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Independent Reading Text Final Project

by
Leticia Vanzetto





Gladiator











University of California, San Diego, Extension
August 2014
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Table of Contents

PART 1: OPPINION .................................................................................................01
Gladiator .......................................................................................................01
Part 2: Vocabulary .................................................................................................03
Gladiator .......................................................................................................03
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1. Part 1: Opinion

Gladiator - Adapted from the novel by Dewey Gram, based on the screenplay by
David Franzoni, John Logan and Willian Nicholson, retold by Annete Keen.

The book Gladiator tells the story of the Gladiator Maximus,
who lives in the great Roman Empire in the year A.D. 180. The book shows
how Maximus became one of the gladiators and his adventures as one of
them. I really enjoyed reading the book, and I appreciated the
characteristics of the major character. I would certainly recommend this
book for my friends. Moreover, even if the story is not real (and it could
not ever be, in my opinion), it makes me think about how it would be if I
lived in other age.
I enjoyed reading this book because the story is very exciting. The
book shows the life of Maximus, a brave man who was general in the
Roman army. When his last battle finally finished, he wanted to return to
his house, with his family; however, Commodus killed his own father in
order to make himself the Emperor, killed Maximus wife and son and
made Maximus a prisoner. After that Maximus was a slave and finally a
gladiator. Maximus was a really good fighter and he won his battles as a
gladiator. The public idolized him. His last battle was against the Emperor
Commodus, in which he was the winner even hurt. After the battle
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Maximus died; in his last moment Lucilla, Commoduss sister, told him
that her son is also Maximus son.
I dont think that this story could be real for many reasons. First,
its not reasonable that the emperor accept to have a fight with a gladiator,
because he doesnt need to do it. He could think in other way to kill
Maximus; for example, he could put poison in his food, he could also just
order other gladiator to kill Maximus in the middle of night, since he was
the emperor. Secondly, I dont think that someone could be invincible as
Maximus was. However, even if it cant be real, the story is well thought
and written; as a consequence, it made me imagine how it would be if I
lived there, and what I would do in that situation if I was Maximus.










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2. Part 2: Vocabulary

Gladiator - Adapted from the novel by Dewey Gram, based on the screenplay by
David Franzoni, John Logan and Willian Nicholson, retold by Annete Keen.

DUTY (noun): A moral or legal obligation. Synonyms: Obligation,
responsibility. Related Words: dutiable (adjective), dutiful (adjective).
Gladiator, page 13. I HAVE ONE MORE DUTY TO ASK OF
YOU BEFORE YOU GO HOME.

HANGING (adjective): Suspended in the air. Synonyms: suspended.
Related Words: hanging (noun)
Gladiator, page 21. THERE, HANGING ON ROPES, WERE
THE BURNT BODIES OF HIS WIFE AND SON.

DUG (verb): Past and past participle of dig - Break up and move earth
with a tool or machine, or with hands, paws, snout, etc. Synonyms: delve.
Related Words: digger (noun).
Gladiator, page 21. MAXIMUS DUG ONE DEEP HOLE IN
THE BLACK EARTH ON THE HILLSIDE FOR HIS WIFE AND SON.




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CHAINED (adjective): Bound with chains (a connected, flexible series of
links, typically of metal). Synonyms: enchained. Related Words: chain
(noun).
Gladiator, page 22. HE LOOKED AROUND AND HE
REALIZED THAT HE WAS THE ONE OF SEVERAL MEN CHAINED
TOGETHER IN A DIRTY SLAVE CARRIAGE.

STRETCHED (verb): Past and past participle of stretch (be made or be
capable of being made longer or wider without tearing or breaking).
Synonyms: extended. Related Words: stretchable (adjective)
Gladiator, page 27. PROXIMO RAISED HIS HANDS AND
STRETCHED THEM OUT TO THE GROUP OF SLAVES.

DRUM (noun): A percussion instrument sounded by being struck with
sticks or the hands, typically cylindrical, barrel-shaped, or bowl-shaped,
with a taut membrane over one or both ends. Synonyms: tympan.
Gladiator, page 31. THERE WAS THE SOUND OF DRUMS.

SHIELDS (noun): A broad piece of metal or another suitable material,
held by straps or a handle attached on one side, used as a protection
against blows or missiles. Synonyms: buckler. Related Words: shieldless
(adjective)
Gladiator, page 46. THEY ONLY HIT THE GLADIATORS
SHIELDS.

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SHARP (adjective): having an edge or point that is able to cut or pierce
something. Synonyms: keen. Antonym: round. Related Words: sharply
(adverb).
Gladiator, page 47. FIXED TO THEIR WHEELS WERE
SHORT, SHARP SPEERS.

LOAVES (noun): Plural of loaf a quantity of bread that is shaped and
baked in one piece and usually sliced before being eaten. Synonyms: loaf
of bread.
Gladiator, page 52. THERE WERE THOUSANDS OF
LOAVES.

TEAR (noun): A drop of clear salty liquid secreted from glands in a
persons eye when they cry or when the eye is irritated. Synonyms:
teardrop. Related Words: tear-like (adjective). Teary (adjective)
Gladiator, page 62. A TEAR RAN DOWN HER FACE.