Student’s Book Answer Key

5 Culture clashes

Starter
2
Beware: avalanches (Canada) sign 5
No swearing (United States) sign 2
Riding whales not allowed (Japan) sign 1
Speeding endangers cassowaries (Australia) sign 7
Street food sellers not permitted (South Africa) sign 9
Watch out for car thieves (Poland) sign 10
Caution: old people crossing (UK) sign 4
Steep hill ends in crocodile river (South Africa) sign 6
Ski lift instruction (France) sign 11
Speed bumps on road ahead (Jamaica) sign 8
Road toll paid by licence number recognition (United States) sign 3
Chewing betelnut is forbidden (Papua New Guinea) sign 12

3
1 sign 6
2 sign 11
3 sign 8
4 sign 7
5 sign 3
6 sign 12

Reading and speaking

Worlds of difference

1
Papua New Guinea is located in the south-west Pacific Ocean, just north of Australia.
1 over 7 million
2 700
3 800
4 18%
5 1950s
6 seashells
7 1975
8 the Queen of England

2
They are at the author's home.
The people are: the author (Donal MacIntyre) and his wife, Ameera; and Samuel and his wife
Christina, from the Insect tribe in Papua New Guinea.
Donal MacIntyre, the author, spluttered.
Ameera, Donal MacIntyre’s wife (who is pregnant), nearly choked because Christina asked her
if she minded her husband having a baby with another woman.

Headway © Oxford University Press 2019

Student’s Book Answer Key

The situation reflects the title – ‘The ultimate culture clash’ – because the two couples come
from such completely different cultural backgrounds.

5
1 ✓
2 ✗ They were faced with ‘barren winter trees’.
3 ✗ They believed that she ‘wore the trousers’ (i.e. was the dominant one) in her relationship
with Donal.
4 ✓
5 ✓
6 ✓
7 ✗ They put in a request for an audience with the Queen, but it was declined.
8 ✗ They ‘embraced our culture but without renouncing an ounce of their own.’

6
gambits – things that somebody does, or things that somebody says at the beginning of a
situation or conversation
frisson – a sudden strong feeling, especially of excitement or fear
stalk – to move slowly and quietly towards an animal or a person, in order to kill, catch or
harm it or them
ever-encroaching – slowly beginning to cover or intrude on more and more of an area
robustly – strongly, with determination
concession – the act of giving something or allowing something
bombarded – attacked somebody with a lot of questions, criticisms, etc. or by giving them
too much information
kin – family or relatives
stamping ground – a place that somebody likes and where they often go to enjoy themselves
ventured forth – went bravely into an unknown situation which might have been dangerous
diminutive stature – small size
pinpoint accuracy – with perfect aim
jaded – tired and bored, usually because you have had too much of something
renouncing – stating publicly that you no longer have a particular belief or that you will no
longer behave in a particular way

Language focus
Ways to avoid repetition

1
1 I tried to repair my car, but I couldn’t. It needs a mechanic.
2 A You look awful. Why don’t you see a doctor?
B I did. He just gave me some pills and told me to take things easy.
3 A Have you read this report?
B No, I haven’t, but I will.
4 My car’s being serviced at the moment. If it wasn’t, I’d give you a lift. Sorry.
5 I’m so glad you told Sue exactly what you thought of her, because if you hadn’t, I certainly
would have!
6 A I think I’ll give Rob a ring.
B You should. You haven’t been in touch with him for ages.
7 I went to a party last night, but I wish I hadn’t. It was awful.
8 My boyfriend insists on doing all the cooking, but I wish he wouldn’t – it’s inedible!

Headway © Oxford University Press 2019

Student’s Book Answer Key

9 A Aren’t you going to Portugal for your holidays?

B Well, we might, but we’re still not sure.
10 A Andy got drunk at Anne’s party and started insulting everyone.
B He didn’t! That’s so typical of him.

2
1 A You met my sister last night.
B Yes, I did. She thought we’d met before, but we hadn’t.
2 A It’s a long journey. Take care on the motorway.
B Don’t worry. We will.
3 A Come on, John! It’s time you were getting up!
B Stop yelling at me! I am!
4 A The weather forecast said that it might rain this afternoon.
B Well, we’ll have to call off the tennis if it does.
5 A Did you get that job you applied for?
B Yes, I did and I really didn’t think I would.

3
1 A Can you come round for a meal tonight?
B Thanks very much. I’d love to!
2 A Did you post my letter?
B Oh, I’m really sorry. I forgot to.
3 A I can’t take you to the airport after all. Sorry.
B But you agreed to.
4 A Was John surprised when we won?
B He certainly was. He didn’t expect to.
5 A Why did you slam the door in my face?
B It was an accident. I really didn’t mean to.
6 A You’ll be able to enjoy yourself when the exams finish.
B Don’t worry. I intend to.

4
Possible answers
2 talented/gifted/accomplished
3 deceive/mislead
4 strategy
5 thorough/detailed
6 irritates/bothers/exasperates
7 crucial/vital/essential
8 risks
9 petrified/terrified
10 convincing/compelling

5
beautiful – attractive, pretty, handsome, good-looking
That girl is really attractive – I’m going to ask her out.
My niece looked great in her pretty, new party dress.
Her husband is still quite handsome, even though he’s over 50.
There aren’t many good-looking men in this town.
laugh – chuckle, giggle, snigger
Mark chuckled to himself when they told him what type of car
they had bought.
The children seemed to be giggling at some private joke.

Headway © Oxford University Press 2019

Student’s Book Answer Key

Joe sniggered when he saw the old clothes Julie was wearing.
hate – loathe, detest, dislike, despise
Her cousin was so spiteful that she loathed the sight of him.
I detest people who only care about money.
Sara disliked any kind of deliberate rudeness.
I’m so sorry, I despise myself for the terrible way I’ve treated you.
argument – quarrel, disagreement, dispute
Jake and his older brother had a quarrel at the cinema about which film to see.
We had some disagreement about the details of the report, but our conclusions were very
similar.
Mr Johnson had a long-running dispute with his neighbours over the boundary fence.
enemy – opponent, foe, rival
He beat his opponent easily because he was a much better player.
Tania never really trusted anyone, friend or foe.
His only serious rival for the job was a colleague who had been with the company for six
months.

Possible problems

1
curious
enjoy the view
bought/got a present for me

2
advise them
meet them
come for dinner

3
Possible answers
big – large, sizeable, substantial, great
love (v) – adore, enjoy
afraid – scared, frightened, fearful, nervous
happy – glad, pleased
friend – companion, mate

Listening and speaking

Found in translation

1
He gets the stories from online profiles on Facebook.
‘Don’t log off’ refers to the fact that the stories are sourced from the Internet, and encourages
listeners to stay tuned in to the programme.
A couple are featured in this programme – Bryan from the US and Anna from Russia.
They met online.

2
1 They couldn’t speak each other’s language. They communicate using Google Translate.

Headway © Oxford University Press 2019

Student’s Book Answer Key

2 He says that the physical, spiritual and mental connection with Anna was exactly as he’d
imagined.
3 They decided to get married. She has a three-month visa, so they have to get married in that
time; otherwise she would be deported.
4 He’s waiting for Anna to arrive. He’s a little bit nervous. Anna asks Bryan to get off the
phone.
5 He decides that he should go and visit Anna and Bryan in the US, and attend the wedding.
6 Students’ own answers.

3
1 They have called off the wedding.
2 It was too soon for Anna, who has had to cope with being in a completely new environment.
3 There is only a limited time for them to get married.
4 He decides to fly over to the US on his original ticket.
5 That she doesn’t go anywhere by herself and just stays in the house when Bryan is at work.

4
They get married in a low-key wedding.
Bryan asks him to be an official witness at the wedding.

Vocabulary and speaking

Nationalities and stereotypes

1
Country Adjective Person Nation Language(s)
Scotland Scottish a Scot the English,
Scottish/the Gaelic
Scots
Switzerland Swiss a Swiss man/woman the Swiss German,
Italian,
French,
Dutch
The Dutch a the Dutch Dutch
Netherlands Dutchman/Dutchwoman
Belgium Belgian a Belgian the Belgians Dutch,
French,
German
Sweden Swedish a Swede the Swedish Swedish
Denmark Danish a Dane the Danish Danish
Poland Polish a Pole the Polish Polish
Finland Finnish a Finn the Finnish Finnish
Iceland Icelandic an Icelander the Icelanders Icelandic
Spain Spanish a Spaniard the Spanish Spanish
Turkey Turkish a Turk the Turkish
Turkish/Turks
New New Zealand a New Zealander the New English,
Zealand Zealanders Maori
Afghanistan Afghan an Afghan the Afghans Pashto, Dari
Argentina Argentine/Argentinean an the Spanish
Argentine/Argentinean Argentines/
Argentineans

Headway © Oxford University Press 2019

Student’s Book Answer Key

Peru Peruvian a Peruvian the Peruvians Spanish,

Quechua,
Aymara

2
1 British; Czech Republic; the cultural difference mentioned was actually a misunderstanding
– he thought that Czech people ate zebra meat
2 half Korean, half British; South Korea; plastic surgery is a common procedure in South
Korea
3 French; London; not so many bakeries in England, far more crisps in England, the English
obsession with house prices, houses are quantified by the number of bedrooms instead of by
actual size, doctors in England don’t always give out prescriptions
4 Australian; Burma; ancient taxis with no health and safety regulations

Writing
Describing similarities and differences – Comparing two countries

3
paltry – too small to be considered as important or useful
respectively – in the same order as the people or things already mentioned
surge – a sudden increase in the amount or number of something
foremost in the popularity stakes – the most popular things
predominant – most obvious, common, or noticeable
poke fun at – to say unkind things about somebody/something in order to make other people
laugh at them
self-opinionated – believing that your own opinions are always right and refusing to listen to
those of other people
weird – very strange or unusual and difficult to explain
quantify – to describe or express something as an amount or a number
ranked – gave somebody/something a particular position on a scale according to quality,
importance, success, etc.

In neither country is … While both countries … , … on the other hand …

Both countries … However, …
Although they …

4
Possible answers
1 share the longest international border/share the Niagara Falls
2 greater than the capital cities of the two countries
3 the US has a presidential system
4 speak French and Spanish
5 being such close neighbours
6 favour football, baseball, and basketball
7 they like to poke fun at each other
8 don’t much think about Canadians

Headway © Oxford University Press 2019

Student’s Book Answer Key

The last word

British and American English

1
Conversation A is American English, conversation B is British English.

4
1 A Have you got the time?
B Yeah, it’s five past four.
A Did you say five to?
B No, five past four.
2 A What are you going to do at the weekend?
B Oh, you know, the usual. Play football with my kids, and do a bit of gardening.
3 A Did you have a good holiday?
B Yeah, really good.
A How long were you away?
B Five days altogether. From Monday to Friday.
4 A Where do you live?
B We’ve got a small flat on the ground floor of a block of flats in the city centre.
A Have you got a garden?
B No, we haven’t, just a car park at the rear.
5 A Have you seen Meryl Streep’s new film yet?
B I have. She was terrific in it. She played this plain, old woman who drifted around in her
dressing gown all day.
A Yeah, she’s a great actor.
6 A Have they brought the bill yet?
B Yeah. They just have. But I can’t read a thing. The lighting is so bad in here. You need a
torch.
7 A Do we need to stop for petrol?
B Yeah, why not?! Anyway, I need to go to the loo.
8 A Did you enjoy the match?
B Yeah, it was great, but we had to queue for half an hour to get tickets.

5
freeway – motorway
garbage – rubbish
cookie – biscuit
drugstore – chemist’s
closet – cupboard or wardrobe
potato chips – crisps
pants – trousers
faucet – tap
sidewalk – pavement
windshield – windscreen
elevator – lift
fall – autumn

Headway © Oxford University Press 2019