Chief Priority

In an open (38) ___________over breakfast, Microsoft executives Shane Kim and Chris Satchell (39) ___________ that two of the home video game projects which The Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson (40) ___________ on with Bungie, an American video game developer, would take the form of episodic series. “Our deal with Peter is not about a film guy who wants (41) ___________ video games,” Kim reminded the crowd. He also noted that, “The first series will be set in the Halo Universe,” and that, “we’re in the design phase now.” The projects were first announced at the video game trade show in Barcelona, and their emergence as episodic series came as something of a surprise, hinting that both projects would have a strong emphasis on the story. It was comforting to know that progress was being made, however slow it (42) ___________ be.

Chief Priority

In an open (38) ___________over breakfast, Microsoft executives Shane Kim and Chris Satchell (39) ___________ that two of the home video game projects which The Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson (40) ___________ on with Bungie, an American video game developer, would take the form of episodic series. “Our deal with Peter is not about a film guy who wants (41) ___________ video games,” Kim reminded the crowd. He also noted that, “The first series will be set in the Halo Universe,” and that, “we’re in the design phase now.” The projects were first announced at the video game trade show in Barcelona, and their emergence as episodic series came as something of a surprise, hinting that both projects would have a strong emphasis on the story. It was comforting to know that progress was being made, however slow it (42) ___________ be.

Reading

Task 1

Tips for Killer Presentations

Becoming a competent, rather than just confident, speaker requires a lot of practice. But here are a few things you can consider to start sharpening your presentation skills:

________________

Speeches should be entertaining and informative. I’m not saying you should act like a dancing monkey when giving a serious presentation. But unlike an e-mail or article, people expect some appeal to their emotions. Simply reciting dry facts without any passion or humour will make people less likely to pay attention.

________________

Nothing is worse than a speaker you can’t hear. Even in the high-tech world of microphones and amplifiers, you need to be heard. Projecting your voice doesn’t mean yelling, rather standing up straight and letting your voice resonate on the air in your lungs rather than in the throat to produce a clearer sound.

________________

Any gestures you make need to be an extension of your message and any emotions that message conveys. Planned gestures look false because they don’t match your other involuntary movements that your body cues. You'd be better off keeping your hands to your side.

________________

Don’t adjust a projector or fumble with PowerPoint when people are waiting for you to speak. Come early, scope out the room, run through your slide show and make sure there won't be any holdbacks. Moreover, preparation can do a lot to remove your speaking anxiety.

________________

Apologies are only useful if you’ve done something wrong. Don’t use them to account for incompetence or humble yourself in front of your audience. Don’t apologise for your nervousness or a lack of preparation time. Most audience members can’t detect your anxiety, so don’t draw attention to it.

Task 2

My Hometown

By Christina L.

If you were to look at Cutler, you would probably be reminded of a Norman Rockwell picture. The small-town atmosphere and caring people give it an old-fashioned quality that is not often duplicated. Surrounded by thick rugged firs and the chilled Atlantic Ocean, this habitat is home to as few as 500 year-round residents together with summer guests.

I have lived among this untamed coastal beauty all my life as have my mother and her mother as well. My grandmother spent her early years on an island in the mouth of the harbour. Her stories of these unique days are rich with tidal waters and family togetherness. The quaint size of my seaside home gives its residents special qualities. People of Cutler have small-town values. They pull together in times of joy and need. Whenever my father needs help, more than enough hands always seem to appear and get the job done. These same hands are also there to give him a pat on the back or a round of applause.

A certain uniqueness is applied to jobs of Cutler as well. Many of its residents make their earnings by working off the land. Through the fog-filled summer mornings you can always see shellfish scattered across the muddy flats. Faithful Cutler fishermen slip out of the harbour before the sun creeps over the horizon. My father is one of these men, boat builders in winter months and fishers of lobster the rest of the year. I have worked with him on the boat since I was ten and have been able to drink up the beauty of the shore while strengthening my relationship with him. This summertime work has taught me a lot about who I am.

Living in a town like this, one learns to appreciate simpler things in life. At night one might go for a row in the harbour and glide across the rippled reflections of silvery street lights. Exercise can be obtained by hiking a mossy trail, and the best therapy for a stressful day is curling up by the shore with a crisp apple and a good book.

After this summer I will be moving out into the “real world” to experience what life is really like. I am excited about the many opportunities in store for me; but as I move forward, I won't leave the past behind. I will take the small-town values with me. No matter where I am, I know I will always be able to close my eyes and smell the salty sea breeze of Cutler, the town that will always be my home.

What is stated about Cutler, according to PARAGRAPH 1?

My Hometown

By Christina L.

If you were to look at Cutler, you would probably be reminded of a Norman Rockwell picture. The small-town atmosphere and caring people give it an old-fashioned quality that is not often duplicated. Surrounded by thick rugged firs and the chilled Atlantic Ocean, this habitat is home to as few as 500 year-round residents together with summer guests.

I have lived among this untamed coastal beauty all my life as have my mother and her mother as well. My grandmother spent her early years on an island in the mouth of the harbour. Her stories of these unique days are rich with tidal waters and family togetherness. The quaint size of my seaside home gives its residents special qualities. People of Cutler have small-town values. They pull together in times of joy and need. Whenever my father needs help, more than enough hands always seem to appear and get the job done. These same hands are also there to give him a pat on the back or a round of applause.

A certain uniqueness is applied to jobs of Cutler as well. Many of its residents make their earnings by working off the land. Through the fog-filled summer mornings you can always see shellfish scattered across the muddy flats. Faithful Cutler fishermen slip out of the harbour before the sun creeps over the horizon. My father is one of these men, boat builders in winter months and fishers of lobster the rest of the year. I have worked with him on the boat since I was ten and have been able to drink up the beauty of the shore while strengthening my relationship with him. This summertime work has taught me a lot about who I am.

Living in a town like this, one learns to appreciate simpler things in life. At night one might go for a row in the harbour and glide across the rippled reflections of silvery street lights. Exercise can be obtained by hiking a mossy trail, and the best therapy for a stressful day is curling up by the shore with a crisp apple and a good book.

After this summer I will be moving out into the “real world” to experience what life is really like. I am excited about the many opportunities in store for me; but as I move forward, I won't leave the past behind. I will take the small-town values with me. No matter where I am, I know I will always be able to close my eyes and smell the salty sea breeze of Cutler, the town that will always be my home.

What is NOT mentioned about the inhabitants of Cutler in PARAGRAPH 2?

My Hometown

By Christina L.

If you were to look at Cutler, you would probably be reminded of a Norman Rockwell picture. The small-town atmosphere and caring people give it an old-fashioned quality that is not often duplicated. Surrounded by thick rugged firs and the chilled Atlantic Ocean, this habitat is home to as few as 500 year-round residents together with summer guests.

I have lived among this untamed coastal beauty all my life as have my mother and her mother as well. My grandmother spent her early years on an island in the mouth of the harbour. Her stories of these unique days are rich with tidal waters and family togetherness. The quaint size of my seaside home gives its residents special qualities. People of Cutler have small-town values. They pull together in times of joy and need. Whenever my father needs help, more than enough hands always seem to appear and get the job done. These same hands are also there to give him a pat on the back or a round of applause.

A certain uniqueness is applied to jobs of Cutler as well. Many of its residents make their earnings by working off the land. Through the fog-filled summer mornings you can always see shellfish scattered across the muddy flats. Faithful Cutler fishermen slip out of the harbour before the sun creeps over the horizon. My father is one of these men, boat builders in winter months and fishers of lobster the rest of the year. I have worked with him on the boat since I was ten and have been able to drink up the beauty of the shore while strengthening my relationship with him. This summertime work has taught me a lot about who I am.

Living in a town like this, one learns to appreciate simpler things in life. At night one might go for a row in the harbour and glide across the rippled reflections of silvery street lights. Exercise can be obtained by hiking a mossy trail, and the best therapy for a stressful day is curling up by the shore with a crisp apple and a good book.

After this summer I will be moving out into the “real world” to experience what life is really like. I am excited about the many opportunities in store for me; but as I move forward, I won't leave the past behind. I will take the small-town values with me. No matter where I am, I know I will always be able to close my eyes and smell the salty sea breeze of Cutler, the town that will always be my home.

How do the residents of Cutler earn their living?

My Hometown

By Christina L.

If you were to look at Cutler, you would probably be reminded of a Norman Rockwell picture. The small-town atmosphere and caring people give it an old-fashioned quality that is not often duplicated. Surrounded by thick rugged firs and the chilled Atlantic Ocean, this habitat is home to as few as 500 year-round residents together with summer guests.

I have lived among this untamed coastal beauty all my life as have my mother and her mother as well. My grandmother spent her early years on an island in the mouth of the harbour. Her stories of these unique days are rich with tidal waters and family togetherness. The quaint size of my seaside home gives its residents special qualities. People of Cutler have small-town values. They pull together in times of joy and need. Whenever my father needs help, more than enough hands always seem to appear and get the job done. These same hands are also there to give him a pat on the back or a round of applause.

A certain uniqueness is applied to jobs of Cutler as well. Many of its residents make their earnings by working off the land. Through the fog-filled summer mornings you can always see shellfish scattered across the muddy flats. Faithful Cutler fishermen slip out of the harbour before the sun creeps over the horizon. My father is one of these men, boat builders in winter months and fishers of lobster the rest of the year. I have worked with him on the boat since I was ten and have been able to drink up the beauty of the shore while strengthening my relationship with him. This summertime work has taught me a lot about who I am.

Living in a town like this, one learns to appreciate simpler things in life. At night one might go for a row in the harbour and glide across the rippled reflections of silvery street lights. Exercise can be obtained by hiking a mossy trail, and the best therapy for a stressful day is curling up by the shore with a crisp apple and a good book.

After this summer I will be moving out into the “real world” to experience what life is really like. I am excited about the many opportunities in store for me; but as I move forward, I won't leave the past behind. I will take the small-town values with me. No matter where I am, I know I will always be able to close my eyes and smell the salty sea breeze of Cutler, the town that will always be my home.

What does the phrase the best therapy in PARAGRAPH 4 mean?

My Hometown

By Christina L.

If you were to look at Cutler, you would probably be reminded of a Norman Rockwell picture. The small-town atmosphere and caring people give it an old-fashioned quality that is not often duplicated. Surrounded by thick rugged firs and the chilled Atlantic Ocean, this habitat is home to as few as 500 year-round residents together with summer guests.

I have lived among this untamed coastal beauty all my life as have my mother and her mother as well. My grandmother spent her early years on an island in the mouth of the harbour. Her stories of these unique days are rich with tidal waters and family togetherness. The quaint size of my seaside home gives its residents special qualities. People of Cutler have small-town values. They pull together in times of joy and need. Whenever my father needs help, more than enough hands always seem to appear and get the job done. These same hands are also there to give him a pat on the back or a round of applause.

A certain uniqueness is applied to jobs of Cutler as well. Many of its residents make their earnings by working off the land. Through the fog-filled summer mornings you can always see shellfish scattered across the muddy flats. Faithful Cutler fishermen slip out of the harbour before the sun creeps over the horizon. My father is one of these men, boat builders in winter months and fishers of lobster the rest of the year. I have worked with him on the boat since I was ten and have been able to drink up the beauty of the shore while strengthening my relationship with him. This summertime work has taught me a lot about who I am.

Living in a town like this, one learns to appreciate simpler things in life. At night one might go for a row in the harbour and glide across the rippled reflections of silvery street lights. Exercise can be obtained by hiking a mossy trail, and the best therapy for a stressful day is curling up by the shore with a crisp apple and a good book.

After this summer I will be moving out into the “real world” to experience what life is really like. I am excited about the many opportunities in store for me; but as I move forward, I won't leave the past behind. I will take the small-town values with me. No matter where I am, I know I will always be able to close my eyes and smell the salty sea breeze of Cutler, the town that will always be my home.

What does the author say about herself?

Task 3

World’s Most Unusual Cafes

Neko Cafe

Themed cafes have been appearing all over Japan. Among the strangest, these “neko” (Japanese for “cat”) cafes originated in Taiwan and have since been imported to Tokyo. One of the most famous, Cat’s Store, allows customers to get a coffee and at the same time enjoy cats’ companionship in a city where limited space often means dog or cat-free apartments. People come in to relax, many regularly. Most stay for over an hour, others for the whole day. Some have admitted to taking a sick day to spend time with cats. At about $9.00 an hour, it’s a pricey cup of coffee but an inexpensive therapy session.

Which cafe ___________?

100% Chocolate Cafe

Who needs coffee when you have chocolate? And this Tokyo cafe, beautifully designed by Masamichi Katayama, serves up an unthinkable variety — 56 different kinds, to be exact — housed in their lovely “chocolate library”. You can pick the chocolates you want by number to put together your own custom box of chocolate. For Valentine’s Day, 100% Chocolate Cafe has some decidedly non-giri (obligation) chocolates, including one called number 14, which is a raspberry and strawberry chocolate billed as “A Specially Blended Chocolate for Sweethearts”.

Which cafe ___________?