Follow your dreams

- Focus on: Fun in London - Glossary of difficult words - Comprehension and grammar activities including A2 Key style exercises and 21st century skills activities - Final test

Stage 2 A2

Stage 1

In this reader you’ll find:

Follow your Dreams

Gavin, Max, Rose and Isabel are excited about starting their first year at the Music, Acting and Dance Academy of London. They’re all very different but they soon become good friends. It’s going to be hard with lessons every day. They’ll also have exams and shows to do.

Then, a special person comes into their lives. How can Ernest help them follow their dreams?

Silvana Sardi

Readers

Silvana Sardi Follow your Dreams

Silvana Sardi

Tags

Teen

Friendship | Emotions | Dreams

Downloadable

Audio Files

Look at the inside front cover flap to find out how to download your free Audio files.

600 headwords 800 headwords 1000 headwords

Elementary Pre-intermediate Intermediate

A1 A2 B1

Movers Flyers/Key Preliminary

Original www.eligradedreaders.com

RS 8 l. E s 9.r. AD am 0 I s E Dre -32 EL LI R ur 36 E yo -5 8 EN w -8 TE ollo 978 F N B IS

Eli Readers is a beautifully illustrated series of timeless classic and original stories for learners of English.

The pleasure of Reading

T e e n E L ITeen R e a d e Readers rs ELT A 1

STAGE 1 STAGE 2 STAGE 3

Original

Stage 2 A2

ELT A2

ELT A1

Downloadable

Audio Files

Follow yourbrief Dreams Book

1 2 3 4 5

Set in modern times, it tells the story of four students at MADAL, the Music, Acting and Dance Academy of London.

Rose, Isabel, Max and Gavin are all very different and each of them has a dream.

The story is about their first year at the academy and the good and bad times they have to face.

Ernest Baker encourages the four students to follow their dreams and brings out the best in Gavin.

Main themes include friendship, honesty and dreams.

www.eligradedreaders.com 1

Spazio didascalia

In this reader: 21st Century Skills

Key

To encourage students to connect the story to the world they live in.

A2 level activities.

Simple Story

A brief summary of the paragraph.

Glossary

Explanation of difficult words.

Picture Caption

A brief explanation of the picture.

Audio

These icons indicate the parts of the story that are recorded.

Think

start stop

To encourage students to develop their critical thinking skills.

The FSC® certification guarantees that the paper used in these publications comes from certified forests, promoting responsible forestry management worldwide.

For this series of ELI graded readers, we have planted 5000 new trees.

Silvana Sardi

Follow your Dreams Retold and with activities by Silvana Sardi Illustrated by Ilaria Urbinati

Teen

Readers

Contents

6

Main Characters

8

Before you read

10

Chapter 1

18

Activities

20

Chapter 2

28

Activities

30

Chapter 3

42

Activities

44

Chapter 4

52

Activities

54

Chapter 5

62

Activities

64

Chapter 6

74

Activities

76

Focus on... Fun in London

78

Test Yourself

79 Syllabus

Welcome to MADAL Friends and Deadlines The End of Term Show A Meeting in the Park Term 2 All’s Well that Ends Well

Main Characters

Rose

She wants to become a singer.

Isabel

She’s a friendly girl and loves modern dancing.

Gavin

He wants to become an excellent saxophone player.

6

Prof Bingley

He’s the head of the academy.

Ernest

Max

A kind elderly man, he believes in following your dreams.

He wants to be an actor.

7

Before you read

Reading A2 Key 1 Read about Follow your Dreams. Choose the correct word

(A, B or C) to complete the text. is the story about four young students Follow your Dreams _____ (1) _____ their first year at the Music, Acting and Dance Academy of London. Each of (2) _____ has a dream. Rose (3) _____ to become a singer while Isabel loves dancing. Instead, the boys, Gavin and Max, are (4) _____ at music and acting. They’re all (5) _____ different but they soon become good friends and decide to (6) _____ a flat together. They (7) _____ to work hard, preparing for exams and shows during the year. Gavin, (8) _____ also has a part-time job, has (9) _____ problem trying to do everything on time. (10) _____ he doesn’t pass all his exams, he’ll have to leave the academy.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

A says A in A they A can A well A too A share A must A whose A the A If

B is B on B them B must B good B enough B live B have B which B some B Until

8

C speaks C at C their C wants C interested C very C look C should C who C a C When

Speaking and Writing 2 Ask two students these questions. Tick the box if they say

yes, then complete the questionnaire with your answers, too.

Questionnaire 1 Do you like music?

2 Can you play the piano, guitar or any other instrument?

3 Can you sing?

4 Have you ever been to the theatre?

5 Have you ever had dancing lessons?

6 Do you watch talent shows on TV? 7 Would you like to be famous one day?

S1 S2 Me

■ ■

■

■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

21st Century Skills

Listening 2 3 Listen to the start of Chapter 1 and choose the word you hear

to complete the sentences.

It was Rose’s first day of her three / four-year course at the academy.

1 The young guy at the door was tall / short with fair hair.

2 A small / large group of people was waiting to enter the building.

3 Rose pushed the door open and ran upstairs / downstairs.

4 She opened the door of a classroom / cupboard.

5 Rose sat down at the back / front of Room 3.

6 A young girl with long, straight / curly dark hair hurried into the room.

7 Max was in Nepal with his father / brother last year.

9

Chapter 1

Welcome to MADAL 2 What a start to Rose’s first day at the academy!

First, a boy laughs at her because she stands looking at the door, then she opens a door to a cupboard!

Luckily, Professor Bingley helps her find her classroom.

Rose stood in front of the big wooden doors of MADAL– the Music, Acting and Dance Academy of London. It was the first day of her three-year course, the first day of her dream to become a singer.

‘Shall I push the door open for you?’ said someone. ‘I think all these people behind us would like to go in.’

Rose jumped and turned round. A very tall, fairhaired young guy was looking down at her with a big smile on his face. Behind him, there was a large group of people waiting to enter the building.

Rose felt her face going red. She turned back to the door and pushed it open as hard as she could.

She could hear the boy laughing behind her but she didn’t look back. She ran quickly upstairs and opened the first door she saw; it was a cupboard full of cleaning stuff1!

‘You must be a first year student, right?’ said a kind voice2. ‘I’m Professor Bingley, the head of the academy. Follow me, there’s a meeting for all of you in Room 3.’

1 2

stuff things voice what you use to speak or sing

10

Follow your Dreams

Room 3 was already full of students. Rose sat down at the front. Professor Bingley was about to start, when a young girl, her long, straight dark hair flying everywhere, hurried into the room.

‘Sorry, sorry, I couldn’t find you all!’ said the girl smiling at everyone.

‘Please come and sit down Miss…?’ said Professor Bingley.

‘Dawson, Isabel Dawson,’ said Isabel sitting down next to Rose.

‘Well,’ said Professor Bingley, ‘first of all, welcome to the Music, Acting and Dance Academy of London, usually called MADAL. Does anyone know what a madal is?’

‘It’s a kind of drum they use in Nepal,’ said someone sitting at the back of the room.

‘Well, well!’ said Professor Bingley, ‘nobody usually knows that! What’s your name young man?’

‘Max Bloomfield; I was in Nepal last year with my father, that’s why I know,’ explained Max. 3 ‘I don’t even know where Nepal is,’ whispered Isabel to Rose, laughing.

Rose smiled. Isabel was such a friendly girl, the kind of person Rose wanted to be, but she was so

11

A friendly girl called Isabel sits next to Rose. Rose would like to be like her.

Instead, she finds it hard to talk to people.

The professor is surprised when a boy called Max knows that a ‘madal’ is a kind of drum.

Silvana Sardi

Professor Bingley wants to speak to Gavin Marshall after the meeting.

He’s the boy who offered to open the main door for Rose.

Isabel can see from Rose’s face that she likes him.

shy that she found it difficult to make friends.

‘Good for you, Max!’ said Professor Bingley. ‘Now, today some of our second year students will show you around the school. You’ll see where the classrooms are, the rehearsal1 rooms, the theatre, the sound studios, the library and the student common room, where you can relax and have something to eat.

Remember everybody, MADAL is the place where your dreams can come true2, but it’s your HARD work that’ll make this possible. Ah, one more thing, I need to speak to Gavin Marshall. Is he here today?’

‘Yes, here I am,’ said Gavin standing up.

‘Ah, good. Come with me Gavin,’ said Professor Bingley, ‘then you can join the others.’

Rose watched Gavin as he left the room. The nice boy at the door, she thought.

‘Have you already got your eyes on somebody?’ said Isabel laughing.

Rose blushed3 and said: ‘No, it’s just that I met him this morning at the entrance.’

‘Ahh, if you say so!’ said Isabel, smiling. What’s your name?’

‘Rose, Rose Watson.’

1

rehearsal practice for a show come true actually happen 3 blush turn red when you’re embarrassed 2

12

Follow your Dreams

‘Come on then, Rose or we’ll miss the tour!’

Gavin followed Professor Bingley to his office.

He knew it was about his scholarship1.

‘Well, Gavin’, said Professor Bingley, ‘first of all, well done on winning the scholarship this year! As you know, this money will cover the cost of all your lessons but not for your room in the students’ hall. There are two terms2 and at the end of each term there are exams that you have to pass. If you don’t pass them, we’ll cancel the scholarship. Is that clear?’

‘Yes, of course!’ said Gavin. ‘Don’t worry, Professor Bingley, I’ll work hard. I want to become an excellent saxophone3 player.’

‘Good! Ah, one more thing, Gavin. All scholarship students have to help in the school office – just a few hours a week, alright?’

‘No problem,’ said Gavin smiling.

‘Right, off you go!’ said Professor Bingley.

Outside the office, Gavin stopped smiling.

How am I going to find the time to study? he thought.

Professor Bingley didn’t know that Gavin needed to work to pay for his room. Living in London was 1

scholarship money that is given by a school to help students pay for their lessons 2 term a part of the school year 3 saxophone

13

Gavin has to pass all his exams if he wants to keep his scholarship and he also has to work a few hours in the school office. The problem is that he already has another job in a pub to help pay for his room, so that won’t leave him much time to study.

He wants to be a great saxophone player.

Silvana Sardi

Gavin can’t ask his mum for any money.

Gavin meets Isabel and Rose. Rose’s face goes red again when Gavin laughs because he remembers her at the entrance that morning.

Isabel wants to be a modern dancer and Rose, a singer.

expensive so Gavin already had a job in a pub. He couldn’t ask his mum for any money. She only had a part-time job and his little sister was still at school.

His dad was now in Australia with his ‘new family’ so there was no money coming from him.

Gavin walked into the common room. Isabel saw him, waved1 and shouted: ‘Hey! “Boy at the door this morning”, come and sit with us!’

Rose blushed and looked into her coffee cup as Gavin came and sat down.

‘Hi,’ he said, ‘I’m Gavin.’

‘Hi, Gavin,’ said Isabel smiling. ‘I’m Isabel and this is Rose, but I think you’ve already met.’

‘Oh, yes, I remember! This morning at the door! Hi, Rose!’ said Gavin laughing.

Rose smiled, hoping that her face wasn’t as red as the flowers on her dress.

‘So, did you have a nice chat with Professor Bingley?’ Isabel asked Gavin.

‘Well, he told me what I have to do if I want to keep my scholarship to study the saxophone here.’

‘Sax! Wow!’ said Isabel. ‘I love jazz. I’m a modern dancer and Rose is a singer.’

1

wave

14

>

Isabel, Rose, Gavin and Max are talking in the common room.

Follow your Dreams

15

Silvana Sardi

Max is shy like Rose. He wants to be an actor but his family isn’t happy about it. They wanted him to go to Oxford University.

Isabel didn’t do well at school and left after Year 11. Then she did a dance course and worked in a supermarket.

She’s the eldest of four children.

Just then, another boy came up to the table.

‘May I join you?’ he asked in a very polite way.

‘Ah, Max from Nepal!’ said Isabel, smiling. He isn’t bad at all this Max from Nepal with his dark curly hair, she thought.

Rose noticed that Max blushed like she always did. She felt sorry for him.

‘Actually, I’m from Oxford,’ said Max, trying to smile. ‘I’m here to study to be an actor, even though my parents aren’t too happy about it.

They wanted me to go to Oxford University.’

‘Oxford!’ said Isabel. ‘Wow! I left school after Year 11. My teachers didn’t mind – I wasn’t exactly a fantastic student!’ she laughed. ‘Then I did a part-time modern dance course. I also worked in a supermarket so I could save money to come and study here. My mum and dad have always let me decide for myself – maybe because I’m the eldest.’

‘How many brothers and sisters have you got?’ asked Rose.

‘Well, there’s Kevin who’s a year younger than me, so he’s 17, then the twins. They’re 10.’

‘It must be nice to come from a big family,’ said Rose quietly. ‘It’s always just been Dad and me. I can’t remember my mum. I was only three when

16

Follow your Dreams

she died. Dad wanted me to go to York University to study English but I’ve always loved singing.

They say my mum was a great singer – that’s the only reason Dad let me come here.’

‘I’m an only child1 too,’ said Max. ‘My mother and father were always too busy working to look after me so I grew up with my nanny2, Dorothy – she’s a lovely old lady. She’s the only one I miss.’

‘Oh, my poor boy!’ What a HARD life!’ said Gavin sarcastically3. ‘At least you don’t have to work to stay here. And they’ve just told me that I need to do some hours in the school office too!

I’m already working most nights in a pub. I don’t know when I’m going to find the time to study!’

Then someone asked them if they wanted to see the rest of the school.

‘Come on!’ said Isabel. ‘Let’s go!’

At 4 p.m., they all went to the students’ hall to see their accommodation. Each flat had two bedrooms, a kitchen and bathroom. Rose and Isabel took the bigger room because they had so much stuff, while Gavin and Max had the smaller one. This was the start of their great adventure.

1

only child when you have no brothers or sisters nanny a person who looks after children 3 sarcastically when you use words that mean the opposite of what you really want to say 2

17

Rose’s mum died when she was only three. She lives with her dad.

He wanted her to study English at university, but let her come to the academy because her mum was a good singer.

Max is an only child like Rose.

His parents were too busy to look after him, so he had a nanny, the only person he misses.

Gavin, Rose, Max and Isabel get a flat together in the students’ hall.

Think

Do you think the four students will become good friends? Why? / Why not?

After-reading Activities • Chapter 1

Reading Comprehension 1 Who said what? Match the sentences from Chapter 1 with the

correct person. b ‘Shall I push the door open for you?’ a Max 1 ■ 2 ■ ‘You must be a first year student, right?’ b Gavin 3 ■ ‘I was in Nepal last year with my father.’ c Rose 4 ■ ‘I want to become an excellent saxophone d Isabel player.’

5 ■ ‘I’m here to study to be an actor.’ e Professor

Bingley 6 ■ ‘I did a part-time modern dance course.’ f Max 7 ■ ‘They say my mum was a good singer.’ g Gavin

Reading A2 Key 2 Complete the sentences about Chapter 1 with the correct

answer (A, B or C). to become a singer.

Rose’s dream is ________ A become B becoming C to become 1 Isabel was late for the meeting ____ she couldn’t find the classroom.

A so B because C but 2 Max knows ____ a madal is.

A why B who C what 3 Rose is shy so she finds ____ difficult to make friends.

A it Ba C the 4 Professor Bingley wanted to ____ to Gavin about his scholarship.

A tell B speak C ask 5 Gavin can’t ask his mum ____ any money because she only works

part-time.

A for B if C of 6 Max’s parents were always ____ busy to look after him when he was a child.

A much B too C so

18

21st Century Skills

Speaking and Writing

3 In Chapter 1, it’s the first day for Rose, Gavin, Isabel and Max

at the academy. Discuss these questions with a partner and write your answers.

1

2

3

4 5 6

How did you feel on your first day at school?

Which subjects do you study and how many lessons do you have a day?

How many terms are there in your school year?

How often do you have exams?

What’s your favourite subject? Why? Which subject do you find most difficult? Why?

Before-reading Activity

Listening Listen to the start of Chapter 2. Decide if the sentences are 4 4

true (T) or false (F).

T F They were in their third month at MADAL. ■ ■ 3 1 Not all their lessons were the same.

■ ■ 2 Gavin had to work four hours in the office the next day.

■ ■ 3 Isabel and Max were going home for the weekend.

■ ■ 4 Gavin left to go and play basketball.

■ ■ 5 Rose was angry with Gavin.

■ ■ 6 Rose didn’t go back to the flat.

■ ■ 7 Max doesn’t think Gavin is the right guy for Rose.

■ ■

19

After-reading Activities • Chapter 6

Reading A2 Key 1 Complete the sentences about Chapter 6 with the correct

answer (A, B or C).

Gavin stayed with him at his house.

When Ernest left hospital, ______

A Max B Isabel C Gavin 1 The others went to visit Ernest every ______.

A morning B afternoon C evening 2 They decided to use ______ therapy to help Ernest speak again.

A music B pet C dance 3 Rose told Isabel that she danced like a _______ in her dream.

A bird

B bear C butterfly 4 They decided to do the rehearsal for the show in Ernest’s _____.

A garden B living room C bedroom 5 Gavin didn’t pass ________ exams.

A two B three C any 6 _______ won’t be with them in their second year at MADAL. A Rose

B Max

C Isabel 21st Century Skills

Speaking and Writing

2 Discuss these questions with a partner and write your answers.

Tell the class what you agree and don’t agree about.

1 How important is Ernest Baker to the story?

2 Look back at how you described Gavin, Rose, Max and Isabel on page 43. How have your ideas about them changed?

3 Would you like to study in a place like MADAL? Why? / Why not?

4 Do you think it’s better to live at home while you’re studying or away from home? Why? 5 Who did you like best in the story? Why?

74

Vocabulary

3a How many new words can you make with the letters in the

title: ‘Follow your Dreams’? Read the clues and guess the words. red The colour of Isabel’s dress for the show. ____ 1 The colour of the sun. ____ 2 Ernest is an ____ man.

3 Ernest needs somebody to do this for him. ____ 4 You buy this at the supermarket. ____ 5 The doors of MADAL are made of this. ____ 6 You put pictures on this. ____ 7 One week has seven of these. ____ 8 If a singer is ____, everybody knows about them.

9 In Britain, students ____ a school uniform.

10 They ____ lots of things to eat in a supermarket.

11 The opposite of big. ____ 12 You find this at the beach. ____ 13 The opposite of find. ____ 14 A verb like tell. ____ 15 Gavin feels ____ after telling Ernest he got £6.50 an hour at the pub.

16 You hear with this. ____ 17 When you’re ill you don’t feel ____.

18 You should eat three of these a day. ____ 19 This is the top part of a house. ____

3b Now try to use at least six of the clues above to complete the

crossword. Here is an example.

Across 1 If a singer is ________, everybody knows about him or her.

2 3 4 The colour of the sun.

1 6 This is the top part of a house.

Down 2 You should eat three of these a day.

4 3 A verb like tell.

5 You do this with clothes.

75

5

6

Focus on...

Fun in London Gavin, Rose, Max and Isabel chose to study at an academy in London, one of the best places for theatre, dance and concerts. Let’s look at some of the best places to go in London.

Theatres

No visit to London is complete without seeing a show. You can choose from a musical, a drama play or a fantastic opera. If you like Shakespeare, then you can see one of his plays at Shakespeare’s Globe. This building is like the Elizabethan Globe Theatre, which was built in 1599 by Shakespeare’s playing company. This new building was opened in 1997 just over 200m from where the old theatre was.

Another important theatre is The Royal National Theatre, usually known as the National Theatre.

It’s next to the River Thames in the South Bank area of London famous for business and having a good time. There are three different theatres inside this building so you can choose to see a modern or classic play.

The Royal Albert Hall, one of the most important and famous theatres in London.

76

The Royal Opera House (Covent Garden)

You can find The Royal Opera House in Covent Garden in the centre of London. It’s home to The Royal Opera, The Royal Ballet and the orchestra of the Royal Opera House and is usually called ‘Covent Garden’. Another place where you can see dancers from all over the world is the Sadler’s Wells theatre in Islington, north London. Here you can enjoy watching all kinds of dances from ballet to modern.

The Barbican Centre

If you want somewhere where you can find everything, then you should go to the Barbican Centre in the historic centre of London. It has a concert hall, two theatres, three cinemas, two art galleries, a library, restaurants and shops. It offers an exciting international programme of theatre, dance and music so there’s something for everybody!

Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

If you like being outside, then this is the best place for you. Every summer, this open-air theatre offers a season of dramas and comedies among the trees of Regent’s Park. It’s also famous for some of the best stage musicals.

77

Task

Write about a show, concert, or film that you have been to or seen recently. Say what you enjoyed about it.

Test Yourself How much can you remember? Choose A, B or C to complete the sentences about the story.

The first person Rose met was A Gavin.

B Isabel.

C Max. 1 Professor Bingley was angry with Gavin and Rose about A their exams.

B their essays.

C their show.

2 After the first show, Isabel A decided to leave B bought a red C was asked the academy. dress. to do an audition.

3 Gavin lost his job because A his boss saw him B he was late C he stole at the club. for work. some money.

4 Ernest needed Gavin’s help because he couldn’t A see very B walk very C hear very well. well. well.

5 Who had the idea of using the madal for the show?

A Max B Gavin C Isabel 6 How did Ernest know that Gavin only got £5.50 an hour at the pub?

A He asked the B The boy next C Rose told pub manager. door worked at him. the same pub.

7 What did Ernest and his wife make?

A Scarves B Shirts C Ties 8 After he came out of hospital, Ernest A couldn’t B couldn’t C couldn’t walk. see. speak.

9 How did Rose find the words for their song?

A They were in B She read them C Her teacher her dream. in a book. helped her.

10 How did Ernest help Gavin?

A He gave him B He became C He bought some money. his sponsor. him a car.

78

Syllabus Topics Friendship Dreams Emotions Verbs Present simple and present continuous (also for future reference) Past simple and past continuous Present perfect simple Future with going to and will Can, could, have to, need, would like, should for advice Shall (suggestion, offer) Want someone to do something Positive and negative imperative forms Common phrasal verbs Passive forms – present and past simple Adjectives Comparative and superlative forms Adverbs Regular and irregular forms

79

Teen

Readers

Stage 1

Maureen Simpson, In Search of a Missing Friend Charles Dickens, Oliver Twist Geoffrey Chaucer, The Canterbury Tales Janet Borsbey & Ruth Swan, The Boat Race Mystery Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables Mark Twain, A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court Mark Twain, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Angela Tomkinson, Great Friends!

Edith Nesbit, The Railway Children Eleanor H. Porter, Pollyanna Anna Sewell, Black Beauty Kenneth Grahame, The Wind in the Willows

Stage 2

Elizabeth Ferretti, Dear Diary…

Angela Tomkinson, Loving London Mark Twain, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer Mary Flagan, The Egyptian Souvenir Maria Luisa Banfi, A Faraway World Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden Robert Louis Stevenson, Treasure Island Elizabeth Ferretti, Adventure at Haydon Point William Shakespeare, The Tempest Angela Tomkinson, Enjoy New York Frances Hodgson Burnett, Little Lord Fauntleroy Michael Lacey Freeman, Egghead Michael Lacey Freeman, Dot to Dot Silvana Sardi, The Boy with the Red Balloon Silvana Sardi, Scotland is Magic!

Silvana Sardi, Garpur: My Iceland Silvana Sardi, Follow your Dreams Gabriele Rebagliati, Naoko: My Japan

Stage 3

Anna Claudia Ramos, Expedition Brazil Charles Dickens, David Copperfield Mary Flagan, Val’s Diary Maureen Simpson, Destination Karminia Anonymous, Robin Hood Jack London, The Call of the Wild Louisa May Alcott, Little Women Gordon Gamlin, Allan: My Vancouver