NB. When we need to mention the agent of the action, we use the preposition by

1. 
   She was woken up … a loud noise.
   
2. 
   Our newspaper is delivered … a boy every morning.
   
3. 
   The parcel was tied up … string.
   
4. 
   John was told off … his mother.
   
5. 
   This picture was painted …a famous artist.
   
6. 
   The chair was covered … a woolen blanket.
   
7. 
   The walls were decorated … posters.
   
8. 
   My car was repaired … my father.
   
9. 
   This dessert was made … fresh cream.
   
10. 
    A leaky faucet can be repaired … a wrench.
    
11. 
    Preparations are being made … event organizers.
    
12. 
    Signals to the dog can be given … a whistle.
    
13. 
    If the dog does as it is asked, it can be rewarded … a treat.
    
14. 
    When I’m away, my plants are watered … my neighbor.
    
15. 
    Hot water is provided … the hotel 24 hours a day.
    

1. 
   They had ___ a bad night that they couldn't sleep.
   a. so
   b. such
   
2. 
   She gave him ___ good advice that he was very grateful to her.
   a. so
   b. such
   
3. 
   I'm having ___ a wonderful time in Belem that I don't want to go home.
   a. so
   b. such
   
4. 
   The day was ___ hot that everybody went to the beach.
   a. so
   b. such
   
5. 
   It was ___ cold weather that nobody could go outside.
   a. so
   b. such
   
6. 
   There are ___ good jobs in Fortaleza that people are looking for jobs in other states.
   a. so many
   b. so few
   c. so little
   d. so much
   e. such
   
7. 
   The hotel has ___ comfortable room that I don't want to go out.
   a. so much
   b. so a
   c. such a
   d. such
   
8. 
   It was ___ dark that I couldn't see his face.
   a. so
   b. such
   c. such a
   d. so a
   
9. 
   That restaurant has ___ delicious food that you can't stop eating.
   a. so
   b.such
   
10. 
    They were ___ talented singers that the concert was a hit.
    a. so
    b. so few
    c. so little
    d. such
    e. such a
    
11. 
    He is ___ student that he is going to win a scholarship
    a. so
    b. so good
    c. so good a
    d. such
    e. such good
    
12. 
    We had ___ horrible day that we felt depressed.
    a. so
    b. so a
    c. such
    d. such a
    
13. 
    The earthquake caused ___ damage that most people lost their homes.
    a. so
    b. so much
    c. so many
    d. so few
    
14. 
    The novel is ___ exciting that I can't put it down.
    a. so
    b. so a
    c. such
    d. such a
    
15. 
    We had ___ long and tiring day that we just wanted to go home.
    a. so
    b. so a
    c. such
    d. such a
    
16. 
    Most TV programs are ___ boring that nobody watches them.
    a. so
    b. so much
    c. so many
    d. such
    e. such a
    
17. 
    She has ___ nice voice that she should try to become a professional singer.
    a. so
    b. so much
    c. so little
    d. such
    e. such a
    
18. 
    The party was ___ organized that everybody had a great time.
    a. so well
    b. so good
    c. such an
    d. such
    
19. 
    It was ___ fast car that nobody could catch it.
    a. so
    b. such
    c. so a
    d. such a
    
20. 
    This quiz was ___ easy that I don't need to check my answers.
    a. such
    b. so
    c. such much
    d. so much
    
    
    

1. 
   She sings ______ an angel.
   
2. 
   I'm much better ______ you can see.
   
3. 
   My sister is not at all ______ me.
   
4. 
   My daughter is just ______ my sister.
   
5. 
   I'm attending the meeting ______ an observer
   
6. 
   I use one of the bedrooms ______ an office.
   
7. 
   You are very ______ your mother.
   
8. 
   I hope to qualify ______ an engineer.
   
9. 
   My friend Rob looks ______ John Travolta.
   
10. 
    There is too much traffic in London ______ in New York.
    
11. 
    We're late for the train. We'll have to run ______ the wind.
    
12. 
    I'm your friend and, ______ a friend, I advise you to think again.
    
13. 
    I don't know you as well as he does but, ______ your friend, I advise you to think again.
    
14. 
    You don't like confrontations, ______ me.
    
15. 
    I want to join the air force ______ a pilot.
    
16. 
    We need a strong leader ______ Winston Churchill.
    
17. 
    He has gone to our competitors ______ marketing manager.
    
18. 
    I've appointed Simon Williams ______ the new trustee.
    
19. 
    I've done the work ______ we agreed.
    
20. 
    I was sure, ______ was everybody else, that you would do well in this job.
    
21. 
    Why can't economists see the damage that legislation _______ this one has done in the past decade.
    
22. 
    Taxes on capital are _________ taxes on job.
    
23. 
    The common customs tariff, together with protective measures _______ the anti-dumping regulations, are still not sufficient to solve all the union's problems.
    
24. 
    There are only a few exceptions, notably ________ regard the common agricultural policy.
    
25. 
    The results obtained have been described _________ satisfactory.
    
26. 
    They chose Delhi ________ the host city for the conference on mass production in industrialised countries.
    
27. 
    He made it clear that he didn't want to end up in a company ________ the one which he visited last week.
    
28. 
    They seem unable to react to changes at world level in the same way _________ their competitors.
    
29. 
    The business students talked about the Lomé convention, which many regarded ________ a model of development cooperation.
    
30. 
    ...and ________ a consequence, their raw material is of substandard quality.
    
31. 
    I think that what he really meant was the shares looked _______a promising long term gamble.
    
32. 
    The whole thing looks _______common sense to me!
    
33. 
    The flow of foreign exchange is regarded nowadays _________ the principal factor influencing development.
    
34. 
    It is results _________ that which are very encouraging especially when you've worked hard.
    
35. 
    Countries ________the ones we visited have been having economic problems lately.
    
36. 
    He said that the threat of insolvency was ________a sentence of immediate hanging ...
    

VOCAB & SPEAKING (1)

usually refers to top-tier actors/actresses who are paid upwards of $20 million per feature film; can also refer to producers, directors and writers who can be guaranteed to have a film made and released

an off-beat, low-budget, second-tier film, usually from an independent producer, shot quickly with little-known, second rate actors. B-films are often characterized by sensational and catchy titles, campy acting, cheesy special effects, and gratuitous violence and sexuality

without receiving credit or fame; out of public view. (Referring originally to those who worked on a theatrical piece but do not appear on the stage.)

using dramatic devices such as increased tempo, volume, and emphasis to bring a scene to a climax

an actor playing a role distinctly different from roles previously played

a film characterized by scenes of great tension, danger, adventure, suspense, or high drama, often climaxing at the end of a film, or at the end of a multi-part serial episode, where the plot ending and the fate of the protagonist(s) are left unresolved

a specific type of comedic device in which the performer assumes an expressionless (deadpan) quality to her/his face demonstrating absolutely no emotion or feeling.

refers to the making of an adapted, sanitized, 'family-friendly' version of a book or play, by removing objectionable elements (such as crude language, sexuality, or violence) and modifying plot elements to make the tale more acceptable, entertaining, predictable and popular for mass consumption by audiences, as first exercised by the Disney studios in the 50s

“feel good" film

usually a light-hearted, upbeat comedy or romance that ends with an audience-pleasing conclusion; sometimes used derogatively

transitory, impermanent success or recognition; ‘fifteen minutes of fame’.

Fig. to make a performance seem silly by showing off or exaggerating one's part. (A show-off actor is known as a ham.)

[for an audience] to boo and hiss until a performer leaves the stage.

Fig. in a loud whisper that everyone can hear.

An actor who draws attention from or overshadows other actors in the same production, as by charm or quality of performance.

usually a comedic film that pays tribute to an earlier film in a humorous way; parody (e.g. a spoof horror film)

nervousness or panic that may beset a person about to appear in front of an audience

Fig. to become the center of attention; to become the focus of everyone's attention.

films popular with women, but also used in a derogatory sense to marginalize films with heavy, sappy emotion and numerous female characters, aka ‘chick flicks’

Fig. to play a very small role where one goes on stage and quickly leaves again.

a mystery/detective film

2. Humphrey Bogart, as good-guy Rick Blaine, was an example of…. Bogart had played gangster figures in dozens in films before Casablanca (1942)

3. George Lucas and Steven Spielberg are … directors.

4. Imelda Staunton is a … as Dolores Umbridge, playing the callous teacher to perfection.

5. The major or lead character in a … is a crime-solving detective, such as in the Sherlock Holmes series of films.

6. The next … is WNO's production of Madam Butterfly with American tenor Russell Thomas as Pinkerton, Judith Howarth as the heartbroken Cio-Cio-San and Claire Bradshaw as Suzuki.

7. As far as I can tell, the physical symptoms of … are caused by the release of adrenaline.

8. The actor was supposed to fall over and die, but he … too much and got fired instead.

1. 
   My girlfriend found it quite ……………..- she was in tears by the end - but I just thought it was ………….. sentimental rubbish!
   
2. 
   It's a horror film, but it's not that ………….It works on more of a psychological level. There's this one …………….where this woman emerges from a TV screen that scared me to death!
   
3. 
   It's a film that defies…………, but at a push, I guess I'd describe it as a …………… between an art-house film and a comedy!
   
4. 
   It'd been so ….. by everyone that I found it a bit disappointing, to be honest - a bit of a…………..
   
5. 
   I think at best you could say the plot was a bit………….- and at worst it was just totally………………! I didn't believe any of it myself!
   

Давным-давно в нашей вселенной Джеймс Кэмерон задумал снять фильм о прекрасной планете Пандора, населенной разумными существами, живущими в полной гармонии с окружающим их миром. К своему несчастью планета оказалась богата чрезвычайно редким минералом, привлекшим внимание безмерно жадных корпораций с Земли. И спокойствие Пандоры было нарушено. Давным-давно Кэмерону не удалось реализовать свой замысел, ныне же его стараниями на экраны всего мира выходит "Аватар" - фильм который, без всякого сомнения, войдет в историю мирового кинематографа.

Сразу расставим все точки на "и". "Аватар" - это лучшее из того, что выходило на экраны со времен "Властелина колец", и вот почему. Масштаб постановки и техническое совершенство видеоряда действительно поражают. В картине нет спецэффектов в привычном для современных зрителей понимании. Весь фильм - это один большой спецэффект.

"Аватар" велик не только технически. Фильм демонстрирует невиданную доселе детализацию. Известная всем дотошность Кэмерона в этом случае достигает своего апогея. Продумано буквально все. От дизайна и, что самое главное, принципиального устройства техники, которую используют люди, до отдельных элементов флоры и фауны Пандоры. Титанические усилия режиссера трудно переоценить.

Но, безусловно, самое главное - это завораживающая красота видеоряда. Переливающийся в темноте всеми цветами радуги животный и растительный миры Пандоры, помноженные на невероятную глубину и четкость картинки, не оставят даже самых придирчивых зрителей равнодушными. Все инопланетные биосферы, которые были представлены ранее в самых лучших фантастических фильмах, являются лишь жалким подобием этого великолепия.

Что касается сюжетной линии, то она весьма незамысловата и напоминает о множестве хороших голливудских постановок. Наиболее близкий аналог - это, конечно же, "Пакахонтас", хотя временами действие больше смещается в сторону "Танцев с волками". Однако простота основной идеи ничуть не сказывается на общем восприятии картины. "Аватар" принадлежит к тому редкому типу фильмов, которые в полной мере оправдывают характеристику Голливуда как "фабрики грез".

Джеймсу Кэмерону удалось создать новую сказку, которая не только окажет огромное влияние на развитие всего кинематографа, но и на два с лишним часа вырвет зрителей из обыденной, в основном серой, реальности, раскрыв перед ними удивительный мир гармонии и красоты.

4. Now write a review of a film that you particularly like (or dislike) using as many active words as you can.
READING & SPEAKING
1. Find the key words in the article and write them into the sentences below.

1. a verb which describes how well a film did _________________________ (para 1)

2. a verb which describes how badly a film did _________________________ (para 1)

3. A film _________________________ is an intellectual property involving the characters, setting and trademarks of an original work of fiction, such as a film or a series of books, e.g. Harry Potter, James Bond. (para 1)

4. two inexact methods of measuring things based on experience and feeling _________________________ (para 2)

5. When somebody is _________________________ they are involved in a project. (para 3)

6. to earn a particular amount of money before taxes or costs have been taken out _________________________ (para 3)

7. to fail financially and lose all your money _________________________ (para 4)

8. a film without a sequel or an ongoing storyline _________________________ (para 6)

9. Something that makes a large amount of money is _________________________. (para 7)

10. the process of becoming successful or popular again _________________________ (para 9)

11. a four-word phrase meaning a good reputation based on what has happened before _________________________ (para 9)

12. a phrase meaning to make someone very angry _________________________ (para 11)

13. a new blended word made up of two known words to describe the unwanted growth in the number of sequels _________________________ (para 11)

Ever wondered why Spider-Man 2 triumphed and Basic Instinct 2 bombed? Now a group of academics have come up with a formula to predict the fortunes of a film sequel.

Hollywood has long known a follow-up is a fairly safe bet and franchises from Pirates of the Caribbean to Star Wars have dominated cinema schedules for years. But, until now, decisions about what to invest in a film sequel or how much to pay for the rights to a franchise have been based on some simple rules of thumb and gut feeling.

Based on factors such as whether key stars are still on board, how long it has been since the last film and how that performed, the researchers now say they can calculate what producers can expect to gross relative to a film in the same genre that is not a sequel.

“It is the industry of dreams, an industry of illusions, and lots of people go bust. The idea here is to put some more analytical thinking into the process,” says Professor Thorsten Hennig-Thurau, of Cass Business School in London.

With follow-up films enjoying widespread box office success and strong DVD sales, financial investors and film companies compete aggressively to acquire sequel rights. The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise was recently sold for $60 million (£36 million). “I want this industry to recognize that it is not as different to other sectors as it thinks it is. What we are talking about here is brand extension,” says Hennig-Thurau.

The research, which will be published in the Journal of Marketing this month, examined data from all 101 movie sequels released in North American cinemas between 1998 and 2006 and a sample of stand-alone films with similar characteristics. According to the formula, upcoming sequel The Twilight Saga: New Moon should be expected to return $34 million more for the producers in its US run than a comparable vampire/ teen romance movie with the same characteristics that is not a sequel.

“Movies like the Twilight sequel New Moon are highly lucrative and relatively safe bets if key parameters, such as original cast, are maintained,” explains Hennig-Thurau. Star continuity is where Basic Instinct 2 went wrong – no Michael Douglas. “The time difference between the two films was very, very long and actor continuity was halved in that you only had (a much older) Sharon Stone.”

On the whole, however, sequels do well and often outperform the original. That is especially true now studios are presenting films as a franchise with a narrative woven throughout several instalments. “We are not really talking about sequels any more. We are talking about films that are conceived of as longer plays than one film. You are saying to the audience: ‘This is a story, you have got to stick with it’,” says David Hancock, head of film and cinema at media research company Screen Digest. Underlining that audience loyalty, Hancock notes that in the US last year, just 4.2% of releases were franchise films but they accounted for 20.6% of box office takings.

The revival of the Star Trek franchise this summer saw JJ Abrams’s new film gross £21 million in UK cinemas, which is more than double the return of any of the previous 10 Star Trek feature films. “There is clearly a public appetite for new stories taking favourite characters on new adventures and from an industry point of view, there is less risk in investing in the production and release of a film which has a proven track record,” says Mark Batey, chief executive of the Film Distributors’ Association.

For film producers fighting poor DVD sales, sequels bring an added benefit. Hennig-Thurau’s research showed that DVD sales of the original movie often peak when a sequel hits the cinema screens. Once that sequel is out on DVD it also has a good chance of strong sales.

DVD charts and cinema rankings containing sequels such as Shrek the Third, Transformers 2 and Ice Age 3 have, of course, incited the wrath of film critics worried about a lack of creativity. Cinema-goers have also complained of “sequelitis”. Such criticism may have been justified in the days when making a sequel was a relatively lazy process but sequels are now produced in a more thoughtful manner.

The Film Distributors’ Association is keen to argue that sequel mania does still leave room for original stories. Slumdog Millionaire is one of the top films of 2009 while The Full Monty remains one of the most successful British films ever released. “With 500 films released in UK cinemas each year, the blockbuster sequels tend to do well but there’s plenty of other choice for film fans during the year,” says Batey.

© Guardian News & Media 2009

First published in The Observer, 08/11/09