Checkpoint Stage 9 Workbook Answer Key

Collins Checkpoint English
Stage 9: Workbook
Answer Key
Chapter 1
Topic 1.1
a) 3; b) 1; c) 1; d) 3; e) 1; f) 1
2 Possible answers
a) sunny: clear, radiant, summery
b) deep: bottomless, unfathomable, profound
c) peaceful: quiet, tranquil, restful
d) dangerous: perilous, hazardous, precarious
e) difficult: demanding, challenging, formidable
f) extreme: severe, drastic, uncompromising
Topic 1.2
1. skimming – c) glancing rapidly through a text to determine gist
2. scanning – a) glancing rapidly at a text through a text to search for specific

information
3. close reading – b) the careful, sustained examination of a brief passage of text
a) Mexico’s / warm climate / makes it / an attractive / travel destination.
b) Mexico / has the 23rd / highest income / from tourism / in the world.
c) There are / over 15 million / indigenous people / in Mexico, / constituting 15% / of

the population.
©HarperCollins Publishers 2016
d) Mexico City / is one of the largest / metropolitan areas / in the world, / covering
1485 / square kilometres.
3 Suggested answers
a) travel light – to bring very few things with you when you go on a journey
b) smooth sailing – to make progress without difficulty
c) clear the decks – to get ready for important action by tidying up anything that might
get in your way
d) train of thought – a complex sequence of thoughts in your mind
a) F; b) F; c) T; d) F
Topic 1.3
a) register; b) formal; c) tone; d) denotation
2 Possible answers
a) If you could please let me have the ticket now, it will save us both a lot of time and
bother in the morning.
b) I’m terribly sorry. Unfortunately the que for foreign passports is on the left.
3 Possible answers
a) We will do our best to accommodate your vacation request. However, we must also
consider the needs of the business at that time of year.
b) We are sorry to inform you that the model R30 you ordered is no longer available.
We recommend the model R25, which has all of the same basic features.
Topic 1.4
a) apprehensive; b) minaret; c) alluvia; d) cleaves; e) tract; f) comber; g) cupola

1. When I found myself on my feet, I looked about me, and must confess I never beheld a
more entertaining prospect. 2. The country around, appeared like a continued garden,
and the enclosed fields, which were generally forty feet square, resembled so many beds
of flowers. 3. These fields were intermingled with woods of half a stang, and the tallest
trees, as I could judge, appeared to be seven feet high. 4. I viewed the town on my left
hand, which looked like the painted scene of a city in a theatre.
a) The tone seems to one of disorientation and wonder. He would seem to be

disoriented because “found himself on [his] feet,” i.e. he did not come to be on his feet by
his own efforts. He seems to be in wonder of the fields which “resembles so many beds
of flowers,” and the town which looked like a “painted scene of a city in a theatre.”
b) The footnote in Gulliver’s Travels says that stang is a unit of measure; “an old word for
a perch, sixteen feet and a half.’ Therefore, at “half a stang,” the length of the woods
would be eight feet and a quarter.
c) The country appeared like a continued garden; the town looked like a painted scene
in a theatre.
a) moaning; b) injury; c) lying; d) appreciable; e) conscious; f) affected
Topic 1.5
simple sentence – b) A sentence that contains just one subject and one verb
compound sentence – e) a sentence that contains ideas of equal weight joined by a

connective
complex sentence – b) a sentence that contains a main idea and one or more supporting
ideas
predicate – d) What is said about the subject
main clause – f) A clause or sentence that contains a subject or a predicate
subordinate clause – a) A clause that adds more information to the main idea
a) False; b) True; c) True; d) False; e) True; f) True; g) False

a) Simple sentences
b) underlined & c) in bold
Walking through Barcelona is an amazing experience. The city is filled with

buildings of every age and design. In the old city the streets are narrow. Everywhere
are shops and restaurants.
Walking through Barcelona is an amazing experience which everyone should

experience. There are buildings of every age and design as if the city itself is a
museum of architecture. In the old city the streets are narrow while outside the old
city walls the streets are wide and tree-lined. There are shops that will tempt you
to spend your euros and restaurants where you can eat some of the best food in
Europe.
Topic 1.6
Relative pronoun Subordinating conjunction Both
Whatever Although When
Whoever As long as Where
Whose Even though Whether
That Unless whenever
We stopped to drink a little water whenever c) we were thirsty.
We knew we could keep going as long as b) we still had water.
Unfortunately the water ran out although/even though f) we had been careful not to
drink too much.
It seemed that we would not get to the village unless d) someone helped us.
A car appeared when e) we did not expect to see one.

We were safe now whatever a) happened.
Whenever we were thirsty, we stopped to drink a little water.
As long as we still had water, we know we could keep going.
Although/Even though we had been careful not to drink too much, unfortunately the
water ran out.
Unless someone helped us, it seemed that we would not get to the village.
When we did not expect to see one, a car appeared.
Whatever happened, we were safe now.
Generally putting the subordinate clause first creates a more interesting sentence, but be
careful not to do it all the time as it can be repetitive.
Topic 1.7
a) ascent; c) distinct; d) eerily; f) glimpsing; h) legend
2 Suggested, others are possible
a) unpleasant, unfriendly; b) unattractive, ugly; c) similarity; d) wintry, strong; e)

predictable; f) rich, wealthy; g) tasteless, unappealing; h) uninteresting, boring, dull
Word Form Example (students’ own answers)
To beautify Verb
Beautiful Adjective
Beauty Noun
beautifully Adverb

To impoverish Verb
Poor Adjective
Poverty Noun
Poorly Adverb
To vary Verb
Variable Adjective
Variety Noun
Variably Adverb
To amaze Verb
Amazed Adjective
Amazing Adjective
Amazement Noun
Amazingly Adverb
Topic 1.8
a) Does anything need more detail?
b) Are there interesting details you could add or dull ones you could remove?

c) Have you varied your sentences enough?
d) Have you overused certain words?
e) Are there words or phrases you could replace with more effective ones?
f) Have you used punctuation effectively – for example, with clauses?
a) Yes: Why did they go to Barcelona, who did they go with.
b) There are very few interesting details, more could be added about the weather, the
people, what the city looks like. How the author feels to be there. The information about
the population and economy is too dull for a piece of travel writing and should be
removed.
c) No, the sentences are almost all simple sentences. There was only one complex
sentence at the end.
d) Yes, amazing is repeated too often and the adjectives are very dull: big, interesting,
different.
e) Yes, a lot of the adjectives are dull and the explanation for the buildings is not very
effective.
f) No, there is a punctuation mistake in the last sentence – there is no comma before
‘because’ (the subordinate clause) because the main clause is first.
Introduction We have just returned from a visit to Barcelona.
Facts It is a big city in Spain on the Mediterranean coast. In 2014 it had a

population of over 1.4million and is in one of the richest regions in
Europe with a GDP 16% greater than the average.
Opinions Barcelona is an amazing city. The buildings are amazing and the
beaches are amazing. The buildings are interesting, because there
were many different architects in Barcelona.
Conclusion You should go there.
a) opinions; b) introduction; c) facts; d) introduction; e) conclusion
5 Suggested

My uncle and I have just returned from a visit to Barcelona where we visited an
architecture exhibition. It’s famous not just for Gaudi who is still one of the most
original architects to have ever worked but also for its extraordinary city plan of square
blocks called “manzanas” - apples. Barcelona is an amazing city Looming over us were
buildings of every conceivable style and shape. If you enjoy the seeing the most fantastic
and unusual of buildings you should go there.
Chapter 2
Topic 2.1
a) subsidence; b) irony; c) chock-full; d) skim; e) magma; f) adjective; g) scan; h) point

of view
a) chock-full; b) scanned; c) skim; d) subsidence; e) adjectives; f) irony; g) magma; h)

point of view
a) F; b) F; c) T; d) F; e) F; f) T
Positive Negative Neutral
sensible squalid sceptical
reassuring superfluous satisfactory
rewarding tedious tricky
respectable unsatisfactory significant
reasonable tragic random
a) eminently; b) completely; c) notoriously; d) potentially; e) terribly; f) completely
b) random; c) tricky; d) rewarding; e) significant; f) reasonable

Students’ own answers.
Topic 2.2
a) Levels of formality depend mostly on word choice.
b) ‘Personal style’ is a style of writing that seems warm and friendly because of its use of
first and second person pronouns.
c) ‘Impersonal style’ sounds more detached and objective, emphasising facts and
concepts rather than the writer’s opinion.
d) Read between the lines in almost any piece of writing and it is possible to detect the
writer’s mood.
up for grabs – available
crack up – laugh
as a result – consequently
around – approximately
make up your mind – decide
you have to – requirement
not equal – disparity
a) F; b) T
Topic 2.3
a) News agencies should hire separate staff and create a separate product strictly for
young people.
b) News agencies should focus on covering news items that are relevant to young
people.
c) Young people want news that is intelligently written, not dumbed down.
d) Bullet points and sub-headings are good for attracting and maintaining young
readers’ interest.
a) T; b) F; c) F; d) F; e) T; f) F
a) accept; b) assumption; c) process; d) worthless; e) treating, overcome; f) current
Topic 2.4
1. timekeeper; chairperson; scribe
2. So that participants have enough time to cover all items on the agenda.
3. No. The scribe must record what participants discuss and decide without bias, noting
group comments and decisions.
4. Possible answers: chance to pool knowledge and skills with peers, can provide more
input for subjects you are brainstorming, provides chance to give and receive feedback,
provides good practise for communication skills, facilitates tackling more complex
problems than one person could handle, etc.
5. To help the group tackle the task, to keep people focused on the task, to make sure
that everyone contributes and listens politely, to make sure the group finishes the task.
Topic 2.5
a) S; b) P; c) F; d) S/F; e) S; f) S/P; g) S; h) S/F; i) F/S/P; j) F/S/P; k) F/S/P; l) F/S
Topic 2.6
a) T; b) F; c) F; d) T; e) T

The problem with all of them is that they don’t make it clear what the paragraph will be
about. a); b); d) are too general and c); e) are too specific.
1. – c); 2. – a); 3. – d); 4. – b)
Topic 2.7
Addition / Contrast Reason / result / time

accumulation cause / effect
And But so, before,
in addition, however, for, after,

nevertheless,
also, accordingly, meanwhile,
still, consequently, subsequently, then,
besides,
therefore,
furthermore, conversely, afterward,
likewise, otherwise, as a result,
earlier,
moreover instead, for this reason
later
in contrast
a) however; nevertheless; conversely; in contrast
b) so; accordingly; consequently; therefore; as a result; for this reason
c) before
d) in addition; besides; furthermore; likewise; moreover
Topic 2.8
a) A preposition is a word that usually precedes, a noun or pronoun and expresses a

relation to another word or element in the same clause.
b) An adverb is a word or phrase that modifies the meaning of an adjective, verb, or

other adverb, expressing manner, place, time, or degree.

c) A prepositional phrase consists of the preposition, its object, and modifiers of the
object.
d) An adverbial phrase consists of two or more words that act as an adverb. It can
modify a verb, adverb, or adjective.
2 Prepositions underlined Prepositional phrases bold
a) There were [about twenty people] [in the cave].
b) You must be over 14 to go caving.
c) She suffered from claustrophobia when she went down the cave.
d) They wanted to speak with the group leader.
3 Adverbs underlined Adverbial phrases bold
a) She lives in a large cave.
b) We waited outside for a long time.
c) They climbed the cliff wall with great skill.
d) They shouted at the top of their voices.
Topic 2.9
a) By the tiny pieces of rock / mineral deposits building up from the water flowing
through a cave.
b) Greek.
c) Lava, minerals, mud, peat, pitch and sand.
d) Fastest is about 3mm per year.
a) 2; b) 1; c) 1; d) 2; e) 2; f) 1
a) In caves; through the cave; in it; from the ceiling; from the floor; in the middle.
b) Over time this leaves a piece of rock hanging from the ceiling (stalactite) and a
column of rock growing up from the floor (stalagmite). An easy way to remember which

is which is Stalagmites, with a g, come from the ground and stalactites with a c come
from the ceiling.
c) That you see in caves; which comes through the cave; As the water drips down.
Chapter 3
Topic 3.1
A = Adjectives
F = Facts
O = Opinions
R = Rule of three
E = Emotive language
S = Statistics
T = Talk to the reader (personal pronouns).
2; 1; 3; 5; 4
a) F; b) F; c) F
Topic 3.2
a) red; b) green; c) black; d) black; e) red; f) white; g) blue; h) black
1. space – e) race
2. launch – d) pad
3. sound – a) barrier

4. moon – g) walk
5. test – h) pilot
6. gravitational – c) force
7. outer – f) space
8. manned – b) spacecraft
Topic 3.3
a) voyage; b) vehicles; c) spaceflight; d) weightlessness; e) suborbital; f) earth
d); f); a); c); b); e)
1. passed away – d) died; 2. fell off the back of a truck – h) stolen; 3. on the streets – b)
homeless; 4. big boned – g) overweight; 5. between jobs – c) unemployed; 6. vertically
challenged – a) short; 7. sanitation engineer – f) garbage man; 8. collateral damage – e)
accidental deaths
a) Similar; b) Different; c) Similar; d) Similar; e) Different
Topic 3.4
a) Exploring the / solar system / as a united humanity / will bring / us all / closer
together.
b) Human settlement / on Mars / will aid / our understanding / of the origins / of our
solar / system.
c) To prepare / for this settlement / the first unmanned / mission / is scheduled to /

depart in / 2020.
d) Join / Mars One’s efforts / to enable / the next giant / leap for / mankind.
e) A habitable settlement / will await / the first crew / before they / depart earth.

f) The hardware needed / will / be sent / to Mars / in the years / ahead of the / humans.
a) F; b) F; c) T
a) mission; b) role; c) programme; d) partnership; e) observation; f) network
a) principal; b) consequences; c) wonder; d) to consider; e) watching; f) invented; g)

Whether; h) leave
Topic 3.5
fundamentally; exponentially; impossibly; certainly; extraordinarily; essentially;

obviously; utterly; significantly; considerably
2 Suggested, others may be possible
a) superficially; b) partially; c) possibly; d) doubtfully; e) complicatedly; f) normally; g)

obscurely; h) questionably; i) insignificantly; j) inconsiderably
a) The Fundamental (this is also the adjective form); the superficiality
b) The total; the part
c) The impossible; the possible
d) The certainty; the doubt
e) The simplicity; the complication
f) The extraordinary; the normal
g) The obvious; the obscure
h) The question
i) The significance; the insignificance
j) The consideration; the inconsideration

Noun endings are –ity, -tion, -ance, -ary and a short form of the word without any
suffixes.
Topic 3.6
a) An argument essay is a style/type of essay where you try to convince your reader to
agree with your opinion on a controversial topic.
All options could be valid, but these are essential to include: c); b); d); h)
Standard Point by Point Block
Introduction / explanation Introduction / explanation Introduction / explanation

of the issue of the issue of the issue
Advance your argument Statement of 1st counter- Summary of the counter-

argument + your rebuttal arguments
Develop your argument Statement of 2nd counter- Rebuttal to the counter-

argument + your rebuttal arguments
Introduce counter- Statement of 3rd counter- Advance your arguments

argument argument + your rebuttal
Rebut counter-argument Conclusion with your Develop your arguments

argument
Conclusion XXXXXXXX Conclusion
1. Some people suggest that the rise of English will diminish their own culture.
2. Cultural identities are not necessarily destroyed by the addition of another language.
3. Communications will be easier throughout the world.
4. Everyone who speaks English will have access to a world of opportunities.

Or
1. Communications will be easier throughout the world.
2. Everyone who speaks English will have access to a world of opportunities.
3. Some people suggest that the rise of English will diminish their own culture.
4. Cultural identities are not necessarily destroyed by the addition of another language.
5 Topic underlined Controlling idea in bold
Some people suggest that the rise of English will diminish their own culture.
Cultural identities are not necessarily destroyed by the addition of another language.
Communications will be easier throughout the world.
Everyone who speaks English will have access to a world of opportunities.
Topic 3.7
a) culture; destroy; language
b) Words in bold relate to culture Underlined words relate to destroy Words in italics
relate to language.
Cultural identities are not necessarily destroyed by the addition of another language.
Despite some people’s concern about the dilution of their culture, evidence has shown
that the existence of another spoken language rarely damages the use of the native
language. Indeed, quite often the result is the opposite; as people perceive the threat of
the incoming language they work harder to preserve their original cultural traditions.
Often this active promotion of culture increases cultural awareness in the community
where otherwise it may have died out through apathy.
c) Every sentence contains at least one of the key words or a related word.
We can give coherence to our paragraphs by repeating the same word, synonyms or
words in the same word family throughout the paragraph.
a) Everyone [who speaks English].

b) Everyone who speaks English will have access to a world of opportunities. There are
more people in the world who have English as a second or third language than there are
native speakers of English. These people not only have the ability to succeed in their
own country either in national companies or international companies. Additionally they
can travel to other countries where English is the first or a common language to seek
work and enhance their careers. Indeed for those who can communicate in English the
world really is their oyster.
c) A wide variety of pronouns are used to refer back to the subject of the sentence.
Using pronouns effectively is another good way of creating coherence within a sentence.
Learners of any foreign language embark on a long and sometimes difficult journey.
While they may start with considerable enthusiasm often the hard work of learning all
the vocabulary can put them off and they give up. However for those who persevere
and succeed the rewards are considerable. They will have the pleasure of being able to
live and work in another culture. They may also find themselves developing a new
identity in that culture. Something that will enhance both their character and enrich
their lives.
Topic 3.8
Do: a; b; c; d; e; g; I; j; n; o
Don’t: f; h; k; l; m; p; q
Topic 3.9
1. Decide what the two sides of the argument actually are and chose the one you agree
with most.
2. Write a thesis statement. This can either state just your point of view or both sides of
the argument.
3. Research your topic to get facts, opinions and examples for both sides of the
argument.
4. Make notes of any important quotes you would like to use, but don’t forget to record
where you got them from.

5. Decide which structure you will use: standard, block or point by point.
6. Write a draft.
7. Write an explanatory or attention grabbing introduction.
8. Check and revise your essay for the final draft before submission.
2 Suggested
a) The mobile phone is the worst invention of this century, but it has brought many
benefits to people around the world.
b) Every child should do one hour of sports at school each day, although some people
believe that school is just for academic education.
c) The environment needs to be protected by international laws, in spite of the fact that
many countries want to retain control over their own environmental policy.
3 Suggested
a) 1. Parents can keep in touch with their children. 2. People feel safer with one. 3. They
enable better communication.
b) 1. Children need to exercise their bodies as well as their minds. 2. It helps children
develop the habit of keeping fit and healthy. 3. Team sports develop good co-operation
skills.
Connectives underlined Vocabulary in bold Pronouns in italics
Some people believe that children should spend at least one hour a day at school playing
some type of sport. There are many reasons for this: firstly not all children have access
to sports facilities outside school. Secondly, no one denies that doing exercise helps
their mental development as well as their physical development. Also it is important
for them to develop a positive attitude to keeping fit and healthy when they are young.
Finally, playing team sports enables children to develop good co-operation skills
which will be helpful to them throughout their lives.
Chapter 4
Topic 4.1

a) T; b) T; c) F; d) F; e) T; f) F
a) hearing; sight; taste; smell; touch
b) audio; vision; flavour; odour; contact
c) Possible answers: acquired, fruity, horrible, peculiar, salty, etc.
d) Possible answers: acrid, appetising, foul, pungent, refreshing, etc.
a) above; b) by; c) above; d) by; e) behind; f) under; g) against
a) From the sublime to the ridiculous is but a step.
b) Nothing is worse in prison than the consciousness of one’s innocence.
c) In matters of grave importance, style, not sincerity, is the vital thing.
d) One skill I did not learn on the streets of Ottawa was how to ride a horse.
Topic 4.2
1. In a piece of…; 2. For example...; 3. Alternatively…; 4. By carefully…
a) To ensure reliability, the anthropologists could not disclose all the details of the
study.
b) While waiting for the doctor, I read an interesting article about teaching overseas.
c) The natives pursued spiritual, not material, wealth.
d) She tried several times to call home from China.
e) At base camp, we decided ourselves what to do with our free time.
f) Due to the nature of dogs, a dog owner is less likely to suffer from stress.
g) Under pressure, the scientist changed the data in the case study.

a) fright; b) satisfaction; c) grief; d) outrage; e) tranquillity
Topic 4.3
1. simile – d) a comparison between two things that uses the words ‘as’ or ‘like’
2. pathetic fallacy – c) using a description of the weather to reflect the feelings of a

character
3. atmosphere – a) the main mood or emotions in a piece of writing
4. symbolism – b) using an object or image to represent a feeling or idea
a) What might happen if the government stopped pandering to the needs of wealthy
bankers?
b) In China, many children are forced by their parents to take piano lessons.
c) Battery powered torches are the more commonly used ones in North America and
Europe.
d) In Saudi Arabia, 90% of export earnings are associated with the petroleum sector.
e) Sara’s job involved receiving shipments of retail goods from overseas and shipping
them on to domestic retail outlets.
a) criticisms & at; b) which & affect; c) break; d) gets
a) mature; b) flavour; c) indispensable; d) overbalanced; e) abscond
Topic 4.4
Across:
3. Quail: A little bird that lays small, fragile eggs
4. Char: A French word for a decorated float, or moving platform, used as part of a
parade
5. Innumerable: Too many to be counted
6. Galette: A type of French cake
Down:
1. Conspiratorial: Secretive and illegal
2. Febrile: Feverish
a) febrile; b) char; c) galette; d) quail; e) innumerable; f) conspiratorial
Topic 4.5
a) T; b) F. She was woken by the moonlight; c) T; d) F. It came from the directly above
Jane’s room; e) T
a) The face of the moon; b) Savage, sharp, shrilly; c) Because they all have the ‘sss’
sound which echoes the word and the sound of a scream. Also using the ‘rule of three’ is
very effective for adding dramatic tension; d) It sounds like people are fighting to kill
each other; e) It sounds like someone is trying to suffocate the other by putting
something, perhaps a pillow, over their mouths.
a) To create an atmosphere of solemn calm beauty to add contrast to what comes next;
b) It comes as a big shock after the calm of the first paragraph and leaves the reader
wondering what is happening; c) “My pulse stopped: my heart stood still; my stretched
arm was paralysed.” This comes very soon after the 3 adjectives for the scream and it is
very effective in describing Jane’s terror; d) This serves two purposes, firstly to give a
good analogy about the volume and amount of energy needed to produce that scream,
but also it gives the reader a bit of a break from the excitement. Sometimes if there is
too much tense atmosphere in the writing, lots of short sentences etc. it can get dull
without some sort of contrast - this is the contrast; e) Overhead is mentioned twice and
then Jane defines it – almost creating another example of the ‘rule of three’. But mainly
to emphasise how close it all is, how frightening and also to explain how she can hear
what is being said.
Topic 4.6

1
a) Because of the noise of the fight in the room above her bedroom; b) It is the only light
in the gallery.
a) Terrified, where shall we run?, sobbed; b) terrified murmurs sounded, demanded,

sobbed; c) demanded confusedly on all hands, They ran to and fro, they crowded
together, some sobbed, some stumbled, the confusion was inextricable.
Topic 4.7
The sleepers were all aroused: shouts, terrified murmurs sounded in every room; door
after door unclosed; one looked out and another looked out; the gallery filled.
They ran to and fro; they crowded together: some sobbed, some stumbled; the
confusion was inextricable.
In both cases to introduce a list of ‘actions’ taking place at the same time. By using
colons in this way the author is able to communicate the information much more
efficiently and effectively than if she had written fully expanded sentences. This creates
a much greater sense of panic and urgency which adds to the atmosphere of the
situation.
a) To add the various things people are saying.
b) By using the dashes the author creates a greater sense of confusion and urgency than
if she had written “Mr smith said…… Miss Ingram said” etc.
8 types: colons, semi-colons, hyphens, question and exclamation marks, speech quotes
as well as commas and full stops.
Topic 4.8
a) N; b) T; c) F; d) C; e) F; f) N

2
a) fingernails; b) as a child; c) I remembered; d) meanwhile; e) she remembered; f) the

teddy
Topic 4.9
a) A large beetle – a type of insect; b) Because his new beetle body is much bigger than
his human body; c) Fabrics and textiles; d) It is of a woman dressed in fur accessories
raising her hand towards the viewer; e) On his right side; f) Because his back is too
round and heavy.
a) 3rd person narrative.
b) troubled, horrible, armour-like, pitifully, helplessly.
c) Feelings of revulsion, something that is big and ugly, yet pitiful and helpless. The use
of the adjective ‘troubled’ to describe Gregor’s dreams is almost a ‘warning’ about what
is going to happen to him.
d) The second paragraph creates a dramatic shift in atmosphere. Instead of answering

Gregor’s natural question, the paragraph talks about the ordinariness of the room he is
in. A huge contrast to the ugly insect he has now become.
e) It tells us that Gregor is probably quote poor, to put up an image from a magazine, but
has enough money to frame it. He clearly likes luxury as the picture is of a woman in
luxury furs. However it does seem a bit of a strange choice of image. Which does make
us curious about Gregor.
f) He is very calm, he doesn’t attempt to ask what is happening but prefers to try to go
back to sleep and pretend that it is just some dream.
g) Referring to the dull pain Gregor has never felt before is indicating the seriousness of
his situation. Now it is not just his eyes that are telling him he’s a beetle but feelings
within his body.
Chapter 5
Topic 5.1

1
a) Employ an unreliable narrator, / preferably one / who doesn't know he is insane /

and has no recollection / of such events / as digging into a grave / to rip out the teeth /
of his recently departed friend.
b) Include a beautiful woman / with raven locks / and porcelain skin, / preferably quite
young, / and let her die tragically / of some unknown ailment.
c) Use grandiloquent words, / such as heretofore, / forthwith, and nevermore.
d) Do not shy away / from such grotesqueries / as imprisonment, insanity, / and men
costumed / as orangutans being burned / to death.
e) When in doubt, / bury someone / alive.
Topic 5.2
a) T; b) T; c) F; d) F
1. – c) river; 2. – f) fog; 3. – b) bridge; 4. – e) hope; 5. – a) fortune; 6. – h) fate; 7. – d) sky;

8. – g) ship
Topic 5.3
a) viewpoint; b) character; c) third; d) first
2 Possible answer
It is impossible to say how first the idea entered his brain, but, once conceived, it
haunted Edgar day and night. Object there was none. Passion there was none. He loved
the old man. The old man had never wronged him. He had never given Edgar insult. For
his gold Edgar had no desire. It was the old man’s eye! Yes, it was this! One of his eyes
resembled that of a vulture – a pale blue eye with a film over it. Whenever it fell upon
him, Edgar’s blood ran cold, and so by degrees, very gradually, he made up his mind to
take the life of the old man, and thus rid himself of the eye for ever.

a) Characters are / people in a story / who the reader attributes / with moral,
intellectual, / and emotional qualities.
b) A ‘flat’ character, / also called a / two-dimensional character, / is built around / a

single idea or quality / and is presented / without much / individualised detail.
c) A round character / is complex / and represented as / an individual; / such a

character is difficult to describe, / and, like a person / in real life, is / capable of
surprising us.
d) Stock characters / are the types / of characters / that appear so frequently / in

specific genres / as to become / conventions of the form.
a) T; b) T; c) F
Topic 5.4
a) He starts off frightened, a bit wild and hysterical. Then he becomes calm and
resigned. At the end he is curious and puzzled.
b) Because rats in traps run about frantically and fruitlessly and that was what he was
doing.
c) He plans just to remain calm and pretend that he didn’t know he was locked in.
d) Either that he had made some sort of mistake, or that he had been deliberately locked
in.
e) Students’ own answers
f) First person narrative: Allows us to share Jonathon’s feelings and also, as this is a
diary format, share his retrospective feelings.
Topic 5.5
a) Frankenstein; b) No; c) No

Where is it set? Central Europe / Switzerland
When is it set? In the 1700s
Who are the main characters The scientist (Dr Frankenstein), his
creation, his wife
What happened? Dr Frankenstein created a ‘man’. The

man killed a lot of people
What are some of the big ideas in the Power, arrogance and what science can
book? do
Topic 5.6
2 underlined
Urgency Danger Fear
Insist Risk threaten
Press Endanger Dread
Persuade Menace Frighten
Hurry hazard Terrorise
Plead alarm Distress
Beseech Scare
Beg Panic
a) She fell to her knees, hands clasped together, “I beg/beseech you” she wept, “let my
son go”.
b) The sound of the scream alarmed/frightened her so much that she could not move a
muscle.

c) Taking his life in his hands he risked everything in one jump across the ravine.
d) As the water began to enter the locked room of the sinking ship the children
panicked and started screaming and crying for their mothers.
e) His hands were around the other man’s neck threatening him with a sure and
painful death.
f) For centuries the people of the old village had been terrorised by the unknown forces
living in the woods.
a) – e); b) – c); c) – d); d) – b); e) – f); f) – a)
Topic 5.7
a) self-conscious; ashamed; uncomfortable
b) self-assured; assertive; collected
c) annoyed; vexed; antagonized
d) awkward; uncoordinated; lumbering
e) unclean; grimy; filthy
a) Use description, / action and dialogue / to show / what / characters are like.
b) Make sure / dialogue has / a clear / purpose / and sounds / realistic.
c) All details / should add to / characters / or move / the plot along.
d) Chose words / for greatest / impact / and vary / sentence types.
Topic 5.8
1 – b); 2 – c); 3 – a)

It was [PS] a bright and sunny afternoon. For weeks the weather had been hot [PP] so
the grass was [PS] dry and brown. It seemed [PS] that the land had been washed and
bleached [PP] by the sun, no colours, no definition, all was [PS] bland and flat. I was
walking [PC] home from college along dusty tracks and dry river beds. Very few birds
were singing [PC] and the wind was only blowing [PC] a whisper. It was [PS] then that I
saw [PS] him, well, not so much a him, as an ‘it’ – he was lying [PC] under a dead and
dusty tree – motionless.
It’s a bright and sunny afternoon. For weeks the weather has been hot so the grass is
dry and brown. It seems that the land has been washed and bleached by the sun, no
colours, no definition, all is bland and flat. I’m walking home from college along dusty
tracks and dry river beds. Very few birds are singing and the wind is only blowing a
whisper. Suddenly, I see him, well, not so much a him, as an ‘it’ – he’s lyin under a dead
and dusty tree – motionless.
The text in the present tense feels more ‘immediate’ and ‘closer’ however it doesn’t feel
quite as believable as the first as usually when stories are told they are told in the past
tense as we reflect on the event.
Topic 5.9
1&2
a) At first it leaked water all over the floor, then it turned all my clothes blue and now
it’s just not working. I’m never going to use that washing machine again.
b) I woke up this morning to the sound of something panting in my ear, it came closer
and closer and in my half-awake state I wondered if it was a monster come to eat me.
Then I felt it paw at the duvet and a sloppy wet tongue dragging across my face. I
opened a lazy eye to see my dog looking down at me.
c) I could see it under the sofa, shiny and bright, it’s blade reflecting the light of the
evening sun. I could see its wooden handle, worn with so many years of use. But still I
felt some trepidation as I reached under the sofa to pull the knife out.
d) We were walking through the long grass on the way home from school. Then we saw
it, it’s long thin body curled neatly in front of us, its scales glinting in the afternoon sun. I
screamed, I’m terrified of snakes.
Topic 5.10

1
a) F, he’s met him on the stairs; b) T; c) T; d) F, the visitor wants Richard to do him a
good turn; e) F the visitor breaks the glass; f) T
a) steadying; pawing; frightened
b) dash, bolt. That he is moving very quickly, emphasising again the visitor’s fear.
c) It means it’s a very strong drink, with a lot whisky. This adds again to the sense of the
fear of the visitor.
d) That he is supposed to be dead.
e) That he is quite calm and cool, just as the visitor assumed.
Probably to hide him, or help him escape from here.
Chapter 6
Topic 6.1
b)
Beauties, marvels, possibilities: using nouns instead of adjectives creates a much

stronger, vivid and more dynamic description.
He hopes that this book will make people more interested in the Old West. He feels this
is important not just because it was important to him but because it is an important part
of American history.
a) buffalo; stagecoach; pony express.
b) Adding details of yet another part of the wild west life that has gone a little after the
first.
c) Adds weight and drama to the description 3d electricity 3e old bones of dead buffalo.

5
a) Being forgotten; because it is such an important part of American history.
Topic 6.2
c)
That this is a play about upper-class, rich people, with good taste and an interest in the
arts.
It’s the afternoon: the stage direction says that Lane is setting out afternoon tea.
The stage directions give very detailed instructions about the way people on the stage
are moving; they tell us that this is more about the dialogue of the play than the action
in the play.
That he probably doesn’t play very well, but with great enthusiasm.
He doesn’t want Lane to think he is accusing him of stealing the champagne.
Although they are ‘master’ and ‘servant’ their relationship is very friendly and Lane is
sometimes even a bit cheeky.
Topic 6.3
a) P; b) E; c) E; d) J; e) E; f) J; g) E
Emily: Hasn’t considered the budget or where to stay.

Paul: Hasn’t considered how to get from Ipswich to Aldburgh late on a Friday night.
Jon: Hasn’t thought about where to leave their bags before they go birdwatching on
Saturday.
Topic 6.4
a) The reviewer is referring to all aspects of the performance from the characters to the
staging, costumes, music etc.
b) excellent, fresh, new; vigor, vitality.
c) These words are all very positive and strong and give a clear impression of what the
play was like.
d) production; works; story.
e) By using ‘even though’, a more emphatic version of ‘although’, the review is seeking
to emphasise the ‘newness’ and ‘freshness’ of this production compared to the many
other productions of the same play.
f) Appeals to our emotions.
2 Suggested
a) This is a simple sentence which gives an overall introduction to the review and
clearly states the reviewer’s opinion.
b) This is a complex sentence with the dependent clause giving some background
information to the play and the main clause giving more specific details about this
performance.
c) This sentence moves the review from the general to the more specific by talking
about the cast members.
d) Becoming even more specific the reviewer now focusing on one specific character.
The use of dashes is an effective way of including some extra information.
c)
Turning now to the costumes and scenery, this has to be one of the brightest and most
colourful productions I have ever seen. The characters were decked out in flamboyant

costumes – defying both national and historical conventions – of either primary or
pastels colours. The scenery was painted to an incredibly high standard – especially
when you consider that this is a school production – credit has to be given to the art
department for this most impressive work.
Topic 6.5
both - S
while - D
however - D
in contrast - D
like - S
as - S
although - D
yet - D
whereas - D
contrary to - D
similar - S
but - D
differ - D
in the same way - S
too - S
instead - D
unlike - D
have in common - S
the same as - S
as well as - S
on the contrary - D

even though - D
on the other hand - D
1. Read the question carefully and underline the key words.
2. Read carefully the two texts you have to analyse.
3. Make a note of the key similarities and differences in your texts.
4. Decide on the most important points for your central argument.5. Write an outline
that will form the framework of your essay.
6. Write a Topic Sentence for each paragraph.
7. Fill in the details for each paragraph.
8. Add any appropriate quotes from the text.
9. Edit!
Chapter 7
Topic 7.1
a) extinct (3)
b) vanished (4)
c) revert (5)
d) environmentalism (9)
e) beavers (7)
f) stallions (6)
g) drawn (1) (‘Achieved’ may be ambiguous for students. They need to look at this word
in its context in Student Book p.185, so ‘brought about, produced, resulted in’ may also
help them arrive at the correct answer. These additional words will be added at
reprint.)
h) arresting (8)
i) feral (2)

2
a) It’s testing how well you have been able to understand a new word based on the
information given in the text.
b) It is not used in the usual sense of ‘winning a competition. A more accurate word
would be ‘obtained’ – but the use of the verb ‘won’ adds more emotion to the sentence.
[see also the verb ‘drawn’]
c) Punctuation and grammar skills.
a) Seven-acre enclosure where the beavers are living. 5cm is how much the water table
has been raised by. 155million litres of water has been retained. 23,000 acre is the size
of the wilderness reserve owned by Paul Lister. 50,000 acres is the size of a fenced
enclosure required by wolf packs.
b) Invertebrates, fish and birds.
c) He’s using that as a comparison with something not so difficult – putting wolves back
into Scotland.
d) Because lynx could pose a threat to sheep.
e) It is the opposite of re-wild when land is stripped of its natural characteristics

probably to turn it into agricultural or commercial land.
a) Questions 1-9 are generally ‘low-level’ questions about the meaning, vocabulary,
punctuation and grammar of the text. Question 10-14 are more high level questions
about the form and structure of the text.
b) It is important to know the difference between formal and informal language and
when to use each type to communicate effectively.
c) How we structure our writing is very important for its success as a piece of text. If we
are able to identify another writer’s reasons then we will also be able to use these
reasons for our own writing.
Topic 7.2
1 Suggested

a) Faltering, hesitating, mumbling; b) tripping, falling, lurching; c) Twist, coil, whorl; d)
Limitless, never-ending, ceaseless; e) Entreaties, supplications, implorations; f)
Creeping, sloping, skulking; g) Shamble, trundle, waddle; h) Anxious, edgy, uneasy
a) Clearly she wants them to abandon their new product, which will have a significant
negative effect on the company’s sales and profitability.
b) This new product could be harmful to the wildlife that remains in the country and/or
it could encourage more land to be turned over to growing crops, reducing the amount
of natural habitat.
c) This story is set in the future and this phrase indicates that foxes which are a common
wild animal in the UK are almost extinct now.
d) Hawks are birds of prey which feed on small rodents such as field mice.
e) There is a tendency among some people to see animals as cuddly extensions of

humans. This isn’t really very scientific and can often damage the arguments of the true
environmentalists.
f) This is a rather strange comment as it suggests that Bryn, being a farmer’s son, is
maybe not educated, well-spoken or confident enough to cope in this situation.
Topic 7.3
a) T; b) T; c) F, general to specific; d) F, it is important to include both the location and

the animal.
a) cautious: careful, thoughtful, restrained.
b) traditionally: usually, habitually, customarily.
c) eccentric: unconventional, weird, bizarre.
3 Suggested, many others are possible
a) This is not a new idea
b) Some of the most exciting schemes in the world
c) Possible achievements

d) The chances of success
e) What you need to start rewilding
f) This is
a); c); e); f)
We may use a verb inappropriately in the context which, in the worst case scenario
could change the meaning. This can be avoided by using a thesaurus or by checking the
word in a good dictionary which gives examples of the word in use.
That they are accurate and relevant
a); c); e)
and but
In addition to However
As well as Although
Additionally Nevertheless
What is more Even though
Furthermore On the contrary
Too In contrast
a) Gerund (noun form) present participle (adjective form)
b) Infinitive
c) Present perfect continuous

d) Third person singular present simple
e) Past participle
f) Past passive
g) Past perfect
10
Skimming is reading a text quickly to get an idea of the overall meaning or gist of the
text. Scanning is when we look for particular details.
Topic 7.4
a) Third person
b) First person advantages: clearly get to see inside someone’s head; can be more
immediate and dramatic. Disadvantages: can limit the scope of the story if it is always
just through the views of one person; the narrator can be unreliable.
Third person advantages: the narrator, being outside the characters can provide more
information; it is more objective. Disadvantages: can’t really get inside the characters
heads; is less immediate and dramatic.
There is an element of onomatopoeia in these words. This is when the sound of the
action is reflected in the word. Also there is an excellent rhythm with both words having
3 syllables and ending in –ing.
A lot of these words e.g. hisses, spits, hawk-faced, reference animals, but in contrast to
the cuddly and sweet animals Megan has brought into the room.
“I want to curl up like a field mouse” – it is effective as it clearly indicates how small and
vulnerable Megan feels.
Say; shout; tell; utter; declare; cry; communicate; yell; whisper; murmur.

As it helps to make the meaning clear and shows that you fully understand the word.
It shows that you understand the text and the question you are answering.
This gives a clear indication of the amount of information that is expected. If only one
mark is available then only one word or idea is needed. If it is as much as three then you
will probably need to provide at least an idea and some evidence from the text.
Dashes are preferred when we are writing dialogue as it gives a clear sense of the
speaker pausing to add this extra information. Brackets are better when we are writing
formal, especially, academic English.
10
By writing a sentence in your own words you are showing that you fully understand the
question and are giving the correct answer by your knowledge of the text. You are not
just copying some of the text. It is important that all the words you use in your sentence
are your own and that you have not just copied parts of it from the text or even used the
same grammar structures. This is an important skill to develop as if you ever study in
English you are not allowed to copy direct extracts from the text – unless you reference
them.

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Collins Checkpoint English

a) sunny: clear, radiant, summery

b) deep: bottomless, unfathomable, profound

c) peaceful: quiet, tranquil, restful

d) dangerous: perilous, hazardous, precarious

e) difficult: demanding, challenging, formidable

f) extreme: severe, drastic, uncompromising

1. skimming – c) glancing rapidly through a text to determine gist

2. scanning – a) glancing rapidly at a text through a text to search for specific

3. close reading – b) the careful, sustained examination of a brief passage of text

a) Mexico’s / warm climate / makes it / an attractive / travel destination.

c) There are / over 15 million / indigenous people / in Mexico, / constituting 15% / of

b) smooth sailing – to make progress without difficulty

d) train of thought – a complex sequence of thoughts in your mind

a) register; b) formal; c) tone; d) denotation

a) apprehensive; b) minaret; c) alluvia; d) cleaves; e) tract; f) comber; g) cupola

©HarperCollins Publishers 2016

a) The tone seems to one of disorientation and wonder. He would seem to be

a) moaning; b) injury; c) lying; d) appreciable; e) conscious; f) affected

compound sentence – e) a sentence that contains ideas of equal weight joined by a

predicate – d) What is said about the subject

main clause – f) A clause or sentence that contains a subject or a predicate

a) False; b) True; c) True; d) False; e) True; f) True; g) False

©HarperCollins Publishers 2016

b) underlined & c) in bold

Walking through Barcelona is an amazing experience. The city is filled with

Walking through Barcelona is an amazing experience which everyone should

Relative pronoun Subordinating conjunction Both

Whatever Although When

Whoever As long as Where

Whose Even though Whether

That Unless whenever

We stopped to drink a little water whenever c) we were thirsty.

We knew we could keep going as long as b) we still had water.

A car appeared when e) we did not expect to see one.

©HarperCollins Publishers 2016

Whenever we were thirsty, we stopped to drink a little water.

As long as we still had water, we know we could keep going.

When we did not expect to see one, a car appeared.

Whatever happened, we were safe now.

a) ascent; c) distinct; d) eerily; f) glimpsing; h) legend

2 Suggested, others are possible

a) unpleasant, unfriendly; b) unattractive, ugly; c) similarity; d) wintry, strong; e)

Word Form Example (students’ own answers)

Word Form Example (students’ own answers)

©HarperCollins Publishers 2016

Word Form Example (students’ own answers)

Word Form Example (students’ own answers)

a) Does anything need more detail?

©HarperCollins Publishers 2016

d) Have you overused certain words?

f) Have you used punctuation effectively – for example, with clauses?

a) Yes: Why did they go to Barcelona, who did they go with.

Introduction We have just returned from a visit to Barcelona.

Facts It is a big city in Spain on the Mediterranean coast. In 2014 it had a

Conclusion You should go there.

a) opinions; b) introduction; c) facts; d) introduction; e) conclusion

©HarperCollins Publishers 2016

a) subsidence; b) irony; c) chock-full; d) skim; e) magma; f) adjective; g) scan; h) point

a) chock-full; b) scanned; c) skim; d) subsidence; e) adjectives; f) irony; g) magma; h)