Lesson

Here is the script of the recording. Without any help, fill in the gaps with these important words:

250 - army - Attack of the Clones - clones - directed - fifth - fighter - imaginary - independence - Movie - release - Republic - Star Wars - story - training - war

____________________ fans are enjoying the new ____________________ movie, "____________________". It has earned more than ____________________ million dollars since its ____________________ five weeks ago.

The movie is the ____________________ in a series written and ____________________ by George Lucas. They tell a continuing ____________________ about a young man named Anakin Skywalker in an ____________________ galaxy of planets. Shirley Griffith has more.

In "Attack of the Clones", a group of separatists wants ____________________ from a government called The ____________________. The Republic has prepared an ____________________ of biologically engineered men called ____________________. A civil ____________________ begins between the separatists’ army of mechanical men and the Republic’s clones.

At the same time, Anakin Skywalker is ____________________ to become a special ____________________ called a Jedi knight.

Movie fans are enjoying the new Star Wars movie, "Attack of the Clones." It has earned (1) more than 250 million (2) dollars since its release five weeks ago.

The movie is the fifth (3) in a series (4) written and directed by George Lucas. They tell a continuing story about a young man named Anakin Skywalker in an imaginary galaxy of planets. Shirley Griffith has more.

In "Attack of the Clones," a group of separatists wants independence from (5) a government called The Republic. The Republic has prepared an army of biologically engineered men called clones. A civil war begins (6) between the separatists’ (7) army of mechanical men and the Republic’s clones.

At the same time, Anakin Skywalker is training (8) to become a special fighter called a Jedi knight.

(1) present perfect (HAVE + past participle) for an action which began in the past and is still in progress. "It has earned more than 250 million dollars since its release." When did it start? 5 weeks ago. Is it finished? No, it isn't. This movie will earn more money.

(3) the fifth > a rank. The first, the second, the third, the fourth, the fifth...

(6) The present simple can be used to tell the story of a movie. You can also use the preterite.

(7) Possessive. We only use an apostrophe because "separatists" is in the plural and the word ends with an "-s". It means: "The army of separatists."

(8) Reinforced by "At the same time", the present (BE + -ING) puts the emphasis on Anakin's hard training and the simultaneity of these actions.

Some (1) critics (2) have said that much of the writing in "Attack of the Clones" is so bad that (3) it is funny. They also said (4) the story’s political mysteries are confusing and often just stupid. But most critics agree that the movie is fun to watch.

George Lucas used (5) computers to create worlds of huge buildings, water or deserts. He designed battles in space and on land. Huge armies and dangerous creatures fight fierce battles using unusual space vehicles and weapons.

Almost all (6) the critics agreed that watching the last battle between the Jedi master Yoda and the mysterious Count Dooku is worth (7) the price of the ticket. And many critics said that the release of any "Star Wars" movie is one of the major cultural events of the year.

Most critics agree that in the "Star Wars" series, George Lucas has created one of the most important stories of the late twentieth century (8). Its cultural importance guarantees that people will continue to watch the movies as long as George Lucas continues to produce them. The sixth and final "Star Wars" movie is expected to be released (9) in 2005.

(2) Warning: "a critic" (a man or a woman) is different from "a criticism" (saying if something is good or bad)

(4) Yes, it is a subordinate clause, but THAT has been left out to have a light sentence.

(5) The past simple (preterite) is used for a past action (dated and definite).

(7) A very interesting phrase. Other examples: "It was a very long journey. Was it worth it?". "Two hours' solid work is worth a day's discussion".

(8) Superlative. When comparing two things one uses the comparative; however, for comparisons in larger groups, you must use the superlative. The superlative designates extremes: the best, the first, the worst, the last, etc.

(9) "is expected to be released": People think that it will be released in 2005, but it's far from certain.

2. Political stories are the most interesting themes of the story.
a) TRUE
b) FALSE

4. Who is the director of this movie?
a) Steven Spielberg
b) George Lucas
c) Tom Cruise

5. What did George Lucas use to create landscapes?
a) Paintings
b) Drawings
c) Computers

6. What is probably the best scene (according to critics)?
a) The love affair between Anakin and Padme
b) The space battles
c) The final battle between Yoda and Dooku

III) VOCABULARY

A) A critic (n)

B) to confuse (v)

C) huge (adj)

D) space (n)

E) a weapon (n)

F) a battle (n)

G) a movie (n)

H) to enjoy (v)

I) to earn (v)

J) a fighter (n)

1) An instrument of attack or defense in combat, as a gun, missile, or sword.

2) To yield as return or profit.

3) To cause to be unable to think with clarity or act with intelligence or understanding; throw off. To cause to feel embarrassment.

4) One who fights, such as a soldier.

5) One who specializes especially professionally in the evaluation and appreciation of literary or artistic works: a film critic; a dance critic.

6)The expanse in which the solar system, stars, and galaxies exist; the universe.

7) To receive pleasure or satisfaction from.

8) An encounter between opposing forces.

9) Very very big.

10) The synonym of "a film".

Reading Comprehension: 1. (b) 2. (b) 3. (a) 4. (b) 5. (c) 6. (c) 7. (b) 8. (b) 9. (b) 10. (b) (These answers are explained on the site)