Dirección General

de Ordenación Académica
CONSEJERÍA DE EDUCACIÓN
Comunidad de Madrid
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SOLUCIÓN

READ THE TEXT AND DO THE TASKS BELOW

AT THE HEART OF THE OCEAN
Fame and wealth came late for Patrick O´Brian. He was already 55 in 1970 when he published
Master and Commander, the first of what would be 20 volumes in his irresistible naval saga set in
the time of the Napoleonic wars.
By the time the last volume appeared in 1999, O´Brian´s tale of Captain Jack Aubrey and his
shipmate, Dr Stephen Maturin, had become Harry Potter for grown-ups. Each new book was a
heavily anticipated publishing event. By now 8 million copies have been sold worldwide. And at
Brian´s death in 2000, William F. Buckley called him “the most evocative writer on the sea since
Homer.”
Russell Crowe´s film will expand the O´Brian cult. However new readers drawn by the cannon
fire may be surprised to discover how complex the books are. The theme line is the friendship of
Aubrey and Marturin. The books are action adventures but also incomparable novels of 19th
century life, detailing the social conventions of Regency England.
(From Richard Lacayo, Time Magazine, October, 2003)

QUESTIONS

1. ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS

1.1. Why did fame and wealth come late for Patrick O´Brian? Paragraph 1
1.1.Because he was rich and famous very late .
1.2. When does the naval saga happen? Paragraph 1
1.2.It happens/is set in the times of the Napoleonic wars.
1.3. Who are the most important characters of the saga? Paragraph 2
1.3.Captain Jack Aubrey and Dr Stephen Maturin are the main characters.
1.4. What did one critic say about O´Brian? Paragraph 3
1.4. Mr Buckley called him “the most evocative writer on the sea since
Homer.”
1.5. What will new readers be surprised to learn of Master and Commander? Paragraph 3
1.5. They will be surprised to discover how complex the books are.

2. SAY WHETHER THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS ARE TRUE OR FALSE

2.1. Patrick O´Brian was always rich and famous. FALSE
2.2. Master and Commander is compared to Harry Potter. TRUE
2.3. Patrick O´Brian died in 2000. TRUE
2.4. Russell Crowe´s film will be beneficial to Patrick O´Brian. TRUE
2.5. Master and Commander is a collection of Greek stories. FALSE
 Dirección General
de Ordenación Académica
CONSEJERÍA DE EDUCACIÓN
Comunidad de Madrid
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SOLUCIÓN

QUESTIONS

3. FIND SYNONYMS IN THE TEXT FOR THE FOLLOWING WORDS AND EXPRESSIONS

3.1. Any narrative or legend of heroic experiences. Saga.

3.2. People who have reached the age of maturity; an adult. Grown-ups.
3.3. Extending or spread throughout the world. Worldwide.
3.4. Attracted by something. Drawn
3.5. Giving all the facts and information about something. Detailing.

4. TRANSFORM THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES INTO THE NEGATIVE

4.1. O´Brian published the first volume in 1970 .

4.1. O´Brian/He did not/didn´t publish the first volume in 1970.
4.2. The books were a publishing event.
4.2. The books were not/weren´t a publishing event.
4.3. Eight million copies have been sold.
4.3.Eight million copies have not been sold.
4.4. The film will expand the cult.
4.4. The film will not/won´t expand the cult.
4.5. The books detail the customs of Regency England.
4.5. The books do not/don´t detail the customs of Regency England.

5. WRITE QUESTIONS ACCORDING TO THE UNDERLINED WORDS

5.1. Who wrote Master and Commander?

5.1. Patrick O´Brian wrote Master and Commander.
5.2. How old was he in 1970?
5.2. He was 55 in 1970.
5.3. How many volumes has the saga? /does it have?
5.3. The saga has 20 volumes.
5.4. What type/kind/sort of books are they?
5.4. The books are action adventures.
5.5. Why will Crowe´s film be important to the O´Brian cult?
5.5. Crowe´s film will be important because it will expand the O´Brian cult.

6. COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES WITH THE APPROPRIATE VERB TENSES

6.1. When (be) the last time that you read? was
6.2. If she (win) the Nobel Prize for literature I would like to send her a card. won
6.3. I have never (write) a poem in my life. written
6.4. Her books (not protect) by copyright. are not/aren´t protected
6.5. At this moment she (present) her new novel . is presenting
 Dirección General
de Ordenación Académica
CONSEJERÍA DE EDUCACIÓN
Comunidad de Madrid
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SOLUCIÓN

QUESTIONS
7. COMPLETE THIS JOB INTERVIEW

A: Who are you working for at the moment?

B: I´m working for Sydney Books Publishing Company
A: How long have you worked there?
B: Since 1999.
A: How many languages can you speak?
B: Three: English, Spanish and Portuguese.

8. ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS

8.1. What do you like doing in your free time?

8.1. I like/enjoy dancing, going to the cinema, reading and listening to music.
8.2. How often do you read the newspaper?
8.2. I read it every day. /I never read the paper.
8.3. Could you recommend a book by Cervantes?
8.3. Yes, I would recommend Don Quixote.
8.4. Do you ever read poems?
8.4.Yes, I do./ Sometimes I read poems./ No, I don´t/ No, never./I never read poetry.
8.5. How many books did you buy last year?
8.5. I did not buy any./ I bought five.

9. IMAGINE YOU ARE CHECKING IN TO THE HOLLYWOOD STUDIO HOTEL. WRITE FIVE
SENTENCES FOR THE FRONT DESK ASSISTANT

9.1. I want a single/double room for 3 nights, please.

9.2. Has the room a shower or bathroom?
9.3. How much does the single/double room cost?
9.4. That is very expensive.
9.5. Can I pay by credit card?

10. WRITE A SHORT COMPOSITION ABOUT A PERSON IMPORTANT TO YOU

(60 WORDS AT LEAST)