29.1 Complete the review using words from the opposite page. The first letter is given to help you.

The recently released film, 1,000 Nights, does not have a (1) s. cast

but it will not fail to make a (2) I impression with its startling

(3)o and its dazzling (4)d of new talent.

Jon Hayden is cast in the (5) r. of Tim Alexon, a man

of principles trying to make his way in the world of big business. It is Hayden's first appearance on the big screen, but he shows himself as an

exceptionally (6) a actor playing the little man caught

up in an intriguing and at times terrifying (7) s of

events. The use of unknown actors was a bold (8) e

but it turned out to be (9) s successful. 1,000 Nights

will (10) f the imagination of even the most cynical

of viewers.

29.2 Cross out the option which cannot be used in each sentence.

1. Alia Repina has a high I considerable I well-deserved reputation as a character actor.

2. The all-star I star-studded I starring cast is set to make the film a box-office success.

3. My cousin highly I spectacularly I thoroughly recommended the play.

4. The plot is based on an extraordinary series I burst I chain of events that happened in New York in the early 1800s.

5. The stage sets were obviously strongly I highly I heavily influenced by the work of the surrealist artist, Salvador Dali.

6. The film made a(n) consummate I lasting I indelible impression on me.

7. The author evoked I created I wrote a magical atmosphere.

29.3 Complete each sentence using a word from the opposite page.

1. I admire that producer because he is such a consummate

2. We all began to feel increasingly nervous as the suspense built

3. All that writer's books have received glowing

4. The central character's actions set off an amazing chain of

5. To my mind the play is an unmitigated

6. Making a film lasting six hours was quite a bold

7. I'm afraid the novel didn't really succeed in holding my

8. I couldn't watch the film at the most exciting point - I just couldn't bear the

29.4 Name the following:

1. a CD that has been recently released.

2. a film director whom you think highly of.

3. a film that has recently been spectacularly successful.

4. a book that has awakened your interest in a different place or period of history.

29.5 Two of the collocations on the opposite page are strongly negative ways of saying that something did not succeed. Which are they?

68 English Vocabulary in Use (Advanced)

The performance arts: reviews and critiques

A Useful adjectives for describing works and performances

adjective	meaning	example
overrated	not as good as people say	It's an overrated film/play.
hackneyed	done so often it is boring	The plot was so hackneyed!
impenetrable	complex and impossible to understand	His films are impenetrable.
disjointed	unconnected and not in a clear order	The play was disjointed and difficult to follow.
far-fetched	impossible to believe	The film Green Aliens from Mars was a bit far-fetched.
risque ikeiy	slightly immoral and likely to shock some people	The play was a bit risque, and some religious leaders criticised it.
gripping	exciting and keeping your attention the whole time	It was a gripping film from start to finish.
harrowing	extremely upsetting	It was a harrowing documentary about war and refugee camps.
moving	making you feel strong emotion, especially pity or sadness	It's a moving story about a child whose mother dies.
memorable	you remember it long after	That was a memorable performance.
understated	done or expressed in a simple but attractive style	The whole ballet is really understated.

B Success and failure

His latest opera was panned [very negatively criticised] by the critics, which is strange, since

all his previous works have been universally lauded [highly praised].

The play bombed in London's West End, but was more successful in New York, [was a failure]

Her latest CD has won three awards, [prizes/honours, e.g. 'Best CD of the Year']

Anthony O'Donnell won the award for 'Best up-and-coming actor' of 2001. [likely to

become very famous or successful]

The critics generally agree that her new symphony is a masterpiece, [very great work of art]

Novak was definitely miscast as the father in that film, [was the wrong person for the role]

She has become typecast as a middle-aged mother, [always associated with that type of role|

He was given several encores for his performance of the violin concerto. [ 'nrjk.->:/ calls from

the audience to repeat it]

She got a standing ovation for her performance of Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, [the audience

stood up and applauded]

C Nouns relating to performing

I liked her interpretation of the song 'Yesterday', [way of understanding and performing it] I prefer the original version by the Beatles, [one of several performances that exist] He gave an excellent rendition of Hamlet's speech, [performance on a specific occasion] The actor's portrayal of the mother in the film was very tender, [the picture she created |

Exercises

25.1 From memory, give an adjective from A which is opposite in meaning to the following words.

1. credible/believable

2. original/novel

3. underrated

4. exaggerated

5. coherent/smooth-flowing

25.2 Now use other adjectives from A instead of the underlined words in these sentences. Make any other changes that are necessary to produce a correct sentence.

1. The musical shocked some people because they thought it was immoral and was attacked by several politicians and religious figures.

2. Her performance was one of those you will never forget, simply marvellous.

3. I can't remember the last time I saw such a film that keeps you in suspense and totally absorbed all the time.

4. It was a play that aroused very deep emotions in me.

5. It's a film that is difficult to watch without getting very upset.

6. Some of his films are absolutely impossible to understand because they are so dense and obscure.

25.3 Answer these questions.

1. Would you like to go to a play that was universally lauded by all the critics? Why / Why not?

2. Good performers deserve an encore. True? Would you give one?

3. Would you like to see a film that was panned by the cinema critics? Why / Why not?

4. What are the top Hollywood awards for films normally called? What is their more correct name?

5. Do most actors like to become typecast? Why / Why not?

6. A standing ovation shows that the audience disliked the performance. True? Why / Why not?

25.4

_i

Read the text and underline the words or phrases that match the eight definitions. Use a dictionary if necessary.

1. the way an actor creates a picture of a person

2. he/she is the wrong actor for that part

3. a film/book/play that keeps you in suspense

4. keep you in suspense / constantly excited

5. up-and-coming

6. a film which huge numbers of people will go and see

7. a police or crime theme

8. a very great work of art

Cliffhanger not to be missed

In this latest blockbuster cops-and-robbers movie from the Holdart Studios, budding Hollywood star Florida Packline plays country-boy Ricky Smart, who gets involved with a gang of criminals intent upon stealing ten million dollars from a Chicago bank. However, their plans are spoilt by the discovery of a dead body in the tunnel they are digging through to the bank. Who is the mystery dead woman? Is she a stranger, or someone from Ricky's own past? Packline's portrayal of the confused boy from a small town caught up in big city crime is convincing, but Julia Fischer as his long-lost sister is somewhat miscast. Not a masterpiece, but it will certainly keep you on the edge of your seat.

English Collocations in Use Advanced

Appearance and personality

Describing how people look and behave

Note the collocations in these interviews where famous people discuss their own or other people's personality traits (or personal characteristics).

Film star Jerry Bowen

Interviewer: You seem to have had such a special relationship with Kara Hanson over many years. What is it about working with her? Bowen: Kara's wonderful. She just seems to have boundless energy¹ and she's always been able to boost people's confidence², especially new young actors. She has a wonderful, bubbly³ personality and she's got a dazzling smile. She bears a striking resemblance to⁴ Ingrid Bergman, one of the great cinema beauties. She has some wonderful personal qualities that are so rare in stars nowadays.

¹ lots of energy ² make more confident ³ lively ⁴ looks very like

Ex-rock star Eddie Stewart

Interviewer: You always had a troubled relationship with your drummer, Kaz Porter,

in the days of your band, The Loop. Kaz died in 1987. How do you

remember him now?

Stewart: Well, Kaz was not an easy person to work with. He had a very thinly

disguised⁵ dislike of the music industry and the people in it. Politeness

wasn't his strong point! He had a real stubborn streak⁶ that made him

unpopular with managers and agents. But, you know, behind that gruff⁷

exterior he had a sharp wit⁸.

Interviewer: You say gruff, some would say downright rude. Would that be too harsh?

He always seemed full of pent-up anger⁹ towards the world in general.

Stewart: Well, 'rude' is a bit unfair. Yeah, he had a forthright¹⁰ manner, and he was

capable of open hostility if he thought we were being manipulated. Interviewer:

Yes, he did display some rather scary characteristics.

⁵ barely hidden ⁶ a stubborn side to his character ⁷ rude and unfriendly

⁸ was very amusing in a clever way ⁹ anger which he didn't express ^l0 direct

Retired golfer Andy Barstow

Interviewer: Andy, you're retired, you're a senior citizen, but everyone would agree you certainly don't look your age¹¹. What's your secret? Barstow: Well thanks. I'm sure some people would say I don't act my age¹² either! Interviewer: Oh, that's not necessarily a bad thing! You do always seem to be bursting with energy! Barstow: That's what golf does for you!

¹¹ look as old as you are ^l2 behave in a manner expected of your age

B Other useful collocations for behaviour and appearance

She had a blank expression on her face, (showing no understanding or emotion]

He always gave everyone a warm, friendly smile.

Tracy's new colleagues gave her a rather cool reception, [unfriendly welcome]

You have been guilty of unacceptable behaviour.

I'm surprised you find Jack unfriendly. He's always been perfectly friendly to me.

Angela has a rather abrasive manner, [rude and unfriendly manner]

Exercises

Amanda often had a blank expression on her face.

45.1

Match words from each box to form collocations from the opposite page. Then match them to the definitions below.

blank	personality
gruff	streak
striking	reception
cool	exterior
stubborn	resemblance
bubbly	expression

1. two things or people which look very similar

2. a very lively person

3. a person's face which shows no emotion

4. when someone is being inflexible

5. an apparently rude and unfriendly personality

6. a rather unfriendly welcome

45.2

Which of these things that people say would usually be compliments?

1. He/She certainly looks his/her age. 5 He/She has a very abrasive manner.

2. He/She's downright rude. 6 He/She has a warm smile.

3. He/She's bursting with energy. 7 He/She's full of pent-up anger.

4. He/She has a bubbly personality. 8 He/She has boundless energy.

45.3 Complete this conversation using collocations from the box in the appropriate form so that Nell always agrees with Zoe.

bear a striking resemblance to forthright manner

boost your confidence

has a lot of admirable qualities

burst with energy strong points

1 Zoe: Tom looks a bit like Brad Pitt, doesn't he?

Nell: Yes, he does. He him.

2. Zoe: And he's very good at making you feel more confident, isn't he? Nell: Yes, he's great at

3. Zoe: Though of course he does say what he thinks directly to you.

Nell: Yes, he sometimes has a rather but I like that.

4 Zoe: Me too. In fact, I think that it might be one of his best characteristics.

Nell: Yes, you could say it is one of his , I suppose.

5 Zoe: Well, he has a lot of good points.

Nell: Yes, I'd certainly agree that he

6 Zoe: He's very energetic, for example.

Nell: Yes, I love the way he's always It's very attractive.

45.4 Complete each sentence using the word in brackets in the appropriate form.

1. Teresa is always friendly towards me. (perfect)

2. Can you see how Holly is looking at him with open ? (hostile)

3. I refuse to put up with such behaviour, (accept)

4. He displays a lot more attractive than his brother does, (character)

5. The woman looked at the official with disguised contempt, (thin)

6. The star was upset that his home town gave him such a cool (receive)

English Phrasal Verbs in Use Advanced

Character and personal qualities

А Talking about negative qualities

Dina: What do you make of Natasha's new boyfriend? He's getting on¹ a bit, isn't he?!

Becky: Yes. He must be at least ten years older than her. I must say I didn't like him very much. His eyes were boring into² me and it made me rather nervous.

Dina: I'm glad you felt like that too. He really scared me.

Becky:Scared you? You need to toughen up³ a bit! You shouldn't let anyone scare you. It not just his eyes, though, is it? He's so outspoken⁴! In fact, he's rude.

Dina:He swore at me the other day. I didn't answer back though. I wouldn't descend to" his level. And how about the way he speaks about his sister?

Becky:No wonder she's a bit odd. Having a brother like that would screw anyone up⁶!

Dina: I'm amazed Natasha's so keen on him. I had her down as⁷ a sensible person.

Becky: You know, sometimes I think she's like a teenager who needs to grow out of⁸ her immature ways. I mean, she's 21, not 13!

1 (informal, always continuous) becoming old

2 looking very hard at

3 become stronger and more able to deal with

problems (also transitive: toughen sb up)

4 having a tendency to express opinions even

though they may offend people

5 behave so badly

6 (informal) make someone feel confused and

unhappy about their life

7 (informal) thought that they were a particular

type of person (especially when they are not

in fact like that)

8 stop doing something as you get older

B Talking about positive qualities

Look at this speech by a company manager at a party for a colleague who is retiring.

Jack is leaving us today and I want to wish him a happy retirement. Having worked closely with him, I can personally vouch for¹ his unswerving loyalty to the company over the last 21 years and his extraordinary skills as a personnel manager. Right from the beginning, his ability to handle people shone through². He prided himself on³ the good relations he enjoyed with junior staff; he knew that good relationships mean everything in the workplace. It was always such a pleasure to see how his face would light up⁴ whenever he managed to solve a tricky personnel issue; for him, resolving a difficult situation was its own reward. Jack was also excellent at drawing out⁵ younger, less experienced members of staff and he showed that rare talent for bringing out⁶ the best in all his colleagues. I'm sure everyone would agree that he always came across⁷ as calm, professional and committed to his staff. His departure will be a great loss to the company, and I wish him

¹ say that you know someone and that you can promise that they have a good

character or good skills

² became apparent

³ took pride in

⁴ look very happy

⁵ helping people to feel more confident

⁶ making qualities more noticeable

⁷ appeared to be

EXERCISE

Complete these annual appraisal summaries, written by a personnel manager, with the correct particles.

1 Tyra sometimes comes as a little aggressive, but in general she has good

relations with her colleagues and seems to bring the best in the staff she

manages.

2. Jane has had to overcome a great deal due to her physical disability, but her determination and will to succeed always shine , despite the difficulties.

3. Luke prides himself his ability to cope with huge amounts of stress and

to meet deadlines. He has always met deadlines, though I can't personally vouch his ability to deal with a major crisis.

4 It's always so nice to see how Donald's face lights whenever he is praised for

his achievements, and he has had some notable successes in the last 12 months. Let's hope it continues that way.

5 Tina is very good at drawing the shyer and less confident members of staff.

She seems like an excellent candidate for promotion in the next round.

English Vocabulary in Use (Advanced)

Talking about yourself

A Chinese astrology organises years into cycles of twelve with each year named after an animal. The Chinese believe that the year you are born in affects your character.

animal	year	characteristics
RAT	1972. 1984. 1996	Imaginative, charming, generous, quick-tempered, opportunistic1
BUFFALO	1973. 1985. 1997	Conservative, methodical2, conscientious, chauvinistic3, a born leader
TIGER	1974, 1986. 1998	Sensitive, emotional, tend to get carried away4, stubborn, rebellious
RABBIT	1975.1987. 1999	Affectionate, obliging5, gallant6, sentimental, superficial7
DRAGON	1964. 1976. 1988	Fun-loving, popular, perfectionist, gifted, may sometimes be tactless8
SNAKE	1965. 1977. 1989	Sagacious9, charming, intuitive10, stingy, inclined to procrastinate"
HORSE	1966. 1978. 1990	Diligent12, independent, placid13, friendly, can be selfish and cunning
GOAT-	1967,1979. 1991	Elegant, artistic, always ready to complain, plagued by14 worry
MONKEY	1968, 1980. 1992	Witty, magnetic personality15, can be self-seeking16 and distrustful
ROOSTER,	1969, 1981. 1993	Industrious, shrewd17, decisive, very extravagant, a flashy18 dresser
DOG_	1970. 1982, 1994	Down-to-earth, altruistic19, morose20, sharp-tongued21, a fault-finder22
pig	1971. 1983, 1995	Intellectual, tolerant, naive23, downfall24 could be desire for material goods

1. using situations for own benefit

2. systematic, careful

3. too patriotic

4. become too excited and lose control

5. ready to help

6. (of man) polite to women

7. not caring about serious things

8. inclined to say things that upset or offend people

9. wise

10. understanding instinctively

11. delay doing something

12. hard-working

13. calm, does not easily become excited or angry

14. troubled or distressed by

15. personality that attracts people to you

16. wanting to gain advantage for oneself

17. having good judgement

18. expensive or impressive

19. thinking of others rather than oneself

20. gloomy

21. inclined to speak in a severe and critical way

22. critical person

23. without enough experience of life, trusting too easily

24. cause of destruction

B Charming, witty, wise - recognise yourself? Stingy, selfish, sly - must be somebody else!

Some words in the chart above have positive associations, others negative ones. Here are some words from the chart together with other words that share some aspects of their meaning. The table shows which have positive and which have negative associations.

positive	negative	positive	negative
generous, unstinting	extravagant, immoderate	shrewd, astute	cunning, sly
resolute, dogged	stubborn, mulish	sober, serious	morose, sullen
thrifty, frugal	stingy, parsimonious	witty, pithy	sharp-tongued, terse
diligent, industrious	work-obsessed, (a) workaholic	tolerant, broad-minded	unprincipled, unscrupulous

ExercisesI 3.1 Match the words on the left with their opposites on the right. Use a dictionary if necessary

1	altruistic
2	diligent
3	intellectual
4	methodical
5	morose
6	obliging
7	quick-tempered
8	sensitive
9	stingy
10	stubborn

unsystematic

generous

thick-skinned

unhelpful

flexible

low-brow

selfish

cheerful

placid

lazy