneous
translation from the manager’s native tongue. “I
will speak English with you when I am sure that I
know all the terms and all the right words,” he said.
315
Rules and respect
1. Capello wants the England players to call him ‘Mister’.
2. Capello wants the players to eat together and leave the table at the same time.
3. He says the players should not play golf or computer games.
4. He believes that strict rules will lead to higher earnings.
5. Capello doesn’t completely trust journalists.
6. He wants the players to move differently on the football pitch.
7. He thinks England will need a miracle in order to beat Andorra.
8. He says football players are the same all over the world.
5 Vocabulary: What was the score?
a) Match the results on the left with the phrases on the right.
1. England 0:0 Switzerland four all or it was a draw
2. England 1:0 Switzerland nil nil or it was a no-score draw
3. England 4:4 Switzerland two one to Switzerland
4. England 1:2 Switzerland one nil to England
b) What was the score in England’s match against Switzerland on February 6th 2008?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/7229823.stm
c) What was the result of the last football match you watched?
316
Rules and respect
6 Discussion: Football small talk
Think about the last football match you watched. Talk about it with a partner as though you watched it
yesterday. Use these questions to start off and continue the small talk.
What did you think of the game yesterday?

What was the score?
What did you think of the second goal / the goal keeper / the penalty?
Do you think they can win the next match?
What do you think of the new manager?
Who would you choose as captain of the national team?
Who do you support?
7 Webquest
Watch a short video about Capello on www.fabiocapello.org.uk and find the answers to the following ques-
tions on the website.
When did Fabio Capello take over as England manager?

How much does he earn?
What do visitors to the website think about an Italian managing the England football team? (see the visitor poll)
317
Shark species face extinction
1 Key words
endangered habitat scallop extinct coalition

devastating predator explode migration conservation
1. A ______________ is an animal that kills and eats other animals.
2. An ______________ animal, plant or language no longer exists.
3. An ______________ species is one that may soon become extinct.
4. ______________ means ‘causing a lot of harm or damage’.
5. A ______________ is a type of shellfish that many people like to eat.
6. A ______________ is a temporary union of different groups who agree to work together to achieve a common aim.
7. If a population ______________, it increases very rapidly.
8. ______________ is a period when animals, fish or birds travel in large numbers to a different part of the world
to seek warmer or cooler weather.
9. ______________ is the protection of the environment and the animals and other creatures in it.
10. An animal’s natural ______________ is the place it normally lives in.
1. How many species of shark are on the World Conservation Union’s list of endangered species?
2. How much do shark fins sell for in China?
3. How many years does it take a scalloped hammerhead shark to mature?
4. By how much have shark populations fallen along the US east coast?
5. How many groups are in the Shark Alliance?
6. Worldwide by how much have shark populations fallen as a result of fishing?
318
Shark species face extinction amid have fallen by an average of 50% since the early
overfishing and appetite for fins 1970s. Numbers of sharks can fall very quickly
because they take a long time to mature - 16
Call for marine reserves to protect migration
years in the case of a scalloped hammerhead.
hotspots as scientists fear decline will affect
Their fins are highly prized in China and can sell
other species
for as much as £140 a kilogram. Until recently
Alok Jha in Boston only the rich ate shark fin in China, said Baum,
February 18, 2008 but in the last 25 years the country’s middle class
has grown and so has the market for shark fins.
1 Scientists are warning that over-fishing and the Intensive fishing has caused a 90% fall in shark
practice of catching sharks for their fins, known populations in the oceans of the world and up to
as ‘finning’, are reducing shark populations 99% along the US east coast, which are some of
rapidly. Nine more species of shark will soon be the best-managed waters in the world, according
added to the list of endangered species. The to Baum.
scalloped hammerhead shark, whose numbers
have fallen by 99% over the past 30 years in 6 A fall in numbers of predators such as sharks
some parts of the world, is particularly at risk can have devastating consequences for the local
and will be declared globally endangered on the marine ecology. In a case study published last
World Conservation Union (IUCN) list. year, Baum found that a major fall in the numbers
of predatory sharks in the north Atlantic after
2 “Sharks are definitely at the top of the list 2000 had allowed populations of the sharks’
for marine fishes that could go extinct in our prey, cownose rays, to explode. In turn the rays
lifetimes,” said Julia Baum of the Scripps destroyed the bay scallop populations around
Institution of Oceanography in California and a North Carolina. “There was a fishery for bay
member of IUCN shark specialist group. “If we scallops in North Carolina that lasted over a
carry on the way that we are, we’re looking at century but it closed down in 2004 because of
a really high risk of extinction for some of these cownose rays.”
shark species within the next few decades.”
7 There are no restrictions on fishing for sharks
3 At the American Association for the Advancement in international waters, but Baum supports a
of Science annual meeting in Boston, Baum said recent UN resolution calling for immediate limits
that in addition to the scalloped hammerhead, on catching sharks and a ban on shark finning.
other shark species that will be added to the Sonja Fordham, of the Shark Alliance, a coalition
IUCN endangered list later this year are the of 50 scientific and conservation groups, said:
smooth hammerhead, short-fin mako, common “People think these wide-ranging, fast sharks
thresher, big-eye thresher, silky, tiger, bull and are not affected by fishing but this shows this is
dusky. There are already 126 species of shark on not the case. Worried citizens can really help by
the IUCN’s list. making their fisheries ministers aware that they
support conservation measures such as limits
4 “People think that worldwide species can’t become on catches.”
endangered because if they are threatened in one
area, surely they’ll be fine in another area,” said 8 Some conservation efforts for sharks will focus
Baum. “But fisheries now cover all corners of the on newly identified hotspots where sharks gather
earth and the fishing is so intensive that these during migrations. Peter Klimley of the University
species are in danger everywhere.” of California found that scalloped hammerhead
sharks migrate along fixed ‘superhighways’ in
5 Recent studies have shown that all shark the oceans, speeding between a series of sites
populations in the north-west Atlantic Ocean near coastal islands from Mexico to Ecuador.
319
“Hammerhead sharks are not evenly spread it the cafe because that is where you might go
throughout the seas, but concentrated at to have a snack or maybe just to ‘see and be
underwater mountains and offshore islands,” seen’. We are not sure which,” said Salvador
he said. “So, enforcing reserves around these Jorgensen, a researcher at Stanford University’s
areas will help to protect these species and will Hopkins Marine Station. “Once they leave the
provide the public with places where they can cafe they return year after year to the same
view sharks in their natural habitat.” exact spot along the coast, just as people return
to a favourite fishing hole.”
9 One site between Hawaii and Mexico attracts
so many sharks that scientists call it ‘the white © Guardian News & Media 2008
shark cafe’, Klimley says. “We started calling First published in The Guardian, 18/02/08
1. The bay scallop fishery in North Carolina closed because sharks ate all the cownose rays.
2. Only rich people eat shark fin in China.
3. Intensive fishing is the main reason the shark population is falling.
4. Hammerhead sharks are spread evenly around the world’s oceans.
5. Fishing for sharks in international waters is not permitted.
6. Migrating sharks often return to the same places along the coast.
7. The scalloped hammerhead is the only endangered species of shark.
8. Fisheries now cover all corners of the earth.
4 Find the word
1. A two-word phrasal verb meaning continue. (para 2)
2. A verb meaning to grow to full adult size. (para 5)
3. A two-word expression meaning considered to be very important or valuable. (para 5)
4. A two-word expression meaning up to a short time ago. (para 5)
5. A verb meaning to increase very rapidly. (para 6)
6. A noun meaning a formal proposal considered by an organisation and voted on at a meeting. (para 7)
7. A two-word adjective meaning found everywhere. (para 7)
8. A verb meaning making sure the law is obeyed by people. (para 8)
320
5 Chunks
Rearrange the words to make phrases from the text
1. the years over 30 past
2. next the within decades few
3. early the 1970s since
4. years in last the 25
5. the in some world parts of
6. of by 50% average an
verb noun
1. restrict
2. resolve
3. conserve
4. migrate
5. enforcement
6. protection
7. reduction
8. threat
7 Discussion
Should we spend a lot of money to protect endangered species or should we simply ‘let nature take its course’ and
allow them to become extinct like the dinosaurs?
321
The Oscars
1 Team quiz: And the award for best actor goes to...
All of these actors have won an Oscar for best actor, but in which year, and for their role in which film?
Match each actor with the film he starred in and the year the film was in the cinemas.
Russell Crowe The Godfather 1944

Daniel Day-Lewis Gladiator 1948
Ben Kingsley My Left Foot 1951
Marlon Brando The Last King of Scotland 1972
Bing Crosby Going My Way 1975
Humphrey Bogart Life is Beautiful 1982
Roberto Benigni Hamlet 1989
Forest Whitaker Ghandi 1998
Jack Nicholson The African Queen 2000
Laurence Olivier One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest 2006
Which of the actors above won the Oscar for best actor again this year? ____________________
2 Key words
Write these key words from the article into the definitions.
animated triumphant nominee nostalgic sentiment

portrayal noteworthy prospector heavily-tipped dominate
1. When you ___________________ something, it means you perform much better than your opponents.
2. When you are ___________________, you win or have much success.
3. When you are ___________________ for something, most people expect you to win.
4. The way that you show or describe someone is your ___________________ of him/her.
5. A ___________________ is someone who searches an area of land or water for gold, oil etc.
6. A ___________________ is someone who has been officially suggested for a position or prize.
7. When something is ___________________, it is worth giving special attention or praise to.
8. Something that is ___________________ reminds you of happy times in the past.
9. An ___________________ film consists of a series of drawings that are shown quickly one after another so
that they look as if they are moving.
10. A ___________________ is a feeling or expression of sympathy, sadness or love.
3 Skimming for information
Skim-read the text to find out who won the following 80th Academy Awards and for which films.
a) Best actor ________________________________________________________
b) Best actress ______________________________________________________
c) Best film _________________________________________________________
d) Best supporting actress _____________________________________________
e) Best supporting actor _______________________________________________
f) Best director _________________________________________________________
322
The Oscars
Coens alone as No Country cancelled. As the strike ended less than two weeks
dominates Oscars before the Academy Awards, it left the show’s
writers little time to prepare. Jon Stewart, hosting
Dan Glaister, Los Angeles
the second most-watched television programme
February 25, 2008
in the US for the second time, opened the show
by saying, “You’re here! I can’t believe it! You’re
actually here!”
1 The Coen brothers’ brutal thriller No Country For
Old Men dominated the 80th Academy Awards on 7 That sense of relief and disbelief continued
Sunday, when it won best director and best film. throughout the rest of the show and much of this
year’s broadcast was given over to nostalgic reruns
2 Javier Bardem won the best supporting actor
of previous wins and interviews with stars and
Oscar for his role as the hitman Anton Chigurh in
past winners.
the same film. Rounding things off on a triumphant
night for the film, directors Ethan and Joel Coen 8 One of the evening’s biggest surprises came when
also won the Oscar for best adapted screenplay for Marion Cotillard won the best actress award for
bringing the work of novelist Cormac McCarthy to her portrayal of Edith Piaf in La Vie en Rose. Most
the screen. people had expected either Julie Christie or Ellen
Page to win the award, but Cotillard followed her
3 In a night without many surprises, the heavily-
victory at the BAFTAs (the British Academy of Film
tipped favourite Daniel Day-Lewis won the best
and Television Arts awards) by winning the Oscar.
actor Oscar for his portrayal of an oil prospector in
There Will Be Blood. He accepted his award, on 9 Other British winners included Alexandra Byrne
his knees, from Helen Mirren (who won an Oscar for her costume designs for Elizabeth: The Golden
in 2006 for her portrayal of the British Queen), Age, Jan Archibald, along with Didier Lavergne for
remarking that, “that’s the closest I’ll ever come to La Vie en Rose, and Suzie Templeton and Hugh
getting a knighthood.” Welchman for the animated short film Peter and
the Wolf.
4 There was a British feeling to much of the evening,
with six Oscars going to British nominees. The 10 Daniel Day-Lewis was the only winner to use
most notable was to Tilda Swinton, who won the over-the-top sentimental and emotional language
award for best actress in a supporting role for her when he said during his acceptance speech that
performance in the legal thriller Michael Clayton. There Will be Blood had, “sprung like a golden
Swinton also produced the most noteworthy sapling out of the mad, beautiful head of [director]
acceptance speech of the night, noteworthy for its Paul Thomas Anderson.”
inclusion of the words nipple and buttock in the 45
seconds winners are allowed. 11 But best actress winner Cotillard probably came up
with the most touching sentiment of the night when
5 Speaking backstage on the night, Swinton admitted she remarked from the stage that, “It is true, there
to being surprised at her win. “I’m so excited, I think are some angels in this city.”
it’s fantastic. It’s completely astonishing, and I’m
amazed I’m still standing, but I’m not complaining. © Guardian News & Media 2008
It’s good.” First published in The Guardian, 25/02/08
6 The 80th annual Academy Awards took place

in inclement weather and with the writers’ strike
only just ended. The strike caused the Golden
Globes, Hollywood’s other major celebration, to be
323
The Oscars
1. No Country For Old Men won more Oscars than any other film at this year’s Academy Awards.
2. Cormac McCarthy directed the film No Country For Old Men.
3. The writers’ strike in Los Angeles ended shortly before the Oscars.
4. The weather in Los Angeles was perfect for the ceremony.
5. Daniel Day-Lewis expects to get a knighthood.
6. Jon Stewart has hosted the Oscars ceremony before.
7. Most people had expected Marion Cotillard to win the best actress award.
8. This year’s Oscars for best actor, best actress, best supporting actor and best supporting actress were all
won by Europeans.
5 Speaking: Class awards
Decide who or what in your class should win awards for the following categories. Think of two
more categories.
Best attendance record

The most useful contributions
Always doing the homework
Never forgetting to bring a dictionary
Best lesson this term/semester
Most memorable comment
............
............
Make and award certificates in class. The winners should thank the class for the awards by giving
acceptance speeches.
6 Webquest
Go to www.oscar.com and watch the best acceptance speeches. You can see short clips of post-award
acceptance speeches and interviews on the ‘Thank you cam’.
To find quotes from previous winners, type best and worst acceptance speeches into an Internet search
engine.
324
The Turkmen cockroach
1 Warmer
cockroach /ˈkɒkrəƱtʃ/ noun [countable]

An insect similar to a large beetle that lives in places where food is kept.
What you would do if you saw a cockroach:

• in the street?
• in your home?
• in a restaurant?
E.g. If I saw a cockroach in a restaurant, I would...
2 Key words
Skim read the article and find a word that means:
1. To get rid of an employee – two words. (sub-title and para 4)
2. A short news programme or official statement. (para 1)
3. A TV or radio programme. (para 1)
4. Shocked. (para 3)
5. The results of affects of something. (para 3)
6. Not seen, or unnoticed. (para 5)
7. Changes, especially to make a system work fairly. (para 8)
8. To give something back to someone. (para 9)
9. To have good qualities. (para 10)
10. Someone has completed their studies at a university. (para 12)
325
And finally... how a cockroach put 30 several TV executives after drunken technicians
people out of work failed to screen his New Year’s speech to the
nation. They eventually managed to broadcast
the bulletin at 3am.
February 22, 2008
Turkmen president sacks staff after an insect 7 Those sacked in the cockroach incident included
walks onto a TV news bulletin journalists, directors, camera operators, and
technical staff. Nobody from the Turkmen
1 For the viewers of Turkmenistan’s popular nightly embassy in Moscow was available for comment.
news programme, Vatan, it was another routine
bulletin. But as the newsreader began the 9pm 8 Berdymukhamedov is trying to improve relations
broadcast, viewers across the central Asian with the west, and has begun a series of mild
country spotted something unusual crawling liberal reforms at home. He has announced
across the studio table: a large brown cockroach. the opening of Internet cafes in Ashgabat,
Turkmenistan’s capital, and reintroduced foreign
2 The cockroach managed to run the whole languages to the school curriculum.
way across the desk before disappearing. The
programme, complete with cockroach, was 9 Last March the president restored pensions
repeated at 11pm that night. to more than 100,000 elderly citizens and
in January he reversed another of his
3 It was only at 9am the following day that horrified predecessor’s more bizarre bans – on opera and
officials from Turkmenistan’s ministry of culture ballet performances.
discovered the cockroach’s guest appearance.
And that, perhaps, should have been the end 10 “Our flourishing nation should not stand separate
of the matter. But the consequences of this from the world,” Berdymukhamedov said. He
cockroach’s five minutes of fame were immediate added: “It absolutely should have a worthy
and severe. operatic theatre and a worthy state theatre.”
The country’s president, Kurbanguly 11 Berdymukhamedov wants to end Turkmenistan’s

4 Berdymukhamedov, took news of the insect so isolation from the rest of the world in other ways
badly that he reacted by sacking 30 workers from too. He has overseen ideas to attract larger
the main state TV channel, the news website numbers of foreign tourists to Turkmenistan,
Kronika Turkmenistan reported yesterday. including the building of a multibillion pound
tourist resort on the Caspian Sea. The president
5 Before the cockroach incident, has also visited Washington.
Berdymukhamedov had instructed
Turkmenistan’s minister of culture, Gulmurat 12 Berdymukhamedov’s dislike of cockroaches may
Muradov, to modernize the country’s TV channel. have something to do with his previous career
However, a new ministerial committee set up to as a dentist. He graduated from Turkmenistan’s
carry out this task only worked 9am to 6pm. This state medical institute in 1979, completing a PhD
allowed the cockroach to run around undetected. in medical sciences in Moscow, and then worked
as a dentist from 1980 to 1995. In December
6 Berdymukhamedov became leader of the oil-rich 1997 he was appointed minister for health.
former Soviet republic in December 2006. The
previous president, Saparmurat Niyazov, sacked
326
Cockroach notes
• 4,500 cockroach species have been classified, • A cockroach can live without a head for
but there are thought to be at least twice as many several weeks before starving to death; the
species yet to be discovered around the world. head by itself can survive several hours.
• Despite the belief cockroaches would be the only • The world’s largest species is the wingless
survivors of nuclear war, being 15 times more Australian rhinoceros (Macropanesthia
resistant to radiation than humans, other insects rhinoceros), weighing up to 33.5 gms and up
such as fruit flies can survive even higher doses. to 90 mm in length.

According to the article are these statements True (T) or False (F)?
1. Turkmenistan’s wealth currently comes from oil. T/F

2. Before he became president, Berdymukhamedov was a dentist. T/F
3. Berdymukhamedov has banned performances of operas and ballets. T/F
4. The capital of Turkmenistan is Vatan. T/F
5. Berdymukhamedov wants to bring about an end to Turkmenistan’s isolation from the rest of the world. T/F
6. Turkmenistan has no coast. T/F
7. Berdymukhamedov wants school children to learn foreign languages. T/F
8. Turkmenistan used to be a part of the former Soviet Union. T/F
4 Vocabulary: Countries and nationalities
Fill in the missing information in the box. E.g. The country is Australia, the people are Australian.
country nationality
Turkmenistan
Ukrainian
Russia
Uzbekistani
Iran
Afghani
Kazakhstan
327
5 Discussion
Berdymukhamedov’s reaction to the cockroach incident was to sack 30 people.

Do you think this was the right thing to do? Give reasons why or why not.
6 Webquest: Cockroach quiz
Do cockroaches bite? How big is a cockroach baby? What do cockroaches eat?

Go to http://www.bio.umass.edu/biology/kunkel/cockroach_faq.html to find the answers to these and
many other questions.
Create a class quiz. Each student should write at least one question (plus answer).
328
After 49 years of Fidel, Cuba ushers in the era of Raúl
1 Key words
unanimous designate hardliner collegiate convalescing

retain ovation initiative veteran single-handedly
1. A ____________ is someone who is strict or extreme in their beliefs or opinions.
2. If you do things in a ____________ way, you consult your colleagues before making important decisions.
3. ____________ is another word for ‘keep’ or ‘preserve’.
4. If you hold the ____________ in a particular situation, you have the opportunity to take action before other
people do.
5. A ____________ is someone who was in the armed forces in the past.
6. If someone is ____________, they are resting in order to recover from an illness or an operation.
7. If you do something ____________, you do it yourself without help from other people.
8. A standing ____________ is when the members of an audience stand up and clap their hands to express their
admiration or enjoyment.
9. A ____________ decision is one that everyone agrees with and supports.
10. If you ____________ someone for a particular purpose, you choose them formally for that purpose.
Find this information in the text as quickly as possible.
1. What is the population of Cuba?
2. How old is Fidel Castro?
3. Is Raúl Castro younger or older than his brother?
4. When was the Cuban revolution?
5. When did Fidel Castro undergo surgery?
6. How many members of the Cuban parliament are there?
329
After 49 years of Fidel, Cuba ushers in

the era of Raúl 4 Raúl, who was head of the temporary
government, was given a standing ovation by the
Rory Carroll, Latin America correspondent members of parliament before being confirmed
February 25, 2008 as head of state and government. The assembly
also named a 31-member council of state. The
1 Cuba’s national assembly has unanimously calm atmosphere reflected the authorities’ tight
named Raúl Castro as head of state, and control over the island and its 11 million people,
formally ended almost half a century of Fidel many of whom want an end to poverty that is
Castro’s rule. The 76-year-old defence minister worse than that in eastern Europe before the fall
took power in a display of party unity which of the Berlin wall.
portrayed his elder brother as the voice of
the revolution. The Cuban constitution had 5 The American government called on Havana
designated Raúl as Fidel’s successor so his to move towards democracy, a move which
appointment was expected but the appointment suggested that Cuba still retains the initiative in
of a hardliner as his deputy was a surprise. spite of the economic embargo imposed by the
José Ramón Machado, a 77-year-old veteran of Americans. “We urge the Cuban government to
Fidel’s guerrilla war, was given the post ahead of begin a process of peaceful, democratic change
young potential reformers. by releasing all political prisoners, respecting
human rights and creating a clear pathway
2 In his first speech as leader, Raúl, wearing a toward free and fair elections,” Condoleeza Rice,
suit and tie instead of his usual army uniform, the secretary of state, said in a statement.
promised he would consult Fidel on important
decisions of state. “The commander in chief of 6 It is still unclear how much influence Fidel will
the Cuban revolution is unique. Fidel is Fidel, as retain. He is still leader of the Communist party
we all know well, he is irreplaceable,” he said. and an assembly member, and writes newspaper
The new president said the Communist party editorials, though the author’s name has changed
would ensure socialism lived on after Fidel and from Commander in Chief to Comrade Fidel.
his generation. “Our task is clear ... to continue When his name was mentioned in the assembly,
strengthening the revolution at a historic moment. there was a standing ovation. The assembly,
This is particularly important when the generation whose members are elected from a list fixed by
which led the revolution is disappearing,” he said. the authorities, has always been a rubber stamp
for Fidel who ruled the country almost single-
3 The Cuban authorities tried to show a sense of handedly after the 1959 revolution.
normality and continuity so there was no sense of
drama in the 614-seat parliament as the historic 7 Raúl has a more collegiate style, and under his
events took place. The streets of Havana were rule the council of state will probably have more
quiet as people followed the latest step in Fidel’s power. The president, who has always avoided
gradual departure from public life, a process he publicity, is believed to be in favour of a Chinese-
began 19 months ago when he gave up power type economic liberalization to improve living
temporarily to undergo emergency surgery. Last standards without loosening political control. He
week the convalescing 81-year-old said he would has encouraged criticism of the system, raising
not accept another term as president. expectations that delivering better food, transport
and housing rather than just making speeches
would be a characteristic of his rule.
330
8 Under Raúl the military has taken control of government have prevented them, arguing that
much of the economy – managing farms, tourist support from oil-rich Venezuela would allow
resorts and other businesses and giving senior Cuba to return to basic communism.
officers political power. But since taking over,
the younger Castro has not introduced many © Guardian News & Media 2008
reforms, possibly because the hardliners in the First published in The Guardian, 25/02/08
1. Everyone in the 614-seat Cuban National Assembly supported the nomination of Raúl Castro as head of state.
2. No-one was surprised by the choice of José Ramón Machado as deputy head of state.
3. Raúl Castro normally wears a suit.
4. The people of Havana demonstrated noisily on the streets as the historic events took place.
5. Fidel Castro gave up power temporarily 19 months ago because he had a serious medical problem.
6. Fidel Castro still writes newspaper articles.
7. Raúl Castro will rule Cuba single-handedly.
8. Raúl Castro has already introduced a large number of reforms.
4 Find the word
Find the words or expressions in the text that mean the following:
1. A noun meaning someone who has an important position after someone else. (para 1)
2. An adjective meaning very special, unusual or good. (para 2)
3. An adjective meaning impossible to replace. (para 2)
4. A verb meaning to let someone leave a place where they have been kept. (para 5)
5. A noun meaning a newspaper article in which the editor gives their opinion on a particular subject. (para 6)
6. A two-word noun meaning automatic official approval for something. (para 6)
7. A verb which is the opposite of tighten. (para 7)
8. A noun meaning a particular quality or feature that is typical of something. (para 7)
331
Match the verbs in the left-hand column with the nouns in the right-hand column to form collocations from
the text.
1. make a. power
2. take b. human rights
3. impose c. expectations
4. undergo d. a speech
5. respect e. prisoners
6. retain f. an embargo
7. release g. surgery
8. raise h. the initiative
6 Word building
Complete the tables.
adjective verb
1. strong
2. loose
3. tighten
4. weak
adjective noun
1. normal
2. continuous
3. poor
4. united
7 Discussion
Cuba has free healthcare and education, and employment for all but its citizens are not free to travel
abroad or say what they want. Which is more important – social security or human rights?
332
Welcome to UK’s poshest veg shop
1 Key words
heir venture chutney cynic goodies

sustainable prominent competitive onlooker rumour
1. ________________ is a cold food made from fruit, spices and vinegar and eaten with meat or cheese.
2. An ________________ is someone who watches something but does not take part in it.
3. A ________________ is unofficial information that may or may not be true.
4. A ________________ person is one who is important and well known.
5. A ________________ is a new business or activity.
6. If agriculture is ________________, it uses methods that do not harm the environment.
7. A ________________ is someone who believes that people care only about themselves and are not sincere
or honest.
8. ________________ are things that are nice to eat.
9. The ________________ to the throne of a country is the person who will be its next king or queen.
10. ________________ prices are cheaper than many others.
1. What is the name of Prince Charles’s country house?
2. What is the name of Charles’s new shop?
3. How much does the Highland vase cost?
4. How old will Charles be at his next birthday?
5. What is the name of his wife?

6. What is the difference in price between the leeks on sale in Charles’s shop and those on sale in the
supermarket opposite?
333
Welcome to UK’s poshest veg shop been rumours that Highgrove in Tetbury is
Prince and duchess launch latest royal business the first one of a chain of stores. Members of
venture – and rival retailers say they don’t mind Charles’s staff said that this was nonsense – but
at all. they did admit that he was thinking of exporting
some of his goodies.
Steven Morris
March 18, 2008 6 According to the advance publicity, the shop is
about reflecting Charles’s interests. So the first
1 Prince Charles is the heir to the throne of the
displays that the visitor sees are chinaware and
United Kingdom. He is also a businessman and
stationery designed by a student at the prince’s
a champion of the environment. And now he
School of Traditional Arts in East London. And
is probably also Britain’s poshest greengrocer.
the wooden boxes that the chutneys are stored
Charles has opened a store called Highgrove
in are made from sustainable Welsh oak by
(the name of his country house) on the main high
disadvantaged people being taught skills through
street of the local town, Tetbury. It is the prince’s
one of the projects supported by the prince. But
latest venture in his growing business portfolio,
the highlight is probably the organic vegetables.
which has earned millions of pounds in profit over
There is no greengrocer in Tetbury so the people
the last few years.
of the town are very excited that they will be able to
buy Charles’s muddy vegetables at his new store.
2 At the Highgrove shop, the prince will sell
everything from seasonal vegetables freshly 7 Sarah Champier-Lowe, the prince’s personal
pulled out of the ground from the prince’s nearby florist and in charge of making sure the
estate to apple juice from his wife Camilla’s vegetables looked good said: “When we had
orchards in Wiltshire. There will be jams, jellies, a preview, people couldn’t wait to get at the
honeys, chutneys and mustards, as well as vegetables.” In truth, the vegetable prices were
handmade biscuits and chocolates. But the not particularly expensive. A bunch of organic
thousands of visitors, tourists and shoppers that will leeks from Highgrove will cost £1.35 today. A
come to his store should not expect a bargain. similar bunch of leeks from the Netherlands
which didn’t look as tasty as Charles’s was £1.10
3 Away from the food shelves, a Highland Vase in the supermarket opposite.
marking the prince’s 60th birthday later this year
was on sale for an amazing £395. You could 8 Anyway, the prince’s staff said, the profits of the
spend £30 on a pair of gardening gloves or £45 shop will go to the prince’s Charities Foundation,
on a bird box. The best buy may be a collection which manages the money generated by his
of Prince Charles’s drawings for just £6.95. social enterprises. Most Tetbury shopkeepers
welcomed the new business. A few metres from
4 A small crowd turned up for the official opening. Charles’s shop, David Herbert, of the food and
There was no cutting of ribbon, no toasts, just an drinks store, Quayles, said: “Everybody has been
appearance by Charles and Camilla. The royal telling me my business is going to suffer. It’s not
couple had a chat with the staff, met prominent – it’s good for the town. We’ll all benefit. The
local people and, no doubt, checked the stock shop will attract more visitors.” Chocolate shop
was all in order. “He doesn’t exactly look like a owner Hortensia Oates had checked out the
shopkeeper, does he?” said Steve Gray, one of prices Charles was charging. “I’ve got to admit
the onlookers. “Why is he doing this? He doesn’t his prices are quite competitive,” she said.
need the money and it seems a bit strange, a
member of the royal family running a shop.” 9 Butcher John Newman sells beef from Charles’s
estate. “This will bring more people into the town
5 Cynics might say the prince is doing it to promote so that’s good for us.” The shopkeepers don’t
the Prince Charles brand name. There have want to criticize their royal neighbour – this is a
334
royalist town. As they left the store yesterday,
Camilla shook hands with onlookers – and
recommended the shop. “It’s got some lovely
things in,” she said.
10 The prince was busy checking out a new rival,

the Chef’s Table. “I hear it’s good,” he told one
Tetbury resident. “Not as good as your shop,”
she replied. In places like this, it is best to be on
the right side of the royals.

1. Local shopkeepers are angry about Charles’s new shop.
2. Thousands of people came to the opening.
3. The prince cut a ribbon to open the shop.
4. The vegetables in the shop are not particularly expensive.
5. Some non-food items in the shop are very expensive.
6. Any profits from the shop will go towards opening more shops.
4 Find the word
Find the words or expressions in the text that mean the following.
1. An adjective meaning typical of people from a high social class. (para 1)

2. A noun meaning a large area of land belonging to one person, usually with a very big house on it. (para 2)
3. A noun meaning something you buy that costs much less than normal. (para 2)
4. A noun meaning a long, thin strip of coloured cloth. (para 4)
5. An adjective meaning not having the same opportunities as other people, usually because of a lack of money.
(para 6)
6. A noun meaning the most exciting, interesting or impressive part of something. (para 6)
7. A two-word phrasal verb meaning to manage to reach or touch something. (para 7)
8. A two-word phrasal verb meaning to examine something carefully to find something out. (para 8)
335
Match the verbs in the left-hand column with the nouns in the right-hand column to make collocations from
the text.
1. run a. millions of pounds
2. promote b. skills
3. teach c. a business/a shop
4. have d. visitors
5. earn e. a chat
Fill the gaps in these phrases from the text using prepositions.
1. __________ the last few years

2. away __________ the food shelves
3. on sale __________ £395
4. have a chat __________ someone
5. all __________ order
6. thinking __________ doing something
7. according __________ the publicity
8. in charge __________
7 Discussion
Do you buy organic produce?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of food that is grown organically?
336
Addiction to Internet ‘is an illness’
1 Warmer
addiction – a strong need that someone feels to regularly take an illegal or harmful drug:
There is a growing problem of drug addiction in our cities.
addiction to – a strong need or wish to spend as much time as possible doing a particular activity:
Many people have an addiction to nicotine.
His addiction to the Internet is taking over his life.
Source: Macmillan English Dictionary Online
What things might people become addicted to?

Make a list. Can you divide the list into new or modern addictions and old or traditional addictions?
2 Key words and phrases
Write the keywords and phrases from the article into the sentences.
discussion boards clinical disorder irony significant other

inaccessible diverse psychiatrist excessive repercussions
withdrawal symptoms adolescent self-help group component
1. When something is ___________________ it is much more than is reasonable or necessary. (subtitle)

2. ___________________ are the unpleasant physical and mental effects suffered by someone who stops taking
a substance that they are addicted to. (subtitle)
3. A ___________________ is a medical problem or condition. (para 1)
4. A ___________________ is a doctor who treats people with mental disorders. (para 1)
5. A ___________________ is a part, or feature of something. (para 2)
6. When something is ___________________ it is impossible to reach or use. (para 2)
7. ___________________ are the bad effects that something has, usually lasting for a long time. (para 2)
8. An ___________________ is a boy or girl who is not yet a man or a woman. (para 3)
9. Your ___________________ is the person (or thing) you are having a (romantic) relationship with. (para 4)
10. ___________________ is a form of humour in which you use words to express the opposite of what the words
really mean. (para 6)
11. ___________________ is another term for online forums. (para 6)
12. When things are very different from each other they are ___________________ (para 7 )
13. A ___________________ is a group of people who discuss their similar problems and find ways to deal with
them. (para 8)
337
Addiction to Internet ‘is an illness’ has been reported that about 10 million adolescent
New evidence shows that excessive use of the Internet users could be considered addicts.
Internet causes people to suffer from isolation,
4 Dr Block, a psychiatrist at the Oregon Health and
tiredness and withdrawal symptoms
Science University in Portland, writes that it is
David Smith, technology correspondent more difficult to estimate how bad the problem is
March 23, 2008 in America because people tend to surf at home
instead of in Internet cafes. But he believes there
1 Tense? Angry? Can’t get online? Internet addiction are similar cases, and says: “Unfortunately it is
is now a serious health problem that should be
not easy to treat Internet addiction.” He told The
officially recognized as a clinical disorder, says a
Observer that he did not believe specific websites
leading psychiatrist.
were responsible. “The relationship is with the
computer,” he said. “First, it becomes a significant
2 In the respected American Journal of Psychiatry,
other to them. Second, they use up emotions that
Dr Jerald Block writes that the disorder is caused
they could experience in the real world on the
by excessive gaming, viewing online pornography,
computer, through any number of mechanisms:
emailing and text messaging. He says that the
emailing, gaming, porn. Third, computer use takes
disorder is now so common that it should be
up a huge amount of time in their life. Then if you
included in medical text books. According to Block,
simply try to remove the computer, they feel they’ve
Internet addiction has four main components:
lost their best friend. That can take the form of
• Excessive use, often associated with a loss of depression or rage.”
sense of time;
• Withdrawal symptoms, including feelings of 5 Harry Husted, a single 51-year-old from New York,
anger, tension and/or depression when the spends 16 hours a day on the Internet. He insists
computer is inaccessible; that he is not addicted, but admits that he used to
• The need for better computers, more software, be. “I used to work with computers for eight hours,
or more hours of use; then get home and go online for another seven
• Negative repercussions, including arguments, hours. I stayed up until two or three in the morning,
lying, poor achievement, social isolation or until I got so sleepy I had to go to bed. I didn’t
and tiredness. go out to get the groceries and I didn’t care about
friends, TV, or anything. After a while I realized what
3 Block says that in South Korea 10 people died from was happening and did something about it. Now if I
blood clots because they stayed seated for long use MySpace it’s only to advertise my business.”
periods in Internet cafes and another was murdered
because of an online game. South Korea now 6 Internet addiction clinics are opening all around the
considers Internet addiction one of its most serious world, and many people have turned, apparently
public health issues. The government estimates without irony, to web discussion boards with
that around 210,000 South Korean children need names such as Internet Addicts Anonymous. The
treatment. 80 per cent of them might need drugs Centre for Internet Addiction Recovery in Bradford,
that target the brain and nearly a quarter could Pennsylvania, says Internet addiction has become
need to go to hospital. Since the average high a growing legal issue in criminal, divorce and
school pupil there spends about 23 hours per week employment cases.
gaming, another 1.2 million are believed to be at
risk of addiction and require basic counselling. 7 Robert Freedman, editor of the American Journal of
Many people are also worried about the number Psychiatry, said Internet addiction can be diverse. “In
of addicts who stop going to school or leave their Korea, it seems to be mostly gaming sites. In America,
jobs to spend more time on computers. In China it it is Facebook. Additionally, it’s porn, it’s games, it’s
338
gambling, it’s chatting with friends. All these things
existed before, but now they’re a lot easier.”
8 To beat the addiction, he advised: “A self-help

group might be a good place to start, but maybe a
real group is better than an online one.”

First published in The Observer, 23/03/08
1. The four basic components of Internet addiction are excessive use, withdrawal symptoms when the computer
is not accessible, the constant need for better computers and software and negative repercussions on the
user’s social life.
2. In South Korea, the main cause of Internet addiction is spending time on social networking websites such as
Facebook and MySpace.
3. The average South Korean high school student spends 16 hours a day playing online games.
4. People have died as a consequence of their Internet addiction.
5. South Koreans go online at Internet cafes more often than Americans.
6. Internet addiction is easy to treat.
4 Vocabulary: Pronunciation and intonation
Write the words from the article into the following columns according to their intonation patterns.
psychiatry isolation addiction withdrawal repercussion excessive

pornography components significant psychiatrist adolescent specific
oOo oOoo ooOo
Can you find any more words in the article that have these intonation patterns?
339
.
5 Discussion: Addictions
Below are four examples of things people might be addicted to:
the Internet alcohol smoking hard drugs (e.g.

heroin, cocaine, etc.)
Work in groups or pairs and make notes about how being addicted to one of them affects the addict’s life.
Think about, money, social life, family, time, health, etc.
• What similarities and differences do you find?

• Is one addiction worse than the others?
• What advice would you give an addict?
6 Webquest
Go to the website www.netaddiction.com. Here you can take tests, read about real-life cases of internet
addiction, listen to podcasts and watch videos.
340
Smashing Pumpkins sue record label
1 Key words
download sue lawsuit dispute piracy

back catalogue label goodwill promote charts
1. A ____________ is a serious disagreement, especially one between groups of people that lasts for a long time.
2. The ____________ is a list showing the CDs that people have bought the most copies of in the previous week.
3. A ____________ is a case that a court of law is asked to decide involving a disagreement between two people
or organizations.
4. If you ____________ someone, you make a legal claim against them, usually to get money from them because
they have done something bad to you.
5. An artist’s ____________ is all the books, films or records he or she has produced in the past.
6. A record ____________ is a company that produces records.
7. If you ____________ a product, you attract people’s attention to it through advertising.
8. In the record business, ____________ is the illegal copying and sale of CDs.
9. A ____________ is a computer file obtained from the Internet.
10. ____________ is the good reputation that a person, a group of people or a company has in the eyes of the
general public.
1. When did EMI buy Virgin Records?
2. When did the Smashing Pumpkins break up?
3. Which two companies were advertised using the Smashing Pumpkins’ music?
4. Which band had a hit album called In Rainbows?
5. Which is the world’s biggest record label?
6. When did the Smashing Pumpkins re-form?
341
Smashing Pumpkins sue record their music away on the Internet long before
label over use of songs in Pepsi Radiohead’s pay-what-you-like experiment for
promotional deals In Rainbows last year. In 2000, their final album
• Band says Virgin had no agreement to use name before they split, Machina II/The Friends and
• Tensions growing as labels seek new Enemies of Modern Music, was given away free
revenue streams after a dispute with Virgin.
Owen Gibson, media correspondent 5 Disputes between artists and record labels
March 26, 2008 are nothing new, but the tension is expected
to increase as the music industry looks for
1 Rock bands often have a difficult relationship new sources of income. The Beatles famously
with the world of big business and this has refused to let their music be used in advertising
been reflected in a new legal case in the US. but recently Sony Publishing, which owns the
Alternative rock group the Smashing Pumpkins rights to their back catalogue, said it would
are suing their record label, saying it used allow it for the first time. The links between
their name and music without permission in advertisers and music labels have grown in
promotional deals with Pepsi and Amazon. The recent years as licensing fees have become
group, led by Billy Corgan, was signed to Virgin more and more important to help replace falling
Records in the US for 17 years but yesterday CD sales. Record labels and artists have also
said that its only existing agreement covered the looked to advertisers to help promote new artists,
right to sell digital downloads and not the right to particularly in areas where it is difficult for new
use the band’s image in advertising campaigns. groups to get their music played on the radio.
Levis has helped a lot of old and new artists to
2 The group has filed a lawsuit in the Los Angeles get their music into the charts, José González
superior court for a breach of contract. Band had a worldwide hit with Heartbeats after it
members said they had “worked hard for over appeared in a Sony advert, and Moby’s Play
twenty years to build up a great deal of goodwill album only became successful after every track
in the eyes of the public”. Virgin’s use of the band was licensed to an advertising agency.
in a promotion known as Pepsi Stuff, together
with Amazon.com and PepsiCo, was in conflict 6 The big record companies have found that their
with their reputation for “artistic integrity”, they profits are falling as sales of digital downloads
said. They said they would “never give such fail to compensate for falling CD sales and the
authority to Virgin, or any other company”. impact of piracy. As a result, they are forming
special divisions whose job it is to create
3 Some big name artists, from Michael Jackson to partnerships between big brands and their artists.
Robbie Williams, have happily signed deals with Guy Hands, who bought EMI last year, has
soft drinks brands and mobile phone networks identified the relationship between big brands
to be part of their advertising campaigns and to and artists as an important one in making the
feature their products on their tours, but others company successful again.
have always refused to sign such deals.
7 EMI did not want to comment on the lawsuit
4 The Smashing Pumpkins broke up in 2000 yesterday. It has owned Virgin Records since
when sales of their albums had stopped rising 1991, when Richard Branson sold it to provide
and band members were arguing with each funding for his airline business. Earlier this
other. They re-formed in 2006 and have always month, Warner Music International announced
had a stormy relationship with the big record the first deal by a new division designed to
companies. Despite selling millions of copies promote links between its artists and brands.
of albums such as Siamese Dream and Mellon Scottish singer-songwriter Paolo Nutini will have
Collie and the Infinite Sadness, they gave
342
a long-term relationship with Puma, which will
use his song New Shoes in its global advertising
campaigns. Universal Music, the world’s biggest
record label, has a new joint venture with Sir
Martin Sorrell’s global marketing giant WPP to
exploit the links between music and advertisers.

1. The Beatles did not allow their music to be used in advertising.
2. Sony is planning to use The Beatles’ music in advertising.
3. The Smashing Pumpkins believe their record company does not have the right to sell digital downloads of their music.
4. Disputes between artists and record labels are the result of piracy and falling CD sales.
5. Michael Jackson and Robbie Williams have always refused to sign deals with big brands.
6. Links between music labels and advertisers have been growing in recent years.
4 Find the word
1. A two-word expression meaning a planned series of advertisements and events planned to promote something.
(para 1)
2. A verb meaning to include as an important part of something. (para 3)
3. A two-word verb meaning to end a working relationship. (para 4)
4. A two-word phrasal verb meaning to hope or expect to get help from someone. (para 5)
5. A noun meaning a single song on an album. (para 5)
6. A two-word verb phrase meaning to change the bad result of something. (para 6)
7. A noun meaning the effect of something. (para 6)
8. An adjective meaning including or affecting the whole world. (para 7)
343
5 Business terms
Match the words in the left-hand column with the definitions in the right-hand column.
1. deal a. the difference between income and expenditure
2. breach of contract b. an agreement between two companies to work together
3. joint venture c. a separate part of a large organization
4. licensing fee d. a formal business agreement
5. profit e. money paid for the right to use something
6. division f. a failure to follow the terms of an agreement
6 Word building
Complete the table.
verb noun
1 permit
2 agree
3 dispute
4 promote
5 announce
6 sign
7 advertise
8 divide
7 Discussion
What is the best way to listen to music? Do you prefer to buy CDs or are you happier downloading tracks
from the Internet?
344
Passengers fume in the chaos of Terminal 5’s first day
1 Pre-reading
1. Do you like flying?

2. Have you ever had any problems at an airport?
3. How would you feel if your luggage got lost, or was late arriving?
4. How would you feel if your flight was cancelled?
This article is about what happened when London Heathrow Airport opened its new terminal.
2 Key words
Match some key words from this article with the definitions below.
fume chaos collapses backlog prospects

complained packed up surly kerb due to
1. _____________________: told somebody that they were not satisfied
2. _____________________: timetabled to, expected to
3. _____________________: breaks down and stops working
4. _____________________: stopped working
5. _____________________: edge of a pavement that is higher than the road
6. _____________________: a lot of work you have to do before you start the next job
7. _____________________: outlook; the possibility that something will happen in the future
8. _____________________: complete confusion
9. _____________________: become very angry
10. _____________________: bad-tempered and rude
Now read the article quickly to check.
345
Passengers fume in the chaos of operations following one of the most complex
Terminal 5’s first day and largest airport moves in history.” BA said
Flights cancelled and baggage system collapses customers who had not yet checked-in for travel
at BA’s £4.3bn showpiece would receive a refund or could rebook.
Dan Milmo, transport correspondent 9 A lot of things caused yesterday’s disaster:

March 28, 2008 • Computers did not recognize baggage
1 It was 20 years in the planning, cost £4.3bn to handlers’ IDs and they could not log on to
build and its staff underwent six months’ training the handling system, so three flights took off
before it opened. without bags
• Also, the handlers could not get where they
2 But none of that could stop the chaos at Heathrow’s were supposed to go because they could not
Terminal 5 when it first opened yesterday and the get into the car parks or get security clearance
baggage system stopped working. • Not knowing the layout of the new terminal,
bag handling teams could not send luggage to
3 Thousands of passengers had their travel plans the right place, so arriving passengers had to
spoilt and British Airways had to cancel at least wait ages for their luggage to leave the plane
34 flights in and out of the terminal. • There weren’t enough baggage storage bins
4 The prospects for today were little better as BA staff to load luggage onto planes, which made
hurried to clear an enormous baggage backlog and things worse. Carousels loading luggage
work out exactly what had gone wrong. also broke down
• By the afternoon, the system became
5 This terrible first day was very embarrassing for overloaded and there was a ban on
both Heathrow owner BAA and British Airways. checking-in luggage
Travellers were only allowed to carry hand • Delays in loading and unloading planes led
luggage and told that they would have to leave to delays in departures and arrivals, forcing
checked-in bags for collection at a later time, BA to cancel 34 flights so that its jets could
or else rebook their flights. Delays at luggage start in the right positions to run a normal
carousels increased as queues got longer and timetable today
longer in the departure hall.
10 BA blamed the disaster on ‘teething problems’,
6 The situation worsened in the afternoon as the but got little sympathy from many of the 40,000
entire baggage handling operation broke down people who passed through T5 yesterday.
under a huge volume of backed-up luggage,
leading to angry scenes at BA desks as hundreds 11 Kate Adamson, 39, travelling from Frankfurt with
of passengers complained to staff. her daughter Olivia, five, stopped expecting her
luggage after waiting more than an hour-and-
7 Just hours after BA’s chief executive, Willie a-half in the morning. Ms Adamson, who was
Walsh, had toured the terminal promising a visiting her parents in Maidenhead, Berkshire,
new beginning for Heathrow travel, the airline said: “I am furious. We had a 50-minute flight
was forced to apologize once again for terrible from Frankfurt and then we had a 90-minute wait.
conditions at Britain’s biggest and busiest airport. The luggage system seemed to have packed up
completely. Staff have been really surly and there
8 “British Airways flights from Heathrow Terminal
has been no announcement. One BA woman in
5 will depart with hand baggage only due to
there was saying there was a technical problem.
problems associated with processing customers’
I’ve given up. They can send my bags on.”
baggage,” said the airline in a statement.
“British Airways apologizes to customers for 12 Producer Sir George Martin, famous for his work
the problems during Terminal 5’s first day of with The Beatles, was among those affected by
346
the difficulties. He said: “When I came here I was terminal yesterday, but BA was helped by the
very excited about the new terminal, but not now.” fact that the terminal will not operate at its full
capacity of 70,000 passengers until next month,
13 Matt Duffy had to wait on a flight arriving into when it hopes to have all problems solved. In
Terminal 5 from Glasgow for more than an the meantime, hundreds of daily BA flights will
hour and then when he was transported to continue to operate from Heathrow’s terminals
the terminal, his wheelchair couldn’t get up 1 and 4, which reported no serious problems
the kerb. “I couldn’t even get into the building yesterday.
without getting up a step,” he said. “It is totally
unbelievable as far as I am concerned.” 16 BA had promised that the new system would halve
the number of bag delays and losses at the airline,
14 BA is the only airline that can use Terminal which, at 26.5 bags for every 1,000 passengers, is
5, which was designed by Lord Rogers and the worst of any major European carrier.
opened by the Queen earlier this month.
15 The 34 cancelled flights represented almost First published in The Guardian, 28/03/08
10% of the total due to fly in and out of the
Are the following sentences True (T) or False (F)? If they are false, say why.
1. Terminal five opened successfully.
2. A lot of flights did not take off.
3. Everybody lost their luggage.
4. Nobody could take hand luggage into the plane.
5. British Airways said they were sorry.
6. BA didn’t offer to give some people their money back.
7. Some staff could not work because the computers didn’t accept their ID.
8. About 340 flights were timetabled to leave yesterday.
347
4 Vocabulary development 1: Word search
You can often guess the meaning of new words from the sentence they are in.
Find words in the text that mean the following. Paragraph numbers are given to help you.
1. got worse (para 6): __________________

2. waiting in a long queue (para 6): __________________
3. money a company gives you back if there is a problem (para 8): __________________
4. terrible situation (para 10): __________________
5. work (para 15): __________________
6. cut in half (para 16): __________________
7. things that are lost (para 16): __________________
8. another word for an airline company (para 16): __________________
5 Vocabulary development 2: Compound noun phrases
In English we often put two or three nouns together to express new ideas.
How many ways can you combine these nouns?
baggage luggage bag hand handling handler

system storage backlog teams delays bins
Now check and find them in the text.
6 Discussion
1. Do the airports in your country work well?
2. What about the train and bus systems?
3. How could they be better?
4. Do you think public transport should be free?

5. Do you think people should not travel so much by air, to reduce global warming?
6. If so, how would you stop them?
348
The week the crisis hit home
1 Warmer: Borrow and lend
a) Try to explain the difference between borrow and lend.

Tip: It might help to draw a picture and translate the words into your own language.
b) In pairs, offer to lend someone something, and ask to borrow something. Then explain to a third person
what you said and did.
Credit crunch: A shortage of available loans. This could simply mean a rise in interest rates, but
it often means that some borrowers cannot get loans at all.
2 Key words and phrases
Match the words or phrases with their meanings.
pull a deal consumer statistics overdraft loan

interest rate mortgage inflation recession negative equity
1. A legal agreement in which you borrow money from a bank to buy a house. Repayments are usually made
monthly. ___________________
2. To remove an offer from the market. ___________________
3. A situation in which your house has lost value and is now worth less than the amount you are paying for it.
_____________________
4. A period when trade and industry are not successful and there is a lot of unemployment. _________________
5. Someone who buys and uses goods and services. ___________________
6. Amount of money that a person, business or country borrows, especially from a bank. __________________
7. An agreement with your bank that allows you to spend money when you have no money left in your account.
___________________
8. The percentage that an institution such as a bank charges or pays you when you borrow money from it or keep
money in an account. ___________________
9. A group of numbers that represent facts or describe a situation. ___________________
10. An economic process in which prices increase so that money becomes less valuable. ___________________
Source: Macmillan English Dictionary Online
349
The week the crisis hit home to 6.29% over the last two weeks – adding up to
Graeme Wearden £160 to the annual cost of a £150,000 mortgage.
April 3, 2008 10 This is despite the recent cuts in interest rates,
which lenders are not passing on to
Introduction
their customers.
1 Mortgage rates soar as lenders pull their deals!
The housing market
Millions face nightmare of negative equity! US
recession a possibility, says top banker! 11 ‘Negative equity threat to 3 million homes’ was
the headline in a recent edition of the Daily
2 Over the last few days, the British people have
Mail. But Labour politicians do not believe that
been hearing a lot of bad news about the current
the current problems will lead to a repeat of the
financial crisis; and forecasts for the future do not
recession of the early 1990s. However, official
look good.
statistics show a different picture.
3 Consumer borrowing is rising at a time when
12 In parliament, Liberal Democrat, Vince Cable,
banks are dropping their best mortgage deals.
warned that a 10% drop in house prices would
Economists warn that many people could be
leave 3 million households with negative equity.
heading for financial disaster.
13 Government Minister Angela Eagle was quick to
4 The Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke’s
disagree. Prices, though, have fallen for the last
warning that the US could slip into recession,
five months, and economists warn that a larger
which would have drastic consequences for the
drop in prices becomes more likely as soon as
world economy, has added to the bad news.
people expect it to happen.
Credit
The economy
5 The Bank of England has reported that consumer
14 The chancellor, Alistair Darling, insists the UK
borrowing is growing at its fastest rate for five
economy will still expand this year.
years. The money lent via loans, overdrafts and
credit cards jumped by a total of £2.35bn 15 News that growth in the key service sector
in February. is slowing is putting pressure on the Bank of
England to cut interest rates.
6 Economists fear that many people are borrowing
money to cover essential costs such as the 16 The picture in the US is unclear, and Ben
monthly mortgage bill. A similar situation Bernanke warned that the world’s largest
happened across the Atlantic last year when the economy could shrink in the first half of 2008.
US economy began to have problems.
Further bad news
Mortgages
17 Oil is still trading over $100 a barrel which
7 The news on mortgages is getting worse day by indicates that petrol prices will stay at their
day, with hundreds of deals being pulled every current level of about a pound a litre.
week. One of the reasons behind the panic is the
credit crunch, which has forced banks to hang on 18 Food inflation is soaring. The cost of milk, bread
to cash and not lend money to everyone. and sugar has been going up for many months.
The latest food to come under pressure is rice
8 Bank of England figures show that the amount of – the UN has warned that 36 countries could run
new mortgages has dropped to 73,000 a month; short of essential food stocks.
half as many as a year ago.
9 Research suggests the average rate on a two- First published in The Guardian, 03/04/08
year fixed-rate mortgage has risen from 6.15%
350
According to the article, are these sentences True (T) or False (F)? Correct any false sentences.
1. Mortgage rates are remaining steady.

2. It is becoming impossible to get a new mortgage deal.
3. Many people in Britain are having to borrow more money to pay for their homes.
4. Some banks are stockpiling cash.
5. House prices in Britain are likely to remain steady.
6. Petrol prices are likely to go up dramatically.
7. The US economy is going to stay very strong.
8. Interest rates in the UK have risen.
4 Vocabulary: Describing trends
Draw arrows ↑ ↓ → (upward, downward or steady) next to these phrases from the text to show what kind of
trend they describe.
1. Mortgage rates soar

2. Consumer borrowing is rising
3. The US could slip into recession
4. Consumer borrowing is growing
5. The amount of new mortgages has dropped
6. Prices have fallen
7. The UK economy will still expand
8. The world’s largest economy could shrink
9. Petrol prices will stay at their current level
10. The cost of milk, bread and sugar has been going up
351
5 Discussion: Giving advice
Discuss in groups what advice you would give people to help them avoid or survive the credit crunch.
Then role play the situation.
Use these sentence beginnings:
If I were you, I would...

Why don’t you...
It’s probably not a good idea to...
You could...
Have you thought of...
6 Webquest
Skim-read the following article to discover what advice some financial professionals are giving. Is the
advice similar to yours in question 5?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2008/apr/13/consumeraffairs.householdbills
D
TE DE
SI A
EB LO
352
Celebrity scandal and Anne Frank
1 Pre-reading 1
1. If you are a teenager, what kind of thing do you enjoy reading most?
2. Make a short list of 5 before you read the article below.
3. If you are not a teenager, guess the kind of things they like reading!
2 Pre-reading 2: Quiz
Look at this list of the top ten favourites of young British teenagers – not in the right order!
Most loved reads

1. Books by Anthony Horowitz
2. Film scripts
3. My own blog or fan fiction
4. Bliss magazine / online song lyrics
5. Online computer game cheats
6. The Harry Potter series
7. BBC Online / the Confessions of Georgia
Nicolson books by Louise Rennison / Anne
Frank’s diary
8. Heat magazine
9. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, by
CS Lewis
What do you know about them? Match the words on the left with their explanations on the right.
1. Anthony Horowitz a. Born in 1898; serious writer of imaginative books for children
2. blog b. Untrue stories about popular stars and celebrities
3. Fan fiction c. Fictional modern teenage girl’s diary
4. Bliss d. Writer of books about Alex Rider, a 14-year-old spy
5. cheats e. Real teenage girl who wrote a diary about hiding from the Nazis in World War Two
6. Georgia Nicolson books f. A web log, like an online diary with pictures that anyone can log onto
7. Anne Frank g. A celebrity gossip magazine
8. CS Lewis h. A celebrity gossip and entertainment magazine
9. Heat i. Unfair ways to win a game or pass a test
3 Pre-reading 3
Before you read the article, see if you can put the teenagers’ top ten in the right order.
Now, read the text and see if you were right.
353
Celebrity scandal and Anne Frank: the 7 Predictably, the most hated read is homework. It
reading diary of British teenagers is followed by Shakespeare, books of over 100
Shakespeare and homework lose out as pages and stories about skinny celebrities in
Internet competes with books and magazines for magazines – although the cover and pages six to
attention of young readers 12 of this week’s favourite read Heat are totally
concerned with that.
Mark Brown, arts correspondent
March 27, 2008 8 Perhaps the amazing success of Facebook may
be over, because it is the ninth most hated read,
1 It may not make all parents jump for joy but
although the report shows a big rise in
a report published today shows the favourite
online reading.
reading material of young teenagers is Heat
magazine. Parents may be more pleased to 9 It also reveals that 45% of young teenagers have
see that Anne Frank’s diary, books by Anthony been criticized by parents for reading something
Horowitz and CS Lewis’ The Lion, the Witch and considered unsuitable. Wilson-Fletcher said:
the Wardrobe are also in the top ten. “One of our biggest problems is that we are too
critical about certain kinds of reading. Parents
2 The celebrity gossip and news magazine comes
should realize that reading is not just about books.”
top when 11 to 14-year-olds are asked to name
their favourite read, followed by teenage girls’ 10 She said we should be glad about the amount
magazine Bliss, which comes joint second with of online reading. “Young people are web
reading song lyrics online. They are followed by natives – exposed to a wider variety of reading
reading computer game cheats advice online, material than any previous generation through
and then reading your own blog or fan fiction. the explosion of digital media. It seems not all
adults are comfortable with this change and often
3 The first books in the list are the Harry Potter
discourage teens from taking advantage of this
series at number five. Proving how inconsistent
new reading landscape.”
teenagers are, Harry Potter is also number eight
in the most hated reading material top ten. 11 The schools minister, Jim Knight, said: “It is vital
that young people have the opportunity to read
4 The results are in a report called Read Up, Fed
widely. It is wonderful that 80% of the teenagers
Up: Exploring Teenage Reading Habits in the UK
surveyed write their own stories and keep up-to-
Today, which was commissioned by organizers
date with current affairs by using sites like
of the National Year of Reading, which Gordon
BBC Online.”
Brown launched in January.
12 The report also shows a big gap between boys
5 Other books on the favourites list are Anne
and girls. 41% of boys listed online computer
Frank’s diary at number six, Anthony Horowitz
game cheats as their favourite read, and put
novels at eight, the CS Lewis classic at number
online song lyrics second. Nearly a third of boys
nine and books by Louise Rennison – author of
said they loved reading because it helped them
the Confessions of Georgia Nicolson series – in
get better at hobbies. 39% of girls said they loved
joint tenth place with BBC Online.
reading because it provided an escape, or quiet
6 Honor Wilson-Fletcher, director of the National time to enjoy on their own.
Year of Reading, said she was more interested in
13 Young people were surveyed to find the 20 most
the shape of the list than the rankings. “I think the
loved and 20 most loathed reads. Then teenagers
diversity of the list is really encouraging. I read
logged on to the teen website Pizco to vote.
everything from Jane Austen to Grazia magazine
and if you asked adults the same question we’ve © Guardian News & Media 2008
asked teenagers you wouldn’t expect James First published in The Guardian, 27/03/08
Joyce and Dostoevsky to be there.”
354
The lists:
Most loved reads Most hated reads

1. Heat magazine 1. Homework
2. Bliss magazine / online song lyrics 2. Shakespeare
3. Online computer game cheats 3. Books of over 100 pages
4. My own blog or fan fiction 4. Magazine articles about skinny celebrities
5. The Harry Potter series 5. Books set by school/teachers
6. Anne Frank’s diary 6. Encyclopedias and dictionaries
7. Film scripts 7. The Beano
8. Books by Anthony Horowitz 8. Music (scores) / the Harry Potter series /
9. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, by maps/directions
CS Lewis 9. Facebook
10. BBC Online / the Confessions of Georgia 10. Financial Times / anything in another
Nicolson books by Louise Rennison language
Find words in the text that mean the following. The paragraph numbers are given to help you.
1. _____________________: talking (or writing) about people’s personal lives (2)

2. _____________________: not always the same in similar situations (3)
3. _____________________: requested, asked for, ordered (4)
4. _____________________: order in which they are put (6)
5. _____________________: variety (6)
6. _____________________: very thin (7)
7. _____________________: told that they have done something wrong (9)
8. _____________________: important things that are happening now (11)
Match the sentence halves.
1. The writer thinks most parents... a. ... read for the same reasons.
2. The teenagers in the survey... b. ... is glad teenagers want to follow the news.
3. Harry Potter books... c. ... want children to read serious books.
4. Honor Wilson-Fletcher... d. ... like magazines more than books.
5. Jim Knight... e. ... the survey questions online.
6. Boys and girls don’t... f. ... are loved as well as hated.
7. Teenagers answered... g. ... is not surprised by the results.
355
6 Talking numbers
In reports of surveys like this, there are often a lot of numbers. We can use percentages, such as 33.3%, or
we can use fractions, like a third. Using fractions makes the numbers less precise.
Match these percentages from the text with (less precise) fractions.
1. 39% a. a little under half

2. 41% b. almost two fifths
3. 45% c. four fifths
4. 80% d. just over two fifths
Now write these percentages as (less precise) fractions.
5. 50% ________________________
6. 25% ________________________
7. 66.6% ________________________
8. 10% ________________________
9. 90% ________________________
10. 26% ________________________
11. 49% ________________________
12. 35% ________________________
7 Discussion
1. Do the results of the survey surprise you?
2. How similar is the situation in your country?
3. Why do you think teenagers like reading the things they do?
4. How much does it matter what young people read?
5. Why?
6. What would you do to change the situation?
356
John Prescott admits bulimia
1 Key words
disorder anorexia bulimia confess high-profile

consultant gorge autobiography resign speak out
1. _________________ is a serious illness that makes you want to stop eating.

2. A _________________ is a senior doctor who specializes in a particular area of medicine.
3. A _________________ is an illness or medical condition.
4. If you _________________ on something, you eat so much of it that you cannot eat any more.
5. _________________ is a serious illness in which a person makes himself or herself vomit after eating in order
to control his or her weight.
6. If you _________________ from a job, you state formally that you are leaving it permanently.
7. A _________________ person is often seen in public, mentioned in the newspapers and appears
on television.
8. If you _________________ about something, you state your opinion firmly and publicly.
9. An _________________ is a book about your life that you write yourself.
10. If you _________________ to something about yourself, you admit to it, even though it might be embarrassing
and you would not normally tell other people about it.
1. When did John Prescott begin suffering from bulimia?
2. How old is he?
3. How long did he suffer from bulimia?
4. How many people in Britain suffer from eating disorders?
5. What percentage of them are women?

6. What is the age of 80% of new cases of eating disorders?
357
‘I took refuge in stuffing my face...’ doctor and a consultant eventually diagnosed
John Prescott admits bulimia him with bulimia. “I arrived at the consultant’s
and found his waiting room full of young women.
• Eating disorder experts praise ‘brave’ confession
I was the only man there. I felt a complete idiot.
• Former deputy PM blames stress for binge eating
Luckily none of them told the newspapers about
Sam Jones me.” In the book, he also says that, despite
April 21, 2008 preferring food to alcohol, he would occasionally
drink to relieve the stress and to let people know
1 Medical experts have praised the former deputy how low he was feeling.
prime minister of the United Kingdom, John
Prescott, for his ‘brave’ admission that he 5 “Once or twice a year, when I was absolutely
suffered from the eating disorder bulimia for knackered, I used to get out a bottle of vodka and
twenty years. In his autobiography, Prescott says place it on my desk. The office hated it when they
that the stress of political life led him to seek saw what was happening. They knew I’d drink it
comfort in food and then force himself to throw really quickly, as I always do with anything, and
up. He says he began suffering from bulimia in finish the whole bottle. But that was very rare.”
the 1980s, when he was under great pressure Prescott, who resigned as deputy prime minister
in his work as a politician. He struggled with the last year, is now supporting a National Health
condition throughout his time in government, Service campaign to raise awareness of
gorging on burgers, chocolate, crisps and fish eating disorders.
and chips. But he now says he has been free of
the problem for more than a year. 6 The eating disorder support charity Beat said
Prescott’s decision to speak out had shown
2 “I’m sure it was to do with stress,” he wrote in considerable courage. “It will help other people to
the Sunday Times newspaper. “I wasn’t doing it realize that men can suffer from eating disorders
all the time, and sometimes there were gaps of and you can get help and treatment – even if
weeks and months, but during those years when you have been ill for a very long time,” said the
we first got into power, when I had too much charity’s chief executive, Susan Ringwood. “It
work to do I use to find comfort in eating.” He is a brave thing to do because people do feel
added: “I’ve never confessed it before. Probably ashamed of themselves and find it really hard
because of shame or embarrassment – or just even to tell close family members.”
because it’s such a strange thing for someone
like me to confess to. People normally associate 7 Although 80% of new cases of eating disorders
it with young women – anorexic girls, models are girls and young women aged between 12
trying to keep their weight down, or women in and 20, boys and men are also affected. “It
stressful situations, like Princess Diana.” is probably under-diagnosed – even doctors
don’t necessarily think it can affect a boy or a
3 He also said he used to eat sweet things and man,” said Ringwood. “Anybody could have
Chinese food when things became stressful. “I this condition, including people who are in
could drink a whole tin of condensed milk, just for the public eye,” she said. “People absolutely
the taste, stupid things like that. And whenever shouldn’t be ashamed. We need to get past the
I go to Mr Chu’s in Hull, my favourite Chinese embarrassment and shame that is associated
restaurant in the whole world ... I could eat with an eating disorder.”
everything on the menu.”
8 Dr Ty Glover, a consultant psychiatrist and
4 Although Prescott tried to hide the illness from expert on eating disorders, described Prescott’s
his wife, she realized what was going on. “The confession as “a very brave and courageous
signs in the toilet gave it away, and all the thing”. He added: “It’s hard enough for a young
missing food.” She encouraged him to see a girl to confess to, but for a high-profile male
358
politician who is nearly 70, it’s especially 9 It is believed that there are more than one
impressive.” Glover said he had never before million people in Britain with an eating disorder
heard of a man of Prescott’s age with bulimia. such as bulimia or anorexia, 90% of whom are
“It seriously makes me think that maybe we’re women.
completely missing a large number of middle-
aged men who are too scared to admit they
have a problem. “John’s bravery will hopefully
encourage more men to stop suffering in silence
and seek treatment.”
1. John Prescott believes his eating problems were caused by stress.
2. He often drank vodka when he was feeling stressed.
3. Some doctors don’t think boys and men are affected by eating disorders.
4. Many men don’t tell their families about their eating problems because they feel ashamed.
5. More men suffer from eating disorders than women.
6. If you are suffering from bulimia, you don’t want to eat anything.
4 Find the word
Look in the text and find the following words and expressions. The paragraph numbers are given to
help you.
1. A two-word phrasal verb meaning to vomit. (para 1)

2. A three-word expression meaning to be connected with. (para 2)
3. A two-word phrasal verb meaning to control something and prevent it from increasing in size or number. (para 2)
4. A two-word expression for thick, sweet milk that is sold in cans. (para 3)
5. A two-word phrasal verb meaning to provide information that should be kept secret. (para 4)
6. An adjective meaning depressed. (para 4)
7. An informal adjective meaning very tired. (para 5)
8. An adjective meaning large in size, amount or degree. (para 6)
359
5 Word building
Complete the table.
adjective noun
1 embarrassed
2 brave
3 courage
4 stress
5 shame
6 aware
6 Prepositions
Complete these phrases from the text using prepositions. Check your answers in the text.
1. suffer _______________ an eating disorder
2. be _______________ pressure
3. free _______________ a problem

4. associate _______________ something
5. hide something _______________ someone
6. diagnose someone _______________ a disease
7. prefer food _______________ alcohol

8. feel ashamed _______________ something
7 Discussion
Why do so many young people suffer from eating disorders? What is the solution to the problems such
disorders cause?
360
The demand for natural cures soars
1 Key words
Write the key words from the article into the sentences.
potion stigma outlet beneficial predict remedy ointment

counter extract legitimate consumer insomnia placebo
1. An _____________________ is a thick, smooth substance that you put on sore or injured skin.
2. A _____________________ is a drink that is taken as medicine.
3. A _____________________ is another word for cure.
4. A _____________________ is a substance that is not medicine but that a patient who takes it believes is
medicine, so they get better.
5. A _____________________ is someone who buys something.
6. To _____________________ is to say what you think will happen in the future.
7. When something is _____________________, it is legal.
8. A _____________________ is the long, flat surface in a shop that the shop assistant stands behind.
9. An _____________________ is a substance that has been taken from another substance, e.g. from a plant.
10. When something is _____________________, it has a positive effect.
11. _____________________ is a medical condition in which people cannot sleep.
12. A _____________________ is a feeling that something is wrong or embarrassing in some way.
13. An _____________________ is a shop or store where a particular product is sold.
2 Before reading
Which of these further words would you expect to read in an article about alternative medicine?
plants minerals prescription health stores doctor

farm chemist supermarket malaria stress
Add five of your own ideas, then skim-read the article to find out.
361
£200m boom as demand for ‘natural’ than a placebo effect. Homeopathy is a system
cures soars of therapy based on the concept that disease can
be treated with drugs, in minute doses.
Leap in sales of alternative medicines led by
women over 35 5 Modern lifestyles, longer working hours and
Caroline Davies increased levels of stress have all contributed
April 20, 2008 to the love affair with complementary medicine.
Although one in five people suffer from stress
1 Alternative medicines are fast becoming more and insomnia, many do not want to tell their
and more popular in Britain. Sales of herbal doctors, as they don’t want to have black marks
and homeopathic remedies in chemists, health on their medical records. Others are worried
stores and supermarkets have doubled in the about the stigma of taking antidepressants,
last decade and are now estimated to be worth while others worry that they might develop an
£200m a year. addiction to pharmaceutical drugs. For many,
complementary medicines are the answer, with
2 And there is no sign that this trend is going to consumers attracted by claims of
change as consumers – the majority of whom are natural goodness.
women aged 35 years and over – keep on buying
‘natural’ pills, potions and ointments, according 6 Edzard Ernst, professor of complementary
to new research. Sales are predicted to reach medicine at Exeter University, said he was not
£265m in the next four years. Growth has been surprised at the increase in sales. “The last
particularly rapid in the past five years, according time I checked there were 40 million websites
to the British Lifestyles report by researchers promoting complementary medicine, and many
Mintel, as natural cures get “a greater herbal medicines do work.”
reputation for offering legitimate alternatives to
pharmaceutical-based treatments”. 7 “But homeopathy doesn’t work, and that’s that,”
he said. “And unless people are very certain of
3 One reason for the increase in sales is that the what they are taking, they could cause more
British government has relaxed regulations on harm than good. Some remedies can interact
prescription-only drugs, and at the same time negatively with prescribed medicines.”
is promoting the role of the pharmacist. This
has encouraged more people to try alternative 8 While researching his latest book which
treatments which they would probably not have examines the efficiency of alternative medicine,
considered had they visited their GPs. New EU Ernst said his co-author, Dr Simon Singh, visited
legislation, which requires all over-the-counter ten homeopathic outlets and asked for protection
herbal medicines in the UK to have either from malaria. “And they all provided some,
Traditional Herbal Medicines Registration or full without exception. They were all very nice, but
Marketing Authorization, will give the industry the nightmare begins when you return home
further legitimacy. with malaria.”

4 Herbal medicines, which contain extracts from
plants and minerals, account for the fastest
growth in sales. Scientific tests have shown there
is evidence that some could have a beneficial
effect. More controversial are the homeopathic
remedies, which critics claim offer nothing more
362
Are these sentences True (T) or False (F) according to the article?
1. An increasing number of women over the age of 35 are buying medicines for themselves and not going to
a doctor.
2. Sales of alternative remedies have increased rapidly in the last ten years.
3. Many people have turned to alternative remedies because they don’t trust their doctors.
4. New EU laws aim to standardize the quality of herbal medicines.
5. Some herbal medicines work but homeopathic remedies don’t.
6. Many people don’t want others to know that they’re taking antidepressants.
7. Homeopathic remedies can protect people from Malaria.
Write these words into the table according to their stress patterns.
homeopathic consumers predicted government prescription pharmacist

complementary legislation regulations registration authorization controversial
oOo ooOo Ooo oooOo
363
5 Discussion
Would you ever buy herbal or homeopathic remedies? Why / why not?
6 Webquest
What are these plants called in your language? Put the Latin name into a search engine to find out.
• purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
• yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
• chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile or Matricaria recutita)
• hops (Humulus lupus)
Which could you take…

a) … to ease a headache or migraine?
b) … to boost your immune system?
c) … as a sedative?
d) … when you have a cold or a fever?
364
Medvedev sworn in as Russian president
1 Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these verbs from the text.
corruption hamper dignitary stroll mediate

challenge utilities banner constitution step down
1. If you _________________ between two people or groups, you try to end a disagreement between them.
2. If you _________________, you walk without hurrying.
3. If you _________________ something, you prevent it from happening or progressing normally.
4. A _________________ is a wide piece of cloth with a message on it, often stretched between two poles.
5. _________________ are public services such as gas, water and electricity.
6. The _________________ of a country is the set of basic laws that describe the rights and duties of its citizens.
7. A _________________ is someone who has an important official position.
8. If you _________________ from an official position or job, you leave it formally.
9. _________________ is dishonest or illegal behaviour by officials or people in positions of power.
10. A _________________ is something that needs a lot of skill, energy and determination to deal with.
1. Who is the new president of Russia?
2. How old is he?
3. For how many years was Vladimir Putin president of Russia?
4. How much money do Russian pensioners receive each month?
5. Which foreign countries will the new president visit first?

6. Who was president of Russia before Vladimir Putin?
365
Medvedev sworn in as Russian crisis. Medvedev also has several foreign policy
president problems in his in-tray. He has to decide what
Luke Harding to do about the breakaway region of Abkhazia,
May 8, 2008 where Russia is involved in a military stand-off with
Georgia, and negotiate a new co-operation and
1 Dmitry Medvedev has become Russia’s new partnership agreement with the European Union.
president and the country’s third post-Soviet
leader during a ceremony at the Kremlin which 5 Medvevev has announced that his first foreign
– formally at least – ended Vladimir Putin’s trip will be to China and Kazakhstan. But one
eight years in power. Standing next to Mr Putin, of his early tasks will be to try to establish good
Medvedev gave a speech promising to improve relations with the next president of the United
the lives of ordinary Russians, fight corruption States – and improve Moscow’s problematic
and promote the rule of law. He said: “I’m going relationship with Washington.
to pay special attention to the fundamental role 6 Some experts say that Medvedev’s biggest
of the law. We must achieve a true respect in challenge is to prevent the Kremlin’s powerful
law and overcome problems with the law which military intelligence group from moving against
are hampering modern development.” He also him. Unlike Putin, Medvedev – a former St
promised to make life “comfortable, confident and Petersburg lawyer – was never in the KGB,
secure” for ordinary Russians. whose ex-members dominate the top levels
2 Medvedev also praised Mr Putin. It is expected of Russia’s government and bureaucracy. “He
that Medvedev will name Putin as Russia’s new has got enough problems to make his hair go
prime minister and head of the government. “I grey,” Sam Greene, an expert at the Moscow
would like to thank Vladimir Putin for his personal Carnegie Centre, said today. When Greene was
support, which I have felt constantly,” he said. asked who Russia’s real leader would be, he
The Kremlin ceremony left little doubt that Putin said: “We have to assume the current situation
and Medvedev will probably run Russia together will continue, so Putin will be the person that
– with Putin still having considerable influence, everyone calls. This government is based on
especially behind the scenes, from his new prime flexibility and informal power relations. I’ve got
ministerial office in Russia’s White House. no reason to think this is going to change in the
future. The thing that made Putin different from
3 Putin arrived at the Kremlin palace first. He Boris Yeltsin is his ability to mediate between
strolled down a long red carpet in front of 2,400 different factions within the ruling class. This isn’t
dignitaries and diplomats. Medvedev arrived something that’s written in the constitution, and it
next – a diminutive figure who, as he entered the can’t easily be passed to Medvedev,” he said.
Kremlin’s vast gold Andreyevsky Hall, nervously
stared at his feet. Afterwards both men stood 7 Political analysts cannot agree whether Putin
together side by side in the Kremlin’s cold, windy is planning to return as president in 2012, or
palace courtyard as a 31-gun salute was heard intends to disappear gradually from politics.
across Moscow. Aged just 42, and the youngest Under Russia’s constitution, Putin, who took over
Russian leader for more than a hundred years, from Boris Yeltsin in 2000, was forced to step
Medvedev now faces a series of problems – both down as president. But there is nothing to stop
at home and abroad. him returning after a four-year break. Today Putin
said that he had followed the law – even though
4 Early challenges for the new president include many powerful people in the government wanted
dealing with Russia’s rising inflation – which him to change the law and continue as president. “I
currently stands at 12% or more. He also has to said I would work openly and honestly, to faithfully
deal with growing dissatisfaction at rising food serve the people and the state. And I did not break
and utility prices and the continuing population my promise,” he said in a short speech.
366
8 Meanwhile, Medvedev’s promise to turn Russia (£88) a month,” Zoya Vasilyevna, a 77-year-old
into a law-based society is an interesting one. retired teacher, complained at the rally. “It was
Yesterday, the authorities banned an anti-Kremlin my generation who defended this country in the
opposition rally in Moscow by supporters of war, but now these people have stolen all the
The Other Russia movement, even though the resources. Putin only likes billionaires. He’s not
constitution guarantees people’s right to gather. interested in us,” she said.
One man was arrested and pushed into a police
van after trying to wave a banner.
9 “Our pensions are now 40 times less than what
MPs earn. We have to survive on 4,000 roubles
1. Many people doubt that Medvedev and Putin will run Russia together.
2. The Russian president lives in the White House.
3. Medvedev is younger than Putin.
4. Both Putin and Medvedev were members of the former state security, the KGB.
5. Putin is very good at mediating between different groups within the Russian ruling class.
6. Putin will definitely return as president in 2012.
4 Find the word
help you.
1. An adjective meaning safe from attack, harm or damage. (para 1)

2. A three-word expression meaning secretly rather than publicly. (para 2)
3. A noun meaning a ceremony in which guns are fired. (para 3)
4. A noun meaning a conflict in which neither side can do anything to win or achieve their aim. (para 4)
5. A verb meaning control someone or something because you have more power or influence. (para 6)
6. A verb meaning believe something is true even though you have no proof. (para 6)
7. A verb meaning say officially that people must not do something. (para 8)
8. A noun meaning a public meeting that a lot of people go to in order to protest against something. (para 9)
367
5 Prepositions
Complete these phrases from the text using prepositions. Check your answers in the text.
1. the rule ___________ law
2. thank someone ___________ something
3. side ___________ side
4. deal ___________ problems
5. involved ___________ something
6. good relations ___________ someone
7. based ___________ something
8. an agreement ___________ someone
6 Word building
adjective noun
1 able
2 flexible
3 confidence
4 problem
5 power
6 security
7 comfort
8 dissatisfied
7 Discussion
What is better for a country – to have a king or queen as head of state or to have a president?
368
Mortgage crisis sees suburbs slump
1 Brainstorming
What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of:
a) suburban living: living in a suburban area outside of a big town or city?

b) urban living: living in a big town or city?
2 Key words
Write these key words into the sentences.
doomed lawn cul-de-sac suburbanite custom-made demographic

foreclose mortgage community ominous potential
1. A __________________ is a legal agreement in which you borrow money from a bank in order to buy a house.
The money is usually paid back in monthly payments.
2. When banks __________________, they take someone’s property because they failed to pay back the money
they borrowed to buy it.
3. People who live in an area are the __________________.
4. A __________________ is someone who lives in a suburb.
5. A __________________ is short street closed at one end so traffic can’t drive through it.
6. An adjective relating to populations: __________________.
7. A __________________ is an area of grass, especially in a garden.
8. When something is __________________, it makes you think something bad will happen.
9. When something is __________________, it is certain to fail or be destroyed.
10. An adjective for when something is possible or likely in the future: __________________.
11. Something that is __________________, is made for one particular person or purpose.
369
There goes the neighbourhood: the reputation of being a friendly, family-oriented

mortgage crisis sees suburbs slump community.” But once the mortgage crisis started to
bite, McDonald began to notice changes.
As the banks foreclose on loans across the US,
worried householders watch their tree-lined 6 “I took my kids for a walk in the park and saw
streets change some graffiti,” she says. Soon after, McDonald and
Dan Glaister in Elk Grove seven others decided to form a neighbourhood
April 28, 2008 association. Today, the group has 400 members, a
lawn-mowing task force and a lively online
1 Susan McDonald doesn’t look like an activist. She message board.
drives a nice car, wears smart clothes and during
office hours is the neighbourhood personal banker. 7 But long grass is the least of suburbia’s problems,
But after work McDonald has another life. It is then according to Christopher Leinberger, an urban
that the mother of three turns into a neighbourhood theorist who wrote an analysis of the problem in
organizer, encouraging people in her community to the Atlantic Monthly. He argues that suburbia is
fight for a way of life that many believe is in danger. doomed: “For the past 50 years we’ve left the city
and headed to the suburbs,” he says. “Now people
2 McDonald, who calls herself a suburbanite, is are moving back, aided by $4 per gallon gas.”
president of the Franklin Reserve Neighbourhood
Association in the city of Elk Grove, 15 miles 8 The move back to the towns and cities has also
south of the Californian capital, Sacramento. been helped by cultural and demographic changes,
Franklin Reserve, a collection of large houses says Leinberger. Couples are having children later
on anonymous cul-de-sacs with unlikely names in life, so they don’t need a suburban house with
– Snow Leopard Circle, Fox Trotter Way – is at the five bedrooms and a huge garden. Many potential
heart of what some call ‘the fight for suburbia’. house buyers also prefer the concept of being able
to walk to where they want to go; in suburbia they
3 The mortgage foreclosure crisis, along with have to drive everywhere.
demographic changes, rising fuel prices and other
factors could mean the end for the suburbs. The 9 “Transport now accounts for 19% of household
term ‘slumburbia’ was not far behind. costs, compared to 3% a hundred years ago,” says
Leinberger. “At some point this country has to get
4 At Franklin Reserve, a walled community of 15,000 serious about reducing carbon emissions.”
people, there are signs that all is not well. Some
10 But what most alarms urban theorists is what might
front lawns are overgrown and untidy, and there are
many ‘for sale’ signs and signs offering properties become of developments like Franklin Reserve
for rent. On Caprezzo Way a five-bedroom, three- once people can no longer afford to live there.
bathroom house, complete with pool, is on the Unlike the inner city that was abandoned in the
market for $550,000, probably $100,000 less than latter half of the last century, it is hard to adapt
a year ago. Across the street a more ominous sign suburban developments to other uses. “These
of the mortgage foreclosure crisis is taped to the spaces are custom-made for residential purposes
gate of a house on Cortino Way. ‘Notice to quit,’ it only,” says Leinberger. “They don’t convert easily to
declares, telling the occupants, who couldn’t pay retail or office or hotel.”
their mortgage, they have three days to leave.
5 McDonald moved to Elk Grove four years ago,
attracted by suburban life; a new home in a new
location, with award-winning schools. Elk Grove had
370
According to the article, are these sentences True (T) or False (F)? Correct any false sentences.
1. Susan McDonald is an activist, a mother and a business-woman.

2. She is the mayor of Franklin Reserve.
3. She moved to Franklin Reserve because of its safe, family-friendly reputation.
4. Some of her neighbours cannot afford to pay their rent or mortgage.
5. Susan employs the 400 local kids to cut the grass in front gardens.
6. Many people don’t want to have to drive everywhere.
7. A quarter of people’s household costs now go on transport.
8. Suburban areas such as Franklin Reserve can easily be converted into hotels or offices.
4 Vocabulary: Finance words
Look back at the article. How many finance words can you find? Write them onto the word wheel.
l
o na
s r
p er nke
. a
e.g b
finance
These websites and PDFs may be useful when you need to look up specific financial terms in English.
• http://www.plainenglish.co.uk/financialguide.pdf
• http://handsonbanking.org/nav_elements/teachers_guide_PDF/HOB_Dictionary.pdf
• http://www.ubs.com/1/e/about/bterms.html
ED
E
371
.
5 Discussion
Are house prices in your area going up or down? Why do you think this is?
6 Webquest
In paragraph three of the article there is a new word made by joining two other words:
slum + suburbia = slumburbia
Do you know what these words could be?
• iPod + broadcast = _________________

• smoke + fog = _________________
Write ‘new words’ into a search engine or check http://www.macmillandictionaries.com/resourcenew.htm to

find other new words.
372
Mice eating rare seabirds alive
1 Key words
predator extinct endangered remote ornithologist

horrified carnivore rare chick catastrophe
1. If a creature is ___________________, it no longer exists anywhere in the world.

2. An ___________________ is someone who studies birds.
3. A ___________________ is an animal that kills and eats other animals.
4. A ___________________ is a baby bird.
5. If something is ___________________, it is not often seen or found.
6. If you are ___________________, you find something extremely shocking and unpleasant.
7. A ___________________ is something that causes a lot of damage and suffering.
8. An ___________________ species is one that may soon become extinct.
9. A ___________________ place is one that is very far from cities, towns or people.
10. A ___________________ is an animal that eats meat.
1. Where is Gough Island?
2. Which country governs Gough Island?
3. How many mice live on the island?
4. How much do albatross chicks weigh?
5. How much do the mice weigh?
6. How much will it cost to remove all the mice from the island?
373
From stowaway to supersize predator: eat the poison and just go to their nests and die.
the mice eating rare seabirds alive We think it could be done fairly easily and would cost
about £2.6m,” a spokeswoman said.
John Vidal, environment editor
May 20, 2008 5 “Things are getting worse on Gough,” said Dr
Geoff Hilton, an RSPB scientist who has been
1 For tens of thousands of years, the birds of researching conservation problems in UK
Gough Island lived without danger on their rocky overseas territories. “The presence of house
island in the south Atlantic. Today, the remote mice means that rare birds have no chance of
British-owned island, which has been described survival. The only hope for these birds is to remove
as the home of the most important seabird colony the mice completely. The mice are eating this island
in the world, still has 22 species of birds and is alive. Without help Gough Island will probably lose
a world heritage site. But now Gough Island has the majority of its seabirds,” said Hilton.
become the stage for one of nature’s great horror
shows. When the first whaling ships landed there 6 People who have seen the mice in action say
150 years ago, mice escaped from the ships and they attack at night either alone or in groups,
their numbers have now grown to 700,000 or eating through the nests to attack the baby
more on an island of about 25 square miles. birds. The birds’ parents are unable to defend
them. Studies suggest about 60% of all the baby
2 Ornithologists are horrified that the British house birds on Gough Island die in their nests. “It is
mouse has somehow changed and now grows a catastrophe. The albatross chicks weigh ten
to up to three times the size of ordinary domestic kilograms. They developed on Gough Island
house mice. Instead of surviving on a diet of because it had no mammal predators – that
insects and seeds, it has adapted itself and has is why they are so easy to attack. The mice
become a carnivore, eating baby birds alive in weigh 35 grams; it is like a pet cat attacking a
their nests. They are now believed to be the hippopotamus,” said Hilton.
largest mice in the world. Birdlife International,
a global alliance of conservation groups, 7 Britain has been criticized for not doing enough
has recognized that the mice, which have no to support the ecology of its overseas territories,
predators themselves, are out of control and which mainly consist of groups of islands such
could make several of the world’s rarest bird as Pitcairn, Tristan da Cunha and the Falklands.
species extinct. 32 of the world’s 190 most endangered birds are
now officially British responsibility.
3 Birdlife International, which runs the Red List
of endangered bird species, has now put two 8 The RSPB’s spokeswoman added: “The study
of Gough Island’s bird species on the list of the shows there is some hope. The UK government
world’s most critically endangered species, the has supported us in discovering the problem,
highest level of danger. Five other bird species in conducting the study, and now in finalizing
on the island are also said to be in danger of our plan to get rid of the mice. The big question
becoming extinct. is whether the UK will take its international
commitments seriously and do what the
4 The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds governments of New Zealand and Australia have
(RSPB) has proposed hiring helicopters to drop done, and provide the big money needed to
thousands of tonnes of rat poison on the volcanic actually get rid of the mice. If they don’t, we won’t
island, 2,000 miles off the coast of South America. be able to help these endangered bird species.”
“A government-funded study done with New
Zealand, which has removed rats completely from 9 The discovery that the mice had changed their
many islands, shows it is possible. The mice would diets and grown in size was made by Richard
374
Cuthbert, a professional ornithologist who
spent a year on the island in 2001. “It sounds
incredible that a mouse could attack a baby bird,
but these birds are really big round balls of fat
covered in feathers, and because they are so fat
and big they cannot defend themselves,”
he said.

1. It will be very difficult to remove all the mice from Gough Island.
2. The albatross chicks are almost 30 times bigger than the mice.
3. New Zealand has tried to remove rats from some islands but without success.
4. The mice first arrived on Gough Island in the 19th century.
5. Gough Island is near the coast of South America.
6. No-one spends more than a few days on Gough Island because it is so remote.
4 Find the word
help you.
1. A three-word expression meaning a special place protected by UNESCO. (para 1)

2. A noun meaning the activity of hunting for whales. (para 1)
3. A verb meaning to change your behaviour to deal with a new situation. (para 2)
4. A three-word expression meaning a research project paid for by the government. (para 4)
5. An adverb meaning to some degree but not completely. (para 4)
6. A three word expression meaning to remove completely. (para 8)
7. A noun meaning a promise to do something. (para 8)
8. A verb meaning to make the final arrangements for something. (para 8)
375
5 Word building
verb noun
1 conserve
2 proposal
3 survive
4 discover
5 commit
6 escape
7 recognition
8 removal
6 Prepositions
Complete these phrases from the text using prepositions.
1. out _________ control
2. up _________ three times the size
3. survive _________ a diet of insects and seeds
4. in danger _________ becoming extinct
5. no chance _________ survival

6. consist _________
7. get rid _________
8. covered _________ feathers
7 Discussion
Should governments spend money to protect endangered species?
376
Families struggling as bills begin to bite
1 Warmer: What do you think?
a) How much do the following items cost in your local supermarket?

• a loaf of bread _______________
• a litre of milk _______________
• a dozen eggs _______________
• a packet of pasta _______________
b) Have these prices increased much in the past year?

c) Skim-read the article to find out (on average) how much the items currently cost in Britain.
Note: Tesco and Asda are two of the largest supermarket chains in the UK.
2 Key words
Match the key words from the article with the definitions.
free range stuff hardly anything organic

topsy-turvy trolley struggling battery represent
overdrawn own-brand offshore pesticides
1. Fighting, or experiencing difficulties: ___________________. (title)

2. In the sea, not on land: ___________________. (para 1)
3. A word you can use to talk about a variety of different things: ___________________. (para 4)
4. A phrase meaning almost nothing: ___________________. (para 4)
5. To be a sign or a symbol of something: ___________________. (para 6)
6. When you are ___________________, you have no money in your bank account and your balance is below
zero. (para 8)
7. A wire basket on wheels that you push, used in a supermarket for carrying the things you want to buy:
___________________. (para 8)
8. An adjective used to describe poultry that are kept together in small spaces: ___________________. (para 9)
9. The opposite of 7 above: ___________________. (para 9)
10. Chemicals used for killing insects, especially those that damage crops: ___________________. (para 10)
11. An adjective to describe food that is produced naturally and without using 10 above: ___________________.
(para 10)
12. ___________________ are products that a company produces for itself. They usually have the name of the
shop on the label. (para 11)
13. Something that is ___________________ is confused, in the wrong order, or upside down. (para 13)
377
Global food crisis 8 In his small local Asda, Jim Wall pauses in front of a
Families struggling as bills begin to bite shelf of bread, running through his head the small,
Esther Addley familiar calculations – 5p, 12p, 24p – that can make
May 29, 2008 the difference between ending the month
overdrawn, and not. Warburton’s farmhouse loaves,
1 For the two weeks in every month that her husband the family favourite, are £1.12 each. He puts two
Jim is working offshore on oil rigs, Sharon Wall is loaves of Asda Baker’s Gold, 95p each, in his trol-
at home with their four young children. As Sharon ley. “When your family eats a loaf of bread a day,
does not drive, and there are no good quality food that 17p does make a difference.”
shops within walking distance, feeding her children
9 Jim also has to decide which eggs to buy: “I really
is a little more complicated than for most families.
don’t like the way battery chickens are kept, but six
2 The first thing that Jim Wall does on his way home eggs from battery chickens are just 88p, and here
from the oil rigs is to stop at a large Tesco you have 12 free range for £2.92.” In the end he
supermarket on the outskirts of Aberdeen, to buy “a buys a dozen ‘barn eggs’ for £2.52.
bit of everything”. Although the family has a weekly
10 Sharon Wall says that they are also concerned
box of vegetables delivered from a local farmers’
about food miles, pesticides and fair trade, but
market, they eagerly look forward to his return.
these days ‘green’ shopping is an expensive luxury.
3 “I always fill up the fridge and freezers before I “We try to buy organic food; I try to get the fair trade
go, and then when I come back I have to do it all coffee. Price is a factor, though. Some weeks I try
over again,” he says. “I know the cupboards will be to get the fair trade coffee, whereas other weeks I
almost empty by then.” The couple say their weekly think, I just can’t afford it this week.”
food bill is usually around £150, however, in the last
11 Stores look rather different than they used to:
four days they’ve spent £220. A few years ago they
own-brand ranges are now found front and centre
spent about £100 a week on food.
in displays. “We are seeing more promotions than
4 “Bread and milk are classic examples,” says her ever, says Andrew Opie, from the British Retail
husband. “I think it was about 75p for a loaf of Asda Consortium, which represents leading British
bread just a couple of months back, now it’s almost supermarket chains. These tend to be
£1.” “I usually get a little bit of shopping when he’s straightforward reductions in price, rather than
away, and what used to cost me £20 to £25 is now bogofs (‘buy one get one free’ offers).”
£35 to £40, for pretty much the same amount of stuff,”
12 The Wall family welcome offers, of course, but as
says Sharon Wall. “I was in Asda the other day and I
Jim says, “The things that aren’t good for you, the
thought, oh, I’ve got hardly anything here and it’s £20!”
cookies and the cakes and the crisps, are the things
5 In recent months many families in Britain have been that are on offer”.
experiencing the same problems as the Walls. For
13 Last year, the Scottish parliament opened a national
many, food price increases – a pound here, £10
food debate to look at the problem of providing
there – are starting to hurt.
good healthy food to the people in Scotland. This
6 Bread costs 20% more than it did a year ago and is a topic that needs to be discussed not only in
rice 60% more. Pasta has gone up by 81% in some Scotland say experts. While Britain consumes so
shops, and in Tesco it was found to be 113% more much more than it produces – and throws away
expensive. Butter costs 60% more than it did and £10bn-worth of food a year, including, every day,
meat prices are up too. These increases represent 550,000 chickens and 5.1m potatoes – experts say
the sharpest rise in food prices since records began. that talking about supermarket prices is topsy-turvy
at best.
7 “The odd thing is that a lot of people have only just
noticed,” says Alex Beckett, a food journalist. “In fact, © Guardian News & Media 2008
food prices have been going up for quite some time, but First published in The Guardian, 29/05/08
they have dramatically soared in the last 18 months.”
378
1. Jim Walls works at Tesco.

2. The Wall’s food bill has risen by 50%.
3. When they can afford it, the Walls buy eggs from battery chickens.
4. Promotional offers are usually for unhealthy food.
5. The Scottish parliament’s national food debate aims to get people to eat healthier food.
6. The family’s favourite bread costs £1.
7. Sharon and Jim Wall have four children.
8. Sharon Wall drives to the local Asda when her husband is away.
9. People in Britain waste over half a million chickens a day.
10. Supermarkets are promoting and selling more of their own brands.
11. The Wall family only buy organic or fair trade produce.
4 Vocabulary: Trends
Fill in the missing vowels to find phrases used in the article to describe trends. Then check your answers
in paragraphs 6 and 7.
c _ sts 20% m _ r _
g _ n _ _ p by
m_ r_ _ xp_ ns _ v _
pr _ c _ s _ r _ _p
sh _ rp _ st r _ s _
pr _ c _ s h _ v _ b _ _ n g _ _ ng _ p
dr _ m _ t _ c _ lly s _ _ r _ d
Now decide how you would express the exact opposite of the phrases and write your answers on the right.
379
5 Discussion
If necessary, would you be able to reduce your weekly food bill by 20%? How?
6 Webquest
How does www.mysupermarket.co.uk help British shoppers save money and calories? Go to the website
and watch the demo video to find out.
Also find out what the traffic light food labelling system is by going to http://www.eatwell.gov.uk/
foodlabels/trafficlights/.
380
The man who will free-fall to Earth
1 Key words
embolism weightlessness gondola fatal mission

stuntman belongings free-fall altitude resistance
1. __________________ is the part of a parachute jump where the parachutist falls very quickly before the
parachute opens.
2. __________________ are the things a person owns.
3. __________________ is a force that slows down a moving object.
4. A __________________ is the part of a hot-air balloon that people travel in.
5. An __________________ is a medical condition in which a blood vessel in your body becomes blocked by a
mass of blood.
6. If something is __________________, it will cause someone to die.
7. A __________________ is someone whose job is to perform dangerous actions in a film.
8. __________________ is the height of a place or thing above sea level.
9. __________________ is a situation in which you have no weight because you are outside the Earth’s
atmosphere.
10. A __________________ is a flight into space.
1. How high will Michel Fournier be when he jumps out of the balloon?
2. How long will it take him to reach that altitude?
3. When did he start to prepare for this mission?
4. What is the speed of sound?
5. How long will he be in free-fall?
6. How old was Joe Kittinger when he made his world record jump?
381
The man who will free-fall to Earth himself since 1988, when the French space
agency selected him to free-fall and parachute
From over 130,000ft, the ultimate parachute
from near-space to test potential methods
jumper will break the sound barrier while on his
of escape for astronauts. After physical and
way down
psychological tests, he was chosen for the
Caroline Davies mission, but then they stopped the programme.
May 25, 2008 So he decided to do it himself, selling his home
and most of his belongings and trying to raise
1 For twenty years Michel Fournier has been money to get the $20m needed for training and
preparing himself for a dream that is literally out equipment. He has tried twice before, but bad
of this world. He is planning to fly to the very weather or technical problems prevented him
edge of the Earth’s atmosphere, experience the getting off the ground.
weightlessness and deep blackness of space,
look down at the Earth – and then jump. Now the 6 From today, though, there is a small window of
64-year-old retired French army officer is about opportunity when the conditions are perfect and
to fulfil that dream. Today, if the weather is good, he and his 40-strong team are determined to
he will attempt The Great Leap from almost 25 take advantage of it. Fournier will breathe pure
miles (40 km) above Saskatchewan in Canada. oxygen for two to three hours before take-off
to prevent decompression sickness. He will
2 His plan is to climb into the pressurised gondola then rise in the giant balloon to the very edge
of a 650ft balloon and make a two-hour journey of space. The pressure will then be reduced
up to 130,000ft (nearly 40,000 metres). Then he gradually to allow him to make his jump.
will step out of the capsule and, wearing only a
special spacesuit, helmet and parachute, dive 7 He will be in free-fall for around eight minutes,
back down. It will take 15 minutes, during which will be travelling faster than the speed of
he will break through the sound barrier. sound – 770mph – within 40 seconds and will
continue to around 1,000mph. At lower altitude,
3 It may seem extremely dangerous, even suicidal. wind resistance will slow down his fall and his
At 40,000ft there is not enough oxygen to parachute is designed to open at
breathe and he could suffer a fatal embolism. around 20,000ft.
At 12 miles up, if his pressure suit fails, his
blood could begin to boil because of the air 8 If he succeeds, he will break records for the
pressure, according to scientists who have been fastest free-fall, the longest free-fall, the highest
advising him on his mission. If his body becomes altitude for a human balloon flight, and the
exposed, he will lose consciousness and suffer highest parachute jump. The previous record
brain damage within a few minutes. jump from a balloon was performed in 1960
by Joe Kittinger, now aged 79, a former US
4 But if he succeeds, he will break four world Air Force pilot who jumped from 102,800ft and
records, falling longer, further and faster than travelled at more than 600mph in 1960. He has
any human has ever fallen before. “It’s not a been writing to Fournier. “I told him many years
question of world records,” he said from his base ago, it’s definitely beautiful but very dangerous. If
in North Battleford. “What is important are what the pressure suit fails, you die,” he said.
the results of the jump can bring to the safety of
space travel. But the main question being asked 9 Fournier is not the only man trying to break the
today by all scientists is, can a man survive when records. Steve Truglia, a 45-year-old stuntman
crossing the sound barrier?” from London and former member of the British
Special Forces, is planning to break whatever
5 The former paratrooper has been preparing record Fournier succeeds in setting. Reports
382
say he is planning a similar jump over the
United States in July. Claude-Jean Harel, from
Canada’s Great Excursions Company, who is
working with Fournier’s team, says that he has
faith. “It is impossible not to be involved in this
dream, no matter how difficult it seems.”

1. Michel Fournier’s main aim is to break four world records.
2. When he is in free-fall he will be travelling at the speed of sound.
3. The main danger is that the pressure suit could fail.
4. There will be 40 members of his team in the gondola.
5. The fastest speed he will reach is at around 20,000 feet.
6. Steve Truglia believes he can break any record set by Fournier.
4 Find the word
help you.
1. A four-word expression meaning extremely good or impressive. (para 1)

2. Another word, apart from ‘gondola’, meaning the part of a space vehicle in which people travel. (para 2)
3. A three-word expression meaning the very strong air pressure that presses against a plane when it starts to
travel at the speed of sound. (para 2)
4. An adjective meaning not covered; not protected. (para 3)
5. A noun meaning a soldier trained to jump out of planes wearing a parachute. (para 5)
6. An adjective meaning possible or likely in the future. (para 5)
7. A three-word expression meaning a chance to do something that will only be available to you for a short time.
(para 6)
8. A two-word expression meaning a serious medical condition caused by a sudden decrease in pressure around
the body. (para 6)
383
1. raise a. a dream
2. lose b. money
3. fulfil c. a record
4. reduce d. advantage
5. break e. consciousness
6. break through f. brain damage
7. suffer g. the sound barrier
8. take h. pressure
6 Adjectives and nouns
adjective noun
1 black
2 weightless
3 conscious
4 suicide
5 similarity
6 pressure
7 fate
8 sick
7 Discussion
Would you like to try a parachute jump? Why? Why not?
384
Is this the end of budget travel?
1 Warmer: Airlines
What do these acronyms stand for?
BA QANTAS KLM
What do you know about these companies?
2 Financial key words
Match the key financial words and phrases from the article with the definitions. The paragraph numbers are
given to help you.
charge bankrupt administration cover costs affordable economy

add-on fee budget break even profitable go bust
1. An adjective meaning cheap which is only used before a noun: __________________. (title)
2. An adjective used to describe a company or person who has admitted they have no money:
__________________. (para 1)
3. When something is __________________, it is cheap enough that most people can pay for it. (para 1)
4. This is what happens to a company when it loses all its money and ceases to operate: __________________.
(para 2)
5. When a company does this they neither make a profit nor lose money: __________________. (para 2)
6. To ask someone to pay an amount of money for something you are selling to them or doing for them:
__________________. (para 3)
7. __________________ travel is the cheapest type of air travel available. (para 4)
8. An additional charge: __________________. (para 5)
9. When a business makes money, it is __________________. (para 7)
10. To have enough money to pay for something: __________________. (para 6)
11. A company which is in severe trouble, but still with some hope of recovery, may be put into
__________________. (para 8)
385
Is this the end of budget travel? 5 Add-on fees for bags and refreshments are usual
in the budget airline industry, but long-established
Bankruptcies increase as major airlines consider
airlines have, up to now, refused to charge for these
charges for baggage and food
services in case they lose out to competitors.
Dan Milmo, Houston
June 6, 2008 6 Agreeing with recent remarks made by the BA boss,
Willie Walsh, McCulloch said fares would also have
1 The list of bankrupt airlines is growing by the week, to rise if airlines were going to stay in business.
but the biggest change in the industry could be the With oil trading near $130 a barrel, most airlines are
end of cheap fares. A decade of low ticket prices technically unprofitable. BA and Virgin Atlantic have
has enabled people to fly easily to other countries increased fuel surcharges over the past week in an
for affordable holidays and cheap weekend breaks. attempt to cover their costs.
But airline executives warn that fares have to rise.
7 According to analysts at the investment bank
2 On Tuesday, Ryanair warned that the high cost of Credit Suisse, the budget airlines will have to take
oil would force it to raise fares by about 5% this action. “Without buying up fuel in advance we do
year. The budget airline, which has warned that not believe that any airline can be profitable in the
many of its rivals may soon go bust, admitted that medium term – not even easyJet and Ryanair,” said
it will only break even this year if oil remains at Credit Suisse.
around $130 a barrel. European budget airlines
Ryanair and easyJet rely on low fares to fill their 8 Ryanair’s chief executive, Michael O’Leary, said
aircraft. They then squeeze more money out of on Tuesday that the airline, which cut fares by
passengers by charging for add-ons such as around 1% last year, would survive this difficult
luggage check-in and hotel bookings. time. “People are getting more price sensitive,
so they’re flying with us instead of with the more
3 British Airways, Air France – KLM and Qantas expensive business-only airlines which are going
are hoping to find their way out of trouble caused bust,” said O’Leary, referring to Silverjet’s fall into
by soaring oil prices by raising fares, although administration last Friday. Silverjet, a UK-based
a leading industry executive warned that if this transatlantic airline, became the latest airline to
isn’t successful, they could also start charging enter administration due to financial problems,
passengers for baggage check-in and food. The joining eight US airlines and two other airlines that
head of one of the world’s biggest airline alliances, operated flights from the UK.
oneworld, whose members include BA and Qantas,
said the group would consider changing their rules 9 “In the long term no industry can exist if it doesn’t
to allow national airlines to charge for extras similar cover its costs,” said Toby Nicol, easyJet’s director
to the way that budget airlines do. of communications. Fuel accounts for about a
third of airline budgets, and the recent steep price
4 “If the industry moves to a standard of charging increase is causing enormous problems for an
for an apple juice in economy class, oneworld industry that is still recovering from the effects of the
alliance will move in that direction too,” said John 9/11 attacks.
McCulloch, oneworld’s managing partner. When
he was asked if baggage check-in charges were © Guardian News & Media 2008
also likely, he added: “Airlines would argue that it’s First published in The Guardian Weekly, 06/06/08
the right way to do it. Some already charge £20 a
bag and £10 for a meal. We are going to see much
more of that.”
386
1. Ryanair and easyJet are budget airlines.
2. National airlines are initially trying to find a way through the crisis by raising fares.
3. If this doesn’t work they will consider charging for onboard food and baggage.
4. If oil prices go above $130 a barrel, most airlines will have to sell their planes.
5. National airlines no longer want to offer business class.
6. About 33% of airlines’ costs go on fuel.
7. Michael O’Leary is the CEO of British Airways.
Which of the words below fit into this pronunciation pattern?

oOoo e.g. competitors
• executive
• alliance
• affordable
• economy
• administration
• profitable
• recovering
• passengers
Draw stress bubbles to show the pronunciation patterns of the other words in the list.
5 Discussion
How often do you fly? If air fares go up, do you think you will go on fewer holidays or business trips? Do
you think that, in general, people will consider using other forms of transport and fly less?
6 Webquest
BA and Qantas are members of the oneworld alliance. Who are the other eight members?
Who or what is SkyTeam?
387
KEY
1 Key Words
1. aid agency
2. thug
3. toddler
4. warden
5. abduction
6. rebellion
7. beat
8. damage
9. Rags
10. Alcoholism

1. Uganda
2. in Africa
3. the Lord’s Resistance Army / a rebel group
4. in 2002
5. 40,000
6. a (civil) war
1. a, c; 2. a, b; 3. b, c; 4. a, b
4 Vocabulary 1 Descriptions
1. c; 2. e; 3. a; 4. b; 5. f; 6. d
5 Vocabulary 2 Word building

1. government
2. rebellion
3. abduction
4. slavery
5. childhood
6. farmland
6 Vocabulary 3 Find the wrong word

1. torches
2. tracks
3. wardens
4. victims
5. desperate
6. full
7. alcoholism
8. murdered
388
Key:
2. Pre-reading 2: Key words: 6. Word Order
1. to complain 1. I thought I could earn much more money here.
2. a walking frame 2. I have never been anywhere like this.
3. a protest 3. We like strawberries but we cannot pay for them.
4. to cheer. 4. The next time you eat one …
5. A polytunnel 5. Just think of us in the polytunnels.
6. a contract
7. a migrant
8. a strike
3. Reading for Information:

1. 5,000
2. £200
3. £150
4. £35 a week
5. 4
6. £30
(£ is the symbol for British pounds – GBP)
4. Vocabulary 1 – Find the Word

1. to clap
2. a yellow card
3. leisure facilities
4. to reduce
5. to blame somebody
6. unemployed drunks
7. to afford
5. Vocabulary 2 – Collocation:
1. with
2. for
3. about
4. for
5. in
6. at
7. of
8. for
389
Modern pirates
KEY
1 Key vocabulary 5 Vocabulary – prepositions
1. secluded 1. of
2. risk free 2. off
3. declines 3. on
4. detain 4. with
5. ambush 5. on
6. non lethal 6. to
7. cost-cutting 7. with
8. jurisdiction 8. to
9. machete
10. vulnerable
6 Vocabulary – word-building
1. arrangement
2 Find the information 2. hijacker
1. the South China Sea 3. kidnapper
2. 3,583 4. motion (movement)
3. 340 5. risk
4. the 17th century 6. investigation
5. 90% 7. advertisement
6. $400 8. insurance
1. b
2. b
3. c
4. a
4. Vocabulary – two-word expressions

1. c
2. d
3. h
4. g
5. a
6. b
7. e
8. f
390
Key:
1. Before you read 1 Key words 4. Vocabulary Development 1

Word building
1. slum
2. threaten 1. clearance
3. asylum seekers 2. racist
4. refugee status 3. permission
5. the go-ahead 4. immigration
6. a militia 5. uncertainty
7. fled
8. appeal 5. Vocabulary Development 2 Word groups
9. deport
Living Fear Health
10.vouchers e.g. house e.g. afraid e.g. hospital
hostel scared illness
2. Before you read 2 What do you think? surviving stressful injured
move in with frightened check-up
1. b.
residents terrified
2. c.
slum nervous
3. a. took me in
4. a. room
homeless
3. Comprehension check stay
1. False: she asked him to write. (1)

2. False; his appeal was rejected. (3)
3. False; he keeps going back because he has
friends there.
4. True.
5. False; see the title: ‘has been given the go-ahead’,
para 5: ‘at this time the…tribunal judged that….’, and
para 11: ‘in April…’
6. False; he wants to marry her anyway, and to get
refugee status first, to prove that.
7. True.
391
KEY
1 Key Words 4 Vocabulary – Collocations

1. divorce; 1. d;
2. disobedient; 2. g;
3. object; 3. f;
4. bridegroom; 4. c;
5. cleric; 5. a;
6. widower; 6. b;
7. cuddle; 7. h;
8. tsunami; 8. e
9. bride;
10. unconvincingly
5 Vocabulary – Word building
1. existence;
2 Find the information 2. marriage;
1. 24; 3. offer;
2. cook; 4. arrangement;
3. 0.5 hectare; 5. acceptance;
4. central Java; 6. agreement;
5. Jakarta; 7. obedience;
6. 15 8. provision
3 Comprehension Check 6 Vocabulary – Word family

1. F; obedience, obedient, disobey, disobedience, disobedient
2. T;
3. T;
4. F;
5. F;
6. T;
7. T;
8. F
392
KEY
1 Key Vocabulary 4 Vocabulary Collocations

1. promote; 1. c;
2. allegedly; 2. a;
3. abuse; 3. d;
4. prosecutor; 4. f;
5. blackmail; 5. b;
6. collaborator; 6. e
7. access;
8. recruit;
5. Vocabulary Word Building
9. archive;
1. collection;
10. patriotic
2. disappearance;
3. threat;
2 Find the Information 4. participation;
1. 1989; 5. investigation;
2. the Securitate; 6. promotion;
3. Sibiu; 7. removal;
4. 15%; 8. blackmail or blackmailer (person)
5. 2004;
6. Sibiu
1. over;
3 Comprehension Check 2. from;
1. c; 3. with;
2. b; 4. about;
3. a; 5. on;
4. b 6. in;
7. on;
8. to
393
KEY
2. Pre-Reading 2 Key Words 5. Vocabulary Development 2 Adverbs 1
1. a trade union 1. brutally
2. Ageing 2. benevolently
3. run-down 3. vaguely
4. the left 4. rapidly
5. Chauvinism 5. suddenly
6. an elite 6. openly
7. a clique 7. strongly
8. genetically
3. General comprehension
6. Vocabulary Development 3 Replace the
1. True.
adverbs
2. False; her father was unkind to her.
3. False; the ‘elephants’ are the older male leaders of 1 suddenly
the socialist party, and she is critical of their attitudes. 2. benevolently
4. True. 3. brutally
5. False; the ‘elephants’ don’t agree with her. 4. rapidly
6. False; they are not married. 5. openly
7. True. 6. vaguely
8. True. 7. strongly
8. genetically
4. Vocabulary development 1: Collocations

1. h
2. d
3. g
4. f
5. c
6. a
7. b
8. e
394
KEY
1 Key words 5 Vocabulary 2 Idiomatic expressions
1. Apartheid 1. keep count
2. A regime 2. cover his tracks
3. A mass murderer 3. keep a low profile
4. A folk hero 4. open old wounds
5. unwillingness
6. instill a–3
7. Low profile b–4
8. Revenge c–2
9. Social harmony d–1
10. A martyr
6 Vocabulary 3 – Prepositions
2 Find the information 1. of
Possible answers: 2. from
1. a mass murderer, an apartheid folk hero, a former 3. from
security guard 4. for
2. the author of a book about Van Schoor and his 5. to
family 6. for
3. Louis Van Schoor’s daughter 7. with
8. of
9. to
10. with
1–b
2–a
3–c
4–c
5–b
6–b
7–c
8–a
4 Vocabulary 1 Nouns for people

1. burglars
2. passers-by
3. clerics
4. politicians
5. magistrates
6. police
7. journalists
8. campaigners
9. convicts
10. victims
11. racist
395
KEY
1 Key words TRADE vocabulary:
1 cracker manufacturers
2 decorations goods
3 Wwrapping paper globalisation
4 Goods imports
5 Capital sectors
6 Exploitation markets
7 Implications trading partners
8 cargo trade
9 maiden exports
capital
labour
1 A boat CHRISTMAS vocabulary:
2 China
crackers
3 Britain and Europe
toys
4 Christmas gifts, decorations and other goods
games
5 Not everyone – some think it’s bad for the
decorations
environment and the economy
wrapping paper
3 Comprehension check 5 Vocabulary: Word formation

1 b
VERB ADJECTIVE
2 c
3 a float floating
4 b recharge rechargeable
5 a develop developing
6 c terrify terrifying
imagine imaginable
4 Vocabulary: Lexical sets

SEA TRAVEL vocabulary:
1 intense row
on board
2 building blocks
ship
3 trading partner
maiden voyage
4 phenomenal rate
aboard
5 rechargeable batteries
boat
6 developing countries
floating
7 global trade
cargo
port
fleet
afloat
396
Another country
KEY
1 Key Words 5 Vocabulary: Word Building
1. pacifist 1. modernity
2. dispute 2. privacy
3. revenge 3. religion
4. persecutes 4. worry
5. determined 5. tragedy
6. preserve 6. violence
7. bewilderment
8. buggy
9. emigrates
10. gadget 1. from
2. on
3. to
2 Find the information 4. to
1. Pennsylvania 5. from
2. five 6. of
3. Witness
4. Switzerland
5. in the 1730s
6. 80%
1. F
2. F
3. T
4. T
5. T
6. F
7. T
8. F
4 Vocabulary: Words and Definitions

1. g
2. f
3. a
4. d
5. b
6. h
7. e
8. c
397
KEY
1 Key Words 9 4 Vocabulary: Adjectives
1. vital 1. careful
2. evict 2. weak
3. eliminate 3. occasional
4. conflict 4. unfashionable
5. mercenary 5. natural
6. profitable 6. rare
7. inspire 7. internal
8. jeweller 8. illegal
9. pariah
10. trivialise
5 Vocabulary: Adjectives + Nouns
1. f
2 Find the information 2. d
1. Leonardo DiCaprio 3. e
2. 75,000 4. a
3. $15m 5. c
4. 25% 6. b
5. the government
6. $2.3bn
6 Vocabulary: Word Building
1. release
3 Comprehension check 2. agreement
1. T 3. description
2. T 4. publicity
3. F 5. management
4. F 6. protection
5. T 7. smuggling (smuggler – person)
6 F 8. solution
7. F
8. T
398
KEY
1 Key Words 5 Vocabulary Word building
1. urban 1. growth
2. impact 2. guess
3. congestion 3. arrival
4. decline 4. existence
5. census 5. consumption
6. milestone 6. composition
7. net 7. decline
8. sunbelt 8. restriction
9. ageing
10. myth
1. in
2 Find the information 2. through
1. 300 million 3. in
2. 1967 4. from
3. 2043 (in 37 years’ time) 5. across
4. 80% 6. along
5. 25% 7. towards
6. 1214 hectares 8. under
1. c
2. a
3. a
4. b
1. e
2. a
3. b
4. f
5. d
6. c
399
KEY
1 Key words 5 Vocabulary: Find the word or expression
1. stationary 1. side-street
2. shoot-out 2. jammed / paralysed
3. disruption 3. in broad daylight
4. shanty town 4. double
5. road rage 5. skyscraper
6. potholed 6. detour
7. neglect 7. barrio
8. irritable 8. congestion charging
9. commuter
10. tense
6 Vocabulary: Word building
1. advice
2 What do you think? 2. warning
1; 4; 5 3. criticism
4. reduction
5. robbery
6. disruption
1. F 7. attack
2. T 8. appearance
3. T
4. T
5. F
6. F
7. F
8. T
4 Vocabulary: Opposites
1. reduce
2. dramatically
3. rapid
4. huge
5. worse
6. heavy
7. a lack of
8. narrow
400
KEY
1 Key words 5 Vocabulary: American idioms 2
1. Santa Claus a) 2
2. tunic b) 1
3. sleigh c) 3
4. nickname d) 5
5. anonymity e) 4
6. unsuspecting
7. deputy
8. withdraw 6 Vocabulary: Collocations
1. reveal
2. make
2 What do you know? 3. diagnosed
1. Because he dresses up as Santa every year and 4. news
gives people money. He keeps his identity secret. 5. tears
2. He has cancer and cannot continue as Secret Santa.
3. Because he was once poor and knew what it felt like.
4. A waitress working outside a restaurant.
1. b)
2. b)
3. a)
4. b)
5. c)
6. a)
7. c)
4 Vocabulary: American idioms

1. She’s making nickels and dimes.
2. I think I got it bad.
3. There are people worse off than me.
4. You have no idea what this means.
5. They are down on their luck.
401
KEY
1 Key words 4 Vocabulary 1: Types of energy
1. horticulture 1. biomass
2. phase [something] out 2. geo-thermal
3. desalinated 3. wind
4. vessel 4. nuclear
5. outlook 5. hydro-electric
6. cost-effective 6. solar
7. grid
8. irrigate
9. solar 5 Vocabulary 2: Find the word
10. fossil fuels
1. vast
2 Find the information 2. emission
3. maximise
4. barrel
1. concentrated solar power 5. carbon-free
2. desalinated water and air-conditioning 6. sharply
3. about $60 7. awareness
4. 3% per 1,000 km 8. invest
5. $13.5bn
6. 3.1%
1. aware
2. heat
1. F 3. efficiency
2. F 4. attractive
3. T 5. secure
4. F 6. possibility
5. F 7. suitability
6. F 8. length
7. T
8. T
402
KEY
1 Key words 4 Vocabulary: Find the word
1. recite
2. claim 1. horrific
3. donor 2. shelter
4. orphan 3. spear
5. bursary 4. fundraising
6. prostitute 5. script
7. sponsor 6. accusations
8. disgruntled 7. smear campaign
9. destitute 8. strangle
10. traumatised
5 Word stress
1. 0 o nightmare; strangle; comment; murder; travel;
1. South Africa (Soweto) suffer
2. $1 million 2. o 0 recite; ensure; resign; request; involve; explain
3. The US National Basketball Association
4. 45
6 Vocabulary: Puzzle
5. He’s a soldier (in the army)
6. Three
1. brutally
2. nightmare
3 Comprehension check 3. resign
4. numerous
1. F 5. refuse
2. T 6. graduate
3. F
4. T
5. T
6. F
7. F
8. F
403
KEY
1 Key words 4 Vocabulary 1: Verb + noun collocations
1. gala 1. d
2. bulletin 2. h
3. cuisine 3. f
4. ceasefire 4. b
5. simultaneously 5. g
6. rival 6. e
7. heated 7. c
8. funding 8. a
9. launch
10. media
2 Find the information 1. on

2. for
1. 170 3. on
2. €1.2 billion 4. for
3. 10 minutes 5. for
4. every half hour 6. against
5. in the late 1980s 7. with
6. about 75 million households 8. over
6 Word building
1. F
2. T 1. disagreement
3. F 2. criticism
4. F 3. preparation
5. T 4. dominance
6. F 5. announcement
7. F 6. competitor/competition
8. T 7. summary
8. funding
404
KEY
1 Key words 5 Vocabulary 2: Politics
1. bipartisanship 1. recapture control of government

2. stalemate 2. on the sidelines of power
3. sweep 3. face new and energised opposition
4. pledge 4. the need for a new direction
5. legislative 5. serve in Congress
6. redeploy 6. promote stability in the region
7. inducement 7. veto a bill
8. bill 8. face trials on the domestic front
2 What do you know about American 6 Vocabulary 3: Collocations

politics?
1. make
1. a 2. take
2. b 3. apparent
3. a 4. private
4. c 5. remain
5. b
1. F
2. F
3. T
4. T
5. F
6. T
7. F
8. T
1. proclaim
2. exult
3. amid
4. reject
5. forces
6. scrutiny
7. underscore
405
KEY
1 Pre-reading 1 5 General understanding
4. 6,000 women are needed to equal the numbers of 1. d (1)

men in these places. 2. a (2)
3. f (6)
4. e (8)
2 Pre-reading 2 5. c (9)
6. b (11)
Britain
6 Language development: Talking about

3 Key words numbers
1. headhunters 1 51.7% a just over half

2. glass ceiling 2 10.4% b just over a tenth
3. shortlist 3 9.8% c just under a tenth
4. thrive
5. boardrooms
4 19.5% d nearly a fifth
6. address the barriers 5 38% e nearly two fifths

7. flexible working 6 40% f exactly two fifths
8. ethnic minorities
7 17% g just over a sixth
4 Scanning for information

7 Vocabulary development: Synonyms
1. 19.5%
2. 0.4% 1. d
3. 9.8% 2. a
4. 40% 3. g
5. 51.7% 4. f
6. 3.7% 5. b
7. 10.7% 6. c
8. 17% 7. e
9. 38%
406
KEY
1 Key words 4 Vocabulary: Find the word
1. cruise 1. allege
2. conservationist 2. spectacular
3. campaigner 3. thoroughly
4. eco-system 4. slip through
5. graffiti 5. elitist
6. alarm 6. wealthy
7. swarm 7. fragile
8. mainland 8. mystique
9. enigma
10. pest
5 Vocabulary: Verb + noun collocations

2. f
1. Ecuador 3. g
2. 100,000 4. a
3. 5% 5. h
4. almost 1,000 km 6. e
5. 25 miles 7. c
6. 460 8. b
3 Comprehension check 6 Vocabulary: Prepositions
1. T 1. of
2. F 2. to
3. T 3. from
4. F 4. to
5. F 5. to
6. F 6. for
7. T 7. in
8. F 8. to
407
Milestones that show the way to modern medicine
KEY
1 Key words 4 Vocabulary: Chunks
1. milestone 1. of
2. breakthrough 2. from/to
3. asylum 3. in
4. contraceptive 4. as
5. culture 5. with
6. germ 6. in
7. in labour 7. for
8. therapy 8. of
2 Find the information 5 Vocabulary: Word formation
1. the number of medical milestones identified by the 1. discovery

British Medical Journal 2. capacity
2. first to report on penicillin’s potential 3. aggressiveness
3. ran the first trial of chlorpromazine on patients 4. infectious
4. discovered DNA 5. diagnosis
5. germ theory developed 6. unhealthy
6. won the Nobel prize for discovering X-rays 7. medical
7. the ingredients for oral rehydration 8. experimentation
8. invented the rabies vaccine
6 Vocabulary: Odd word out

1. grow
1. b 2. discovery
2 .c 3. soldier
3. b 4. breakthrough
4. a 5. labour
5. b
6. c
7. a
8. a
408
KEY
1 Key words 4 Vocabulary 1: Find the word
1. fake 1. scary
2. petition 2. investigate
3. elocution 3. row
4. overt 4. delighted
5. prejudice 5. slum
6. allegation 6. dignity
7. controversy 7. offensive
8. condemn 8. to make your skin crawl
9. regulator
10. contestant
2 Find the information 1. e or h

2. f
1. A reality TV programme 3. h or e
2. Channel 4 4. b
3. 20,000 5. a
4. 3.5 million 6. g
5. 30 7. d
6. Gordon Brown 8. c
3 Comprehension check 6 Vocabulary 3: Word building
1. T 1. tolerance
2. F 2. complaint
3. T 3. allegation
4. F 4. condemnation
5. F 5. behaviour
6. F 6. reference
7. T 7. criticism
8. F 8. argument
409
Into the aurora
KEY
1 Key words 4 Vocabulary 1: Adjectives
1. satellite 1. unique
2. substorm 2. identical
3. particle 3. vital
4. orbit 4. deadly
5. power grid 5. steady
6. circuit 6. entire
7. phenomenon 7. magnificent
8. shield 8. precise
9. glow
10. turbulence
5 Sequencing
2 Find the information 1. b

2. f
1. 10,000 km 3. c
2. five 4. e
3. green and red 5. a
4. more than 20 6. d
5. to the north
6. four
3 Comprehension check 1. phenomenal

2. turbulent
1. F 3. mysterious
2. T 4. visual
3. T 5. energetic
4. F 6. various
5. T 7. accurate
6. F 8. universal
7. F
8. T
410
KEY
1 Pre-reading 5 Vocabulary development 1: Legal
language
2. A woman astronaut loses her job when she is
accused of attempted murder 1. c
2. d
3. f
3 Key words
4. g
5. a
1. a tracking device 6. b
2. a nappy 7. e
3. stalking 8. h
4. alleged
5. astronaut
6. disguise 6 Vocabulary development 2: Phrasal
7. a shuttle verbs
8. a wig
9. a colleague 1. come up with
2. pick me up
3. drove off
4. set off on
5. cope with
1. False. She had to work hard to get her job as 6. wound down
an astronaut. 7. let off
2. True.
3. True.
4. False. She went to Orlando with a special purpose 7 Understanding reference
of her own.
5. False. Carbon-dioxide was used to power her gun. 1. c
6. True. 2. b
7. False. She took a lot of weapons with her, and 3. a
actually used the pepper spray. 4. a
8. False. They were very surprised when they saw her 5. a
in court, because astronauts are so carefully chosen 6. b
and trained.
9. False. She was responsible for repairing the space
craft in space.
10. True.
411
KEY
1 Key words 5 Prepositions
1. track down 1. in
2. willing 2. in
3. donor 3. to
4. sperm 4. between
5. offspring 5. with
6. siblings 6. of
7. adopt 7. in
8. estimate 8. of
9. conceives
10. choke
6 Word building
2 Find the information 1. donation

2. existence
1. in the 1980s 3. conception
2. $50 to $100 4. description
3. “Holy moly” 5. contact
4. 7,394 6. advice
5. around 30,000 7. regulation
6. 60 to 80 8. confirmation
1. F
2. F
3. F
4. T
5. F
6. T
7. F
8. T
4 Find the word
1. to have a lot in common

2. obvious
3. holy moly
4. happy-go-lucky
5. to get in touch
6. status
7. unique
8. to come of age
412
KEY
1. inherit 1. ranking
2. compile 2. expert
3. entrepreneur 3. charity
4. tycoon 4. overtake
5. fortune 5. newcomer
6. bachelor 6. retailer
7. founder 7. from scratch
8. retail 8. wealthiest
9. commodities
10. heiress
5 Vocabulary 2: Word formation
1. investment
2 Find the information 2. growth
3. marriage
1. Bill Gates 4. increase
2. Mexico 5. inheritance
3. $3.5 trillion 6. ownership/owner (person)
4. $1 billion 7. production/producer (person)
5. 53 8. foundation/founder (person)
6. Liliane Bettencourt in the 1980s
1. d
1. F 2. g
2. T 3. b
3. T 4. a
4. F 5. h
5. F 6. c
6. T 7. f
7. F 8. e
8. F
413
KEY
1. corrupt 1. myth
2. bold 2. trap
3. jihadi 3. militant
4. vulgar 4. locate
5. sophisticated 5. undercover
6. convinced 6. invasion
7. manhunt 7. admire
8. remote 8. stand up to
9. cleric
10. capture
2 Find the information 1. in

2. of
1. 50 3. of
2. Saudi Arabia 4. over
3. $25 million 5. out of
4. more than 20 6. to
5. kidney problems 7. of
6. 90% 8. with
1. T 1. disapproval
2. F 2. capture
3. T 3. announcement
4. T 4. invasion
5. F 5. admiration
6. F 6. proof
7. T 7. sympathy
8. F 8. enjoyment
414
KEY
1 Pre-reading 1: Key words 6. robotic
7. Psychologists
1. a catastrophe 8. technologists
2. a blast 9. scientists
3. an asteroid 10. secrecy
4. a collision
5. a tug 5 Vocabulary development 2:
6. inevitable Pronunciation
7. an orbit
8. an ion
9. a tractor
10. to release planetary collision
dangerous unstoppable
scientists extinction
1. No. The first paragraph is just saying what could secrecy robotic
happen.
2. They have found several possible solutions, but psychologists
they haven’t decided which one to use.
technologists
6. Language Development: Conditionals
1. In Washington, USA
2. NEOs 1. JP 6. JP
3. Apophis 2. D 7. D
4. 6 km across 3. JP 8. D
5. Every 100 million years 4. JP 9. D
6. In 2036 5. JP 10. JP
7. c) very dangerous
8. a) a nuclear weapon; b) a robotic tugboat; Definite Just Possible
e) a gravity tractor
will consider would affect
9. b) make it change direction
will attend would be
10. The Ganges river valley
will discuss could cause
would warn
4 Vocabulary development 1: Word
building would land
might misunderstand
1. collision would hover
2. unstoppable
3. planetary When you think a future action is definite, use will.
4. extinction When you think something is only just possible, or
5. dangerous unlikely, use would, could, or might.
415
Celebrity boot camp
Key
1. Pre-reading 1: Key words 5. Vocabulary development 2:
a. garbage Common expressions
b. assault
c. a warehouse 1 g
d. a community sentence 2 d
e. a boot camp
f. combats 3 a
g. the press 4 b
h. an SUV 5 f
i. a shift
6 c
j. stilettos
7 h
2. Re-reading 2 8 e
1. b.
2. Naomi Campbell
3. General understanding
1 d
2 c
3 g
4 f
5 e
6 b
7 a
8 h
4. Vocabulary development 1
1. a venue
2. stitches
3. bad press
4. leggings
5. scratches
6. press lenses
7. fluorescent
8. violators
416
KEY
1. cordial 1. arch-enemy
2. reluctance 2. era
3. firebrand 3. smooth
4. emerge 4. implement
5. militant 5. loathing
6. watershed 6. stable
7. arbitrary 7. commitment
8. transition 8. discord
9. reconciliation
10. deadline
1. h
2 Find the information 2. c
3. e
1. May 8 4. a
2. Gerry Adams 5. g
3. more than 10 years 6. b
4. Democratic Unionist Party 7. f
5. Stormont 8. d
6. Ian Paisley
1. d
1. F 2. g
2. T 3. a
3. T 4. h
4. F 5. b
5. F 6. e
6. F 7. c
7. F 8. f
8. T
417
KEY
1 Key words 4 Vocabulary 1: Expressions
1. a gang 1. to keep a count of something

2. bury 2. to make your home somewhere
3. to mourn 3. all the signs are there
4. turf 4. have seen it all before
5. a crackdown 5. on the edge of doing something
6. summit 6. nothing more than a fantasy
7. unprecedented
8. backfires
5 Vocabulary 2: War vocabulary
9. impoverished
10. to ruin
1. shot
2. battle
2 Read quickly 3. war
4. threat
1. a 5. front
2. b 6. opening fire
3. b 7. killing
4. b 8. wounding
5. b 9. violence
6. a 10. conflict
11. beat
6 Vocabulary 3: Phrasal verbs into nouns
1. Returning to his old neighbourhood.
2. Boyle’s LA is full of violence and gangs, Beckham’s 1. stopover
is glamorous and full of celebrities. 2. blackout
3. There are now more Hispanic gangs, not only young 3. layoffs
black gangs. 4. handouts
4. The public is aware of the race war and police have 5. blowup
launched a crackdown. 6. cleanup
5. Because other gangs will want to be on the list.
6. Because they are running away from something.
7. It provides education, counselling, tattoo-removal
and jobs.
8. A reality TV show.
418
KEY
1 What are they called now? 3 Comprehension
Abyssinia Ethiopia 1. F (they have stopped flying to Zimbabwe)

Benadir Somalia 2. T
French Sudan Mali 3. T
German Southwest Africa Namibia 4. F (he has been in power for over 25 years)
Rhodesia Zimbabwe 5. F (they earn much, much less)
Upper Volta Burkina Faso 6. T
Portuguese East Africa Mozambique 7. F (the main industry is still agriculture)
8. T
2 Key words 4 Vocabulary: Prepositions

1. collapse
2. conspiracy 1. British Airways said goodbye to Zimbabwe
3. independence 2. part of a British government conspiracy
4. hyperinflation 3. a reputation for being unreliable
5. bureaucracy 4. going on a shopping trip
6. regime 5. Mr Smith was defeated by economics
7. plummet 6. Rhodesia ceased to exist
8. confiscate 7. a man living in a Harare township
8. historic ties with Britain
9. defeated by escalating costs
10. part of the problem
11. we should get into computers
12. No one wants to go through Johannesburg
419
KEY
2 Pre-reading 2: Key words The P sentences usually go with:
• a verb in the conditional, usually would, might,
1. predators or could.
2. release • the word if, or a similar idea, like without its
3. prey taxi service, which means if they didn’t have a
4. devastated taxi service.
5. malaria • other ideas in the text, telling you that this has not
6. immune defence happened yet, e.g. the project, the plan, studies
7. ecological suggest that…
8. parasite
The A sentences are usually clearly set in past time, for
example by a date.
1. The malaria mosquito (b) passes the disease to
humans.
2. Scientists from Maryland think that GM 1. a
mosquitoes (b) could soon be more common than 2. a
ordinary ones. 3. a
3. Some birds in southern islands didn’t make their 4. Here, it could be both!
nests in trees because (a) there were no ground 5. a
animals to attack them. 6. a
4. Bees from Africa (b) replaced bees imported earlier 7. a
from Europe. 8. a
5. In Australia, the cane toad arrived (b) as part of
a plan. You will notice that the pronoun often refers back to the
6. The wolf snail in Polynesia (a) ate most of the first subject in the sentence. Later ideas are often just
local snails. adding information about the main subject.
5 Language development: Recognizing

conditional sentences
1. P 3. P 5. A
2. P 4. A 6. A

420
KEY
1. funeral 1. national anthem

2. coup 2. dome
3. assets 3. bodyguard
4. condolences 4. at half-mast
5. mourner 5. hardliner
6. cemetery 6. oligarch
7. collapse 7. disastrous
8. revival 8. accumulate
9. coffin
10. regime
5 Vocabulary 2: Verb collocations
2 Find the information 1. f

2. h
1. 76 3. g
2. 1894 4. b
3. 1924 5. a
4. seven and a half years 6. d
5. 1994 7. c
6. Stalin 8. e
3 Comprehension check 6 Vocabulary 3: Prepositions
1. F 1. on
2. T 2. with
3. F 3. for
4. F 4. to
5. T 5. to
6. T 6. over
7. F 7. of
8. F 8. to

421
KEY
1. remarkable 1. catch
2. lax 2. swamp
3. isolated 3. estate agent
4. secure 4. shanty town
5. anguished 5. vagrant
6. jobless 6. retreat
7. polarized 7. exodus
8. ragged 8. sibling
9. egalitarian
10. plush
5 Vocabulary 2: Adjective + noun
collocations
1. f
1. more than 400 2. g
2. 40% 3. b
3. December 2001 4. e
4. 2003 5. c
5. 40 6. a
6. 160 7. h
8. d
1. T
2. F 1. kidnapper
3. T 2. murderer
4. T 3. beggar
5. F 4. mugging
6. T 5. poverty
7. F 6. security
8. F 7. anger
8. height
422
Online fraudster
KEY
1. A person who commits fraud. 1. rack up

2. A short period of time in which you spend a lot 2. anonymously
of money. 3. flippant
3. A system for paying for something using a credit/ 4. scant
debit card that has information stored on it using a 5. refund
microchip. 6. beneficial
4. A loan from the bank to buy a house. 7. insecure
5. A person who is interviewed. 8. disguise
6. A dishonest way of making money.
2 What do you think? 5 Vocabulary 2: Odd word out
The words in the article are: 1. director (the others are all related to crime)
computer 2. react (the others are all verbs relating to stealing)
prison sentence 3. padlock (the others are all money and bank related
internet words)
fun 4. industry (the others are all ways of paying for
criminal something)
conviction 5. cashier (the others are all Internet related words)
phone
3 Comprehension check 6 Vocabulary 3: Prepositions
1. e. Tee started online fraud when he was a student at 1. away

university. 2. in
2. g. He stole as much as £250,000 through stolen 3. into
credit card details, identities and bank accounts. 4. on
3. c. Tee viewed stealing as fun and easy. 5. about
4. d. Statistics show that online crime has risen in the 6. over
past year. 7. of
5. f. Criminologists say that people commit online crime
because they think they won’t get caught.
6. h. Tougher security and public awareness are two
methods to stop crime.
7. a. People should not give their personal details over
the phone.
8. b. People should be careful of suspicious email and
attachments.
423
Shock of the
Breathing new
lessons
KEY
1 Key words 4 Vocabulary 1: Collocations
1. pollutant 1. Take a deep breath, I have some news for you.

2. apparent 2. People’s life expectancy is growing.
3. kerb 3. This product comes with a health warning.
4. exhaust fumes 4. The police found high levels of alcohol in his blood
5. aggravate or exacerbate stream.
6. smug 5. The vast majority of the population were against the
7. buggy war.
8. significant 6. Do not breathe the exhaust fumes of the cars.
7. The flats were in close proximity to the nuclear
power station.
8. The public transport in my town is very cheap.
2 What do you know?
3, 8, and 9 are not mentioned in the article.

5 Vocabulary 2: City
3 Comprehension check Streets People Transportation Buildings

road citizen underground skyscraper
1. Don’t side street cyclist train penthouse
2. Do throughfare pedestrian bus flat
3. Don’t traffic
4. Do
5. Do
6. Don’t
6 Vocabulary 3: Body
7. Don’t
8. Do
9. Don’t Internal: blood; lungs; heart; muscle; liver; brain; bone
10. Do External: elbow; nose; toes; thigh; palm; back; hair
424
KEY
1. vacancy 1. stand down

2. appreciation 2. blessed
3. failing 3. globalization
4. step down 4. over-zealous
5. motion 5. enormous
6. fierce 6. legitimize
7. tribute 7. dissolve
8. opinion poll 8. successive
9. MP
10. impact
2 Find the information 1. e

2. h
1. 10 years 3. f
2. 13 years 4. a
3. May 1997 5. c
4. 54 6. b
5. three 7. d
6. none 8. g
2. F 2. supporter
3. F 3. speech
4. T 4. conclusion
5. T 5. admission
6. F 6. appreciation
7. T 7. laughter
8. F 8. decision
425
Seize the day
KEY
1 Key Words 5 Vocabulary 2: Giving advice
1. destination 1. Don’t
2. dishwasher 2. Try
3. detergent 3. Don’t
4. loaded 4. Don’t
5. biodegradable 5. Try
6. tap 6. Don’t
7. flannel 7. Try
8. mug 8. Try
9. foil
10. mistaken
2 Find the Information 1. d

2. g
1. Up to 24 litres. 3. f
2. Up to 5 litres. 4. b
3. 100 miles. 5. c
4. As much as 150 litres. 6. e
5. As little as 10 litres. 7. h
6. A website for a car sharing scheme. 8. a
1. T
2. F
3. F
4. T
5. F
6. F
1. lifestyle
2. shower head
3. kettle
4. colleague
5. greengrocer’s
6. monitor
7. non-essential
8. rinsing
426
KEY
1. citizen 1. deduct / gain / earn points system

2. immigrant 2. feeling British nationality / day / values
3. contract 3. citizenship ceremony / pack / deal
4. teenager
5. council
5 Vocabulary 2: Compound words
2 Subtitles law-abiding
fly-tipping
a. Plans for a ‘Britain Day’ anti-social
b. Ministers set out plans in a new report able-bodied
c. A new points system 18-year-old
d. Citizenship contract minister-in-waiting
e. Divisions in British society
f. Reasons why the changes are needed
1. d
2. c
3. b
4. b
5. c
427
KEY
1 Key words 4 Grammar: Verbs
1. expands 1. transferred
2. retail 2. are hiring
3. crucial 3. have doubled
4. booms 4. range
5. invaluable 5. persuaded
6. cope 6. requires
7. reject
8. vision
9. expat
10. benefit
1. c
2. e
4. a
1. 15% 5. d
2. 50% 6. b
3. £600,000
4. £40,000
5. 3 million
6. 14%
1. improvement
2. development
3 Comprehension check 3. persuasion
4. requirement
1. T 5. comparison
2. F 6. recruitment
3. F 7. division
4. T 8. benefit
5. F
6. T
428
KEY
1 Key words 3 Companies and people
1. analyst a. Google and Yahoo! are search engines.

2. CEO b. News Corp is a media conglomerate that owns
3. investor many newspapers and TV networks.
4. financier c. Facebook and MySpace are online social
5. co-founder networking websites.
6. sociologist
7. mogul 1. Rupert Murdoch is the CEO of News Corp.
8. vice president 2. Mark Zuckerberg is the CEO of Facebook.
9. drop-out 3. Jerry Yang is the co-founder and CEO of Yahoo!
2 Most popular websites 4 Summary and missing prepositions
Hitwise UK - Top 20 Websites - May, 2007 Facebook, a social networking site, is one of the fastest
This list features the most popular websites based on UK Internet usage for growing websites on the internet.
May, 2007, ranked by market share of visits across all Hitwise industries.
It was created in 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg
Rank Website Market Share for students.
1. www.google.co.uk 8.2%
2. www.ebay.co.uk 2.7% At first, the site was only available to students, but now
3. www.hotmail.com 2.64% anyone can access it.
4. www.google.com 2.44%
5. uk.msn.com 1.54% Last year Yahoo! offered over $1bn for Facebook
6. www.bebo.com 1.52% – Zuckerberg refused to sell.
7. www.orange.co.uk 1.47%
8. www.myspace.com 1.36% Now Facebook is estimated by analysts to be worth
9. uk.mail.yahoo.com 1.24% much more than that.
10. uk.yahoo.com 0.91%
11. news.bbc.co.uk 0.82% In 2005, Rupert Murdoch bought MySpace for $580m.
12. www.bbc.co.uk 0.81% MySpace’s tie-in with Google has cluttered MySpace
with advertising. Murdoch now wants to swap it for a
13. www.youtube.com 0.75% 25% stake in Yahoo!
14. uk.search.yahoo.com 0.69%
15. www.amazon.co.uk 0.64% Online advertising is one of the fastest growing markets.
16. www.msn.com 0.61% By 2011 it will be worth more than $73bn, or 14% of the
17. images.google.co.uk 0.60% global advertising market.
18. www.facebook.com 0.57%
19. www.microsoft.com 0.54%
20. mail.myspace.com 0.53%
429
5 Numbers and figures
1. One billion = 1,000,000,000

Twenty-seven million = 27,000,000
One hundred thousand = 100,000
2. a. $900 million
b. $580 million
c. 100,000
d. 27 million
e. 60 million
f. $1 billion
g. $73 billion
6 Idioms
a. To start working in or with a company or

organisation at a low level in the hope that you will
be able to progress from there.
b. You do this when someone or something shocks or
surprises you.
c. Selling something to get what profit you can
because you think its value is going to fall.
d. To make something available.
e. To experience a difficulty.
430
KEY
1. sincere 1. demure
2. superficial 2. contrite
3. nightmare 3. apparently
4. anxiety 4. role model
5. celebrity 5. vicious circle
6. cynic 6. claustrophobia
7. meditate 7. attention deficit disorder
8. released 8. panic attack
9. heiress
10. insist

2. d
1. 23 days 3. b
2. California 4. e
3. 23 hours 5. a
4. one hour 6. c
5. nothing
6. a Bible
3 Comprehension check 1. from

2. from
1. F 3. for
2. F 4. with
3. T 5. off
4. T 6. of
5. F 7. in
6. T 8. at
431
KEY
2 Keywords 4 Collocations – prepositions
following verbs
1. a. slum (subtitle)
b. pollution (subtitle) a. according to
c. humanity (para 1) b. prepared for
d. species (para 1) c. lasted for
e. shift (para 3) d. raised by
f. developing countries (para 4) e. decrease by
g. sanitation (para 4) f. shaped by
h. migration (para 7)
i. vicious circle (para 8)
j. destructive (para 10)
3 Comprehension
The situation now Expected problems Possible solutions

and the situation
in the very near
future
At the moment the Lack of housing – leading to slums. We need to plan
majority of people Lack of power, water, sanitation and ahead now.
live in urban areas. roads. Governments should
Within the next There will be a climate change. The be proactive.
year, humanity will average temperature will increase by They should create
become an urban 2 – 6°C. conditions for a
species. This will lead to new energy demands stable world.
More people will live such as more air-conditioning. We need to make
in urban than rural This will then add to the greenhouse sure there are
areas. gas emissions. enough jobs and
Increases in heat, pollution, smog houses, especially
and ground-level ozone will affect the in cities, and that
surrounding areas. there is an adequate
Farmers will produce fewer crops. school system so
There will be less to eat. that every child
Weather changes could mean more can get a proper
tornadoes and hurricanes. education.
All of the above will lead to greater
health risks.
2. urban – urbanization – a noun

urbanize – a verb
urbanite – a noun
poor – poverty – a noun
432
KEY
1. crack down 1. males

2. unorthodox 2. life expectancy
3. binge 3. transition
4. campaign 4. per capita
5. trend 5. household
6. fluctuations 6. hazardous
7. antiseptic 7. spectacular
8. consumption 8. collapse
9. acute
10. abuse

2. h
1. 72% 3. a
2. in the mid-1980s 4. b
3. 15.2 litres 5. f
4. 42% 6. c
5. 59 years 7. d
6. 3,500 (1,750 who died and 1,750 who were 8. g
still alive)
1. growth
1. T 2. fluctuation
2. T 3. consumption
3. F 4. argument
4. F 5. contribution
5, F 6. commentary
6. F 7. persuasion
7. T 8. abuse
8. F
433
KEY
1 What do you think? 4 Vocabulary: Collocations
stage lighting lifestyle changes

famous artists media event
private jet planes raise awareness
car manufacturers public transport
public transport global warming
websites energy efficient
radio carbon footprint
scientists
2 Key words
1. intensity
2. scale
3. scepticism
4. rumour
5. complexity
6. generate
7. pledge
8. offender
9. hypocritical
10. instigator
11. controversial
12. cynicism
1. b
2. a
3. c
4. c
5. b
6. d
434
KEY
1. tit-for-tat 1. face-to-face
2. unjustified 2. for the foreseeable future
3. ban 3. mirror image
4. targeted 4. accuse
5. mild 5. charge
6. expel 6. ambassador
7. fatal 7. underline
8. overcome 8. alleged
9. extradition
10. summon

2. f
1. Four 3. a
2. Four 4. b
3. Alexander Litvineko 5. c
4. Andrei Lugovoi 6. d
5. The British foreign secretary
6. Condoleezza Rice
verb noun
1. F 1. expel expulsion
2. T
3. T 2. extradite extradition
4. F 3. announce announcement
5. F
6. F 4. investigate investigation
5. reduce reduction
6. disappoint disappointment
7. restrict restriction
8. emphasize emphasis
435
KEY
1. unsettles 1. immigration
2. coverage 2. welfare
3. preventative 3. extensive
4. debate 4. intimate
5. quirky 5. potential
6. breakthrough 6. fundamental
7. clip 7. short-lived
8. submit 8. crush
9. impact
10. free-for-all
1. e
1. 2,300 2. f
2. 1960 3. a
3. 25–30 4. b
4. 2008 5. c
5. More than 2.5 million 6. d
6. September 17

1. T noun adjective
2. F
1. person personal
3. T
4. T 2. power powerful
5. F 3. emotion emotional
6. F 4. democrat democratic
5. environment environmental
6. president presidential
7. centre central
8. republic republican
436
Going under
KEY
2 Pre-Reading B: Key words 5 Vocabulary development 2:
Word formation
1. a downpour
2. drainage
3. ploughs verb noun
4. devastation 1. devastating devastation
5. run-off 2. evacuated evacuation
6. evacuated 3. announced announcement
7. sandbags
4. manage management
8. sewers
9. absorb 5. drained drainage
10. crops 6. flooded flooding
7. stored storage
3 Comprehension check 8. prepare preparation
9. expect expectation
1. False. Although rain is common in Britain, 10. warn warning
they were very surprised.
2. True 2. Four: -ation; -ment; -age; -ing
3. True
4. True
5. True 6 Language development: So and such
6. False. They could help if they ploughed their
land across the hills. 1. so
7. False. It will probably cost more after the floods. 2. such
3. such
4. such
4 Vocabulary development 1
5. such
6. such
1. excessive 7. so
2. trapped 8. so
3. to peak
4. tend to Use SO:
5. cope with
• before an adjective alone
6. paving
Use SUCH:
• before a noun
• before adjective + noun
• or with the word as to mean ‘like’ or ‘for
example’, + noun
437
KEY
1 Key words 4 What happened?
1. disregard 1. c
2. ruling 2. h
3. appeal 3. a
4. accomplice 4. f
5. defect 5. b
6. parole 6. e
7. conviction 7. g
8. conspiracy 8. d
9. procedure
10. distinction
5 Vocabulary 1: Legal terms
2 Find the information 1. g

2. d
1. 1974 3. h
2. 398 4. b
3. August 14 1996 5. f
4. 30 6. a
5. Last year 7. e
6. San Antonio 8. c
1. F 1. execution
2. F 2. conviction
3. F 3. conspiracy
4. F 4. agreement
5. F 5. recommendation
6. T 6. reduction
7. punishment
8. reintroduction
438
KEY
1. g 1. I’d like you to pay attention to me when I’m

2. e speaking.
3. a 2. The sun beamed down on the festival crowds.
4. f 3. The policeman stood with arms outstretched to
5. b hold back the people.
6. c 4. The artists unveiled the statue of the woman in
7. d the square.
5. The prisoner spent the night behind bars while
waiting for his trial.
2 What do you know?
6. There are heroic people who resist oppression
everywhere in the world.
a. T
b. F
c. T 6 Vocabulary 3: Chunks
d. F
e. T a. not to mention
b. was a likeness of
c. barely on speaking terms
d. no more fitting
e. exposing it to the elements
a. Nelson and Oliver
b. Nelson Mandela
c. the statue
d. the heroes and heroines
e. the British people
f. the statue
g. Ken Livingstone the mayor of London
h. Gordon Brown
i. the statue
4 Vocabulary 1: Lexical themes
prisoners public speeches politics

cell crowd leader
barbed wire praise president
imprisoned cheerleader dignitaries
trial guest of honour mayor
behind bars podium prime minister
applaud ideology
government
boycott
439
KEY
1 Music quiz
artist genre nationality died in aged

(year)
Luciano Pavarotti opera Italian 2007 71
Elvis Presley rock and roll American 1977 42
Bob Marley reggae Jamaican 1981 36
Edith Piaf chanson French 1963 47
John Lennon pop English 1980 40
Johnny Cash country American 2003 71
Ibrahim Ferrer son Cuban 2005 78
Billie Holiday jazz American 1959 44
Frank Sinatra swing American 1998 82
Kurt Cobain grunge American 1994 27
2 Key words 4 Vocabulary: Adjectives
1. succumb 1. emotional, distinctive, brilliant, God-given

2. critic 2. opera star, tenor, positive, demanding
3. debut /deIbju:/ 3. the applause at the Royal Opera House in 2002
4. theme tune
5. bar
5 Grammar: Second conditional
6. interpretation
7. tribute
8. good cause We use the second conditional to:
Talk about a condition that cannot be fulfilled because

3 What do you know? it is unreal.
1. Pancreatic cancer Refer to the present and the future.
2. The opera house in Reggio Emilia To imagine the consequences if an unreal condition
3. Pavarotti, Placido Domingo and José Carreras was fulfilled.
4. A classical album that reached number 1 in the
UK charts.
5. Rain-sodden
6. Princess Diana
7. By giving charity performances
8. Nessun Dorma
440
KEY
1. rare 1. mystery
2. rough 2. calm down
3. sceptre 3. precious
4. accurate 4. undiscovered
5. carat 5. saddle
6. colourless 6. curse
7. misfortune
8. vault
9. astonishing
10. gem
1. to
2. of
2 Find the information 3. by
4. from, to
1. As much as £15 million 5. in
2. 1985 6. in
3. 69.42 carats
4. 1905
5. 105
6. 1849
verb noun
3 Comprehension check 1. discover discovery
2. excite excitement
1. F
3. protect protection
2. F
4. weigh weight
3. F
4. T 5. accurate accuracy
5. T 6. surprise surprise
6. T 7. believe belief
8. decide decision
441
Level 2 Intermedi ate
KEY
1 Pre-reading task 3 Comprehension check
These are the words that appear in the text: 1. F

2. F
burger 3. T
fries 4. T
apple 5. T
adverts 6. T
snacks 7. F
cereal 8. T
breakfast
tray 4 Comparisons
judge
calories
health 1. A Big Mac meal has more calories than a Burger
cosmetic King triple Whopper with cheese.
standards 2. Home-cooked food usually contains fewer calories
home-cooked than restaurant-bought food.
3. More than half of the Big Apple’s residents
are overweight.
2 Key words crossword 4. Food in fast food restaurants costs less than food
in better restaurants.
Across 5. McDonalds sells fewer salads than burgers.
1. confuse
4. chain
7. court case
10. treat
11. clinically obese
Down
2. extension
3. wrapper
5. launch
6. helping
8. packaging
9. consumer
442
KEY
1 Pre-reading 1 4 Vocabulary development
1. False, they were in Portugal. 1. people-carrier

2. False, they have two-year-old twins. 2. cuddly
3. True. 3. accompanied
4. False. Not their own car; a car they hired 25 4. trace
days later. 5. pursued
5. False, they think he was an accomplice. 6. give up on
6. True. 7. clear our name
8. chair
9. briefly
10. shattered
1. suspects
2. an accomplice
3. presumed
4. allege
5. toddlers

1. a
2. c
3. f
4. d
5. e
6. g
7. b
8. h
443
KEY
1. uproar 1. innovative
2. piracy 2. release
3. self-indulgent 3. merchandise
4. retailer 4. gig
5. struggling 5. royalty fees
6. priceless 6. cautious
7. rumour 7. one-off
8. booming 8. back catalogue
9. loyal
10. bypass
1. g
2. d
1. 45p 3. h
2. £40 4. e
3. In Rainbows 5. a
4. through a radio station 6. b
5. October 10th 7. c
6. in December 8. f
1. F
2. F 1. originality
3. T 2. innovative
4. T 3. available
5. T 4. profitable
6. F 5. competition
7. F 6. cautious
8. T 7. loyal
8. financial
444
KEY
1 Pre-reading task 4 Vocabulary 1: Pronunciation
}:-( Your toupee is blowing in the wind oOo oOoo ooOo ooO ooOoo
;-) I’m only joking! imperfect emotions sympathetic interrupt unintentional
8-) I’m wearing glasses
sincerely communicate exclamation
0:-) The writer just made a sweet or
humanity conversation
innocent remark
:-)(-: I’m married recipient
excla-
:-\ I’m undecided abbreviate
mation
embarrassment
believable
2 Key words additional
1. express
2. insert
3. emotion 5 Vocabulary 2: Word groups
4. nerd
5. unintentional
6. abrupt emotions
7. regret positive negative
8. transition love hurt
9. remorse remorse
joy
10. wreck anger
11. toneless amazed
regret
12. acknowledgement delighted
pain
13. convey sympathy embarrassment
3 Comprehension check writing equipment

traditional electronic
1. T quill computer
2. F pen email
3. F ballpoint pen text message
4. T pencil
5. F typewriter
6. T
7. T
8. T
445
KEY
1 Warmer: Gold 3 Comprehension check
Possible answers: 1. T
jewellery 2. F
clocks and watches 3. F
glasses 4. F
paint 5. T
gold-leaf 6. T
art 7. T
teeth (fillings) 8. F
medicines 9. F
coins 10. T
buttons 11. T
pen nibs 12. F
2 Key words 4 Vocabulary: Lexical fields
1. imprison Suggested answers:

2. beat Jobs and professions: gold-miner, police, soldier, taxi
3. nugget driver, geologist, prostitute, vet, student, prospector,
4. arrest nomad
5. black market
6. concession Legal words and terminology: black market, smuggle,
7. tolerate police cells, arrest (verb and noun), evidence, legal,
8. prospector illegal, legitimate, truncheon, trespassing, stealing,
9. legitimate checkpoint, criminal, imprison, human rights, abuses
10. gold rush
5 Discussion: Presenting a case
Note: If the class is small, the teacher can play the part
of the judge.
446
Extreme education
KEY
1. disadvantaged 1. hand in
2. proficient 2. turn up
3. behaviour 3. fund
4. attitude 4. consistent
5. strict 5. debate
6. mentor 6. highlight
7. achievement 7. urban
8. admission 8. take for granted
9. appropriate
10. zero tolerance
1. in
1. 10 2. by
2. 90% 3. on
3. 3,500 4. about
4. 1,800 5. between
5. 200 6. with
6. all of them 7. for
8. from
1. F
2. T verb noun
3. T
1. accept acceptance
4. T
2. behave behaviour
5. F
6. F 3. tolerate tolerance
7. T 4. expect expectation
8. F 5. believe belief
6. admit admission
7. achieve achievement
8. educate education
447
KEY
1 What are they called now? 3 Comprehension
Abyssinia Ethiopia 1. F (they have stopped flying to Zimbabwe)

Benadir Somalia 2. T
French Sudan Mali 3. T
German Southwest Africa Namibia 4. F (he has been in power for over 25 years)
Rhodesia Zimbabwe 5. F (they earn much, much less)
Upper Volta Burkina Faso 6. T
Portuguese East Africa Mozambique 7. F (the main industry is still agriculture)
8. T

1. collapse
2. conspiracy 1. British Airways said goodbye to Zimbabwe
3. independence 2. part of a British government conspiracy
4. hyperinflation 3. a reputation for being unreliable
5. bureaucracy 4. going on a shopping trip
6. regime 5. Mr Smith was defeated by economics
7. plummet 6. Rhodesia ceased to exist
8. confiscate 7. a man living in a Harare township
8. historic ties with Britain
9. defeated by escalating costs
10. part of the problem
11. we should get into computers
12. No one wants to go through Johannesburg
448
KEY
1. purchase 1. currently
2. range 2. browse
3. confirm 3. money-spinner
4. deny 4. market leader
5. monitor 5. highlight
6. slot 6. roommate
7. foothold 7. broad
8. launch 8. threat
9. device
10. handset
1. a new mobile phone system
1. More than 30 2. a full-power Internet browser
2. 100 million 3. one of the world’s fastest-growing industries
3. 1998 4. some of the world’s largest companies
4. More than $225 billion 5. the fifth largest company in America
5. Apple 6. a range of plans for future products and services
6. They are the founders of Google

1. F
verb noun
2. T 1. announce announcement
3. T 2. appear appearance
4. T 3. apply application
5. F
4. encourage encouragement
6. F
5. browse browser
6. arrive arrival
7. operate operator (operation)
8. produce product
(producer, production)
449
Bye bye Belgium?
KEY
1. compromise 1. out of touch

2. inevitable 2. scandal
3. manifesto 3. counterproductive
4. voluntarily 4. dominant
5. courtesy 5. decisive
6. arrogance 6. transparency
7. wealthy 7. radicalization
8. fragile 8. turning-point
9. concession
10. intimidation
5 Vocabulary 2: Words followed by
prepositions
1. to
1. 177 years 2. of
2. 63% 3. with
3. Dutch (Flemish) 4. about
4. Flanders 5. of
5. Wallonia 6. of
6. 156 days (at the time when the article was written) 7. for
8. on
1. F
2. T
verb noun
3. T
4. F 1. arrange arrangement
5. T 2. extend extension
6. F 3. agree agreement
7. F 4. demand demand
8. F
5. propose proposition / proposal
6. co-operate co-operation
7. concede concession
8. govern government
450
KEY
1 Warmer 3 Comprehension check
A palaeontologist is a scientist who studies 1. The fossil was discovered in Ecclesbourne Glen,
palaeontology, learning about the forms of life that near Hastings, in the early 1890s, by Philip James
existed in former geologic periods, chiefly by studying Rufford.
fossils. 2. It was thought to be a common sauropod and was
stored at the Natural History Museum.
Well-known palaeontologists include: Mary Anning, 3. The mis-labelled fossil lay on a shelf in a basement
Richard Owen, Charles Darwin, Ross in the TV series for 113 years.
Friends and Cary Grant in the film Bringing up Baby. 4. A dinosaur enthusiast discovered the dusty bone
last January while doing some research.
www.zoomdinosaurs.com/subjects/dinosaurs/glossary/ 5. He found out that the bone had the wrong label and
Paleontologists.shtml was in fact from an unknown dinosaur.
6. Modern techniques showed that it is from a
Xenoposeidon proneneukus which lived 140 million
2 Key words
years ago.
7. A leading palaeontologist said there are likely to be
1. discover other undiscovered species in the museum.
2. significant
3. extinct
4. enthusiast 4 Vocabulary: Collocations
5. diverse
6. vertebra 1. dusty fossil
7. research 2. distinctly wrong
8. fossil 3. dinosaur enthusiast
9. label 4. metal doors
10. widespread 5. astonishing find
6. gloomy basement
7. extinct creatures
8. respected palaeontologists
9. major group
10. previously unknown
451
Iceberg survivors
KEY
1. cruise 1. terrifying
2. survivor 2. ornithologist
3. thrilled 3. crew
4. option 4. military base
5. rescue 5. propose
6. hypothermia 6. deck
7. lists 7. expedition
8. life raft 8. rare
9. gutted
10. iceberg
5 Vocabulary 2: Nations and nationalities
2 Find the answer

country nationality
1. Chile 1. Canada Canadian
2. 154 2. The Netherlands Dutch
3. 14 3. Switzerland Swiss
4. 5 hours
4. Norway Norwegian
5. £4,000
6. one hour 5. Denmark Danish
6. Belgium Belgian
1. F 6 Vocabulary 3: Noun + noun collocations

2. F
3. T
4. F verb noun
5. F 1. cruise f. liner
6. T 2. tour d. company
3. life g. raft
4. cargo c. plane
5. staff h. member
6. emergency b. button
7. rescue a. boat
8. memory e. stick
452
KEY
1 New ideas 3 Comprehension check
a) vague clock 1. false

b) solar-powered glowing garden furniture 2. true
c) transparent sticky memos 3. true
d) robotic web camera 4. true
e) magnetic bathroom mirrors 5. false
f) wastepaper bin cable tidier 6. true
7. false
8. false
2 Key words: Synonyms

1. dreary
2. principle
3. unique product – cable Oo
4. mass-produced vague – scheme O (1 syllable only)
5. alterations designer – ambitious oOo
6. scheme independent – alterations ooOo
7. flop financially – consultancy oOoo
8. royalties experimental – imagination oooOo
9. vague
10. cables
11. displays
12. standard
13. rubbish
•
D
E
453
KEY
1. knick-knacks 1. originally
2. artefact 2. residence
3. pastel 3. celebrity
4. curator 4. remote control
5. auction 5. to make sense of
6. vintage 6. estimate
7. attached 7. shabby
8. baggy 8. absurd
9. downsize
10. bid
1. about
2. to
1. Elton John 3. to
2. red 4. in
3. $1,000 to $2,000 5. with
4. $1,000 to $1,500 6. with
5. Kelly 7. of
6. Malibu 8. in
1. F
2. F
3. T Adjective Noun
4. T 1. real reality
5. F 2. stupid stupidity
6. T
3. modern modernity
4. romantic romance
5. absurd absurdity
6. emotional emotion
7. limited limit
8. gothic goth
454
KEY
2 Key words
1. era
2. struggling
3. reveal
4. handling charge
5. average
6. ultimately
7. download
8. remaining
9. honesty box
10. piracy
11. experiment
1. True
2. False
3. False
4. True
5. True
6. False
7. True
8. False
455
KEY
1 Key words 4 Find the word
1. fence 1. squeeze
2. cell 2. similar
3. manslaughter 3. personal possessions
4. breakout 4. inmate
5. rubble 5. razor-wire
6. daring 6. head
7. feud 7. secure
8. emerge 8. drive-by shooting
9. contradiction
10. prosecutor

2. of
1. two 3. through
2. 20 4. for
3. 1.67 metres (5ft 5in) 5. from
4. B310 and B311 6. with
5. 20cm by 40cm 7. to
6. $8,000 8. in
1. F 1. ability
2. T 2. security
3. F 3. smiley
4. F 4. personal
5. T 5. injured
6. F 6. guilty
456
KEY
1. evict 1. environmentalist
2. emission 2. tougher
3. nightmare 3. predict
4. vehicle 4. scooter
5. boot 5. sales tax
6. switch 6. maintain
7. boom 7. rush hour
6. consumer 8. promote
9. rival
10. smog

2. g
1. One billion 3. h
2. The rupee 4. f
3. 100,000 rupees (£1,260) 5. d
4. Seven or eight per thousand 6. b
5. 219 million tonnes 7. a
6. 250,000 8. c
1. T 1. pollution
2. T 2. revolutionize
3. F 3. realization
4. F 4. consumer
5. F 5. emission
6. T 6. encourage
7. F 7. ownership
8. T 8. evict
457
KEY
1. race issue 1. to
2. tie 2. in
3. political camp 3. over
4. racially tinged 4. among
5. controversial 5. in
6. poll 6. of
7. candidates 7. for/in
8. distorts 8. at
9. legal dispute 9. over/of/in
10. revive 10. for
11. destruction
1. c
2. b * Quote from the website
http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.
php?title=Politics_of_personal_destruction
The politics of personal destruction–a phrase
popularized by Bill Clinton during his impeachment–
has been in vogue since long before Clinton’s
impeachment. Although the tactic of demonizing
the opposition has been practiced with varying
intensity throughout the history of politics, this
current round of hyper-partisan warfare can be
traced back to 1987, when President Ronald
Reagan nominated Robert H. Bork for the
Supreme Court.
3. c
4. a
458
Life through a lens
KEY
1. multitask 1. to the accompaniment of

2. widespread 2. keep up with
3. balanced 3. annually
4. survey 4. flick through
5. facilities 5. refuse
6. decline 6. minimum
7. essential 7. sign up
8. pastime 8. childhood
9. reluctant
10. sedentary

2 Find the information 1. g
2. h
1. 63% 3. a
2. Five hours 20 minutes 4. c
3. A quarter (25%) 5. f
4. 1,147; 5. 85% 6. b
6. Two hours (four times a week) 7. d
8. e
6 Word building
1. T
verb noun
2. T
3. F 1. interact interaction
4. F 2. imagine imagination
5. F 3. decline decline
6. T 4. research research
5. refuse refusal
6. inquire inquiry
7. investigate investigation
8. please pleasure
459
A tale of two ships
KEY
2 Skim-reading 4 Vocabulary: Prepositions
1. Seven ships (five belong to the Japanese, one 1. as different as chalk and cheese
belongs to Greenpeace, one to Sea Shepherd) 2. miles of empty ocean
2. In the Southern Ocean in Antarctica 3. one boat belongs to Greenpeace, the other to
3. Paul Watson Sea Shepherd
4. Greenpeace 4. 2,500 miles south-west of Australia
5. Sea Shepherd 5. Giles Lane is from Brighton
6. Sea Shepherd 6. an act of courage (or stupidity)
7. a period of more than a week
8. a trap set by the Japanese fleet
3 Comprehension check 9. differences of opinion about protest
and confrontation
1. c 10. in any way
2. a, b and c
3. a
4. b
5. c
6. c
460
KEY
1. firm 1. artist’s impression

2. demand 2. commercial
3. hypersonic 3. inexpensive
4. claustrophobia 4. water vapour
5. spin-off 5. porthole
6. mach 6. excitedly
7. incredible 7. environmentally damaging
8. reusable 8. phase
9. secure
10. conventional
5 Vocabulary 2: Opposites
2 Find the information 1. unreliable

2. inexpensive
1. More than 3,000mph 3. incredible
2. 300 4. unconventional
3. Four hours 40 minutes 5. disadvantage
4. 132 metres 6. unpopulated
5. 10% 7. insufficient
6. 12 tonnes 8. insecure
3 Comprehension check 6 Vocabulary 3: Expressions with

prepositions
1. F
2. T 1. from
3. T 2. to
4. F 3. at
5. T 4. of
6. F 5. over
6. on
461
Rules and respect
KEY
2 Key words 4 Comprehension check
1. declare 1. F
2. grim 2. T
3. stroll 3. F
4. group mentality 4. F
5. winning mentality 5. T
6. native tongue 6. T
7. objective 7. F
8. pitch 8. T
9. self-confidence
10. restore
11. qualify 5 Vocabulary: What was the score?
a)
3 Skim-reading 1. nil nil or it was a no-score draw
2. one nil to England
1. Italian 3. four all or it was a draw
2. Milan, Juventus and Real Madrid 4. two one to Switzerland
3. He was worried the journalists would twist his
words (mis-quote him). b) 2:1 to England
4. English
5. The first World Cup qualifying match against
Andorra.
462
KEY
1. predator 1. carry on
2. extinct 2. mature
3. endangered 3. highly prized
4. devastating 4. until recently
5. scallop 5. explode
6. coalition 6. resolution
7. explodes 7. wide-ranging
8. migration 8. enforcing
9. conservation
10. habitat
5 Chunks
2 Find the information 1. over the past 30 years

2. within the next few decades
1. 126 3. since the early 1970s
2. £140 a kilogram 4. in the last 25 years
3. 16 years 5. in some parts of the world
4. 99% 6. by an average of 50%
5. 50
6. 90%
verb noun
1. F 1. restrict restriction
2. F 2. resolve resolution
3. T
4. F 3. conserve conservation
5. F 4. migrate migration
6. T
7. F 5. 5. enforce enforcement
8. T 6. 6. protect protection
7. 7. reduce reduction
8. 8. threaten threat
463
The Oscars
KEY
1 Team quiz: And the award for best 3 Skimming for information
actor goes to...
a) Best actor: Daniel Day-Lewis for There Will Be Blood
Bing Crosby, Going My Way, 1944 b) Best actress: Marion Cotillard for La Vie en Rose
Laurence Olivier, Hamlet, 1948 c) Best film: No Country For Old Men (Coen Brothers)
Humphrey Bogart, The African Queen, 1951 d) Best supporting actress: Tilda Swinton for Michael
Marlon Brando, The Godfather, 1972 Clayton
Jack Nicholson, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, 1975 e) Best supporting actor: Javier Bardem for No Country For
Ben Kingsley, Ghandi, 1982 Old Men
Daniel Day-Lewis, My Left Foot, 1989 f) Best director: Joel and Ethan Coen for No Country For
Roberto Benigni, Life is Beautiful, 1998 Old Men
Russell Crowe, Gladiator, 2000
Forest Whitaker, The Last King of Scotland, 2006
Daniel Day-Lewis won the Oscar for best actor again 4 Comprehension check
this year.
1. T
2. F
2 Key words 3. T
4. F
1. dominate 5. F
2. triumphant 6. T
3. heavily-tipped 7. F
4. portrayal 8. T
5. prospector
6. nominee
7. noteworthy
8. nostalgic
9. animated
10. sentiment
464
KEY
2 Key words 4 Vocabulary: Countries and nationalities
1. sack
country nationality
2. bulletin
3. broadcast Turkmenistan Turkmen
4. horrified Ukraine Ukrainian
5. consequences
Russia Russian
6. undetected
7. reforms Uzbekistan Uzbekistani
8. restored Iran Iranian
9. worthy Afghanistan Afghani
10. graduated
Kazakhstan Kazakh
1. True
2. True
3. False
4. False
5. True
6. False
7. True
8. True
465
KEY
1. hardliner 1. successor
2. collegiate 2. unique
3. retain 3. irreplaceable
4. initiative 4. release
5. veteran 5. editorial
6. convalescing 6. rubber stamp
7. single-handedly 7. loosen
8. ovation 8. characteristic
9. unanimous
10. designate

2. a
1. 11 million 3. f
2. 81 4. g
3. Younger 5. b
4. 1959 6. h
5. 19 months ago 7. e
6. 614 8. c

1. T adjective verb
2. F
3. F 1. strong strengthen
4. F 2. loose loosen
5. T
6. T 3. tight tighten
7. F 4. weak weaken
8. F
adjective noun
1. normal normality
2. continuous continuity
3. poor poverty
4. united unity
466
KEY
1. chutney 1. posh
2. onlooker 2. estate
3. rumour 3. bargain
4. prominent 4. ribbon
5. venture 5. disadvantaged
6. sustainable 6. highlight
7. cynic 7. get at
8. goodies 8. check out
9. heir
10. competitive
2 Find the information 1. c

2. f
1. Highgrove 3. b
2. Highgrove 4. e
3. £395 5. a
4. 60 6. d
5. Camilla
6. 25 pence
3 Comprehension check 1. over

2. from
1. F 3. for
2. F 4. with
3. F 5. in
4. T 6. of
5. T 7. to
6. F 8. of
467
KEY
2 Keywords and phrases 4 Vocabulary: Pronunciation and

intonation
1. excessive
2. withdrawal symptoms
oOo oOoo ooOo
3. clinical disorder
addiction psychiatrist isolation
4. psychiatrist
withdrawal pornography repercussion
5. component
excessive significant adolescent
6. inaccessible
components psychiatry
7. repercussions
specific
8. adolescent
9. significant other
10. irony
11. discussion boards
12. diverse
13. self-help group
1. T
2. F
3. F
4. T
5. T
6. F
468
KEY
1. dispute 1. advertising campaign

2. charts 2. feature
3. lawsuit 3. break up
4. sue 4. look to
5. back catalogue 5. track
6. label 6. compensate for
7. promote 7. impact
8. piracy 8. global
9. download
10. goodwill
5 Business terms

2. f
1. 1991 3. b
2. 2000 4. e
3. Pepsi and Amazon 5. a
4. Radiohead 6. c
5. Universal Music
6. 2006
6 Word building
3 Comprehension check 1. permission

2. agreement
1. T 3. dispute
2. T 4. promotion
4. F 6. signature
5. F 7. advertisement/advertising
6. T 8. division
469
KEY
2 Key words 5 Vocabulary development 2: Compound

noun phrases
1. complained
2. due to Here are some of the compounds in the text, but you
3. collapses could make more…
4. packed up
5. kerb
6. backlog
system
7. prospects
backlog
8. chaos
baggage handlers
9. fume
handling
10. surly
storage bins
delays
bag handling system
handling teams
1. False. There were a lot of problems.
2. True. baggage
hand
3. False, but a lot of people will have to wait for luggage
their luggage.
4. False. They could only take hand luggage.
5. True.
6. False. They said they could have a refund.
7. True.
8. True.
1. worsened
2. backed-up
3. refund
4. disaster
5. operate
6. halve
7. losses
8. carrier
470
KEY
2 Key words and phrases 4 Vocabulary: Describing trends
1. mortgage 1. Mortgage rates soar ↑

2. pull a deal 2. Consumer borrowing is rising ↑
3. negative equity 3. The US could slip into recession ↓
4. recession 4. Consumer borrowing is growing ↑
5. consumer 5. The amount of new mortgages has dropped ↓
6. loan 6. Prices have fallen ↓
7. overdraft 7. The UK economy will still expand ↑
8. interest rate 8. The world’s largest economy could shrink ↓
9. statistics 9. Petrol prices will stay at their current level →
10. inflation 10. The cost of milk, bread and sugar has been
going up ↑
1. False
2. False
3. True
4. True
5. False
6. False
7. False
8. False
471
KEY
2 Pre-reading 2: Quiz 5 General understanding
1. d 1. c
2. f 2. d
3. b 3. f
4. g 4. g
5. i 5. b
6. c 6. a
7. e 7. e
8. a
9. h
6 Talking numbers
1. b
1. gossip 2. d
2. inconsistent 3. a
3. commissioned 4. c
4. ranking
5. half
5. diversity
6. a quarter
6. skinny
7. two thirds
7. criticized
8. a tenth
8. current affairs
9. nine tenths
10. just over a quarter
11. just under half / almost half
12. just over a third
472
KEY
1. anorexia 1. throw up
2. consultant 2. to do with
3. disorder 3. keep down
4. gorge 4. condensed milk
5. bulimia 5. give away
6. resign 6. low
7. high-profile 7. knackered
8. speak out 8. considerable
9. autobiography
10. confess
5 Word building
2 Find the information 1. embarrassment

2. bravery
1. in the 1980s 3. courageous
2. nearly 70 4. stressful
3. twenty years 5. ashamed
4. more than one million 6. awareness
5. 90%
6. between 12 and 20
6 Prepositions
3 Comprehension check 1. from

2. under
1. T 3. of
2. F 4. with
3. T 5. from
4. T 6. with
5. F 7. to
6. F 8. of
473
KEY
2 Key words 4 Vocabulary: Pronunciation
1. ointment oOo ooOo Ooo oooOo

2. potion
consumers complementary pharmacist homeopathic
3. remedy
predicted controversial government authorization
4. placebo
prescription legislation
5. consumer
registration
6. predict
regulations
7. legitimate
8. counter
9. extract
10. beneficial
6 Webquest
11. insomnia
12. stigma
13. outlet a) to ease a headache or migraine = chamomile
(Chamaemelum nobile or Matricaria recutita)
b) to boost your immune system = purple coneflower
(Echinacea purpurea)
3 Comprehension check c) as a sedative = hops (Humulus lupus) and
maybe chamomile
1. T d) when you have a cold or a fever = yarrow
2. T (Achillea millefolium)
3. F
4. T
5. T
6. T
7. F
474
KEY
1. mediate 1. secure
2. stroll 2. behind the scenes
3. hamper 3. salute
4. banner 4. stand-off
5. utilities 5. dominate
6. constitution 6. assume
7. dignitary 7. ban
8. step down 8. rally
9. corruption
10. challenge
5 Prepositions

2. for
1. Dmitry Medvedev 3. by
2. 42 4. with
3. eight years 5. in
4. 4,000 roubles (£88) 6. with
5. China and Kazakhstan 7. on
6. Boris Yeltsin 8. with
3 Comprehension check 6 Word building
1. F 1. ability
2. F 2. flexibility
3. T 3. confident
4. F 4. problematic
5. T 5. powerful
6. F 6. secure
7. comfortable
8. dissatisfaction
475
Mortgage crisis
Addiction sees ‘is
to Internet suburbs slump
an illness’
KEY
2 Key words 4 Vocabulary: Finance words
1. mortgage Possible answers:

2. foreclose • mortgage
3. community • bank
4. suburbanite • foreclose
5. cul-de-sac • loans
6. demographic • prices
7. lawn • sale
8. ominous • rent
9. doomed • on the market
10. potential • costs
11. custom-made • afford
3 Comprehension check 6 Webquest
1. True • podcast
2. False, she is the president of the Franklin Reserve • smog
Neighbourhood Assosciation.
3. True
4. True
5. False, the Neighbourhood Assosciation has 400 members
and a lawn-mowing taskforce.
6. True
7. False, 19% of people’s household costs go on transport.
9. False, it’s hard to adapt these areas for other purposes.
476
KEY
1. extinct 1. world heritage site

2. ornithologist 2. whaling
3. predator 3. adapt
4. chick 4. government-funded study
5. rare 5. fairly
6. horrified 6. get rid of
7. catastrophe 7. commitment
8. endangered 8. finalize
9. remote
10. carnivore
5 Word building
2 Find the information 1. conservation

2. propose
1. in the South Atlantic 3. survival
2. the UK 4. discovery
3. 700,000 5. commitment
4. ten kilograms 6. escape
5. 35 grams 7. recognize
6. £2.6 million 8. remove
3 Comprehension check 6 Prepositions
1. F 1. of
2. T 2. to
3. F 3. on
4. T 4. of
5. F 5. of
6. F 6. of
7. of
8. in
477
Families struggling
Addiction to Internetas‘isbills begin to bite
an illness’
KEY
2 Key words 4 Vocabulary: Trends
1. struggling Suggested answers:

2. offshore
3. stuff costs 20% more costs 20% less

4. hardly anything gone up by gone down by

5. represent more expensive
less expensive / cheaper
6. overdrawn prices are up
prices are down
7. trolley sharpest rise sharpest fall
8. battery prices have been going up prices have been going
9. free range down
10. pesticides dramatically soared dramatically plummeted
11. organic / fell
12. own-brand
13. topsy-turvy
1. False
2. True
3. False
4. True
5. True
6. False
7. True
8. False
9. True
10. True
11. False
478
KEY
1. free-fall 1. out of this world

2. belongings 2. capsule
3. resistance 3. sound barrier
4. gondola 4. exposed
5. embolism 5. paratrooper
6. fatal 6. potential
7. stuntman 7. window of opportunity
8. altitude 8. decompression sickness
9. weightlessness
10. mission
2 Find the information 1. b

2. e
1. 25 miles (40km, 130,000 feet, 40,000 metres) 3. a
2. two hours 4. h
3. 1988 5. c
4. 770mph 6. g
5. around eight minutes 7. f
6. 31 8. d
3 Comprehension check 6 Adjectives and nouns
1. F 1. blackness
2. F 2. weightlessness
3. T 3. consciousness
4. F 4. suicidal
5. F 5. similar
6. T 6. pressurised
7. fatal
8. sickness
479
Is this the to
Addiction end of budget
Internet travel?
‘is an illness’
KEY
1 Warmer: Airlines 3 Comprehension check
BA = British Airways 1. T
QANTAS = Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services 2. T
KLM = Koninklijke Luchtvaart Maatschappij N.V 3. T
(Royal Dutch Airlines) 4. F
5. F
6. T
2 Financial key words 7. F
1. budget
2. bankrupt 4 Vocabulary: Pronunciation
3. affordable
4. go bust
oOoo = competitors, executive, affordable, economy,
5. break even
recovering
6. charge
alliance = oOo
7. economy
administration = oooOo
8. add-on fee
profitable = Oooo
9. profitable
passengers = Ooo
10. cover costs
11. administration
480

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The night-walkers of Uganda

Fill the gaps using these words from the text.

toddler rags warden thug rebellion

1. An is an organization that helps people affected by wars or natural disasters.

3. A is a very young child who is learning to walk.

6. If something causes , there is strong opposition to it.

7. To someone is to hit a person violently several times.

8. To something is to break it or spoil it.

9. are clothes that are old, torn and dirty.

as wine or beer that they drink.

2 Find the information

The night-walkers of Uganda

Choose TWO correct answers to complete each sentence:

2. The LRA is a rebel group that

4. The war in Uganda has lasted so long that

5 Vocabulary 2 Word building

Complete the table. Check your answers in the text.

6 Vocabulary 3 Find the wrong word

1. The children are dressed in rags / torches / flip-flops.

3. Villagers fear wardens / thugs / rebels.

4. The rebels use children as soldiers / slaves / victims.

5. Shelters are safe / desperate / crowded.

6. Some children are full / scared / upset.

7. Children need alcoholism / affection / protection.

8. In northern Uganda, the society is damaged / destroyed / murdered by war.

2 Pre-reading 2 Key Words

1. is to say that you are not satisfied with something.

2. is a metal support that helps old or disabled people to move.

5. is a long, transparent polythene cover to protect growing plants,

tall enough for people to work inside.

6. is an agreement in writing, about work or business.

7. is someone who moves to another country to work or live.

they are not happy about their working conditions.

No strawberries and cream for fruit pickers

3 Reading for Information

Find the numbers (they are all in paragraphs 4-8).

4 Vocabulary 1 Find the word

7. To have enough money to buy something (11)

1. angry somebody (1)

Now quickly read the article to check.

Put the words in these sentences in the right order:

1. could / thought / more / I / much / earn / here / I / money

2. never / anywhere / have / this / like / been / I

3. strawberries / them / like / pay / but / cannot / we / for / we

4. time / you / the / one / eat / next

5. of / think / us / tunnels / just / the / in

Now read the text quickly to check.

2. If something is , it does not involve any danger.

3. If something it gets smaller, less effective or weaker.

4. If you someone, you keep them under arrest.

6. If something is it will not kill you.

7. is the process of taking certain actions to reduce the costs of a business.

8. is the right or power to make legal decisions.

9. A is a large knife with a long wide blade used as a weapon or tool.

10. If something is , it is weak or easy to attack.

2 Find the information

Look in the text and find this information as quickly as possible:

The Return of the Pirates

Choose the best answer according to the information in the text.

2. What is the main reason for the increase in piracy?