english course advanced level
The Fable of the Sailor and his Rescuer
endurance desert handy optimism adventurous direction survive shelter
I’m not a very (1) person. I had never thought I would ever find myself on a(n)
(2) island. However, when I did, I managed to (3) . First I built a(n)
(4) to protect myself from the elements and then I gathered food. This new experience
tested my strength and my (5) . I didn’t have many useful things with me, but I tried to keep my
(6) and that was the most important thing of all.
A ship travelling from Europe to Asia
encountered a violent storm, which completely
destroyed (1) ship.
All the crew, unfortunately, met their end except
for one sailor who (2)
managed to hang on to a piece of floating wood.
After a few hours, a fishing boat came upon the
tired sailor, and the fisherman pulled him up
into the boat and proceeded to bring him in
(3) shore.
The fisherman (4) good
care of the sailor and made several attempts
to start a conversation with him, but the
sailor remained silent. The fisherman was somewhat
disappointed because he had (5) out at sea alone for days and had been looking forward to seeing
another person he could talk (6) . When they arrived at the shore, the young sailor nodded at the
fisherman and disappeared into the night. The fisherman, confused by the whole situation, went home and
(7) asleep. The next morning a knock at the door woke the fisherman (8) .
When he opened the door, there (9) a young man holding a velvet bag with a note attached. He threw
it to the fisherman and left. The fisherman was (10) to throw it back at him, but thought twice about
it. He then placed the bag on the table, opened the note and began to read: ‘By order of the King, please accept this money
as a token of my appreciation for saving my son’s life.’ The fisherman emptied the contents of the velvet bag on the table and
stared at the money (11) awe. He realised right there and then that he (12)
never have to work for the rest of his life.
The Fable of the Sailor and his Rescuer
VOCABULARY
A. Circle the correct answer.
EXAMINATION PRACTICE
1. We set off / up for the forest right after lunch.
2. My favourite writer’s new book will be released / exchanged next month.
3. What is the motion / moral of this story?
4. No sooner / Hardly had she entered the house than the phone rang.
5. It was a lovely sunny day in Spain; meanwhile / initially, back in England, there was heavy rain.
6. When I saw the grizzly bear, I cautiously / occasionally crept away so as not to attract its attention.
B. Choose the word or phrase that most appropriately completes each sentence.
1. Did Sally get those from her kitten?
a. spears c. qualities
b. measures d. scratches
2. I recommend that you get your little daughter a hamster
as they can be pets.
a. amusing c. enormous
b. giggling d. breathtaking
3. Have you ever wondered why some people take
in rallies across dangerous terrains?
a. apart c. place
b. for granted d. part
4. The manager refused to Jeff’s continued
lateness.
a. overtake c. overlook
b. overcome d. overturn
5. We really wanted to the best of our holiday,
even though the weather was terrible.
a. make c. do
b. take d. have
6. At first, Mark thought he would be unhappy in
Edinburgh, but he changed his mind he made
some new friends.
a. meanwhile c. before
b. as soon as d. afterwards
7. That narrow is a shortcut to the street behind.
a. campground c. stand
b. journey d. passageway
8. The spectators found it difficult to get enthusiastic
because the match was .
a. unforgettable c. gloomy
b. uneventful d. vague
C. Choose the word or phrase that produces a grammatically correct sentence.
1. was the first person to walk on the moon?
a. Which c. When
b. What d. Who
2. Jill and I were exhausted by the time we reached the
bridge as we for hours.
a. had been walking c. didn’t walk
b. walked d. were walking
3. of you has left a blue car blocking the gate
outside?
a. Why c. Which
b. Where d. Who
4. Andy spent the whole day thinking about all the things
he with the money he had won.
a. will buy c. has bought
b. would buy d. was buying
5. Ayman for the university for only a week
when he made his scientific discovery.
a. works c. had been working
b. worked d. would work
6. We realised the day very hot when it was
already 30 degrees at 6am.
a. is c. was going to be
b. will be d. had been
7. The game before we got to the stadium.
a. had been starting c. would start
b. had started d. was starting
8. Who did you yesterday?
a. give the report to c. give the report
b. give to the report d. the report give to
A. Read the excerpt from a mountain climber’s journal and answer the questions 1-8. Choose the best answer
a, b, c or d.
READING
Getting down from the top of Mt Everest was probably the most
difficult thing that I have ever done in my life. I thought that reaching
the summit would be hard, but getting off the top was actually harder!
When I started my descent, I was blind in my right eye, had blurred
vision in my left eye, and was concerned that I could not get my sherpa,
Dhorjee, to understand what was happening to me. Just minutes off the
summit, I caught up with Dhorjee who had retreated from the summit
due to the extreme cold. I continued to try and tell him that I was
having problems with my vision, but he still did not seem to understand
and again walked away from me as he seemed intent on getting down
the mountain! I, too, wanted to get down the mountain, but knew that I would need help.
And then it happened; at the very top of the world, just below the summit, I fell! My foot became tangled in the safety
line and I tripped and fell forward. I remember screaming into my oxygen mask, though the scream could not be heard
above the roar of the wind. Panic, fear and sheer terror gripped my body as I fell onto the trail in front of me. Dhorjee
apparently saw the fall and was next to me almost before I hit the ground. I lay there motionless, not knowing if one side
of me was favouring a quick descent into Tibet, or if it would be a trip back into Nepal. Fortunately, the drop to Tibet
was a little further ahead of me, as I fell on a section of the trail that was actually forgiving of a fall. Dhorjee was already
trying to sit me up and trying to see what was wrong. I took advantage of my seated position and removed my snow
goggles to show Dhorjee a swollen right eye which was weeping and a left eye which was partially open and weeping fluid
also. With the exposure of my eyes, it seemed like our communication problems were solved as Dhorjee immediately
realised the situation I was in!
I would like to say that the trip down was much easier now that Dhorjee realised I had a problem, but it wasn’t exactly
so. Dhorjee remained very close to me, but I still had to navigate the challenging sections of the trail. My pace continued
to be quite slow as it took so much more effort for me to strain my good eye to see where to put my feet. Stops were more
frequent on the way down, and I was starting to feel tired from the lack of sleep, nutrition and hydration. I barely made
it down to Camp 2, but upon arrival, I was treated to a fantastic meal and given enough fluids to sink a ship! It was great
to be almost down the mountain, but I could not relax until I reached base camp.
In record time, and without incident, I made it to base camp ahead of our team. I celebrated the arrival with other team
members and then further celebrated with the sherpas by giving away all of my daily mountaineering gear! They could
not believe their luck as I gave away Gore-Tex jackets, down mittens, plastic boots, etc. I had made a promise to my wife
that this was the final of the seven summits, and upon completion, I was done with mountain climbing. I felt it would be
wrong for me to continue to climb after I had made this promise, so I kept my word. Besides, I could use a break from
high places as my fear of heights was definitely challenged on this trip!
1. How did the writer feel about reaching the summit of Mt
Everest?
a. It was the hardest thing that he had ever done.
b. It was easier than coming down the mountain.
c. He could not have done it without Dhorjee.
d. It was not worth all the trouble.
2. Why was the writer frustrated with Dhorjee in the
beginning?
a. because Dhorjee was walking too fast
b. because Dhorjee wanted to be the first to get down the
mountain
c. because Dhorjee did not understand that the writer
had a problem with his eyes
d. because Dhorjee left the writer alone in the cold on the
summit
26
B. Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence using the word given. You
must use between two and five words, including the word given.
EXAMINATION PRACTICE
1. I have never had a better holiday since our trip to Cuba.
Our trip to Cuba was I have ever had.
2. The circus was less entertaining than I had anticipated.
The circus was I had anticipated.
3. Kevin left the restaurant before I arrived.
When I arrived at the restaurant, left.
4. Alex had been in London for eight years before he finished his studies.
Alex had been in London for eight years finished his studies.
5. It took Steve five hours to realise that the engine could not be repaired.
Steve five hours before he realised that the engine could not be
repaired.
6. He was planning on participating in the race, but an accident prevented him from doing so.
He part in the race, but an accident prevented him from doing so.
7. Craig was in the habit of going to the gym straight after work.
Craig the gym straight after work.
8. Do you know who Len communicated with last night?
Who last night?
THE
NOT
ALREADY
BY
WORKING
GOING
USED
TALK
3. What did the writer think about his fall?
a. It was Dhorjee’s fault.
b. He doesn’t remember much as he fell unconscious.
c. It caused his eyes to swell.
d. It could have been worse.
4. After Dhorjee realised that the writer had a problem,
a. the trip down became a lot easier.
b. he immediately called a doctor.
c. he remained very close to him.
d. he decided to call for help.
5. What does the writer mean to say by the phrase ‘to sink a
ship’ in line 26?
a. He was given very thick, heavy fluids to drink.
b. He was given a large amount of fluids to drink.
c. He was trying to explain the amount of water a ship
can hold.
d. He felt heavy and sleepy after being given so many
fluids.
6. How did the writer feel upon reaching base camp?
a. very happy and ready to celebrate
b. tired and sad that his journey was over
c. grateful to be in good health
d. proud that he was not afraid of heights
7. Based on the information in the text, Dhorjee the ‘sherpa’
is most likely
a. a local guide.
b. the writer’s good friend.
c. someone the writer met while climbing.
d. a doctor.
8. Why did the writer give away all of his mountaineering
gear?
a. because his wife had told him to
b. because he was grateful to the sherpas
c. because he wanted to celebrate
d. because he would not be climbing any more
WRITING
C. You read this article in a local newspaper. Write a letter to the
editor expressing your views on the issue.
D. You have decided to enter a short story
competition in an international
magazine. The competition rules say
that the story must begin with the
following words:
Justin never expected that he would find
himself in such a difficult situation.
The Fable of the Sailor and his Rescuer
endurance desert handy optimism adventurous direction survive shelter
I’m not a very (1) person. I had never thought I would ever find myself on a(n)
(2) island. However, when I did, I managed to (3) . First I built a(n)
(4) to protect myself from the elements and then I gathered food. This new experience
tested my strength and my (5) . I didn’t have many useful things with me, but I tried to keep my
(6) and that was the most important thing of all.
A ship travelling from Europe to Asia
encountered a violent storm, which completely
destroyed (1) ship.
All the crew, unfortunately, met their end except
for one sailor who (2)
managed to hang on to a piece of floating wood.
After a few hours, a fishing boat came upon the
tired sailor, and the fisherman pulled him up
into the boat and proceeded to bring him in
(3) shore.
The fisherman (4) good
care of the sailor and made several attempts
to start a conversation with him, but the
sailor remained silent. The fisherman was somewhat
disappointed because he had (5) out at sea alone for days and had been looking forward to seeing
another person he could talk (6) . When they arrived at the shore, the young sailor nodded at the
fisherman and disappeared into the night. The fisherman, confused by the whole situation, went home and
(7) asleep. The next morning a knock at the door woke the fisherman (8) .
When he opened the door, there (9) a young man holding a velvet bag with a note attached. He threw
it to the fisherman and left. The fisherman was (10) to throw it back at him, but thought twice about
it. He then placed the bag on the table, opened the note and began to read: ‘By order of the King, please accept this money
as a token of my appreciation for saving my son’s life.’ The fisherman emptied the contents of the velvet bag on the table and
stared at the money (11) awe. He realised right there and then that he (12)
never have to work for the rest of his life.
The Fable of the Sailor and his Rescuer
VOCABULARY
A. Circle the correct answer.
EXAMINATION PRACTICE
1. We set off / up for the forest right after lunch.
2. My favourite writer’s new book will be released / exchanged next month.
3. What is the motion / moral of this story?
4. No sooner / Hardly had she entered the house than the phone rang.
5. It was a lovely sunny day in Spain; meanwhile / initially, back in England, there was heavy rain.
6. When I saw the grizzly bear, I cautiously / occasionally crept away so as not to attract its attention.
B. Choose the word or phrase that most appropriately completes each sentence.
1. Did Sally get those from her kitten?
a. spears c. qualities
b. measures d. scratches
2. I recommend that you get your little daughter a hamster
as they can be pets.
a. amusing c. enormous
b. giggling d. breathtaking
3. Have you ever wondered why some people take
in rallies across dangerous terrains?
a. apart c. place
b. for granted d. part
4. The manager refused to Jeff’s continued
lateness.
a. overtake c. overlook
b. overcome d. overturn
5. We really wanted to the best of our holiday,
even though the weather was terrible.
a. make c. do
b. take d. have
6. At first, Mark thought he would be unhappy in
Edinburgh, but he changed his mind he made
some new friends.
a. meanwhile c. before
b. as soon as d. afterwards
7. That narrow is a shortcut to the street behind.
a. campground c. stand
b. journey d. passageway
8. The spectators found it difficult to get enthusiastic
because the match was .
a. unforgettable c. gloomy
b. uneventful d. vague
C. Choose the word or phrase that produces a grammatically correct sentence.
1. was the first person to walk on the moon?
a. Which c. When
b. What d. Who
2. Jill and I were exhausted by the time we reached the
bridge as we for hours.
a. had been walking c. didn’t walk
b. walked d. were walking
3. of you has left a blue car blocking the gate
outside?
a. Why c. Which
b. Where d. Who
4. Andy spent the whole day thinking about all the things
he with the money he had won.
a. will buy c. has bought
b. would buy d. was buying
5. Ayman for the university for only a week
when he made his scientific discovery.
a. works c. had been working
b. worked d. would work
6. We realised the day very hot when it was
already 30 degrees at 6am.
a. is c. was going to be
b. will be d. had been
7. The game before we got to the stadium.
a. had been starting c. would start
b. had started d. was starting
8. Who did you yesterday?
a. give the report to c. give the report
b. give to the report d. the report give to
A. Read the excerpt from a mountain climber’s journal and answer the questions 1-8. Choose the best answer
a, b, c or d.
READING
Getting down from the top of Mt Everest was probably the most
difficult thing that I have ever done in my life. I thought that reaching
the summit would be hard, but getting off the top was actually harder!
When I started my descent, I was blind in my right eye, had blurred
vision in my left eye, and was concerned that I could not get my sherpa,
Dhorjee, to understand what was happening to me. Just minutes off the
summit, I caught up with Dhorjee who had retreated from the summit
due to the extreme cold. I continued to try and tell him that I was
having problems with my vision, but he still did not seem to understand
and again walked away from me as he seemed intent on getting down
the mountain! I, too, wanted to get down the mountain, but knew that I would need help.
And then it happened; at the very top of the world, just below the summit, I fell! My foot became tangled in the safety
line and I tripped and fell forward. I remember screaming into my oxygen mask, though the scream could not be heard
above the roar of the wind. Panic, fear and sheer terror gripped my body as I fell onto the trail in front of me. Dhorjee
apparently saw the fall and was next to me almost before I hit the ground. I lay there motionless, not knowing if one side
of me was favouring a quick descent into Tibet, or if it would be a trip back into Nepal. Fortunately, the drop to Tibet
was a little further ahead of me, as I fell on a section of the trail that was actually forgiving of a fall. Dhorjee was already
trying to sit me up and trying to see what was wrong. I took advantage of my seated position and removed my snow
goggles to show Dhorjee a swollen right eye which was weeping and a left eye which was partially open and weeping fluid
also. With the exposure of my eyes, it seemed like our communication problems were solved as Dhorjee immediately
realised the situation I was in!
I would like to say that the trip down was much easier now that Dhorjee realised I had a problem, but it wasn’t exactly
so. Dhorjee remained very close to me, but I still had to navigate the challenging sections of the trail. My pace continued
to be quite slow as it took so much more effort for me to strain my good eye to see where to put my feet. Stops were more
frequent on the way down, and I was starting to feel tired from the lack of sleep, nutrition and hydration. I barely made
it down to Camp 2, but upon arrival, I was treated to a fantastic meal and given enough fluids to sink a ship! It was great
to be almost down the mountain, but I could not relax until I reached base camp.
In record time, and without incident, I made it to base camp ahead of our team. I celebrated the arrival with other team
members and then further celebrated with the sherpas by giving away all of my daily mountaineering gear! They could
not believe their luck as I gave away Gore-Tex jackets, down mittens, plastic boots, etc. I had made a promise to my wife
that this was the final of the seven summits, and upon completion, I was done with mountain climbing. I felt it would be
wrong for me to continue to climb after I had made this promise, so I kept my word. Besides, I could use a break from
high places as my fear of heights was definitely challenged on this trip!
1. How did the writer feel about reaching the summit of Mt
Everest?
a. It was the hardest thing that he had ever done.
b. It was easier than coming down the mountain.
c. He could not have done it without Dhorjee.
d. It was not worth all the trouble.
2. Why was the writer frustrated with Dhorjee in the
beginning?
a. because Dhorjee was walking too fast
b. because Dhorjee wanted to be the first to get down the
mountain
c. because Dhorjee did not understand that the writer
had a problem with his eyes
d. because Dhorjee left the writer alone in the cold on the
summit
26
B. Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence using the word given. You
must use between two and five words, including the word given.
EXAMINATION PRACTICE
1. I have never had a better holiday since our trip to Cuba.
Our trip to Cuba was I have ever had.
2. The circus was less entertaining than I had anticipated.
The circus was I had anticipated.
3. Kevin left the restaurant before I arrived.
When I arrived at the restaurant, left.
4. Alex had been in London for eight years before he finished his studies.
Alex had been in London for eight years finished his studies.
5. It took Steve five hours to realise that the engine could not be repaired.
Steve five hours before he realised that the engine could not be
repaired.
6. He was planning on participating in the race, but an accident prevented him from doing so.
He part in the race, but an accident prevented him from doing so.
7. Craig was in the habit of going to the gym straight after work.
Craig the gym straight after work.
8. Do you know who Len communicated with last night?
Who last night?
THE
NOT
ALREADY
BY
WORKING
GOING
USED
TALK
3. What did the writer think about his fall?
a. It was Dhorjee’s fault.
b. He doesn’t remember much as he fell unconscious.
c. It caused his eyes to swell.
d. It could have been worse.
4. After Dhorjee realised that the writer had a problem,
a. the trip down became a lot easier.
b. he immediately called a doctor.
c. he remained very close to him.
d. he decided to call for help.
5. What does the writer mean to say by the phrase ‘to sink a
ship’ in line 26?
a. He was given very thick, heavy fluids to drink.
b. He was given a large amount of fluids to drink.
c. He was trying to explain the amount of water a ship
can hold.
d. He felt heavy and sleepy after being given so many
fluids.
6. How did the writer feel upon reaching base camp?
a. very happy and ready to celebrate
b. tired and sad that his journey was over
c. grateful to be in good health
d. proud that he was not afraid of heights
7. Based on the information in the text, Dhorjee the ‘sherpa’
is most likely
a. a local guide.
b. the writer’s good friend.
c. someone the writer met while climbing.
d. a doctor.
8. Why did the writer give away all of his mountaineering
gear?
a. because his wife had told him to
b. because he was grateful to the sherpas
c. because he wanted to celebrate
d. because he would not be climbing any more
WRITING
C. You read this article in a local newspaper. Write a letter to the
editor expressing your views on the issue.
D. You have decided to enter a short story
competition in an international
magazine. The competition rules say
that the story must begin with the
following words:
Justin never expected that he would find
himself in such a difficult situation.
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