Student’s Book Answer Key

2 In so many words

Starter
2
1 a biography (America’s Queen: The Life of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis by Sarah Bradford)
2 a children’s book (James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl)
3 a classic romantic novel (Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen)
4 a psychological thriller (The Almost Moon by Alice Sebold)
5 a historical novel (The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory)
6 a modern ‘chick-lit’ romance (Jemima J by Jane Green)

3
1 The birth had been scheduled to take place in a New York hospital but Jackie,
characteristically, chose to make her first appearance on a hot Sunday at the height of the
summer season in the newly fashionable Hamptons.
2 There were always plenty of other children for him to play with, and there was the sandy
beach for him to run about on, and the ocean to paddle in.
3 However little known the feelings or views of such a man may be on his first entering a
neighbourhood, this truth is so well fixed in the minds of the surrounding families, that he is
considered the rightful property of some one or other of their daughters.
4 She had been beautiful when my father met her and still capable of love when I became their
late-in-life child, but by the time she gazed up at me that day, none of this mattered.
5 I had been at this court for more than a year and attended hundreds of festivities, but never
one like this.
6 Half an hour to go of my lunch break. Half an hour in which to drool over the latest edition
of my favourite magazine.

Reading and listening

Pygmalion

1 George Bernard Shaw – The correct facts

George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) was an Anglo-Irish playwright. He won the Nobel Prize
for Literature in 1925. Shaw’s instincts were to refuse this honour, but his wife persuaded him
to accept it as a tribute to Ireland. He also won a Hollywood Oscar in 1939 for the film
version of his play Pygmalion. He is the only writer to win both awards. He wrote over 60
plays, but Pygmalion is probably his most famous work because, in 1956, after his death, it
was adapted into the highly successful musical for stage and screen, My Fair Lady. He died,
aged 94, after falling off a ladder.

2
Professor Higgins – a professor of phonology
Colonel Pickering – a language expert
Mrs Pearce – a housekeeper
Eliza Doolittle – a flower seller
Higgins was interested in the features of her Cockney accent. A Cockney describes a person
who comes from London’s East End – traditionally, someone born within the sound of the Bow

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Bells of St Mary-le-Bow in Cheapside. Cockneys typically speak a dialect of English, the

pronunciation, grammar and vocabulary of which differs from standard English.

3
1 Because he could pronounce 130 vowel sounds.
2 Because she thought that Higgins might have an interest in studying her dialect.
3 Her accent.
4 Because he wants to record her speaking voice.
5 Because she has got money to pay for her lessons.
6 She knows how much a friend pays for French lessons, and she assumes Higgins would
charge less to teach English.
7 Higgins is planning to pass Eliza off as a high-society lady.
8 (suggested answers)
Higgins: arrogant, self-satisfied, condescending, articulate, bullying, cocky, heartless,
haughty, insensitive
Eliza: underprivileged, naive, straightforward
Both: self-confident
Neither: humble, apprehensive, compassionate

4
Higgins is arrogant, condescending, and quite rude to Eliza. Colonel Pickering is much more
considerate and compassionate.

6
1 Freddy.
2 The weather and her family.
3 Because of her ‘lower social standing’ and poverty, it is presumed that she will be forced to
walk, not pay for a taxi.

7
Possible answer
My aunt died of influenza: so they said. But it’s my belief they killed the old woman. God
forgive you! Why should she die of influenza? She recovered all right from diphtheria the
previous year. It caused her skin to turn completely blue. They all thought she was dead; but
my father kept giving her gin until she came round suddenly and bit the end of the spoon off.
Why would a woman who was so strong die of influenza? What became of her straw hat that
was intended to be passed on to me? Someone stole it; and my opinion is that whoever stole it
also killed her. The people she lived with would have killed her for the price of a small item
like a hat-pin, never mind a hat. Hey! What are you laughing at?

Vocabulary – Phrasal verbs

1 taken in
2 go over
3 jotted down
4 come (came) through
5 came to
6 done (did) her (the old woman) in

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Language focus
Adverbs and adjectives

1 Adverb collocations
1 Poor Eliza was shabbily dressed in a tatty old coat and hat.
2 The return of the actor Daniel Craig to the London stage is eagerly awaited.
3 She was bitterly disappointed when she didn’t get the part.
4 I work with a highly-motivated sales team. We all work hard.
5 It’s virtually impossible to get seats for the match with Chelsea.
6 I desperately need a holiday. I haven’t had a break for three years.
7 Bad weather has severely affected the roads this weekend. Driving conditions are
treacherous.
8 Don’t you get it? It’s blindingly obvious that he’s in love with you.
9 I hate this cold climate. I’m sorely tempted to emigrate.
10 I distinctly remember telling you not to phone me after ten o’clock.
11 Two people survived the crash with serious injuries, but unfortunately one man was fatally
injured.
12 I’ve made my views on the subject of politicians perfectly clear. I don’t trust any of them.

2
Possible answers
Josie cares passionately about what happens in the poorest countries.
Nick worked conscientiously because his exams were approaching in two months’ time.
I think Sam broke that vase deliberately.
It was love at first sight – they gazed longingly into each other’s eyes.
Jenny apologized profusely for tearing Ella’s dress when she borrowed it.

3
1 We all worked extremely hard. (with a lot of effort)
Some countries can hardly feed their own people. (almost not)
2 Chelsea won the match easily. (with no difficulty)
Relax! Take it easy! (in a relaxed way)
3 I hate it when people arrive late. (not on time)
What have you been doing lately? (recently)
4 ‘Can you lend me some money?’ ‘Sure.’ (of course)
Surely you can see that your plan just wouldn’t work? (tell me I’m right)
5 He was wrongly accused of being a spy. (incorrectly)
At first everything was great, but then it all went wrong. (badly)
6 What do you like most about him? (more than anything else)
She worked wherever she could, mostly as a waitress. (principally)
7 She has travelled widely in Europe and the Far East. (extensively)
When I got to their house, the door was wide open. (completely)

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Subjective Size Age Colour Shape Origin Material Compound Noun

evaluation
arrogant middle- English professor
aged
imposing four- Victorian terraced house
storey
beautiful antique Swiss gold watch
huge white L- living room
shaped

5 Adjective order
1 A You must have some breakfast. You’ll be starving by lunchtime.
B I have had breakfast! I had some delicious, brown, wholemeal bread with honey.
2 A There’s been a break-in at the National Gallery.
B Did they get much?
A I don’t think so. It just says here, ‘Thieves stole a priceless, 19th-century, Impressionist
painting’ – but it doesn’t say which one.
3 A Whoah! Did you see what happened to Camilla?
B No, I didn’t. What happened to dear Camilla?
A Well, she was wearing some divine, white, cropped, designer jeans and the waiter spilled
red wine all over them. She was absolutely livid!
B I bet.
4 A Don’t you think it’s time we got a new car? This one’s clapped out.
B Listen! I like my little, old, second-hand Mini and it’s not clapped out – yet!
5 A You look wet and cold.
B Well, we went on an exhausting, six-mile, coastal walk in the rain. Worth it, though – the
views were stunning.
A Hmm! My idea of hell.
6 A How come you turned him down?
B Where do I begin? First off – he smokes revolting, fat, smelly, Havana cigars. Need I say
more?
7 A I’ve never heard of Philippa Gregory.
B Really! She’s just written a great, new, historical novel and loads of her stuff is adapted
for TV.
A I guess historical novels just aren’t my kind of thing.
8 A Did you go round to meet the new neighbours?
B I did. They’re settling in well. They’ve just bought an amazing, massive, HD TV. It
almost fills one wall and it turns itself on when you speak to it.
A What? How on earth does it do that?

Contexts
1 A husband and wife having a conversation in the kitchen.
2 Two people discussing the contents of the daily newspaper.
3 Two friends or work colleagues discussing a mutual acquaintance.
4 A couple sitting in a car or standing in their drive discussing the car.
5 The speaker returning home after a long walk.
6 Two friends discussing an invitation one of them has received.
7 Two friends discussing the kinds of books they like to read.
8 A couple discussing their new neighbours who one of them has just visited.

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7 Jemima J. by Jane Green

Chapter 1
God, I wish I were thin. I wish I were thin, gorgeous, and could get any man I want. You
probably think I’m crazy, I mean here I am, sitting at work on my own with a massive double-
decker club sandwich in front of me, but I’m allowed to dream, aren’t I? Half an hour to go of
my lunch break. I finish my sandwich and look furtively around the office to see whether
anyone is looking. It’s okay, the coast is clear, so I can pull open my top drawer and sneak out
the slab of chocolate.
Another day in my humdrum life, but it shouldn’t be humdrum. I’m a journalist, for God’s
sake. Surely that’s a glamorous existence. I love the English language, playing with words, but
sadly my talents are wasted here at the Kilburn Herald. I hate this job. When I meet new people
and they ask what I do for a living, I hold my head up high and say, ‘I’m a journalist’. I then try
to change the subject, for the inevitable question after that is, ‘Who do you work for?’ I hang
my head low, mumble the Kilburn Herald, and confess that I do the Top Tips column. Every
week I’m flooded with mail from sad and lonely people in Kilburn with nothing better to do
than write in with questions like, ‘What’s the best way to bleach a white marbled lino floor?’
and ‘I have a pair of silver candlesticks. The silver is now tarnished, any suggestions?’ And
every week I sit for hours on the phone, ringing lino manufacturers, silver-makers, and ask
them for the answers. This is my form of journalism.
Ben Williams is the deputy news editor. Tall and handsome, he is also the office Lothario. Ben
Williams is secretly fancied by every woman at the Kilburn Herald, not to mention the woman
in the sandwich bar who follows his stride longingly as he walks past every lunchtime. Ben
Williams is gorgeous. His light brown hair is casually hanging over his left eye, his eyebrows
perfectly arched, his dimples, when he smiles, in exactly the right place. He is the perfect
combination of handsome hunk and vulnerable little boy.

Vocabulary and dictionaries

Just say the word!

1
BrE = British English
NAmE = North American English

2
buzzword: a word or phrase, especially one connected with a particular subject, that has
become fashionable and popular and is used a lot in newspapers, etc.
four-letter word: a short word that is considered rude or offensive, especially because it refers
to sex or other functions of the body
household word: a name that has become very well known swear word: a rude or offensive
word, used, for example, to express anger

3
Can I have a word with you?

4
The nouns are only used in the singular.

5
a3 b1 c2 d4

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6
IDM means ‘idiom’.
a from the word go
b by word of mouth
c too stupid for words
d has a good word to say about her
e give me the word
f put in a good word for me

SPOKEN ENGLISH
Expressions with word
1 A We couldn’t help laughing. It was too funny for words.
B I know – but it was her worst nightmare – wearing the same dress as someone else at a
posh ‘do’ like that.
2 A I think he’s boring. He has nothing to say for himself.
B He may be a man of few words, but I think he’s worth listening to.
3 A Pam just prattles on and on, usually about herself. You can’t get a word in edgeways.
B I know. I thought she’d never shut up.
4 A Come on! You know you can trust me.
B What?! Trust you again? You’re kidding. You don’t know the meaning of the word.
5 A I’ve got the latest Apple iPad Air. It’s the last word in tablets. I love it.
B Huh, lucky you! You always have the latest thing.
6 A No, I don’t want anything for it. I don’t need two computers. You can have it.
B That’s so kind of you. I’m lost for words. I can’t thank you enough.
7 A Well! Not to mince my words, I don’t think you stand a chance of getting that job.
B Huh! Thanks for your vote of confidence!
8 A You said I had no chance. Well, you’ll have to eat your words! I got the job.
B You didn’t! More fool me! You must be cleverer than I thought!
9 A I reckon ‘selfie’ is the latest buzzword. It’s even in the Oxford Dictionary now.
B Yeah, I can believe it. Everybody’s taking selfies. I’ve just bought a selfie stick.
10 A This is just between you and me. Don’t breathe a word to anyone else.
B I won’t tell a soul, I promise.

Writing
Narrative writing – Different genres

2
1 The opening lines of the story are fairly short. They engage the reader’s attention because
they immediately take us to the critical point in each story. The events leading up to this
point are described later in the paragraph. In story A, the opening creates an atmosphere of
monotony, depression and loneliness through the weather, the empty gardens, and the two
birds. Explain to students that using inanimate objects or nature to reflect a character’s inner
state of mind is a common literary device known as ‘pathetic fallacy’. In stories B and C, the
openings create tension and a certain amount of fear/anxiety, through the adjectives and
adverbs used, through the actions of the main characters, and the deserted locations.
2 Narrative tenses are used in the stories. Direct speech is used in story C for dramatic effect,
varying the pace of the narrative.

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3 Story A: Joyce and her (possibly dead) husband; story B: Hannah and her (possible)
boyfriend Peter; story C: Jes and his school friend Luis.
4 Joyce is old, probably in her 70s or 80s. We know this because she has a ‘wisp of white
hair’, she has pictures as ‘companions’ and very few Christmas cards. Hannah and Pete are
probably students in their 20s. They’re backpacking around India because they don’t have
much money. Jes and Luis are probably teenagers, as they mention finishing school, and the
raid sounds like a dare.

4
1 slowly, carefully
2 gently, softly
3 instinctively
4 carefully, gently
5 strangely
6 slowly
7 encouraging

The last word

Breaking the rules of English

1
The point is that applying prescriptive rules is pedantic and often results in unnatural-sounding
English.

2
1 A preposition is a terrible word with which to end a sentence. (with is a preposition)
2 Remember never to split an infinitive. (not to never split, as this splits to + base form)
3 Don’t use any double negatives. (Don’t and no are both negatives)
4 Do not ever use contractions. (Don’t is a contraction)
5 Never start a sentence with a conjunction. (And is a conjunction)
6 The words anciently and weird break this rule.
7 Foreign words and phrases are not fashionable/trendy. (chic is a French word)
8 Avoid the passive where possible. (to be avoided is a passive construction)
9 A rhetorical question, as here, is one that doesn’t need an answer.
10 Reserve the apostrophe for its proper use and omit it when it’s not necessary. (not it’s proper
use; it’s = it is)
11 … Fewer and fewer people do. (not less people, as people is countable)
12 … to see if you miss any words out. (the word miss was missed out)
13 John and I are careful to use subject pronouns correctly. (me is an object pronoun)
14 Verbs have to agree with their subjects. (not has to)
15 You’ve done well to use adverbs correctly. (good is an adjective)
16 If any word is incorrect at the end of a sentence, it is an auxiliary verb. (not is at the end of
the sentence)
17 Steer clear of incorrect verb forms that have sneaked into the language. (snuck is an
irregular past participle of sneak in American English)
18 Take the bull by the horns and avoid mixing your idioms. (this idiom is mixed with A bird
in the hand …)
19 Tell the rule about whom to whom you like. (whom is used as an object pronoun)
20 Ultimately, avoid clichés completely. (At the end of the day and like the plague are both
clichés)

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3
Sentences 3, 10, 12, 15, and 18 are clearly wrong, and so the rules that forbid them can be
considered ‘good’ rules. Most native speakers would agree that 13 is strictly speaking incorrect,
although it is commonly used. This is also the case for 14, as many native speakers break this
rule on a daily basis.
The other rules are more dubious:
1, 2 Ending a sentence with a preposition (e.g. What are you listening to?) and splitting
infinitives (e.g. He wanted to quickly go through everything.) are common in English.
Splitting infinitives often avoids ambiguity.
4 Contractions are preferred in informal English, although they shouldn’t be used in formal
written English if at all possible.
5 And, But and So are commonly used to begin sentences in modern English.
6 A useful rule, but with many exceptions. Students should always check a dictionary if
they are unsure of spellings.
7, 20 Using both foreign words and clichés is perfectly acceptable practice. However,
excessive use impacts on style, so these should be limited.
8 The passive voice is the norm in many contexts, especially in more formal scientific
English, or where processes are being described.
9 Rhetorical questions are often used to create an effect. However, in more formal
academic writing, these are not encouraged as a rhetorical question requires the reader to
provide supporting ideas and evidence. In academic writing, this is the responsibility of
the writer.
11 It has only recently become common to use less with countable nouns. Many people still
consider this incorrect, and students should learn to differentiate between less and fewer.
16 English sentences often end with an auxiliary to avoid repetition.
19 Most people consider who to be an acceptable alternative to whom in spoken English,
and in fact the use of whom sounds overly formal in an informal context. In formal
written English, whom should be used as the object pronoun.

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