1. Vocabulary

1. Choose the best explanation for these words and phrases according to how they are used in the article

1. formidable advocate

a) reputable lawyer b) ardent supporter c) enthusiastic rival

2. hard-done-by old gentleman

a) unfairly treated man b) tough nut c) exhausted person

3. foibles

a) weakness b) phobias c) convictions

4. back the drive

a) serve as a background b) support a desire c) move backwards

5. brusque manner

a) rude and abrupt b) fierce and furious c) tactless and offensive

6. reclusive author

a) solitary b) enigmatic c) secluded

7. it hasn’t garnered a further Oscar nomination

a) it hasn’t tackled b) it hasn’t collected c) it hasn’t obtained

8. head for

a) result b) rush c) lead

9. to shun the action-accented film

a) avoid b) make or produce c) support

10. he courteously shakes hands

a) clumsily b) unexpectedly c) politely

2) Explain what is meant under following phrases taken from the text:

1. … he lapses into a friendly discussion of Scottish football, his golf game and current films

2. He does not suffer fools gladly …

3. … it is difficult to know which subjects are likely to set him off

4. …seemingly innocent subjects can hit a raw nerve

5. I took a hammering from the press …

6. … who gradually brings him out of his shell (become less shy, reserved; start enjoying/avoiding the company of others)

7. It’s certainly a change of pace …

8. … we have gone so far with big action movies that they're all gadgetry

9. I'm not having a good time at the moment on the golf course … and my interest is waning

10. … anxious to return home to the Bahamas and to the prospect of tennis partners who refrain from asking questions

2. Discussion

1. How does Connery’s nationality & background influence his life? What political beliefs does he hold?

2. What is “intelligent film”?

3. Do you like Bond films? To what extent is the role of Bond central to Sean Connery’s career & to what extent is figure of Connery central to the Bond films? How does Connery himself justify his decision to quit this highly successful & profitable project?

4. Why was the report given this title?

3. Write a summary of the article in 100 words.

Text 6. Dead Body Guy

1. Lead-in

Discuss the following questions:

- Are you / would you like to be involved in the performing arts?

film theatre music dance television

- Do you agree with the following statement: “In the future, everyone will be famous for fifteen minutes” (Andy Warhol)?

- Would you like to be famous? Why / why not?

- Now read the article and do the tasks.

The New York Times MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 2006

By CHRISTOPHER MAAG

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Chuck Lamb might be the world’s chattiest dead guy.

He loves to talk, and his favorite topic is how he’s fast becoming the most famous dead body alive. “Isn’t it incredible?” said Mr. Lamb, 47, who speaks at a volume that most people reserve for rock concerts. “I had no idea it would blow up like this!”

Mr. Lamb became Dead Body Guy on December 5. That’s when he put up his Web site, deadbodyguy.com. The site features photos of Mr. Lamb playing dead in various scenes around his house. Crushed by his garage door. Electrocuted in the bathtub. One series shows Mr. Lamb lying face-down in a bowl of chicken soup, above a caption that reads “Dying from bird flu.” His wife, Tonya, took the photos. She also prepared jars of fake blood, which she keeps in the pantry for future use.

By staging his own death, Mr. Lamb hopes to attain a modest form of immortality. He says he always wanted to become a famous actor. Instead, at age 47 he finds himself with six children, working as a computer programmer for Nationwide Insurance. Mr. Lamb has deep creases under his eyes, skin as pale as copy paper, precious little hair and no acting experience. Any notions he once held of becoming the next Sean Connery died long ago.

But Mr. Lamb’s dream of fame lingered. “Just once, I want to have my name in the credits of a movie or a TV show,” he says. His dream was stalled until last month, when Mr. Lamb realized that anybody can play dead. By posing as a corpse on the Internet, he thought, perhaps he could win a role as a lifeless extra on “CSI: Miami.” Mr. Lamb took two days to build the Web site, then waited for someone to notice. It was a short wait. Deadbodyguy.com received 300,000 hits in its first three weeks.

CNN labeled deadbodyguy.com one of the week’s best Web sites. USA Today ran a small story. That was all the prodding needed by representatives of the infotainment industry, who spend their days trawling for weird news. They deluged Mr. Lamb with interview requests. He soon appeared on more than 100 local TV stations and was mentioned on over 300 radio shows.

Even with the sensation his Web site has generated, Mr. Lamb hasn’t received any movie offers. But he has been invited to the Los Angeles Film Festival this June, where he’ll win the Special Achievement Award for Self-Promotion. He also will play dead on the red carpet as film actors step over his body.

Officially, Mr. Lamb is sticking to Dead Body Guy’s original goal. “Just one movie credit and I’m done,” he said. Meanwhile, he’s waiting to hear back from a producer at a late-night talk show. He’s booking a flight to New York to meet with an agent. “I want to leave a little legacy,” said Mr. Lamb. “I’d like to have a bridge named after me.”

Exercises and Tasks

1. For questions 1-8, choose the most appropriate answer (a, b or c).

1. At age 47 Mr. Lamb looks:

   1. as Sean Connery;

   2. pretty miserable;

   3. rather repulsive.

2. His wife:

   1. is a big help to him;

   2. hampers his efforts;

   3. is sceptical about his prospects.

3. Mr. Lamb’s dream of becoming famous:

   1. has faded away;

   2. has come true;

   3. is still alive.

4. Mr. Lamb wants to play:

   1. the main role;

   2. the supporting role;

   3. the minor role.

5. The media got interested in his story because:

   1. nowadays they are obsessed with everything weird and wonderful;

   2. Mr. Lamb’s site contains some offensive material;

   3. Mr. Lamb built a weird Web site popular with Internet users.

6. He is invited to LA:

   1. to take part in the Academy Award ceremony;

   2. to accept a personal prize;

   3. to give a convincing and unforgettable performance on the red carpet.

7. When Mr. Lamb says “Just one movie credit and I’m done”, he means that:

   1. he wants to get some money to make his own film and thus fulfill his dream;

   2. he wants acclaim for his prospective film;

   3. he wants his name to be mentioned among others who take part and help to make a film.

8. When Mr. Lamb says “I want to leave a little legacy”, he means that:

   1. he wants to provide an endowment for film industry;

   2. he wants to inherit some money to finance his film;

   3. he wants to be remembered for something significant.

2. Find in the text synonyms to the following words:

to arise, to represent, false, simulate, wrinkles, to remain, to delay, dead body, bizarre, to search, to tag.

3. Explain what is meant under following phrases taken from the text:

1. Mr. Lamb, 47, who speaks at a volume that most people reserve for rock concerts…

2. His dream was stalled until last month.

3. By staging his own death, Mr. Lamb hopes to attain a modest form of immortality.

4. Any notions he once held of becoming the next Sean Connery died long ago.

5. “Just once, I want to have my name in the credits of a movie or a TV show.”

6. Perhaps he could win a role as a lifeless extra on “CSI: Miami.” Deadbodyguy.com received 300,000 hits in its first three weeks.

7. USA Today ran a small story.

8. That was all the prodding needed by representatives of the infotainment industry, who spend their days trawling for weird news.