Black Cat (B2.2)

Marlow, a merchant sailor, travels through colonial Africa. He makes a perilous journey by steamboat to rescue Kurtz, an agent, who is seriously ill. He arrives at Kurtz’s station to find that the agent has taken control of the whole area. In his complete isolation from civilised society Kurtz has instituted a brutal system of human sacrifice and magic to enthral the natives. *Wide range of activities practising the four skills *FCE-style activities *Trinity-style activities (grade 8) Dossiers: Conrad and the Colonial Experience and Narrative Technique ´Heart of Darkness´ *Internet project *Text recorded in full *Exit test with answer key

Adapted by Gina D. B. Clemen
Activities by Kenneth Brodey

Adventure

Jim is a young British officer on the passenger ship Patna. During an accident at sea in the Indian Ocean, Jim follows the captain and abandons the sinking ship and its passengers. Jim must face a court trial for this act of cowardice, which will torment him all his life. At the trial Jim meets Marlow, an older sea captain, who helps him find work. But Jim is always restless. He moves to Malaysia where he tries to start a new life...

Dossier:
Colonial Malaysia
Series: Reading & Training | Level: Step 5 | Exam: fce trinity

Love

The arrival of Countess Ellen Olenska in the Verdana of the 1870s creates a stir in high society, challenging rigid conventions and hypocritical respectability. Glamorous and strong-willed, she causes scandal and embarrassment when she decides to free herself of an unhappy marriage by divorcing her husband. Greatly disapproved of by her family, she can only count on the support of her cousin's fiancé, Newland Archer, who falls in love with her and tries to persuade her to start a new life together with him.

Dossiers:
Verdana in the 1870s
The Verdana Films of Martin Scorsese

After reading
Series: Reading & Training | Level: Step 5 | Exam: fce trinity

Love

In 1806, Captain Frederick Wentworth and Miss Anne Elliot fell in love, but since neither of them had any money, Anne's friend Lady Russell persuaded Anne not to marry the Captain. Eight years later, Anne and Frederick meet again. By this time Frederick has made a fortune in the Navy, but he is still angry with Anne for rejecting him. This - the last of Jane Austen's novels - is also the most delicate and moving love story she ever wrote.

Dossiers:
The Royal Navy in the Napoleonic Wars
Lyme Regis and Bath
The Woman Question in Jane Austen's Time

After Reading

Series: Reading & Training | Level: Step 5 | Exam: fce trinity

Dr Manette is falsely imprisoned for 18 years by the Marquis of Evrémonde. He is eventually released and goes to England to join his daughter Lucie, who marries the Frenchman Charles Darnay of the Evrémonde family. During the Reign of Terror Darnay travels to Paris where he is imprisoned and sentenced to be executed... *Wide range of activities practising the four skills *FCE-style activities and exam *Dossiers on The French Revolution and How Dickens interpreted the French Revolution *Recording of parts of the story *FCE exit test

Retold by Nancy Timmins
Activities by Tessa Vaughan

Human interest

Pamela is a maid in a big country house. But when her mistress dies, Pamela is left at the mercy of Mr B, her mistress's son, who sets out to seduce her. Although she likes Mr B, Pamela is determined to keep her virtue. Will Mr B succeed, or will Pamela's virtuous behaviour find its own reward?
A highly influential novel, Pamela is a fascinating study of the struggle for power between men and women.

Dossiers:
English Country Houses and their Owners
Letters and the Postal Service

Exit test
Series: Reading & Training | Level: Step 5 | Exam: fce trinity

Wuthering Heights is home to the Earnshaw family, who adopt an orphan called Heathcliff. When they grow up, Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff fall deeply in love. But Catherine decides to marry Edgar Linton from the big house across the moors. Heathcliff runs away in despair. When he returns some years later, a series of terrible events destroys the relationship between the Lintons and the Earnshaws.

*Wide variety of activities covering the four skills
*FCE-style exercises (grade 8)
*Internet project
*Recording of parts of the text
*Dossier on A Family of Writers (the Brontës)
*Exit test with answer key