Ready for C1 p 21. Taking Difficult Decisions. Sentence Selection Listening

Speaker 1

1. She thought that they should split up in order to preserve their relationship.

2. She suggests that when going through a rough patch it is better to take decisions on the spur of the moment.

Speaker 2

3. He suggests spending time mulling things over before reaching a decision.

4. His decision to study at university was brought about by his desire to prove other people wrong.

Speaker 3

5. After his initial excitement he experienced a period of self-doubt.

6. He recommends consulting your acquaintances before arriving at a major decision.

Speaker 4

7. She encourages people to seek professional advice if needed.

8. She felt bored and frustrated with routine.

Speaker 5

9. Before coming to a decision he advises obtaining information from various sources.

10. He intends to strike a work-life balance

KEY

1. T 

2. F

3. F

4. T

5. T

6. F (people who have worked alongside you)

7. T

8. T

9. T

10. F (opted to cut process food out of his diet)

Fate versus destiny:

Fate and destiny are often used interchangeably, but they traditionally carry different meanings. Here’s the simplest way to understand the distinction:

Fate

Fixed outcome — events are predetermined and unchangeable.


Often implies limitations or an unavoidable end.


Suggests that no matter what you do, the result will be the same.


Associated with inevitability and sometimes powerlessness. 

Fate is what happens to you.

Example:
“It was her fate to meet that end.”

More sample sentences with “Fate”

She refused to accept her fate and kept fighting for a better life.

He felt he couldn’t escape his fate, no matter how hard he tried.

No one can truly predict fate, though many try.

The accident would ultimately decide his fate in court.

Some people believe the universe can control your fate, while others don’t.

She tried to defy fate, choosing a different path than everyone expected

With courage in her eyes, she stepped forward to face her fate, whatever it might be.

The old prophecy warned that if you entered the forest, you would meet your fate before sunrise.

No matter how far you travel, you cannot avoid your fate forever.

Destiny

Potential outcome — something you are meant to achieve, but you must act to reach it.


Emphasizes purpose, growth, and choice.


You participate in shaping it; your actions matter.


More hopeful and empowering. 

Destiny is what you create with your choices.

Example:
“He worked hard to fulfil his destiny.”

 

More sample sentences with "destiny"

You have the power to shape your own destiny through the choices you make every day.

She refused to follow tradition and decided to create her own destiny.

Only when you take responsibility for your actions can you truly control your own destiny.

He worked tirelessly to build his own destiny, despite the obstacles.

No one else can determine your own destiny—that is your journey alone.

Sometimes you must take risks if you want to forge your own destiny.

They believed that education would help them define their own destiny.

Only when you stop letting others define your path can you truly decide your own destiny. 

 

“fate” and “destiny” in a sentence: 

Here’s a sentence that uses both “fate” and “destiny” and makes the difference between them crystal clear:

“Fate placed obstacles in her path, but her destiny was shaped by how she chose to overcome them.”



Fate is shown as something external and predetermined (the obstacles she had no control over).


Destiny is shown as something she creates through her choices and actions

 

Ready for C1 p 5. Free Solo. Cloze

When we ordinary people hear about athletes (1)______________ as Honnold breaking new records and pushing the boundaries of human achievement, there is a tendency to think, ‘Shouldn’t I be trying harder to be the (2)____________ possible version of me? What could I achieve with a little more effort?’ And towards the end of Free Solo, Honnold himself recommends that people identify clear goals, and (3)_____________ everything they can to achieve them. (4)____________ the goals you or I might set ourselves to run a half-marathon, master a new language, or get that promotion are not in the (5)_______________ league as Honnold’s. Watching Free Solo should be a form of escapism, (6)______________ than a general lesson in how to live our lives.

KEY

1. such

2. best

3. do

4. But

5. same

6. rather

Reflection questions

1. Do you agree that watching or hearing about extreme achievements should be “a form of escapism”? Why or why not?

Sample answer:
Yes, to some extent. Watching people achieve incredible things can be inspiring and entertaining, but it doesn’t mean we have to replicate their intensity or risk-taking. It’s healthy to admire such achievements without turning them into personal pressure.

2. Is it possible to be inspired by someone like Honnold without comparing yourself negatively to them?

Sample answer:
Definitely. You can appreciate his dedication, focus, and courage as qualities worth learning from, without feeling inadequate. Inspiration doesn’t have to come from copying someone’s actions — it can come from understanding their mindset.

3. What might be the pros and cons of using extreme achievers as role models?

Sample answer:

• Pros: They can motivate people to set ambitious goals, show the limits of human potential, and inspire discipline and perseverance.

• Cons: They can set unrealistic standards, make ordinary achievements feel insignificant, or encourage unhealthy comparisons and risks.

4. Do you think society puts too much pressure on people to always “be the best version” of themselves?

Sampe answer:
Yes, often it does. Social media and constant exposure to others’ success can make people feel they’re never doing enough. While self-improvement is valuable, the constant pressure to “optimize” everything can be exhausting and counterproductive.

Ready for C1 p 3. Challenges. Speaking Sample

1. What are the major housing challenges in your area?

2. What are some of the main challenges faced by parents today?

3. What are the most daunting challenges the world is currently facing?

To begin with, one of the major housing challenges in my area is (1)_____________ (DOUBT) the rising cost of living. Over the past few years, housing prices have (2)________________ (SKY), making it (3)_______________ (INCREASE) difficult for young people to achieve the impossible dream of owning their own home. Many families struggle to find (4)________________ (AFFORD) accommodation, and in some neighbourhoods, (5)____________________ (CROWD)has become a daunting challenge. It’s not only a financial issue — it also affects people’s well-being, as those living in cramped conditions often feel cut off and isolated from their communities. Local authorities have tried to rise to the challenge by building more social housing, but progress has been slow, and the problem remains a major concern.

Moving on to the challenges faced by parents, I’d say parenting today has become nothing less than a full-time test of (6)_______________ (ENDURE). Parents are constantly under pressure to balance work, family life, and their children’s education. Many of them feel that they’ve taken on an enormous challenge, especially when trying to fit in quality time with their kids while keeping up with (7)_______________ (DEMAND) jobs. Moreover, the rise of technology and social media has posed new challenges, as children are often influenced by negative role models online. In this sense, I truly admire parents who manage to pull it off — who succeed in raising confident, responsible young people despite all the distractions and pressures around them. It’s certainly one of life’s (8)______________ (CROWN) achievements.

Finally, when it comes to the daunting challenges the world is currently facing, the list seems (9)_________________ (END). From climate change and economic (10)________________ (EQUAL) to wars and political (11)_______________ (STABLE), it sometimes feels as though humanity is being tested on every front. One could argue that the environmental crisis is the most urgent, as it poses an enormous challenge to our survival and demands that we defy the odds through innovation and global cooperation. However, I believe that the lack of motivation among world leaders to take (12)________________ (MEAN) action is equally worrying. If we are to succeed, we need to harbour a collective ambition to make the planet a more sustainable and fair place for everyone. It will require courage, vision, and determination — but, as history shows, when people rise to the challenge, extraordinary things can happen.

All in all, whether we’re talking about housing, parenting, or global issues, challenges are what shape our character. As daunting as they may seem, they also give us the chance to grow, to take the plunge, and to turn difficulties into (13)_______________ (REMARK) achievements.

KEY 

1. undoubtedly

2. skyrocketed

3. increasingly

4. affordable

5. overcrowding 

6. endurance

7. demanding

8. crowning

9. endless

10. inequality

11. instability

12. meaningful

13. remarkable

Ready for C1 p 1. Aiming High

How long have you been studying English?

Sample answer 1:

Three years





Sample answer 2:



I studied English at school but I was getting a little rusty, so I started taking lessons again three years ago



What is the most challenging aspect of learning English?



In my view, the most challenging aspect of learning English is dealing with its (1)_____________ (REGULAR), particularly in pronunciation and spelling. Unlike many other languages, English lacks consistent phonetic rules, which means that words are often not pronounced as they are written. This can be especially confusing for learners, as they have to memorise each word individually rather than relying on (2)________________ (PREDICT) patterns.




Another major difficulty is the wide range of (3)____________ (IDIOM) expressions and phrasal verbs. Expressions such as put up with or get along with rarely make sense when translated (4)_____________ (LITERAL), and their meanings often depend on context. This makes it hard to use them naturally in conversation, even for learners with a strong command of grammar.




Nevertheless, I believe these challenges can be overcome through (5)___________ (EXPOSE) and practice. Engaging with authentic materials such as films, podcasts, and books helps learners (6)___________ (INTERNAL) these patterns over time. Although English can sometimes seem (7)_____________ (LOGIC), mastering its (8)_______________ (COMPLEX) is extremely (9)_______________ (REWARD), as it opens the door to communication with people all over the world.

 

 

 

 

KEY

 

 

 

1. irregularities 

 

 

 

 

2. predictable 

 

 

 

 

3. idiomatic 

 

 

 

 

4. literally 

 

 

 

5. exposure 

 

 

 

 

6. internalise 

 

 

 

 

 

7. illogical 

 

 

 

 8. COMPLEXITIES

 

 

 

9.  rewarding

Ready for C1 p 5. Free Solo. Word Formation

 

One of the most famous quotations in (1)__________ (MOUNTAIN) history is (2)____________ (SURE) ‘Because it is there’. These words were (3)____________ (REPORT) spoken by English adventurer George Mallory in 1923 in response to a journalist asking why he wanted to climb Mount Everest. No doubt one of the reasons for the quote’s (4)___________ (LONG) is that it still represents the attitude of many of his kind today.

But Mallory and his iconic words also continue to capture the public (5)___________ (IMAGINE) because of the mystery surrounding his fate. Mallory and his climbing partner were last seen alive approximately 245 m below the summit. From here they may have pushed on and reached the summit, but the evidence is (6)_______________ (CONCLUSION). Had Mallory been in (7)_____________ (POSSESS) of the kind of camera (8)_____________ (ADVENTURE) take for granted today, his fate would no (9)__________ (LONG) be the subject of (10)___________ (SPECULATE).

 

 

 

 

KEY

 

 

 

1. mountaineering 

 

 

 

 

2. surely 

 

 

 

 

3. reportedly 

 

 

 

 

4. longevity 

 

 

 

 

5 imagination 

 

 

 

 

6. inconclusive 

/ˌɪnkənˈkluːsɪv/

not leading to a definite decision or result.

E.g.

 

inconclusive evidence/results/tests     

inconclusive discussions     

A coalition government was formed following an inconclusive general election.  

 

 

 

 

7. possession 

 

 

 

 

8. adventurers 

 

 

 

9. longer 

 

 

 

 

10. speculation 

Ready for C1. Free Solo. Listening

https://youtu.be/urRVZ4SW7WU?si=myD1ms4dAov3CHne 

The interviewer asks Alex if it feels different to be up there without a (1)____________. 

People who understand exactly what Alex is doing are (2)________________.

Alex will never be (3)___________ unless he at least puts in the effort.

El Capitan is 3.200 feet of (4)______________ granite.

It's the centre of the (5)________________ universe.

According to Alex, having a (6)________________ makes life better in every way.

She says that it's difficult for her to (7)______________ why Alex wants to do it.

Unless Alex does this stuff, he will (8)______________ it.

Everybody who has made (9)__________________ a big part of their life is dead now.

Alex suddenly starts getting (10)___________________ all the time. 

The filmmaker has always been (11)___________________ about filming something like this.

Related stories:

TED: How I climbed a 3,000-foot vertical cliff -- without ropes | Alex Honnold | TED

ABC: Rock Climber Alex Honnold on Free Soloing El Capitan

NPR: Alex Honnold: How Much Can Preparation Mitigate Risk?

 

 

KEY

1. rope

2. freaked out

3. content

4. sheer

5. rock climbing

6. girlfriend

7. grasp

8. regret

9. free-soloing

10. injured

11. conflicted

Empower p 30. Challenges. Speaking

1. Were you to have muscle pain, would you give acupuncture a whirl?
2. When was the last time you faced a daunting challenge and you decided to take the plunge? Did you rise to the challenge?
3.  Do you know anybody who after having made a name for themselves and having been on a roll, had to confront a major challenge and everything ended in a great debacle? Have you ever done anything that was met with complete failure? Do you think fear of failure should deter you from trying again?
4. If you were offered a job overseas, would you jump at the chance? Is this one of your main ambitions? Which is the greatest ambition you have pursued? Do you know anyone who has a burning ambition to travel somewhere? Do you?
5. When was the last time you felt a rush of adrenaline while completing something that had posed a challenged? Do you enjoy the satisfaction of completing a difficult task?
6. When was the last time your mind whirled? Was it because of challenges you had to respond to?
7. What challenges bring out the best in people? and the worst? What challenges is the world facing nowadays? Can you give examples of economic, environmental, intellectual, political, and technological challenges? 
8. Would living in a small village present an enormous challenge? Would you feel cut off and isolated?
9. When you started at your workplace did you fit in immediately or did that become a huge challenge at first?  
10. Do you enjoy setting and achieving realistic goals? Are you an ambitious person? What are your ambitions? What ambitions have you already fulfilled? Have you ever secretly harboured a lifelong ambition? Can you tell us about it? Have you ever taken up a difficult challenge?
Add two more to ask a partner:
11. __________
12. __________