3. Words in Context

Choose the meaning of the underlined word or expression based on its use in the sentence.

1. Mrs. Boyd’s devotion to her granddaughter Melissa was really great.

a. indifference b. sympathy c. great fondness and loyalty.

2. The girl became disabled at the age of 13.

a. illiterate b. invalid c. mentally retarded.

3. The girl broke her neck in a trampolining accident.

a. ski b. car c. jumping on a special apparatus for gymnasts and acrobats.

4. She slept in a chair by the girl’s bedside alternating nights with her parents.

a. together b. by turns c. instead of

5. The clinic practiced a type of acupuncture not used in Britain.

a. operation b. exercises c. treatment.

6. After her accident Melissa could not grip a pen.

a. write b. hold c. choose.

7. The ceremony was hosted by the GMTV presenter Fiona Phillips.

a. arranged b. sponsored c. held.

Read the Following Article

It is what any grandparent would do

For Jean Boyd it is what any grandparent would do.

But her devotion to her disabled granddaughter Melissa has meant her sitting at a hospital bedside night after night for five months.

It has also meant regular 1 000-mile drives to the South of France over the last three years so the 16-year-old can get the treatment she needs.

Yesterday the love and care she has given to Melissa – who was paralysed from the neck down in a trampolining accident – earned her the Age Concern Grandparent of the Year Award.

Mrs. Boyd, a 56-year-old accounts clerk for a special needs school, was presented with the honour by Cherie Blair. A tearful Mrs. Boyd, who has three other grandchildren, said: «Any grandparent in the same position would do the same thing. It is just something that needs to be done».

Melissa broke her neck at the age of 13. While she spent five months recovering in hospital, Mrs. Boyd visited her every day and spent every other night sleeping in a chair by her bedside, alternating nights with her parents.

When the teenager was allowed to go home, her grandmother investigated various treatments after doctors said there was nothing more they could do.

Mrs. Boyd, of Telford, Shropshire, discovered a clinic in France which practiced a type of acupuncture not used in Britain. She and Melissa’s parents John, 37 and Paula Wolfe, 36, have taken it in turns for three years to drive 1000 miles to the Loire Valley in France every month so she can be treated.

Melissa, who could not grip a pen after her accident, can now use her arms and doctors in France say she will be walking within four years.

The teenager who has just secured 11 GCSEs and a catering NVQ, said of her grandmother: «She does everything for me. She looked after me when I was in hospital and is there whenever I need her.

She did the same thing when I was eight and had a brain tumour, sitting by my bed in hospital until I recovered».

Mrs. Blair, who turned 50 yesterday, was brought up by her grandmother Vera Booth.

She said: «There is nothing like being 50 to make you think back to your own childhood. I was brought up in my grandmother’s house and she was a very important part of growing up».

«The reason we are here today is to support that very special love and experience which sometimes we parents don’t have the time to do as well».

Mrs. Boyd was selected from nine finalists who were all present at the ceremony in London, which was hoisted by GMTV presenter Fiona Phillips.

t.yaqoob@dalymail.co.uk

(«Daily Mail», 24. 09. 04)