ELT Readers - Attica

ELT Readers 

Contemporary TV and film titles your students will love! 

www.scholasticeltreaders.com

Think of some famous people who have had plastic surgery. 

Do they look better or worse, do you think 

60 

4 

What do these words mean 

You can use a dictionary. 

plastic surgery a survey 

an operation 

61 

5 

Welcome to the exciting world 

of Scholastic ELT Readers! 

Scholastic ELT Readers are a series of contemporary 

film and TV adaptations, original teenage fiction and 

classic literature, specifically targeted at teenagers 

learning English. They are published at four levels 

following a carefully graded syllabus. 

Starter level 

(Beginner) 

Level 1 

(Elementary) 

Level 2 

(Pre-Intermediate–Intermediate) 

Level 3 

(Intermediate +) 

Why choose Scholastic 

Themes & topics 

The Scholastic range of titles refl ects a world that 

teenagers will instantly recognise. Popular fi lm and TV 

series such as Superman, Lost and The OC sit alongside 

coming-of-age classics like Billy Elliot and Angela’s Ashes. 

Real teenage issues and themes such as bullying and 

relationships are tackled in original fi ction titles, and 

classic literature is injected with new life by tying in with 

recent fi lms and TV series such as Pride and Prejudice and 

Jane Eyre. 

Students’ different tastes and interests are acknowledged 

in the broad spread of titles, ranging from the light (Spider- 

Man, The Pink Panther) to the thought-provoking (Touching 

the Void and Carl Hiaasen’s ecological thriller Hoot). 

Innovative design 

PEOPLE AND PLACES 

Tony Elliot 

Billy Elliot 

Billy’s brother. He’s 20 years 

old. He’s a miner and he’s on 

strike too. He hates the 

police and he hates scabs. 

FACT FILE 

Billy Elliot 

Billy is 12 years old. He lives in 

Everington with his dad, brother and 

nan. His mum died two years 

ago. He loves music and 

dancing. 

Jackie Elliot 

Billy’s dad. He’s a miner. He’s 

on strike. 

Mrs Wilkinson / 

‘Miss’ 

Billy’s ballet teacher. She lives 

with her husband and 

daughter Debbie. She teaches 

ballet at the Social. The girls 

and Billy call her ‘Miss’. 

❝I want 

What did Jenna Franklin want for her 16th birthday 

present An MP3 player A new computer 

No – plastic surgery! In a magazine survey, 35% of 

teenage girls said they would like plastic surgery. It’s 

expensive and painful … and it doesn’t always work. 

So, why do we want it so much 

Confidence 

Nobody’s perfect 

Helen Johnston works on a Famous people worry about 

magazine for teenagers called their appearance too. Lots of 

Bliss. ‘A lot of girls think they pop and TV stars have had 

should look perfect. They might some kind of plastic surgery. 

not feel confident with their They want a younger face, 

friends or boyfriends,’ she says. bigger lips, smoother skin … 

‘They think their lives would be or even a different skin colour! 

perfect if they had the perfect 

nose or perfect legs.’ 

Michael 

Billy’s best friend. 

Nan 

Billy’s grandmother. 

She’s 80. She loved 

dancing when she 

was young. 

Police and miners in 1984. 

Billy and his family live in a street 

like this. 

Places 

Everington is a mining town 

near Durham in the north-east 

of England. Most of the men 

here are miners. 

The story starts in 1984. 

Mines are closing all over 

Britain. The miners are angry. 

They want to keep their jobs. 

There are no other jobs for the 

miners in Everington. They 

decide to go on strike. 

But some miners still go to 

work. They want the money. 

The strikers call them ‘scabs’. 

The Social is a club for the 

people of Everington. They 

meet their friends here and 

have a beer. There are boxing 

lessons and ballet lessons at 

the Social. 

The Royal Ballet School is a 

big school in London. They 

teach ballet here. 

to be perfect!’❞ 

Why not What do you think 

Today in the 21st 

century, plastic surgery Chris, 16 

has become normal. 

"I don’t like very 

thin girls. They 

You can even watch 

look like men! 

plastic surgery 

J-Lo is my perfect 

operations on TV. But is 

woman." 

it worth the pain 

• Plastic surgery doesn’t 

change your life. You stay Jane, 15 "I like boys who 

the same person with the 

look different. I 

don’t want to go 

same problems. 

out with Orlando 

• Everyone is different. The 

Bloom or Brad 

world would be very boring 

Pitt!" 

if we all looked the same. 

• Appearance is just a small Pete, 15 

part of a person. Your 

"I like girls who 

personality is important too. 

have their own 

Enjoy your life and your 

look and style." 

friends, and remember that 

nobody is perfect. 

Kath, 14 

“I love boys 

with red hair!” 

Illustrated with inspiring full-colour graphics, these readers are designed to attract your students to reading. 

Images tie in with the fi lm or TV series, and creative formats such as blogs, manga stories and comic strips 

generate instant appeal among teenagers. Navigation is straightforward and levels are clearly indicated with 

a distinctive colour scheme. 

2 

Download free teacher’s resource sheets for

Chapter 1: The misfits 

S CHOLASTIC READERS 

T 

 

TM 

300 headwords (story: up to 1,500 words) 




1 year of English 

1 – 2 years of English 

2 – 3 years of English 

3+ years of English 

CEF 

stage pre-A1 

CEF 

stage A1 

CEF 

stage A2 

CEF 

stage B1 

ELT Readers 

People and places 

1 Who … 

S CHOLASTIC READERS 

RESOURCE SHEET STUDENT ACTIVITIES 

 

 

– EXTRA 

Chapter 3 Carnival 

1 Complete the sentences with the co rect words. 

a) The carnival was the best / worst charity event of the year. 

b) Seth and Anna are playing skeeba l / snowba l. 

c) Anna wins / buys a toy for Seth. 

d) Ryan sits nex to Summer / Mari sa on the fe ris wheel. 

e) Ryan is afraid of heights / the dark. 

f) Anna / Summer ki ses Seth. 

g) Mari sa ki ses Luke / Ryan. 

2 Answer the questions. 

Ryan Atwood 

a) has been in Juvie over the summer ……………………… 

b) has broken up with her boyfriend ……………………… 

A RESOURCE FOR TEACHERS! 

Level 3 

 

FREE 

c) used to be the Newport geek ……………………… 

d) comes from Pi tsburg ……………………… 

e) is Mari sa’s Dad ……………………… 

f) is usua ly only seen with the coolest guys ……………………… 

g) was Mari sa’s boyfriend for six years ……………………… 

– EXTRA 

h) has a drinking problem ……………………… 

i) wants things to change ……………………… 

a) Why does Seth take his arm away from Anna 

b) Who does Ryan feel he can talk to 

c) Why does Anna ask the operator to stop the fe ris wheel 

Chapter 4: A family again 

1. Who says or thinks these things 

Marissa 

a) ‘I understand him, and he understands me.’ …………………… 

b) ‘I wan them to think what a strong family 

we are.’ …………………… 

c) ‘How am I going to te l Mari sa’ …………………… 

d) ‘You rea ly like Ryan, don’t you’ …………………… 

People & Places 

The People & Places 

spread at the start of each 

story sets the scene by 

introducing the key characters 

in a visually stimulating and 

accessible way. 

Fact Files 


MR BINGLEY 

Mr Bingley is a rich and charming 

young man. He comes to live at 

Netherfield Park near the Bennets in 

Hertfordshire. He and Mr Darcy are 

good friends. 

MR WICKHAM 

Mr Wickham is a charming and 

handsome young man. He joins the 

officers in Meryton, near Longbourn, 

and is a favourite of the Bennet girls. 

Mr Darcy does not like him, though … 

MR DARCY 

Mr Darcy is a very rich and proud young 

man. He has a sister, Georgiana, who is 

ten years younger than him. He owns 

a large estate called Pemberley in 

Derbyshire. 

THE BENNET FAMILY 

The Bennet family live at Longbourn. 

They are (from left to right) Lydia (the 

youngest daughter), Mr Bennet, Jane 

(the oldest daughter), Mrs Bennet, Kitty, 

Elizabeth and Mary. 

MR COLLINS 

Mr Collins is a cousin of the Bennet family. 

He is a clergyman and his church is on the 

large estate of Lady 

Catherine 

de Bourgh. 

4 

LADY CATHERINE 

DE BOURGH 

Lady Catherine de Bourgh is Mr Darcy’s 

rich aunt. She has one daughter and 

they live at Rosings Park. 

Pemberley 

Newcastle 

Choosing and motivating 

Is this the right story for your cla s Have they heard of The OC 

How many students have seen it Read ‘The story so far’ section 

with the whole cla s. Discu s what they think wi l happen in 

this book. 

Organising 

Plan a cla s reading schedule. Decide how many pages to set for 

reading each week. Select exercises from the back of the reader 

and extra activities from this resource sheet to go with each 

section of reading. (A l answers on page 4.) 

Using the DVD 

Try to ge the English language version DVD of the first series of 

The OC. Watch the episodes yourself first to check that it is 

suitable for your cla s. Show it in chunks of five to ten minutes 

in para lel with the cla s reading schedule. Alternatively, show 

the whole programme after students have finished the book, as 

a reward. (See ideas on page 4.) 

Using the CD 

Meryton 

Netherfield Park Longbourn 

London 

Rosings Park 

Brighton 

SYNOPSIS 

Ryan Atwood lives wit his new guardians, Sandy and Kirsten 

Cohen and their son, Seth, in Newport Beach. Ryan wants to 

draw a line under his troubled past in the rough neighbourhood 

where he grew up. Seth – labe led a geek by the cooler kids – 

is glad of the company at school. Ryan is a tracted to Mari sa 

Cooper, who is back at school afte recovering from an overdose. 

She is finding it hard to cope wit her parents’ recent divorce 

and spli ting up with her boyfriend. The three friends make up 

a gang of Newport ‘misfits’. 

Seth has always been in love with Summer Roberts, who has 

always ignored him. New girl, Anna, makes no secret of her 

a fection for Seth and ki ses him a the Harbor carnival. Seth is 

taken aback, especia ly when he realises Summer is jealous. 

When Summer declares her love for him, Seth is unable to 

choose between the girls and risks losing them both. 

Ryan and Mari sa fa l in love. Meanwhile, Mari sa’s mother 

promises to get the family back together again. But Mari sa’s 

new-found happine s i sha tered when it turns out that her 

mother i seeing someone else. 

At Thanksgiving, Ryan visits his brother in prison and na rowly 

escapes a beating from some of his brother’s acquaintances. 

Ryan vows never to get involved again. 

As Christmas approaches, Mari sa is caught shoplifting and 

her mother insist she sees a therapist. Ryan gets her to face up 

This level i suitable for students who have been learning English for at least three years and 

up to four years. It co responds with 

1 

the 

Are the 

Common 

sentences 

European 

true or false 

Framework level B1. Suitable 

for users of TEAM magazine. 

a) Ryan is nervous about going to Harbor School. 

b) Seth thinks this year is going to be be ter. 

c) Mari sa is happy to be back at school. 

d) Ryan’s first cla s is maths. 

e) Anna sti l goes to school in Pi tsburg. 

f) Seth is pleased to see Anna. 

g) Summer likes the look of Anna. 

h) Seth realises that Anna is in love with him. 

a) What problems do Ryan and Mari sa have What are they wo ried 

about on the first day of school 

b) Summer can’t decide whether to have lunch with Seth. Why not 

c) Look a the photo on page 7. Describe how the guys are feeling. 

d) Look a the photo on page 8. Describe how the girls are feeling. 

to her drinking problem. Once again, Ryan finds himself trying 

to solve the problems of those closest to him. Sandy advises 

him to take some time for himself. With Ryan starting to se tle 

in, Mari sa facing up to her problems and Seth finding himself 

at the centre of a group of friends, the New Year hold some 

fragile promise. 

THE BACK STORY 

2 Talk to a partner. What do you think 

The OC was first shown on TV in August 2003 and ran for four 

series. The glamorous lifestyle and characters, compe ling 

storylines and great music made it big hit with teenagers. 

The show centres on the idea of a poor kid with a troubled 

background living in a town fu l of rich kids. The storylines deal 

with teenage i sues of love, self-esteem and stereotyping. 

MEDIA LINKS 

Chapter 2: The truth 

1 Answer the questions. 

DVD: Series 1–3 of The OC are cu rently available on DVD. The 

Misfits is based on episodes 9, 10, 11 and 13 of the first series. 

CD: A recording of The Misfits available to accompany the 

Scholastic reader. 

Internet: Find out more about the series at: www.fox.com/oc. 

Books: This reader is the second of three Scholastic readers on 

The OC. Also available are: The OC: The Outsider (level 2) and 

The OC: The Gamble (level 3). 

a) Why doesn’t Ryan go out 

b) How does Ryan find the work at Harbor School 

c) What does Mari sa do when her dad is out 

d) How does Ryan feel when he sees Mari sa and Luke together 

e) What was Mari sa rea ly saying to Luke 

f) Why is Mari sa angry with Ryan 

HOW TO USE YOUR SCHOLASTIC MEDIA READER 

Glossary 

After the story, there are three Fact Files. Se these a self-study 

or use for whole cla s work. (See ideas on page 4.) 

Students can listen and fo low in their books. They can listen 

and then read. They can read and then listen. A l these activities Get everyone to do a wri ten or verbal review of The Gamble. 

wi l improve thei reading speeds and ski ls. 

Did you like it Let us know at: readers@link2English.com. 

©Scholastic Ltd Teacher’s notes 

5 

PLACES 

e) ‘Perhaps we can be a family again.’ …………………… 

f) ‘But your mom hates me …’ …………………… 

Chapter 5: The perfect couple 

1 Complete the sentences with these words. 

coldly cool lie romantic so ry yacht 

a) The party was on Caleb’s ……………………… . 

b) Julie spoke to Ryan ……………………… . 

c) Mari sa says that Anna is ……………………… . 

d) Julie was giving away a ……………………… week for two. 

e) Ryan didn’t wan to ……………………… to Mari sa. 

f) Just for a moment, Ryan felt ……………………… for Julie. 

Pi tsburg. Make a list of adjectives to describe people in Newport. 

yacht 

2 Anna says people in Newport are di feren to people in 

Chapter 6: A ca l for help 

1 Choose the best words to complete the sentences. 

a) Ryan has received a good / bad report from Harbor School. 

b) When Trey asks Ryan to visit him, Ryan feels pleased / upset / 

angry. 

c) Ryan feels good / bad / stupid when he talks to Trey in prison. 

d) Mari sa thinks going to the prison wi l be scary / shocking / fun. 

e) When Mari sa sees Ryan and Theresa together, she feels 

frightened / jealous / upset. 

f) Ryan feels bad / jealous / scared about leaving Theresa without 

saying goodbye. 

©Scholastic Go to ‘New LtdWords’ a the end of the reader. Translate the words 

Photocopiable 

with the cla s or get students to find meanings at home. 

Casual language 

Introduce the informal expre sions used in The Misfits (see 

Vocabulary Builder on page 3 of this resource). Put them into 

context. Te l students to look out for them as they read. 

Book exercises 

Show students the Self-Study Activities on pages 54–56. These 

are divided into sections. They complete some exercises before 

they read a section, and some after. 

Have cla s feedback se sions each week. Talk and ask about 

the story so far. Get students to ask each other questions. 

Feedback 

Fact Files 

What did they think 

Elizabeth’s uncle and aunt, the 

Gardiners, live in London. The Bingleys 

and Mr Darcy usually spend the winter 

there. 

Brighton is a town by the sea. The 

officers move here from Meryton during 

the story. 

At the back of each reader is a magazine-style Fact File section. The Fact Files include interviews and 

behind-the-scenes features, as well as presenting aspects of UK / US culture and exploration of themes 

developed in the reader. This provides cross-cultural information for students to explore autonomously or 

as a class. The easy-to-read format further adds to the appeal. 

Activities, audio and extra resources 

The self-study section ensures that students are able to check comprehension as 

they progress through each story, with activities for before and after each section. 

Free online teacher’s resource sheets provide more activities, suggestions for 

full exploitation of the reader plus follow-up project work. Most readers are also 

accompanied by an audio recording of the story. 

THE SKATE PARK AFTER DARK 

A NGELA’S ASHES 

Starter Level 

Frank McCourt 

Level 3 

Chapters 1–6 

Recorded by arrangement with HarperCo lins Publishers Ltd. 2007 

© Frank McCourt 1996 

every title at www.scholasticeltreaders.com 

3

Starter level sample page 

CEF stage pre-A1 / Beginner / 1 year of English 

17 

STARTER LEVEL: 300 headwords (story: up to 1,500 words) 

Sample language for Starter Level Readers includes: 

present simple, present continuous, present continuous for future use, 

simple adverbs of frequency, Let’s … 

The sample language does not include all elements of the full syllabus for this level. 

4 


Level 1 sample page 

CEF stage A1 / Elementary / 1-2 years of English 

moves. He thinks it’s cool. 

‘Leg out, arm out, one two!’ I said. ‘Eyes to the front.’ 

Michael laughed. ‘When’s the next lesson’ 

‘I’m not going,’ I said. ‘Ballet’s for girls. I feel stupid.’ 

‘You are stupid!’ Michael laughed. ‘Anyway, it’s not just 

for girls. It’s different for men. Men are stronger.’ 

He was right. I can jump higher than the girls in the 

ballet class. And I’m better than most of them. 

So I went again. On Saturday, I took my 50p from the 

kitchen table and I went to the Social. This week, the class 

was in a different room. That was good because I didn’t 

want to see George. 

At the start, it was boring. 

I didn’t know the moves. 

So I stopped. Miss came 

over. 

‘What are you 

doing’ 

‘I don’t know the 

moves, Miss,’ I said. 

‘Follow the girls. Go to 

the back and watch them. 

And … one, two, three.’ 

That was OK but it was still a bit 

boring. Then Miss showed us the spin. You spin around 

and around very fast and then you stop. You must stay in 

the same place. It looks great but it’s very difficult. You fall 

on the floor a lot. We all tried it. 

‘Do it at home,’ Miss said, ‘Try again and again. You can 

do it.’ 

At the end of the class, Miss came over to me. ‘So, are 

you coming next week’ 

‘I don’t know, Miss.’ 

She looked at my ballet shoes. ‘Give me those, then.’ 

13 

LEVEL 1: 600 headwords (story: up to 4,000 words) 

Sample language for Level 2 Readers includes: 

past simple & common irregular pasts, going to future, regular 

comparatives & superlatives, would like + noun 



5


CEF stage A2 / Pre-Intermediate–Intermediate / 2-3 years of English 

It was Officer Delinko’s dream to be a detective. He 

got up at five the next morning and drove to the site. He 

parked his car and waited. It was still dark and he was 

very tired. He fell asleep. 

When he woke up, it was still dark. He couldn’t see 

anything, but he felt hot. What time was it He heard a 

noise outside the car and opened the door. Curly was 

there … in the brilliant sunshine. 

‘Has something happened’ Delinko asked. 

‘Come and see for yourself,’ said Curly. 

Officer Delinko got out of his car and looked. 

‘Oh, no!’ he said. There was black paint all over his car 

windows. 

Roy didn’t want to go to school on Monday. He was 

worried about Dana Matherson. But Matherson wasn’t 

there. Dana’s mother phoned the school to say he was ill. 

‘Everyone is talking about you, Eberhardt,’ another boy 

told him. ‘Nobody’s ever hit Matherson before.’ 

After school, Roy took his letter to Dana Matherson’s 

house. Dana came to the door. His face wasn’t pretty. 

‘That’s terrible,’ thought Roy. ‘I didn’t know I hit him so 

hard!’ 

‘What do you want’ said Dana. 

‘I came to give you this,’ said Roy. He gave Dana the 

letter. 

‘Get lost, cowgirl,’ said Dana. ‘I’m going to get you. 

Then you’ll be sorry!’ 

Later that day, Roy got out his bicycle and rode to the 

golf course. He soon found the trees on the edge of the 

course. It was dark under the trees, but he could see an old 

14 

LEVEL 2: 1,000 headwords (story: up to 7,000 words) 


present perfect, will future, past continuous, zero conditional, 

defining relative clauses not embedded, reflexive pronouns 


6 



CEF stage B1 / Intermediate + / 3+ years of English 

CHAPTER 3 

Oliver and Eugene 

We get home and Oliver is sitting on Dad’s knee. His 

face is bright red and he’s looking at the ashes of the dead 

fire. Dad’s telling him a story but he’s not listening. 

‘He’s not well,’ says Mam. ‘He’s hot.’ She gives Dad the 

ticket from the St Vincent de Paul for the coal. ‘We need a 

fire,’ she says. ‘To heat some milk for Oliver.’ 

Dad and I go down to Dock Road. But it’s dark and 

closed. Women and small children are picking up coal 

that’s dropped from lorries onto the road. 

‘There, Dad. There’s coal.’ I point. 

‘Oh, no, son. We won’t pick coal off the road. We’re not 

beggars.’ 

He tells Mam everything is closed. When I tell her about 

the coal on the road, she gets up. 

‘If you’re too proud to pick up coal, I’m not.’ She gets a 

bag and takes me and Malachy with her. The other women 

have gone. We fill our bag with bits of coal. We pick up 

anything that burns – coal, wood, paper. 

Dad is walking up and down with Oliver when we get 

back. We show him the coal. 

‘Oh, I knew you’d get the coal,’ he says. ‘I said a prayer 

to St Jude. He’s the saint for people with nothing.’ 

‘I got the coal,’ says Mam, ‘with no help from St Jude.’ 

‘You shouldn’t pick up coal from Dock Road like a 

beggar. It isn’t right. It’s a bad example for the boys,’ he 

replies. 

‘Then you should have sent St Jude down to Dock 

Road.’ 

Malachy says he’s hungry and I’m hungry too. But we 

have to wait while Mam heats milk for Oliver. She tries to 

19 

LEVEL 3: 1,500 headwords (story: up to 10,000 words) 


present perfect continuous, past perfect, first and second conditional, 

present simple & past simple passive, simple indirect speech 



7

Starter level – CEF stage pre-A1 

Beginner 

Blog Love 

Junko has come to London for the summer, but feels lonely 

and isolated. She takes refuge in the daily blog she writes 

and is delighted when she strikes up a friendship with 

fellow blogger ‘Slow Boy’. But is he all that he seems 

ISBN: 9781904720539 Book Only 

ISBN: 9781904720348 Book & CD 

Saturday July 23rd – 10.46 

by Junko 

It’s Saturday morning. Sonya is shopping in Oxford 

Street with Silvio, not with me. The Laceys are working. 

Saturday is a big day at the cinema, and at the police 

station. 

There are only two people in the Double Decker Internet 

Café, me and the owner – and 30 computers. The 

owner’s name is Jeff. He’s old – maybe 25. He has 

brown hair and blue eyes. Maybe he reads this blog. 

He asks me, ‘Do you like my café’ 

‘Very, very much,’ I say. 

He smiles and touches my hand. 

0 messages 

CHAPTER 2: Slow or fast 

Thursday July 28th – 15.41 

by Junko 

Jeff is watching me a lot today. I look up, and he smiles 

at me. I look back at my computer. I look up again. 

Again Jeff is looking at me. Does he like me Maybe we 

can be friends. 

Oh, oh, oh! I’ve got a message on my blog. It’s from 

Slow Boy. Thank you, Slow Boy! 

1 message 

Thursday July 28th – 10.18 

by Slow Boy 

Hello, Japanese Junko. I like reading your blog. 

I’m learning Japanese in Tokyo. I’m in Japan for 

six months. I’ve got one or two friends here. 

But they’re new friends, not my old friends back 

in London. 

I like Japan, but sometimes I feel lonely too. 

Write to me! I’m waiting for a message from you. 

Don’t be sad, Slow Boy. We can be blog friends. We can 

laugh about our problems. 

Tuesday August 2nd – 15.39 

by Junko 

In the school café, Sonya is looking at Andreas’s mobile. 

‘That’s a cool mobile!’ she says. 

FACT FILE 

THE WEB WORLD 

INTERNET CAFÉS 

The world loves internet cafés. There are about 100,000 

internet cafés in the world – 80 of them in London. How many 

internet cafés are there in your town 

London’s Easy Internet Café has about 400 computers. But many cafés in 

India and China only have one or two computers. ‘It’s not important,’ says 

Arun, 16, from Delhi. ‘With one computer, I can talk to the world.’ 

‘I love the internet 

‘I surf on wi-fi 

café in my town. 

internet. Internet 

I play games there or 

cafés are dead!’ 

surf the internet.’ 

Wayne, 15, Wales 

Sehlu, 13, Zimbabwe 

‘I shop online at an 

‘Internet cafés are 

internet café. I’m not 

expensive. I surf the 

good with computers, 

net at the library. You 

but the people at the 

don’t pay there, but 

café help me.’ 

you can’t play 

Margaret, 60, England 

computer games.’ 

Jacob, 13, Scotland 

What do these words mean You can look in a dictionary. 

the world to surf the net online a library wi-fi 

BLOGGING 

‘I live in Sweden, in the Arctic Circle. 

Do you know 

It’s very cold. There are only 75 

● Blog is short for web log. people in my village, and only five 

teenagers. It’s very boring, and I’ve 

● At blogcatalog.com and other 

got no love life here. But I write a 

websites you can find thousands 

blog now and a girl from the next 

of blogs. 

village, Katarina, 

● 35% of British teenagers 

writes messages 

want their own blog, but usually 

to me. It’s 50km 

they don’t have time. 

to her village. 

I like her photo. 

● There are bloggers in China, 

We’re meeting next 

in Iraq, in Niger, in Sri Lanka. 

Saturday for 

They tell the world about 

the first time. 

their country’s 

Start 

Lars, 17 

problems. 

a blog – it’s 

easy. Write about 

your life. Or write 

messages to a blogger. 

Then the blogger 

can write to 

you. 

‘My blog’s great. People like ‘I love my blog. It’s two today. I 

reading about my life after the write for 45 minutes every day – 

tsunami. Things are very difficult about life in London, about my 

here in Sri Lanka. My family is very friends, my mum and dad, my 

poor. But I have lots of friends now school. I take photos of people on 

in Europe and America.’ 

the streets and put them on my 

Chandrika, 16 

blog too.’ Jane, 13 

What do these words mean 

Do you read or write blogs Find 

a website my own a circle 

some on the internet. Which is 

a village a tsunami 

your favourite 

10 

11 

24 

25 

Kaori and the Lizard King 

A manga-style reader about Kaori, a 13 year-old living on 

a lizard-infested island. When her classmate goes missing, 

Kaori realises that only she can find him. Kaori’s search 

uncovers the darker side of her island and forces her to 

confront the evil forces that control it. 


ISBN: 9781904720362 Book & CD 

8 


Malcolm In The Middle: Krelboyne Picnic 

Malcolm’s school is having a picnic afternoon and Malcolm’s 

parents drag the whole family along. Once there, Francis 

meets the love of his life, Hal takes control of the barbeque, 

Reese runs riot and Malcolm – Malcolm just wants out! 

In easy-to-read photo-story format. 



Malcolm in the Middle 

Krelboyne 

Picnic 

Hi. I’m Malcolm. I’m in a 

class for clever children at 

school – the Krelboyne class. 

I hate being a Krelboyne. 

This is my big brother, Francis. He’s cool, 

but he isn’t often at home. He goes to 

school in Alabama, 1500km from here. 

This is my mum, Lois … 

… and my dad, Hal. 

The parents are angry. 

Meat! I don’t understand it. 

This is terrible. 

Lois, the mothers 

at this school 

don’t want you 

here. Remember 

that. 

OK. No problem. 

Malcolm is thinking. 

Francis, can I ask 

you a question 

No, I mean … 

Yes. All women are bad for you. 

We’re talking about 

you, right Look, we 

all know about you. 

You’re clever. What’s 

the problem 

OK, you’ve got a friend, right 

But your friend’s different. He’s 

a freak. But he’s still your friend, 

right 

This is Stevie. He can’t 

walk. And he talks slowly 

because he’s ill. But he’s a 

good friend - my only friend 

in the Krelboyne class. 

This is my brother 

Reese. He hates 

school work. He 

loves hitting people 

– usually me. 

Poor Caroline! 

Bad-mouth boys always 

have terrible mothers. 

And why is Malcolm in 

the Krelboyne class 

He isn’t very clever. It’s 

not right. 

Yeah, but … Oh, it 

isn’t important. 

Look! It’s Malcolm! 

This is Caroline, my teacher. 

She’s OK, but she cries a lot. 

She likes being friends with 

her students. But who wants 

a teacher for a friend! 

And this is my little 

brother Dewey. 

He doesn’t hit me. 

But that’s the only 

good thing about 

him. 

PLACES 

Our house: I sleep, eat and watch TV here – and hit my 

brothers. 

Our school: I study here – and people laugh at me. People 

laugh at all the Krelboynes. 

This picnic is 

terrible. 

Find a new job, 

Caroline. 

We don’t want you 

in the same room as 

our children. 

Look! Look! Malcolm’s doing his 

show! Be quiet! BE QUIET! 

Malcolm’s family come and 

watch his show. 

4 

5 

20 

21 

Robin Hood: The Taxman 

COMING 

SOON 

Robin Hood and his men live as outlaws in Sherwood Forest. 

When the taxman pays his annual visit to the Sheriff of 

Nottingham, the outlaws are less than pleased to see him. Will 

they help the people of Nottingham get back the money that is 

rightly theirs, or will the Sheriff win – once again 

In easy-to-read photo-story format. 


ISBN: 9781905775187 Book & CD 

Based on an episode from the popular BBC TV series. Robin Hood logo and © Tiger Aspect 

Productions 2006. BBC logo and © BBC 1996. 

www.scholasticeltreaders.com 

9

Starter level – CEF stage pre-A1 

Beginner 

Spooky Skaters: The Skate Park After Dark 

Every night, the Spooky Skaters leave their home in the Land of 

the Dead and go skating in secret in the local skate park. They 

do spooky stunts on the ramp and they feel alive! Every day 

after school, Ben, Leila and their friends hang out at the skate 

park. Roland and Patty go there too, but they can’t skate and 

they’re definitely not cool! Then, one night, Roland and Patty 

meet the Spooky Skaters … 


ISBN: 9781905775149 Book & CD 

SELF-STUDY ACTIVITIES 

PAGES 6-11 

Before you read 

You can use a dictionary for these activities. 

1 Put these words into the sentences. 

secret stunts burger park 

skateboard alive flip skater 

a) A skate … is where people go to skate. 

b) Don’t tell your friends, it’s a … . 

c) I’m hungry. Let’s have a … . 

d) My friend loves skateboarding. He can do lots of good … . 

For example, he can do a … . 

e) My new … goes really fast. It’s great! 

f) These animals are …, they aren’t dead. 

g) Look at that … on the ramp! She’s doing a great stunt. 

2 Match the two parts of the sentence. 

a) You can go up or down i) land. They don’t speak 

b) I’ve got a new board so I’m English there. 

c) This place is spooky 

ii) the new ramp. It’s fun. 

d) They live in a different iii) learning to skate now. 

iv) at night when it’s dark. 

After you read 

3 Are these sentences true or false Correct any mistakes. 

a) Ben, Leila and their friends go to the skate park 

every morning. 

b) Ben is building a ramp in the skate park. 

c) Patty has got a new skateboard. 

d) Roland and Patty laugh at Ben, Leila and their friends. 

e) The Land of the Dead is down under the skate park. 

4 Complete the sentences with the names. 

Zomboy Jinx Spooky Skaters Patty Rip Roland 

a) … tries to skate, but he isn’t very good. 

b) … and Roland are brother and sister. 

c) c) The The …… go go to to the the skate skate park park at at night. 

d) d) …… and and Hex Hex both both like like Jinx. Jinx. 

e) e) …… likes likes the the new new ramp. 

f) f) …… teaches Juju Juju a new a new stunt. 

5 5What do do you you think 

a) a) Are Are Roland and and Patty Patty happy now now Why Why / Why / Why not not 

b) b) Juju Juju says: says: ‘The ‘The Land Land of of the the Dead Dead is dead is dead boring!’ 

Why Why is is it it boring for for the the Spooky Skaters, do do you you think think 

PAGES 12-19 

Before you you read read 

6 6Choose the the right right word. You You can can use use a dictionary. a a) a) I’m I’m hungry. Let’s Let’s go go to to the the skate skate park park / burger / bar. bar. 

b) b) Ghosts / Clothes / are are people who who aren’t alive. alive. They’re dead. dead. 

c) c) You You can can do do skating stunts on on the the ramp ramp and and the the 

paper / pipe. / pipe. 

d) d) Hello darling / friendly. / How How are are you you today 

7 7Guess the the answers to to the the questions about pages pages 12–19. 

Then read read and and check. 

a) a) Who Who meets the the Spooky Skaters 

b) b) Who Who learns to to skate 

c) c) Who Who wants to to buy buy the the skate skate park park Why Why 

After you you read read 

8 8Write these things in in the the correct order. 

a) a) Patty gets gets some cool cool new new clothes. 

b) b) The The Spooky Skaters want want to to help help Roland and and Patty. Patty. 

c) c) Roland and and Patty’s dad dad talks talks about his his idea idea for for a a 

new new burger bar. bar. 

d) d) Roland and and Patty’s and and their their mum mum and and dad dad go go to to 

the the skate park. park. 

e) e) Rip Rip teaches Roland and and Patty Patty a ‘Rip a ‘Rip Flip’. Flip’. 

f) f) Roland does does a stunt a stunt on on the the pipe. pipe. 

16 17 17 

30 

31 31 

Storm Hawks 

COMING 

SOON 

A fantasy comic-strip style reader based on the hit animated 

TV series from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. 


ISBN: 9781905775149 Book & CD 

10 


Level 1 – CEF stage A1 

Elementary 

Billy Elliot 

Billy Elliot is 11 years old and he’s got problems! His dad is 

giving him money for boxing lessons but Billy has discovered 

a talent for ballet, and is secretly attending dance classes. 

His teacher wants him to audition for a London ballet school, 

but how will his family react 

Based on the award-winning British film. 


ISBN: 9781904720355 Book & CD 

the other other leg leg behind. behind. Miss Miss comes comes over. over. 

‘I like ‘I like the the leg,’ leg,’ she she says, says, and and then then walks walks off. She off. She doesn’t doesn’t 

say say much much but but I’m I’m happy. happy. 

* * ** * 

I’m I’m walking walking home home later later and and Miss Miss drives drives by. She by. She sees sees me me 

and and stops stops the the car. car. Debbie’s Debbie’s sitting sitting in the in back. the back. Oh, Oh, I think, I think, 

Debbie’s her her daughter! 

Miss Miss still is still smoking. She She looks looks at me. at me. ‘It’s ‘It’s 50p 50p a lesson, a lesson, 

you you know. know. Bring Bring me me the the money money next next week.’ week.’ 

‘I can’t. ‘I can’t. I’m I’m going going to boxing.’ to boxing.’ 

‘You’re ‘You’re terrible terrible at boxing!’ at boxing!’ says says Debbie, Debbie, and and laughs. laughs. 

‘Be ‘Be quiet!’ quiet!’ Miss Miss looks looks around around at Debbie at Debbie and and then then back back at at 

me. me. ‘Didn’t ‘Didn’t you you enjoy enjoy it today’ it today’ 

I don’t I don’t say say anything. 

‘It’s ‘It’s your your life,’ life,’ she she says says and and off off 

they they go. go. 

Miss Miss was was right. right. I enjoyed I enjoyed it it 

Mrs Wilkinson takes a cigarette from her pocket. She 

but but the the music music was was a bit a bit 

smokes a lot. ‘OK, girls. And ... one and two and three and 

boring. boring. I think I think about about 

four.’ 

Fred Fred Astaire. Astaire. My My nan nan 

I want to do it too. I try but it’s difficult. I start to listen 

loves loves him. him. He He can can 

to the music. It’s easier then. 

dance! dance! I want I want to to 

‘Shoes off!’ Miss is in front of me. 

dance dance like like him. him. 

‘Not me, Miss …’ I start to say - but she’s already 

I run I run and and jump jump 

walking down the room. I take off my shoes and then 

down down the the 

she’s back again – with ballet shoes. 

road. road. Fred Fred 

‘Here you are,’ she says, ‘You can’t dance in boxing 

Astaire’s music music 

shoes.’ 

is playing is playing my in my 

I don’t know, but then I think ‘Why not’ 

head head and and I feel I feel great! great! 

* * * 

So, I do it. I do ballet for the first time. It isn’t easy but 

Miss is a good teacher. We’re all standing on one leg with 

10 11 11 

FACT FILE 

 

Some people say, ‘The British can’t dance!’ Is that true 

Maybe, but they still love dancing. So who cares These 

dances were all in fashion in the UK in the last 100 years. 

Use your dictionary to find new words. 

This dance came to 

the UK from South Carolina in the 

US. It came with shorter skirts and 

shorter hair for women. British 

girls loved it. Their mothers hated 

it. It’s a very fast dance. You flap 

your arms and kick your legs out. 

Time: the 1920s 

Dance: THE CHARLESTON 

Music: jazz, ragtime 

This easy dance started with the Beatles 

music. One of their songs is called ‘Twist 

and Shout’. You twist your hips in time 

to the music. You can do this dance 

with someone or on your own. 

34 


Dance: JIVING 

Music: rock ‘n’ roll, Elvis 

Rock ‘n’ roll 

came to 

Britain with 

Bill Haley’s film, Rock Around the Clock. 

When British teenagers saw it in cinemas, 

they started dancing! They danced 

everywhere – in the cinemas, in the streets … 

You do this dance with a partner. The women 

wear big skirts and short socks. The men wear 

straight trousers and soft shoes. 


Dance: THE TWIST 

Music: the Beatles 



Dance: BREAKDANCING 

Music: electro music, Rock Steady Crew 

Dance: BREAKDANCING 

Music: electro music, Rock Steady Crew 

Breakdancing started started with with James James 

Brown Brown in the in 1960s the 1960s and and his song his song ‘One ‘One Good Good 

Foot’. Foot’. He got He down got down on the on floor the floor and and did did 

moves moves with with his feet. his feet. People People loved loved it. Then it. Then 

everyone everyone forgot forgot about about it. It it. came It came back back in the in the 

1980s 1980s and and they they called called it breakdancing. it You You 

change change your your move move when when there’s there’s a break a break in the in the 

music. music. It has It very has very difficult difficult moves. moves. 

This This started started with with disco disco in the in 1970s. the 1970s. 

Big sounds, Big sounds, lots lots of coloured of coloured lights lights 

and and fast fast music. music. In the In 1980s the 1980s 

teenagers teenagers went went to raves to raves and and 

danced danced to house to house music music all night. all night. 

Raves Raves were were in big, in big, old, old, empty empty 

buildings. buildings. There There are lots are lots of types of types 

of dance of dance music music – trance, – trance, techno, techno, 

ambient, ambient, house house … … 



Dance: MOSHING 

Music:rock, punk and metal 

Dance: MOSHING 

Music:rock, punk and metal 



Dance: TECHNO/DANCE 

Music: Kraftwerk, 

synthesizers, drum machines 

and sampled music (bits 

from lots of different music 

played together) 

Dance: TECHNO/DANCE 

Music: Kraftwerk, 

synthesizers, drum machines 

and sampled music (bits 

from lots of different music 

played together) 

You You mosh mosh in a in a 

mosh mosh pit in pit front in front of the of band. the band. 

You You jump jump up and up and bang bang into into other other 

people. people. They They bang bang into into you. you. You You 

wear wear shoes shoes with with hard hard tops tops and and a a 

T-shirt T-shirt with with the band’s the band’s name name on. on. 

Can you Can do you any do of any these of these dances dances What What What What do these do these words words mean: mean: 

dances dances do you do do you in do your in your country country Did Did flap flap hips hips kick kick soft soft straight straight 

your your parents parents do any do of any these of these dances dances 

35 35 

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Halloween 

It’s Halloween at the Hellmouth! Buffy and her friends hire 

costumes for trick or treating and discover that more than just 

their appearance has changed ... 


ISBN: 9781904720331 Book & CD 


11


Elementary 

Date with Disaster! 

Kate is 13 and she is finding that life is never simple. Should 

she go on a date with the new boy at school, Joe (cool, into 

music, and gorgeous …) – or Ian (equally gorgeous and great 

at Maths homework!) Or should she go on a date at all 


ISBN: 9781904720379 Book & CD 

Goal 2 

Santiago Muñez has made his mark in the UK Premier league 

as a top midfielder with Newcastle United. European football 

now beckons and he finds himself playing alongside stars such 

as Beckham and Zidane for Real Madrid. But playing in the UEFA 

Champions League brings pressures that Santiago had never 

anticipated. Will he have the strength to keep his dream alive 

Based on the hit 2007 movie Goal II! 


ISBN: 9781904720928 Book & CD 

Haunted Britain 

This title combines a scary modern-day ghost story set in 

London with Fact Files including Creepy Castles, Urban Myths 

and A Ghost-hunter’s Guide! 


ISBN: 9781904720393 Book & CD 

12 


Monster House 

It’s Halloween but DJ doesn’t want to go trick-or-treating. 

He wants to spy on the house across the road because he’s 

convinced it’s alive. DJ and his friends discover that the house 

is eating things and people. When the police don’t believe them, 

they attempt to solve the mystery of the ‘monster house’ on 

their own. 


ISBN: 9781904720898 Book & CD 

Mr Bean’s Holiday 

Mr Bean is back – and he’s about to broaden his horizons! 

Equipped with his new camcorder, Mr Bean sets off on the 

Eurostar for France after winning a trip to the south of France. 

Mishap and mayhem ensue as our hero grapples with the 

food, the language – and the French police! 

Based on the spring 2007 blockbuster movie! 


ISBN: 9781905775071 Book & CD 

CHAPTER 6 

On the road 

Mr Bean was in the country now, but he did not stop. 

He wanted that ticket! 

He He ran ran to an to an old old building and and opened opened the the door. door. There There 

were were chickens everywhere. But But where where was was the the chicken chicken 

with with the the ticket ticket 

‘I’m ‘I’m never never going going to find to find it!’ it!’ thought Mr Mr Bean. Bean. 

Sadly Sadly he he walked walked back back to the to the bicycle. bicycle. But But there there was was 

a problem. a The The bicycle bicycle was was flat flat in the in the road. road. It wasn’t It wasn’t 

possible to ride to ride it now. it now. What What happened 

Mr Mr Bean Bean took took the the video video camera camera from from the the front front of the of the 

bicycle bicycle and and looked looked at the at the little little screen. screen. He He watched as a as big a big 

tank tank drove drove down down the the road road and and then then on top on top of the of the bicycle. bicycle. 

A tank! A tank! 

So So Mr Mr Bean Bean had had no no bus bus ticket, ticket, no money no money and and no bicycle. no bicycle. 

What What now now There There was was only only one one answer. answer. He He waited waited next next 

to the to the long, long, empty empty road. road. 

‘A car ‘A car is going is going to come to come soon,’ soon,’ he thought. he After After a few a few minutes, he saw he saw something far far away. away. It It 

wasn’t wasn’t a car. a car. It was It was a little a little moped! moped! 

Mr Mr Bean Bean waited. 

And And waited. 

FACT FILES 

 

Mr Bean makes careful plans for Mr Bean in Paris 

his holiday. First, he takes the In his taxi (to the wrong part of Paris) 

train – the Eurostar – from London Mr Bean sees these famous places. 

to Paris. It takes about 2.5 hours. The Louvre is one of the most 

It goes under the sea between famous art galleries in the world. You 

England and France. It arrives at can see the Mona Lisa here. 

one of Paris’s six train stations. The Eiffel Tower is the most famous 

The train to Cannes goes from one building in Paris. Six million people go 

of the other stations. 

up the tower every year. 

The beautiful church Notre Dame is 

over 650 years old. 

Paris Paris to to Cannes 

The The train train from from Paris Paris to to Cannes is is a a TGV, TGV, 

one one of of the the fastest trains trains in in the the world. world. 

Its Its name means ‘fast ‘fast train’ train’ in in French. 

It It can can go go over over 300 300 kilometres an an hour. hour. 

The The train train from from Paris Paris to to Cannes takes takes 

under six six hours to to go go 891 891 kilometres. 

Mr Mr Bean takes a a lot lot longer than than this! this! 

Cannes 

Cannes is is a lovely town on on the the 

Mediterranean sea. It It has got got beautiful 

beaches, but the town is is most famous 

for its its film festival. 

Mr Bean is not the 

Mr Bean is not the 

only British person 

only British person 

on holiday in France. 

on holiday in France. 

Every year, 12 million 

Every year, 12 million 

British people go to 

British people go to 

France on holiday. 

France on holiday. 

British children learn 

British children learn 

French at school, so 

French at school, so 

they know more than 

they know more than 

Mr Bean’s two words! 

Mr Bean’s two words! 

But, like Mr Bean, many 

But, like Mr Bean, many 

British people cannot 

British people cannot 

speak French very well. 

speak French very well. 

You You 

are are going to to 

France for for a a short 

holiday. Do Do you you want 

to to go go to to Paris or or 

Cannes 

A car came and Mr Bean had one hand on it. The car 

pulled him fast down the road. The car turned and now 

Mr Bean was by a big country house. He heard the sound 

of chickens. Yes! The chickens – and the ticket – were here. 

 

 

 

For 12 12 days every May, Cannes is is the the 

centre of of the film world. There is is a a 

competition and judges choose the 

year’s best film. In In Mr Bean’s Holiday, 

Stepan’s father is is one of of these judges. 

Most of of the films at at the festival are not 

in in the competition. Film-makers and 

film stars from all all over the world come 

to to Cannes because they want to to sell 

their new films. 

What do do these words mean You can use your dictionary. 

art gallery church judge sea tower 

18 19 19 

36 37 37 


13


Elementary 

Night at the Museum 

When Larry Daley gets a job as a night-guard at the Museum of 

Natural History, he is delighted. But on Larry’s first night at the 

museum, he discovers something amazing: all the exhibits come 

to life! He also discovers that the old night guards have a secret 

plan to steal the museum’s most precious items. Can Larry foil 

their plan Will he be able to keep his job at the museum 

“NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM” film artwork (c) 2006 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. 

All Rights Reserved. 


ISBN: 9781905775248 Book & CD 

Debbie found jobs for people. Larry sat at her desk. She 

looked at him. 

‘Why did you leave your last job, Larry’ she asked. 

‘I made some mistakes.’ Larry didn’t look at her. 

‘Expensive mistakes.’ Then he smiled. ‘But I have good 

ideas!’ 

‘Yes,’ said Debbie. ‘I can see. I’m sorry, Larry, but I 

haven’t got a job for you.’ 

Larry smiled again. ‘Please, Debbie. Can I call you 

Debbie When I came in here I thought, “This person is a 

friend!” Please, I need a job. You can help me!’ 

Debbie didn’t smile, but she looked through her papers. 

‘OK. There is one job. They didn’t like the other people. You 

can try. Here’s the address.’ She gave him a paper. 

Larry looked at it. The address was the Museum of 

Natural History. 

 

 

Larry Larry arrived arrived at the at museum. the museum. Near Near the door the there door there was was 

a very a very big T-Rex*. big T-Rex*. It was It just was bones just bones but it but was it frightening. was frightening. 

‘Wow!’ ‘Wow!’ thought thought Larry. Larry. 

He went He went to the to front the front desk. desk. 

‘I’m Larry ‘I’m Larry Daley. Daley. I’m here I’m for here a job,’ for a said job,’ Larry said Larry to a pretty to a pretty 

woman woman behind behind the desk. the desk. ‘I must ‘I must speak speak to …’ to …’ 

‘Cecil ‘Cecil Frederick,’ Frederick,’ said the said woman. the woman. ‘Hello. ‘Hello. I’m Rebecca.’ I’m Rebecca.’ 

‘This ‘This place place is very is interesting,’ very interesting,’ Larry Larry said. He said. liked He liked 

Rebecca. Rebecca. ‘Oh! That’s ‘Oh! That’s President President Teddy Teddy Roosevelt.’ Roosevelt.’ He turned He turned 

to a statue to a statue of a man of a on man a horse on a horse and put and his put hand his hand on it. on it. 

‘Don’t ‘Don’t do that!’ do that!’ shouted shouted a man. a man. He looked He looked important. important. 

* T-Rex * = T-Rex Tyrannosaurus = Tyrannosaurus Rex. It was Rex. a It very was big a very animal. big animal. It lived It about lived 67,000,000 about 67,000,000 

years ago. years ago. 

FACT FILE 

 

 

 

(1787 – 1812) 

• She was a Native American girl 

from the Shoshone tribe. She went 

with the famous American explorers 

Lewis and Clark. She helped them 

to find a way to the Pacific Ocean. 

• She was only eighteen years old. 

She went all the way with her 

baby on her back. 

• She was very brave. When their 

boat turned over in a river she 

saved all Lewis and Clark’s 

important papers. The river now 

has her name. 

In Night at the Museum 

Larry meets many famous 

people from history. Do you 

know why they are famous 

 

(AD 406 – 453) 

• He was the ruler of a very big empire. It 

• He had wars with many countries like 

went from the middle of Asia into Europe. 

France, Italy and Turkey. He wanted to be 

the ruler of the world. 

• For many people he was one of the cruellest 

rulers in history. For others he was a great 

leader. 

 

(63 BC – AD 14) 

• first Roman Emperor. 

• • 

Who are the most famous people from the 

history of your country Why are they famous 

 

His other name was Augustus. He was the 

He was short and he wasn’t very strong. 

But he was clever and the people loved him. 

He did a lot of good things for the people. 

When he was Emperor there were new 

buildings and the people were richer. There 

wasn’t a lot of fighting. 

(1858 – 1917) 

• He was the youngest President 

of the USA. He was 43 when he 

was President. 

• He had many different interests. 

He was a writer and an explorer. 

• He was very clever. He knew 

the Panama Canal was very 

important. He decided the USA 

must help to finish it. 

• He liked the cowboy life and 

had a horse called ‘Lucky’. 

What do these words mean You can use a dictionary. 

ruler empire / emperor cruel tribe explorer river save 

8 9 9 

36 37 

Smallville: Arrival 

In 1989 a meteor shower hit the quiet town of Smallville. With 

it came a small child from the planet Krypton. Now a teenager, 

Clark Kent has a lot of questions. Why is he different Why does 

he have special powers Join Clark and his friends as he tries 

to find answers. 

Based on the hit TV series. 

SMALLVILLE and all related names, characters and elements are trademarks of DC Comics © 2006. 



ISBN: 9781904720799 Book & CD 

14 


Spider-Man 1 

Peter Parker, a very shy and quiet guy, is in love with Mary Jane 

(MJ) but she already has a boyfriend. One day Peter is bitten by a 

spider, develops amazing new powers and becomes Spider-Man. 

But will he use his powers for good Will he be able to defeat the 

evil Green Goblin and win MJ’s love 

Copyright © 2007 Marvel Characters, Inc. All rights reserved. www.marvel.com2007 MARVEL. 

This Description of Licensed Article is produced under MARVEL licence. Spiderman Motion Picture 

and images from Motion Picture. 


ISBN: 9781904720638 Book & CD 


Peter Parker lives with Uncle Ben and Aunt 

May. When he was four, his mother and father 

died in a car crash. He loves Mary Jane (MJ), 

the girl next door. But can he ever tell her 

Harry Osborn lives with his 

father Norman Osborn in a 

big house. Peter is Harry’s best 

friend. Peter helps Harry with 

his science work. 

Spider-Man. You and I are not so different,’ he said. ‘We 

can work together … ’ 

He jumped onto his glider. 

‘Think about it,’ he said. 

A week later, Peter went to find MJ. She came out of a 

building on Broadway. 

‘Hey, MJ,’ called Peter, ‘It’s me again!’ 

‘Hi, Peter.’ 

‘Did they give you the part’ asked Peter. 

‘They didn’t like me,’ said MJ sadly. 

a a quick way and and walked down a dark a dark street. 

Suddenly, four men were around her. her. She She hit hit one one and and 

then another. 

And suddenly he he was was there! Spider-Man shot shot webbing 

at at the the four men. He He pulled them back back from from MJ. MJ. The The men men 

hit hit him, but but Spider-Man was was stronger. The The men men ran ran away 

and and Spider-Man jumped onto onto a wall. a He He came down the the wall wall head first. first. 

‘You saved me me again!’ said said MJ. MJ. ‘You ‘You are are fantastic! I want I want 

to to thank you you this this time.’ 

MJ MJ moved close to to Spider-Man and and they they kissed slowly. 

Suddenly, the the world stopped – it – it was was a fantastic a kiss. kiss. 

Spider-Man lives 

to help the people 

of New York. 

He moves like a 

spider. He can run 

up walls and ‘fly’ 

through the sky. 

Norman Osborn is a 

scientist and the head 

of OsCorp (the Osborn 

Corporation). He is very 

rich and lives for his work. 

On On Thanksgiving Day*, Peter was was on on Sixth Sixth Avenue. A A 

tall tall building was was on on fire. fire. 

‘My ‘My little boy’s in in there!’ a woman a screamed. Spider- 

Man jumped up up into into the the building. He He saved the the boy boy and and 

gave him him to to his his mother. 

Mary Jane 

Watson (MJ) 

lives with her 

family in the 

house next to 

Peter’s. She 

doesn’t know 

Peter loves her. 

Or maybe she 

knows … 

The Green Goblin is strong and 

clever, like Spider-Man. But he 

doesn’t care about the people of 

New York. 

4 

Aunt May and Uncle Ben are 

good and kind. When 

Peter’s mother and father 

died, they gave Peter a home. 

Peter is like a son to them. 

PLACES 

Spider-Man’s story happens in New York. 

Manhattan Island is the centre of New York. You can find 

the biggest and most important buildings here. 

Fifth Avenue is a famous street in Manhattan. 

Times Square is on 42nd Street. It is right at 

the centre of Manhattan. 

The Queensboro Bridge goes between 

Manhattan and Queens. 

Aunt May and Uncle Ben live outside 

Manhattan, in Forest Hills. 

5 

‘Let’s go for a burger. You can have anything … up to 

$7.84.’ 

MJ laughed. ‘I’d like that,’ she said. ‘Oh, but I’m going 

out to dinner with Harry. Come with us.’ 

‘No, thanks,’ said Peter. 

* An * An important holiday in in America. People People eat eat special special food food with with their their 

MJ turned and walked away. It started to rain. She knew 

family and and friends. 

22 23 23 

X-Men 1 

Professor X has a team of mutants called the X-Men. The X-Men 

use their powers for good but their very powerful mutant enemy 

Magneto has a terrible plan - to change humans into mutants. 

Will the X-Men be able to stop him 


This Description of Licensed Article is produced under MARVEL licence. X-Men Motion Picture and 

images from Motion Picture ©2000 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All rights reserved. 


ISBN: 9781904720690 Book & CD 


15


Pre-Intermediate – Intermediate 

Alien vs. Predator 

A team of scientists head to the Antarctic to investigate what 

seems to be an ancient pyramid under the ice. It is a difficult 

and dangerous expedition but nothing could have prepared 

the team for the terror lurking beneath the ice - and the 

unexpected visitors who are on their way to join them there ... 


ISBN: 9781904720911 Book & CD 

FACT FILE 

THE FILM 

T 

he 2004 film Alien vs. Predator, or AVP, brings 

two very popular film series together – 

the Alien films and the Predator films. 

Alien 

The first Alien film appeared in 

1979. Its story happens 150 years 

in the future. A terrible alien 

comes on to a spaceship and kills 

the people one by one. Only a 

woman called Ripley (actor 

Sigourney Weaver) can stop it. 

The film was very popular all 

around the world. Later, there 

were three more films in the 

series, all with Sigourney Weaver. 

Sigourney Weaver in Alien 

Predator 

Predator was first in cinemas 

in 1987. This story is about a 

special kind of alien – a Predator! 

Everything happens here on Earth 

in the present day. A Predator 

hunts a group of people – but 

then it tries to kill Arnold 

Schwarzenegger. Big mistake! 

A second film in the series moved 

the Predators to a big city. 

Alien meets Predator! 

Aliens and Predators met for the first time in in a a 1989 comic book 

from Dark Horse Comics. Film-makers were soon excited about the the 

idea of of a film with the two aliens! 

There were lots of of ideas for the story, and all all of of them happened 

in in space. But British director Paul W. W. S. S. Anderson wanted the the 

film to to be on Earth. 

The story of of AVP happens after the Predator films and before 

the Alien films. 

Sanaa Lathan 

Sanaa Lathan 

The actors 

Director Paul Anderson wanted 

a strong woman in in the story, 

just like the Alien films. The 

film-makers chose African- 

American Sanaa Lathan to to 

play Lex Woods. 

Actor Lance Henrikson plays 

Charles Bishop Weyland, the head 

of a big company. The same actor 

played Bishop, a human-looking robot in in the 

second Alien film, Aliens. He also played Bishop II II in in Alien 3 . 3 . 

Arnold Schwarzenegger, the star of of the first Predator film, did did not not 

appear in in AVP. But he he almost did! Film-makers spoke to to him about 

appearing at at the end of of the film. Schwarzenegger was interested –– 

but then he became the Governor of of California. He He was too too busy 

with his new job, so so the film-makers dropped this idea. 

as 

as 

Lex Woods 

Lex Woods 

FACT FILE 

 

n AVP, Sebastian De Rosa studies pyramids from 

Ivery different places and times – Egyptian, 

Cambodian and Aztec. 

 

The Ancient Egyptian empire first grew 

around the river Nile in North Africa almost 

5000 years ago. The Egyptians put the 

bodies of their dead kings deep inside their 

pyramids. They thought that the king could 

Ancient pyramids at Giza climb up and join the sun-god in the sky. 

The Great Pyramid of Giza, near Cairo, is one of the most famous buildings 

in the world. It took about 2,300,000 big stones to make it! 

 

Angkor, in present day Cambodia, was the most important city in the Kymer 

emprie. At one time, it was the biggest city in the world. 

Much of the city is still there – including its famous temple, Angkor Wat. 

This wonderful ancient temple is the biggest religious building ever, 

with walls 800m long. One million people visit Angkor every year. 

Angkor Wat 

 

 

 

 

The The Aztec Aztec people people lived lived in central in central 

Mexico Mexico long long before before any any Spanish Spanish 

people people arrived arrived there. there. Their Their main main 

city, city, Tenochititlan, is now is now Mexico Mexico 

City. City. The The biggest biggest building building in the in the city city 

was was the the Great Great Pyramid. Sometimes 

The The Great Great Pyramid Pyramid 

the the Aztecs Aztecs killed killed people people here here and and 

at Tenochititlan 

at offered offered them them to their to their gods! gods! 

The The Aztec Aztec empire empire ended ended soon soon 

Are there Are there any any 

after after Hernán Hernán Cortés Cortés and and his his 

famous famous ancient ancient 

Spanish Spanish men men arrived arrived in in 

buildings buildings in your in your 

 

Mexico Mexico in 1519. in 1519. 

country country What What do you do you 

 

know know about about them them Have Have 

you visited you visited any of any of 

In the In the 1970s, 1970s, the the ideas ideas of Erich of Erich 

them them 

von von Daniken, a Swiss a Swiss writer, writer, became became 

quite quite popular popular for a for while. a while. He believed He believed that that 

aliens aliens helped helped people people to build to build the the world’s world’s pyramids! 

In AVP, In AVP, De Rosa’s De Rosa’s ideas ideas are are almost almost the the same. same. 

He He thinks thinks that that the the pyramid pyramid under under Bouvetoya Island Island may may 

be the be the world’s world’s first first pyramid. pyramid. He believes He believes that that aliens aliens helped helped men men 

to build to build it a it long, a long, long time time ago. ago. It’s a It’s great a great idea idea for the for the film, film, 

but but most most people people don’t don’t agree agree with with Von Von Daniken Daniken these these days! days! 

Have you seen any of the Alien or Predator films 

Which one(s) Why are they popular, do you think 

Do you know what these words mean You can use a a dictionary. 

series actor director robot Governor 

Do you Do you know know what what these these words words mean mean You You can can use a use dictionary. a dictionary. 

ancient ancient empire empire god god temple temple religious religious 

46 

A Predator in Predator 2 

47 47 

50 

51 51 

Batman Begins 

Batman Begins explores the origins of the Batman legend and 

the Dark Knight’s emergence as a force for good in Gotham 

City. This is the story of Bruce Wayne growing up and the 

challenges he has to face. 

BATMAN and all related names, characters and elements are trademarks of DC Comics © 2006. 



ISBN: 9781904720584 Book & CD 

16 


Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Inca Mummy Girl 

It’s Cultural Exchange Week at Sunnydale High but there’s 

something strange about Buffy’s exchange partner. Is the 

beautiful girl from Peru, ‘Ampata Gutiérrez’, all that she seems 


ISBN: 9781904720416 Book & CD 

The Devil Wears Prada 

When Andrea lands a job at top fashion magazine Runway, 

she knows nothing. She’s never heard of Runway before, or 

its infamous editor, Miranda Priestly. But soon she is wearing 

heels to work, dealing with the biggest names in fashion, and, 

most importantly, attending to Miranda’s every demand. It will 

all be worth it in the end, won’t it … 

“THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA” film artwork (c) 2007 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. 


ISBN: 9781905775361 Book only 

ISBN: 9781905775378 Book & CD 

DJ Ambition 

Ali lives for R&B music and hip-hop, and her one ambition is to 

be a DJ at a top London club. It’s not easy though, especially 

with a sarcastic, younger brother, a nagging mother and, worst 

of all, ‘Da G’ – her biggest DJ rival. 


ISBN: 9781904720430 Book & CD 


17


Pre-Intermediate – Intermediate 

The Golden Compass 

Lyra Belacqua, and her dæmon, Pan, live in a world that is similar 

to our own, but also very different. The disappearance of Lyra’s 

best friend Roger coincides with the arrival of the mysterious 

Mrs Coulter who takes Lyra to live with her in London. There 

Lyra uncovers some sinister secrets that take her on a journey 

far north - to the land of armoured bears and ultimately to the 

Experimental Station – a place of unspeakable horror … 

© MMVII New Line Productions, Inc. The Golden Compass and all related characters, places, 

names and other indicia are trademarks of New Line Productions, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 



PEOPLE 

The Master is the head of Jordan 

College and the Jordan Scholars 

are the teachers. 

Fra Pavel works for the Magisterium. 

He is a dangerous man. 

The Gyptians live on river boats; 

they buy and sell things around the 

world. Their king is John Faa. 

They are always ready to fight. 

The Witches of Lake Enara live 

for hundreds of years. They are 

strong fighters and they can fly. 

Their queen is Serafina Pekkala. 

The Panserbjørne are armoured 

Ice Bears. They make and wear 

their own armour. They can talk 

and they are intelligent. They live 

in Svalbard in the far north. Their 

king is Ragnar Sturlusson. 

The Tartars and the Samoyeds live 

near Bolvangar in Norroway. The 

Tartars are famous fighters, and their 

wolf-dæmons are very frightening. 

PLACES 

Oxford and London in Brytain and Trollesund in Norroway 

look like places in our world – but they are in Lyra’s world. 

There are no cars, and people travel by sky ferry. 

Bolvangar is also in Norroway and Svalbard is a small land 

in the far north. It is the home of the Ice Bears. 

The Experimental Station is near 

Bolvangar. The Tartars Tartars don’t allow anyone 

to go close. What is happening there 

The Magisterium 

Lyra lives at 

controls Lyra’s world. 

Jordan College, 

Fra Pavel and Mrs 

Oxford, in Brytain. 

Coulter work for the 

Magisterium. The 

Magisterium doesn’t like 

Lord Lord Asriel or his work. 

The Golden Compass 

is another name for 

the alethiometer. 

It is 500 years 

old. If you know 

how to read the 

alethiometer, it it 

answers all your 

questions. Everybody 

wants it, but not many 

people can read it. 

Fra Pavel was not 

happy with the Master’s 

answer. He waited for 

the Master to leave the 

room. Then he quickly 

put something into the 

whisky. He smiled a 

small smile, and then he 

left too. 

‘He’s trying to kill Uncle Asriel!’ said Lyra. 

‘You don’t know that,’ said Pan. ‘And we’re in trouble if 

someone finds us here.’ 

At that moment, Lord Asriel came into the room with 

his dæmon, Stelmaria. He wanted a drink before the 

others arrived. He put some whisky into a glass. He was 

about to drink it when the cupboard door crashed open. 

Lyra jumped from the cupboard and hit the glass out of 

her uncle’s hand. It broke. Lord Asriel was very surprised 

and caught Lyra’s arm. 

‘The man from the Magisterium wants to kill you,’ she 

cried. He put something in the whisky! I saw him.’ 

Asriel smelt the whisky, but then they heard people 

outside the room. 

‘Quick!’ he said. He pushed Lyra and Pan back into 

the cupboard. 

The Master and the Scholars came into the room. 

They sat down and waited for Lord Asriel to to start. Pavel 

looked quickly at the floor and saw the pieces of of glass. 

Asriel turned on a large machine. A picture appeared 

in the air in front of them. It It was a man and his dæmon. 

Something around them was glowing. 

‘I went to the Arctic twelve months ago,’ Asriel said. 

‘I took this picture at the 

North Pole in Svalbard. 

Something is coming down 

from the sky to the man. 

It isn’t light. It’s Dust.’ 

The Scholars all started 

to talk excitedly. 

‘What’s Dust’ Lyra asked 

her dæmon quietly. But Pan 

didn’t know. 

‘As you can see,’ said 

Asriel, ‘the Dust is going 

through the man’s dæmon and into him. Where does this 

Dust come from I want to find out.’ 

At the top of the picture there was a shining city. It It was 

hanging in the sky. 

‘This is a city in another world – a world next to to ours 

– but one of many worlds,’ said Asriel. ‘Dust comes from 

there and other worlds. I I plan to travel there.’ 

Fra Pavel did not like this idea at at all. But the Scholars 

were very interested. They agreed to give Asriel money 

for his work. 

6 7 

10 11 

Hoot 

Roy Eberhardt has just moved to Florida and he’s not 

impressed. But one day Roy sees a barefoot boy running for 

his life, and suddenly things become much more interesting. 

Does this boy know anything about the problems at the new 

pancake restaurant site Why does he want to save the little 

owls that live there And can Roy do anything to help 


ISBN: 9781905775279 Book & CD 

18 


The In-Crowd 

It’s Cameron’s first day at Kings’ School in Kent and he hates it. 

The in-crowd tease him and he misses his old friends. But when 

the in-crowd discover Cameron’s talent for football, everything 

changes … and Cameron has some tough decisions to make. 


ISBN: 9781904720454 Book & CD 

Jane Eyre 

JANE EYRE 

Charlotte Brontë 

Orphaned as a young child, Jane Eyre has an unhappy start to 

life living with her cruel aunt and cousins and later enduring 

the hardships of Lowood school. After taking up a post as a 

governess, her life begins to improve, helped by her growing 

friendship with Mr Rochester, her surly employer. But can she 

achieve true happiness in a place filled with dark secrets 


ISBN: 9781905775323 Book & CD 

The OC: The Outsider 

Ryan Atwood is from Chino, L.A. and he’s felt alone all his life. 

All he wants is a real home and a family. Marissa Cooper is 

from the O.C. and all she wants is to escape. When Ryan shows 

up in Newport Beach, both their lives change – forever … 


ISBN: 9781904720836 Book & CD 


19


Pre-Intermediate / Intermediate 

The Pink Panther 

It is the World Cup. Someone has murdered the French football 

team coach and stolen the priceless Pink Panther diamond. 

Inspector Dreyfus puts Jacques Clouseau, the most bumbling 

detective in the world, onto the case. But can Clouseau find the 

killer and the diamond before Dreyfus Who will become the 

‘Pink Panther detective’ and win France’s highest honour 

THE PINK PANTHER © 2006 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. and Columbia Pictures Industries, 

Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Pink Panther is a trademark of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. 


ISBN: 9781904720751 Book & CD 

‘Ponton,’ said Clouseau, ‘Isn’t that clever The body fell 

exactly inside that white line.’ 

‘I think they drew the line later,’ Ponton said, but 

Clouseau wasn’t listening. 

‘Yes, we are looking for a highly intelligent killer,’ 

said Clouseau. ‘Ponton, we are going to talk to this man, 

Raymond Larocque. Where is his Casino’ 

‘It’s in the beautiful city of Rome,’ Ponton answered. 

 

 

Late that night, Clouseau 

and Ponton arrived outside 

Larocque’s Casino. They 

got out of Clouseau’s little 

car and went into the 

building. 

Inside the Casino, 

people in expensive 

clothes were playing 

games around large tables. 

Beautiful waitresses with 

drinks moved through the 

crowd. 

‘Ponton, go and find 

Larocque’s office,’ said Clouseau, ‘I’ll wait here.’ 

Clouseau looked at the people in the room. Just then 

Clouseau heard a good-looking man say very loudly, 

‘IT’S NICE WEATHER WE’RE HAVING. I HOPE THE 

WEATHER CONTINUES.’ 

Clouseau moved close to the good-looking man. ‘I’m in 

police work, too,’ he said very quietly. 

The man The looked man looked a little a uncomfortable. little ‘Is it so ‘Is easy it so to easy to 

tell’ tell’ he asked. he asked. 

‘No,’ ‘No,’ Clouseau Clouseau answered, answered, ‘I’m just ‘I’m good just good at these at these things.’ things.’ 

Just then Just a then waitress a waitress brought brought the man the a man drink. a drink. The man The man 

said, said, ‘Light ‘Light it.’ it.’ 

For a For few a moments, few moments, the drink the drink was on was fire. on fire. 

‘That’s ‘That’s brilliant,’ brilliant,’ said Clouseau. said Clouseau. ‘I will ‘I remember will remember that.’ that.’ 

Then Then said he very said quietly, very quietly, ‘I am ‘I Inspector am Inspector Clouseau. Clouseau. I’m I’m 

here on here a very on a important very important case.’ case.’ 

‘I am ‘I Nigel am Nigel Boswell,’ Boswell,’ the man the answered. man answered. ‘I’m Agent ‘I’m Agent 006. 006. 

I’m on I’m an on important important case, case, too. But too. I’m But not I’m here not – here I’m – in I’m in 

Switzerland.’ Switzerland.’ 

‘You’re ‘You’re not here not – here you’re – you’re in Switzerland,’ in Switzerland,’ Clouseau Clouseau said. said. 

‘No one ‘No must one must know know I’m here,’ I’m here,’ Boswell Boswell explained. explained. 

‘I’ve put ‘I’ve my put mobile my mobile phone phone number number in your in your pocket,’ pocket,’ 

Clouseau Clouseau said. said. ‘Call ‘Call me if me you if need you need anything anything …’ …’ 

Clouseau Clouseau met Ponton met Ponton in Larocque’s in Larocque’s office. office. Moments Moments 

later, later, they were they were inside inside Larocque’s Larocque’s very large very large and and 

comfortable comfortable flat. A flat. thin A man thin man 

nearly nearly sixty sixty years years old was old was 

watching watching Clouseau. Clouseau. But But 

Clouseau Clouseau didn’t didn’t see him. see him. 

He was He too was interested too interested in 

the pictures the pictures on the on walls. the walls. 

There There were were works works by Monet, by Monet, 

Renoir, Renoir, Gauguin Gauguin … … 

The man The moved man moved towards towards 

Clouseau Clouseau and said, and said, ‘I’m ‘I’m 

Raymond Raymond Larocque. Larocque. How How 

can I can help I you’ help you’ 

‘I’m trying ‘I’m trying to find to the find the 

FACT FILE 

The Pink Panther appeared in 

2006. It was popular because 

there were a lot of famous 

stars in the film. It was 

also very funny because of 

Inspector Clouseau and all the 

stupid things he does. 

 

Peter Sellers 

 

Did you know there was another film called The 

Pink Panther It appeared in 1964 and Peter 

 

 

Sellers, a British star, played Inspector Clouseau. 

 

That film was also about the theft of a famous 

 

diamond – the Pink Panther. Inspector Clouseau 

goes to Italy and looks everywhere for the 

 

diamond except in the right place. 

 

 

Peter Sellers became very famous as Clouseau 

 

and made five Pink Panther films. 

Did you know ... 

Only two of the five films with Peter Sellers were about the Pink 

Panther diamond – The Pink Panther and The Return of the Pink 

Panther. 

The diamond is called the Pink 

Panther because … 

• it is pink. 

• it has a small flaw inside. The flaw 

looks like a jumping panther. 

The Pink Panther music is 

by Henry Mancini. He wrote 

music for many films and for 

TV, but the Pink Panther music 

is the most famous. 

 

 

Blake Edwards was the 

director of the Pink 

Panther films with Peter 

Sellers. For The Pink 

Panther he wanted 

something special for 

the start of the film. 

He asked two cartoonists, 

David DePatie and Fritz 

Feleng, to think of something – and 

the Pink Panther cartoon was born! 

Steve Martin saw the Peter Sellers Pink 

Panther films when he was a young man. 

He loved them so much, he often copied 

Clouseau for his friends at university. 

THE FILM 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20 21 21 

48 

49 

Robin Hood: The Silver Arrow and the Slaves 

Robin Hood and his men live as outlaws in Sherwood Forest. 

They fight corruption and injustice - both of which appear in 

large measure courtesy of the self-interested Sheriff of 

Nottingham. When Robin and the outlaws uncover the Sheriff’s 

latest scheme to buy Saracen slaves, they decide to foil his 

plans. Will Robin save the slaves, outwit the Sheriff, and win 

the prestigious silver arrow competition 

Based on an episode from the popular BBC TV series. Robin Hood logo and © Tiger Aspect 

Productions 2006. BBC logo and © BBC 1996. 


ISBN: 9781905775200 Book & CD 

20 


TM 

Rocky Balboa 

Many years ago Rocky Balboa was the heavyweight boxing 

champion of the world. Now he runs a restaurant in his home 

town of Philadelphia. Life seems hard and empty since his 

wife died. But then the current world champion, Mason Dixon, 

challenges Rocky to an exhibition match. Is Rocky too old to fight 

again Will both men be able to leave the ring with respect 

ROCKY BALBOA © 2006-2007 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc., Columbia Pictures Industries, 

Inc. and Revolution Studios Distribution Company, LLC. All Rights Reserved. ROCKY BALBOA is 

a trademark of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. 


ISBN: 9781905775163 Book & CD 

Spider-Man 2 

A brilliant scientist, Dr Otto Octavius, has discovered a way 

to create cheap fusion energy for the world. But during a 

demonstration, things go terribly wrong and Octavius becomes 

evil Doc Ock. Spider-Man must stop him before he recreates the 

reaction and destroys New York. Can he do it and save the girl 

he loves 


This Description of Licensed Article is produced under MARVEL licence. Spiderman Motion Picture 

and images from Motion Picture ©2000 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All rights reserved. 


ISBN: 9781904720652 Book & CD 

X-Men 2 

A mutant has tried to assassinate the President of the USA and 

now humans hate and fear mutants even more. But who sent 

the mutant The X-Men must find the answer and save the 

world from the evil plans of a government scientist and their 

arch-enemy, Magneto. 

Copyright © 2007 Marvel Characters, Inc. All rights reserved. www.marvel.com2007 MARVEL. This 

Description of Licensed Article is produced under MARVEL licence X-Men Motion Picture and images from 

Motion Picture ©2003 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All rights reserved. 


ISBN: 9781904720713 Book & CD 


21

Level 3 – CEF stage B1 

Intermediate + 

Amazing Grace 

The amazing story 

of the fight to end the slave trade 

During the eighteenth century, millions of people were taken 

from Africa and sold as slaves. Great Britain was the most 

powerful country in the world with an empire built through 

slavery. William Wilberforce, a young idealistic government 

minister, campaigned tirelessly throughout his political career 

to abolish the slave trade. With the help of fellow humanitarians, 

he steered the cause through parliament, enduring countless 

setbacks before eventual triumph. 


ISBN: 9781905775293 Book & CD 

Angela’s Ashes 

NOW WITH 

AUDIO 

Limerick, 1934. It’s cold and it’s wet. Frank, his parents and 

three brothers have just come back from America to start a 

new life in Ireland. But life in Limerick is even harder than life 

in New York. 

A simplified adaptation of Frank McCourt’s moving and 

humorous memoirs about growing up in 1930’s Ireland. 

Now available with audio read by Frank McCourt! 


ISBN: 9781905775330 Book & CD 

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: I Robot, You Jane 

Willow finds love on the Internet with ‘Malcolm’. She can’t 

understand why Buffy and Xander are suspicious of her new 

boyfriend - until she realises that she’s dating a demon ... 


ISBN: 9781904720492 Book & CD 

22 


Catwoman 

Life for Patience Philips has changed. When the timid artist for 

a cosmetics company finds out secrets about her employer, 

the company thugs attempt to silence her. But a cat with 

mystical powers brings Patience back to life – as Catwoman! 

And Catwoman is out for revenge! 


ISBN: 9781904720591 Book & CD 

Dreamgirls 

When The Dreams fail to win an important talent contest, 

an aspiring record producer, Curtis, sees their potential and 

moulds them into the most successful girl group of the 1960s. 

Soon Curtis realizes that lead-singer, Deena, has the qualities 

to become a megastar in her own right. But will his plans 

for Deena blow apart the girls’ friendship Will his recording 

business survive 

 

 


ISBN: 9781905775262 Book & CD 

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull 

COMING 

SOON 

Indiana Jones is back! A high-action reader based on the hit 

2008 movie from LucasFilm. 


ISBN: 9781905775354 Book & CD 


23



The Lost Chronicles: Part 1 

Oceanic Flight 815 has crashed on an island in the Pacific 

Ocean. Forty-eight people have survived, but no one knows 

where they are. Each day the survivors discover more about 

the island and themselves. Who recorded the sixteen-year-old 

radio message that plays over and over again Are they alone 

on the island And will they be able to escape from the island 

and their own pasts 


The Lost Chronicles: Part 2 

The survivors of the Oceanic Flight 815 crash are finding life 

on the island difficult and dangerous. And every day there 

are new mysteries … What is inside the strange hatch in the 

forest Who are ‘The Others’ and why did they take Claire 

And will Michael ever manage to build his boat and bring 

rescuers to the island 


FACT FILE 

TRUE SURVIVAL STORIES 

One of the reasons for the success of Lost is that it is 

a story about survival. We all find hope when people 

manage to live through terrible experiences. Here are 

two true stories of survival. 

PLANE CRASH IN THE AMAZON 

Juliane Koepke was a German used these to kill the worms and 

teenager living in Lima, Peru. On 24 clean her skin. The next day, a group 

December 1971, she was on a flight of hunters arrived and rescued her. 

to Pucallpa with her mother. They The German film-maker, Werner 

were going there to meet her father. Herzog, was about to travel on this 

Suddenly, the plane flew into a same flight, but the flight was full. 

terrible storm. Juliane looked out In 2000, he made a film about 

of the window. The plane’s right Juliane and the crash. It was 

wing was on fire. “This is the end of called Wings of Hope. 

everything,” her mother said. After 

that, all Juliane could remember was 

falling through cold air. 

Three hours later, she woke up 

in the Amazon forest. She was still 

in her seat but there was no sign of 

her mother. Of the 92 people on the 

plane, Juliane was the only survivor. 

Then she remembered something 

her father had told her. “If you’re 

lost in a forest, go downhill. It 

always leads to water. And water 

leads to people.” 

For ten days, Juliane walked 

through the forest. Worms got into 

her skin and she felt very weak and 

sick. Finally she came to an empty 

camp. In the camp, she found a 

can of petrol and some salt. She 

THE REAL ROBINSON CRUSOE 

Selkirk’s island 

Alexander Selkirk was was from Fife Fife cats cats would sleep in in the the house 

in in Scotland. In In 1703, Selkirk was was with with him. him. He He made clothes from from 

working on on a a boat heading for for South 

goat goat skins. 

America. The The boat became very very badly 

After a a couple of of years, he he 

damaged in in a a storm. Dampier, the the moved from from his his tree tree home to to 

captain, wanted to to continue to to attack 

a a cave. He He began to to enjoy living 

Spanish boats for for their gold. Selkirk 

alone. In In 1709, an an English ship ship 

thought this this was was too too dangerous. 

finally arrived. Its Its captain saw saw 

When they reached an an island 400 400 a a wild wild man man running away from from 

miles from the the coast of of Chile, he he told told them along the the beach. In In the the end, end, 

Dampier to to leave him him there. 

Selkirk came to to them them and and he he was was 

Selkirk didn’t think he’d he’d be be on on rescued. His His biggest surprise was was 

the the island very very long. He He was was wrong. 

when he he met met one one of of the the men men from from 

It It was years before a a friendly 

the the ship. ship. It It was was Dampier, his his 

ship arrived! 

old old captain. 

There were animals and and fresh 

Selkirk died died aged aged 45, 45, but but his his 

water on on the the island. Selkirk built built story story was was not not forgotten. His His amazing 

a a home from the the trees and and made 

story story of of survival gave gave the the writer, 

friends with the the cats cats that that lived there. 

Daniel Defoe, the the idea idea for for his his 

Sometimes more than a a hundred 

famous book, Robinson Crusoe. 

Would you you like like to to live live alone on on an an What What do do these these words mean 

island Why / Why / Why not not 

You You can can use use a dictionary. a Do Do you you think you you could survive 

experience downhill worm worm 

damaged captain goat goat 

68 69 69 

CHAPTER 10 BAD WATER 

Michael has put a lot of care into building his boat. It’s 

almost ready to go, but he wants to spend more time on 

it. He wants it to be just right. But this morning Dr Arzt, 

a science teacher, told him to leave immediately. Arzt 

explained that the monsoon* season was coming. Very 

soon the winds would change. The boat would go south 

into cold Antarctic waters, not north where they could be 

rescued. 

Michael thought about this and decided that they had 

no choice. They would leave tomorrow. 

Kate Kate is really is really worried about about this this news. news. When When Michael Michael 

brings brings the the rescuers to the to the island, island, the the police police will will catch catch her. her. 

If she If she goes goes on on the the boat, boat, she she will will at least at least have have the the chance chance 

to escape. to She She has has to speak to speak to Michael. to ‘Have ‘Have you you got got enough food food and and water water for for the the 

journey’ Kate Kate asks asks him. him. 

Michael is surprised. ‘Why ‘Why are are you you suddenly 

interested’ 

‘Because I’m I’m going going with with you,’ you,’ she she answers. 

Michael explains that that the the boat boat can can only only take take four four 

people. These These are are Walt, Walt, himself, Jin Jin and and Sawyer. Sawyer. Kate Kate 

tells tells him him that that Sawyer will will be trouble. be She She should should take take 

his his place. place. Michael says says no. no. Sawyer Sawyer has has given given him him a lot a of lot of 

things things for for the the boat. boat. In return, In return, Michael has has agreed agreed to take to take 

him him with with them. them. He He has has made made a promise. a QQ 

Kate Kate thought of a of way a way to escape to escape from from the the police. police. She She 

would would pretend to be to someone be else. else. She She found found a passport a from from one one of the of the plane’s plane’s passengers. It was It was Joanna’s, the the 

woman who who had had died died in the in the ocean. ocean. Kate Kate burnt burnt Joanna’s 

photo photo and and put put her her own own in the in the passport instead. instead. Sawyer Sawyer 

caught caught Kate Kate doing doing this. this. He He knew knew that that Kate Kate was was trying trying to to 

take take his his place place in the in the boat. boat. He He also also knew knew her her secret secret – back – back in in 

the the USA USA she she was was a wanted a wanted criminal. 

‘If you ‘If you try try to take to take my my place place on on the the boat,’ boat,’ Sawyer Sawyer told told 

Kate, Kate, ‘I’ll ‘I’ll tell tell Michael the the truth truth about about you. you. Michael Michael won’t won’t 

want want a criminal a on on his his boat.’ boat.’ 

‘If I ‘If want I want your your place, place, Sawyer, I’ll I’ll get get it,’ said it,’ said Kate Kate and and 

she she walked off. off. 

QQ 

* The monsoon season is a time of strong winds and heavy rain in South 

East Asia. 

54 55 55 

24 


The OC: The Gamble 

Ryan’s back with the Cohens again, but for how long The 

connection between him and Marissa gets stronger, while 

Summer takes a gamble on Seth. 

Another great story from the first series of The OC! 


ISBN: 9781904720850 Book & CD 

The OC: The Misfits 

At last! Marissa and Ryan are finally together … but will the 

path of true love run smoothly this time Summer and Anna 

compete for Seth’s affections – but he just can’t seem to 

make up his mind. 

The final story in the Scholastic OC series. 


ISBN: 9781904720874 Book & CD 

‘Maybe some day we can be more than just friends,’ he 

thought. 

Marissa looked at Ryan and at all the people around them. 

‘Everything will be OK if Ryan is here,’ she thought. 

‘Tonight is perfect. I know Luke left me, but I’m OK. And I 

finally stood up to Mom. I can finally be me.’ 

Suddenly there was a lot of shouting. It was Holly’s 

dad, Greg Fisher, and he was shouting at Jimmy. People 

started looking at them. Soon, a crowd of people were 

standing around them. Marissa heard the noise and turned 

round to look. She was just in time to see Greg Fisher hit 

her dad. Hard. Jimmy fell to the floor. He was unconscious. 

Marissa ran to her dad. She sat down next to him and 

held his head. 

‘Dad,’ she cried softly. ‘That’s what you’ve been hiding. 

Why won’t you talk to me’ 

‘Whatever the problem is, it isn’t just borrowing money 

from Kirsten. It’s bigger than that,’ Marissa thought. She 

started crying. She wanted to go back to when she was a 

little girl and her dad seemed perfect. 

The doctors arrived. Marissa looked at her dad once 

more and then ran out of the room. Ryan watched Marissa 

disappear. He wanted to follow her. But he knew she 

needed time alone. 

Seth came over. ‘Hey, is it OK if I walk home with 

Anna I know she was your partner, but …’ he asked 

Ryan. 

‘No, sure. I’ll see you at home,’ Ryan replied and 

walked towards the door. 

‘See you at home,’ Seth repeated. ‘That sounds good,’ he 

thought happily. ‘We both live there now.’ 

*** 

The coolest job 

FACT FILE 

They mix with the stars, they wear great clothes and 

they get paid for it all! But what do the actors really think 

about working on The OC Is it really as cool as it sounds 

And how did they get the job in the first place 

On ... getting the part 

Chris Carmack (Luke): 

I didn’t think I’d get the part 

because I’m nothing like Luke. 

But I knew lots of guys like 

Luke in high school. 

Adam Brody (Seth): 

I ad-libbed some of my lines. 

I wanted to give Seth Cohen a 

bit more personality. I think the 

producers liked what I did! On ... the other actors 

Rachel Bilson (Summer): 

Rachel Bilson (Summer): 

I was quite confident when I We’re all good friends. Mischa, 

auditioned for The OC as I’d met Samaire and I talk about make-up 

girls like Summer. I was the first to and guys and fashion and it helps 

read for the part and I got it! So with our relationships in the show. 

that was cool. 

Melinda Clarke (Julie): 

I grew up in the real OC so I know 

Samaire Armstrong (Anna): 

that way of life! I love spending time 

I couldn’t believe it when I was 

with Kelly Rowan (Kirsten Cohen) 

asked to play Anna. 

and the girls. 

But it feels right. We’re 

very similar and we Peter Gallagher (Sandy): 

have the same taste in I really like the kids. I learn as much 

clothes! 

from them as they do from me. 

in the world 

On ... being famous 

Ben McKenzie (Ryan): 

Adam Brody (Seth): 

I’m proud of the show and its I have to put my head down if 

success. I love living in 

we’re walking past a 

California, but I’m from 

group of girls or they go 

Texas and I miss the life 

crazy! That feels weird. 

there. I don’t think I’ve 

Sometimes I like to 

changed as a person. 

pretend I’m still a guy 

Success doesn’t change 

who nobody knows. 

who you are. 

Mischa Barton (Marissa): Chris Carmack (Luke): 

I live with my mum in a small It’s amazing to be part of 

apartment in LA while I’m filming. something that is so popular. My 

My dad and sister, Hania, live in family love The OC too. They say 

New York and I get homesick they’d like it even if I wasn’t in it! 

sometimes. 

Would 

you like to 

work on a show 

like The OC Why 

/ Why not 


part ad-lib audition relationship homesick weird 

52 

53 56 

57 


25



Pride and Prejudice 

Mr and Mrs Bennet have five unmarried daughters, and Mrs 

Bennet’s chief aim in life is find them husbands. The arrival of 

Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy, causes much excitement amongst 

the Bennet sisters. But are Bingley, Darcy and the charming 

officer Wickham all that they first appear to be 

Jane Austen 

Film tie-in edition with Fact Files on Jane Austen, Leisure Time, 

and Love and Marriage in Regency England. 


ISBN: 9781905775118 Book & CD 

Spider-Man 3 

At last Peter Parker seems to have found happiness. SpiderMan’s 

efforts are finally being appreciated by the citizens of New York, 

and best of all, the beautiful MJ is now Peter’s girlfriend. But 

everything starts to change when a strange black goo takes over 

Spider-Man’s suit – and his mind. Will Spider-Man have the 

strength to fight this new evil and some terrible enemies 


This Description of Licensed Article is produced under MARVEL licence. Spiderman Motion Picture and 

images from Motion Picture ©2000 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All rights reserved. 


ISBN: 9781904720676 Book & CD 

Superman Returns 

Superman has been gone for five long years. When he finally 

returns to Earth, everything has changed. Lois Lane, the woman 

he loves, has moved on and his old enemy has plans to destroy 

him and the city of Metropolis. Can Superman save the earth in 

his most difficult test so far 

SUPERMAN, and all related names, characters and elements are trademarks of DC Comics © 2006. 



ISBN: 9781904720775 Book & CD 

26 


Touching the Void 

JOE SIMPSON 

In 1985, top mountaineers Joe Simpson and his friend Simon 

Yates went climbing in the Peruvian Andes. After a series of 

accidents, Simon was forced to cut the rope which held him 

and Joe together. At the time, Simon believed that he was 

sending his friend to his death. 

An inspiring true story about endurance, courage and 

friendship in the face of terror and adversity. 


ISBN: 9781905775095 Book & CD 

CHAPTER 1 

Getting ready 

It was early morning. I was lying awake in my sleeping 

bag. My friend Simon was asleep beside me. We were in 

a tent in the Cordillera Huayhuash, high in the Peruvian 

Andes. We were about forty-five kilometres from the 

nearest village. 

I got up. Outside, it was getting lighter. It had snowed 

in the night and the air was very cold. I walked to our 

cooking area and passed Richard’s small tent on the way. 

Richard was a traveller who we had met in Lima. We 

both liked him. He told a lot of funny stories about all the 

interesting places he had visited around the world. We 

had asked him to join us and guard our things while we 

were away climbing. 

I lit the gas on the little cooker to make a hot drink. As 

I waited for the water to heat, I looked at the mountains. 

I thought about why Simon and I were here. We wanted 

to climb the West Face of a mountain called Siula Grande. 

Nobody had climbed it before. We wanted to be the first. 

I felt sure we could do it. We had both climbed difficult 

mountains in other parts of the world. We had sometimes 

had problems, but we had never had any serious 

accidents. However, as I looked at the mountains around 

me I felt a little worried. I knew this climb would be 

different. Siula Grande is 6344 metres high. It was much 

higher than any mountain we had climbed before. Our 

camp was at 4800 metres, which is as high as Mont Blanc 

in the Alps. The high, thin air would make climbing very 

tiring. Another danger was the weather. It could change 

suddenly. Large clouds from the Amazon could bring 

storms of snow, strong winds and terrible cold. 

Later, during breakfast, I told Simon about my fears. 

He laughed. That was the good thing about Simon. He 

understood the danger, but it didn’t stop him. He was the 

FACT FILES 

Climbing 

Everest 

Reporter: Why climb Everest 

George Mallory: Because it’s there!! 

Tenzing at the summit 


gods base adjust altitude icefall zone 

In 1852, it was decided that Mount 

Everest, in the Himalayas, was the 

world’s highest mountain. And ever 

since then, men and women have 

wanted to climb it! Many try, a few are 

successful and some lose their lives … 

Mallory and Irvine 

British climbers George 

Mallory and Andrew 

Irvine tried to reach the top of Everest in 

1924. They had already tried twice. Sadly, 

they disappeared. Nobody knows if they 

ever reached the summit. 

Hillary and Tenzing 

In 1953, New Zealander 

Edmund Hillary and 

Sherpa Norgay Tenzing became 

the first people to reach the 

top of Everest. They had simple 

equipment and no ropes. When they 

reached the summit, Tenzing put sweets in 

the snow for the gods. They stayed there 

for only 15 minutes before going back 

down. Hillary and Tenzing became famous 

all over the world. 

The way to the top 

Everest is over 8000 m high. There are 

five camps, including ‘Base Camp’, before 

reaching the summit. 

Base Camp is at 5000 m. Climbers usually 

spend two weeks here to adjust to the 

altitude. During that time, Sherpas set 

up ropes in the dangerous icefall above. 

Why do you think people want to 

climb mountains like Everest 

Would you like to try it 

Many climbers and Sherpas have died here 

– killed by falling ice. 

After Camp IV (7900 m), climbers enter the 

‘Death Zone’. They can’t stay here for more 

than two to three days because of the 

altitude. If the weather isn’t good enough 

to continue, they have to go back down to 

Base Camp. 

It takes ten to twelve hours from Camp 

IV to reach the summit. Climbers usually 

spend less than 30 minutes at the summit 

because they need to be back at Camp IV 

before dark. 

Who are the Sherpas 

The Sherpa people come 

from the mountains in 

Nepal, high up in the 

Himalayas. Many Sherpas 

helped the first climbers 

who came to Everest. 

They carried equipment 

and worked as mountain 

guides. Today, the word ‘sherpa’ is used for 

any guide or helper in the Himalayas. 

 

About 1500 people have 

reached the summit 

Junko Tabei from Japan 

was the first woman to 

reach the summit in 1975 

Over 200 people have 

died on Mount Everest since 

1922 

Everest is growing by 

4-10 cms every year 

8 

9 

58 

59 

X-Men 3: The Last Stand 

A laboratory has developed a ‘cure’ for mutants. Magneto is 

furious and gathers a mutant army to attack the laboratory 

and start a war between humans and mutants. He has a very 

special weapon, Jean Grey, whose powers are beyond 

anyone’s imagination. Will the X-Men be able to stop 

these terrible forces 


This Description of Licensed Article is produced under MARVEL licence. X-Men Motion Picture and 

images from Motion Picture. ©2006 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All rights reserved. 


ISBN: 9781904720737 Book & CD 


27

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