Module 1 VOCABULARY AND GRAMMAR 1 For questions 1–9, read the text below and think of the word that best fits each space. Use only one word in each space. HARD ROAD TO SUCCESS In today’s music industry it is hard to (1) ___________ out in the crowd but the band, Makeover Mayhem, seem to have done just that. They only got together a couple of months ago, but their first album, which was ready for downloading only a week ago, is already speeding up the charts. It looks as if they are (2) ___________ to become the biggest success story of the year. If this continues, they stand (3) ___________reach number one and make their fortunes. Their music harks (4) ___________ to the early rock and roll of the fifties and the reason (5) ___________ their success is probably due to two main things: first, the modern twist which they have put on rock and roll music and, secondly, the wave of nostalgia that seems to be sweeping through the music-buying public. (6) ___________ sharp contrast to the band, Josh Logan is an actor who has been struggling for years to make a name for himself. But, finally, he has just finished his first lead role in a film at the age of 32. Although he loves working on films, he finds it difficult to tap into the emotional (7) __________ required when the scenes do not follow on from each other as they do in a stage play. The film (8) __________ to have been released in spring next year, but that has now changed to the autumn, mainly because of the director’s pedantic obsession with a perfection that only exists in his head. However, Josh knows that tenacity and belief in what you are doing is a prerequisite (9) __________ an actor and he is prepared to work long hours to be the best he can be. /9
2 For questions 1–8, read the text below and decide which answer (A, B, C or D) best fits each gap. AN AUTHOR’S LIFE Mark Stringly, widely acclaimed as one of the decade’s most successful young authors, is (1) _____ writing his tenth novel. It is based on an old family myth that his great-grandfather had discovered hidden treasure on his plantation in the West Indies. Ever since Mark heard the story it was (2) _____ that one day he would write about it. Mark is rarely interviewed as he hates being in the (3) _____ . As a result, people have jumped to many (4) _____ about him, most of which are incorrect. So, when he agreed to let me interview him last month for a television documentary I was doing about the origins of story writing, I (5) _____ at the chance. However, when I suggested that his great-great-grandfather might have been a pirate, he jumped down my (6) _____ and ordered me not to print any such thing as it was totally incorrect. His last book has now been (7) _____ for the big screen although he has not written the script for it. Surprisingly, though, he has written the musical (8) _____ , as he is also an accomplished musician, a secret he had managed to keep from the public until now. 1 A lately B ever C currently D yet 2 A inspiring B inevitable C questionable D uplifting 3 A limelight B floodlight C headlight D flashlight 4 A opportunities B interpretations C conclusions D ovations 5 A went B bounded C stood D leapt 6 A mouth B throat C neck D face 7 A adapted B admired C animated D initiated 8 A notes B script C score D cue /8 3 For questions 1–5, read the text below. Use the word given in CAPITALS at the end of some of the lines to form a word that fits in the space in the same line. After the play, we went (1) __________ to meet the actors as we’d won a competition to STAGE meet them and join the after-show party. It was wonderful! Although the lead actor had been ill on the night we went, we met his (2) __________ , who was excellent in the STUDY part. His performance was quite (3) __________ and the applause at the end was LIFT absolutely (4) __________ . In the following day’s newspapers, the young actor was DEAF (5) __________ acclaimed by all the critics as a rising new star. WIDE /5
4 For questions 1–8, underline the correct form of the verb in italics in the following paragraph. Sarah (1) has never been / had never been / was never going to a music festival before last year when she (2) had gone / went / was going to Glastonbury for the first time. She enjoyed it so much that she still (3) didn’t get / hasn’t got / isn’t getting over it. She is constantly driving her friends and colleagues mad by talking about it all the time and especially how she (4) was meeting / met / had been meeting her idols, Coldplay. In fact next week they (5) appear / are appearing / were supposed to appear in concert in Paris. Sarah (6) will be planning / was planning / would plan to go and see them there, but she (7) will be working / was just about to work / might be working in New York next week and her boss says she must go because the contract is very important. As a result, she (8) is thinking / thinks / will be thinking of quitting her job. /8 WRITING 5 For questions 1–10, underline the most suitable word or phrase in italics in the following text. SUMMARY AND EVALUATION OF TEXTS The two texts (1) write about / assume / discuss the determination, skills and talents (2) wanted / asked / required of a dancer or a musician. Although in many ways they are similar, there are also significant differences. The first text (3) communicates / examines / observes the audition process for dancers whereas the second text is about young musicians trying to get recording contracts. The first text (4) conveys / explains / portrays that it is almost impossible to even get an audition these days as choreographers tend to use only people they already know. It (5) describes / exemplifies / demands how choreographers are often encouraged by producers to avoid seeking out the most beautiful or talented dancers in case they upstage the star of the show. However one cannot (6) convey / assume / assert that even if a dancer gets through an audition, they are going to have an easy ride. The truth is that they are likely to be worked extremely hard for very little reward. Tenacity and strength of character are the main prerequisites alongside talent. The second text (7) confirms / expresses / verifies that musicians aiming for the dizzy heights of chart success also need this tenacity and strength of character to handle rejection and keep going when the going gets tough. (8) Instead of / Although / Even having face-to-face auditions, the most common way of approaching producers is by sending in demo tracks that are often ignored completely. Not only do they need to be able to sing but also write their own music, as successful recording artists these days have to be able to write hit songs – not an easy task. The text (9) advocates / concludes / promotes finding a good manager but that is not easy to do either. In (10) outline / conclusion / evaluation the one thing both texts agree on is that all performers need passion, a belief in their talents and the willingness to persevere against all the odds. /10 TOTAL /40