CULTURE AND LITERATURE COMPANION Upper Intermediate Teacher's Book
CULTURE AND LITERATURE COMPANION Upper Intermediate Teacher's Book
CULTURE AND LITERATURE COMPANION Upper Intermediate Teacher's Book
Answers
1 lingua franca – shared language of communication
2 discourse – communication
3 founders – people who started it
4 wryly – ironically
5 billboards – large advertisements in the street
6 tongue – language
7 encroachment – gradual takeover
8 henceforth – from now on
Headway Culture and Literature Companion for the Fourth edition Upper-Intermediate Teacher’s Guide 1
© Copyright Oxford University Press
Upper-Intermediate 1B
Multicultural Britain What do you think?
Discuss as a class, or first in pairs/groups, and then as a
Background class. You could point out to students that in Britain the
As discussed in the text, modern Britain is very multicultural, debate over integration often centres on religious issues, with
although this is more obviously the case in some parts of the questions such as: Should Muslim girls be allowed to wear
country than others. Immigrants who have arrived in Britain traditional clothing at school? Should children of other faiths
since the Second World War have tended to settle in the learn about Christmas traditions at school in Britain? Should
major cities such as London, Manchester and Birmingham, the government fund faith schools specifically for children of
and rural areas of Britain remain much less multicultural other faiths in Britain?
than the cities. Immigration, and the extent to which it Language is another issue, with questions such as: Should
should be restricted, remains an important political subject the health service and other government departments fund
in Britain. interpreters for immigrants who are unable to speak English?
When immigrants began to arrive in Britain from India, Should immigrants to Britain be obliged to take a test in
Pakistan and Bangladesh in the 1950s, many of them started English?
restaurants. For many Britons, this was their first opportunity
to taste food from other countries, and the highly-spiced PROJECT
dishes on offer soon became popular with British diners. Students can do this as homework, but could also
Curry, mentioned in the text, is a general name for any spicy prepare it in class, working in pairs.
dish of meat, fish or vegetables.
Answers
1b 2c 3b 4b 5a 6b 7c 8a
4 Ask students to read the text again and match the ethnic
groups to the reasons for immigration.
Answers
1d 2c 3b 4h 5a 6f 7g 8e
Answers
1 diverse
2 races
3 settle
4 prejudice
5 famine
6 immigration
7 ethnic
8 flow
9 refugees
10 persecution
11 community
12 descended from
Headway Culture and Literature Companion for the Fourth edition Upper-Intermediate Teacher’s Guide 2
© Copyright Oxford University Press
Upper-Intermediate 2A
3 Ask students to find the words in the text and work out
Three Islands their meanings.
Background Answers
Alcatraz, USA A penitentiary – a prison (US); notorious – famous for something
During its 29 years of operation as a penitentiary, there were bad; inmate – a prisoner; portrayed – shown in a book, film, etc.;
14 escape attempts from Alcatraz involving 36 men (two of maritime – relating to the sea
whom tried to escape twice); 23 were caught, six were shot B staggering – amazing, incredible; settlement – place where people
and killed during their attempt, and two drowned. Officially, live; roam – explore; indigenous – born there; not altogether – not
no inmate successfully escaped. There are, however, five very
prisoners who are still listed as ‘missing and presumed C marine life – seabirds and animals; archaeological remains – ancient
drowned’. artefacts found in the ground; heritage – historical legacy; annexed
Ambergris Caye, Belize – joined onto; off the beaten track – a place where not many
people go
Ambergris Caye, which is part of Belize, was under British
rule for many years and gained full independence in 1981.
Ambergris is an oily substance produced and discarded from What do you think?
the intestines of sperm whales and is considered valuable for Discuss as a class, or first in pairs/groups, and then as a class.
its use in perfume-making. Ambergris Caye gets its name
from the many lumps of ambergris washed up on its beaches. ROLEPLAY AND CLASS DISCUSSION
Due to its position, it was a popular hiding-out place for
pirates in the 1600s. Roleplay
Shetland, Scotland Put students into pairs to prepare their questions. Then
put students into different pairs to act out the dialogue.
Shetland is the most northern group of all the Scottish
islands. It comprises 27 islands, most of which are Class discussion
uninhabited. There are few trees on Shetland and the climate, Discuss the questions as a class, encouraging students
although harsh at times, is generally quite mild, considering to express their opinions and to agree and disagree with
its extreme northerly location. In the summer, the sun barely each other.
sets, but in winter it is quite dark. On clear winter nights, it is
possible to see the Northern Lights from the islands.
PRONUNCIATION
Alcatraz /ˈælkətræz/
Fisherman’s Wharf /ˈfɪʃəməns wɔːf/
Al Capone /ˈæl kəˈpəʊn/
Ambergris Caye /ˈæmbəɡriːs kiː/
Belize /bəˈliːz/
Caribbean /ˌkærɪˈbiːən/
Maya /ˈmaɪjə/
Shetland /ʃetlənd/
Jarlshof /ˈjɑːrlsɒf/
broch /brɒx/ or /brɒk/
Vikings /ˈvaɪkɪŋ/
Answers
1C 2A 3A 4C 5A and B 6A 7B and C 8B and C
9B 10A 11B 12A 13A and C 14B and C 15B and C
Headway Culture and Literature Companion for the Fourth edition Upper-Intermediate Teacher’s Guide 3
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Upper-Intermediate 2B
6 Ask students to discuss and answer the questions in pairs
Eat Pray Love – Elizabeth Gilbert or groups, then as a class.
Background Answers
Elizabeth Gilbert (born 1969) is an American writer. She is 1 Physically strong with a robust constitution; an ability for languages;
married to José Nunes, or ‘Felipe’, the Brazilian man she met calm and confident in difficult situations; people who look similar to
in Bali and wrote about in her travel memoir, Eat Pray Love. the indigenous population.
She wrote several acclaimed books before Eat Pray Love and 2 She is very noticeable (her height, hair colour and complexion stand
also worked as a magazine journalist for GQ, Travel and out); she usually doesn’t do enough research before she travels; she
Leisure, and The New York Times Magazine among others. has a poor sense of direction and no knowledge of geography; she is
When Eat Pray Love came out, it stayed on The New York not a calm, cool traveller.
Times Best Seller List for over 200 weeks and has sold over 3 A chameleon physically blends in with any surroundings. A flamingo,
ten million copies. It was made into a Hollywood film on the other hand, is brightly coloured and obvious, which is how
starring Julia Roberts and Javier Bardem in 2010. she feels. In Dusseldorf, the people look like her – tall, blond, and
fair-skinned.
PRONUNCIATION 4 She stood out and attracted a lot of unwelcome attention and was
considered a strange and sometimes scary sight.
Elizabeth Gilbert /ˈɪlɪzəbeθ ˈɡɪlbɜːt/ 5 It would help her plan better and waste less time and money.
Indonesia /ˌɪndəˈniːʒə/ 6 She has a poor sense of place and direction, which means she often
Calcutta /kælˈkʌtə/ doesn’t know where she is and/or gets lost.
7 ‘Poker face’ means not showing any sign of emotion during a poker
Basque /bɑːsk/
game so as not to give other players any clue what cards you have.
Dusseldorf /ˈdʊsəlˌdɔːf/ Therefore, ‘miniature golf face’ is the opposite – showing all your
emotions, from joy to despair. Examples include: ‘I have never learnt
Notes on the unit how to arrange my face into that blank expression of competent
invisibility’, ‘When I’m excited or nervous, I look excited or nervous’,
1 Discuss the questions as a class. Tell students that a film ‘My face is a transmitter of my every thought’.
was made of the book which students might have seen,
though it may have had a different title in their country. 7 Ask students to read the additional extract and then
to write their own personal list of good and bad travel
Suggested answers qualities. Students can compare their ideas in pairs.
Photo 1: Indonesia, the photo depicts the lush farmland of Bali,
Indonesia What do you think?
Photo 2: India, the photo presents people travelling by train in India
Discuss as a class, or first in pairs/groups, and then as a class.
2 Ask students to read the definition. Discuss the questions
as a class. PROJECT
3 Ask students to read and complete the Factfile with the Students can do this as homework, but could also
missing words and phrases. prepare it in class, working in pairs. Students could then
read each other’s travel memoirs or Factfiles and choose
Answers the book they would like to read.
1 travel memoir
2 2006
3 Indonesia
4 One Woman’s Search for Everything
5 divorce
6 finding meaning in life
Answers
1 The best qualities to have when travelling abroad.
2 Informal, honest, and funny.
3 Outgoing, excitable, self-deprecating.
Answers
1b 2a 3e 4d 5c 6f 7g 8i 9h 10j 11l 12k
Headway Culture and Literature Companion for the Fourth edition Upper-Intermediate Teacher’s Guide 4
© Copyright Oxford University Press
Upper-Intermediate 3A
Journalism in the 21st century 4 Ask students to read the extracts and answer the question.
Background Answer
Extract 3
In the last century, we’ve gone from reading newspapers,
which we either bought or borrowed, to accessing the news 5 Ask students to find the words in the extracts and match
online for free. On the way, we’ve listened to the news on the them with the meanings.
radio, we’ve watched it on TV, and we’ve gone from black and
white to full colour. Answers
We used to have to wait a few hours or even days to get the 1h 2l 3k 4b 5e 6a 7i 8j 9d 10f 11c 12g
latest news. Now, we can keep up to date at any time of the
day and night via our laptops and smartphones. News items 6 Ask students to read the extracts again and match them
take seconds to reach us, and anyone can become a citizen with the views.
journalist, spreading news as it happens.
Answers
In this lesson, students read about journalism in the 21st 1 Extract 3
century and how some of these changes are affecting the 2 Extract 2
quality of journalism today. 3 Extract 1
Dr Carl Jensen is an American university professor of 4 Extract 2
communications studies and a former journalist. 5 Extract 1
Bill Clinton (US president 1993–2001) was involved in an 6 Extract 2
extra marital affair with 22-year-old White House intern, 7 Extract 3
Monica Lewinsky. When the story came out, Clinton denied 8 Extract 2
it but in the end admitted it was true. The scandal is often
referred to as ‘Monicagate’ or ‘Lewinskygate’. What do you think?
H.L.Mencken (1880–1956) was a controversial American Discuss as a class, or first in pairs/groups, and then as a class.
journalist, writer, satirist, and critic.
PROJECT
Notes on the unit
Students can do this as homework, but could also
1 Discuss the questions as a class. prepare it in class, working in pairs.
2 Ask students to read the quotes and discuss them in pairs
or small groups. Help students with meaning if they are
having trouble (see notes below). Follow up with a class
discussion.
Notes
1 If you limit the freedom of the press, you risk losing
your freedom as a citizen.
2 If the press isn’t free, the journalism it produces will
definitely be bad journalism.
3 Press freedom means that the individual loses their
freedom or anonymity (e.g. celebrities and famous
people are no longer free to do anything without
journalists following them).
4 Journalism is less truthful than fiction (e.g. novels).
3 Before they read the extract, get students to list at least
three ways in which journalism has changed in the last
100 years. Then ask them to read the text and answer the
question.
Answer
It is more negative than positive:
It’s harder to distinguish between good and bad journalism.
We value journalism less because it’s free (e.g. on the Internet).
Because people aren’t prepared to pay for it, there has been a decline
in expensive journalism, like in-depth investigations.
Headway Culture and Literature Companion for the Fourth edition Upper-Intermediate Teacher’s Guide 5
© Copyright Oxford University Press
Upper-Intermediate 3B
4 Ask students to find the words in the text which match
Notting Hill screenplay – Richard Curtis the meanings.
Background Answers
Richard Curtis (born 1956) is a British screenwriter, film 1 uncrushable
producer, and director. He is one of Britain’s most successful 2 gloomily
comedy screenwriters, known primarily for romantic comedy 3 ease
films. In addition to Notting Hill (1999), his most successful 4 subtle
films worldwide include Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994), 5 browsing
Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001), Love, Actually (2003), and The 6 glimpse
Boat that Rocked (2009). He wrote and produced all of these. 7 tempting
He also wrote the script for Steven Spielberg’s War Horse 8 dazed
(2011) and Stephen Daldry’s Trash (2014).
Notting Hill starred Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts and won a 5 Ask students to read the information and discuss as a
BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) award. class.
When it premiered in the US, it grossed over $27 million in
its opening weekend – an American record for a romantic Answer
comedy. The scene is short but a lot happens in it. There is a lot of movement –
three people leave, arrive, and leave again.
PRONUNCIATION The directions are clear and detailed. It’s also clear how the actors
should behave.
Notting Hill /ˌnɒtɪŋˈhɪl/ The dialogue is brief.
A lot happens. The thief’s appearance interrupts the main dialogue
Notes on the unit and moves it along faster. We see another side of William. Audience
attention is grabbed early by the arrival of Anna, the movie star.
1 Put students into pairs to discuss and answer the
questions, then have a class discussion.
2 Ask students to read the extract and answer the question. What do you think?
Discuss as a class, or first in pairs or groups, and then as a
Answer class. If any students have seen the film, ask them to share
It’s a romantic comedy and this is the first time that ‘boy meets girl’. this information with the class after all ideas have been
You can tell that William is in love from the stage directions: ‘He looks discussed. In the film, William and Anna bump into each
up casually. And sees something. His reaction is hard to read.’ Later other (literally!) by accident later the same day. He spills his
it says, ‘The most divine, subtle, beautiful woman on earth’. William drink over her. She needs to get changed, so he takes her back
presumably also holds this opinion. to his house. Afterwards, she surprises him with a kiss.
3 Ask students to read the extract again and discuss and PROJECT
answer the questions in pairs.
Students can do this as homework, but could also
Answers prepare it in class first, working in pairs. Then they
1 Owning a travel bookshop, William is likely to be interested in could act out their scenes at the beginning of the next
travel. He could be a dreamer. The bookshop is ‘chaotic’, so he might lesson.
not be well-organized. It doesn’t sound mass-market or profitable as
he has a ‘sole employee’, suggesting that he is not ambitious and is
more interested in doing something he loves.
2 The scene: Martin goes out. William is alone. Someone comes
in – a movie star. A thief comes in. William sees him trying to steal
something and stops him. The movie star is watching this. She buys
a book that William didn’t recommend. He gives her another for
free. She leaves. He doesn’t tell anyone about this encounter.
From the stage directions we learn: William is quiet, diffident, but
shows confidence regarding the thief and Anna’s book choice. Anna
is beautiful, very confident, and self-assured. Martin is optimistic
and enthusiastic. The thief is scruffy, unashamed and brazen.
3 William is polite and humorous. Anna is quite direct, mildly sarcastic,
and not easily impressed. The thief is cheeky and blatant. Martin is
kind.
4 It depicts an ordinary scene and everyday lives, but where people
deal with out-of-the-ordinary events – movie stars, thieves – and
how they react. Also, that it is a ‘boy meets girl’ story.
Headway Culture and Literature Companion for the Fourth edition Upper-Intermediate Teacher’s Guide 6
© Copyright Oxford University Press
Upper-Intermediate 4A
Old Wives’ Tales 6 Have a brief discussion about journalistic style in
general (often formal) and the style of the magazine
Background article students have just read (informal and chatty).
Ask students to work in pairs and read the article again,
Most countries around the world will have their own versions looking for more examples of conversational techniques.
of old wives’ tales. Some will be nonsense and others might
have some truth in them. Answers
Here are some which are believed or known to be true: 1 ‘let’s take a closer look’; ‘you’ll do well to eat them up anyway’;
• Sharing toothbrushes spreads disease. ‘whatever your granny might say’
2 ‘Ridiculous, of course!’; ‘Why?’
• Cloves help sooth toothache. 3 Informal words: ‘chomping’; ‘squidgy’; ‘granny’
• If you sleep on your back, you’re more likely to snore. Phrasal verbs: ‘pass down’; ‘come about’; ‘give up’; ‘get over’; ‘get
• Parsley helps get rid of bad breath. away with’; ‘nod off’; etc.
4 ‘clearly’; ‘oddly enough’; ‘luckily’
• A warm glass of milk before bed helps you get to sleep. 5 ‘This is such an annoying habit’
And here are some which have been proved to be false:
• Hair and nails keep growing after death. What do you think?
• We use only 10% of our brains. Discuss as a class, or first in pairs/groups, and then as a class.
• If you swallow chewing gum, it will take seven years to
digest it. PROJECT
• Going out with wet hair will give you a cold. Students can do this as homework, but could also
• Sitting too close to the TV can damage your eyes. prepare it in class, working in pairs.
Answer
B
Answers
1F 2PT 3F 4T 5F 6T 7F 8F 9F 10T
11F 12F 13PT 14F
Answers
2 oddly enough, c
3 nutritious diet, g
4 almost unanimous, a
5 worth keeping off, f
6 detrimental effects, d
7 wide of the mark, h
8 spot on, b
Headway Culture and Literature Companion for the Fourth edition Upper-Intermediate Teacher’s Guide 7
© Copyright Oxford University Press
Upper-Intermediate 4B
5 Ask students to read the extracts again and answer the
The Importance of Being Earnest – Oscar Wilde questions.
Background Answers
Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) was an Irish playwright, poet, and 1 Coolly, in a matter-of-fact way – she starts taking notes.
author. He is known for his lively wit, and many quotations 2 She is probably not as naive as she may seem (she is already thinking
from his works are known by British people. Wilde spent two about book sales).
years in prison for his homosexuality, which was a crime in 3 Further compliments like ‘absolute perfection’.
Britain until the 1960s. After his release in 1897, he moved to 4 Possibly because she is not well educated and has not spent much
France and never returned to England or Ireland. His other time reading and writing.
works include the novel The Picture of Dorian Gray and the 5 Of the adverbs ‘wildly’, ‘passionately’, ‘devotedly’ and ‘hopelessly’,
poem The Ballad of Reading Gaol, written while he was in she only finds the last one inappropriate. Also, as she is busy writing
prison. down every word he says, his stated love for her hardly seems
hopeless (at this stage).
PRONUNCIATION 6 She has always dreamt about falling in love with someone of that
Oscar Wilde /ˈɒskə ˈwaɪld/ name; she feels it inspires complete confidence.
Lady Bracknell /ˈleɪdi bræknəl/ 7 He is pretending not to be called Algernon, so talks hypothetically
about having a name other than Algernon – such as Ernest.
Algernon /ældʒənɒn/ 8 To ask him to change Algernon’s name to Ernest.
tragicomedy /ˈtrædʒɪˈkɒmədi/ 9 Algernon says his name is rather aristocratic and that it is the name
Cecily /ˈsesɪli/ of many bankrupt men, which is an unexpected link between the
Dr. Chasuble /ˈdɒktə(r) ˈtʃæzjʊbl/ nobility and poverty. Cecily asserts that Dr. Chasuble is extremely
knowledgeable because he is not a writer, implying that the two are
mutually exclusive.
Notes on the unit 10 ‘Darling’; ‘my dear child’; ‘my own dear, sweet, loving little darling’
1 Ask students to read the short extract and say whether
they think the play is a comedy, or a tragedy. What do you think?
Answer Discuss as a class, or first in pairs/groups, and then as a class.
A comedy.
PROJECT
2 Ask students to match the types of comedy to their Students can do this as homework, but could also
definitions. prepare it in class, working in pairs.
Answers
1d 2a 3b 4c
Answer
A comedy of manners.
Answers
1 offend
2 frankly
3 does you great credit
4 pray
5 devotedly
6 pity
7 object to
8 chaps
9 bankruptcy
10 rector
11 rites
12 christening
Headway Culture and Literature Companion for the Fourth edition Upper-Intermediate Teacher’s Guide 8
© Copyright Oxford University Press
Upper-Intermediate 5
3 Discuss the questions as a class. Ask students to refer to
Still I Rise – Maya Angelou the poem to check their answers.
Background Answers
Maya Angelou was born in St Louis, Missouri, one of the 1 The speaker is from the oppressed black minority. Although slavery
racially segregated southern states of the US, in 1928. She has and segregation have long been abolished, there is still racism and
published seven autobiographies, five collections of essays, hostility to contend with in everyday life.
and several books of poetry. She has also written plays, 2 White racists. The speaker is black and the accusations in the poem
movies, and television shows in her 50-year career. are clearly aimed at those who are oppressing the black minority,
In 1959, Dr Martin Luther King asked her to become the i.e. white racists.
northern coordinator for the Southern Christian Leadership 3 Proud, strong, and uplifting.
Conference. He was assassinated on her birthday and she was 4 Slavery.
so devastated that she stopped celebrating it for many years. 5 You can overcome anything, and nothing will stop you if you are
From 1961, she lived abroad in Egypt and Ghana and met strong and have self-belief.
Malcolm X on his visits to Ghana. She corresponded with
4 Ask students to read the poem again to find examples.
him as his thinking evolved from the extreme radicalism
of his youth to his later more inclusive vision of society. Answers
She returned to the US in 1965 to help him set up the 1 metaphor – ‘I’m a black ocean’; ‘I am the dream and the hope of the
Organization of African American Unity. He was assassinated slave’
shortly afterwards. 2 simile – ‘like dust, I’ll rise’; ‘walk like I’ve got oil wells’; ‘just like
moons and like suns’; ‘like hopes springing high, I’ll rise’; ‘shoulders
PRONUNCIATION falling down like teardrops’; ‘laugh like I’ve got gold mines’; ‘like air,
Maya Angelou /ˈmaɪjə ˈændʒəluː/ I’ll rise’; ‘dance like I’ve got diamonds’
metaphor /ˈmetəfɔː/
simile /ˈsɪməli/ 5 Ask students to answer the questions in pairs.
Arkansas /ˈɑːrkənsɔː/ Answers
1 Images of nature: dust, moons, suns, tides, air and ocean. These give
Notes on the unit an effect of unstoppable, powerful forces which automatically rise
every day.
1 Refer students to the title of the poem and the photos and 2 These are man-made signs of wealth and success, which are used to
discuss the question as a class. Then ask students to read describe her confident and proud appearance and manner, i.e. she
the poem to check their ideas. behaves as if she were rich.
2 Ask students to find the words in the text which match 3 The main rhyming sound is /aɪ/ – ‘rise’, ‘lies’, ‘tides’, ‘eyes’, ‘cries’,
the meanings. ‘mines’, ‘surprise’, ‘thighs’, ‘wide’, ‘tide’. The rhyming scheme is not
fixed, but the repetition builds up into a rhythmical chant.
Answers 4 The rhythm changes in the last two verses, and the effect is that the
1 twisted poem seems to speed up and build up to a climax for the last three
2 trod repetitions of ‘I rise’.
3 sassiness
4 beset 6 Ask students to read and complete the text with the
5 springing missing words.
6 bowed
7 soulful Answers
8 haughtiness 1 celebrated 6 activist
9 awful 2 varied 7 movement
10 backyard 3 raised 8 change
11 welling 4 overcome 9 assassinated
12 swelling 5 disadvantaged 10 spokesperson
13 bear
14 wondrously
What do you think?
Discuss as a class, or first in pairs/groups, and then as a class.
PROJECT
Students can do this as homework, but could also
prepare it in class, working in pairs.
Headway Culture and Literature Companion for the Fourth edition Upper-Intermediate Teacher’s Guide 9
© Copyright Oxford University Press
Upper-Intermediate 6A
4 Ask students to read the extract and find two examples of
Teenagers at work American labour laws being broken.
Background Answers
It is very common for teenagers to work in the UK, USA, Fifteen-year-olds working twelve-hour shifts; a seventeen-year-old
Canada, Australia, and New Zealand to earn pocket money operating an electric tomato dicer and/or the deep fryer machines
while they are at school and college. Common jobs include that should have been off-limits.
babysitting, doing a paper round, working in shops as
sales assistants, in restaurants as waiters/waitresses, and as 5 Ask students to look in the text and match the words to
lifeguards at their local swimming pools. Teenagers often make collocations, then guess their meaning from the
have Saturday jobs and work in the school holidays. They are context.
generally paid a minimum wage.
Child labour is a topic students are likely to be familiar with Answers
in relation to developing countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin 1 feels groggy – feels tired
America. They might be surprised, however, to find out how 2 the morning shift – the working period before lunch
many teenagers work in the USA and how often child labour 3 packets of condiments – tomato sauce, relish, etc. that are
laws are broken there and in other developed countries. individually packaged
Encourage them to find out about child labour laws in their 4 takes orders – asks people what they want to eat
country and compare them to other parts of the world. 5 is wiped out – is exhausted
6 flops onto the living room couch – sits or lies down on the couch/
Notes on the unit sofa
7 long past midnight – much later than midnight
1 Ask students to choose suitable jobs for teenagers in pairs.
8 bragged about his skill – boasted about how good he was at
Then discuss as a class.
something
Suggested answer
All the jobs would be suitable for teens, although farming would
6 Ask students to read the text again and answer the
probably be limited to weeding, fruit and vegetable picking, mucking questions.
out, etc. Teens wouldn’t be allowed to drive tractors or use machinery.
Answers
2 Have a brief discussion about child labour laws around 1 ‘She’s wiped out. She comes through the front door, flops onto the
the world. Then ask students to read and complete the living room couch, and turns on the TV.’
text with the missing words. 2 It emphasizes the monotonous nature of the job.
3 ‘She takes orders and hands food to customers from breakfast
Answers through lunch.’ – There is no mention of a break. ‘When she finally
1 owned walks home, after seven hours of standing at a cash register, her feet
2 employed hurt.’ – She hasn’t sat down for seven hours.
3 hazardous 4 It emphasizes the fact that many teenagers can be reckless about
4 youth safety and need protecting from injuries.
5 employment
6 declared What do you think?
7 limited
8 limits Discuss as a class, or first in pairs/groups, and then as a class.
9 exempt
10 chores PROJECT
Students can prepare the list as homework, but could
3 Ask students to discuss labour laws in small groups and also do it in class, working in pairs. They then discuss
make notes about what they know. Then have a class them as a class, and come up with ten child labour
discussion. regulations they all agree on.
Note: If you find that students don’t know much about the
labour laws in their country, encourage them to find out
about them for homework. Most countries have a website
listing all the relevant rules and regulations. You could
discuss them at the beginning of your next lesson.
Headway Culture and Literature Companion for the Fourth edition Upper-Intermediate Teacher’s Guide 10
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Upper-Intermediate 6B
5 Ask students to find the words in the extract that match
I Capture the Castle – Dodie Smith the definitions.
Background Answers
Dodie Smith (1896–1990) is most famous for her children’s 1 surge
novel The Hundred and One Dalmatians, first published in 2 scorches
1956, and later made into a Disney animated film. She was a 3 fetching
British writer, but spent many years living in America. Her 4 bitter
most critically acclaimed work is the novel I Capture the 5 unreasonable
Castle, which she wrote in America and which was inspired
by her nostalgia for England. 6 Ask students to read the extract again and decide if the
sentences are true or false.
Notes on the unit
1 Ask students to read the biographical text and complete Answers
the Factfile about Dodie Smith. 1T 2T 3F 4F 5T 6T
Headway Culture and Literature Companion for the Fourth edition Upper-Intermediate Teacher’s Guide 11
© Copyright Oxford University Press
Upper-Intermediate 7
4 Ask students to read the sonnet again and answer the
A sonnet by William Shakespeare questions.
Background Answers
The plays of William Shakespeare are studied by all children 1 What love is: 2
in British schools. His sonnets, which deal with themes such What love is not: 1, 2, and 3
as love, beauty, politics and morality, are also popular and can Narrator’s certainty: 4
be heard regularly on radio poetry programmes. 2 It slows it down.
Sonnet structure 3 Love: ‘that looks’; ‘mark’ refers to a ‘sea-mark’. These were familiar
A couplet is a group of two lines and a quatrain is a group of rocks that guided sailors, and, like modern-day lighthouses, they can
four lines. Iambic pentameter is a rhythm used in poetry, in be said to ‘look’ down on the stormy seas and the ships on them.
which each line consists of ten syllables made up of five pairs 4 ‘It is the star to every wandering barque’
of syllables. A rhyme scheme is the pattern of rhyme between 5 Time: ‘within his bending sickle’s compass’; ‘love alters not with his
lines of a poem or song. It is usually referred to by using brief hours’. This is the traditional figure of Father Time, the old man
letters to indicate which lines rhyme; lines designated with with a beard and a sickle. As the sickle was also used for reaping
the same letter all rhyme with each other. crops when they are ready, he is also portrayed as the Grim Reaper,
the figure of Death who comes to take us when our time has come.
In the first line of the second stanza, the word ‘fixed’ should 6 ‘sickle’s compass come’
be pronounced with two syllables /ˈfɪksəd/.
Suggested answers
True love, What real love is, Love that lasts forever, etc.
Answers
1 fourteen
2 twelve
3 four
4 two
5 cdcd
6 gg
7 ten
8 five
Answers
1g 2e 3b 4h 5a 6f 7d 8c
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Upper-Intermediate 8A
Conversation conventions 4 Ask students to read the text again and match the writers
with the points they make.
Background Answers
The focus of this lesson is on conversation conventions and 1C 2B 3E 4B 5A 6B 7D 8E
‘small talk’. Small talk is often seen as having little useful
purpose. However, it is an incredibly useful form of bonding
ritual. It has many different functions in helping to define What do you think?
the relationships between new acquaintances, colleagues, Discuss as a class, or first in pairs/groups, and then as a class.
business associates, friends, and family members.
The topics of small talk can differ between cultures. In PROJECT
the UK, for example, the weather is a common subject Students can do this as homework, but could also
for small talk. The text discusses various reasons why the prepare it in class, working in pairs.
weather is such a popular topic for small talk in Britain.
Other acceptable topics would be music, television, films,
and sport. These are all seen as relatively ‘safe’ topics. One
reason is that there will be some shared knowledge between
the speakers on these topics, which will help to avoid the
conversation becoming too one-sided. Taboo topics between
new acquaintances in the UK would include money, politics,
or the economy.
When to initiate small talk can also differ between cultures.
In the UK, it can be perfectly acceptable to start a business
meeting with small talk. However, it can be rare to see
strangers on a bus or train initiating any small talk.
PRONUNCIATION
Benjamin Orlove /ˈbendʒəmɪn ˈɔː lʌv/
Answers
Small talk: polite conversation about ordinary or unimportant subjects,
especially at social occasions.
Topics: students’ own answers
Answers
Reasons given in the text: 2, 5, 6
Answers
2 natural reserve, d
3 miss the point, i
4 global warming, b
5 weather patterns, j
6 cultural identity, g
7 daily routine, h
8 deeply embedded, a
9 come to light, f
10 diary keeping, c
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Upper-Intermediate 8B
6 Ask students to find the archaic forms in the poem to
Composed Upon Westminster Bridge – match the modern equivalents.
William Wordsworth
Answers
Background beautiful – fair; does – doth; to – unto; never – ne’er; glides – glideth
William Wordsworth is one of the most popular and widely-
read British poets. Westminster Bridge is one of the many 7 Ask students to read the poem again and answer the
bridges across the River Thames in central London, close to questions.
the Houses of Parliament. The Lake District, so-called for its
Answers
landscape of lakes, rivers and mountains, is in the north-west
1 ABBA, ABBA, CDC, CDC.
of England and is a popular destination for people wanting to
2 The notion that a city can be more beautiful than the natural world.
go walking in the countryside.
3 Someone lacking the ability to appreciate beauty and splendour.
4 Between the splendour associated with majesty and the very human
PRONUNCIATION associations of touching, reflecting the poet’s outlook.
Wordsworth /wɜːdzwɜːθ/ 5 By not stating the subject until the fourth line.
ballad /ˈbæləd/ 6 ‘Majesty’, ‘splendour’, ‘mighty’; we associate these words with
limerick /ˈlɪmərɪk/ royalty.
7 ‘Doth like a garment wear’; to compare the aura that envelopes the
elegy /ˈelədʒi/ city to an item of clothing.
8 ‘Majesty’, ‘bare’, ‘steep’, ‘houses seem asleep’, ‘that mighty heart’
Notes on the unit 9 That it took him by surprise; ‘Dear God!’
1 Refer students to the photographs and discuss the 10 The use of ‘to show’ with ‘Earth’; ‘garment’ and ‘wear’ with ‘City’;
questions as a class. ‘his’ with ‘sun’; ‘his own sweet will’ with ‘river’; ‘ houses seem asleep’;
‘that mighty heart is lying still’.
2 Ask students to read the text and answer the question.
Answers
1d 2e 3a 4c 5b
Answers
1 sonnet
2 morning
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Upper-Intermediate 9
Tiger mothers and turbo-charged fathers 4 Ask students to find the words in the article and match
them with the meanings.
Background Answers
The majority of British children go to state schools, free of 1c 2f 3e 4a 5j 6h 7b 8i 9g 10d
charge. They start nursery school at the age of three, primary
school at four or five, and secondary school at eleven. 5 Ask students to read the statements and decide in pairs if
Most secondary schools are comprehensive schools. This they are true or false according to the Eton housemaster.
means that they are all-inclusive – children of all abilities can
attend, and they don’t have to pass an entrance exam to get Answers
in. 1F 2T 3F 4T 5F 6F 7T 8T
Although the vast majority are comprehensives, there are
some selective state secondary schools. They are called What do you think?
grammar schools, and you have to pass an exam called the Discuss as a class, or first in pairs/groups, and then as a class.
‘Eleven Plus’ to get in. They are very academic and hard to
get into. At present, there are fewer than 200 such schools in PROJECT
the UK.
Divide the class into three groups: A, B, and C.
There is a small percentage (around 8%) of children who
aren’t educated in the state sector. They go to fee-paying Give each group a role: A are pushy parents, B are school
private schools. In other words, parents or guardians have to teachers, and C are grandparents.
pay for their children to go there. This is called the private Allow each group some time to prepare what they are
(or independent) sector. Children go to pre-prep schools going to say, then put students in groups of three: an A,
from the age of two or three. At the age of seven, they go to B, and C student in each group.
a prep school (short for preparatory school), where they are Ask students to discuss how to bring up happy,
prepared for the ‘Common Entrance’ exam, which they will successful children and make a list of five top tips.
need to pass in order to get into a private secondary school. Remind them to express their opinions according to
This can be a day school or a boarding school (where you live their roles.
during term time). Private boarding schools are often called Compare the top tips of each group as a class.
public schools and are the most expensive and exclusive
in the country. Eton College is one of the oldest and most
famous public schools in the world. Prince William and
Prince Harry both went there.
As the birth rate in cities like London has risen, there are
more children than places available in private schools. As a
result, getting into private schools has become increasingly
competitive. This has resulted in entrance exams even for
pre-prep schools and parents increasingly ‘hot-housing’ their
children to get them into the schools of their choice.
PRONUNCIATION
Eton College /i:tn ˈkɒlɪdʒ/
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Upper-Intermediate 10A
Binge-drinking Britain 4 Ask students to find the words in the text and guess their
meaning from the context.
Background Answers
Binge-drinking, especially among teenagers, is a serious 1 a name used to describe something
problem in the UK. Excessive drinking leads to fights, 2 new
accidents and health problems, all of which are expensive for 3 invented
the country. 4 tradition
Throughout the UK the sale of alcohol is restricted. Shops 5 out of control behaviour
must have a special licence to sell alcoholic drinks, and pubs, 6 results of past events
cafés and restaurants require a licence to serve alcohol to 7 created
customers. The hours during which alcohol can be sold are 8 intelligent
also restricted. These strict ‘licensing laws’ were brought in 9 introduce
during the 19th century, partly as a result of pressure from 10 becoming more similar
Temperance Societies, which were established by religious 11 drinking
groups in response to the growing problem of drunkenness 12 showing signs of
and alcoholism among working-class people. In recent years,
the licensing laws have been relaxed in the hope that fewer 5 Ask students to read the text again and decide whether
restrictions and a more relaxed attitude towards alcohol the statements are true, false or not stated in the text.
might lead to a reduction in binge-drinking.
The ‘male-dominated boozer’ mentioned in the text is a Answers
1F 2F 3NS 4T 5T 6F 7F 8NS 9F 10F
reference to the traditional British pub (‘booze’ is an informal
word for ‘alcohol’). Until the 1960s, pubs were very male-
dominated, and women rarely went into a pub if they were What do you think?
not accompanied by a man. Discuss as a class, or first in pairs/groups, and then as a class.
PRONUNCIATION PROJECT
binge-drinking /bɪndʒ ˈdrɪŋkɪŋ/ Students can do this as homework, but could also
lager louts /ˈlɑːɡə laʊts/ prepare it in class, working in pairs.
Answer
B
Answers
2 aggressive outbursts, k
3 road rage, b
4 loose boundaries, j
5 rapid expansion, d
6 licensed premises, h
7 cultural ambivalence, a
8 disinhibited behaviours, f
9 first-rate incentive, i
10 male-dominated boozer, l
11 drunken swill, c
12 vertical drinking establishments, g
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Upper-Intermediate 10B
5 Ask students to read the extract again and answer the
The War of the Worlds – H.G. Wells questions.
Background Answers
H.G.Wells (1866–1946) was an English writer best known 1 He assumed they would resemble humans.
for his works of science fiction. He was born in Kent, in 2 They were like snakes; in Greek mythology, the Gorgons had snakes
the south of England, and when, at the age of 12, he was for hair.
bedridden with a broken leg, he developed a love of reading 3 He moved back from the edge of the pit, but kept his eyes fixed on
novels, which later developed into a desire to write. Wells the creature.
studied science at university and was also interested in 4 Gravity on Earth was greater than on the alien’s planet.
politics, becoming a member of the socialist Fabian Society. 5 The look in its (huge) eyes.
His best-known works include The War of the Worlds, The 6 He couldn’t stop looking at the aliens, rather than watching where
Time Machine, The Invisible Man, and The First Men in the he was going.
Moon. His works are still widely read, and there have been 7 The sound of a scream.
film and TV adaptations of several of his novels. 8 He was too afraid.
PRONUNCIATION
Martian /ˈmɑːʃn/
What do you think?
Discuss as a class, or first in pairs/groups, and then as a class.
You might like to read the following quote to the class, from
Notes on the unit Chapter 1 of The War of the Worlds, which suggests that
1 Discuss the questions as a class. Wells feels that humans can be taken as a model for how a
2 Ask students to speculate on what kind of aliens they technologically superior race might behave aggressively and
expect to find in the novel. Ask them to read the extract destructively towards a less developed one:
to check their answers. ‘And before we judge them [the Martians] too harshly, we
3 Ask students to match the groups of words with their must remember what ruthless and utter destruction our
meanings. own species has wrought, not only upon animals, such as
the vanished bison and the Dodo, but upon its own inferior
Answers races. The Tasmanians, in spite of their human likeness, were
1e 2d 3b 4h 5c 6g 7a 8f entirely swept out of existence in a war of extermination
waged by European immigrants, in the space of 50 years.
4 Ask students to answer the questions, either individually Are we such apostles of mercy as to complain if the Martians
or in pairs. warred in the same spirit?’
Answers PROJECT
1 By describing it little by little, keeping the reader guessing. Students could do the task for homework, or could do
2 They vary, sometimes very short and sometimes quite long. This the research for homework and then write the account
changes the pace and helps to increase the tension felt by the in class, working in pairs.
reader, who doesn’t know what to expect next.
3 a) ‘glistened like wet leather’
b) ‘like the fall of a great mass of leather’
4 It creates the impression of an eyewitness account, giving the reader
the feeling of being present at the vital moments, and able to
imagine the fear he/she would feel.
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Upper-Intermediate 11A
3 Ask students to read the text again and find what the
Inventions years refer to.
Background Answers
Boiling water to produce mechanical motion goes back 1845: Samuel Morse formed a company to install telegraph lines from
about 2,000 years. First, the Greeks experimented with New York to other cities.
various rudimentary devices, then the Turks, Italians, and 1769: James Watt received a patent for his steam engine.
Spanish followed suit. The first commercial steam-powered 1837: William Cooke and Charles Wheatstone patented their telegraph
device was a water pump, developed in England in 1698 by device.
Thomas Savery. Thomas Newcomen’s engine was based on 1825: Morse started work on a system of long-distance communication.
technologies discovered by Savery. 1876: Joseph Swann patented an incandescent lamp.
Although James Watt is credited with the first commercial 1879: Thomas Edison filed a patent for his light bulb.
1712: Thomas Newcomen’s steam engine appeared.
engine, his low-pressure version was quickly superseded by
1847: Morse received a patent for his single-wire telegraph device.
a high-pressure one, which Watt vigorously fought against to
protect his commercial interests, claiming it was unsafe. 4 Ask students to find the words in the texts and match
Samuel Morse made a reasonable living as a portrait them with the meanings.
painter, artist, and teacher. After his first wife’s death, he
painstakingly worked on his invention as well, although Answers
it took a long time for it to become recognized for what it 1h 2c 3d 4e 5a 6b 7i 8f 9j 10g
was. He had to work hard for recognition, funding, and
investment. He finally received a patent for it when he was 5 Ask students to find the phrases in the text and work out
56, after 25 years. their meanings.
The take-up of electricity was slow over the first ten years
due to the high installation costs, but as the price came down, Answers
Thomas Edison gained three million customers over the 1 attempt to do something for the first time
following ten years. However, Edison’s direct current (DC) 2 make future development easier for something or somebody
system of electricity was superseded by the Westinghouse 3 work together on a common enterprise or project
Electric Company’s more powerful alternating current (AC)
6 Ask students to look at the texts again and answer the
system, designed by Nickola Tesla. Although Edison fought
questions.
the new system, claiming it was unsafe for household use, the
more efficient AC system is the one we use today. Answers
1A 2B 3A, C 4A, B, and C 5 Morse 6 Edison
PRONUNCIATION 7 Morse and Edison 8 Watt and Morse 9 Morse
Thomas Newcomen /tɒməs njuːkʌmən/
James Watt /dʒeɪms wɒt/ What do you think?
Samuel Morse /ˈsæmjuːwel mɔːs/ Discuss as a class, or first in pairs/groups, and then as a class.
William Cooke /ˈwɪljəm kʊk/
Students might be interested to learn that in a vote by
Charles Wheatstone /tʃɑːls ˈwiːtstəʊn / listeners to BBC Radio, the bicycle was voted the number one
Thomas Edison /ˈtɒməs ˈɛdɪsən/ invention.
Joseph Swann /dʒəʊsəf swɒn/
PROJECT
Students can do this as homework, but could also
Notes on the unit prepare it in class, working in pairs. You might like to
1 Students discuss the question in pairs, then as a class. display students’ texts on the classroom wall and then
ask students to have a class vote for the top invention of
Possible answers all time.
bicycle, car, computer, television
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Upper-Intermediate 11B
6 Ask students to find the phrases in the text and work out
Life of Pi – Yann Martel their meanings.
Background Answers
Yann Martel (born 1963) is a French-Canadian author best 1 rationally, objectively
known for his novel Life of Pi, which won the prestigious 2 as safe as it could be, given the circumstances
Man Booker Prize for literature in 2002. Although his first 3 (deal with) the problem immediately before you panic, and not
language is French, he writes in English. He was born in worry yet about the next problem
Spain and grew up in Costa Rica, France, Mexico, and 4 noise from the seawater entering the ship
Canada. As an adult, Martel spent over a year in India and 5 do something as carefully as you can
also read different religious texts and castaway stories. All of
this formed the basis of Life of Pi – his most successful novel 7 Ask students to read the extract again and discuss the
to date, selling over ten million copies worldwide. questions in pairs.
The novel was made into a film in 2012 by award-winning
director Ang Lee. At the 2013 Oscars, the film won four Answers
awards, including Best Director and Best Visual Effects. 1 After the ship is wrecked and before the boy gets on the lifeboat.
At this point, only the tiger and zebra are on board.
PRONUNCIATION 2 He didn’t feel or think much at all. The rational part of his brain
switched off and he instinctively did what he could to survive.
Yann Martel /jæn mɑːˈtel/
3 He put the pole of the oar through the ring and positioned himself
Pi /paɪ/ inside the ring with his arms and legs round the oar. Now the ring
was helping him hold onto the oar.
Notes on the unit 4 The darkness melted away from the sky. The rain stopped.
5 He needed to get out of the water. He was cold, uncomfortable and
1 Discuss the questions as a class. You could mention that couldn’t see anything. He wanted to look for other signs of life from
this is the back-cover blurb of the book. If any students the shipwreck.
have read the book or seen the film, you might like to ask 6 He worked out that the tiger wouldn’t see him because it was
them what they thought of it. looking at the zebra at the other end of the boat. Also, from what
2 Ask students to read the review and answer the questions. he knew of tigers, the sound of the storm and the fact that he was
wet would allow him to climb on board unnoticed by the tiger.
Answers 7 Pi has a strong instinct for survival. He is tough, resourceful, and
Positive. intelligent. He assesses his possibilities quickly and accurately. Above
A fable is a type of story. all, he is brave and will take a calculated risk.
3 Ask students to match the story types to the definitions. 9 Ask students to answer the question based on what they
read in exercise 8.
Answers
1b 2a 3c 4d Answer
They decide to believe the animal version because otherwise Pi would
4 Ask students to read the extract and answer the questions. be a murderer and cannibal, and they find that too horrible to believe.
There is no evidence for either story.
Answers
One person is mentioned – a boy.
A zebra, some sharks, and a tiger named Richard Parker. What do you think?
Discuss as a class, or first in pairs or groups, and then as a class.
5 Ask students to find words in the extract which match the
meanings. If you believe the more unbelievable tale with the animals,
it shows that you perhaps have a more trusting, optimistic
Answers nature than the more rational, cynical nature required for
1 orphaned assuming the only-human version of the story is possible.
2 oar
3 prospects PROJECT
4 lifebuoy Students could do this as homework, but could also
5 awkward prepare it in class, working in pairs.
6 the elements
7 prowl
8 lunge
9 flotsam
10 tarpaulin
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Upper-Intermediate 12
6 Ask students to read and complete the text with the
The Call – Charlotte Mew missing words.
Background Answers
Although London-born poet Charlotte Mew (1869–1928) 1 schizophrenia
isn’t very well-known today, she was highly esteemed during 2 poverty
her lifetime by poets like Siegfried Sassoon, Ezra Pound, and 3 inconsolable
Thomas Hardy. Her output was small but compelling and 4 suicide
original, with themes of disillusionment, loneliness, doubt, 5 acclaimed
and mental illness dominating her work. Mew had a short, 6 generation
sad life. She never married, but lived in the family home with
her sister and her mother, and was always short of money. 7 Ask students to work in groups to discuss if and how their
She was an eccentric sight, a diminutive figure always dressed interpretations of the poem have changed.
in men’s clothes (it is likely that she was a lesbian). She ended 8 Students can write their own interpretation of The Call in
her life at the age of 58. pairs in the lesson or individually for homework.
Notes on the unit What do you think?
1 Ask students not to read The Call yet, but to look at the Discuss as a class, or first in pairs/groups, and then as a class.
pictures illustrating the poem. Discuss them as a class.
Then get students to make notes predicting what the
PROJECT
poem is about under the headings.
Students can do this as homework, but could also
Possible answers prepare it in class, working in pairs.
Setting: an old house in the country, at night in winter.
Characters: two people (a couple, friends, siblings); a visitor, someone
with bad news, an intruder, or a ghost.
Story: something happens to make the two people leave the warm fire
and walk out into the night – bad news, maybe.
Atmosphere: lonely, ominous, mysterious.
Answers
a lines 1–2
b line 8
c lines 15–16
d lines 19–25
Answers
1d 2f 3b 4e 5a 6c
Answers
1C 2B 3A
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