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A Szerzõk
 CONTENTS
UNIT 1 ...................................................................................................................................... 3
UNIT 2 ..................................................................................................................................... 6
UNIT 3 ..................................................................................................................................... 9
UNIT 4 ................................................................................................................................... 12
UNIT 5 ................................................................................................................................... 15
REVISION: UNITS 1-5 .................................................................................................... 20
UNIT 6 .................................................................................................................................. 23
UNIT 7 .................................................................................................................................. 27
UNIT 8 .................................................................................................................................. 29
UNIT 9 .................................................................................................................................. 33
UNIT 10 ................................................................................................................................ 37
REVISION UNITS 5-10 ................................................................................................... 40
UNIT 11 ................................................................................................................................. 42
UNIT 12 ................................................................................................................................ 46
UNIT 13 ................................................................................................................................ 49
UNIT 14 ................................................................................................................................ 53
UNIT 15 ................................................................................................................................ 56
REVISION UNITS 10 - 15. ............................................................................................. 60
UNIT 16 ................................................................................................................................. 61
UNIT 17 ................................................................................................................................ 64
UNIT 18 ................................................................................................................................ 67
 UNIT 1

MEETING WITH SAM

11th January
I have to start the diary on the 11th as nothing even remotely interesting happened in the first
ten days of the year. But today a new era was ushered in with a handshake.
Today I shook hands with Samuel Blacksmith, the coolest guy in the class. He is well-known, he is
in the spotlight for his results in sports, much talked about by everyone; his name is on
everyone's lips after that magnificent performance at last year's athletics championship. He is
also well-renowned for his footballing skills. I'm sure he will become a celebrated, and even
legendary figure in the near future. These days, after the end of the rugby season he is at the
height of his fame, and since he has achieved fame as a great sportsman, he simply can't
afford to fail in physics.
Although he is second to none when it comes to sports and he has made quite a name for
himself as the goalkeeper of our football team, having to learn is a major stumbling block in his
future career. He has his ups and downs - so to say -, he is often at a loss before school tests
and now he is in an awkward situation. The better he wants to be at sports, the more he has to
train; the more he trains, the less time he has to study etc. This is a vicious circle, a real catch-
22, a no-win situation. He has succeeded in passing three exams already but he still has a lot on
his plate . He is in a tight spot as the physics test is just around the corner. That's where I
come into the picture. Physics poses considerable problems for me, too, it makes my life
difficult, and gives me a hard time but I am by far the best at writing crib sheets. I'm really
thrilled and excited about Sam's visit today and I can't help seeing myself as the saviour of the
football team.

EXERCISES

1. Fill in the sentences with one word or expression from the box .

in the spotlight; second to none; stumbling block; causing inconvenience;

name is on everyone's lips; vicious circle; ups and downs; fraught with problems; isn't out of
the woods; in a tight spot

1. I would say our business is generally smooth-running but every now and then we have our
……………….. just like everybody else.
2. Julie is rather overweight, which makes her depressed and downcast. Unfortunately, whenever
she is feeling down in the dumps, she tends to eat more, which makes her even less attractive.
This is a real ……………… .
3. My first year in school was ………………….. but now I think I can hit it off well with most of the
students.
4. Since Mary got that little role in that soap opera she has been …………… All the newspapers are
full of her pictures.
5. He had only one week to pay back the moneyto the bank. If I hadn't lent him some, I would
have put him …………. .
6. I know you have mixed feelings about his academic performance, but you have to agree that as
a musician he is ……………. .
7. He is a real troublemaker. I think there is nothing he enjoys more than ………………… to others.
8. He might have passed the maths exam but he should know he …………………. . There are still five
tests for him to pass in the next two weeks.
9. She has become famous after the Olympics and her .……………… .
10. The wedding won't be easy to organise - one ………………… may be the bridegroom's religious
convictions.

2. Connect the idioms with their definitions.

a. If something is uncertain and undecided yet,

b. If you are faced up with a difficult situation,
c. If you give a short summary of a story,
d. If you are downcast and depressed,
e. If you do someone a favour,
f. If you are having a whale of a time at a party,

1. you tell it in a nutshell.

2. you are in a fix.
3. you feel in the dumps.
4. you are in your element.
5. you are in their good books.
6. it is up in the air

3. Complete the following sentences using the correct form of one of the idioms in exercise 2 .

1. The future of the project is still …………… . The board of directors will decide on it at
tomorrow's meeting.
2.Little Johnny was …………….… yesterday at the fun-fair. He was running around like hell and he
wanted to try everything.
3.He has bought me a car and a flat and he has offered me a job at his firm. He is definitely
…………….. .
4. Actually, I have to visit my grandmother, we will have to take our dog to the vet and my son is
having four tests next week. …………, we won't be able to see you on Sunday.
5. He was …………………. after his girlfriend married somebody else and didn't even leave his flat
for weeks.
6. After my law firm went bankrupt I was ……………… as I had to pay back all my debts in a short
while.

4. Please pair the idioms in the two columns below. Can you find which two pairs have a very
similar meaning?

a. dilemma
b. much talked about
c. be in a tight spot
d. a stumbling block
e. put somebody to a lot of trouble
f. not be out of the woods
1. have a lot on one's plate
2. be at the height of one's fame
3. a setback
4. give somebody a hard time
5. be in a mess
6. a no-win situation

5. Kindly rewrite the following sentences using the word given. You must not change the words
given in any way!

1. Paul has no idea at all what to do with his dog while he is on holiday. LOSS
2. Jill is generally a kind person but when people try to borrow money from her, she turns into a
monster. COMES
3. He is famous for his achievement as an actor. WELL-RENOWNED
4. I shouldn't think that we will have any trouble crossing the border at night. POSE
5. He was very wise to end his career just after he had won the Olympics. HEIGHT
6. Our new neighbours make life difficult for everybody. HARD
7. The future of the company is rather uncertain at the moment. AIR
8. I have done all my homework for good old Mr Dowson, so I think he quite likes me now. BOOKS
9. His leaving the company slowed down all our projects. SETBACK

KEY: UNIT 1

Exercise 1

1. ups and downs

2. vicious circle
3. fraught with problems
4. in the spotlight
5. in a tight spot
6. second to none
7. causing inconvenience
8. isn't out of the woods
9. name is n everyone's lips
10. stumbling block

Exercise 2
A6
B2
C1
D3
E5
F4

Exercise 3
1. up in the air
2. in his element
3. in my good books
4. in a nutshell
5. feeling in the dumps
6. in a fix

Exercise 4
A6
B2
C5
D3
E4
F1

Exercise 5

1. Paul is at a loss about what to do with his dog while he is on holiday.

2. Jill is generally a kind person but when it comes to lending money she turns into a monster.
3. He is (highly) renowned for being a good actor.
4. I shouldn't think that crossing the border at night will pose any problems.
5. He was very wise to end his career at the height of his fame.
6. Our new neighbours give us a hard time.
7. Our plan to visit our friends in Iran this year is still up in the air. We don't know whether we
will be able to get a visa in time.
8. I've done all my homework for good old Mr Dowson, so I think I'm in his good books now.
9. His leaving the company was a setback to all our projects.

UNIT 2

THE LEARNING THING

12th January

So today is the day of the physics test. I've just found a couple of minutes to jot down a few
lines that would capture the atmosphere in the class.
Everybody is so tense today. There's an uneasy silence all over the place. All my classmates are
on pins and needles, and I have butterflies in my stomach, too. Even Betsy Brains, the
brightest girl is edgy. Why are we always so uptight when the exam time comes? But even
stranger: why is Betsy Brains on edge? Doubtless she will pass with flying colours, whereas me
and Jeff are just hoping to scrape through somehow. By the way, I've chosen a new method this
time. I chose the good old boring way, that is, I've tried to familiarise myself with the subject,
I memorised countless equations and data and I learned all these things by rote in order to
master the pieces of this mystery they call physics. Having learnt at least a hundred names of
physicists by heart, I think I've got the hang of nuclear physics and am able to master
everything. Also, I got sick and tired of my parents continual whining "You know nothing about
history, son, science is a closed book for you, you are so ignorant you don't have the faintest
idea about art, let alone maths." Oh god, the teacher has just entered the room. There is no way
back now!
EXERCISES

1. Find the odd one out.

1. He seemed ……….. at the meeting yesterday but we didn't know why.
A) amazed B) a bundle of nerves C) a nervous wreck D) uptight
2. She is by far the best student in the class. This exam cannot be a problem for her she ought
to …. .
A) pass with flying colours B) scrape through C) breeze through D) sail through
3. I wish I knew where he is now but I don't have the ……. idea.
A) faintest B) slightest C) least D) smallest
4. 'Where is she?' '…'
A) It's anybody's guess B) Your guess is as good as mine C) I'm uninformed, I'm afraid. D) How
should I know? I lost touch with her a year ago
5. Since I left school, economics is … me.
A) a stranger to B) black magic to C) a closed book for D) a mystery to

2. Please connect the expressions with their meanings (More expressions might mean the same. )

KNOW A LITTLE ABOUT SG

EVERYBODY KNOWS
NERVOUS
LEARN BY HEART

be on pins and needles learn by rote

it is an open secret be on edge
it is common knowledge
have a working knowledge of commit sg to memory
have a smattering of
be in a state swot

3. The following sentences contain idioms with either brain(s) or mind. Please fill in the blanks
with the suitable word.

1. I hate having to start work at 7. I'm sure it was Samuel's ………-child, as he simply can't sleep
after 5.
2. I don't think you should beat about the bush much longer. You are an outspoken person, you
always speak your ……., so just be yourself and you'll succeed.
3. I enjoy exotic places but it never crossed my ……. to go camping in Kuala Lumpur.
4. As I was walking home yesterday I suddenly had a …wave and now I know what I'm going to do
with my life.
5. I have been racking my ….. for more than two hours but I simply can't remember her phone
number.
6. Their child has gone on a biking tour without telling them. I'm sure they will give her a piece
of their ….. when she comes back.
7. I don't have the least idea how to finish this essay, I would like to pick your ….. for a good
ending, if you don't mind.
8. I understand that it is very hard to choose between these two boys but you've been sitting on
the fence too long, it is just about time you made up your …….. .
9. He is a very independent young man. He has a ….. of his own and I think he has a brilliant
future in the business world.
10. Why don't you come with us to see the new Stallone movie? It is so funny it will certainly
take your …… off your problems.

4. Please, rewrite the following sentences using the proper form of the words and expressions
given.
When he arrived home at long last, his mother gave him a good telling-off. GIVE SY A PIECE
OF ONE'S MIND
2. You just think no one knows about you affair with the boss, but it is actually common
knowledge. OPEN SECRET
3. I don't see why you go to football matches, you are so tense when your favourite team is
playing. BUNDLE OF NERVES
4. I had no idea what to do in the afternoon, but suddenly I realised I should visit my ex-wife to
have a little chat. BRAINWAVE
5. If you want to graduate as a teacher, you must learn all the subjects you intend to teach.
FAMILIARISE ONESELF WITH
6. It was my first job interview so I was rather nervous on the way to the company. HAVE
BUTTERFLIES IN ONE'S STOMACH
7. I like reading about people's lives, it is learning all the dates by heart that I can't stand.
SWOT
8. Come on Jimmy, don't be so spineless. When he asks you what you think about his idea tell him
bluntly what's on your mind. SPEAK ONE'S MIND
9. She really is the teacher's pet. No wonder she won't have a problem passing the end-of-year
test. PASS WITH FLYING COLOURS

UNIT 2

Exercise 1

1A
2B
3D
4C
5A

Exercise 2

Know a little about something: have a working knowledge of sg, have a smattering of sg
Everybody knows: it's an open secret, it is common knowledge,
Nervous: be on edge, be in a state, be on pins and needles
Learn by heart: learn by rote, commit sg to memory, swot

Exercise 3

1. brain
2. mind
3. mind
4. brain
5. brain(s)
6. mind
7. brain(s)
8. mind
9. mind
10. mind

Exercise 4

1. When he arrived home at long last, his mother gave him a piece of her mind.
2. You just think no one knows about your affair with the boss but it is actually an open secret.
3. I don't see why you go to football matches; you are always a bundle of nerves during the game.
4. I had no idea what to do in the afternoon but suddenly I had a brainwave and I visited my ex-
wife to have a little chat.
5. If you want to graduate as a teacher, you must familiarise yourself with all the subjects you
intend to teach.
6. It was my first job interview so I had butterflies in my stomach on the way to the company.
7. I like reading about people's lives, it is swotting for the exams that I can't stand.
8. Come on Jimmy, don't be so spineless. When he asks you what you think about his idea, you
should speak your mind.
9. She really is the teacher's pet. No wonder she'll pass the end-of-year test with flying
colours.

UNIT 3

ON BEING SHALLOW

21st January
Today, as I was walking out of the classroom, I overheard my best friend, James Jackson,
talking to someone about yesterday's movie. Below is the conversation:
'It was a good movie.'
'Why did you like it?'
'Because it was interesting.'
I was, shaken, taken aback, and stunned. I was speechless with shock when I realised how
shallow this conversation was. And the fact that it was James, my best friend who uttered the
words above was a bolt from the blue, a cruel awakening for me. I'm going to take him out for
a drink tomorrow and see what I can do to elaborate his verbal capacity.
By the way, today we had the funniest lesson of the semester. There are some kids in the class
who always make fun of everything, they tease and mock everybody younger and weaker than
them, they are just "pulling their leg" as they say, but in fact they taunt, mock and poke fun at
everybody and everything. The older teachers fall victim to their jokes, too. For example, old
Mrs Simpson, who is a little senile, can't stop them laughing in class. One of them says
something and the others burst out laughing, so the class finally dissolves into fits of laughter.
The girls are tittering, some are rolling with laughter, and even the few who try to keep a
straight face start giggling when they look at the rest of the class. Actually, these are the
funniest lessons. We laugh our heads off. Poor Mrs Simpson, her mind is always wandering, she
seems a bit confused, I'm afraid she is losing her marbles.

EXERCISES

1. Choose the one answer that does NOT fit the sentence.
1. By the time Suzy finished telling us how she had made the neighbours believe that she was a
well-known actress, ……….. .
A) we were rolling with laughter B) we were shrieking with laughter C) we almost jumped out of
our skin D) she had us in hysterics
2. Artists …… . They stare into infinity with a hazy, uncertain look that is so typical of them.
A) are often lost in thought B) live in a world of their own C) are always daydreaming D) are so
far-fetched all the time
3. Mickey is always …………. everybody. Don't take him seriously.
A) teasing B) taunting C) haunting D) poking fun at
4. I bet she was …………… when you offered to buy her old car for so much.
A) taken aback B) dazed C) puzzled D) downcast
5. The whole class was …………. When Mrs Simpson appeared in her new outfit the other day.
A) muttering B) giggling C) tittering D) chuckling
6. The news that she had not been accepted by the committee came as a …….. .
A) a blow B) a hit C) a shock D) a bolt from the blue

2. The following expressions can be used to say that somebody or something is different from
the others. Unfortunately, the words of the expressions are mixed up. Find the correct order of
the words.
1. Little Johnny is so shy, he fit does in not with the other kids in the class.
2. Me and my teacher don't really get on well with each other. We in have common nothing and
we on not are wavelength same the.
3. I don't see why he keeps on putting on these shabby clothes when he goes to the opera.
People always stare at him because thumb out sticks a he sore like.
4. We will never be able to work together with Luis. worlds are apart just We in our views
concerning the teaching of English.
5. He will never ask her to marry him. cheese are They chalk and like.
6. step is of She with out her colleagues, she doesn't care about money and promotion.
7. This elegant red-haired snob relation no to bears the lovely young woman I knew ten years
ago.
8. of a between is There difference world secondary schools in the USA and in Japan.

3. Now let us see some words that we often mix up. Please guess which one fits into the
sentence.
a) laugh (countable) - laughter (uncountable)
We had a good …….. when she told us how she had bought that car so cheap.
There was a lot of …………. coming from the conference room in the morning. It must have been a
successful meeting.
b) critic (a person who writes reviews) - review (a writing in a paper about a film, play
etc.)
The ……. you have written of that play is by far the best that has ever been published in this
paper.
The new theatre …… of the village paper speaks highly of the modern production of Romeo and
Juliet.
c) camping (an activity) - camp site (a place where there are tents)
We enjoy staying in hotels but this year we are going …….. for a change.
How far is the nearest …….., please?
d) morale (state of emotions) - moral (the lesson of sg) - morals (principles)
The only problem of the tale is that the ……….. is not easily understood by children.
The colonel decided to give the soldiers a week off to raise their ……… .
My grandfather was a person of strong religious …………… .
e) lastly (as the last thing) - at last (finally sg good happens)
After days of heavy rainfall, ………. the sun came out and we could go swimming.
Why would I not like to go out with Jack? Well, to begin with, he is ugly, he is rude and ………
because he smells.
f) enquiry (asking for information) - inquiry (official investigation)
We have had a lot of ……….. since the new advertisement came out.
After the murder, the police made an ………….. .
g) dissatisfied (not satisfied, unhappy) - unsatisfied (not enough)
I told him a hundred idioms in English, but his thirst for knowledge was still …………. .
The soup was cold, the waiter was impolite, we were so ………… we didn't give a tip.
h) exhausting (tiring) - exhaustive (thorough)
This paper is based on ……….. research carried out by American scientists.
I have walked 20 miles today, which was rather ……….. .
i) last (there is no more to come) - latest (newest)
His …… book was a great success with children. It's a pity he died so young.
His ……… book is so successful he has decided to follow it up with another one on the same topic.
j) Unreadable (bad quality)- illegible (bad handwriting)
I'm sure her essay is a brilliant piece of work. It's a pity her handwriting is …………. .
Most of these shallow romantic novels are simply …………. .

4. Below is a postcard from a camp written by Jessy James. Try to rewrite the card using
sophisticated vocabulary.

Dear Mum and Dad,

The camp is bad. All the girls are joking about me and my accent. I was shocked when I realised
my teacher is rather old and senile. The others are always laughing in class when she makes a
mistake, they are not interested in learning at all. By the way, my roommates are not kind to me,
and I'm always very nervous before the lessons.
Please take me home immediately.

Love,
Tom.

KEY
Exercise 1
1C
2D
3C
4D
5A
6B

Exercise 2

1. he does not fit in

2. have nothing in common // we are not on the same wavelength
3. he sticks out like a sore thumb
4. we are worlds apart
5. they are like chalk and cheese
6. she is out of step with
7. bares no relation to
8. there is a world of difference between

Exercise 3

a) laugh // laughter
b) review // critic
c) camping // camp site
d) moral // morale // morals
e) at last // lastly
f) enquiries // inquiries
g) unsatisfied // dissatisfied
h) exhaustive // exhausting
i) last // latest
j) illegible // unreadable

Exercise 4

A possible solution:
Dear Mum and Dad,
This camp is horrendous. The girls are taunting me and are poking fun at me for my accent. I was
taken aback when I realised that the teacher is rather old and she is losing her marbles. The
others are laughing their heads off when she makes a mistake. They're not interested in learning
at all. My roommates give me a hard time and I have butterflies in my stomach before the
lessons.
Please take me home immediately.
Love,
Tom.

UNIT 4

THE GIRL WITH THE GREEN AXE

21st January
We were asked by our literature teacher to hand in what we considered to be the best essay we
had ever written. As I was walking home in the afternoon, I had a sudden brainwave. I felt I
had to sit down and create. The title of the story is The Girl with the Green Axe. Below is the
masterpiece:
The sun was rising behind the trees and she was awakened by the sounds of the approaching
thunderstorm. In the distance clouds became visible, there were some people too, but she could
not quite make them out. A good distance away there was something that looked like an old
church but it seemed a far-off, distant place. Suddenly she realised she was alone in this
remote, isolated forest, which was miles from anywhere, quite out of the way, in the middle
of nowhere. She was standing there, tears were rolling down her face, and she thought about
the sleepy backwater she was brought up in; a little secluded village that was out of range and
out of reach and where no one could hurt her.
All of a sudden, she felt that something or someone was watching her from behind. As she was a
delicate, timid young woman of a nervous disposition who scared easily, when that something
(or someone) gave out a sound, she panicked, she got a fright. She went as white as a sheet
and she nearly jumped out of her skin. That sound seemed the most scary, terrifying, spine-
chilling and blood-curdling scream she had ever heard. When she plucked up the courage to
turn around she saw that it was only Jimmy, the milkman from the village. He was frightened, in
fact petrified by the girl's look. He seemed just as panic-stricken as her, and he was scared
stiff as well. They stood there for a while looking at each other, scared to death. Then she
spoke: 'You scared me, you really gave me a fright, you made my hair stand on end, you gave
me the creeps! Please don't scare me into doing something I wouldn't want to.' Then they both
burst out crying.
At this point they would go back to the village together. Of course, later on she would kill him
(with an axe, obviously) and possibly some other people as well just to complicate matters a bit.
I'm still not sure whether there should be a happy ending, and if there is one, what it would be.

EXERCISES

1. The following words and expressions mean either far or near. Please find which is which!

NEAR:
FAR:

out of the way; secluded; in the vicinity; on our doorstep;

in the middle of nowhere; within a stone's throw from; a good distance away; within
easy reach; in our own backyard; a short distance away; just around the corner; close;
some distance from; a long way away;

2. Please find the word or expression that does NOT mean the same as the other three.
1. He is a very … little boy. He sleeps well and never cries at night.
A) placid B) tranquil C) even-tempered D) naughty
2. He … when he heard that his company had gone bankrupt.
A) kept a cool head B) jumped out of his skin C) didn't seem fazed D) didn't lose his composure
3. The college was strange for him at first, but now he feels … .
A) inhibited B) at ease with the others C) at home there D) laid-back about living there
4. … ! You're only making it more difficult for yourself. I think you shouldn't worry so much.
A) Compose yourself B) Cool down C) Give me the creeps D) Pull yourself together
5. At weekends I sometimes find it difficult to … after the long days of work.
A) take it easy B) unwind C) losen up D) let my hair down
6. My grandmother can … at any time.
A) put people at their ease B) relax people C) make people feel at home D) give people a fright
3. Fill in the following sentences with the name of the animals in the box.

FISH x2; WOLF x2; DONKEY; BEAVER; CATS; PIGEONS; COWS; CAT

1. He is a real cold ……. When they told him he had failed the exam, he just sat there poker-
faced and there was no reaction on his face.
2. What he earns is just enough to keep the …… from the door.
3. If you hope to see him working properly, you can wait till the …… come home.
4. He is the teacher's pet. He does all the homework and knows all the answers to all the
questions. He is an eager ……….. .
5. He seemed to be nice when I first met him but he was a … in sheep's clothing. He later robbed
me and stole my car.
6. You can't go out without a raincoat, it's raining …..… and dogs.
7. Whenever he has to deliver a speech in public he seems a …… out of water. He simply doesn't
know what to do.
8. The flat we've just bought is so small there isn't enough room to swing a ……. .
9. The boss goes on business trips and leaves us here to do the …… work.
10. She shouldn't have allowed her boyfriend to go to a class full of girls. It was like setting the
cat among the ……… .

4. The following expressions all contain the words near or far. Decide which of them suits the
sentences best.

in so far as; far from being; far and wide; few and far between; nearing the end; not
anywhere near; in the near future;
near to my heart

1. You should not hesitate any more, ask her to marry you, girls of her beauty are ….. .
2. I'm sure we will be able to discuss the matter ….. .
3. She's already taken five exams, but she is ….. free as she still has three exams to go.
4. I was brought up here, so the people of this village are ….. .
5. The exam period is ….., there are only three days left.
6. I've been searching for a woman like her ……, and now that I've found her, I'll never let her
go.
7. The football game was rather peaceful …… there were no big fights between the supporters
of the two rival teams.
8. He worked for two hours but he was …… finding the right answer.

KEY

Exercise 1

FAR: out of the way, secluded, in the middle of nowhere, a good distance away, some distance
from, a long way away
NEAR: in the vicinity, on our doorstep, within a stone's throw from, within easy reach, in our own
backyard, a short distance away, just around the corner, close
Exercise 2

1D
2B
3A
4C
5C
6D

Exercise 3

1. fish
2. wolf
3. cows
4. beaver
5. wolf
6. cats
7. fish
8. cat
9. donkey
10. pigeons

Exercise 4

1. few and far between

2. in the near future
3. far from being
4. near to my heart
5. nearing the end
6. far and wide
7. in so far as
8. not anywhere near

UNIT 5

A LITERARY ANALYSIS

February 2nd
Today I checked the effect of my attempts to help James expand his vocabulary. Here is the
result:
'How did you like the book we had to read for today?' said I.
'Well, although the plot of the story was well thought out and the book was simply
unputdownable, I felt it was somewhat marred by the absence of charismatic women. The
writer's handling of the eternal human foibles was outstanding and I suppose he has a bright
future ahead of him. He explores the theme of human suffering, and the moments of terrible
loneliness and utter joy are central to the understanding of his art. This poignant and touching
story is told in loving, sentimental detail so much so that the most sophisticated readers might
be put off by its sentimentality. He makes shrewd observations, his delightfully witty analysis
of country people that is coupled with his matchless description of country life appeals to the
reader through its unpretentious charm and it gives the piece emotional coherence. Despite
its surface wit and lightment , the book points out and explores the painful duality between
the rich in the city and their poor relatives in the countryside. Although the author occasionally
uses absurdly inflated language to describe mundane things and he obviously delights in
creating a panoply of wildly eccentric characters, we cannot help feeling that he struggles to
make sense of life and, at the same time, tries to escape the burdens of existence through a
super-subtle and highly abstract philosophy.'
'Wow! I see. And how would you sum it up in one sentence?'
'It was interesting.'
Still, I consider my attempt a success.

EXERCISES

1. In the following exercise there are two reviews of the same film, but unfortunately the
positive and the negative expressions have got mixed up. Could you put them in the right places?

I've just seen the film of my life:

I was full of high spirits yesterday as I knew I was going to see Missing in Action III in the
evening. My friends were thrilled to bits as well, and when we arrived at the cinema, excitement
reached fever pitch. We expected a long-winded, action-packed movie and the film didn't come
short of our expectations. The tedious beginning of the story sent me to sleep, and as the
mystery was gradually unveiled we were bored out of our mind, hardly able to control our
emotions. Jackie burst out crying, tears were rolling down her cheeks and I myself was
overwhelmed with emotions.

How I became bored to tears:

Yesterday I went to this featureless, drab cinema with my friends to see Missing in Action III.
The film had hardly started when I felt I was going to be. And I was right! The plot was
nailbiting, the dialogues were dramatic, the turgid style of the film kept everyone on the edge of
their seats. When I looked at Sam sitting next to me, I could see that he was on tenterhooks,
his eyes were glazing over. All in all, I was glad to leave the building and was looking forward to a
good cup of tea to relieve the boredom that I had to endure for nearly two hours.

2. In the box below try to find expressions that are used to describe positive, neutral and
negative aspects of the book in question.

it has taken its honoured place in the heart of the readers

the moral of the story is dramatically effective
the plot is inconceivable,
it is so far-fetched that it is totally beyond belief
extraordinary technical virtuosity
the depiction of the main character bordered on caricature
the withering condemnation of the human race
he clearly epitomises
it bears a striking similarity to
he has caustic views of the human race
it exerted a profound influence on
he is a natural
his incredibly fertile imagination
he keeps his readers' eyes glued to the pages

3. Match the words with negative prefixes on the left with their meanings.
a. inadvertently
b. inarticulate
c. imprudent
d. incommensurate
e. indefinable
f. indisputable
g. inevitable
h. inhospitable
i. irremediable
j. irreverent
k. undisguised
l. undisciplined

1. cannot be defined
2. cannot be corrected
3. cannot be denied
4. not done deliberately
5. not in proportion to sg
6. not welcoming
7. showing no discipline
8. showing no respect
9. cannot be avoided
10. not wise or sensible
11. not hidden
12. not able to express ideas clearly

4. Complete the following sentences with one of the words in exercise 3.

a) He might be difficult to work with, but his knowledge of marketing is …………………. .
b) It was really …………………… of him not to let you sleep at his place for at least one night.
c) My feelings towards him are ………………….. . In a nutshell, we have a love-hate relationship.
d) He is an ………………. student, who looks down on everybody including his professors.
e) 'How come he is here?'' They …………………. sent him an invitation.'
f) The final speech of the defence lawyer was quite ……………………. , no wonder they've lost the
case.
g) Her secret affair with the boss was actually ……………….. . Everybody knew about it.
h) It looks ……………….. that we'll have to buy this series of encyclopaedias for the school.
i) It was quite ……………. of Jim to travel abroad without finding work and accommodation.
j) Now I know that sending him away was an ………………….. mistake. Nobody can do this job as
efficiently as he could.
k) Don't you feel that this job is …………………. with your interest and abilities? I don't think you'll
be able to cope with it in the long run.
l) Every teacher was afraid to enter our classroom as we were considered to be the most
……………………. children in the school.

5. Rephrase the sentences using one of the idioms below.

before we knew where we were; know it backwards; you know it as well as I do; know
which side your bread is buttered; know a thing or two; don't know the first thing
about; there's no knowing; I didn't know which way to look

1. He has learnt the whole book by heart.

2. He has already robbed a bank, mugged three people and we have no idea what he will do next.
3. When she started dancing in the street, I got very embarrassed.
4. I'm afraid I don't know anything about poetry.
5. Don't worry about him, he knows what to do to gain some money on the business.
6. It is no use talking about this any longer. We are both aware that there's nothing to be done
now. It's too late.
7. He ran away so quickly we didn't even realise.
8. She's been teaching in high schools for two years so she should know high school students
quite well.

KEY

Exercise 1

I've just seen the film of my life

I was full of high spirits yesterday as I knew I was going to see Missing in Action in the evening.
My friends were thrilled to bits as well and when we arrived at the cinema, excitement reached
fever pitch. We expected an action-packed, nailbiting movie and the film did not come short of
our expectation. The dramatic beginning of the story kept everyone on the edge of their seats,
and as the mystery was gradually unveiled we were on tenterhooks, hardly able to control our
emotions. Jackie burst out crying, tears were rolling down her cheeks and I myself was
overwhelmed by emotions.

How I became bored to tears

Yesterday I went to this featureless, drab cinema with my friends to see Missing in Action.
Hardly had the film started when I felt I was going to be bored out of my mind. And I was right!
The plot was tedious, the dialogues were long-winded, the turgid style of the film sent me to
sleep after the first ten minutes. When I looked at Sam sitting next to me, I could see that his
eyes were glazing over, too. All in all, I was glad to leave the building and was looking forward to
a good cup of tea to relieve the boredom that I had to endure for nearly two hours.

Exercise 2

POSITIVE: 1, 2, 4, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13.

NEUTRAL: 3, 5, 6,
NEGATIVE: 7, 8,

Exercise 3

A4
B12
C10
D5
E1
F3
G9
H6
I2
J8
K11
L7

Exercise 4

indisputable
inhospitable
indefinable
irreverent
inadvertently
inarticulate
undisguised
inevitable
imprudent
irremediable
incommensurate
undisciplined

Exercise 5

1. He knows the whole book backwards.

2. He has already robbed a bank, mugged three people and there is no knowing what he will do
next.
3. When she started dancing in the street I didn't know which way to look.
4. I'm afraid I don't know the first thing about poetry.
5. Don't worry about him. He knows which side of the bread is buttered.
6. It's no use talking about this any longer. You know it as well as I do that there is nothing to be
done now, it's too late.
7. He ran away before we knew where we were.
8. She's been teaching in high schools for years, so I'm sure she know a thing or two about high
school students.
 REVISION: UNITS 1-5

1. In the following sentence pairs either A or B, or both or neither are correct. Write A if only A
is correct, B if only B, C if both and D if neither of the sentences are correct.

1. A) She was a girl who scared easily.

B) She was a girl who got scared easily.

2. A) I was so happy to see her that I nearly jumped out of my skin.

B) I was so angry that my hair stood on end.

3. A) His name was on everybody's mouth after he hosted a popular TV show.

B) He made quite a name for himself by hosting a popular TV show.

4. A) That our car was stolen was a real shock.

B) That our car was stolen was a real shocker.

5. A) I heard loud laugh from the neighbouring flat.

B) I heard a loud laughter from the neighbouring flat.

6. A) As a marketing manager she is second to none.

B) She is a second to none marketing manager.

7. A) She borrowed my car last week and hasn't returned it yet. With this, she put me into a lot
of trouble.
B) She borrowed my car last week and hasn't returned it yet. With this, she caused a lot of
inconvenience.

8. A) Little Michael is a headache. He can't sit still for longer than two minutes.
B) Little Michael causes his teacher headache. He simply cannot sit still.

9. A) I've done my language exam, but I'm not out of the forest yet, as the entrance exam is
due next week.
B) No, I'm not going to lend you any more money. I know you are in mess, but you have to look for
a job instead of borrowing money from your friends.

10. A) It is a common knowledge that the Prime Minister has extramarital affairs.
B) There is an open secret that the Prime Minister has a lover.

2. Fill in the gaps with one of the expressions of the previous units. The first letters are given
to help you.
1. I am nervous: I h____ b_________ in m____ s__________
2. Something difficult to solve: a n____-w______ s__________
3. A well-known singer: w ____- r_________ as a singer
4. They are very different: they are w_______ a________
5. Memorise: l________ by r________
6. Excited: on t___________
7. Surprised: d________
8. She is lost in thought: her m________ is w_________
9. Far away: r__________
10. The middle of nowhere: s__________ b___________
11. Finally feel strong enough to do or say something: p________ up the c________
12. Frightening: s_______-c_________
13. Frightened: p__________
14. It cannot be read because it is such bad quality: u____________
15. It is uncertain and undecided: u_____ in the a_______
16. Depressed: in t_______ d_______
17. Frighten somebody: g________ somebody a f_________
18. She is in a romantic mood: she is o_____________ with e___________
19. He doesn't worry, he is relaxed: l_____________-b__________
20. She was so bored it clearly showed on her face: her e_____ were g________ o______

3. Please rewrite the sentences using the words that are given. Remember that you can't change
the words that are given in any way.

1. When Alain stood up in the middle of the performance and started calling the actor names I
got very embarrassed. LOOK
2. You cannot deny that I was right. INDISPUTABLE
3. Don't you think that the style of this new writer is like Margaret Mitchell's? SIMILARITY
4. Yes, I agree. But whatever her style, she makes the readers read the book from cover to
cover. GLUED
5. He might not be the most well-renowned painter but I love his art. NEAR
6. There was very heavy rainfall yesterday, that's why I couldn't visit you. DOGS
7. Why don't you go to the city library if you need those special books? It is nearby and the
librarians are very kind. THROW
8. How can Jude live with a man who is thirty years younger than her? They can't have anything
in common. APART
9. 'Do you know when she'll be back?'' I have no idea.' GUESS
10. We had an awful lot of problems during our package holiday in Greece. The bus broke down,
the hotel was full and we had to share our room with other people. FRAUGHT

KEY:

Exercise 1

1C
2D
3B
4C
5D
6A
7C
8A
9B
10D

Exercise 2

1. have butterflies in my stomach

2. a no-win situation
3. renowned as a singer
4. worlds apart
5. learn by rote
6. on tenterhooks
7. dazed
8. her mind is wandering
9. remote
10. sleepy backwater
11. pluck up the courage
12. spine-chilling
13. petrified
14. unreadable
15. up in the air
16. in the dumps
17. give somebody a fright
18. overwhelmed by emotions
19. laid-back
20. her eyes were glazing over

Exercise 3.
1. When Alain stood up in the middle of the performance and started calling the actor names I
didn't know where to look.
2. It is indisputable that I was right.
3. Don't you think that the style of this new writer bears a striking similarity to that of
Margaret Mitchell?
4. Yes, I agree. But whatever her style, she keeps the eyes of the reader glued to the pages.
5. He might not be the most highly renowned painter but he is near to my heart.
6. It was raining cats and dogs yesterday, that's why I couldn't visit you.
7. Why don't you go to the city library if you need these special books. It is within a stone's
throw and the librarians are very kind.
8. How can Jude live with a man who is thirty years younger than her. They are worlds apart.
9. 'Do you know when she'll be back?' 'Your guess is as good as mine.'
10. Our package tour in Greece was fraught with problems. The bus broke down, the hotel was
full and we had to share our room with other people.
 UNIT 6

WHY I HATE EVERYDAY PEOPLE

I'm so depressed! Why? Because of the people around me. They are so normal, so ordinary and
average. They have their standard answers to every question, a routine job, day to day
problems, they read only mainstream books, they speak everyday language. Look at my parents,
I mean this ordinary house, their banal conversations, bland stories about nondescript people,
they are what we call the man in the street, the general public, the so-called ordinary people.
Of course, I know they are law abiding, dutiful, obedient and disciplined citizens, which of
course means that they conform to the rules and they toe the line. If anyone tells them that
they are outdated, they live in the past and they are anachronisms they take offence because
they take it personally. They are so easily hurt, so touchy and sensitive you wonder whether
they understand the things happening around them.
Look at my parents, for instance. They don't seem to notice the passage of time, they don't
feel that it is ticking away, it flies by, they are stuck in the old days, in their traditions
(heritage, as they call it), their customs and folklore, and are unable to break with the past and
be open to new thoughts and ideas. They don't see that the way to independence is not living
with one's parents. Hard as I try to convince them, I can't make them come round to my way of
thinking and buy me a nice little flat somewhere near my school.

EXERCISES

1. Please, choose one word or expression from the box that would best complete the sentence.

a bundle of nerves; make do; flying colours; get to the bottom; blood-curdling; have a
smattering; take offence; heritage; a piece of your mind; law-abiding;

1. The blond-haired woman's whisper made his hair stood on end. Her face was the most
…………………. sight he had ever seen.
2. All he said was that he wanted to leave me, so I decided to …………………. of it and we talked all
night.
3. I am afraid you can't see Carla now. She is taking her driving test tomorrow so she is
………………………. .
4. I think it was most impolite of him to leave you at the party like that. You should put your foot
down and give him ……………………… .
5. She was being very mean all morning, but I only ………………….. when she criticised my cooking.
6. I have heard that they are going to pull down the English Parliament to build a huge fast food
restaurant. I am not sure it would be a wise decision as the Parliament is a part of our national
……………… .
7. Had John made serious efforts at the language exam he'd have passed with …………………….. .
8. We don't have any good coffee, I'm afraid we'll have to ……………….. with coffein-free coffee.
9. His French is impeccable, I'll give you that, but he only ……………………. of German.
10. Knowing his past it is hard to believe that he has become a ……………………. citizen.

2. Again, here are some words that we often mix up. Kindly decide which of the two words suits
the sentence best.
a) outdoor (adjective) - outdoors (outside, place)
The weather was so nice, we told the children to play ………….. .
Gardening is a popular …………. activity in the countryside.
b) notable (respectable) - noticeable (can be noticed)
George Bernard Shaw was one of the most …………….. playwrights of his age.
Her development in speaking was ………………… after only a few lessons.
c) economic (of economy)- economical (saving money)
Since they have had a new …………………. gas-heater installed has noticeably decreased. Strange as
it may sound, the country has no ………………. problems whatsoever.
d)childish (like a child, negative) - childlike (like a child, positive)
You are being so ………….. again. Stop playing with the managing director's tie.
What I liked about him was his ………………. face.
e) conscience (a feeling of right and wrong) - consciousness (being aware of things)
Whenever I look back on how I treated him while we were married, I always have a bad …………. .
She regained her ……………… a few days after the crash.
f) uninterested (not interested) - disinterested (not biased)
I think Joseph would make a perfect judge in this case as he is …………… .
When I told them how much good it would do them to take part in an acting course, they seemed
totally …………….. .
g) sensitive (showing understanding and empathy) - sensible (reasonable)
He is such a ………….. child. Whenever she sees a stranger she starts crying.
Why on earth did you invest all your money in that risky business. You know I thought you were
much more ………….. .
h) control (be in charge of sg) - check (see if it's correct)
He decided to leave his parents and ……………. his own life.
We were taken aback when the police stopped us and wanted to ……….. our passports.
i) custom (of a nation) - habit (of a person)
I can't give up smoking, although I know it is a horrible …………. .
Painting eggs at Easter is still a very much existing ………….. all over the world.

3. A very important aspect of successful writing is the correct use of fillers and linking words.
Kindly fill in the blanks with one linking words in the box.

of the opinion; furthermore; contrary to; things considered;

when it comes to; the least; foremost; appearances

(1)………. talking about contemporary literature and the future prospects of arts, it seems quite
natural to mention The Girl with the Green Axe by the hero. There are several reasons why this
book will certainly catch fire with the reading public. First and (2)…….., the author employs the
devices of rhetoric to great effect in his work. Secondly, the book proves that,
(3)……………….popular belief, love, sentimentality and true emotions do have a place in this era of
alienation and disintegration of society. The main character of the story cannot fit in with her
community, to say (4)………. . I'm (5)……….that her tragedy is deeply rooted in the personal history
of the author, who, against all (6)………….., is trying prove the significance of the family in our life.
(7)…………., it becomes clear from the novel that the writer places feeling above thinking, a rare
quality in today's literature. All (8)……………….., this is a book I can wholeheartedly recommend to
readers of all ages and interest.

4. Please pair the definitions on the left with the expressions with take on the right.

a) begin to come true, realise

b) support and protect someone
c) deceive
d) choose
e) be hurt
f) doing something without knowing the outcome
g) accept the difficulties

TAKE

1. your pick
2. something personally
3. pot luck
4. shape
5. the rough with the smooth
6. someone under one's wing
7. someone for a ride

5. Put one of the expressions in exercise 4 in each gap.

When we started out on our journey we had no idea whether we would have a place to stay so we
were (1)………… . A couple of days before we had looked at a guide book that listed all the major
cities in the country and we (2)……… . A week later were travelling on a train and our plan for the
following week was just beginning to (3)………….. when we happened to meet a charming old lady
who (4)……………. . She invited us to her house, she offered to cook for us and so on. Of course, we
were certain that she couldn't be serious and thought she wanted to (5)………………. . When we
hinted at this, she (6)……. our remarks ………….., and said she had never met such heartless and
impolite people before. I became so embarrassed that I blushed and hoped a hole would open up
in the floor and swallow me. In the end, we had to sleep on a bench at the train station but we
didn't really mind because we know we have to (7)……………… .

KEY

Exercise 1

1. blood-curdling
2. get to the bottom
3. a bundle of nerves
4. a piece of your mind
5. took offence
6. heritage
7. flying colours
8. make do
9. has a smattering
10. law-abiding

Exercise 2

outdoors // outdoor
notable // noticeable
economical // economic
childish // childlike
conscience // consciousness
disinterested // uninterested
sensitive // sensible
control // check
habit // custom

Exercise 3

1. When it comes to
2. foremost
3. contrary to
4. the least
5. of the opinion
6. appearances
7. furthermore
8. things considered

Exercise 4

A4
B6
C7
D1
E2
F3
G5

Exercise 5

1. taking pot luck

2. took our pick
3. take shape
4. took us under her wing
5. take us for a ride
6. took … personally
7. take the rough with the smooth
 UNIT 7

RICHARD, MY HERO

Tomorrow we are going to talk about Richard III at the literature class. Well, I think I managed
to grasp the central theme in the play. Richard is really a decent, virtuous, noble man, a
respectable, upright and ethical person. His character is definitely beyond reproach. He is the
salt of the earth. He has a remarkable sense of what's right and wrong, he is living with a
clear conscience, with no scruples and according to very strict principles. Well, I know he did
in fact kill a couple of people, but I would say these self-righteous, sanctimonious people with
their holier-than-thou attitude really asked for it. I have decided to share this deep insight
with my fellows tomorrow.

EXERCISES

1. Which of the following word or expressions are negative and positive?

smug tolerant self-righteous impressionable upright decent infatuated uptight easily-

led exultant blissful edgy be swept off your feet gleeful contented broad-minded

Each word in the exercise above has its pair with a similar meaning. Can you find the nine
synonym pairs?

2. Replace each word or phrase underlined with a suitable word from the box.

ineffectual; poignant; self-indulgent; exhilarating; inscrutable; secluded; inquisitive;

scatterbrained;

1. The only thing I can't stand about your granny is that she is the most curious person I have
ever met.
2. He has a memory like a sieve, he is very forgetful.
3. He lived in a far-off place somewhere in the mountains all his childhood.
4. I find his stories and adventures about very exciting.
5. When they managed to save the young boy's life, his reunion with his mother was the most
moving 6. scene I had ever witnessed.
7. She denied herself nothing while she stayed in Spain. I think she led a most hedonistic life.
8. I'm sure the director is leading the company in a most inefficient way.
9. He was looking at us with that blank look that is so typical of him and that we all hate so much.

3. Match the beginnings of the idioms with the correct endings .

a. He can't stop talking about himself, he is always blowing his own
b. He does everything the teacher tells him (and even more). He is an eager
c. When I told my father I had crashed his Rover he hit
d. I hate meeting my ex-husband. Although we lived together for 12 years when we meet he
always gives me
e. He refused to take the job in that big office, he doesn't want to work with anyone. He is a
lone
f. He is so optimistic he always looks on
g. He said I could have a share of the profit, but he disappeared with my money. Now I know he
has led me up
h. When I told dad I got a bad mark at school, he just flew off

1. the bright side of life

2. wolf
3. trumpet
4. the cold shoulder
5. beaver
6. the handle
7. the garden path
8. the roof

4. Please rewrite the following sentences using the words. Remember that you shouldn't change
the words that are given in any way.

1. When I first met her at that party I knew she was going to be my wife, it was love at first
sight. SWEPT
2. When I entered the room Jonathan was very unfriendly and seemed to ignore me. SHOULDER
3. My son, it is just about time you learned to accept the negative side of life as well. ROUGH
4. Whatever the papers say, I'm convinced he is a virtuous, respectable person. BEYOND
5. Sam is a strange little fellow. He never goes out and he never talks to anyone. WOLF
6. I don't really understand her. Whenever we don't see eye to eye over something, she gets
angry very quickly. FLIES
7. Uncle Arthur is a most decent man. He loves his wife and his children very much. SALT
8. He just mentioned he would like to quit his job, but I sat him down and tried to understand
the reasons for it. BOTTOM
9. He is a quite nice fellow, the only problem with him is that he simply can't stop talking about
how successful he is. TRUMPET
10. What I really like about him is his positive attitude to life whatever hardship he has to
endure. BRIGHT

KEY
Exercises 1
NEGATIVE: smug - self-righteous; impressionable - easily-led; uptight - edgy; exultant - gleeful;
POSITIVE: tolerant - broad-minded; decent - upright; infatuated - be swept off your feet;
blissful - contented;

Exercise 2
1. inquisitive
2. scatterbrained
3. secluded
4. exhilarating
5. poignant
6. self-indulgent
7. ineffectual
8. inscrutable

Exercise 3
A3
B5
C8
D4
E2
F1
G7
H6

Exercise 4
1. When I first met her at that party I knew she was going to be my wife, I was swept off my
feet.
2. When I entered the room, Jonathan was very unfriendly and gave me the cold shoulder.
3. My son, it is just about time you learnt to take the rough with the smooth.
4. Whatever the papers say, I'm convinced that his character is beyond reproach.
5. Sam is a lone wolf. He never goes out and he never talks to anyone.
6. I don't really understand her. Whenever don't see eye to eye over something, she flies off
the handle very quickly.
7. Uncle Arthur is the salt of the earth.
8. He just mentioned he would like to quit his job, but I sat him down and tried to get to the
bottom of it.
9. He is quite a nice fellow, the only problem with him is that he is always blowing his own
trumpet.
10. What I really like about him is that he always looks on the bright side of life whatever
hardship he has to endure.

UNIT 8

TEACHERS WILL BE TEACHERS!

The teacher was angry with me today when I told her my wonderful ideas about the play. She
said the whole essay was out of place because I had disregarded and ignored the fact that
Richard III was a cruel, merciless murderer. She also claimed that I took no notice of the deep
hatred and villainy and her explanation of Shakespeare's work fell on deaf ears. I, however,
think she overlooked and underestimated the significance of 'a horse' in the play, she simply
shut her eyes to the most obvious facts and buried her hand in the sand. She even turned a
blind eye to the wonderful remark 'Richard was the most loving husband in English literary
history.' She pretended not to hear what I was trying to say, she looked through me and when
I tried to raise my voice, she cut me dead, she shut me out. Well, she trampled over me, but
I'm going to tell her once that I won't let her ride roughshod over students.
I've been put off literature by my teacher's remarks so I'm going to turn to science. It's
incredible what a lot of things originate from Britain. I myself have dreamt up, developed, and
created several wonderful machines. I am the proud inventor, originator, creator, and the
father of the following brilliant idea: I designed a device that would turn eggs inside out while
they are boiled. Besides, I've also conceived the idea of a wonderful new TV show that would
throw new light on the relationship between Man and Yolk! I only wish people were a bit more
receptive to these wonderful ideas!

EXERCISES

1. Find the mistakes in the following sentences. There is one in each .

1. She spends a lot of money on clothes, then she becomes distressed and has to go shopping
again to cheer herself up a bit. It's all a vicious cycle.
2. Don't you think you should try to losen up a bit after this championship. You know you had
better unwind before training hard again.
3. After the date with that beautiful blonde woman Sam was in high spirit.
4. As the plane was taking off, he suddenly realised that she wouldn't see him for a whole year
and tears started to flow down her face.
5. Children today are disinterested in good old historical movies. All they want is action-packed,
nailbiting thrillers.
6. Have you seen Alain lately? Imagine, he has given up his awful custom of coming too close to
people. Someone must have talked to him about it.
7. The economical situation of Turkey seems hopeless after this disastrous earthquake.
8. Do you still have a bad conscious that you sent Nick to boarding school at the age of 5?
9. The trip to the top of the mountain took five hours and was very exhaustive.
10. After walking four miles, we found a nice little camping in the middle of the forest.

2. In the following sentences out of the four possible answers ONE is INCORRECT. Your task is
to find this incorrect answer.

1. I'm angry … your key again.

A) to hear that you've lost
B) that you've lost
C) about that you've lost
D) with you about losing

2. A) It's awful being left alone at night.

B) It's awful to be left alone at night.
C) I know I was awful to say such things to her.
It's awful that he always interrupt like that.

3. It's essential … everything before we leave tonight.

A) to discuss
B) discussing
C) that he tell us
D) that he tells

4. … selfish people.
A) It's best to avoid
B) It's best that you avoid
C) You are best avoiding
D) It' best avoiding
5. … home alone late at night.
A) It was careless that she walked
B) She was careless to walk
C) It was careless of her to walk
D) It was careless walking home

6. A) It's dangerous to hitch-hike nowadays.

B) It was dangerous that you hitch-hiked yesterday.
C) It's dangerous hitch-hiking nowadays.
D) Hitch-hiking is dangerous.

7. A) I'm easy to persuade.

B) It's easy to persuade me.
C) It's easy persuading me.
D) It's easy that you should persuade me.

8. It's funny … with that accent.

A) when he speaks
B) to speak
C) that he speak
D) that he should speak

9. A) I was interested to hear that she finally made up her mind to look for a job.
B) She gave me an interested look when I told her about my plans.
C) You'll be interested in knowing everything about her, won't you?
D) I am interested in how children make friends.

10. … me the way.

A) She was helpful showing
B) It was helpful of her to show
C) It was helpful that she showed
D) She was helpful to show

3. Complete each sentence with one of the expressions given in the box.

out of place; out of the woods; out of the question; out of sorts; out of the ordinary;
out of touch; out of character; out of order; out of work; out of breath;

1. I don't know anything about her. Actually, we've been …… for more than a year.
12. I would say his remark about the managing director of the company was rather …….. .
3. At long last, he managed to pay back the money he owed the Mafia, so now he is ….. .
4. There is no way I'm going to do your homework again. That's ……… .
5. I don't know what's wrong with me today. I fell a bit …….. .
6. His first paintings were nothing ……………. But later his style caught fire with the public.
7. Borrowing money and not paying it back is not ……….. for Dylan. He has done it several times
and this time will be no different.
8. I've been running for two hours to get here on time so I'm rather ………… now.
9. You can't use the elevator now, it's ………….. .
10. Poor Fred has been ………… for half a year and now he has little chance of finding a new job.
4. Complete the following conversation using one of the fillers in the box.

before; as far as; admit; reckon; frank; good company; on earth; indeed; put it;
incidentally;

'What (1) … are you doing here, Johnny? I thought you went to a conference or something like
that.'
'Well, how shall I (2) … Jeff - I was bored stiff and I decided to leave early.'
'Oh, did you?'
'Yes, I did Jeff.'
'I must (3 )… I'm rather shocked. You were the last person I expected to meet tonight. (4) … I
can judge, you are rather worn out. Would you care for a drink?'
'To be (5) …, I'm no less surprised. You'll find ice in the fridge. (6) …, do you have any idea
where my wife could be?'
'Well, actually, I (7) … she is in the bathroom.'
'Oh, how nice! I think I had better greet her. Do excuse me.'
'I think I had better make a move now. It's rather late.'
'Yes, it is very late (8) …. Time flies in (9) …, doesn't it?'
'See you tomorrow, Johnny.'
'Good night, Jeff. Oh, (10) … I forget, would you put my pyjamas on the bed before you leave, I
might be needing them myself tonight.'

KEY

Exercise 1
1. …a vicious circle.
2. … loosen up
3. … in high spirits
4. … tears started to roll down her face
5. … uninterested
6. … his awful habit
7. … economic
8. … have a bad conscience
9. … exhausting
10. … camp site

Exercise 2

1C
2D
3B
4C
5A
6B
7D
8C
9C
10A

Exercise 3
1. out of touch
2. out of place
3. out of the woods
4. out of the question
5. out of sorts
6. out of the ordinary
7. out of character
8. out of breath
9. out of order
10. out of work

Exercise 4
1. on earth
2. put it
3. admit
4. as far as
5. frank
6. incidentally
7. reckon
8. indeed
9. good company
10. before

UNIT 9

THE BATTLE OF THE SEXES

The more I read, the more I'm confronted with what they call the Battle of the Sexes. Quite
frankly, it seems one of the most important things adults indulge in. This means, of course, that
I had better prepare myself for the battles to come and gather some ideas and arguments that
will be handy when on the battlefield. Just to be on the safe side, I've decided to collect the
arguments women may use as well (you know; know thy foe!!). Thus, below is a collection of
weapons we might need:
THE WOMAN'S SIDE:
He is not at all kind, by no means considerate and not the slightest bit interested in anything
I'm trying to say. He says he cares for his family but it is not even remotely true. Whenever I
have a problem (like an argument at the hairdresser's), I would need a sympathetic,
compassionate husband whose heart is in the right place and who is there when I need a
shoulder to cry on. Needless to say, he is in no way understanding and caring and he is never at
home when the family needs him.
THE MAN'S SIDE: It's easy for her to speak like that. All her complaints about me not being
kind-hearted and thoughtful. You see, I have to work!! She has nothing to do, she is just
twiddling her thumbs, just hanging around all day vegetating. You see the problem is that she is
at a loose end as to what to do, and she can't be bothered to do anything apart from the
household chores. Without me, she would have to learn to deny herself the luxury of shopping
for clothes every day and she would have to do without the daily visit to the hairdresser's.
THE WOMAN: I think the first and biggest mistake was to say 'yes' when he proposed to me. I
was afraid of becoming a spinster, he got tired of being a bachelor and we got engaged on a cold
winter day. Soon after that we set the day and became man and wife within two weeks. Now I
know him like the back of my hand and I know it was a mistake, but it's too late. I've learned
my lesson and I know perfectly well that it would have been much wiser to stay unmarried. I
had to learn the hard way that being a spouse is not always a dream come true.
THE MAN: The real problem is that she has a one-track mind. She is obsessed with herself,
she has a thing about going out every night. I think it's fair to say that she has an unhealthy
interest in art and she can't get going to all the exhibitions out of her mind. She says I'm
disturbed, mentally ill but it is she who had a nervous breakdown and who was about to crack up
…
THE WOMAN:: You should have seen him when we got married, he was so humble, self-effacing,
he seemed unpretentious and even too modest at times. His modesty seemed to border on
humility. He put himself down, underestimated himself and when he changed jobs I had to
support him and tell him not to sell himself short as there is a limit to everything, even
modesty! Now you should see this unassuming, humble person slip away in the evening. When he
tries to sneak off to the nearest pub, he is so loud you would think a dozen angry women have
stormed out of the flat.
THE MAN:You see, she , she takes advantage of my caring personality, she exploits me
financially, and she even tries to manipulate me. I feel as if I am a puppet, a pawn and I'm putty
in her hands. She pretends to be the ideal wife, she tries to keep up the appearance of taking
care of the household, she poses as the victim of our society and she makes herself out to be
the most caring wife in the world. Let me tell you, all this is just pretence and make believe. She
is a hypocrite, and she is so insincere when she impersonates the Wife.

EXERCISES

1. Fill in the blanks with one suitable word.

I know you only have a few minutes so I'm going to tell you the horrible story of my marriage in a
few words .The real problem is that me and my husband are so different, we're like …….. and
cheese. Really, we have nothing in ……….., and sometimes his boring stories send me to ……… . Still,
at the beginning of our relationship we had a ……….. of a time together, I was ……….. with laughter
when he looked at me with his large, apologetic eyes. I thought his character was beyond ………….,
he was the ………. of the earth, but later it turned out that he was a wolf in ……. clothing. He is
oversensitive, whatever I say he takes ………. very easily, and although I was so happy when he
popped the question I was over the moon, now the mere prospect of having to be with him gives
me the ………. . He flies off the …… so easily, and I simply can't avoid him as in our flat there isn't
enough room to swing a …….. . I feel he controls my life, I'm …….. in his hands so I have no
alternatives but to leave him and start a new life. I'm lucky because I have a working knowledge
of computers and a ……… of English, so in all probability, I'll get a job as a secretary or
something like that.

2. Kindly finish the unfinished sentences below.

If you are sympathetic, ………………
A bachelor is a man who ……………….
If you are at a loose end, …………….
When you are putty in someone's hand, …………………
A hypocrite is a person that ………………..
If somebody cracks up, he ……………….
When your friend flounces out of the room, s/he ………………….
A self-effacing person is one who ………………..
If someone has a one-track mind, his/her ……………
If you sell yourself short, ……………….

3. Below there are some further bullets for the intellectual battle against the loved ones. Who
do you think are saying these? Try to think of suitable responses based on the reading above
(and your own experience).

Example:
- You are so stubborn, if you set your mind on doing something, there is no way he can be
dissuaded, he will stop at nothing.
- Of course you mean I'm a strong-willed, uncompromising person who has achieved everything in
his life through? perseverance and willpower and I think you are right!

If I were on my deathbed, cut off in my prime, you wouldn't even notice it, you would be so busy
fixing up deals and going to meetings.
…………………………………………………………………………………………….…………………………………………………………………………………
…………
As for child-rearing, we will never be of the same opinion, as I will never subscribe to the point
of view that children should be allowed to watch late night movies.

You are too lenient, or liberal, as you would say, so permissive the kids will never respect you. You
tend to mix up over-indulgence and permissiveness with tolerance and broad-mindedness.
…………………………………………………………………………………………….…………………………………………………………………………………
…………
The problem with you is that you are convinced you are the most ravishing, strikingly attractive
woman that has ever lived on earth.
…………………………………………………………………………………………….…………………………………………………………………………………
…………
I bought this wonderful house, we had scenic journeys in the area, we used to contemplate the
beauty of this picturesque, magnificent countryside.
…………………………………………………………………………………………….…………………………………………………………………………………
…………
The money you earn is hardly enough to eke out an existence, you are always showing off to your
friends, you pretend to be a well-heeled high-flyer, everybody thinks we are loaded, we are
stinking rich, but I know only too well that we have no money to burn, and we are happy if we can
make ends meet on the salary you get.
…………………………………………………………………………………………….…………………………………………………………………………………
…………

4. Complete the following sentences using the appropriate form of the expressions with sit or
stand in the box.

sit on the fence; sit in judgement over; sit around; sit back; sit through; make one's
hair stand on end; stand by her promise; take a firm stand on

1. All the students supported the school director when he … the question of school uniforms.
2. She was my best friend ever. Whatever she said, she always … .
3. His outrageous remarks concerning women … .
4. He himself committed several offences but he enjoyed … others who did the same.
5. He … my lecture but I could see he could hardly wait for me to finish.
6. He was offered three excellent jobs and he was … for weeks before he decided to take one.
7. As the exam was much easier than we had previously thought, we … and started chatting after
20 minutes.
8. He had been … doing nothing for weeks before he started looking for work.

KEY
Exercise 1
chalk
common
sleep
whale
rolling/shrieking/
reproach
salt
sheep's
offence
creeps
handle
cat
putty
smattering

Exercise 2
you feel sorry for sy
has never married
you don't work, you are just hanging around
you are in their control
pretends to believe in things that s/he does not really believe in
s/he goes crazy
leaves hurriedly
is humble
thoughts are concentrated on one thing
you don't get the respect you deserve

Exercise 4
1. took a firm stand on
2. stood by her promise
3. made/make my hair stand on end
4. sitting in judgement over
5. sat through
6. sitting on the fence
7. sat back
8. sitting around
 UNIT 10

THE GENERATION GAP

I thought today was a fine time to bring up the topic of a flat (or house) of my own to my father.
When we talked, I had to wake up to the very sad fact that my parents do not want and simply
cannot understand me. They don't see why it is important to be self-reliant and liberated, they
have a very negative, prejudiced, biased and high-handed opinion about everything young people
do. When I am trying to look after myself and do my own thing, they claim I am easily-led and
impressionable. I think, however, that it is essential for the youth of this age and time to have a
mind of their own, and to fend for themselves. It is the older generations that are intolerant,
bigoted, and narrow-minded. Intolerance is the key word for these people. (I think it's because
they're very envious of us.) Down with them!! Down with their unjust, one-sided, slanted views
on the world, on war and on safe sex!!
I think I got a little bit carried away. I had better stop now before I start to take myself
seriously.

EXERCISES

1. Choose the ONE WRONG response in the following sentences.

1. I ……….. people who are self-sufficient and are able to take care of themselves.
A) have a high opinion of B) respect C) think highly of D) look up at
2. I've always wanted to be independent and ………… .
A) stand on both legs B) stand on my own two feet C) be able to do my own thing
D) self-reliant
3. He is well-known for his extreme views and the people in the neighbourhood ……… .
frown upon his behaviour B) don't go along with him C) think bad of him
D) have a low opinion of him
4. The only thing I don't like in this country is that the law system is …… .
A) biased B) unfairly C) discriminatory D) heavily weighted against the poor
5. He is not at all aggressive but he is …………. and his friends make him do things he wouldn't
want to.
A) influencable B) impressionable C) easily-led D) a soft touch

2. Write one of the following colours into the gaps, please.

black 2x blue 3x green 2x red 2x

a) His father's sudden death came as a bolt from the ……….. .

b) My mother has always had ………. fingers, but since they've lived in the countryside she
especially loves gardening.
c) When I told her I knew she was lying she turned as ………… as a beetroot.
d) Whenever she thought of her sister's fame and success she was …………. with envy.
e) As I stepped in the office, the boss gave me a …………. look and I knew I had done something
wrong again.
f) I am afraid I can't give you any money, your account is in the ……….. and I am sure you are
aware that it has to be in the …………….. .
g) I explained to him what I wanted till I was ……………. in the face, but he would do the opposite.
h) Sam has always been the …………-eyed boy of the class, he can do anything and get away with it.

3. The following idioms are in connection with good or bad behaviour. Unfortunately the words of
the expressions have been mixed up. Kindly find the correct order of the words.

a) After he came out of prison he decided to new turn leaf over a and look for a job.
b) I was surprised to see that all the children were behaviour their best on at the excursion.
c) I could tell by the look on her face that she was up good no to.
d) I am sure your wife will take you back if you've ways your mended.
e) Whatever she says you should salt a it take with pinch of, she always promises more than
she can do.
f) Her words, if we value at them face take, mean that she is coming soon.
g) He had better clean his keep nose if he wants to get a proper job.

4. Complete the following sentences with one of the words or expressions from the box.

prior to; preceding; aforementioned; from the outset; the dawn of;
forerunner; the eve of; preliminary;
ahead of his time

1. As the …………….. speaker has already emphasised, we are in need of your help.
2. At ……………. the French revolution a lot people were enthusiastic about the changes in society,
many of whom became disappointed later.
3. We know now that Galileo was ……………….. in his views about the universe.
4. All the points …………………. come into being if and only if both sides have a firm financial
background.
5. Our party has ………….. fought for the development of our economy.
6. The Prime Minister resigned just ……………. the elections.
7. On …………… the 1848 revolution the whole of Europe felt something in the air.
8. At the ……………… session of the conference, the organisers stressed the importance of more
research in the field.
9. In a way Blake can be regarded as the ……………….. of romantic poetry.

5. Please rewrite the following sentences with the given words. (Don't change the word in any
way.)

a. I had to realise that working in a mine was not the ideal job for me. WAKE
b. He thinks Danny de Vito is one of the best actors in the world. HIGH
c. However much you talk to him about studying more, he won't listen to you. BLUE
d. You had better stop going out with these guys if you want to stay out of trouble. They are an
awful lot. NOSE
e. He doesn't work and he doesn't want to work, either. All he does is hang around and watch TV.
THUMBS
f. She is the best boss I've ever had. She is very sympathetic and understanding. HEART
g. Although Jack is an intelligent person, whenever he has to face up to a problem, he seems to
ignore it. SAND
h. You shouldn't take everything he says seriously. SALT
i. After they split up, she decided to start everything from beginning and move to another city.
LEAF
j. We got very embarrassed when we realised that we were the most shabbily dressed people at
that party. BEETROOT

KEY:
UNIT 10

Exercise 1

1D
2A
3C
4B
5A

Exercise 2

a. blue
b. green
c. red
d. green
e. black
f. red // black
g. blue
h. blue

Exercise 3

a. turn over a new leaf

b. on their best behaviour
c. up to no good
d. mended your ways
e. take it with a pinch of salt
f. take them at face value
g. keep his nose clean

Exercise 4

1. preceding
2. the dawn of
3. ahead of his time
4. aforementioned
5. from the outset
6. prior to
7. the eve of
8. preliminary
9. forerunner

Exercise 5
a. I had to wake up to the sad fact that working in a mine was not the ideal job for me.
b. He holds Danny de Vito in high esteem.
c. You can talk to him about studying more till you are blue in the face, he won't listen to you.
d. You had better stop going out with these guys if you want to keep your nose clean. They're an
awful lot.
e. He doesn't work and he doesn't want to work either. All he does is twiddle his thumbs and
watch TV.
f. He is the best boss I've ever had. His heart is in the right place.
g. Although Jack is an intelligent whenever he has to face up to a problem, he buries his head in
the sand.
h. You should take everything he says with a pinch of salt.
i. After they split up, she decided to turn over a new leaf and move to another city.
j. We turned as red as a beetroot when we realised that we were the most shabbily dressed
people at that party.

REVISION
UNITS 5-10

1. Please rewrite the sentences with the given word (of course without changing it).
1. When I told him we should take a few days off, he said he agreed with me completely.
OPINION
2. Once he has decided to do something, nobody can dissuade him from doing it. SET
3. All the students disapprove of his unruly behaviour. FROWN
4. He looks up to all his teachers, which is quite rare. HIGHLY
5. She pretends to be the kindest person in the world, but in fact she is unbearable. MAKES
6. All the members of my family enjoy gardening, so we often go and help each other at
weekends. GREEN
7. I'm afraid your opinion on women's right is not at all impartial. BIASED
8. He tried everything he could to make ends meet on the money he received from the
government, yet he was forced to sell some of his furniture to buy food last week. EKE
9. I'm afraid we don't see eye to eye concerning the introduction of new restrictive measures.
SUBSCRIBE
10. They never bother to form their own opinion, they just conform to what the majority say.
TOE

2. Correct the errors in the following story (there are ten mistakes altogether).
Politicians never seem to care about the man on the street. They claim that they will break up
with the past and start a new era in the country's history, but in fact they're all disinterested
in what ordinary people say. They keep telling us to look at the bright side of life and give
reporters a cool shoulder when they claim that their character might not be above reproach and
they don't live according very strict principles. In the end, of course, there is never any notable
change, things stay the same whoever is in power. We have to learn on the hard way that we
should take everything politicians say with a bit of salt.

3. Fill in the gaps using one of the expressions from the previous units. The first letters are
given to help you.
1. time is passing: it is t_________ a______
2. to have only a little knowledge of sg: to h_____ a s__________ of
3. he is morally good: he is the s_____ of the e______
4. to crack up: have a n________ b__________
5. support sy: take somebody u______ one's w___________
6. to become angry: to h_______ the r__________
7. humble: s_______-e__________
8. kind, sympathetic: his h_____ is in the r_______ p_________

3. Please write the original letter (i.e. the letter to which the one below is an answer) using the
words and expressions that you have learnt so far.

Dear Roderick,
I've just received your letter and I was more than interested to read that at long last you
decided to settle down and start a family. The description of your wife was a pleasure to read.
The more I read, the more convinced I became that there would be much fewer divorces if
people lived in such harmonious and fulfilling relationships as you. By the way, thanks for your
invitation, I would happily visit you and meet this angel on earth.
Talking about angels, I really think that you should not bother about making it up with your uncle.
It was him who hurt you so I don't see why you should apologise to him. I tell you, if you feel like
working as a teacher, you should go for it. Your uncle was wrong; being rich is not the most
important thing in the world and teaching doesn't mean that you were not good enough at school
to do something useful!! Never mind his remarks, just do what you enjoy most. You shouldn't
worry about your would-be-wife either. I'm convinced she'll understand and get a well-paid job.
Cheer up and write soon.
Yours,
Frederick.

KEY:

Exercise 1
1. When I told him we should pull out from Mexico he said he was of the same opinion.
2. Once he has set his mind on doing something, nobody can dissuade him from doing that.
3. All the students frown upon his unruly behaviour.
4. He thinks highly of his teachers, which is quite rare.
5. She makes herself out to be the kindest person in the world, but in fact she is unbearable.
6. All the members of the family have green fingers, so we often go and help each other at
weekends.
7. I'm afraid your opinion woman's rights is heavily weighted.
8. He tried everything he could to eke out an existence on the money he got from the
government, yet he was forced to sell some of his furniture last week to buy some food.
9. I'm afraid I can't subscribe to your point of view concerning the introduction of new
restrictive measures.
10. They never bother to form their own opinion, they just toe the line.

Exercise 2

Politicians never seem to care about the man in the street. They claim that they will break with
the past and start a new era in the country's history, but in fact they are all uninterested in
what ordinary people say. They keep telling us to look on the bright side of life and give
reporters a cold shoulder when they claim their character might not be beyond reproach and
they don't live according to strict principles. In the end, of course, there is never any noticeable
change, things stay the same whoever is in power. We have to learn the hard way that we should
always take everything politicians say with a pinch of salt.

Exercise 3

1. ticking away
2. to have a smattering of
3. he is the salt of the earth
4. have a nervous breakdown
5. take sy under one's wing
6. to hit the roof
7. self-effacing
8. his heart is in the right place

UNIT 11

THE SECRET AGENT

I had a very strange dream the other day. Was it really a dream, I ask myself, or was it a
conscious manipulation of my brain by the intelligence agency? The very frightful question this
dream raises is: who am I? A young 17-year-old boy or a secret agent of the government? The
dream was a dialogue. I think I had better write down everything I remember, (you never know).
So, here is the story:
- Well, to be honest, I'm not at all certain that you are the most suitable person for this job. I
have reservations about your abilities and I seriously doubt whether you would be able to cope
with the situation. It is not surprising, therefore, that I am still hesitant and have mixed
feelings about commissioning you to undertake this extremely important and very dangerous
mission. We need observant, perceptive people with extraordinary abilities who have good
powers of observation. I know you have these but this time you'll have to have eyes on your
back.
- Yes, Sir. I understand that you have reservations about employing me after that fiasco last
month. Still, you must agree with me that I'm a good-natured man with a pleasant, likeable
personality, a charming laugh, and an appealing sense of humour, not to mention my adorable
little anecdotes about love, nature and the 1968 revolution. Let's face it, nobody could resist my
charm.
- Of course, but sometimes you fail to notice little, yet very important details, you tend to
overlook crucial pieces of information, appointments seem to escape your notice and at times it
seems you can't see the wood for the trees. Shall I remind you of last month?
- Oh, please don't! I understand that killing all those people might raise doubts in you, but you
have to believe me, there was no other way! You see, I don't like to praise myself, but I really
know this profession inside out, I have a good command of languages, dealing with people is
second nature to me, I know all the codes backwards, I know all there is to know about
weapons (don't look at me like that!). Boss, I know my stuff and I know what I'm talking about.
I even know a bit about exotic countries, I have a working knowledge of computers and I try to
be well-informed and have my finger on the pulse of the industry in Asia.
- Very well, Smith. There's one thing you'll have to remember during the mission: no foul play
this time! Regardless of what happens, there must be no unnecessary killing, please, try to hold
yourself back. Just do as you are told all the time, comply with the rules of the agency. No
matter what your deadly instinct is telling you, you must stick to the rules just this once.
- OK boss, I understand. Come what may, I'll go by the book and observe all the regulations of
the agency. Oh, I think I'd better make a move, or else I'll miss my plane. I'll see you, boss, I
really must dash now!
- All right, clear off. You know you're lucky. You wouldn't get the job if you weren't our best
agent.
Well, isn't that dream frightening and enigmatic at the same time? Anyway, from this day on,
I'm going to consciously prepare for a future as a secret agent.

EXERCISES

1. Below is one part of a telephone conversation between an employee and his boss who is about
to fire him. Try to imagine what the employee might be saying and complete the dialogue.
……………………………………………………………………………………. .
All the other calculations were inaccurate and your estimates of the costs were wide off the
mark. Why should I not fire you??
……………………………………………………………………………………. .
You think that you are indispensable, but you are greatly mistaken.
…………………………………………………………………………………….. .
I know you think nobody would like to do your job, but I can tell you it's a false assumption.
…………………………………………………………………………………….. .
Now I see that trusting you to bury all these people was misplaced trust and the system of
extra payment after each buried person was wrongheaded policy.
…………………………………………………………………………………….. .
I tell you that you are kidding yourself, deluding yourself if you think I don't dare to fire you!
………………………………………………………………………………………. .
This is hardly the time and place to ask for a payrise. Your claim is absolutely unjustified, ,
unreasonable and groundless.
………………………………………………………………………………………… .
(What is the job of this man?)

2. Rewrite the sentences using the beginnings given so that the meaning does not change.
a) I don't care what he says, I'm going to keep this puppy.
Regardless…
b) Whatever happens, I will never leave you.
Come…
c) I had to realise he is no better than all the other men.
I had to wake…
d) The students were very excited before the exam.
The students were on …
e) You must always be outspoken and say what you mean.
You must always speak …
f) I was shocked when my sister told me she was going to get married.
I was taken …
g) He is so different from the others. He will never get used to working here.
He sticks …
h) I was so frightened when he leapt out from behind the bush and shouted: 'Hey!'
I nearly jumped …
i) Now he is used to living with his mother-in-law.
Now he feels at …
j) I know I didn't do anything so I'm not at all afraid of the trial.
I have a clear…

3. Complete the following sentences using the expressions with 'in' in the box.

in the nick of time - in the end in a nutshell -

up in the air - in the same boat - in the dark -
in the dumps - in seventh heaven - in common -
day in day out

1. After his wife left him, he lost his job and his favourite team lost the fifth game in a row he
was feeling … .
2. You must understand that I would never do such a thing, especially not to you, we are partners
so we are … .
3. After they told her she had passed the exam with flying colours she was … .
4. There is no reason why I should marry him, we have nothing … .
5. Of course he seemed reluctant at first but … he agreed just like everybody else..
6. He kept me … for years and I didn't know anything about his secret deals with the Mafia.
7. We still have 3 minutes, so would you tell me the story of the game … .
8. His final mark is still … as the teacher said he would have to look at his essay again.
9. Nobody sees and nobody can talk to him, he is working … .
10. She was putting on her make-up for an hour and I thought we would never make it to the
theatre, but we were caught a taxi so we got there … .

4. Complete the sentences using the suitable form of the word given.
1. Almost everybody likes Jim, he is so ……………… . CHARM
2. I was surprised to hear that she is so …………….. about sciences at such a young age. KNOW
3. A bodyguard has to be …………….. in order to be able to notice any danger. OBSERVE
4. A lot of …………….. actions were introduced in the U.S. against black people after the Civil War.
DISCRIMINATE
5. Now I know I shouldn't have placed any ………………. on John, he disappeared just when I needed
him. RELY
6. After the accident the child only regained his ………………… the next day. CONSCIOUS
7. When she noticed her childhood friend Susan hand in hand with her fiancé she was ………………….
with shock. SPEAK
8. I'm afraid your …………….. that you would find a flat in two days was wrong. ASSUME
9. …………………. is one of the key factors of success nowadays. BROAD-MINDED

5. The following words can easily be mixed up. Please, decide which word fits into each sentence
best.
1. appealing (nice) - appalling (awful)
A long holiday near the sea sounded really ……………., but unfortunately the service in the hotel
was rather …………. .
2. emigrate (leave a country) - immigrate (enter a country)
A great number of Hungarians …………… from Hungary in 1956, and many of them tried to
………………… to the U.S.
3. waist (lower part of the back) - waste (spend too much money on)
I can't believe you ………….. so much money on buying a skirt that doesn't even fit you at the
………….. .
4. physicist (sy who deals with physics) - physician (doctor)
A lot of ………………. would be needed to stop all the epidemics in Africa.
Newton was a very well-educated …………….. in his time.
5. human (be like people) - humane (considerate, caring)
Monkeys have a lot of ………….. characteristics.
Do you think it's ……………. to keep animals in zoos?
6. wonder (doesn't know) - wander (walk around)
'I ……….. where he is.'' He might be …………….. in the forest near the village.'
7. look through (examine, investigate) - see through (know well)
My grandma can …………….. me, I can't deceive her because she knows exactly how I feel.
Have you …………….. the documents yet?
8. principal (most important, adjective or director, noun) - principle (way of thinking, morals,
noun)
The …………….. of the school has decided to introduce stricter rules and he takes his ……………
seriously.
Our …………….. aim is to get into the semi-finals.
9. dependant (sy who depends on sg/ sy, noun) - dependent (depending on sg/ sy, adjective)
Children are …………….. on their parents in every way.
A lot of ………………. in this country suffer from inflation.

KEY:

Exercise 2

a. Regardless of what he says, I'm going to keep his puppy.

b. Come what may, I'll never leave you.
c. I had to wake up to the sad fact that he is no better than all the other men.
d. The students were on pins and needles before the exam.
e. You must always speak your mind and say what you mean.
f. I was taken aback when my sister told me she was going to get married.
g. He sticks out like a sore thumb. He will never get used to working here.
h. I nearly jumped out of my skin when he leapt out from behind the bush and shouted 'Hey!'.
i. Now he feels at ease living with his mother-in-law.
j. I have a clear conscience so I'm not afraid of the trial

Exercise 3

1. in the dumps
2. in the same boat
3. in seventh heaven
4. in common
5. in the end
6. in the dark
7. in a nutshell
8. up in the air
9. day in day out
10. in the nick of time

Exercise 4

1. charming
2. knowledgeable
3. observant
4. discriminatory
5. reliance
6. consciousness
7. speechless
8. assumption
9. broad-mindedness

Exercise 5
1. appealing - appalling
2.emigrate - immigrate
3. waste - waist
4. physicians - physicist
5. human - humane
6. wonder - wandering
7. see through - looked through
8. principal - principle
9. dependent - dependants

UNIT 12

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE GIRL WITH THE GREEN
AXE

Today at school we were asked to analyse a piece of literature of our own choice. First I was in
two minds about what to choose, but it suddenly dawned on me that the work I could best
analyse is my own masterpiece The Girl with the Green Axe. So, here we go:
It is important to make clear right at the outset that this story is about the human condition,
the suffering and troubles of the generation that struggles to grow up. First of all, let's clear
up the symbols. The clouds at the beginning represent the wasted years of her life, the people in
the distance is clearly a reference to society, which does not accept her, and the trees stand
for her wish to fulfil her dreams. There are very sad undertones to this opening picture of the
story, the surroundings imply that her inherent fear of civilisation is deeply rooted in her
childhood, however we should not overlook the significance and meaning of the axe, which is her
way of regaining her independence. Without trying to read anything into the work, we can
conclude that it is basically a reflection on the writer's third birthday when, not being able to
blow out all the candles, he felt he was being mocked and taunted by her family. By creating her
figure, it can be inferred that the seemingly innocent song of Happy Birthday to You and smiling
faces in a candlelit room might be a most traumatic experience in a child's life. To sum it up,
the subtle irony and exceptional technical virtuosity of the book help us gain an insight into the
development of the heroine's character from a birthday party to her night of independence.
1. Complete the sentences with the suitable expression about remembering and forgetting in the
box.

my mind goes blank - a vague recollection - out of your mind - a memory like
a sieve - in one ear and out the other - as if it were yesterday - rack your
brain(s) - on the tip of my tongue - fresh in my mind - take account of

1. His name is …., but I'm afraid I won't be able to recall it now.
2. I don't remember exactly what happened in the hospital but I have ….. of being taken into the
operating theatre.
3. It's no use telling him anything, he will forget it in a moment. He has ….. .
4. You should try to pull all those troubles ….. and do something relaxing.
5. I keep telling him not to break up with his rich girlfriend but it's like talking to a brick wall, it
goes …… .
6. I can't forget the day when he returned from Asia, I can remember it ….. .
7. I'm sure you'll be able to recall the dates and names if you …. a little.
8. The memory of our wedding is still ….. .
9. Whenever the teacher looks at me and asks me something, I become tongue-tied, ….., and I
can't utter a word.
10. Your business plan sounds interesting but you must ….. the rapidly changing economic
situation.

2. Connect the two parts of the sentences below.

a) If a story is far-fetched
b) If something is in a class of its own
c) The most well-known and important writers and poets might be called
d) A vastly underrated piece of work
e) If a book does not live up to your expectation,
f) If you say many barriers must be hurdled before something happens,
g) If one's style is reminiscent of someone else's,
h) If something has a ring of truth,
i) If sy is able to come up with new ideas all the time,
j) An exquisite portrayal of people is

1. it is based on real facts and events.

2. it means you must overcome numerous difficulties before you succeed.
3. is not as famous as it should be.
4. it is hard to believe it.
5. a good description of them.
6. it is outstanding.
7. s/he has a fertile imagination.
8. the leading literary lights of the age.
9. it is not as good as you thought it would be.
10. it means that it bears a striking similarity to his/ hers.

3. Are the following statements true or false?

1. A priceless book is not worth a lot of money.
2. If you try to stay out of trouble you try to keep your nose clean.
3. A sympathetic person is one that you take to at the first time you meet.
4. If you are snowed under, you are very busy.
5. If you have a good command of something, it implies that you are a good leader.
6. If you take something with a pinch of salt, you don't believe it as it is.
7. Invaluable and valuable actually mean the same.
8. A person who is a soft touch is easily influenced by others.
9. Swotting is learning a lot of information by heart.
10. The blue-eyed boy is someone's favourite.

4. Below you will find words that might come handy when talking about literature.

comparable - condescending - enhance - essence - juxtaposed - border -

explore - faithful - subtle - remarkably

1. His masterpiece … the theme of loneliness that is clearly … to the busy city life.
2. Her … treatment of love and her carefully crafted characters will certainly … her popularity in
the future.
3. The author's description of middle-class life in … detail is the … of the book.
4. The peremptory and often … description of country life … on satire at times.
5. His … realistic descriptions of country life are … to that of Maupassant.

KEY:

Exercise 1

1. on the tip of my tongue

2. vague recollection
3. a memory like a sieve
4. out of your mind
5. in one ear and out the other
6. as if it were yesterday
7. rack your brain
8. fresh in my mind
9. my mind goes blank
10. take account of

Exercise 2

A4
B6
C8
D3
E9
F2
G10
H1
I7
J5

Exercise 3

1. F
2. T
3. F
4. T
5. F
6. T
7. T
8. T
9. T
10. T

Exercise 4

1. explores // juxtaposed
2. subtle // enhance
3. faithful // essence
4. condescending // borders
5. remarkably // comparable

UNIT 13

ON BEING HEAD OVER HEELS IN LOVE

Today I saw the first blossoming bud on the cherry tree. Spring is in the air. The days are full
of passion and excitement; I feel so romantic!! I am in love, I'm swept off my feet, I have a
crush on a girl in my maths class, I am infatuated… I know it sounds strange but I'm madly in
love, I adore, worship her, I'm mad about her smile, crazy about her hair, she means the world
to me. I think I'm really besotted with her. Nothing can stop these powerful feelings that fill
my heart for my loved one, the one I love, my dear, dear Lisa. She is a doting lover (I'm sure),
so loving, affectionate towards me, her tender loving care, and her fond smiles would open up
new horizons for me.
She is on my mind all day, but it is so hard to talk about her. I mean, she surely has a complex
personality. She is a mystery to me, her little signs of love are enigmatic, her feelings are
veiled in mystery, whenever I look at her, as if by magic, I seem to be turned inside out by
her wild, untamed beauty. She frequently pretends that she hasn't noticed me, which is, to my
mind, a way of hiding her embarrassment. Time after time she sends a message, just like "Could
you bring me a Coke, please?", which, of course, in reality means "You have the most beautiful
eyes in the world". To be honest, in the beginning it was a bit hard to decode these subtle
messages but by now, as I see it, there are no more communication problems between us. Oh, I
almost forgot to mention that during the classes she repeatedly looks in my direction, and time
and time again she provokes short, but deeply personal conversations, like "Take your dirty ass
off the bloody table!" Her voice is music to me, I am blissfully happy now. I am content with the
way things are going, I'm overjoyed to have this extraordinary girl with a jaunty manner, a
happy disposition and a radiant smile as my lover!! I am on top of the world, I am over the
moon, I feel like writing sonnets, paper, paper, I need some paper to put down the words of
sheer delight!!

EXERCISES

1. Please rewrite the following passage so that it means the opposite, using words and
expressions from the text or previous units.

She was downcast and broken-hearted when she got the news that she would be sent to Africa
on a safari. She hated travelling and what's more, she couldn't stand exotic places. She felt let
down by her boss, the thought of travelling on a plane got her down. She took a taxi to the
airport with a heavy heart, full of grief and sorrow for her unlucky life. She became even more
disillusioned and desolate when she realised how much she was compelled to eat on first class.
Now, as she is sitting beside the swimming pool sipping her third Martini she knows her suffering
is far from being over.

2. Put one of the following words or expressions from the box in the sentences.

plate - tenterhooks - fence - cards - increase - mind -bottle - grapevine -

thin - ice - rocks

1. 'What's on your ……….?''Nothing special.'

2. It's the middle of the exam period and I have a lot on my…………… , I can't even relax for a
day.
3. 'How would you like your bourbon?'' On the ………….., please.'
4. It's so sad that her father has been on the ………….. since she was a child.
5. What is the news? Have they called yet? I'm on ………………….. and I won't be able to fall asleep
until I know they are safe.
6. Now would you like to buy the car or would you not like to buy a car. You've been sitting on the
………… far too long, I'm beginning to lose my patience.
7. I heard it on the ……………… that Sheila is pregnant, but please don't tell anybody yet.
8. It's saddening to hear that unemployment is on the …………….. again.
9. We were on ………….. last week with all these debts but now it seems that everything will be
settled soon.
10. They've trained a lot and are bound to win, but it's always on the …………. that you can lose a
game.

3. Choose the (one) correct ending for the sentences below.

1. If you are on top of the world, you a) are angry b) feel happy c) are successful.
2. He is the salt of the earth means he a) is the heart and soul of parties b) is grumpy, ironic c)
his a decent man.
3. If someone flies off the handle, he a) is absent-minded b) gets angry c) is easy-going.
4. If one is cut off in her prime, a) she is expelled from school b) dies young c) has divorced.
5. If you jump out of your skin, you a) are surprised b) are happy c) nervous.
6. If someone is twiddling his thumbs, he is a) nervous b) lazy c) impatient.

4. Match the social types in the box with their description.

 chatterbox, lone wolf, magic woman, the black sheep, business-minded,

1. She can't keep quiet about anything, she lets in everybody on the latest events and it is
most dangerous to tell her any secrets as she spills the beans, reveals every detail.

2. He is a self-sufficient person. He lives in an isolated, far-off place. He has green fingers so

he doesn't have to meet people very often. He is an old hand at DIY, and he enjoys being close
to nature. He loves to contemplate the life of birds, he is preoccupied with environment
protection and he sometimes even toys with the idea of joining the Green Party, but he is
always put off by the fact that he would have to meet a lot of people there.

3. Whoever meets her takes a fancy to her at once. She never fails to emphasize her perfect
body with her enticing, irresistible dresses, no wonder all the men in the office lust after her.
She has to take a cat nap in the afternoon lest the stress of work should have a deteriorating
effect on her skin. Whenever she feels someone doesn't pay enough attention to her, she turns
on the waterworks (bursts out crying, that is), and hopes that there will always be a man ready
to offer a shoulder to cry on. Of course, she is rather sensitive, which means she is simply
unbearable if gets out on the wrong side of the bed and she is in one of her moods.

4. He is an embarrassment, he is always asking for trouble. You will not find any relative that
would happily admit to having common ancestors with him. He tries to worm his way into
peoples' hearts and when they believe everything he says hook, line and sinker, he tries to pull
the wool over their eyes and cheat them out of their money. Of course, he keeps promising
everybody that he will mend his ways and he will turn over a new leaf, but the family know that
they had better take anything he says with a pinch of salt, otherwise he might try to lead
them up the garden path.

5. She is quick on the uptake, striking up a friendship comes naturally to her, all her teachers
agree that she is a gifted child with outstanding abilities. Whenever she sees someone is in
trouble she is quick to give them moral support, she is ready to lend a helping hand if she
sees suffering, pain or poverty. The sight of people running after buses can fill her heart with
sympathy and often makes her cry.

6. He is a real social climber, he's got a well-paid job, so he has money to burn, but he is so
competitive and power-hungry that he often finds himself in a tight spot. He builds castles in
Spain, never takes any advice and believes that accepting other people's opinion is a sign of
weakness.

5. Which of the two words fits into the sentence?

When she opened the letter and read that she got the scholarship to Oxford, she was on top of
the ……………….. .
A) earth B) world
Although Ann is only four years old you can't lie to her because she ………… through you.
A) looks B) sees
3. When I was a child I was only given a present if I was …… my best behaviour.
A) in B) on
4. I am ….. the opinion that we could organise this journey much cheaper.
A) of B) on
5. The way we were treated at that expensive restaurant was really …………….., we've decided
never to go there again.
A) appealing B) appalling
6. She admitted that even she had ………………. about letting her daughter go to Spain with two of
her girlfriends.
A) reservations B) a reservation
7. He is good-natured but he often can't see the wood ……….. the trees.
A) for B) from
8. Susan seems out of ………… these days. I think she ought to take a couple of days off.
A) sort B) sorts
9. I am afraid that some important facts may have ………….. your notice.
A) avoided B) escaped
10. The true reasons for her suicide are still veiled in …………… .
A) misery B) mystery

KEY:
Exercise 2

1. mind
2. plate
3. rocks
4. bottle
5. tenterhooks
6. fence
7. grapevine
8. increase
9. thin ice
10. cards

Exercise 3

1. b
2. c
3. b
4. b
5. a
6. b

Exercise 4

1. Chatterbox
2. Lone wolf
3. Magic woman
4. Black sheep
5. The salt of the earth
6. High-flyer

Exercise 5

1. B
2. B
3. B
4. A
5. B
6. A
7. A
8. B
9. B
10. A

UNIT 14

POPPING THE QUESTION

April 14th: I think it is just about time to bring matters to a head and pop the question. I
never thought the prospect of marriage would be so appealing to me, but now that I've found my
one and only, there's no point in waiting any further. I can picture us in the morning having
breakfast, I can see us walking in the park, I am daydreaming about our nice, cosy little house,
I'm always fantasising about our children and so on. Could all this be true? Is it hallucination, am
I seeing things, is it just a figment of my imagination? I have to be sure. I'll be forthright and
straightforward. I'm an honest, outspoken man so I'm going to call a spade a spade, I'll pull no
punches and tell her bluntly that I'd like her to be my lawful wedded wife! I hate people who
are always beating about the bush, and I never mince my words, I like to speak my mind
wherever I am and whoever I'm talking to.

EXERCISES:

1.Match the words and expressions in the two columns below.

a. discuss 1. tongue-tied
b. start talking to somebody 2. talk turkey
c. you can't say anything 3. have a heart-to-heart
d. suggest sg indirectly 4. deliver a speech
e. speak to a lot of people 5. drop a hint
f. tell your opinion 6. address sy
g. say silly things 7. air your views
h. discuss sg personal with a friend 8. talk something over

2. Use the suitable forms of one of the expressions in column B to complete the sentences
below.
1. He had problems about … all those people who were waiting for him to start his lecture.
2. He was asked to …, but he refused saying he had nothing to add to the official statement of
his company.
3. Janice seems rather depressed and downcast these days, I think it is just about time we had
a….
4. He hates talking in public. He is sick of having to … at conferences.
5. You mustn't listen to anything he says; he always … .
6. She is so beautiful whenever she talks to me I'm absolutely … I don't know what to say.
7. You have to … your plans to travel around the world with your parents before you buy the
tickets.
3. What sort of people are being described ? Decide on the basis of the descriptions.
Jenny, the secretary and Sam hate each other. There is certainly no love lost between Sam
and Jenny. It is quite clear that he is not her type and he doesn't take kindly to her either.
It seems he has something against her and she bears a grudge against him, too.
Jenny's hatred is rather intensive, whenever we ask her about Sam she says 'I can't stand his
perfume, detest his elegant suits, I loathe his posh cars and despise his charm.' etc. However
emotional she gets when it comes to Sam, in her work she is not so enthusiastic, her half-
hearted efforts are rarely successful, her heart's not in it.
However much they might hate each other, there's one thing Sam and Jenny would never
disagree about; and that is their shared hatred towards the boss. He is always throwing his
weight around, trying to boss them around. He lays down the law, breathes down their neck
and often lectures them on how to run a business successfully. In short, he gives them hell.
When he takes on somebody, he talks about placing his trust in the newcomer, he repeats he
has confidence in him/her. Later, of course, he starts talking about blind faith, finally about
misplaced trust.
July, has a phobia about being hated by everybody. She is a timid young girl, the boss's voice
rattles her but strangely enough she managed to get on the right side of the boss, somehow
she won his heart. He sees something in her, as he says 'She is a woman after my own heart'.
Needless to say, the others are jealous of her, they are green with envy and they keep talking
about an alleged love affair between the two of them, they say she wrapped him around her
little finger, she has him in her pocket, and that she has him eating out of her hand, but it is
just sour grapes.

4. Fill in the sentences below using one of the idioms in the box.

heaven and earth - ins and outs - ups and downs - tosses and turns - far and wide -
rack and ruins - again and again - wait and see

1. He moved ….. to become president but fortunately his efforts were in vain.
2. I told my son not to touch a live wire but he does it …… .
3. I've searched for a good job ….. but there was nothing suitable.
4. Generally speaking, Hungarian businesses are successful but that does not mean that they
don't have their …… every now and then.
5. They stayed abroad for a year and when they came back, they realised their house was going
……, as the tenants living there neglected it completely.
6. I'm afraid nobody knows the result of the election yet, we'll have to ….. .
7. He is so worried about his exam tomorrow that he simply cannot sleep, he just….. every night.
8. He is a very experienced salesman, he knows the …. of selling furniture to rich people.

5. Could you please rewrite the following sentences using the words given?
a) He is very experienced at marketing. He knows everything about ads and commercials. INS
b) You mustn't pay attention to him, he talks nonsense all the time. TURKEY
c) What I hate about him is that he never says what he means, he simply can't get to the point.
BUSH
d) There are a lot of difficulties that must be overcome before you receive your degree.
HURDLED
e) It is very hard to work effectively in such horrific atmosphere. The boss is always inspecting
us. NECK
f) Of course we would like to win but you see, we can't outrule the possibility of losing. CARDS
g) I was overjoyed when the results of the final examinations came out. MOON
h) I always sleep a bit in the afternoon so that I can work late into the night. CAT
i) It's about time you decided whether you would like to go on studying or not. You have been
hesitating for far too long. FENCE
j) Jim and Geoffrey certainly hate each other. Whenever we go to the country on business, they
would never ever sit in the same car. LOST

KEY:

Exercise 1

a- 8
b-6
c-1
d-5
e-4
f-7
g-2
h-3

Exercise 2

1. addressing
2. air his views
3. heart-to-heart
4. deliver speeches
5. talks turkey
6. tongue-tied
7. talk over
8. drop a hint

Exercise 4

1. heaven and earth

2. again and again
3. far and wide
4. ups and downs
5. rack and ruins
6. wait and see
7. tosses and turns
8. ins and outs

Exercise 5

a) He knows the ins and outs of advertising.

b) You mustn't pay attention to him, he talks turkey all the time.
c) What I hate about him is that he is always beating about the bush, he simply can't get to the
point.
d) Many barriers must be hurdled before you receive your degree.
e) It's very hard to work effectively in such a horrible atmosphere. The boss is always breathing
down our necks.
f) Of course we'd like to win, but losing is on the cards as well.
g) I was over the moon when the results of the final examinations came out.
h) I always take a cat nap in the afternoon so that I can work late into the night.
i) It's about time you decided whether you would like to go on studying or not. You've been
sitting on the fence for far too long.
j) There is no love lost between Jim and Geoffrey. Whenever we go to the country on business,
they would never sit in the same car.

UNIT 15

MY COUSIN IS SO BIG-HEADED

My youngest cousin is the reigning national tennis champion. Of course we are all pleased and
delighted with this fact, his parents take pride in his results, he is their pride and joy.
Needless to say, Jonathan (my cousin, that is) has a sense of achievement, so much so that he
has been rather bigheaded and conceited. He is full of himself and he let his success go to
his head. Anyway, I'm sure these people think the others are beneath them, they look down on
them and they think they are too good to even talk to everyday people. This is just the case
with my smug, self-important, pompous, complacent little cousin. By the way, I've decided to
take up tennis so that I can put him in his place, cut him down to size and wipe the smile off
his face.

EXERCISES

1. Which is the odd one out?

1. proud, smug, complacent, self-righteous
2. conceited, thrilled, big-headed, vain
3. valuable, precious, worthless, invaluable
4. immaterial, impersonal, unimportant, insignificant
5. terrific, blood-curdling, horrific, spine-chilling
6. inscrutable, expressionless, impassive, lunatic
7. poignant, touching, passionate, emotive
8. undermine, highlight, underline, accentuate
9. disapprove, disregard, frown upon, denounce,
10. perseverance, calamity, willpower, tenacity,

2. Complete the sentences using the suitable forms of the words given.
1. When the ambulance arrived he was …… heavily. BLOOD
2. What he was most worried about was the prospect of … .FAIL
3. His strong …… of the crime made everybody stand on his side. DENY
4. This weather make me very … . MYSERY
5. The success of the business depends on the … of the methods we use. EFFECTIVE
6. He expressed his … to all the members of the team that had helped him. GRATEFUL
7. You must learn this old … . WISE
8. The blunder you have committed is … , I don't think she will ever forgive you. EXCUSE
9. He is a kind person but he is so … it takes him ages to make up his mind to do anything.
DECIDE
10. He lives very … . He gets up at 6, goes jogging and eats only fat-free food. HEALTH

3. Fill in the gaps in the sentences with one of the body parts.

nose - headX3 - hairX2 - finger - faceX3 - hand - thumbs - eyed

1. He was so proud of his biology results we thought he got a bit too big for his boots, so we will
have to wipe the smile off his ………. .
2. He is so snobbish he looks down his ……… at everybody who has fewer than five cars.
3. He used to be a self-effacing, humble person but he let his success go to his ………. .
4. They are always calling him when he is abroad, and they send him parcels full of sweets and
food, he is the blue - …….. boy of the family.
5. He is so hard-headed you can talk to him about going back to his wife till you are blue in the
………. .
6. He is all ……….., he can't even change a bulb.
7. It is no use burying your ……….. in the sand, you will have to ………. these problems one day.
8. There was nothing he could do. She wrapped him around her ………… .
9. After two days of hard work I could go home and let my ………… down.
10. When I entered the room, the sight of all that blood made my ……….. stand on end.
11. There is nothing new you can tell me about him, I know him like the back of my ……… .
12. There is no point in your telling the boss about all this stuff. It is like banging your …………
against a brick wall.
13. I had been waiting for a long time, but there was a point when I decided to bring matters to
a….

4. Connect the two parts of the sentences.

a) He was so tired, when they got home he went out …

b) When you talk to him, you must remember not to bring up the subject of his previous job. It
is …
c) I don't think we will be able to find him in this crowd, it's … .
d) He simply hates to work with him, they are … . They have nothing in common.
e) You shouldn't talk to him now, someone must have upset him on the way to the office and now
he is … .
f) Wherever Joe goes, he breaks everything. He is …
g) Mike would be a nice fellow if he weren't drinking …
h) Trying to find him in this huge crowd is … .

1. like water off a duck's back.

2. like looking for a needle in a haystack.
3. like chalk and cheese.
4. like a fish.
5. like a light.
6. like a bull in a china shop.
7. like a red rag to a bull.
8. like a bear with a sore head

5. Complete the sentences using one of the words in the box.

SEE X5 - LOOK X3 - SIGHT - STARE

1. He doesn't seem to have any respect for blue-collar workers. He … down his nose at everybody
who has fewer than three degrees.
2. He doesn't seem to enjoy the course, but once he has started he should … it through.
3. Don't worry about posting the letters, I'll …to it.
4. I know that hi-fi is not the best quality, but you should never … a gift horse in the mouth.
5. After working for three days without a break, he was not a … for sore eyes.
6. It really makes me … red when he is late for the lesson.
7. I'm afraid we don't … eye to eye with my parents about moving to the countryside. They can't
understand I wouldn't like to leave all my friends and move to a one-horse town.
8. He had been looking for the college for hours when he realised it was right in front of him and
it … him in the face.
9. You mustn't get depressed just because you've failed that exam. Remember, you should
always … on the bright side of life.
10. I know the college seems a bit run down but it has … better days, it used to be the cultural
centre of the country.

KEY:
Exercise 1

1. proud
2. thrilled
3. worthless
4. impersonal
5. terrific
6. lunatic
7. passionate
8. undermine
9. disregard
10. calamity

Exercise 2

1. bleeding
2. failure
3. denial
4. miserable
5. effectiveness
6. gratitude
7. wisdom
8. inexcusable
9. indecisive
10. healthily

Exercise 3

1. face
2. nose
3. head
4. eyed
5. face
6. thumbs
7. head // face
8. finger
9. hair
10. hair
11. hand
12. head
13. head

Exercise 4

a-5
b-7
c-1
d-3
e-8
f-6
g-4
h-2

Exercise 5

1. looks
2. see
3. see
4. look
5. sight
6. see
7. see
8. stared
9. look
10. seen
 REVISION
UNITS 10 - 15.

1. Below is a letter written in simple English. Rewrite it changing as many simple words into more
sophisticated expressions as possible.

Dear Mum and Dad,

The new job here is quite good. The boss is good, too. I like him and he likes me as well. It is
easy to work with him because he loves me and always does what I tell him. I had to realise that
some of my colleagues are jealous but I still like working here. The secretaries are the best of
my friends, but the marketing manager hates me. He is so intolerant and unkind, I never believe
what he says. I'm not certain I'd like to work here for a long time, but I'd like to learn French
and be with my Johnny. He is the company's lawyer and he is a very good man. I'm always very
happy when he smiles at me.
Have to rush now. Please write soon.
Love,
Jenny

2. The word in the following sentences are in the wrong order. Put the words in the correct
order.

1. I've the it grapevine on that heard Suzy the off yesterday her feet was swept party at.
2. then and now Every Sam keep visits her to company Mrs Jones. She's full died of and been
grief since her sorrow husband.
3. Did the pop he really or was imagination question my it figment just a of?
4. I for call words spade I and always mince a spade a never.
5. Although sees heart is work her in her, something her the never boss in.

3. Complete the following sentences with one suitable word.

1. The new students is on good … with his fellows.

2. He keeps telling everybody she is not good enough for that job but it is just sour grapes. The
boss … something in her and he place his … in her.
3. He bears a … against her just because she is so sociable and can … it off well with everybody
and she has a … of achievement.
4. He says he has … fingers but, as a matter of fact, you'll never see him outside the house.
5. He is such an arrogant man, he looks … his … at everybody in the office. It's just about time
somebody …him down to … .

4. Rewrite the following sentences using the words given. Remember, you must not change the
words given in any way.

1. I try to learn all the latest news about marketing. PULSE

2. He is so clumsy, he is hopeless at any job that demands dexterity. THUMBS
3. When he asked her whether she would like to go out with her, she became very embarrassed.
BEETROOT
4. He will do everything he can to get that job in Mexico. EARTH
5. Her colleagues do as she tells them as they are under the spell of her beauty. EATING
6. The neighbours were very jealous when they saw we bought a new TV set. GREEN
7. I decided to tell him bluntly what I think of him. PUNCHES
8. You should never believe what he says to be the whole truth. FACE
9. He is by far my most experienced agent. He knows everything about this job. OUTS
10. I would like to ask you not to tell the press your opinion on this rather delicate matter. AIR

KEY:

Exercise 2

1. I've heard it on the grapevine that Suzy was swept off her feet yesterday at the party.
2. Every now and then Sam visits Mrs Jones to keep her company. She's been full of grief and
sorrow since her husband died.
3. Did he really pop the question or was it just a figment of my imagination?
4. I never mince for words and I always call a spade a spade.
5. Although her heart is not in her work, the boss sees something in her.

Exercise 3

1. terms
2. sees // trust
3. grudge // hit // sense
4. green
5. down // nose // cut // size

Exercise 4

1. I try to keep my finger on the pulse of marketing.

2. He is all thumbs, he is hopeless at any job that demands dexterity.
3. When he asked her whether she would like to go out with her, she became as red as a
beetroot.
4. He'll move heaven and earth to get that job in Mexico.
5. She has her colleagues eating out of her hand as they are under the spell of her beauty.
6. The neighbours were green with envy when they saw we bought a new TV set.
7. I decided to pull no punches with him and tell him what I think of him.
8. You should never take anything he says at face value.
9. He is by far the most experienced agent. He knows the ins and outs of this job.
10. I would like to ask you not to air your views in this rather delicate matter.

UNIT 16

THE BLACK SHEEP

If I'm the black sheep of the family, Jennifer is quite the opposite. She has a good
relationship with the teachers, she gets along well with her classmates, she is on good terms
with the neighbours and she can hit it off with basically everybody she meets. She always talks
sense, she is very reasonable and mature, as they say. She has both feet on the ground, her
head is screwed on right, she is a very practical, pragmatic person. She is an avid reader as
she says ( I would rather say she is a bookworm), and she always tries to help other people in
trouble (within reason, of course). My parents put their trust in her, they have confidence in
her and keep asking her to talk some sense into me, to get me to see reason at last and so on.
I liked her as well but now I see it was misplaced trust.
It's horrible that there's no one you can trust these days. My sister is so gossipy I can be sure
anything I tell her will be common knowledge in the family within an hour. Why did I tell her
that I was going to fail in biology? Well, you see, somehow she always deceives me, she worms
her way into my heart me by pretending to be the most understanding sister in the world, and
when I have complete trust in her, she strings me along, she pulls the wool over my eyes, and
leads me up the garden path. Her next move is to run to mother and tell her all about it. I know
I only have myself to blame, I'm solely responsible, but I can't help telling her everything! I
always promise myself that I will be canny and smart and shrewd the next time, I'll let her
know in no uncertain terms I'm nobody's fool but when it comes to actually telling her, I'm lost
for words and she always manages to get the truth out of me one way or another.
Because of my little sister, today I had a little discussion with mother (I think she'd call it a
telling-off or a good talking-to). She lectured me on my future, as she said. The topic was, of
course, my biology test. Now that she's told me I know that it's easy, it's a snap, a breeze, it's
like falling off a log, there's nothing to it. I should take a look at my sister. "She can do it
standing on her head, it's child's play for her, these things come naturally to her, she can do
it with her eyes shut. Why can't you, son?" I could beat her in biology with one arm tied
behind the back, but I'm a sensitive person. I can't keep on swotting all day, I have IDEAS that
need expression. I'm working for a better world, that's what they should realise.

1. Fill in the blanks with one suitable word.

On entering the flower shop I realised there was something in the air. The assistant gave me an
uncertain, hesitant look and I thought I should be careful with him and I shouldn't let him … his
way into my …, just to make me buy things I would never dream of buying under normal
circumstances. I have a reputation of being a practically-minded person who has both …. on the …
, but I must admit there was something in the man's eyes that made my … stand on … . Generally,
I'm a warm-hearted fellow and I can hit it … well with most people, but looking at this man I had
the sneaking suspicion that somehow he will try to lead me … the garden … . I quickly chose two
roses and left the mysterious flower shop as quickly as possible. I still have a vague memory of
the man running after me but I didn't stop as I knew all he wanted was my money and my soul. I
wasn't born yesterday and I'm nobody's …! I luckily escaped but I think I'll go back one of these
days just to tell him in no … terms that his magic didn't work on me and that it never will. (I
might also give him the money for the roses, which I didn't pay but I'm not really sure yet.)

2. Replace the words underlined with their synonyms in the box.

ephemeral - undertaking - inevitable - discord - calamity - pejorative - viable - bias

- distinct from - tenacity

1. However unkind he might be, I can't help admiring his determination to succeed.
2. His sudden interest in aerobics is just a passing fad.
3. If you insist on carrying on with this kind of job, you must face the unavoidable consequence.
4. I hope the security measures we have taken to ensure the security of the building will save us
from any disaster.
5. The organisation of the conference is the most important project I have ever done.
6. The project he put forward seems to be feasible.
7. Their remark had a very negative overtone.
8. He was not able to overcome his own prejudice when writing about women's rights.
9. The second chapter of the book is different than the others as there are far more exercises.
10. The position of the working woman in modern society has been a source of controversy in the
class from the first day.

3. Pair the words and expressions on the right with their meaning on the left.

DIFFICULT - HOUSE IN A BAD CONDITION - CRITICIZE - ALMOST CRY

- START CRYING

derelict, run-down, be on its last legs, has seen better days

pick holes in, run down, find fault with
break down, turn on the waterworks, burst into tears
daunting, it will take some doing, a tall order
have a lump in your throat, be on the verge of tears

4. Rewrite the sentences using the phrasal verbs below.

do with - fall through - fall back on - fill in - go down with - go in for - break up - see
sg through - run through - write sy off

1. After he spent the night out in a sleeping bag he caught the flu.
2. The school year finishes in June.
3. I didn't have a lot of time so I read the article quickly.
4. Jack is my best friend. I know I can always rely on him whenever I have some problem.
5. I got sick and tired of hanging around all day, so I decided to take up tennis.
6. Our plan to travel to Stockholm by bus did not materialise.
7. Once I've started this course, I will not quit before the end.
8. A cup of tea would be really nice.
9. I fell ill last week so my colleagues had to do my job.
10. He never did his homework last year so the teachers now consider him a lazy-bone.

KEY:

Exercise 1

1. worm
2. heart
3. feet
4. hand
5. hair
6. ear
7. off
8. up
9. path
10. fool
11. uncertain

Exercise 2

1. tenacity
2. ephemeral
3. inevitable
4. calamity
5. undertaking
6. viable
7. pejorative
8. bias
9. distinct from
10. discord

Exercise 3

DIFFICULT: daunting, it'll take some doing, a tall order

HOUSE IN BAD CONDITION: derelict, run-down, be on its last legs, has seen better days
ALMOST CRY: have a lump in your throat, be on the verge of tears
CRITICIZE: pick holes in, run down sy, find fault with sy
START CRYING: break down, burst into tears, turn on the waterworks

Exercise 4

1. After he spent the night out in a sleeping bag, he went down with the flu.
2. School breaks up in June.
3. I didn't have a lot of time so I ran through the article.
4. Jack is my best friend. I know I can fall back on him whenever I have some problem.
5. I got sick and tired of hanging around all day doing nothing, so I decided to go in for tennis.
6. Our plan to travel to Stockholm fell through.
7. Once I've started this course, I will see it through.
8. I could do with a cup of tea.
9. I fell ill last week so my colleagues had to fill in for me.
10. He never did his homework last year, so the teachers have written him off as a lazy-bone.

UNIT 17

PARTYING

May 3rd
After the stressful spring tests I decided I needed a break. I felt I had to let off steam and
relax a bit. It seemed a good idea to have a night out with the boys. At first we didn't see
eye to eyeabout where to go, I had to use strong-arm tactics and emotional blackmail to make
them come round to my way of thinking. Finally, I was successful so we are going to my
favourite restaurant and the best club in town. I'm sure we're going to have a whale of a time,
it will help to put our troubles behind us, and put all those sad memories out of our mind.
We'll have the time of our life and I was so excited I couldn't eat anything for lunch. We are
going to a restaurant anyway, so I just had a snack, a quick bite to eat (actually, I wolfed down
a bar of chocolate) and I'm looking forward to the evening. I know we are going to stuff
ourselves, polish off everything, I can already see that Little Francis is going to make a pig out
of himself and I will gorge myself with sweets. Writing about it makes me so hungry I could eat
a horse! Nice prospects! Have to go now to get ready.

EXERCISES

1. Choose the one alternative below that does not fit the sentences of the story.
Although my parents did their best to (a)…, I was set in my ways to go to that punk rock concert
as I'd already promised the boys and I decided not to (b)… . I don't care that my family say I'm
(c)…, and I know they (d)… my taste in music, and they say (e)…, I know there's nothing to be
worried about at those concerts, which of course they will never understand. Anyway, the main
thing is I'm going to (f)…. I (g)… my parents attitude as I understand they would like to make
the most of their last chance (h)… .
(a) dissuade me from going out/ talk me out of going out / twist my arm to stay at home
(b) let them down / deceive them / disappoint them
(c) easily-led/ inducing/ a soft touch
(d) frown upon /disapprove of/ discourage
(e) defy them / give them a black look /go against their wishes
(f) have the time of my life / have good fun / be full of beans
(g) am rather philosophical about/ won't lose any sleep over / won't be worrisome about
(h) to be strict / to mould me into a law-abiding citizen / to educate me

2. Below there are some expressions with eat and drink. Rewrite the sentences using the suitable
expression.
drink in the beauty - eat my hat - eat out - have your cake and eat it - drink everybody
under the table - eat him alive - drinking like a fish - eat your words - eating out of his
hand

1. When he finally arrived 30 minutes late, I thought the teacher was going to … .
2. He said speeding shouldn't be a problem for him. He is best friends with all the policemen in
town, he has them … .
3. I'm so bored with the dishes my wife cooks I told her we should … at least twice a week.
4. He said that I was giving away precious information to other firms but when I proved I was
innocent he had to … .
5. We stopped at the foot of the mountain and got out of the car to … of the untouched
countryside.
6. You either marry him and be rich or leave him and stay poor. You see, it's a choice you'll have
to make, you can't … .
7. The captain said that he could … but he sank into a drunken sleep after the third shot.
8. The reason why I would never employ him is that he is … and I won't have drunk people in the
office.
9. I will … if he ever manages to pass his driving test.

3. Substitute the expressions in italics with the correct form of one of the phrasal verbs in the
box.
 walk out on sy - put sy up - make up for - crop up - bring up - live up to my
expectations - show up - call off

1. Her boyfriend left her after he found out she had cheated on him.
2. Everyone was annoyed when he started to talk about the new coffee machine again.
3. He never knows what to do when a problem presents itself.
4. Would you let my friend sleep at your place tonight?
5. He said he would be there at five but he never arrived.
6. The new Keanu Reeves movie was not as good as I expected.
7. We had to cancel the trip as the weather was rainy.
8. He said horrible things about my parents and later tried to compensate by buying me loads of
chocolate.

KEY:
Exercise 1

1. twist my arm to stay at home

2. deceive them
3. inducing
4. discourage
5. give them a black look
6. be full of beans
7. won't be worrisome about
8. to educate me

Exercise 2
1.
2. eat him alive
3. eating out of his hands
4. eat out
5. eat his words
6. drink in the beauty
7. have your cake and eat it
8. drink everybody under the table
9. drinking like a fish
10. eat my hat

Exercise 3

1. Her boyfriend walked out on her after he found out she had cheated on him.
2. Everyone was annoyed when he brought up the topic of the new coffee machine again.
3. He never knows what to do when a problem crops up.
4. Would you put up my friend tonight?
5. He said he would be there at five but he never showed up.
6. The new Keanu Reeves movie didn't live up to my expectations.
7. We had to call off the trip because the weather was rainy.
8. He said horrible things about my parents and later tried to make up for it by buying me loads
of chocolate.
 UNIT 18

THE SUMMER JOB

May 24th
Working and the use of tools puts man at the top of the food chain. My parents made this quite
clear to me this morning and added things like I needed to widen my horizons, meet people from
different walks of life, and so on. I suspected something unpleasant was to follow but I
pretended I was listening carefully, that I found their statement about the food chain most
interesting, that I took a keen interest in the life of our predecessors, and I was fascinated,
engrossed and intrigued by the great insight my parents demonstrated by their deep,
philosophical remark. I feared the worst, but I managed to sit there poker-faced, with an
expressionless, blank look waiting for them to come out with it. 'Son we wouldn't like to force
you to do anything against your will as we firmly believe that if one is loath to do something
and he does it reluctantly, and grudgingly, it might be a harrowing, traumatic experience. On
the other hand, if you do something willingly, gladly and readily, you will feel the sheer delight
and beauty of a new experience that may change your life forever.' Now I knew it was going to
be something severe. Then, finally they spat it out 'Would you like to work for Mr Bronson in his
clothes shop in the summer?' Now what? 'Oh, Dad! I don't mind working, I really feel like doing
it, I wouldn't say no to such an offer. You knew I would do anything to spend the whole
summer there, I'm so eager to try my hand at selling clothes, I'm so keen on the clothes
business I would give my right arm to work with Mr Bronson. I dream of arranging the clothes
on the shelves, I'm longing to get up early every day (so I won't have a problem getting up in
September) and I feel this desire, wish and urge to become the best shop assistant in our
street. Thanks, dad, thanks a lot. 'You're welcome son, I'm really pleased you see things my way.
I'm proud of you.' The moral of the story: Irony is not always the best way to labour a point
with parents.

EXERCISES
1. Decide which options would NOT fit the sentence below.
1. If you work somewhere, you are … .
on the payroll b) on duty c) employed by the firm d) have been taken on
2. If you are an entrepreneur, you … .
run your own business b) are self-employed c) are your own boss d) self-sufficient
3. If you are overworked, you … .
work your fingers to the bone b) put a lot of effort into your work c) drive yourself too hard d)
throw your weight around a lot
4. The boss travels on business and we have … .
a) long hours of toil b) to do the donkey work c) to be on the dole d) toil away for hours at night
5. He is so … he is a pleasure to work with.
a) committed b) laborious C) dedicated d) hardworking

2. Complete the sentences using the suitable forms of the words and expressions in the box.

job-hunting - backbreaking - make ends meet - work towards - go from rags to

riches - work like charm - make the best of a bad job - not do a stroke of work
- set about - take on
1. I needed an extra waiter so I … Jack's younger brother. I hope he will live up to my
expectations.
2. He is such a lazy bone he is sitting around all day and doesn't … .
3. He is working 18 hours a day just to … .
4. He found oil on his farm, so he …within a year.
5. It is already eight so I think we had better … our work.
6. Digging the whole garden it one day was the most … job I had ever done.
7. He told me to hide my cheating paper in my watch and it … .
8. We are …a better future for the whole world.
9. How long have you been …?
10. Only four people attended the lecture, but we decided to …and went to the nearest pub for a
drink.

3. Paraphrase the sentences using one of the expressions in the box.

wipe sy/sg off the face of the earth - keep a straight face - slam the door in
sy's face - it is plain as the nose in your face - just a pretty face - it is staring
me in the face - have the face to do sg - wipe the smile off his face - it was
written all over his face - till you are blue in the face

1. I didn't even have to ask him what he had done. It was obvious when I looked at him.
2. It so obvious I simply cannot understand why you cannot accept it.
3. I asked someone to show me the way to the cathedral and only when he pointed at the building
next to us did I realise that it was right in front of me all the time.
4. He is so condescending and smug we should put him into his place, I'm afraid.
5. We tried not to laugh when the director slipped in front of the school, but we didn't manage,
unfortunately.
6. You can talk to him about going back to his wife as much as you please, it is like talking to a
brick wall.
7. He was so cheeky he told me he would never give back the money he had borrowed from me.
8. When the boss lectured him on how to do his job, he got mad and dashed out of the boss's
office.
9. They don't have a chance in hell to win. We are going to destroy them!
10. During the last two years she proved that she is not only a beautiful woman but a very
effective marketing manager as well.

KEY:

Exercise 1
1. b
2. d
3. d
4. c
5. b

Exercise 2

1. took on
2. doesn't do a strike of work
3. make ends meet
4. went from rags to riches
5. set about
6. backbreaking
7. worked like charm
8. working towards
9. job-hunting
10. make the best of a bad job

Exercise 3

1. I didn't have to ask him what he had done. It was written all over his face.
2. He took the money, ran out of the building. It is plain as your nose in your face. I simply don't
understand why you cannot accept it.
3. I asked someone to show me the way to the cathedral and only when he pointed at the building
next to us did I realise that it was staring me in the face all the time.
4. He is so condescending and smug we should wipe the smile off his face, I'm afraid.
5. We tried to keep a straight face when the director slipped in front of the school, but we
didn't manage, unfortunately.
6. You can talk to him about going back to his wife till you are blue in the face, it is like talking to
a brick wall.
7. He had the face to tell me that would never give back the money he had borrowed from me.
8. When the boss lectured him on how to do his job, he got mad and slammed the door in his
face.
9. They don't have a chance in hell to win. We are going to wipe them off the face of the earth.
10. During the last two years she has proved that she is not just a pretty face but a very
effective marketing manager as well.