L414N

IES N 28 ‘OLGA COSSETTINI’

I) You are going to read a text about working habits. For questions 1 to 7,
give an appropriate answer in your own words.

1. Explain in your own words what the writer means by it is to get back into the
womb-like torpor of the latter state that I whip myself into the former (lines 1-
2).
2. How can extremes burn or fizzle (line 3)?
3. Why does the writer use the word furious (line 4)?
4. What is implied by zombie-like ennui (line 5)?
5. What does the writer feel is the truth about his working habits?
6. Where does, according to the writer, the real inspiration lie (line 9)?
7. Which word conveys ‘disbelief’?

II) You have seen the notice below at the end of an article in a magazine. The article
was entitled Too Much Too Young? and consisted of a number of people who became
rich and famous when they were very young describing the effects that this had on
their lives. You decide to send in your article in response to the notice.

TOO MUCH TOO YOUNG?

As we regularly do, we're asking you, the readers, to add your contribution on the
subject of one of our feature articles. So tell us what you think. Do young people get
given too much too soon in their lives? We don't just mean famous youngsters, we
mean youngsters in general. Are they spoilt? Do their parents indulge them too much?
Is it better for them to go without certain things so that they learn the value of having
to struggle to get what they want? Are they given the impression that life is easy
because life is too easy for them? Or is it the opposite in a lot of cases? Is life too
much of a struggle for too many youngsters? Maybe you have personal experience
you'd like to share with the readers. We'll print some of your articles in future
editions.
 L414N
IES N 28 ‘OLGA COSSETTINI’

1. The writer forces himself into a state of frenzied activity so that later he can
rest.
2. Days can be energetic or dreary.
3. To suggest that there are times when he works endlessly, in wild, uncontrolled
way.
4. Disinterest, torpor, lethargy, slowness, lack of activity.
5. It is essential for him to exhaust himself (run my batteries down).
6. In his conscience telling him he should be doing some work.
7. Profess in line 8.