As you listen to the extract, for each question 1-4 choose the answer that fits the meaning best
1. The attempt to salvage a wrecked ship and its goods from the sea
a) had been made quickly
b) had been difficult to make
c) hadn’t given any result.
2. For weeks the ‘Elkor’ had been searching
a) the Black Sea
b) the Barents Sea
c) the Mediterranean Sea.
3. The captain knew that another attempt would be made later because
a) the sunken ship had precious goods on board
b) the first attempt had not brought any result
c) he was in charge of the operation.
4. A radio message from the mainland instructed the captain
a) to continue the search
b) to put off the search
c) to give up the search.
TASK II. Together with your partner restore the main events in the passage using the following prompts:
Salvage, failure, search, on its way home, to give up, to make another attempt, a precious cargo.
TASK III. You’ll hear the rest of the text about the salvage operation. As you listen, fill in the missing information in the sentences below. You’ll hear it once.
Despite the message from the mainland, the captain of the Elkor decided ____________________.1
The sea-bed was scoured with _________________.2
There was tremendous excitement on board when ______________.3
At first the crew were under the impression that_________________.4
The contents of ______________________5 proved they were wrong.
What they had in fact found was _____________________.6
The chest contained _______________________.7
Among other things, there were books, clothing and photographs together with ____________________.8
The numerous items which were brought to the surface proved ______________________.9
From an unfinished letter which had been written on March 14th 1943 the captain learnt that the name of the ship was ________________.10
The most valuable find of all was ___________________11, parts of which it was still possible to read.
From this the captain was able to ______________________.12
We know now that the ‘Karen’ had been sailing in a convoy to __________________13, when she was torpedoed by __________.14
This was later confirmed by ___________________.15
All the items that were found were sent to _________________.16
TASK IV. Now you’ll listen to the whole of the text. Then answer the following questions in your own words as far as possible:
1. Why was the ‘Elkar’ in the Barents Sea?
2. What instruction had the ship’s captain received?
3. Why did he know that another attempt to salvage the sunken ship would be made?
4. What did the captain think when a sea-chest was raised from the bottom?
5. What exactly proved to be of great interest?
6. What information came to light finally? How was it confirmed later?
7. Who was Alan Fielding?
TASK V. With the help of the words suggested retell the story using the correct grammar and sentence structure:
salvage operation, failure, search the Barents Sea, for weeks, give up the search, make another attempt, despite, was scoured, was raised, under the impression, the contents, proved them wrong, what they had in fact found was, personal belongings, from the wreck, proved to be of great interest, a cruiser, an unfinished letter, March 14th 1943, the ship’s log book, to piece together, came to light, to sail in a convoy, was torpedoed, was confirmed, the War Museum.
TASK VI. Do the following in pairs:
Exercises.
1.The ‘Elkor’ was on its way home. A radio message from the mainland had been received by the captain instructing him to give up the search. The captain knew that another attempt would be made later.
Arrange the events in chronological order.
How do you know that some events happened earlier?
2. …..which had been searching the Barents Sea.
Explain the use of the grammar tense. Write a complete sentence showing your understanding of the phrase.
3. Despite the message, the captain of the ‘Elkor’ decided to try once more.
In spite of being exhausted, the crew didn’t give up the search.
Write your own sentences using the structures:
Despite + N/G
In spite of + N/G
Despite/In spite of the fact that + S + V
4. The numerous items…… proved to be of great interest.
Write a sentence with proved to be.
5. From this, the captain was able to piece together all the information.
(was able to – means that there was a chance and the action was performed in spite of difficulties; could – denotes only ability and no action so far)
Write one sentence with was able to and one sentence with couldto show the slightest difference in the meaning.
6. The important information …came to light.
Explain orally the meaning and write one sentence with the expression.
7. The sea-bed was scoured with powerful nets. There was tremendous excitement on board. A chest was raised from the bottom. The crew were at first under the impression that the lost ship had been found. The contents of the sea-chest proved them wrong.
Express the ideas joining them in not more than two sentences.
8. ……….realizedthat the ship must have been a cruiser.
What’s the difference between ‘realize’ and ‘understand’? Write two sentences illustrating this difference.
PART III. EXTENSION ACTIVITY.