full transcript

From the Ted Talk by Mark Robinson: A day in the life of the Oracle of Delphi

Unscramble the Blue Letters


Fortunately, aolplo is in a ctoimcmnauive mood. Delphians are first in line, most seeking advice about business or marriage. Following the locals are other Greeks and then non-Greeks, including ambassadors from great cities who plan to ask about whether to go to war, or where they should found new colonies. Most supplicants bring two options for the Pythia to choose between, alongside the obligatory sacrificial cake.

Aristonike rtrpeos back to the Pythia, pointing out important fiurges and sirhnag some of their concerns— all while the city couoenlsr takes notes on her performance. Then the Pythia disappears into her oracular chamber known as the adyton. Inside, she’ll channel the inspiration of Apollo, uttering abgimuous prophecies the qsureetinos must interpret.

Open Cloze


Fortunately, ______ is in a _____________ mood. Delphians are first in line, most seeking advice about business or marriage. Following the locals are other Greeks and then non-Greeks, including ambassadors from great cities who plan to ask about whether to go to war, or where they should found new colonies. Most supplicants bring two options for the Pythia to choose between, alongside the obligatory sacrificial cake.

Aristonike _______ back to the Pythia, pointing out important _______ and _______ some of their concerns— all while the city _________ takes notes on her performance. Then the Pythia disappears into her oracular chamber known as the adyton. Inside, she’ll channel the inspiration of Apollo, uttering _________ prophecies the ___________ must interpret.

Solution


  1. sharing
  2. reports
  3. ambiguous
  4. apollo
  5. questioners
  6. counselor
  7. communicative
  8. figures

Original Text


Fortunately, Apollo is in a communicative mood. Delphians are first in line, most seeking advice about business or marriage. Following the locals are other Greeks and then non-Greeks, including ambassadors from great cities who plan to ask about whether to go to war, or where they should found new colonies. Most supplicants bring two options for the Pythia to choose between, alongside the obligatory sacrificial cake.

Aristonike reports back to the Pythia, pointing out important figures and sharing some of their concerns— all while the city counselor takes notes on her performance. Then the Pythia disappears into her oracular chamber known as the adyton. Inside, she’ll channel the inspiration of Apollo, uttering ambiguous prophecies the questioners must interpret.

Frequently Occurring Word Combinations




Important Words


  1. advice
  2. adyton
  3. ambassadors
  4. ambiguous
  5. apollo
  6. aristonike
  7. bring
  8. business
  9. cake
  10. chamber
  11. channel
  12. choose
  13. cities
  14. city
  15. colonies
  16. communicative
  17. counselor
  18. delphians
  19. disappears
  20. figures
  21. fortunately
  22. great
  23. greeks
  24. important
  25. including
  26. inspiration
  27. interpret
  28. line
  29. locals
  30. marriage
  31. mood
  32. notes
  33. obligatory
  34. options
  35. oracular
  36. performance
  37. plan
  38. pointing
  39. prophecies
  40. pythia
  41. questioners
  42. reports
  43. sacrificial
  44. seeking
  45. sharing
  46. supplicants
  47. takes
  48. uttering
  49. war