Travel advertisements

¹ relax, reduce your general level of stress

² get back your energy (like recharging a battery)

³ a term for the wild, tree- or grass-covered areas of Africa or Australia

⁴ pronounced four by four; vehicles with driving power on all four wheels

⁵ on the edge of the sea or of a river

⁶ who knows what he/she wants in terms of good quality

⁷ extremely beautiful

⁸ no other company can offer cheaper ones for the same service

⁹ it fills you with a sense of the power and beauty of what you are looking at

¹⁰ These three words represent a scale of length and difficulty. A ramble is a long, pleasant walk, not too demanding. A hike is more demanding, suggesting more difficult terrain. A trek is usually of several days over wild country.

¹¹ no other holiday programme can match this

¹² a word typically used in advertisements meaning enjoy

¹³ the inland areas furthest away from the sea or from borders with other countries

(English Vocabulary in Use. Advanced. p.82-83)

31. Look at the pairs of sentences below. In each case, which is the more emphatic? Why?

1. a) Mauritius is the most spectacular island I have ever visited.

b) The most spectacular island I have ever visited is Mauritius.

2. a) Despite friends’ warnings about the tedium of 25 hours in a cramped airplane, I actually enjoyed the flight to St Louis.

b) Despite friends’ warnings about the tedium of 25 hours in a cramped airplane, I did actually enjoy the flight to St Louis.

3. a) We spent a successful day deep-sea fishing.

b) We spent an unexpectedly successful day deep-sea fishing.

4. a) Rarely have I been so impressed by a hotel’s service.

b) I have rarely been so impressed by a hotel’s service.

5. a) I shall always remember our final evening’s barbeque on the beach.

b) What I shall always remember is our final evening’s barbeque.

6. a) Mauritius must be one of the most romantic honeymoon spots in the world.

b) Mauritius is one of the most romantic honeymoon spots in the world.

7. a) Morecombe is unique – not only does it provide an ideal holiday destination but it is an ideal base from which to visit the many attractions around the bay.

b) Morecombe is unique as it provides an ideal holiday destination as well as an ideal base from which to visit the many attractions around the bay.

(Writing skills CAE. p.37)

32. Express each of the statements in two different and more emphatic ways, using the techniques illustrated in the previous exercise.

1. Luigi’s the most exotic restaurant I have ever been to.

2. I enjoyed the disco despite the deafening music.

3. I have never before seen such a spectacular sunset.

4. We shall always remember the picturesque harbour.

5. We spent a memorable day climbing the highest mountain on the island.

(Writing skills CAE. p.38)

33. Compare these two descriptions and answer the following questions: a) Is there any difference between the two scenes described? b) What structures are repeated in the first text? c) Which feature of the landscape is the ’organizing principle’ of the second text? d) What replaces prepositions of place in the second text?

There is a church next to the river, and below the church there are two last houses in the village. After the houses there are fields, and in the distance there is a lake.

The river flows down past a church, then snakes around the last house in the village before cutting across the fields towards a lake surrounded by tress.

(Advanced Writing with English in Use CAE. p. 83)

34. Read the passages and choose a word to fill each gap.

a) Ecuador, roughly the size of Switzerland, is pulsing with natural beauty and distinguished by its 1) …… and extraordinary topography. It’s the second smallest country on the South American continent, and its size is a definite advantage for those on a short break as you can see its 2) …… regions, ecosystems and plant and animal life without hauling yourself over the entire continent.

3) …… by the volcano Pinchinca is Ecuador’s capital, Quito. With its gothic cathedrals, confectionery colours and manic urban edge, it is worth a brief visit. It is also a good base from which to 4) …… the markets of nearby Otavalo, which explode every Saturday as thousands of local artists and craftspeople converge on them to sell their works. The stalls glint with treasures and you can buy everything from oil paintings to textiles ablaze with colour. You can also pick up a(n) 5) …… Panama hat, which is said to be the world’s most inappropriately 6) …… headgear, as it in fact originated and is made in Ecuador.

1 A miscellaneous 2 A clear 3 A Overdone 4 A survey 5 A actual 6 A called

B various B noticeable B Outsized B explore B authentic B termed

C assorted C evident C Outdone C delve C true C named

D diverse D distinct D Overlooked D probe D credible D described

b) This is one of the longer 7) ….. of heritage coastline in England, taking in 40 miles from the Scottish border just past Berwick upon Tweed. The coast is twice blessed, first with long sandy beaches, and second with a(n) 8) …… of visitors. Several of its beaches 9) …… a particular mention.

Cocklawburn near Berwick is home to ancient fossil beds while Warkworth has a large expanse of sand dunes going inland from the shore. Low Newton showcases rare marine species and Bamburgh has another 10) …… of striking dunes protected behind a row of reefs.

The most 11) …… of the National Parks, Northumberland, is also the least visited and the least populated, although that is due more to its location than to any lack of interesting reasons for visiting. The northern part of the park includes the conifer-rich Border Forest Park, and the southern border is 12) …… by Hadrian’s Wall.

7 A spreads 8 A insufficiency 9 A worth 10 A belt 11 A northward 12 A defined

B extensions B shortage B merit B strand B northerly B outlined

C spans C shortfall C entitle C portion C northbound C limited

D stretches D deficiency D claim D strap D northernmost D lined

c) Due south of London is the seaside 13) …… of Brighton. For the collector, a major attraction will be The Lanes, 14) …… in the heart of town, a short walk from the seashore. The Lanes can best be described as a narrow passageway that meanders for several blocks, twisting and turning. The street is not large enough to 15) …… vehicles and is generally filled with shoppers and collectors trying to decide which direction to go next. No matter what you collect, 16) …… are it can be found in The Lanes. There are shops 17) …… to providing tourists with the usual souvenirs, but more importantly there are speciality shops for nearly every field of collectible. Antique retail places are 18) …… in The Lanes, from single shops to antique markets that rent stalls to independent vendors.

13 A resort 14 A placed 15 A accommodate 16 A opportunities 17 A directed 18 A copious

B district B fixed B contain B chances B prepared B ample

C territory C installed C house C prospects C adjusted C plentiful

D region D situated D lodge D odds D geared D profuse

(Upstream Proficiency. T’s book. pp.38-39)

2C DESCRIBING FESTIVALS/ EVENTS/ CELEBRATIONS

practice

1. Write a paragraph plan to the following description.

In the church I belong to in my country, babies are baptized at about three months old. The baptism takes place in church during the normal Sunday worship service. The purpose of baptism is to present the child to God and to God’s people. The water represents the washing away of sin.

Before the baptism, preparations must be made. A long white gown is bought for the baby. The parents meet with the minister to arrange the time of the baptism. Once this is done, friends and relatives are informed of the date of the coming event.

At church people wear their ‘Sunday best.’ The baby’s white gown falls almost to the floor as he or she is held by one of the parents. The minister asks the parents the baby’s name, and then sprinkles water on the baby’s forehead, saying ‘[name of child], I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.’ After the service, a reception is sometimes held for friends and family. Ham and cheese buns are usually served, with tea to drink. Everyone wants to see the new baby.

A baptism is a beautiful ceremony in my church; it is solemn and dignified. The way the parents present their child to God is moving. The other members enjoy seeing a new addition to the ‘flock.’

(Mission. T’s book. p.18)

2. Match the following words to their definitions.

celebration holiday festival festivities carnival parade

a special occasion when people celebrate something such as a religious event, and there is often a public holiday a celebration with dancing, drinking and a procession through the streets in colourful costumes a public celebration when musical bands, brightly decorated vehicles etc move down the street an occasion or party when you celebrate something a time of rest from work, school, etc. things that are done to celebrate a special occasion such as drinking, eating, dancing. etc.

(New Millennium 10. Student’s Book. p.49)

3. a) Read the following pieces of information and decide which festivals they refer to.

1 One of the long-standing traditions is the belief that the mistletoe plant holds magic powers and protects against disease. 2 It dates back to the ancient fire festivals when huge bonfires were set on hilltops to frighten away evil spirits. 3 Its common symbol is pumpkin carved in the appearance of a demonic face and with a lighted candle inside. 4 This main festival of the Christian church year celebrates the Resurrection of Jesus Christ on the third day after his Crucifixion.

Evergreens as symbols of survival are associated with this festival. 6 Eggs – symbol of new life and resurrection – are brightly coloured and decorated. 7 It’s a Christian festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. It dates back to the pagan festival marking the birthday of ’unconquered sun’. 8 this is an autumn festival with ghosts, witches, black cats, fairies and demons of all kinds. 9 Its symbol is the rabbit.

b) Translate the text about Cupala’s Nights, using the words above.

Этот весенний фестиваль уходит корнями к языческим временам на Руси и связан с солнцем, водой и огнем. В этот день люди прыгали через костер, который являлся символом праздника. Они также купались в реках и собирали травы, имеющие волшебную силу и защищающие от болезней. Эта давняя традиция до сих пор сохраняется в некоторых местах России.

(Millennium 10. Student’s Book. pp.40-41)

4. Read some information about festivals in Britain and the US. From the Internet find descriptions of some of them.

Many branches of the arts hold festivals each year in towns and cities throughout Britain and the US. Some of the larger festivals last several weeks and include music, drama, art and literature. People travel a long way to hear the top international performers that such festivals attract. Smaller festivals concentrate on one art form, such as poetry. Because the US is so large, most of its festivals are local, although a few famous ones, such as the Monterey Jazz Festival in California, attract people from around the world. Americans most like summer festivals where they can enjoy art, music and food outdoors.

Many festivals try to obtain sponsorship money from local businesses to help cover the costs. In the US events are relatively cheap so the entire family can spend the day out. In Britain, however, tickets may be expensive. This tends to restrict the number and type of people who go to the main festivals, and many festival-goers are middle-aged, middle-class professional people. This in turn can affect the type of music or drama that the organizers put on.

Some festivals, such as the Edinburgh Festival, have been running for many years. A special feature of the Edinburgh Festival is the Fringe. Fringe events are usually avant-garde and attract a wide audience.

Many festivals concentrate on music. In Britain, the Aldeburgh Festival was founded by Benjamin Britten. The most famous British music festival, however, is the Proms, held each summer at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Concerts contain a mixture of old favourites and new, specially commissioned pieces. Classical music is less popular in the US, but several festivals offer a mixture of concerts and classes, e.g. the Aspen Music Festival.

Festivals of rock and pop music are often huge informal open-air events attended by thousands of people, many of whom camp overnight in a nearby field. The biggest rock festivals in Britain include Glastonbury, Reading and the Download festival, Donnington. There are huge numbers of festivals every year across the US for different types of music. These include Rock Fests, for example the one held near Cadott, Wisconsin and the Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Music Festival which celebrates the music (and Cajun food) of Black French and Creole peoples. The Beale Street Music Festival in Memphis and the W C Handy Blues and Barbecue Festival in Henderson, Kentucky, celebrate the blues.

Film festivals are especially popular in the US. The best-known is the Sundance Film Festival in Utah. The Hollywood Film Festival attracts big stars, but America’s mix of people from different races and cultures has led to many smaller events such as the Boston Jewish Film Festival and the Los Angeles Asian-Pacific Film Festival. The main event in Britain is the London Film Festival, run by the BFI (British Film Institute). There is also the Celtic Film and Television Festival, which promotes Celtic languages and cultures and takes place in a different town each year in Cornwall, Ireland, Scotland, Wales or Brittany.

Fewer people generally attend literature festivals, but in the US the annual Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival has become a major event. It includes performances of Williams’s plays and a walking tour of ‘Williams’s New Orleans’. The Dodge Poetry Festival is held every two years in New Jersey. In Britain the town of Hay-on-Wye has a literary festival, and Stratford-upon-Avon has a poetry festival every summer.

In the US the most common festivals are arts, or arts and crafts, festivals. For example, the Utah Arts Festival mixes art with music, theatre and cooking.

(Oxford Guide to British and American Culture. pp.156-157)

5. Read the short extracts below and replace the words in bold with words from the lists.

A handsomely, exhilarating, picturesque, gleaming

The San Fermin is a(n) 1) nice July festival held in Pamplona, Navarra. On the first day young men, 2) well-dressed in 3) bright white with scarlet bandanas and sashes, are chased through the 4) nice medieval streets by fierce bulls.

B blissful, striking, quaint, romantic, gifted, radiant

Marie and Victor’s wedding reception was held at a 1) good seaside restaurant. Marie was in her 2) nice wedding dress and looked 3) good. After the meal the 4) happy newly-weds led their guests in dancing accompanied by a large group of 5) good musicians playing 6) nice waltzes and jazz numbers. Soon everyone was on the dance floor.

C delicious, gorgeously, heartily, fantastic, rousing, huge, bizarre

In my home town, the carnival is celebrated in a 1) nice way. People dress up in 2) strange costumes and pull 3) nicely decorated floats through the streets while bands play 4) nice music and people dance and sing 5) happily. It all ends with a 6) big bonfire, followed by an outdoor feast with 7) nice food.

(Successful Writing. Proficiency. St’s book. p.36)

6. Complete the following sentences with a suitable word or phrase from the box.

best man bride bridesmaids groom hen honeymoon reception registry office stag conduct exchange get hold make propose close-knit commitment extended forge sacred single spouse stigma vows

1. At a wedding, the woman who is to be married is called the ……… and the man is called the ……… .

2. The ……… acts as chief supporter to the man who is about to be married.

3. The woman’ attendants are called ……… . They are often quite young and usually wear special dresses.

4. Some days before the wedding, a man may have a ……… party to mark the end of his life as a bachelor; a woman may have a ……… party.

5. People usually get married in a place of worship or at a ……… .

6. The party after the wedding is called the ……… .

7. After the wedding, the newly-weds usually go on a ……… .

8. My cousin ……… married a few weeks ago.

9. The local vicar ……… the wedding service.

10. in the church, the bride and bridegroom ……… vows.

11. The reception ……… in a large hotel.

12. The bridegroom ……… a speech in which he praised his new bride.

13. Then the best man ……… a toast to the newly married couple.

14. The couple came from a(n) ……… community, where everyone knew each other well.

15. Long ago, marriage often helped to ….. bonds between two dynasties.

16. in former times, parents, grandparents and children lived together in ……… families.

17. Barbara isn’t married; she’s a(n) ……… parent.

18. These days, people often break the ……… they made when they got married.

19. Some young people see marriage as a huge ……… which would prefer to avoid.

20. Many people believe marriage is a(n) ……… institution.

21. in the past, woman often stayed with their ……… because they wished to avoid the ……… of divorce.

(New Proficiency Writing. St’s book. pp.45-46)

7. Put the verbs in brackets in the correct tenses (active or passive).