Episode 105

EPISODE 105
LEVEL A1.2/ A2.1

READING COMPREHENSION 

 

STAGES OF LIFE

Julia West was born on 28th May 1908 in England. She grew up in a small town (= she changed from being a child to being an adult) and there she went to primary and secondary school. When she was 18 years old she moved to London and there she went to university. She studied architecture. During her studies she met Paul. She fell in love with him. After only a few months they got engaged (= she said ‘yes’ when he asked her “will you marry me?’) and when they finished their studies they got married. Julia and Paul had good jobs and earned good salaries so they soon bought a nice house in the suburbs of London. When Julia was 28 years old she got pregnant (= she expected a baby) and nine months later she gave birth to a beautiful girl – Emma (= Emma came out of her body). Julia and Paul had two more children – twin boys – Richard and Gregory. When the boys were born Julia decided to give up her job (= stop working) and look after her children (= take care of the children). She got back to work when Linda was 10 and Richard and Gregory were 8 years old. Julia and Paul lived a calm and happy life in their house in London. When Julia was 62 she retired (= she stopped working because she was too old) and she decided to take care of her four grandchildren. She died at the age of 88.

 

More contexts for the new words: 

• He graduated from Yale University in 1987. (= he completed his studies)
• If I am not promoted within the next two years, I’m going to change jobs. (= be raised to a higher, more important position)

 

EXERCISE 1 

Match the halves:

1. to look
2. to go
3. to fall
4. to get
5. to give
6. to grow

 

1. birth to a child
2. after children
3. up in a small town
4. to university
5. engaged
6. in love

 

EXERCISE 2 

Complete the questions with the correct words:

1. When and where were you b…………………….?
2. Do you think people in Poland e…………… good salaries?
3. What university did you g…………………. from? Did you enjoy your studies?

ENGLISH IN USE  

When we want to talk about what happened in the past we use verbs in the past form.

In English there are regular and irregular verbs:

To make the past form of a regular verb we have to add –ed to the basic form of the verb.

 

LOOK – LOOKED

When the regular verb finishes with e, we add –d only

DIE- DIED
RETIRE – RETIRED

Some verbs in English have irregular past form. Here is a list of examples:

GROW – GREW
GIVE – GAVE
BE – WAS
GET – GOT
BUY – BOUGHT
FALL – FELL
GO – WENT

 

IDIOM CLOSE-UP

She lived in the same village from the cradle to the grave.

If you do something from the cradle to the grave, you do it for all your life.

 

 

PHRASAL VERBS CLOSE-UP

1. When you BRING UP a child, you take care of him/ her until he/ she becomes an adult.

She was brought up by her grandmother.

 

2. When you NAME SB/ STH AFTER SB/ STH, you give someone or something the same name as another person or thing.

Sue was named after her grandmother.

 

EXERCISE 3 

Complete the sentences with correct prepositions:

1. We named our baby ………………….. my aunt.
2. This health plan will cover you ………. the cradle to the grave.
3.  It’s not easy to bring …………. a child properly.

 

NEWS

CHILDREN’S DREAMS

A global survey has asked 6,204 children in 47 countries around the world about their hopes, dreams and fears. It asked ten- to twelve-year-olds six questions about the world and their future. It discovered that education, food and the environment are their biggest worries. The children were asked the question: „If you were president or leader of your country, what would you do to improve the lives of children in your country?” Most said they would focus on education. The children also answered the question „What are you most afraid of?” Over 25 per cent of kids said their greatest fear was dangerous animals and insects. The environment was also a big concern for the children. The report says: „Across the world, nearly half of children said they would plant more trees, build green spaces or decrease littering to help improve the planet.” When it comes to future careers, almost 20 per cent of children want to be a professional athlete when they grow up.

 

  GLOSSARY 

• fear – the feeling when you are afraid
• improve – make something better
• focus on – concentrate on
• concern – a feeling of worry about sth
• nearly – almost
• decrease – reduce sth
• littering – dropping things such as pieces of paper on the ground in public places, making it untidy

 

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