Ready for C1 p 24. A Masterpiece Adrift in Time: A Review of Titanic. Review. Verb Form Gap Fill

Read the following text and fill in the gaps with the verb that best fits each space using the correct verb form of the verbs below. There are TWO extra verbs you will not need. The activity begins with an example (0). 

 Verbs:

capture, remain, veer, blend, lack, ascertain, galvanise, resonate, stifle, heighten, weave 

A Masterpiece Adrift in Time: A Review of Titanic

James Cameron’s 1997 magnum opus, Titanic, (0) remains an indelibly etched landmark in cinematic history. Far more than a mere historical reconstruction, the film serves as a hauntingly beautiful meditation on class, hubris, and eternal love. Set against the ill-fated maiden voyage of the "unsinkable" ship, Cameron (1) a narrative that is both intimately scaled and breathtakingly vast, ensuring that the human element is never swallowed by the sheer magnitude of the production.

The story follows the fortuitous encounter between Rose DeWitt Bukater, a socialite (2) by the rigid expectations of the Edwardian elite, and Jack Dawson, a penniless artist who vividly (3) the world on paper. Their whirlwind romance acts as the emotional anchor of the film, guiding the audience through the opulence of the first-class cabins down to the sweltering, industrial grit of the boiler rooms. This narrative framework effectively humanises the impending disaster, transforming a historical statistic into a poignantly felt tragedy.

Technically, the film is stunningly ambitious. The recreation of the ship is meticulously crafted, showcasing a level of detail that seamlessly (4) practical sets with what were, at the time, groundbreaking visual effects. The pacing in the first half leisurely explores the grandeur of the vessel, which only (5) the tension once the iceberg is struck. James Horner’s Celtic-influenced score powerfully evokes a sense of longing and dread, perfectly complementing the visually arresting cinematography that captures the ship’s final, agonizing moments.

However, the film is not without its minor flaws. Some critics argue that the dialogue occasionally (6) dangerously toward the melodramatic, with certain lines feeling cloyingly sentimental. Additionally, the character of Cal Hockley is perhaps too unidimensionally villainous, (7) the psychological depth seen in the protagonists. While these elements might feel slightly jarring to a modern viewer accustomed to grittier realism, they are arguably necessary components of the film’s "old Hollywood" epic sweep.

In conclusion, Titanic is a triumphantly executed spectacle that has rightfully earned its place in the pantheon of great films. Despite its occasional lapses into cliché, it remains a profoundly moving experience that expertly balances technical wizardry with raw emotion. Whether you are a fan of historical dramas or grand romances, this film is a compellingly told story that continues (8) decades after its release. It is, quite simply, unmissable.

 

 

 

 

KEY 

 

 

 

1. weaves 

 

 

 

 

2. stifled 

 

 

 

3. captures 

 

 

 

 

4. blends 

 

 

 

5. heightens 

 

 

 

6. veers  

 

 

 

 

7. lacking 

 

 

 

8. resonating/ to resonate 

Ready for C1 p 24. David Bowie's Tribute at the Brit Awards. Extra Listening

The introduction below is not in the video above:
(The world of music has recently lost some 1___________________.
People use too much words like 2________________ and 3______________ .  Except when we honour the 4____________ David Bowie.)

VIDEO ABOVE STARTS HERE:

When David died the world was 5__________________ . 
He had that special kind of 6____________________. 
What he 7_______________ an artist was and always will be - 8__________________________ present. 
As a 9________________ artistic genius, he continues to live 10_____________ his music. 
He is deeply 11_______________ in the heart of British culture, as a12____________  within our collective inner 13_______________. 
He 14_______________ from our suburban lives, 15____________ our horizons - turning everything 16____________ into gloriously 17__________________ technicolour. 
As an 18______________ writer, performer and Rock star, he was truly 19____________. 
A 20________________ visionary, pushing the limits of his 21_________________ persona. 
The 22___________________ - 23____________, dangerous and 24_____________….. 
The 25_____________ of his extraordinary sound and vision will be loved and 26_____________ for as long as the earth still 27______________. 
The BRITs Icon Award is only presented to 28___________________ artists - whose writing, recording and performance 29_________________ as having made a 30________________  on the nation’s culture, recognising the very highest level of British music 31_______________." 

We are all coming to 32_____________ the magnitude of David's passing. The world lost a man and artist of 33_________________________.As Annie so 34_______________ said, David's 35________________, his 36___________ on popular music, on culture itself, has no equal. 
He was the very definition, the 37____________________ of that singular word "icon". In recent years, David 38_________________ spoke about music and his process, but in one of these rare instances, he graciously and eloquently 39______________,  "Music has given me over 40 years of 40______________ experiences. I can't say that 41_____________ or more tragic episodes have been 42______________ because of it, but it has allowed me so many moments of companionship when I have been lonely and a 43________________ of communication when I have wanted to touch people." Over his career, David challenged and changed our understanding of the 44_____________. Whether in music or in life, he 45__________________ originality, experimentation, exploration, and in his very unique way, he also reminded us to never take ourselves too seriously.
David was funny, 46__________________ so. 
Some years ago we were approached by this big fellow, rocker type, long hair, you know, 47_______________, and he offered up a piece of paper for David's autograph.
His 48____________ was always positive. 
I can share with you that David faced his illness with enormous courage, dignity, grace and 49______________ humour. Even in 50_________ circumstances. When he wrote to tell me the bad news that he had cancer, he added 'the good news is I've got my 51_____________ back'. He was the sweetest 52___________ ever, until it was 53______________. David, you were mortal but your potential was superhuman and your 54_______________ music is living on. We love you and we thank you.    


KEY
1. incredible talent



2. 'icon', 'pioneer' 



3. innovator



4.  remarkable 



5. stunned and shaken 



6. significance 



7. represented as 



8. vital and incredibly 



9. cutting-edge 



10. on through 



11. embedded/ imbedded 
embed (also imbed) something (in something) to fix something firmly into a substance or solid object. E.g. an operation to remove glass that was embedded in his leg The bullet embedded itself in the wall. (Figurative) These attitudes are deeply embedded in our society (= felt very strongly and difficult to change).



12. fixture 
fixture: /ˈfɪkstʃə(r)/ a person or thing that is well established in a particular place or situation. E.g. the midfielder is set to become a permanent fixture in the England line-up. He's become a permanent fixture in this house (Sp. es como si fuera parte del mobiliario de la casa)



13. psyche 



14. drew us away 
draw: pull. E.g. She drew me onto the balcony.


15. expanding 





16. on its head
stand/turn something on its head: to make people think about something in a completely different way. Einstein’s theories stood the mathematical world on its head. A book that turns the accepted view of modernism on its head.

17. subversive 
subversive: /səbˈvɜːsɪv/ intended to destroy the power or influence of a government or an established belief. E.g. They were expelled from the country for subversive activities. It’s a challenging novel with a subversive message.
technicolour: the state of having many bright colours The rooms were painted in glorious technicolour.



18.  innovative /ˈɪnəveɪtɪv/ /ˈɪnəvətɪv/



19. unique 



20. quintessential
quintessential /ˌkwɪntɪˈsenʃl/ representing the perfect example of something. Sp. por excelencia. E.g. He was the quintessential tough guy.



21. shape-shifting
shape-shifting: (in stories) able to change into other people, animals or things. E.g. a shape-shifting alien.
persona: the aspects of a person’s character that they show to other people, especially when their real character is different. E.g. His public persona is quite different from the family man described in the book. It is the work that is important, not the persona of the artist.



22. ultimate iconoclast  
iconoclast  /aɪˈkɒnəklæst/ a person who criticizes popular beliefs or established customs and ideas. E.g. Rogers, an iconoclast in ​architecture, is sometimes ​described as putting the ​insides of ​buildings on the ​outside. 



23. gracious
gracious: /ˈɡreɪʃəs/ (of people or behaviour) kind, polite and generous, especially to somebody of a lower social position. E.g. a gracious lady. A gracious smile. Lady Caroline was gracious enough to accept our invitation. He has not yet learned how to be gracious in defeat.  



24. legendary /ˈledʒəndri/



25. legacy



26. revered 
revere somebody (as something) to feel great respect or admiration for somebody/something. E.g.  Her name is revered in Spain. He is now revered as a national hero.


27. spins



28. unparalleled 



29. set them apart 
set sb apart: to make somebody/something different from or better than others. E.g. Her elegant style sets her apart from other journalists.


30. lasting impact



31. achievement  



32. terms with 

come to terms with something: to accept something unpleasant by learning to deal with it. E.g. She is still coming to terms with her son's death. 

33. transcendent talent 
transcendent /trænˈsendənt/ going beyond the usual limits; extremely great. E.g. a writer of transcendent genius.



34. gracefully

1. in a controlled, attractive way; showing a smooth, attractive form. E.g. Deer ran gracefully between the trees. The cathedral's white towers climb gracefully into the sky.
2. in a polite and kind way, especially in a difficult situation. E.g. I think we should just give in gracefully.

35. contribution  



36. influence 



37. living embodiment 
embodiment of something: a person or thing that represents or is a typical example of an idea or a quality. Sp. encarnación. E.g. He is the embodiment of the young successful businessman.


38. sparingly
sparingly: /ˈspeərɪŋli/ in a way that is careful to use or give only a little of something. E.g. Use the cream very sparingly.  



39. expounded
expound: /ɪkˈspaʊnd/ to explain something by talking about it in detail. E.g. expound something (to somebody) He expounded his views on the subject to me at great length. The theory of language expounded by Chomsky.  Expound on something We listened as she expounded on the government's new policies.  



40. extraordinary 



41. life's pains 



42. diminished 



43. sublime means 
sublime  /səˈblaɪm/ of very high quality and causing great admiration. E.g. sublime beauty.  A sublime combination of flavours. The location of the hotel is sublime.

means: (pl. means) E.g. Television is an effective means of communication.



44. medium
medium (pl. media) E.g.Television is the modern medium of communication.



45. emphasised 



46. hilariously
hilariously /hɪˈleəriəsli/ in a way that is extremely funny. E.g. hilariously funny.



47. leather-clad  
clad (in something) (often used after an adverb or in compounds) wearing a particular type of clothing. Dressed. E.g.  She was clad in blue velvet. Warmly/scantily clad. Leather-clad motorcyclists.



48. outlook
outlook (on something) the attitude to life and the world of a particular person, group or culture He had a practical outlook on life. Most Western societies are liberal in outlook.   



49. customary
customary: /ˈkʌstəməri/ typical of a particular person. Habitual. E.g. She arranged everything with her customary efficiency. She worked with her customary thoroughness. 



50. dire
dire: very serious. E.g. living in dire poverty. Dire warnings/threats. Such action may have dire consequences. We're in dire need of your help. The firm is in dire straits (= in a very difficult situation) and may go bankrupt.  
straits [plural] a very difficult situation especially because of lack of money. E.g. The factory is in dire straits. She found herself in desperate financial straits. 



51. cheekbones
cheekbone: the bone below the eye.



52. soul
soul: a person of a particular type. E.g. She's lost all her money, poor soul. You're a brave soul. 



53. done
done: finished; completed. E.g. When you're done, perhaps I can say something.



54. remarkable      

Transcript
"Now, in the last 12 months the world of music has lost some incredible talent."
"Words like 'icon', 'pioneer' and 'innovator' are often overused, but not when it comes to one man who tragically left us last month. Tonight the Brits honour the remarkable David Bowie. Please welcome Annie Lennox." 
"On the 10th of January this year, the world was stunned and shaken by the news that David Bowie had suddenly passed away.

I suspect that everyone is still trying to process this sadly unexpected event...

Even if they didn't know him personally - many people must feel as if things will never be quite the same again.

He had that special kind of significance.

For me, it's almost impossible to mention Bowie's name in the past tense.

Everything he represented as an artist was and always will be - vital and incredibly present.

As a cutting edge artistic genius, he continues to live on through his music.

David Bowie is deeply embedded in the heart of British culture, as a fixture within our collective inner psyche, influencing every decade from the moment he first appeared on the airwaves with "Space Oddity" in 1969, right up to the present day.

Like the miraculous moon landing that inspired the song, he drew us away from our suburban lives, expanding our horizons - turning everything on its head into gloriously subversive technicolour.

As an innovative writer, performer and Rock star... there was no one and nothing else like him. He was truly unique.

A quintessential visionary, pushing the limits of his shape-shifting persona.

The ultimate iconoclast - gracious, dangerous and legendary…..

The legacy of his extraordinary sound and vision will be loved and revered for as long as the earth still spins.

The BRITs Icon Award is only presented to unparalleled artists - whose writing, recording and performance set them apart as having made a lasting impact on the nation’s culture, recognising the very highest level of British music achievement." 

To accept the award, I'd now like to invite David's dear friend Gary Oldman to the stage.

Thank you. We are all coming to terms with the magnitude of David's passing. The Jones family lost a husband and a father, those closest to David lost a dear friend and the world lost a man and artist of transcendent talent.
As Annie so gracefully said, David's contribution, his influence on popular music, on culture itself, has no equal. He was the very definition, the living embodiment of that singular word "icon" and I am so deeply touched and honoured to be here tonight to accept this award for David and his family. In recent years, David sparingly spoke about music and his process, but in one of these rare instances, he graciously and eloquently expounded,  "Music has given me over 40 years of extraordinary experiences. I can't say that life's pains or more tragic episodes have been diminished because of it, but it has allowed me so many moments of companionship when I have been lonely and a sublime means of communication when I have wanted to touch people. It has been both my doorway of perception and the house that I live in. Over his career, David challenged and changed our understanding of the medium. Whether in music or in life, he emphasised originality, experimentation, exploration, and in his very unique way, he also reminded us to never take ourselves too seriously.
David was funny, hilariously so. And the laughs were many and massive. And I shall miss them.
A related story. A few years ago we were standing on a street corner. And he was approached by this big fellow, rocker type, long hair, you know, leather clad, and he offered up this piece of paper for David's autograph. David signed the piece of paper, and as the fella walked away, he turned to me, and said, "He's gonna be disappointed." I said, "Why?" He said, "Cos I just signed it 'Gary Oldman'". His outlook was always positive and I never once heard him complain. 
I can share with you that David faced his illness with enormous courage, dignity, grace and customary humour. Even in dire circumstances. When he wrote to tell me the bad news that he had cancer, he added 'the good news is I've got my cheekbones back'. He was the sweetest soul ever, with the best cheekbones, until it was done. David, you were mortal but your potential was superhuman and your remarkable music is living on. We love you and we thank you.    

Ready for C1 p 24. Review of a Science Museum. Open Cloze

 Review of a Science Museum

(1)__________ someone who was never any good (2)__________ science while at school, I was tempted to give the National Science Museum a (3)_________ when my friends suggested (4)_________. I’d always felt that physics and maths were too complicated for me, and wondered what – (5)_____________ anything – I would find (6)__________ interest at the museum. As it turned (7)___________, there was more than (8)__________ to engage me.

With six floors of interactive and educational (9)_________, this museum will fascinate people of all ages. It covers everything from early technology to space travel. You don’t have to have any knowledge of science to appreciate the exhibits, which is (10)_________ makes it (11)___________ thoroughly enjoyable. And if you want to learn a little more, the interactive screens dotted (12)__________ the galleries provide loads of interesting facts.

Walking through the museum, I was totally enthralled (13)_________ everything I saw, but the highlight for me was ‘Man in Space’, (14)__________ traces the history of our earliest space exploration. This was the time (15)__________ Russia and the USA were locked in a race to be the first to enter space. The exhibition features real rockets and satellites, plus a full-size replica of the lander (16)__________ took Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin to the moon in 1969. When you see (17)__________ small it was, you really appreciate the courage of the astronauts who travelled in it.

The great thing about the museum is that it approaches science from the perspective of the average person. The explanations are in language that anyone can understand, and this (18)__________ a visit very worthwhile. Just make sure you go during the week as it gets pretty crowded at the weekend.

The National Science Museum is extraordinary and incredibly engaging. So don’t be put (19)__________  by the notion that science is ‘too hard’ or ‘too boring’. Do yourself a (20)__________ and go along as soon as you can. You won’t be disappointed!

Close-up p 31

Review of a Science Museum

(1) As someone who was never any good

(2) at science while at school, I was tempted to give the National Science Museum a

(3) miss when my friends suggested

(4) going. I’d always felt that physics and maths were too complicated for me, and wondered what

– (5) if anything – I would find

(6) of interest at the museum. As it turned

(7) out, there was more than

(8) enough to engage me.

With six floors of interactive and educational

(9) exhibits, this museum will fascinate people of all ages. It covers everything from early technology to space travel. You don’t have to have any knowledge of science to appreciate the exhibits, which is

(10) what makes it

(11) so thoroughly enjoyable. And if you want to learn a little more, the interactive screens dotted

(12) around the galleries provide loads of interesting facts.

Walking through the museum, I was totally enthralled

(13) by everything I saw, but the highlight for me was ‘Man in Space’,

(14) which traces the history of our earliest space exploration. This was the time

(15) when Russia and the USA were locked in a race to be the first to enter space. The exhibition features real rockets and satellites, plus a full-size replica of the lander

(16) that took Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin to the moon in 1969. When you see

(17) how small it was, you really appreciate the courage of the astronauts who travelled in it.

The great thing about the museum is that it approaches science from the perspective of the average person. The explanations are in language that anyone can understand, and this

(18) makes a visit very worthwhile. Just make sure you go during the week as it gets pretty crowded at the weekend.

The National Science Museum is extraordinary and incredibly engaging. So don’t be put

(19) off by the notion that science is ‘too hard’ or ‘too boring’. Do yourself a

(20) favour and go along as soon as you can. You won’t be disappointed!