Holiday snaps of 'smiling' three-ton hippo 'Otis' become web hit

When Jay Parker told his wife Lauren to say ‘cheese’, it seems someone else was listening, too. Otis the hippo pressed his face against the glass of his tank and produced what appears to be a beaming smile.
And when the couple exchanged positions, the three-ton beast duly obliged with another grin for the camera next to her husband. The Parkers, from Little Rock, Arkansas, took their extraordinary photographs during a holiday visit to San Diego Zoo in California.

'We took the picture on holiday at San Diego Zoo, my wife is a big fan of animals so we always try and visit somewhere when we are away,' said Mr Parker.

'Actually the week we were there the zoo had just put two hippos together for the first time in the tank. Hippos are not usually that friendly and the two they had in the tank - the male Otis and the female Funani - had been having a bit of a fight with each other that day. Mr Parker said 'When I look at his face I think he looks pretty tired by it all, or maybe he's having a happy dream - either way it's a great picture.'

To add another dimension to the memorable snap, the picture has become an internet hit after Jay posted them on the internet and pops up on blogs and chatrooms from USA to China. Mr Parker, 35, from Little Rock, Arkansas, even gets fan mail from people far away telling him he is their computer screensaver or Facebook profile picture.

He said: 'It's kind of strange to think there are people out there with a picture of me on their computer, but I guess I'm just the hippo man as far they're concerned.’


Question 1 [2 points]Indicate whether the following statements are true or false and write down which part of the text justifies your answer.
a) Jay Parker appears in the first photograph of Otis in San Diego. b) Lauren likes animals a lot.
c) Otis has always had company in his tank. (
d) Mr Parker received emails from people all over the world.

Question 2 [2 points] Answer the following questions in your own words.
a) When and where were the photos taken?
b) Who has used the photos of Mr and Mrs Parker and how?

Question 3 [1.5 points] Find words or phrases in the text that correspond in meaning to the words and definitions given.
a) very wide and happy (paragraph 1)
b) animal (paragraph 2)
c) to appear (paragraph 5)

Question 4 Complete the following sentences without changing the meaning.

a) The Parkers, from Little Rock, Arkansas, took their extraordinary photographs during a holiday visit to San Diego Zoo in California.
The extraordinary photographs ……..

b) My wife is a big fan of animals so we always try and visit some when we are away.
If my …….

c) Mr Parker said: 'It's kind of strange to think there are people out there with a picture of me on their computer, but I guess I'm just the hippo man as far they're concerned.’
Mr Parker said that it …………

Question 5 Write a short essay (between120-150 words) on the following topic:
‘Nowadays, the internet makes it possible for everyone to be famous’. Do you agree? Is it always a good thing?

Holiday snaps of 'smiling' three-ton hippo 'Otis' become web hit

When Jay Parker told his wife Lauren to say ‘cheese’, it seems someone else was listening, too. Otis the hippo pressed his face against the glass of his tank and produced what appears to be a beaming smile.
And when the couple exchanged positions, the three-ton beast duly obliged with another grin for the camera next to her husband. The Parkers, from Little Rock, Arkansas, took their extraordinary photographs during a holiday visit to San Diego Zoo in California.

'We took the picture on holiday at San Diego Zoo, my wife is a big fan of animals so we always try and visit somewhere when we are away,' said Mr Parker.

'Actually the week we were there the zoo had just put two hippos together for the first time in the tank. Hippos are not usually that friendly and the two they had in the tank - the male Otis and the female Funani - had been having a bit of a fight with each other that day. Mr Parker said 'When I look at his face I think he looks pretty tired by it all, or maybe he's having a happy dream - either way it's a great picture.'

To add another dimension to the memorable snap, the picture has become an internet hit after Jay posted them on the internet and pops up on blogs and chatrooms from USA to China. Mr Parker, 35, from Little Rock, Arkansas, even gets fan mail from people far away telling him he is their computer screensaver or Facebook profile picture.

He said: 'It's kind of strange to think there are people out there with a picture of me on their computer, but I guess I'm just the hippo man as far they're concerned.’


Question 1 [2 points]Indicate whether the following statements are true or false and write down which part of the text justifies your answer.
a) Jay Parker appears in the first photograph of Otis in San Diego. b) Lauren likes animals a lot.
c) Otis has always had company in his tank. (
d) Mr Parker received emails from people all over the world.

Question 2 [2 points] Answer the following questions in your own words.
a) When and where were the photos taken?
b) Who has used the photos of Mr and Mrs Parker and how?

Question 3 [1.5 points] Find words or phrases in the text that correspond in meaning to the words and definitions given.
a) very wide and happy (paragraph 1)
b) animal (paragraph 2)
c) to appear (paragraph 5)

Question 4 Complete the following sentences without changing the meaning.

a) The Parkers, from Little Rock, Arkansas, took their extraordinary photographs during a holiday visit to San Diego Zoo in California.
The extraordinary photographs ……..

b) My wife is a big fan of animals so we always try and visit some when we are away.
If my …….

c) Mr Parker said: 'It's kind of strange to think there are people out there with a picture of me on their computer, but I guess I'm just the hippo man as far they're concerned.’
Mr Parker said that it …………

Question 5 Write a short essay (between120-150 words) on the following topic:
‘Nowadays, the internet makes it possible for everyone to be famous’. Do you agree? Is it always a good thing?

The Emperor's New Clothes

Complete the gaps with words and expressions from the box


an extraordinary method at the gates of the palace disclosed the incredible news He changed clothes almost heard the scoundrel's strange story Once upon a time spread over his kingdom that it looks invisible the better of him The chamberlain notified the prime minister to anyone who is too stupid to see to show them off to take advantage We are two very good tailors who had heard of the Emperor's vanity whose only worry in life


The Emperor's New Clothes


________________________ there lived a vain emperor ________________________ was to dress in elegant clothes.__________________ every hour and loved ___________ _____________to his people.

Word of the Emperor's refined habits __________________________and beyond. Two scoundrels ___________________________decided _________________________of it. They introduced themselves __________________________with a scheme in mind.

" _____________________________and after many years of research we have invented ___________________to weave a cloth so light and fine ___________________________. As a matter of fact it is invisible _______________________and incompetent to appreciate its quality."

The chief of the guards _______________________________________ and sent for the court chamberlain. ______________________________, who ran to the Emperor and _______________________. The Emperor's curiosity got _______________________and he decided ____________the two scoundrels.





Self-Access Group. CiefP Santander


KEY

1. Once upon a time
2. whose only worry in life
3. He changed clothes almost
4. to show them off
5. spread over his kingdom
6. who had heard of the Emperor’s vanity
7. to take advantage of it
8. at the gates of the palace
9. We are two very good tailors
10. an extraordinary method
11. that it looks invisible
12. to anyone who is too stupid
13. heard the scoundrel’s strange story
14. The chamberlain notified the prime minister
15. and disclosed the incredible news
16. the better of him
17. to see

The Emperor's New Clothes

Complete the gaps with words and expressions from the box


an extraordinary method at the gates of the palace disclosed the incredible news He changed clothes almost heard the scoundrel's strange story Once upon a time spread over his kingdom that it looks invisible the better of him The chamberlain notified the prime minister to anyone who is too stupid to see to show them off to take advantage We are two very good tailors who had heard of the Emperor's vanity whose only worry in life


The Emperor's New Clothes


________________________ there lived a vain emperor ________________________ was to dress in elegant clothes.__________________ every hour and loved ___________ _____________to his people.

Word of the Emperor's refined habits __________________________and beyond. Two scoundrels ___________________________decided _________________________of it. They introduced themselves __________________________with a scheme in mind.

" _____________________________and after many years of research we have invented ___________________to weave a cloth so light and fine ___________________________. As a matter of fact it is invisible _______________________and incompetent to appreciate its quality."

The chief of the guards _______________________________________ and sent for the court chamberlain. ______________________________, who ran to the Emperor and _______________________. The Emperor's curiosity got _______________________and he decided ____________the two scoundrels.





Self-Access Group. CiefP Santander


KEY

1. Once upon a time
2. whose only worry in life
3. He changed clothes almost
4. to show them off
5. spread over his kingdom
6. who had heard of the Emperor’s vanity
7. to take advantage of it
8. at the gates of the palace
9. We are two very good tailors
10. an extraordinary method
11. that it looks invisible
12. to anyone who is too stupid
13. heard the scoundrel’s strange story
14. The chamberlain notified the prime minister
15. and disclosed the incredible news
16. the better of him
17. to see

Man trapped in bowling club toilet for four days

Man trapped in bowling club toilet for four days

A retired teacher survived on tap water after getting trapped in a freezing bowling club toilet with no food or mobile phone for four days. David Leggat was trapped at Kittybrewster and Woodside Bowling Club after the door to the gents jammed behind him.
The 55-year-old spent 16 hours of each day in darkness and, in a desperate bid to keep warm in the freezing building, he dipped his feet in hot water. "I did a survival course once and knew I had to keep my feet warm, so I kept running a basin of hot water and putting my feet in, to send the heat through my body," he explained to the Aberdeen Evening Express. Mr Leggat was eventually freed after Cathy Scollay, the club's cleaner, heard his cries for help.
Mr Leggat's ordeal began last Monday afternoon when he entered the bathroom and the inside handle to the door jammed. A few days earlier the outside handle had fallen off. The bowler said he quickly realised he was in for a long wait as the club is rarely used in winter. Mr Leggat, who recently retired from Kemnay Academy, where he taught English and history, said: "I was lucky to get three hours' sleep a night."
Ms Scollay, who keeps her cleaning equipment in the gents, discovered Mr Leggat on Thursday morning. She said today: "I put on the light as normal, pushed the door and just heard a voice shouting 'you can't get in here, I have been locked in here for four days'. I just couldn't believe it." Ms Scollay could not manage to free Mr Leggat, so she called club secretary Bob Ewing, who used a screwdriver to open the door. "David looked awfully grey and shaky when he came out," Ms Scollay said. "But he managed to walk up the road to his house." "Nobody had been looking for David. A wife may have wondered where he was but he is not married," she said.
Mr Leggat told the Evening Express: "At least there was a toilet to use. The only thing I regret is not getting trapped behind the bar."

Question 1 Indicate whether these sentences are true or false. Justify your answers with evidence from the text:
a) Mr Leggat went to the bowling club after his lessons.
b) When Mr. Leggat went into the bath room there was a handle on the door
c) He expected to get out in a short time.
d) He didn’t need any help to get back home.

Question 2 Answer these questions in your own words:
a) How did Mr Leggat manage to survive?
b) How did he get out?

Question 3 Find a word or phrase in the text that means the same as:
a) Men’s toilet par. 1
b) Rescue par. 2
c) Nightmare. par. 3

Question 4 Rewrite the following sentences without changing the meaning
a) Mr Leggat said: “I was lucky to get three hours’ sleep a night”.
Mr Leggat said that ………………………………………………………….
b) Bob Ewing used a screwdriver to open the door.
A screwdriver ……………………………………………………..
c) A wife may have wondered where he was but he is not married.
If David had……………………………………………………………………

Question 5 Write a short essay (120to 150 words) on the following topic:
You can always learn from experiences

Self-Access Group. CEP Santander

Man trapped in bowling club toilet for four days

Man trapped in bowling club toilet for four days

A retired teacher survived on tap water after getting trapped in a freezing bowling club toilet with no food or mobile phone for four days. David Leggat was trapped at Kittybrewster and Woodside Bowling Club after the door to the gents jammed behind him.
The 55-year-old spent 16 hours of each day in darkness and, in a desperate bid to keep warm in the freezing building, he dipped his feet in hot water. "I did a survival course once and knew I had to keep my feet warm, so I kept running a basin of hot water and putting my feet in, to send the heat through my body," he explained to the Aberdeen Evening Express. Mr Leggat was eventually freed after Cathy Scollay, the club's cleaner, heard his cries for help.
Mr Leggat's ordeal began last Monday afternoon when he entered the bathroom and the inside handle to the door jammed. A few days earlier the outside handle had fallen off. The bowler said he quickly realised he was in for a long wait as the club is rarely used in winter. Mr Leggat, who recently retired from Kemnay Academy, where he taught English and history, said: "I was lucky to get three hours' sleep a night."
Ms Scollay, who keeps her cleaning equipment in the gents, discovered Mr Leggat on Thursday morning. She said today: "I put on the light as normal, pushed the door and just heard a voice shouting 'you can't get in here, I have been locked in here for four days'. I just couldn't believe it." Ms Scollay could not manage to free Mr Leggat, so she called club secretary Bob Ewing, who used a screwdriver to open the door. "David looked awfully grey and shaky when he came out," Ms Scollay said. "But he managed to walk up the road to his house." "Nobody had been looking for David. A wife may have wondered where he was but he is not married," she said.
Mr Leggat told the Evening Express: "At least there was a toilet to use. The only thing I regret is not getting trapped behind the bar."

Question 1 Indicate whether these sentences are true or false. Justify your answers with evidence from the text:
a) Mr Leggat went to the bowling club after his lessons.
b) When Mr. Leggat went into the bath room there was a handle on the door
c) He expected to get out in a short time.
d) He didn’t need any help to get back home.

Question 2 Answer these questions in your own words:
a) How did Mr Leggat manage to survive?
b) How did he get out?

Question 3 Find a word or phrase in the text that means the same as:
a) Men’s toilet par. 1
b) Rescue par. 2
c) Nightmare. par. 3

Question 4 Rewrite the following sentences without changing the meaning
a) Mr Leggat said: “I was lucky to get three hours’ sleep a night”.
Mr Leggat said that ………………………………………………………….
b) Bob Ewing used a screwdriver to open the door.
A screwdriver ……………………………………………………..
c) A wife may have wondered where he was but he is not married.
If David had……………………………………………………………………

Question 5 Write a short essay (120to 150 words) on the following topic:
You can always learn from experiences

Self-Access Group. CEP Santander