Read the text and complete the gaps with one word.

WHAT COMES FIRST ON HOLIDAY: PHONE OR FAMILY?

Passport, money, tickets; these are all essential items to pack (0) when you're off on a family holiday. A mobile phone, (1) ………………. is a different matter, especially if everyone at work has the number. Theoretically, it (2)………………. to be possible for stressed-out managers to have a phone-free fortnight without interruptions. (3) ………………. reality, go to any Mediterranean beach hotel where British families stay and you'll be confronted by the pathetic sight of husbands and fathers wandering around the pool (4) ………………. mobile phones clamped to their ears, saying things (5) ………………. : it's in the third drawer down, next to the pencils,’ or I thought that contract went off last Wednesday.'

To the sensitive observer there is a tragic juxtaposition between the beauty of the surroundings, with the family all enjoying themselves together (6) ………………. once, and the dull mundanity of the issues (7) ………………. discussion. To (8) ………………. matters worse, a quirk of mobile phone pricing means these poor fathers probably end (9) ………………. paying for the call that's come between (10) ………………. and quality time with the family.

Some, it's true, do try to resist (11) ………………. pull of the phone; carrying it around with them but leaving it switched off (12) ………………. they get back to the hotel. The trouble (13) ………………., they spend the whole day wondering who (14) ………………. have called, and then the whole evening in a state of frustration because everyone has now left the office and they can't (15) ………………. back to them for another sixteen hours.

2 Find words or expressions in mean the same as:

1 under a lot of pressure

2 everyday and boring

3 a strange feature

4 return someone's call

ELDEST CHILDREN

Eldest children typically (1) ……………………………… high expectations (2) ……………………………… their parents. As a (3) ………………………………, they often become hard working and perfectionist. This can mean that they are not good at delegating, as they do not trust others to do something as well as they can. They are good at organising, and can occasionally be authoritarian. They are also rather conservative. They like what they are (4) ……………………………… to and dislike surprises or innovation.

MIDDLE CHILDREN

Middle children frequently feel that they have (5) ……………………………… out on a position of power and responsibility. Typically, they are diplomatic, good at (6) ……………………………… with others and relating (7) ……………………………… a wide range of people. They often (8) ……………………………… it difficult to feel motivated (9) ……………………………… others to drive them. They tend to identify (10) ……………………………… causes and often (11) ……………………………… strongly about the injustices of the world.

YOUNGEST CHILDREN

Youngest children tend to receive less discipline and feel under less (12) ……………………………… to achieve than their older siblings. They are often charming and outgoing but can also be rather superficial. They are often innovative and creative but may lack the willpower to persevere or find it difficult to (13) ……………………………… deadlines. They are less happy with responsibility than other groups but often (14) ……………………………… excitement or fame.

ONLY CHILDREN

Only children are rather (15) ……………………………… to eldest children in that they receive (16) ……………………………… expectations and a great deal of attention from parents. They too are often hard working and perfectionist. They are good at (17) ……………………………… themselves goals and working independently for long periods. On the negative (18) ………………………………, they are not always good at (19) ……………………………… their feelings to others. As they will have spent more time in an environment without other children, they may relate best to people older (20) ……………………………… themselves.

Use of English:transformation

For questions 1-8, complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the word given. Do not change the word given. You must use between three and six words, including the word given. There is an example at the beginning (0).

0 What are the chances of the film winning an Oscar? LIKELY

How likely is it that the film will win an Oscar?

1 Fewer people live in extended family units in this country nowadays. COMMON

It is……………………………………………………………………….to live in extended family units in this country nowadays.

2 I don't think you'll find it hard to find Cynthia's house. DIFFICULTY

I don't think………………………………………………………………………. finding Cynthia's house.

3 My brother Sam was very surprised to be offered the job. CAME

The job offer………………………………………………………………………. my brother Sam.

4 I don't mind where we decide to go for our family holiday this year. DIFFERENCE

It doesn't………………………………………………………………………. where we decide to go for our family holiday this year.

5 Gaynor's friends persuaded her not to get married in spring. TALKED

It was Gaynor's friends………………………………………………………………………. getting married in spring.

6 Why did nobody tell me that the match had been cancelled? INFORMED

Why ………………………………………………………………………. the cancellation of the match?

7 Cindy intends to complain about the service in that restaurant. GOING

Cindy ………………………………………………………………………. complaint about the service in that restaurant.

8 Could I could borrow your umbrella this evening, please? LEND

Would………………………………………………………………………. this evening, please?

Reading 2

Date: 2015-12-17; view: 2117