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(Ebook PDF) Life C1 Advanced 2nd Edition Paul Dummett - Ebook PDF All Chapter
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SECOND
EDITION
1
time phrases personality and identity getting to know people linking in word pairs
the continuous aspect wordbuilding: binomial pairs merged words in
word focus: life everyday phrases
Lessons for
life
pages 9-20
2
perfect forms wordbuilding: phrasal verb presenting yourself word stress
passive forms get
idioms: safety
word focus: foot/feet
personal qualities
More than a
job
pages 21-32
VIDEO: Climbing Yosemite page 30 � REVIEW page 32
3
qualifiers describing towns expressing opinions quite, fairly and
intensifying adverbs adverb + adJective pretty
collocations stress in intensifying
word focus: ground adverbs
linking vowel sounds
Design for life (intrusion)
pages 33--44
VIDEO: A story of solutions page 42 � REVIEW page 44
4
future probability wordbuilding: -able making a short pitch weak forms in past
past modals phrasal verb come speaking skill: making key modals
word focus: give points word stress
Innovation
pages 45-56
5
emphatic structures repeated word pairs telling an anecdote do, does and did
avoiding repetition wordbuilding: synonyms speaking skill: linking stress in short
word focus: matter events responses
long sounds
The magic of
travel
pages 57-68
6
phrasal verbs wordbuilding: compound discussing proposals stress in two-syllable
verb patterns words speaking skill: proposing verbs
injuries and conceding a point toning down
idioms: health negative
word focus: face statements
Body matters
pages 69-80
2
-
!..istening Reading Critical thinking Speaking Writing
-:.o speakers talk about an article about the purpose your favourite saying taking notes
'Tlportant lessons in life lessons we learn from situations in your life writing skill: using
a :alk by a sociologist about the past call my bluff abbreviations
understanding what makes an article about
oeople who they are the language of
Shakespeare
:a k about the livelihood of an article about the analysing language more than a job a covering letter or
azakh nomads Moken people of safety features email
- 'l:erview with a firefighter Myanmar your comfort zone writing skill: fixed
an article about rock expressions
climbing in Yosemite
�nption of a photograph an article about two summarizing your home town an opinion essay
-:erv1ew with an architect towns with individual a bit of luxury writing skill: discourse
a:iout small homes characters how spaces affect you markers
an article about the
architect Zaha Hadid
--::s report about bionic an article about the finding counter future solutions a proposal
bee, parts future of bendable arguments how people managed writing skill: making
-:e'V1ew about the technology in the past recommendations
-s:::: 'at1on for inventions an article about a social a social business
entrepreneur
e: -::·act from a talk by a travel a travel biog about evaluating sources how you travel a review
different approaches to a mystery tour writing skill: using
r-a "lterv1ew about holidays travelling knowing places descriptive words
ii..-<nown places an article about travel in
graphic novels
.2csat1on between two an article about different author influence exercise trends a formal report
cs about health and exercise regimes describing an injury writing skill: avoiding
-=-·
-'Se
ew with an ultrarunner
: sports injuries
an article about beauty does beauty sell? repetition
3
Unit Grammar Vocabulary Real life (functions) Pronunciation
passive reporting verbs wordbuilding: verb prefix out making a podcast new words
nominalization idioms: business buzz words speaking skill: hedging
word focus: break language
Digital media
pages 81-92
8
the adverb just themes of songs your favourite music expressions with just
purpose and result idioms: music speaking skill: responding intonation to
word focus: hit to questions express uncertainty
The music in
us
pages 93-104
9
linking words wordbuilding: verb + checking, confirming and silent letters
present and perfect preposition clarifying
participles crime and punishment
word focus: board
Window on
the past
pages 105-116
VIDEO: Collecting the past page 114 II>- REVIEW page 116
10
adverbs and adverbial being a good member of making conversation sentence stress
phrases society speaking skill: showing intonation and
negative adverbials and having fun interest elision
inversion word focus: free
Social living
pages 117-128
VIDEO: Initiation with ants page 126 II>- REVIEW page 128
11
unreal past forms feelings recognizing feelings heteronyms
conditionals and inversion wordbuilding: heteronyms adjectives ending
word focus: beyond in-ed
Reason and
emotion
pages 129-140
VIDEO: Madeline the robot tamer page 138 .,. REVIEW page 140
12
approximation and vague wordbuilding: adverb+ a debate intonation in
language adjective collocations speaking skill: interrupting interruptions
would idioms: adjective collocations
word focus: move
Mother
nature
pages 141-152
VIDEO: Three years and 6,000 miles on a horse page 150 II>- REVIEW page 152
COMMUNICATION ACTIVITIES page 153 .,. GRAMMAR SUMMARY page 156 .,. AUDIOSCRIPTS page 180
4
J Reading
II
Critical thinking Speaking Writing
a study of global facts identifying personal the impact of digital a news report
about selfies opinion media writing skill: cautious
an article about a day at brands language
a hackers' conference attitudes to security
an article about what unanswered questions an important past event describing a past
personal letters reveal a case of fraud event
about our past historical irony writing skill:
a story about hidden sequencing events
treasure
s -:-a radio an article about ant reading between the being a good member a discursive essay
-"' aoout ethnic society lines of society writing skill: referring
---5 an article about the social games to evidence
:::c�: the importance Hadza of Tanzania feeling free
=
-:-c:::igraphing people
.:XU: irrational
understanding
emotions
an article about artificial
mind games
technology and
occupations
writing skill: avoiding
misunderstandings
intelligence in the
future
5
- Unit 1 Arctic wisdom
Unit 8 A biopic
Unit 10 Initiation with ants
Learn about the inspiration behind the
making of the biopic Marley. Find out about an unusual ceremony
in the Amazonian jungle in Brazil.
--
6
Unit 6 The art of parkour Unit 7 Talking dictionaries
_...
Unit 12 Three years and 6,000 miles
on a horse
•
I
\·
7
Unit 1 Lessons for life
YOUR FAVOURITE SAYING SITUATIONS IN YOUR LIFE CALL MY BLUFF GETTING TO KNOW PEOPLE 9
.ife TAKING NOTES
reading lessons in life • grammar time phrases • speaking your favourite saying
who strive for peace lciiow that in the long term they will
have to begin a dialogue with their enemy. Yet few are able
to follow the example set by Mandela, because it requires
such a high degree of unselfishness. It seems that heeding
this warning - not to be selfish - is perhaps the hardest
lesson of all for people to learn.
10
vocabulary and listening personality and identity • wordbuilding binomial pairs •
pronunciation linking in word pairs • grammar the continuous aspect • speaking situations in your life
Vocabulary and listening 3 Look at these factors which can give people information
about you. Which do you think are the most significant?
personality and identity Number them in order (1-8) of importance.
1 Work in pairs. Look at the photo and a your friends e your life experiences
caption. Discuss the questions. b your work f your interests/hobbies
c your age g your background
1 Why is the painter putting his
d your character h your beliefs and values
hands up?
2 What impression of the painter do 4 aJ1l Listen to a sociologist describing how we define ourselves.
you get from his self-portrait? Tick (.1) the factors in Exercise 3 that he mentions. Which is
the most important, according to him?
2 Look at the expressions to describe
people. Answer the questions. 5 IJD Listen to the talk again. Choose the correct option to
complete the sentences.
a control freak a dreamer
a driven person a family person 1 The speaker thinks the question 'What do you do?' can
a free spirit a joker sound aggressive I judgmental as a conversation starter.
the life and soul of the party 2 Sally has been defined by her background because she
an outgoing type didn't grow up in the city I a nonnal family.
3 Sarah has dedicated her life to helping people who are ill I
1 What do you think each expression live in poor countries.
means? 4 The most important thing for John about his work is the
2 Which expressions do you think are challenge I security.
positive, negative or neutral? 5 Jack hasn't been in a relationship since he was 34 I 25.
3 Give an example of someone you 6 Arme wants school children to eat better I more vegetarian
know who fits each description. food.
12
reading the language of Shakespeare • critical thinking purpose • word focus life •
speaking call my bluff
1 c Immortal w·ords
Reading 6 Did the author state her purpose at any point?
In which of these writing types do you think it is
1 Work in pairs. Discuss the questions. important for an author to begin by stating the
reason for writing?
1 Who are the most famous writers in your
country's history? What did they write? • a description • a business report
2 What Shakespeare plays or characters can you • a job application • a personal letter
name? What do you know about them?
7 Do you think the author achieved her purpose?
2 Read the article. According to the author, why are Why? / Why not?
Shakespeare's plays still so popular today?
3 Read the article again and answer the questions. Word focus life
1 What adjective describes what England was 8 Look at the article again. Find words or
like in Shakespeare's time? (para 1) expressions with the word life that mean:
2 What new element did Shakespeare bring to
1 realistic (para 2)
play writing, according to Bloom?
2 for all one's life (para 2)
3 Why does Hamlet find it difficult to make a
3 with a 'big' personality (para 3)
decision?
4 In Romeo and Juliet, what is the nurse's attitude 9 Work in pairs. Look at the expressions with life in
to relationships? bold. Discuss what they mean.
5 Which adverb means that Shakespeare was good
at expressing ideas in just a few words? (para 4) 1 I sold my old Citroen 2CV car last year for
6 What verb tells you that Shakespeare created £300. Now I've just read that they've become
new words and expressions? (para 4) really valuable! That's the story of my life.
2 Work stress is just a fact of life these days -
4 Look at the expressions in italics in paragraph 4. you have to learn to deal with it.
Use them to replace the words in bold below. 3 There were people at the conference from all
walks of life -writers, students, business people.
1 I need a new jacket. This one is past its best.
4 My son was worried about going to university,
2 I'm 24. I have money and a university degree. I
but now he's having the time of his life.
can do anything I want to.
5 Thanks for driving me to the station - it was a
3 He said that one of the shops in town would
real life-saver. I'd have missed my train.
have the right battery, but it turned out to be a
search for something that couldn't be found. 10 Work in groups. Each think of a personal example
4 What the critics say is not significant. What for two of the expressions in Exercises 8 and 9.
matters is whether the public like the film.
5 Everyone says it's an obvious result that Not doing well in exams has been the story of my life!
Johanna will win, but I'm not so certain.
6 There's no point telling her he's no good. You Speaking my life
can't see the faults in the person you love.
7 The teacher got us to play a game to help 11 Work in two groups of three. Play the game Call
people relax at the start. my bluff using words coined by Shakespeare.
8 After six different jobs, I'm with my first Group A: Turn to page 153.
company again. I've arrived back at the
starting point. Group B: Turn to page 154.
• For each word, rewrite the true definition in your
Critical thinking purpose own words, then write two false definitions.
Write example sentences for each definition.
5 Which option(s) (a--d) describes the author's main • Group A reads the three definitions of the first word.
purpose for writing this article? Underline the Group B must guess which is the true definition.
sentences in the article that tell you this. • Group B then reads the definitions of their first
a to review Harold Bloom's book word for Group A to guess the true one.
• Then repeat this procedure with the other words.
b to explain why Shakespeare is popular today
c to examine if Shakespeare's reputation is justified 12 Think of an aspect of your life. Choose a word
d to examine Shakespeare's contribution to related to this, and find the English word. Then
modem-day English play Call my bluff with that word.
14
Unit 1 Lessons for life
YOUR FAVOURITE SAYING !Jo,, SITUATIONS IN YOUR LIFE CALL MY BLUFF GETIING TO KNOW PEOPLE 13
my life TAKING NOTES
Grammar time phrases 7 Co:np:ete the com·ersations with the correct form
oi the ,·erbs. Use the time phrases to help you
� ilME PHRASES decide which form to use.
• J'),. ,j.
YOUR FAVOURITE SAYING SITUATIONS IN YOUR LIFE CALL MY BLUFF GETIING TO KNOW PEOPLE
my life TAKING NOTES
11
The sixteenth-century dramatist Ben Jonson generously
called his rival, Shakespeare, a writer 'not of an age,
Unit 1 Lessons for life
L
I..
,..
real life getting to know people • pronunciation merged words in everyday phrases
-
:ting taking notes 5 Writing skill using abbreviations
. ·ou write notes sometimes on things you read or a Work in pairs. How many different
:o? In what situations do you write notes? What abbreviations can you find in the notes? Try
:..::e ::otes consist of? What do you do with them? to guess what each one means.
=..ook at the notes taken by a student at a university b Compare your answers in Exercise 5a
=:ion day. Then listen to an extract from the talk with another pair. Did you guess the same
rn=1plete the information where the student put??? meanings? Which abbreviations have the
:::· 1 and 2. following meanings?
Shortened words Latin abbreviations
a including e for example
b roughly f that is to say
=;.
<£-:'". -2;,..c.1AHtJ £.ibrn�1 11Lt\i1-1. £.ibrn�1 :r:T c.e.'}'.tre.. May at 3 o'clock. Please can you let me
know approximately how many people from
�;arrie.d t1.bo1At st1AdtJ or stka e.£se.) se.e. st1Ade.'}'.t your department will be attending and if
you need further information. Thanks.
'=-7..t�se.£.£.or. NB l?-1,\C.k crro1Ap V\./,\S 1'1./,\tive. spe./,\)(e.r
:....,...htse.£.£.or.
YOUR FAVOURITE SAYING SITUATIONS IN YOUR LIFE CALL MY BLUFF GETIING TO KNOW PEOPLE 17
--; life ., it·!SIU#IU•il=l-i
1 f Arctic wisdom
CJ Nunavut
Alaska
(USA)
Unit 1 Lessons for life
3efore you watch S [Jl!WJ Watch the second part of the video (2.25
to 3.39) and complete the summary.
..- Look at the photo and the map of where the Inuit
In the past, elders were 1 for the
people live. Discuss with your partner what you
others in the community. Each one was an
:hink this place is like. Talk about: 2
on a particular area, helping the
• Population (many/few, old/young, etc.) community to 3 : on the weather,
• Weather on the environment, on different kinds of
• Communications (transport, internet, 4 . Inuits were happy with the
speaking/writing, etc.) 5 • The woman's mother told her
• Way of life (traditional/modern/changing, daughter that she would see many 6
stressful/relaxed, etc.) but she said, 'Never 7 who you are.'
- Key vocabulary 6 Watch the third part of the video (3.40 to the end)
and answer the questions.
- Read the sentences. The words in bold are used in
1 What has happened to the Iqaluit population in
:.li.e video. Guess the meaning of the words.
recent times?Why?
-
They have asked the government to fund the 2 Name two things the woman mentions when
building of a new community centre. talking about the key to a happy life.
2 The elders of the tribe meet once a week to 3 Why does she have a communication problem
discuss any problems in the community. with the younger generation?
3 He has low self-esteem because as a child 4 What is significant about the number 23?
he was always criticized for not being clever 5 What was the main characteristic of the culture
enough. of the Iqaluit in the past?
' Thank you for all your comments on my essay. 6 What does the narrator say is the key to these
They have been invaluable. people's future?
-
A disproportionate number of the university's
students are from wealthy backgrounds. After you watch
... .\latch the words in bold in Exercise 2a with these
definitions.
7 Vocabulary in context
a extremely useful a I a00 Watch the clips from the video. Complete
o too large or small in comparison to something the collocations. Then discuss your answers.
else
b Complete the sentences in your own words.
c older members of a group
Then compare your sentences with a partner.
d finance, provide the money for
e how good you feel about yourself 1 I always seek advice when ...
2 The last time I experienced a communication
Jh i le you watch barrier was when ...
3 The key to living a happy life is ...
3 I O®] Watch the video and check your ideas
8 Work in pairs. Discuss the questions.
�om Exercise 1. What is your overall impression
of the place? 1 Is the advice and wisdom of elders highly
respected in your society?
- I QilUI Watch the first part of the video (0.00 to 2 Is this as it should be?Why?/ Why not?
2.24) again which features an interview with the
.\1ayor of Iqaluit. Answer the questions. 9 Think of a story that one of your grandparents (or
· an older person in your community) told you and
What has happened to the elders in a short
retell the story to your partner. Do the stories have
time?
a lesson that is still relevant today?Why?/ Why
2 What is important about the elders?
not?
3 What phrase is still relevant and is often used
in Iqaluit?
' How did these people's parents live? infant mortality (n) /'mfant m:i:(r)'trel;:iti/ the number of
children that die before they are two years old
5 How were traditions passed down between nomadic (adj) /n;:iu'mred1k/ with no fixed home, wandering
generations? from place to place
19
UNIT 1 REVIEW AND MEMORY BOOSTER
Grammar Vocabulary
1 Read the article. What is a 'griot'? What lesson did 4 Complete the expressions.
the writer take away from his visit to Timbuktu?
1 a lifel painting
2 Choose the correct options to complete the article. 2 people from all w of life
3 to have the t of your life
4 a lifel passion
5 it's the s of my life
6 just a f of life
5 t>JM:1 Work in pairs. Which of these phrases
best describes these people: your best friend, your
mother, your sister or brother? Give reasons.
20
Unit 2 More than a job
-----��--·
es
.your
nplete
n
�trates
ething
ethen
�
�you.
- :..OOk at the wordbuilding box on page 22. Find the 7 Choose the correct options to complete the text.
=ean
:'::U-asal verb with get (line 20) in the article. Does it
'manage or survive' or 'eat or feed'?
Before 2004, few people in the West 1 heard I had
heard of the Moken people. But since then, their
�k at these other phrasal verbs with get. Try to way of life and their situation 2 have attracted I had
:piestions.
:-..:ess what they mean. attracted a lot of interest. People are amazed, for
!OW than example, that Moken children 3 learn I had learned to
_ Sorry I haven't got round to fixing the tap yet. swim before they can walk, and that they 4 became I
I know you were disappointed not to win, but have become experts at reading the ways of the sea.
you've just got to get over it and move on. This knowledge, which their ancestors 5 acquired I
j I won't be free by 5.30. I have a meeting at have acquired and then 6 passed I have passed down to
5 p.m. and I can't get out of it. them, is now in danger of being lost as more and
-: :-1:e just invents facts and no one contradicts more Moken 7 are forced I had been forced to settle on
rum. I don't know how he gets away with it. the land.
= -:=-hanks for sending me the details. I'll get back
Sadly, this is not the first time that people 8 try I
to you if I have any questions.
change have tried to interfere in the Moken's way of life
'ji, and it probably 9 won't be I won't have been the last.
- ammar perfect forms The Moken 10 just want/ have just wanted to be left
alone. The ones I met 11 were I have been proud of
::>gFECT FORMS their simple way of life. But I suspect in ten or
� perfect simple twenty years' time their situation 12 will change I
-->= -:umber of people who depend on the sea for their will have changed.
--=
= �ood has declined.
'/oken have been constantly pressured by the 8 affl Complete the description. Use the correct
Oi .._-�rities to settle on the land. perfect or non-perfect form of the verbs in
�St � perfect continuous brackets. Then listen and check.
-� have been living off the sea for just as long.
My grandfather was a forestry commissioner,
;!le ::e."iect: simp Ie which meant he 1 (be) responsible
0 - --'= had felt the tsunami coming long before others
for managing forests. I think he 2
......: .::Ed the danger.
(intend) originally to be a biologist, but then he
till = perfect simple 3
(get) a job looking after forests in
- ��:her ten years, these unique people will probably Wales. He 4 (retire) now, but he's
= disappeared from the sea completely
still fascinated by trees and plants. I guess his job
-...:-.:-:; information and practice, see page 158. was a way of life for him because it 5
s are (occupy) all his time and he 6 (spend)
:.ive, so much of his life living in or around forests.
.:1: the grammar box. Which sentence(s) in the Over the years, I 7 (often/ think)
---:a:- box describe(s) an event or action: about working outdoors too, but I don't think I
ents s
e-..::: started in the past and is not finished? (follow) in his footsteps.
-
:s
:..,g c.=: ;,·ill be completed at a point in the future?
1.:::2_: completed but might be repeated or Speaking my life
d c::-::'"':1ued and has a (strong) present connection?
ach - c.u:::?:eted before the main event in the past? 9 Work in groups. Look at these jobs and decide
rade which are a way of life (i.e. much more than a job)
:..-:. ?airs. Discuss the differences in meaning for the people who do them. Give reasons.
;gs,
� the pairs of sentences.
:a Have they chosen to work in an unusual environment?
ated 21 =\·e really enjoyed travelling around Laos. Is this a job that previous generations in their family
- : :-eally enjoyed travelling around Laos.
had done?
owell =··,e only met John once.
:e they : 0:1h- met John once. banker coal miner graphic designer
oth .a • ::e �eeting started when we arrived. IT consultant farmer firefighter
S SQ .::e meeting had started when we arrived. fisherman/woman lorry driver
:x:l a s _::e \·otes will all be counted on the physiotherapist teacher
-:-..'.i.:.usday after the election.
__e . ::e \·otes will all have been counted by the 10 Think of another job (from the past, present or
cities -:-::i-sday after the election. future) that is a way of life. Describe the job and
. ·o one has taught him how to hold his your reasons for adding this job to the list. Is your
ds .:-:ea:h underwater. job or studies a way of life for you?
. ·o one had taught him how to hold his
::--:ea:h underwater.
)I,- MORE THAN A JOB SAFETY FEATURES YOUR COMFORT ZONE PRESENTING YOURSELF 23
A COVERING LEITER OR EMAIL
grammar passive forms • speaking safe�y features
be on catch contain fight light . .. in this job you can't wrap people in cotton wool.
put out set ... to set on start
be become cut do err follow
be on fire: We could see smoke in the distance but we
The first rule of safety is always to 1 things by
couldn't see what was on fire.
the book Don't try to make up your own rules or to
2 Look at the photos and answer the questions. improvise or to 2 comers. You'll find that if you
3
the correct procedure each time, soon it will
1 What kind of fire is shown in the photo on 4 second nature to you -you won't even think
page 25? How does this kind of fire start? about it. If you're in any doubt about how something
How can they be stopped? should be done, always try to 5 on the side of
2 What qualities are needed to be a firefighter? caution. It's better to 6 safe than sorry.
Is it a job you could do?
6 Think of something you regularly do or have done
3 � Listen to an interview with smokejumper, that involves risk. What do/did you do to keep safe..
Kerry Franklin. Are the sentences true (T) or Use idioms from Exercise 5 in your description.
false (F)?
1 Smokejumpers are sent into places that are
difficult to reach.
Grammar passive forms
2 Their job is to evaluate a fire, not to fight it. � PASSIVE FORMS
3 Being a woman in this profession isn't easy. Tenses
4 IJ'.m Listen to the interview again and answer 1 Smokejumpers are firefighters with parachutes who are
dropped into inaccessible areas ...
the questions. 2 Kerry Franklin explained her career choice when she was
1 What are the consequences if a smokejumper interviewed by this programme.
is a) too heavy? b) too light? 3 That's been known to happen.
2 What is Kerry's view of her own personal 4 We get dropped in with tools.
safety? Modal verbs
3 When are smokejumpers sent to fight a fire? 5 If ... there's a strong wind, you might be carried a long way
4 How do they usually try to contain a bad 6 You can get injured when you hit the ground.
fire? Infinitives and gerunds
5 How do you become a smokejumper? 7 This information has to be relayed back to base ...
8 First, the fire needs to be assessed ...
9 The job involves being trained to a certain standard ...
···-·············-·-·----!
For further information and practice, see page 158.
24
1
-
_--"·er the questions.
Unit 2 More than a job
MORE THAN A JOB Jl,, SAFETY FEATURES YOUR COMFORT ZONE PRESENTING YOURSELF 25
my life A COVERING LETTER OR EMAIL
reading climbing Yosemite • critical thinking analysing language • word focus foot/feet •
speaking your comfort zone
26
Unit 2 More than a job
MORE THAN A JOB SAFETY FEATURES � YOUR COMFORT ZONE PRESENTING YOURSELF 27
my life A COVERING LElTER OR EMAIL
vocabulary personal qualities • pronunciation word stress • real life presenting yourself
28 MORE THAN A JOB SAFETY FEATURES YOUR COMFORT ZONE � PRESENTING YOURSELF
� my life A COVERING LEITER OR EMAIL
L.a: 2 .:ore than a job
II
lf 2e A letter of application
·riting a covering letter
::;r email
Dear Mr Fairburn
I am writing in response to your advertisement in last
• �ad the letter of application. Find and Tuesday's Guardian newspaper for a Trainee Marketing
::...,derline the following key elements of Assistant. Please find attached my CV. The job attracted
� co,·ering letter. Then compare answers me because it emphasizes opportunities for people who
• -:th your partner.
are keen to learn and also because of your company's
·
,
the job applied for reputation for innovative and high-quality travel books. I
where and when it was advertised am currently doing some freelance travel writing .
:; the candidate's current situation
· ,vhy the writer is a good candidate As a recent graduate from university, I am well aware
� thanks for reading the letter that I still have much to learn and it is exactly this kind
,, how and when the candidate can be of challenging environment that I am seeking. You
contacted will see from my CV that I am someone who believes
in getting results. My two proudest achievements are
acarefrs ::...ook at the statements about a covering
raising over £15,000 for a local charity and organizing a
careers �'etter. Using the letter as a model, say if
oking highly successful student Arts Week.
:.'ie statements are true (T) or false (F).
Explain your answers. Regarding the requirements you mention:
,g Keep it short. The letter should • I have a degree in Business Studies with a
-uitable basically just refer the reader to specialization in marketing
�and your CV. • I am flexible about where in the south-east I work
2 Show interest in and knowledge of • I have good organizational skills, acquired as head of
the organization you are writing to. the Student Social Committee
3 Just mention your general
suitability for the job. The letter I am available for interview at any time. Thank you for
should not respond to specific taking time to consider this application and please do
alism ... requirements the company has not hesitate to contact me at any time by phone or in
listed. writing if you have questions about any of the above.
4 The letter should give a personal I look forward to hearing from you.
touch to your application.
Yours sincerely
r.tom
Pkiiip Morri.s.se:i
3 Writing skill fixed expressions
Philip Morrissey
The writer follows the conventions
of letter writing by using certain
fixed expressions. Find words and
expressions in the letter with the
following meanings. 4 Write a covering email to a company that you would like to
a I am looking for work for. Make sure you include the key elements mentioned
b I am sending in Exercise 1.
C a good person to consider
5 Exchange letters with your partner. Look at their letter as if
d I am free to come you were the employer. Use these questions to check your
,of
e the thin.gs you say you need partner's letter.
IRan
f I am answering
;:eps: • Is it well organized and does it include all the key elements?
0 £eel free to
0
MORE THAN A JOB SAFETY FEATURES YOUR COMFORT ZONE PRESENTING YOURSELF 29
my life � A COVERING LETTER OR EMAIL
Unit 2 More than a job
Before you watch 5 1 at1m Watch the second part of the video again
(1.04 to the end) and complete the notes about
:.ook at the photo. Write down two words or Jimmy Chin's career. Use one word in each space.
4
=�
name in the office!
8 Yosemite is a special place for him because it
latch the words in bold in Exercise 2a with these helped to his career.
.::efinitions.
3 shrink back in embarrassment
_ work or study task 6 Do you think Jimmy Chin made a good career
� involving great thought and concentration choice? Why?/ vVhy not? How do you think his
d going through something slowly and carefully career will develop?
(often in a certain order)
e move with a large spade
After you watch
1hile you watch 7 Vocabulary in context
31
UNIT 2 REVIEW AND MEMORY BOOSTER
Grammar Vocabulary
1 Complete the article. Use the correct tense and 4 f>i\!11:1 Choose the correct option to complete the
form (active or passive) of the verbs. questions about work. Then discuss the questions
with your partner.
1 What do you consider a reasonable monthly
salary to get along I ln; on?
2 In their careers, have any of your family
followed in their parents' footsteps I shoes?
3 What are the advantages and disadvantages of
being in the teaching trade I profession?
4 In a new work environment, how long does it
take you to find I set your feet?
5 Is getting on I forward in life and moving up th
career ladder important to you?
6 Would you rather do a challenging job or stay
on the safe road I side and do something easy?
What would be your dream job? Tommy Lynch believes 5 t>JM:1 What are these people talking about, do
that he 1 (find) his. Two years you think? Discuss with your partner.
ago, he 2 (employ) as a waiter in a 1 'You need to get over it and move on.'
restaurant, but more recently he 3 2 'Sorry, I haven't got round to it, but I will.'
(travel) around the world testing water slides at holiday 3 'I'd like to get out of it, but I can't.'
resorts. That's because Tommy 4
(give) the job by holiday operator First Choice of helping ICAN
them to include the best water parks in their holiday talk about jobs and careers
brochures. So far, he 5 (test) over use phrasal verbs with get
fifty water slides and pools.
After the company 6 (create) their
own selection of 'Splash Resorts', they soon realized that Real life
they would need the quality of the facilities
(check) regularly. A First Choice 6 Match the questions (1-4) with the beginnings
spokesperson said, 'We knew that to offer the best, we (a-g) of the answers someone might give.
would have to appoint a full-time tester. Tommy 1 So can you tell me a bit about your
s (be) great.' background?
He was chosen from hundreds of applicants and 2 Where do you hope to be in five years' time?
9
(put) straight to work. 3 What are your strengths?
·1 10 (have) the time of my life,' he 4 And your weaknesses?
says, 'but it's hard work. New resorts
11
(add) to the list all the time. a My ambition is to .. .
So I spend a lot of my time travelling and doing b I graduated from ...
paperwork. But if customers have had a great time on c I have a tendency to ...
holiday, then all my work 12 (be) d When it comes to ... , I ...
worthwhile!' e I'm working towards ...
f I'm conscientious ...
g I've recently been ...
2 f>i�1j:1 Work in pairs. Find five passive forms in
the article. Discuss the reason the passive has been 7 f>JefJj:1 Look at these adjectives. Can you think
used in each case. (Refer to the reasons (a-c) in of a job for which each quality is especially
Exercise 10 on page 25, if necessary.) important? Give reasons.
32
R
Unit 3 Design for life
mlete the
"Uestions
onthly
(lt'S?
:1tages of
5 does it
ng up the
, or stay
1g easy?
out, do
i\ill.'
'llngs
YOUR HOME TOWN A BIT OF LUXURY HOW SPACES AFFECT YOU EXPRESSING OPINIONS
my life AN OPINION ESSAY
33
vocabulary describing towns • reading the character of towns • grammar qualifiers •
pronunciation quite, fairly and pretty • speaking and writing your home town
3b Compact liVing
Listening 3 ll:m Read the sentences. Then listen to the
interview again and choose the best option to
1 Work in pairs. Ask and answer the questions. complete the sentences.
1 How many different rooms are there in your home? 1 Jonas Wilfstrand specializes in designing
2 Do any of the rooms have more than one function? compact holiday homes I small homes in genera.'
3 If you had more space, what would you use it for? 2 There's a demand for compact living spac�
because they are cheaper I more practical.
2 � Look at the photos. Then listen to an interview
with an architect who specializes in compact designs. 3 Dolgan homes consist of one room I a shared
Answer the questions.
space and a bedroom.
4 The Dolgan need to move house regularly
1 Where are these two homes? because of the weather I their animals.
l
2 Why is the architect inspired by them? 5 In the ten-square metre cabin in California
there is little room for belongings I domestic
appliances.
6 In Gary Chang's apartment you can move I
remove the walls.
Grammar intensifying
adverbs
4 Look at these adjectives. Match each gradable
adjective (i.e. not with a strong meaning) with
an ungradable adjective (i.e. with a strong
meaning) that expresses a similar idea.
Gradable Ungradable
-
__, ' 1 cold a tiny
2 surprising b stunning
3 important C delighted
4 small d brilliant
5 original e freezing
6 pleased f amazing
7 clever g essential
8 attractive h unique
5 Work with a partner. Take turns to ask
questions using a gradable adjective. The oth
student should answer using the equivalent
ungradable adjective.
A: Is your apartment cold?
B: Yes, it's absolutely freezing.
6 Look at these common spoken phrases. WhiCP
underlined words mean 'very' and which
mean 'completely'?
1 Yes, you're absolutely right.
2 That's really kind of you.
3 Thanks. I'd be very grateful.
4 I'm sorry. It's� out of the question.
5 Yes, I'm quite certain.
6 That's a completely different matter.
36
Unit 3 Design for life
YOUR HOME TOWN liJ, A BIT OF LUXURY HOW SPACES AFFECT YOU EXPRESSING OPINIONS 37
my life AN OPINION ESSAY
reading Zaha Hadid • critical thinking summarizing • word focus ground • speaking how spaces affect you
r
�
7 What is interesting about the inside of the
Evelyn Grace Academy?
8 How does the author conclude that Hadid will Speaking my life
be remembered? 8 Public buildings or spaces can sometimes have
'
bad associations for people. Look at these places
Critical thinking summarizing which people in a survey said they didn't like
being in. How do you feel in each of them? Why?
4 In order to check you have understood the main
points of an article, it is useful to be able to 1 a dentist's surgery
summarize its message or arguments accurately. 2 a lift
To help you summarize this article, underline 3 an airport departure lounge
adjectives or nouns that describe the following: 4 a classroom or lecture hall
5 a large open plan office
• Zaha Hadid's designs
• her character 9 Work in small groups. Choose one of the public
• her buildings spaces in Exercise 8. Discuss how the design of th·
• her position in the world of architecture space could be improved to make people feel mo
• the effect of her buildings on the user comfortable. Think about the following:
5 Compare the words you underlined with your • shape and size of the space
partner. Then together compose a short summary • lighting
of Zaha Hadid's life and her contribution to • arrangement of furniture
architecture. • other additions (music, plants, etc.)
38
ou Unit 3 Design for life
T H E p A p E R
A R C H I T E C T
oold from =or a long time, Iraqi-born Zaha Hadid was known as'the
::ieans. ::cper architect'. That was because very few of her bold
n in bold =."ld daring designs, though frequently praised for their
-.agination and originality, ever left the page to become
-::al buildings. Between 1978, when she graduated, and
Jround, it
998, just four of her 27 projects were actually realized.
-"OWever, following the successful completion of two art
1ess idea ;,:::leries in Cincinnati and Denmark and a commission
, they get -=· BMW in Leipzig in 2005, Hadid's buildings began to
she had designed a building just so that they could stare 40
::.eoear everywhere. Within ten years, she had become
:�e of the most sought-after architects in the world. So and admire its beauty from the outside. 'Architecture;
.:ning she said, 'is not a medium of personal expression for
:...<mg ny did Hadid's architecture take so long to be accepted?
me. It facilitates everyday life: In other words, her aim
-rstly, she was one of the few women in a profession was to create buildings that were not just innovative,
ot of
:: minated by men. Today in Britain less than fifteen per but practical too. The internal space and how people 45
:x;c1t of practising architects are women. A lot more enter interacted with it were the keys for her.
TV, -e profession, but over half leave, either because of slow
on the 2:eer progress or because they become disillusioned For this reason, she was attracted particularly to public
o, projects: for example, the Aquatics Centre for the
:h the conservatism of most British architectural
'Cl work, ::e;ign. But in Hadid's case, this seems to have been a 2012 Olympics and the Evelyn Grace Academy, a large
-otivator. From an early stage, she was determined to secondary school in south London. For the latter, Hadid 50
:::"allenge the establishment with her own new ideas. But designed a building with lots of natural light and dramatic
.ample of angles, so that pupils could view the activity of other
- 11as never going to be an easy fight.
students from different perspectives within the structure.
on the :CCondly, even during her student days, Hadid was Right in the middle of the site, between buildings, she
--:erested in pushing boundaries and in creating placed a 100-metre running track to celebrate the school's 55
iespite =-Jdings that were new and different. She felt that emphasis on sports. The idea of offering the viewer
:· st-century developments in materials science and multiple viewpoints inside a building is a common theme
tew :.:Jinputer modelling tools provided an opportunity in Hadid's work. Internal spaces interconnect cleverly so
- experiment with more complex curved forms than that the visitor is surprised and charmed at every turn.
�chitects had attempted in the past. She would initially
;:.•.etch out her ideas in the form of an artist's drawing. Zaha Hadid died of a heart attack in 2016 aged 65, leaving 60
� as with anyone who tries to break new ground, it behind a groundbreaking body of work. She remained
ras not easy to convince people to follow - to believe all her life something of an outsider; or, if not completely
rtave outside, then on the edges of the architectural
at these sketches could be translated into functional
olaces establishment. Yet her impact on architecture was
!wllctures. However, once people began to see the results
like enormous: it will never be the same again. 65
- n buildings such as the Guangzhou Opera House in
t? Why?
:_,ina and the MAXXI art museum in Rome - they began
-ot only to believe, but also to start shouting her name.
,e idea of the architect as an artist was something Hadid
-erself rejected. She did not want people to think that
)Ublic
gn of this
feel more
\.
YOUR HOME TOWN A BIT OF LUXURY 111'- HOW SPACES AFFECT YOU EXPRESSING OPINIONS 39
my life AN OPINION ESSAY
real life expressing opinions • pronunciation linking vowel sounds (intrusion)
3d A lot to recommend it
Real life expressing opinions
1 Work in pairs. Think about a public work
of art in your town or area. Describe it to
your partner, saying what you like or dislike
about it.
2 Look at the photo and the caption and
discuss the questions.
1 Do you like these public works of art?
Why? / Why not?
2 What benefits do you think they might
bring to the city (for both locals and
visitors)?
3 � Listen to two people discussing a
proposal for a public work of art in a city.
6 Look at the expressions for expressing opinions. Say
Answer the questions.
which expressions are used to agree, disagree politel1�
1 What piece of work is being proposed? disagree or give an opinion.
2 Are the speakers in favour of or against it?
... EXPRESSING OPINIONS
4 Work in pairs. Read the short text below.
I think ... / I reckon ...
Then discuss which way of expressing I have to say, ...
opinions you most commonly encounter. Personally, I .. .
How much does this depend on the person For me, .../ If you ask me, ...
you are talking to? It seems a bit ... to me.
It's pretty obvious that ... / It's fairly clear that ...
Different people express their opinions I'm (all) in favour of ...
in different ways. Some people disagree I'm against ...
briefly and bluntly, e.g. 'I don't agree,' I agree completely. I Absolutely.
or 'That's not correct.' Others disagree I disagree./ I don't agree.
openly but politely, e.g. 'I'm afraid I don't I don't think you should underestimate ...
share your opinion.' In some cultures, it is I can see that, but ...
considered rude to disagree openly and I'm not (entirely) convinced that ...
people express disagreement by keeping
silent or even by saying the opposite, e.g.
'Yes, I agree.' 7 Pronunciation linking vowel sounds (intrusion
a � Listen to these phrases. Which consonant soun ·
5 � Listen to the discussion again. (/w/ or /j/) are used to link the vowel sounds in each o
Complete the arguments that each speaker these sentences (1-6)?
gives in favour of or against the idea. 1 Have you seen the�artwork?
1 Speaker A: I think it's 2 It's more likely to�attract people.
3 If you�ask me, ...
2 Speaker B: Personally; I'd rather have 4 I disagree�about the cost of it.
something 5 Cexpect you're right.
3 Speaker B: I'm also not convinced that it 6 I'm not so�interested in architecture.
will b Work in pairs. Practise saying the sentences in Exercis
4 Speaker A: I reckon people ... will really 7a, linking the vowel sounds with /w/ and /j/.
like the fact that it
8 Work in pairs or small groups. Look at the two
5 Speaker B: I'm all in favour of something proposals for a public work of art on page 154. Ask
that's relevant ... , but I'm afraid it just each other for your opinion of each proposal. Use
seems expressions to agree or disagree.
6 Speaker A: Well, for me, it's very important
What do you think of the LED screen idea?
that it's
Personally, I think . . .
40 YOUR HOME TOWN A BIT OF LUXURY HOW SPACES AFFECT YOU IJ,- EXPRESSING OPINIONS
my life AN OPINION ESSAY
· .g an opinion essay • writing skill discourse markers Unit 3 Design for life
II
3e Old and new
·riting an opinion essay
Should we allow modern
:..OOk at the photo of two buildings. Do these two buildings to be built next to
::uildings go well together? Why? / Why not? older buildings in a historic
area of a city?
Read the essay question and the essay. Answer the
01estions. In order to answer this question
• properly, first we need to ask
What is the writer's opinion?
.., whether people actually want to
What arguments does he give to support this?
3 What points against his own argument does he preserve the historic character of
mention? an area. Not all historic buildings
are attractive, but they may
:..OOk at the four key elements of an opinion essay. contribute to an overall feeling
fmd each element in the essay. What is the correct that makes the area attractive to
::-der? people. What should we do then if
a new building is needed?
a deal with opposing arguments
:is.Say :> give your opinion and present the arguments In my view. modern architecture
� politely, supporting it can fit perfectly well with buildings
� make your conclusion from another period. Indeed, there
ci analyse the question and set out your starting are many examples in my own
point home town of Tours where radical modern designs
sit comfortably next to old buildings. As long as the
Writing skill discourse markers new building is pleasing and does not dominate
its surroundings too much, it should enhance the
2. The writer uses certain phrases to present his attractiveness of the area. Having said that, there
:deas. Look at the underlined discourse markers must also be a limit to the number of new buildings
:n the essay and match the discourse markers with if people want to preserve the area's historic feel.
the function (1-5). Admittedly. there are examples of modern buildings
1 introduce an opinion (1 adverbial phrase, 2 which have spoilt an area, but this is not an argument
verb phrases) against putting new buildings among historic
2 qualify or make a concession to an opinion or ones in principle. I suspect that the main reason
argument (2 adverbial phrases) for objections to such buildings is that people are
3 reinforce a point or argument (2 adverbial conservative: in other words, they do not like change.
phrases) In conclusion, I believe that while we must respect
-l: express the same point in another way (1 the views of others, it is the duty of architects and
:trusion) phrase) planners to move things forward. After all, if we only
5 sum up the argument (1 adverbial phrase) reproduced what was there before, we would all still
�t sounds be living in caves.
:1 each of D Complete this text. Use discourse markers from
Exercise 4a.
, modem buildings that S Write an opinion essay about this question (200-
try to imitate older architectural styles do not 250 words).
work. 2 , they sometimes
Should we create more socially mixed residential areas,
look worse than an unimaginative modern where rich people live next to poorer people, instead of
design. Despite this, some architects and in separate communities?
planners insist on building in a 'traditional'
style. 3 , their intentions are 6 Exchange essays with your partner. Use these
'. Exercise good: they do not want to spoil the overall look questions to check your essays.
of an area, but 4 they are • Is their opinion clear and have they presented
mistaken. It would be much better if architects
[} both sides of the argument?
�Ask and planners considered a range of new designs. • Have they followed the structure suggested in
, they need to be more
5
L"se Exercise 3?
adventurous. • Have they used discourse markers correctly to
present the ideas?
YOUR HOME TOWN A BIT OF LUXURY HOW SPACES AFFECT YOU EXPRESSING OPINIONS 41
my life AN OPINION ESSAY
3f A story of s·olutions
I
•
43
UNI r 3 l{hV lbW ANO MEMORY BOOSTER
Grammar Vocabulary
1 Look at the photo. What do you think this building 4 Complete the phrases. Then put the phrases into
is for? Read the text and check your ideas. three categories: a feature of a house, a feature of
town and an adverb+ adjective collocation.
2 Choose the correct options to complete the text .
1 a two-b flat
2 b ly disappointed
3 ab wall
4 ab -up area
5 as ing suburb
6 a ten-s block of flats
7 an en-s bathroom
8 w ly optimistic
9 aw -in wardrobe
5 Which of these adjectives would you use to
describe these places from Unit 3?
ICAN ICAN
use adverbs to modify or intensify meaning express my opinions
agree and disagree politely
44
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woman left in the position of a widow, year after year, by her uncongenial
husband—and an intellectual, accomplished man, left alone in the prime of
life, to whom in kindness she had opened her doors. Some people had
shaken their heads, but everybody allowed that there was but one end to
such an intimacy. And it was very seldom that anything so convenient
happened in the world as the death of the husband so absolutely in the nick
of time. Of course what would happen now was clear to the meanest
apprehension. Probably being, as they were, excellent people both, and full
of good feeling, they would wait the full year and show ‘every respect’ to
the dead man who had been so considerate of them; but that, at that or an
earlier period, Mrs. Meredith would become Mrs. Beresford, was a thing
that everyone felt convinced of, as sure as if it had already taken place.
It would be difficult to tell how this general conviction forced itself upon
James Beresford’s mind. The efforts which had to be made to send him
away awoke him to a startled sense that his intimacy with his neighbour
was regarded by his friends under a strange and uncomfortable light; and he
had yielded to their efforts with no small agitation on his own part, and a
sense of pain and desolation which made him ask himself whether they
were right. Probably had he gone away, and Mrs. Meredith been forcibly
separated from him, an unlawful object of affection, he would have ended
by believing that they were right, and that the consolation and comfort and
pleasures of his intercourse with her had grown into ‘a warmer feeling.’ But
now that Mr. Meredith was well out of the way, and even the excitement
attending his end over, he was by no means so clear in his mind, and the
subject became one of great trouble and complication. Somehow it seems
always possible, always within the modesties of nature even to the least
vain of men, or women, that some other, any other, may regard him (or her)
with a specially favourable eye. No one does wrong in loving us, nor are we
disposed to blame them for it. So that there was perhaps a time in which Mr.
Beresford took his friends’ opinion for granted, and was not unprepared to
believe that perhaps Mrs. Meredith would be happy in being his wife; and
that, in his state of mind, was a final argument against which nothing could
be said. But lately he had begun to doubt this; his coming did not clear
away the clouds that had invaded her brows. She would strike into sudden
talk about Edward and his going away, when her friend with much delicacy
and anxiety was endeavouring to sound her feelings. She seemed
unconscious of his investigation—her mind was pre-occupied. Sometimes,
on the other hand, she would betray a certain uneasiness, and change the
subject in a way that betrayed her consciousness; but that was only when
her mind was quite free. From the time when she began to have a grievance,
an anxiety of her own, she escaped from the most cautious wiles of his
scrutiny. She was more occupied by thoughts of her son than by thoughts of
him. Was this consistent with love? Poor James Beresford, feeling that this
would decide him in a moment could he know, one way or another, what
her feelings were, was thus thrown out and forced to fall back upon his
own.
And what were his own?—A maze of conflicting ideas, wishes,
prejudices, and traditions of old affection. There was nothing in the world
he would not have given up cheerfully rather than lose this sweet friend—
this consoler and sympathiser in all his troubles. But he did not want her to
be his wife. His Annie, it might be, had faded into a distant shadow; but that
shadow represented to him a whole world past and over—the world of love
and active, brilliant, joyous happiness. His nature, too, had fallen into the
shadows—he did not want that kind of happiness now; one passion had
been enough for him; he wanted a friend, and that he had—he did not want
anything more. And the idea of disturbing all the unity of his life by a
second beginning gave him a smart shock. Can a man have more wives than
one?—Can he have more lives than one?—He was a fanciful man, of
fastidious mind, and with many niceties of feeling such as ruder minds
called fantastic. He shrank from the thought of banishing from his house
even the shadow and name of her who was gone. To be sure if he could
make up his mind that she wished it, all these resolutions would have gone
to the winds; and it is very likely that he would have been very happy—
happier than he could ever be otherwise. But then he could not make her
feelings out. Would she go visibly away from him, even while he was
sitting by her, into her troubles about Edward—eyes and heart alike
growing blank to him, and full of her boy—if she had given to him a place
above her boys in her affections? Surely no. I would not even assert that
there was not the slightest possible suspicion of pique in this conclusion, for
the man would have been flattered to know that the woman loved him, even
though he was conscious that he did not so regard her. But ‘the warmer
feeling’ of which all their friends were so sure, of which everybody
concluded that it had grown unconsciously en tout bien et tout honneur out
of that friendship which the world holds to be impossible between man and
woman—was just the one thing about which the principal person concerned
could have no certainty at all. He knew what the friendship was—it was
almost life to him; it was his strongest support—his best consolation; it was
the only thing that could make a second, a kind of serious sweet successor,
to the love that was never to come again; but it was not that love—certainly
not in his heart—so far as he could make out, not in hers either; but who
could tell? Weak man! he would rather have preferred that she should have
felt differently, and that it should have been his duty to marry for her sake.
His life had settled down into all its old lines since Mr. Meredith’s death.
He had his business about the societies—his meetings—his lectures to
arrange—sometimes his articles to write. Now and then he dined out in the
best and most learned of company. He was pointed out to the ignorant when
he went into society as a distinguished person. He was in the front of the
age, knowing a great deal more than most people knew, doing things that
few people could do. His mornings were spent in these refined and
dignified occupations; and when he dined out with his remarkable friends,
or when he dined at home with only his silent little girl to keep him
company, as regularly as the clock struck he knocked at the next door, and
had his hour of gentle talk, of mutual confidence. They knew all about each
other, these two; each could understand all the allusions the other made—all
the surrounding incidents in the other’s life. They talked as man and wife
do, yet with a little element of unconvention, of independence, of freshness
in the intercourse, which made it more piquant than that between man and
wife. What could be more agreeable, more desirable, more pleasant? But to
break off all this delightful ease of intercourse by some kind of antiquary
courtship, by the fuss of marriage, by fictitious honeymooning, and
disturbance of all their formed and regular habits of life,—what nonsense it
would be—and all for the sake of their friends, not of themselves! But if she
should wish it, of course that would give altogether another character to the
affair.
This was what Mr. Beresford at last made up his mind to ascertain boldly
one way or another. It was about the same time as Oswald, approaching the
railway junction, was turning over his dilemma and seeing no way out of it.
Mr. Beresford had been hearing a lecture, and was in a chastened state of
mind. He had been hearing about the convulsions of the early world, and by
what means the red-hot earth cooled down and settled itself, after all
manner of heavings and boilings, into something of the aspect it wears. As
he walked home he dwelt upon the wonderful grandeur of such phenomena.
What did it matter, after all, what happened to a few small insignificant
persons on the crust which had formed over all these convulsions? What of
their little weepings and lovings and momentary struggles, to one who
could study such big and mighty strainings of force against force? A little
while at the most, and the creatures who made so much fuss about their
feelings would be a handful of dust; but volcanic action would go on for
ever. Notwithstanding this philosophy, however, it must be allowed that,
whereas he had heard of these convulsions with the calmest bosom, his
heart began to beat as he approached Mrs. Meredith’s door. If the moon had
tumbled out of the sky, or a boiling caldron suddenly revealed itself in the
earth, so long as it was at a safe distance, even Mr. Beresford, who was so
fond of science, would not have cared a tenth part so much about it as he
did to know what his neighbour meant; which was inconsistent, but natural
perhaps. The philosophy went out of his head as he approached the door.
Little fusses of loving and of liking—momentary cross-lights, or, let us say,
flickering farthing candles of human sentiment—what are they to the big
forces that move the world? Is not a bit of chalk more interesting than all
your revolutions and changes?—your petty sufferings, passions, heroisms,
and the like? Mr. Beresford thought he believed all that—yet, heaven
above! how calm he was when the chalk was under consideration, and how
much perturbed when he went up the steps of the house next door!
‘You have been out to-night?’
‘Yes, I have been hearing Robinson—a remarkably interested, intelligent
audience. Where are the boys? Edward should come—it would interest
him.’
‘Edward is always at work. He is killing himself for this examination. I
wish he could be interested in something less serious. Oswald has been
away all day. I think he said he was going to the country. If we could only
mix them up a little,’ said the mother, with an anxious smile—‘to one a
little more gravity, to the other a little more of his brother’s light-
heartedness.’
Mr. Beresford did not say anything about the superior interest of
volcanic action, as he might, nay, perhaps ought, to have done. He said
instead, in the feeblest way, ‘That will come as they get older. You must
give them time.’
Mrs. Meredith did not say anything. She shook her head, but the faint
smile on her face remained. There was nothing tragical yet about either one
or the other. Mr. Beresford was less calm than usual. He sat down and got
up again; he took up books and threw them away; he fidgeted about the
room from one point to another. At last even Mrs. Meredith’s composure
gave way. She jumped to one of those sudden conclusions which foolish
women who are mothers are so apt to think of. It suddenly rushed upon her
mind that some accident had happened to Oswald, and that Mr. Beresford
had been sent to her to break the news.
‘You are put out,’ she said; ‘something has happened. Oh, tell me—
something about the boys? Oswald!’
‘Nothing of the sort,’ he said. ‘Don’t think it for a moment! The boys are
perfectly well, I hope. I was going to ask you an odd sort of question,
though,’ he added, with an awkward smile, rushing into the middle of the
subject. ‘Did it never occur to you that you would be the better for having
someone to help you with the boys?’
Now, there could not have been a more foolish question—for until a very
short time back the boys’ father had been in existence—and since then,
there had been no time for the widow to take any such step. She looked at
him with much surprise. ‘Someone to help me? Whom could I have to help
me? Their poor dear father was too far away!’
‘Ah! I forgot their father,’ said Mr. Beresford, with naïve innocence, and
then there was a pause. He did not know how to begin again after that very
evident downfall. ‘I mean, however, as a general question,’ he added, ‘what
do you think? Should you approve of a woman in your own position—
marrying, for instance—for her children’s sake?’
‘That is a curious question,’ she said, with a little laugh; but the surprise
brought the colour into her face. ‘I suppose it would depend on the woman.
But I don’t know,’ she added, after a moment, ‘how a woman could put her
children into any stranger’s—any other man’s hands.’
‘Ah, a stranger! perhaps I did not mean a stranger.’
‘I don’t think you know what you meant,’ she said, with a smile; but
there was some terror in her eyes. She thought she knew what was coming.
She was like him in her own sentiments, and still more like him in her
speculations about himself. She had been brought to believe that he loved
and wanted to marry her. And, if it could not be otherwise, she felt that she
must consent; but she did not wish it any more than he did. However, while
he thought the best policy was to find out what ought to be done at once,
she was all for putting off, avoiding the consideration, trusting in something
that might turn up. Mr. Beresford, however, had wound himself up to this
interview, and was not to be put off.
‘Between people of our sober years such questions may be discussed—
may they not?’ he said. ‘I wonder what you think really? There is nothing I
so much wish to know—not the conventional things that everybody says—
but what you think. You have been my other conscience for so long,’ he
added, jesuitically, in order to conceal the cunning with which he was
approaching the subject—asking for her opinion without specifying the
subject on which he wanted it.
But she saw through him, with a little amusement at the artifice
employed. He wanted to know what she thought without asking her.
Fortunately, the being asked was the thing she wanted to avoid. But, just
when they had got to this critical point, Edward came upstairs. He was not
friendly, as he had been to his mother’s friend; he came in with the gloom
upon his face, and a look of weariness. Mr. Beresford heard the door open
with great impatience of the newcomer, whoever it might be. Nothing could
be more inopportune. He wished Edward in Calcutta or wherever else it
might be best for him to be on the other side of the seas. But, as for Mrs.
Meredith, her attention fled on the moment to her boy. She forgot her friend
and his questioning, and even the delicate position which she had realised,
and the gravity of the relations which might ensue. All this went out of her
mind in comparison with Edward’s fatigued look. She got up and went to
him, putting her hand very tenderly upon his shoulder.
‘You have been working too long, dear. Oh, Edward, don’t be so anxious
to get away from me! You are working as if this was your dearest wish in
the world.’
‘So it is,’ he said; ‘not to leave you, mother; but to feel that I am doing
something, not merely learning or enjoying myself.’
‘Edward is quite right,’ said Mr. Beresford. ‘It is by far the most worthy
feeling for a young man.’
But Edward did not take this friendly support in a good spirit; he darted
a half-savage glance at his backer-up.
‘Oh, if you take it in that light, that is not what I meant,’ he said. ‘I am
not of that noble strain. It is not pure disinterestedness. I think it is a pity
only to lose one’s advantages, and I should have some advantages of
connection and that sort of thing. At least, I suppose so; and it is what is
called a fine career.’
‘Yes, it is a fine career.’
‘If it is fine to separate yourself from all you care for in the world,’ cried
Mrs. Meredith, ‘from all who care for you—not only must we be left
behind, but when you have got beyond me, when you have a family of your
own——’
‘Which I never shall have, mother.’
‘Nonsense! boys and girls say so, and end just like others; even your
own, your very own must be taken from you. You must give up everything
—and you call that a fine career.’
‘Men do, if women don’t,’ said the young man, not looking at her. His
heart was so wrung and sore that he could not keep the gloom off his face.
‘And you don’t care what women think? You might have put off that
lesson till you were a little older. At your age what your mother thinks
should surely be something to you still.’
He gave her a look which was full of pain. Was that what he was
thinking? Was he sure to care little for what women thought? ‘You know
better, mother,’ he said harshly. He was all rubbed the wrong way—
thwarted, wearied, unhappy. ‘I only came for a book,’ he continued, after a
moment, picking up the first one he got hold of, and then, with a little nod
to the visitor, went upstairs again. What did that visitor want here? Why did
he leave his own house, and Cara alone—poor Cara!—whom nobody loved
as Edward did? It would be a great deal better for Mr. Beresford if he would
stay at home. After this little episode Edward sat down stubborn and
unyielding to his work again. What did it matter if a man was happy or
unhappy? He had his day’s work to get through all the same.
‘Don’t think him harsh. I am afraid my boy is not quite happy,’ said Mrs.
Meredith, with tears in her eyes.
‘That is nothing,’ he said. ‘I am not a friend of yesterday; but he came in
when we were talking——’
‘Ah, yes,’ she said, but her eyes were still full of Edward; ‘what was it
we were talking about?’
‘I am afraid if you say that, it is sufficient answer to my question,’ said
Mr. Beresford, more wounded than he could have supposed possible; for he
wanted to be first with her, though he did not wish it in the vulgar way that
was supposed.
‘You are not to be angry,’ she said, with a deprecating look, laying her
hand softly on his arm; ‘you must not be hard upon me. When they are boys
we wish them to be men, but anxiety grows with their growth; and now I
think sometimes I should be glad to have them boys again.’
‘Boys, boys!’ he exclaimed, with natural impatience, ‘is that all you
think of? Yet there are other interests in the world.’
‘How selfish I am!’ she cried, rousing herself suddenly. ‘That is true.
You must forgive me; but I am so used to talk to you of everything,
whatever is in my heart.’
This melted him once more. ‘Yes,’ he said, ‘we talk to each other of
everything; we have no secrets between us. There is nothing in the world I
would not do for you, nor you, I think, for me. Do you know what people
are thinking about you and me? They think that being so near we should be
nearer; that we might help one another better. That was what I wanted to
ask you. Don’t you think it is so?’
He wanted her to commit herself first, and she was willing enough that
he should commit himself, but not that she should. She was embarrassed,
yet she met his eyes with a half smile.
‘I think it is not a case for heeding what people think. Are we not very
well as we are? How could we be better than as fast friends—friends
through fire and water?’
‘That we should always be,’ he said, grasping her hand, ‘that we should
always be; and yet without becoming less we might be more. Speak to me
frankly, dear; you know all my heart. Do not you think so too?’
CHAPTER XLII.
A GREAT REVOLUTION.
A rumour had spread in the little hamlet which had gathered about the
junction, of some travellers who had missed their train. The faintest rumour
echoes a long way in the quiet of the country, and as the village was chiefly
formed of the cottages of railway labourers and porters, it was natural that
this kind of report should travel more swiftly than anything else. Oswald
and his companion walked down the still road in the soft dusk like two
ghosts. In the mind of Agnes nothing less than despair was supreme. What
was to become of her? Shame, disgrace, destruction, the loss of all things.
How could she dare to face the wondering women in the House? Sister
Mary Jane might understand her, but who else? And what comments there
would be, and what talk! And home—how could she go home? To spend a
night at an inn at all was something entirely strange to Agnes. But thus—all
alone, and with a gentleman; one who was not related to her, of whom she
could give no account or befitting explanation! A wild fancy seized her of
flying from him, disappearing into some corner behind a high hedge, some
nook under the trees. But this was as futile as everything else, and might be
worse than anything else. She had the bondage of custom before her, though
she had put herself into a position in which all her familiar habits were
thrown to the winds. And yet going to the inn with Oswald was about as
bad as spending a night in direful desolation in the dark corner of a field.
The one was not much better than the other! If she could have got away at
once, it was the field she would have chosen. She could have crept into a
corner in the dark, and there waited, though she might have been frightened,
till the morning broke and there was an early train. Had she but done that at
once, stolen away before he could see what she was doing! But she could
not disappear from his side now, at the risk of being pursued and argued
with and entreated and brought back. So, with her mind in a blank of
despair, not knowing what to think, she walked close by his side between
the hedgerows through the soft darkness. Oh, what a punishment was this
for the indiscretion of the day! It was indiscretion, perhaps, but surely the