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Interesting interview with O’Reilly on life, learning and economic crisis:

Listen and then give your answers on the comments section:

Tips about spelling and reading:

1. What does the man do for a living?
2. What kind of communication problems has he got?
3. What pieces of advice is he given?
4. Would that advice be helpful to you?
5. Would you add anything else to help that man?

Interesting insight on poverty and development through the use of open data and dynamic graphics on google docs.

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Vocabulary

A Complete the text with the correct form of the word in capital letters.
Is science a good thing?
Scientific discoveries have (1) _______ (CAPTIVE) people’s imagination for centuries. For many,
science equals progress, but is this always the case? Certainly many of the technological
advances of the last one hundred and fifty years have (2) _______ ( REVOLUTION) our world.
They (3) _______ (ABLE) us to do things that our ancestors would never even have
dreamt of. But does that necessarily mean they are good?
For example, it is difficult to (4) _______ (JUST) the atomic bomb or germ warfare, both of
which actually (5) _______ (DANGER) our very existence.
On the other hand, we shouldn’t (6) _______ (PLAY) the importance of many discoveries.
Where would we be without penicillin or electricity? It would be foolish to
(7) _______ (ESTIMATE) the importance of these scientific breakthroughs.
Some people would argue that it is not the discoveries or inventions themselves that
are bad, but the people who use them. They (8) _______ (EMPHASIS) the fact that in many
cases, things that were originally developed for one use have (9) _______ (GO ) a
transformation and are now used for an entirely different purpose. So, possibly
a better question would be – is science safe in the hands of man?

B Complete the sentences with the words from the box. Each word can only be used once. There are three extra words.
called — conditioned – consuming — drawn — generated –
guzzling — heated — inducing — moving — driving — saving

(10) It’s amazing what they can do with computer-_______ graphics.
(11) Useful! My mobile phone is the most stress-_______ thing I can imagine.
(12) Personally I love all the labour-_______ gadgets you can buy nowadays.
(13) When I bought a new car I went for something environmentally friendly and not one of those gas-_______ monsters you often see on the roads.
(14) Advances in technology are so fast-______ nowadays that it’s difficult to keep up with all the developments.
(15) Reading the instructions is so time-_______. I much prefer just learning as I use the device.
(16) I’m not convinced about the so-_______ benefits of modern technology. I never used to be so stressed.
(17) Luckily for me the office I work in is air-_______.

C Choose the correct alternative to complete the sentences.
(18) He simply outclassed / undercut his opponent – it wasn’t even a fair match.
(19) The film had this fantastic chord / soundtrack. I wonder if I can buy it on CD.
(20) Nowadays most people download / downplay music from the internet.
(21) How would you outclass / classify this kind of music?
(22) He’s a so-called / would-be rock singer. He’s always singing along to his favourite bands.
(23) I’m going to see that band that everyone is raving about / tagging along.
(24) Careful how much you spend. You don’t want to overstretch / underfund yourself.
(25) I was outlasted / overcome with emotions watching him play.

Grammar

D Cross out the word that doesn’t fit. Sometimes both words are possible.
(26) The police is / are looking into the latest sports scandal.
(27) Do you know where my glasses is / are?
(28) The audience was / were treated to a fantastic race.
(29) I’m not sure if two weeks is / are enough time. What do you think?
(30) These aren’t my trousers. I can’t get it / them on.
(31) There isn’t / aren’t much information available at the moment.
(32) The media has / have been reporting on the events.
(33) Politicians are trying to decide what to do about the latest crisis / crises.
(34) I don’t really get on very well with my ins-law / in-laws.

E Complete each sentence with the correct form of the word in brackets.
(35) A: What’s wrong?
B: I’ve got really bad _______ (toothache).
(36) The U.S. government _______ (have) just been criticised by the United Nations.
(37) At least two _______ (thief) escaped with around $10 million after holding up a bank yesterday.
(38) A: Do you think £10 _______ (be) too much?
B: No, that sounds reasonable.
(39) A: Does your teacher usually give you a lot of _______ (homework)?
B: Yes, loads!
(40) Remember you’ve still got three _______ (wish) left.
(41) There are two _______ taking part in the competition. (family)
(42) Diabetes _______ (be) becoming a major problem in the modern world.

F Are these sentences correct (C) or incorrect (I)? Correct the sentences that are incorrect.
(43) At some point in their childhood most boys say they would like to be an astronaut.
__________________________________________________________________.

(44) In the last year I’ve visited more than ten countrys.
__________________________________________________________________.

(45) Do you have any heros?
__________________________________________________________________.

(46) He showed me lots of photos from when he was a leading athlete.
__________________________________________________________________.

(47) The police are appealing to any passer-bys who might have seen the accident, for any
information.
__________________________________________________________________.

(48) Medical experts claim that regular check-ups would help reduce the number of heart attacks.
__________________________________________________________________.

(49) Can you pass me that pair of scissors?
__________________________________________________________________.

(50) He gave all his earning to the homeless.
__________________________________________________________________.

Vocabulary
A Choose the correct alternative to complete the sentences.
(1) I can’t stop _______ that tune, even though it annoys me.
a) buzzing b) humming c) muttering

(2) I was just _______ through the newspaper when I found the article.
a) browsing b) gazing c) staring

(3) His latest photos are _______ display in the local art gallery.
a) in b) on c) out of

(4) The poem was so beautiful it made my heart _______.
a) float b) flutter c) wander

(5) Her eyes _______ like diamonds.
a) flashed b) shone c) sparkled

(6) I love spending a rainy afternoon _______ around the local art gallery.
a) gazing b) viewing c) wandering

(7) I can’t believe he wrote you a poem – that’s so _______ character.
a) in b) on c) out of

(8) It was so nice and quiet, and then the silence was _______ by a loud noise.
a) shattered b) creaked c) cracked

(9) He kept _______ in my direction – I don’t know why.
a) glancing b) twinkling c) viewing

B Complete the text with words from the box. Each word can only be used once. There are three extra words.
bang – beep — buzz — clatter — clink — creak — rattle — rumble — sizzle

Onomatopoeic words are words that sound like the sound they refer to. Although all languages have such words they are often quite different. So, a native speaker of English will know that you (10) _______ your car horn or that a door can (11) _______ or (12) _______ when it is being shut, but this might not be obvious to a speaker of another language. When you hear your tummy (13) _______ it means you are hungry. Before you take the first sip of champagne you should (14) _______ your glasses and sausages (15) _______ when you cook them. Learning these collocations can be great fun and is, in many ways, part of learning the culture as well as the language.

C Are these sentences correct (C) or incorrect (I)? Correct the ones that are incorrect.
(16) He’s got one of those fancy clocks that clinks every hour.
_____________________________________________________________.

(17) I stood staring in amazement at the picture – it was fantastic!
_____________________________________________________________.

(18) I’m sure he did that on mistake.
_____________________________________________________________.

(19) The painting is so good you can almost feel the ship being tossed around by the waves.
_____________________________________________________________.

(20) The leaves rustled in the wind.
_____________________________________________________________.

(21) When she plays the violin she makes a horrible beeping sound.
_____________________________________________________________.

(22) They came in droves to see his paintings.
_____________________________________________________________.

Grammar

D Complete the conversation with words from the box. Each word can only be used once. There are three extra words.
a little — much — quite — these — every — all — both — either — neither — one — this — those

Matthew: Hey! Sanja, come over here and look at (23) _______ paintings. There are lots to see!
Sanja: Yuck! They’re (24) _______ horrible.
Matthew: No, they’re not – look at (25) _______ one.
Sanja: What? Don’t tell me you like it.
Matthew: Well, yes, though only (26) _______ bit.
Sanja: You must be joking. They’re terrible.
Matthew: What about (27) _______ ones over there?
Sanja: The two over there? Yeah! They’re (28) _______ alright
Matthew: Which (29) _______ do you like the most?
Sanja: I’m not sure. I think the smaller one is (30) _______ nice.
Matthew: So if you could have one of them, would you have (31) _______ on the living room wall?
Sanja: In my living room? No, I don’t think so.

E Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verbs in brackets.
(32) I wish I _______ (have) your talent.
(33) If he could _______ (sing) as well as he can play the guitar, I’m sure he’d be famous.
(34) I hope she _______ (win) the award. I think she’s got a good chance.
(35) Imagine you _______ (be) nominated, how would you feel?
(36) It’s high time I _______ (learn) to play the guitar.
(37) If only I could _______ (paint) like that.
(38) I’d rather you _______ (not play) your music at full volume.

F Choose the correct alternative to complete the sentences.
(39) If you were take / to take art classes, I’m sure you’d enjoy them.
(40) I really don’t like them. Either / Neither one is very good.
(41) I’d sooner go / went to a live concert than watch it on TV.
(42) For all / every his talent, I don’t think he’ll be remembered as a great musician.
(43) All / Every one of them has a chance of winning the award.
Speech feature

G Complete the sentences words from the box. Each word can only be used once.
book — poem — exhibition — gaze — humming — concert — sound

(44) His _______, it was so piercing and intense. It made me quite nervous, especially as I didn’t know why he was staring at me.
(45) It’s very romantic, that _______. I really like the first verse. Every time I read it I think of my first love.
(46) That _______, it was so loud. When I heard it I almost jumped out of my skin.
(47) I wish you’d stop it, that _______. It’s so annoying and particularly as you’re not even in tune!
(48) The _______, it’s amazing. I never knew your brother was such a good artist.
(49) Did you enjoy it, the _______? I know you’ve always liked their music.
(50) It’s rather long, that _______. I’ve read all his others, but I just couldn’t finish this one

Vocabulary

A Choose the correct alternative to complete the sentences.

(1) Sometimes the only way to really _______ is to be highly competitive.

a) come to grief b) get on in life c) go badly

(2) It’s no good. When he’s watching football he’s _______ the TV. You’ll just have to wait until the match finishes.

a) a lost cause to b) come to nothing c) glued to

(3) You may as well give up. It really _______.

a) is a lost cause b) comes to nothing c) is a bright future

(4) Well done! Looking at these exam results you’ve got a really _______ ahead of you.

a) lost cause b) remote control c) bright future

(5) Pass me the _______. I want to check what’s on BBC1.

a) anchor b) remote control c) sitcom

(6) It might _______, but unless you try you’ll never know.

a) come to nothing b) draw a blank c) a bright future

(7) You don’t _______ of beating him! He always wants to win.

a) fall through b) do well c) stand a chance

(8) The programme was a complete flop. The _______ were terrible.

a) ratings b) remote controls c) viewers

B Replace the underlined words and phrases with a phrasal verb from the box. Each phrasal verb can only be used once.

(9) I’m really not sure if anything can compensate for all the trouble I’ve been put through.

(10) She will have to deal with the problem eventually.

(11) That sounds like the kind of challenge Ben would take part in if he could.

(12) I can’t believe you weren’t punished for doing that!

(13) How do you tolerate all the pain?

(14) I decided to do some charity work after I received some criticism from the media about my

lifestyle.

(15) I think we really have to deal more strictly with cheats in sport.

C Complete the text using words and phrases from the box. Each word or phrase can only be used once. There are four extra words and phrases.

My brother is an inspiration to me – definitely someone I (16) _______. When he was at school the teachers said he was a (17) _______ and that he’d never (18) _______ in life. From then on I think he just wanted to go and (19) _______. He had to work really hard to (20) _______ – he wanted to work on TV as a (21) _______ or a reporter. It took him more than fifteen years to make it and he certainly wasn’t an (22) _______, but I think that’s actually a good thing. The fact that everyone thought he’d (23) _______ of his life and yet he’s managed to succeed has, I think, made the (24) _______ even better.

Grammar

D Complete the conversation with the correct form of the verbs in brackets.
Radio presenter: Hi Matt, so can I ask you about your expedition next month?
Matt: Sure. What do you want to know?
Radio presenter: What exactly (25) _______ (do)?
Matt: We aim (26) _______ (walk) to the North Pole without using any dogs or motors.
Radio presenter: What do you mean?
Matt: In the past most expeditions have either had motorised sleds or dogs to pull their equipment. This time we (27) _______ (pull) everything ourselves.
Radio presenter: That’s (28) _______ (be) tough, isn’t it?
Matt: Sure, but that’s the point.
Radio presenter: And how long do you expect it (29) _______ (take)?
Matt: We’re hoping to do the whole walk in 48 days.
Radio presenter: So you (30) _______ (still, walk) across the ice on your birthday.
Matt: Yes, I will. I’m really looking forward to that. I think it (31) _______ (be) an amazing birthday!
Radio presenter: And will you come back and talk to us afterwards.
Matt: Yes, if I’m still alive

E Choose the correct alternative to complete the sentences.
(32) Do you feel like watch / watching a movie tonight?
(33) I really hope you agree / are agreeing to join the expedition.
(34) By the time you read this I’ll finish / have finished.
(35) I wonder if they are going to / will succeed. What do you think?
(36) Ok, ok, I’ll / I’m going to come. You’ve just talked me into it.
(37) I meet / I’m meeting John later. Is there anything you want me to tell him?

F Complete the sentences with modal verbs from the box. Each modal verb can only be used once.
wasn’t allowed to — needn’t have — didn’t need to — should have — had to — shouldn’t have — must have

(38) You really _______ worked harder when you were at college. Maybe you’d be more successful now.
(39) I was lucky that I _______ go for an interview. Apparently I was the only qualified applicant.
(40) I _______ told you about Mike and Kate. You won’t tell anyone, will you?
(41) I’m so angry! For some reason I _______ give my presentation.
(42) You _______ been really worried that all that hard work and effort would come to nothing. I’m sure you were really happy when you won.
(43) You _______ worried – it wasn’t so difficult.
(44) Before we could enter the race we _______ pass a medical to prove we were fit enough.

G Are these sentences correct (C) or incorrect (I)? Correct the ones that are incorrect.
(45) I’m likely to be late as I’ve got a lot to do.
______________________________________________________________.

(46) He was just about win, when he fell over.
______________________________________________________________.

(47) They are due to arrive at any moment. Look! Isn’t that them?
______________________________________________________________.

(48) She’s bound to succeed – she’s so talented.
______________________________________________________________.

(49) I know you’re confident success, but you can’t take anything for granted.
______________________________________________________________.

(50) He unlikely to win, but you never know.
______________________________________________________________.