LESSON 15

enter the world of illusions and magic.

study some tricks and learn what

makes a good magician.

read about the famous illusionist,

Houdini .

enter the world of illusions and magic.

study some tricks and learn what

makes a good magician.

read about the famous illusionist,

Houdini .

In this lesson, you willIn this lesson, you will

the names of occupations that end in –

er, -or, -ist, -ian.

the polite imperative “Let’s …”

vocabulary connected to the subject.

words with similar meanings.

the names of occupations that end in –

er, -or, -ist, -ian.

the polite imperative “Let’s …”

vocabulary connected to the subject.

words with similar meanings.

You will also learnYou will also learn

What is an illusion? What is an illusion?

When you focus on the

black, you can see two

heads facing one another.

When you focus on

the white, you can

see a wine glass.

When you focus on the

black, you can see two

heads facing one another.

When you focus on

the white, you can

see a wine glass.

There are two people in this one picture.

Take a good look.

Can you see them both?

There are two people in this one picture.

Take a good look.

Can you see them both?

Look for the eye of the old woman.

It is also the ear of the young woman.

Look for the eye of the old woman.

It is also the ear of the young woman.

Make sure what you read

is what you see !

Make sure what you read

is what you see !

You have looked at a number of illusions that were all drawn by artists.

You have looked at a number of illusions that were all drawn by artists.

But magicians can also create illusions.But magicians can also create illusions.

a disappearing act

a sword act

a coin

a card

handcuffs

rope

animals or birds

a disappearing act

a sword act

a coin

a card

handcuffs

rope

animals or birds

There are many magic tricks.

David Copperfield is a master of

magic. He got an airplane to disappear,

much to the surprise of the many people

standing round it at the time.

David Copperfield is a master of

magic. He got an airplane to disappear,

much to the surprise of the many people

standing round it at the time.

David Copperfield also made an Orient

Express train vanish in mid-air above a

circle of amazed people.

David Copperfield also made an Orient

Express train vanish in mid-air above a

circle of amazed people.

If you want to be a successful magician,

you have to remember a few basic rules.

Let’s see what they are.

If you want to be a successful magician,

you have to remember a few basic rules.

Let’s see what they are.

Keep the secret a secret.

Do the trick only once.

Practice before you perform.

Keep the secret a secret.

Do the trick only once.

Practice before you perform.

Take a look at the four pictures.

They show

a sword swallower

a fire eater

an escape artist

a hypnotist

a sword swallower

a fire eater

an escape artist

a hypnotist

Draw a line from each illusionist to the right picture.

Houdini was one of the most famous illusionists that ever lived.

 

He was an escape artist. He could get out of what seemed to be impossible situations.

Houdini was one of the most famous illusionists that ever lived.

 

He was an escape artist. He could get out of what seemed to be impossible situations.

Wearing handcuffs, chains and leg irons,

Houdini was placed inside a wooden box.

The box was nailed shut and lowered

into the East River in New York City.

A minute later, his arms and

legs free, Houdini appeared

and waved to the crowd.

Wearing handcuffs, chains and leg irons,

Houdini was placed inside a wooden box.

The box was nailed shut and lowered

into the East River in New York City.

A minute later, his arms and

legs free, Houdini appeared

and waved to the crowd.

The Great Escape

A large safe was placed on the stage

of a theater. There were no hidden

keys inside the safe. Houdini went

into the safe and the door was locked.

Then a screen was put in front of it.

 

Did Houdini get out safely?

A large safe was placed on the stage

of a theater. There were no hidden

keys inside the safe. Houdini went

into the safe and the door was locked.

Then a screen was put in front of it.

 

Did Houdini get out safely?

Still a mystery

There was very little air inside the safe.

When Houdini did not come out, the

audience began to get very nervous.

But after 45 minutes, Houdini walked

out, to the audience.  

To this day, no one

knows how he did this trick.

There was very little air inside the safe.

When Houdini did not come out, the

audience began to get very nervous.

But after 45 minutes, Houdini walked

out, to the audience.  

To this day, no one

knows how he did this trick.

Read these three statements and tick

each one if you think it is correct. 

Houdini had great technical skill.

Houdini had great physical skill.

Houdini was a great illusionist.

Read these three statements and tick

each one if you think it is correct. 

Houdini had great technical skill.

Houdini had great physical skill.

Houdini was a great illusionist.

Houdini wrote in his book,

“Handcuffs Secrets”: 

 

Houdini certainly had style – and other masters of magic, like David Copperfield, have followed his words.

Houdini wrote in his book,

“Handcuffs Secrets”: 

 

Houdini certainly had style – and other masters of magic, like David Copperfield, have followed his words.

“Remember it is not the trick itself that is

important, but the style and manner in

which it is presented.”

Houdini collected and studied locks

all his life. He understood how they

worked.

 

He was also both strong and agile.

From a young age, he practiced

escaping from the ropes tied

around him.

Houdini collected and studied locks

all his life. He understood how they

worked.

 

He was also both strong and agile.

From a young age, he practiced

escaping from the ropes tied

around him.

entered the word of illusions

and magic.

studied some tricks and learnt

what makes a good magician.

read about the famous

magician, Houdini.

entered the word of illusions

and magic.

studied some tricks and learnt

what makes a good magician.

read about the famous

magician, Houdini.

In this lesson, ou