Test 4 PAPER 1 READING (1 hour) Part 1 You are going to read a newspaper article about two brothers who have written a book. For questions 1-8, choose the answer (A, B, C or D) which you think fits best according to the text. Mark your answers on the separate answer sheet. Take two brothers Rebecca Pearson meets the team behind a lively new thriller. What were you doing at the age of 11? Playing football? Possibly. Watching TV? Probably. Working on a novel as well? Unlikely ~ unless you're Jamie Webb, author of the brilliant new 272-page novel The Inventors. He wasn't on his own, however, because he coauthored The Inventors with his much older brother, Alexander Gordon Smith, who isin his twenties. We had arranged to meet in a café and, within minutes of arriving, I spot the brothers casily as they're both wearing matching black /aventors promotional T-shirts. The queue for drinks is huge, but, despite the fact that I am ten minutes early, they have already bought me a selection of drinks to save me joining the line. New to the whole publicity business, they admit they're a bit nervous about the interview. Let’s start by talking about the book, then, I suggest The Inventors is an exciting tale about two best friends, who have a passion for creating w. and wonderful machines. ‘I woke up with the idea in my head one morning,’ says Smith, ‘and I just ran round to tell Jamie. Then, from the word go there was no question of me doing it by myself - it developed so well between us. One of us would suggest something and then the other one would take it and develop it. Often we would talk for hours before we actually wrote anything down. If Td done it by myself, it wouldn't be anywhere near what it is.” It emerges that Webb is a much better inventor than Smith. Certainly some of the creations in the bookare very vivid, far more so than in comparable novels. You certainly wouldn't put it past Webb to become an engineering mastermind; as well as the writing, he’s also keen on acting and Tae Kwon Do, but says he doesn’t want to put himself into one artistic box just yet. Smith and Webb have every sympathy for writers trying to get a foot in the door and it was a stroke 74 of luck that led to the publication of The Inventors. The brothers had written the first three chapters of the book with no Idea what to do with it when Webb spotted the Wow Factor competition, which is run by the publisher Faber and the bookshop Waterstone's. ‘It was on the last day when Jamie noticed it,’ says Smith, ‘and so we got our entry in just in time, and then we didn’t think anything more of it. We were on the shortlist: we didn't win but Faber ended up taking the book on.’ And that was their big break because since then they've gone from strength to strength, So, I ask, if the book goes on to become as successful as the Harry Potter books, might Webb take all the credit? They both laugh. ‘If we ever make millions,” Smith points out, ‘maybe we will end up arguing over that as we both know that if Jamie hadn't sent the first three chapters in, it ‘wouldn't have been published. But then we both know I had the original ideal” Smith has advice for people who want to write but don't know how. ‘Remember that everything has a story, and as a writer it’s up to you to imagine what that story is. Look at what's happening around you, say next time you're walking down the street, and think of ways this could be used in a book. Also, don’t put too much pressure on yourself — writing takes time, so don’t be disheartened if you don’t, write a masterpiece straight away.’ He says that when he’s not writing, he’s often trying to unravel a tricky plot in his head or invent a new character ‘or machine. “That's the best thing about being a writer ~ you can spend all your time daydreaming and call it work!” Once I stop the recording, the brothers are visibly relieved, and ask if they have done OK. They then invite me to their launch party in a few days’ time. Grinning broadly at each other and shaking their heads, they say they still wonder if they're dreaming. Are they the nicest authors in the business? Probably. And that’s no invention, tine 51 line 6¢Paper 1 Reading When Rebecca arrives at the café, she realises that Jamie Webb and Alexander Gordon Smith A. weren't expecting her to get there so early. B_ had only got there just before her. © had been very considerate. D_ were feeling impatient. What does Smith say about the process of writing the book? ‘A. The fact that it was a joint effort made it a better product. B__ Both brothers found it hard to get the ideas onto paper. He tended to come up with most of the ideas. D_ He initially considered writing it on his own. How does Webb feel about his future? ‘A. He wants to spend time producing some of his inventions. B_ He thinks he has hidden talents he hasn't yet found. C He feels he is better at writing than other things. D_ He is unsure which of his skills to focus on. What does ‘big break’ mean in line 51? A. a frustrating disappointment B a fortunate development © apractical decision D alucky escape When asked about the future of the book, Smith replies that A he and Jamie deserve equal recognition. B_ the book is expected to be hugely popular. © he worries how Jamie will cope with success. D__heis confident that he and Jamie will act wisely. What does ‘this’ refer to in line 66? A astory B_ the street. everything D_ what's happening What does Smith say about his attitude to writing? A. He rarely stops thinking about different ideas. B__ He would prefer not to have to work so hard at it. © He can't do anything else when he is making up a story. D_ He finds it difficult to concentrate on one story at a time. "s attitude to the publication of their book? Which of the following sums up Webb and Smi sympathetic understanding anxious anticipation amused surprise positive relief com> 75Test 4 Part 2 You are going to read a newspaper article about a fe writer and photographer. Seven sentences have been removed from the article. Choose from the sentences A-H the one which fits each gap (9-15). There is one extra sentence which you do not need to use. Mark your answers on the separate answer sheet. The life of a wildlife photographer Next year, Heather Angel plans to be away from her home for five or six months, carrying her camera equipment to Japan, China, Hungary, eastern Greenland, Arctic Russia, Botswana, Australia and the USA. ‘Tused to hate working in the Aretic because I used to get so cold,” she says with typical jollity. ‘But that was because I didn’t have the right equipment. Now I do have all the right things for different climates and I have a wardrobe for polar clothing and another full of tropical sults and so forth. You have to be organised to be a wildlife photographer.” And there's more to it than simply having the right sun hat, as Heather Angel should know, since she is one of Britain's best-known photographers of the natural world. Indeed, according to Nottingham Photographic Society, which is one of the many organisations that have invited her to give an illustrated talk, she Js ‘one of the world’s truly great natural history photographers’. [E305 For example, the University of Nottingham recently appointed her as the first UK professor of wildlife photography. As a child, Heather was always interested in the natural world. ‘I used to collect insects in jars and my grandparents taught me the names of all the wild flowers which grew around thelr farm,’ she remarked. Then she was given a camera for her 2ist birthday, and went off to spend several months in Norway taking pictures of marine wildlife, 76 ‘On her return, her development as a professional photographer was helped along by gaining degrees in zoology and marine ecology, an academic background which also trained her to do careful studies of whatever plants or animals she was planning to photograph. [42 Her images appear regularly in many international journals and on TV worldwide. Of course, wildlife being wildlife, animals like African elephants and emperor penguins don't sit, around waiting for humans with cameras to arrive. Patience is needed. [948) [Yet there was the ever-present threat of danger. ‘In October, some time after was there, two scientists were attacked by a male bear,’ says Heather. ‘We try never to get too close to a big male, and we also make sure we never get between a mother and her cub.’ Asked what special qualities she brings to the job, Heather explains that she reacts very quickly to a situation and maximises the opportunities that are there. [44 This helps her to write more detailed articles and books about the places she visits and to capture the most revealing images. ‘There aren't many places in the world that Heather hasn't already seen, but she told me that her ambitions include working in the canopy of a rainforest and visiting Patagonia for the first time, 15. No doubt her spectacular South ‘American photographs will soon be appearing in magazines throughout the world.Paper 1 Reading However, she quickly adds, ‘I tend to go back to the places that I like - it's only the second or third time that you get a feel for the place.” Also, her scientific education has taught her the value of in-depth research before she goes anywhere. Despite this, animals have been a lifelong passion for Heather. Since gaining these skills, she has become one of the world’s most respected wildlife photographers. So that's rule one, and as Heather also remarks, ‘Everyone wants to be a wildlife photographer these days but only a few will succeed.” Recently, in a week of waiting to photograph wildlife in Alaska, the only moment of visual excitement came when Heather and her team saw some large unidentified tracks in the mud. Aside from being a prolific lecturer, Heather has also been recognised through numerous awards and honours. While there, she also learned a lot about film developing and processing, and wrote articles about marine life which were accepted for magazines.Test 4 Part 3 You are going to read a magazine article about five singing teachers. For questions 16-80, choose from the teachers (A-E). The teachers may be chosen more than once. When more than one answer is required, these may be given in any order. Mark your answers on the separate answer sheet. Which of the people encourages students who lack confidence? | 16: also teaches another subject? recognises the effect of negative comments on learners? teaches those whose jobs require them to sing? believes good singing needs skills which are often not recognised? Ben is happy teaching different types of music? 224 have students who express thelr appreciation? fas eae aim to encourage a relaxed approach to learning? tes is concerned about the use of certain singing techniques? [ize | z aa came to voice training aft in singing? 2a. Inaee ining after @ career in singing’ 2a i PeSEE uses personal experience to deal with difficult students? | 39 | works with a family member? er 78Paper 1 Reading Singing teachers Whether you are tone deaf, want to stretch your vocal cords or dream of playing an operatic role, there are tutors to help you hit the high notes. Our reporter, Peter Evans, has been talking to some of the top teachers in the business. PNM Teresa Clarke Teresa Clark is working with school choirs around the country, specialising in the voices ‘of young children. A mother of three teenagers herself, she is undaunted by unco-operative schoolboys: sheis convinced that demonstration is preferable to long explanations that could confuse or bore them. She works with groups or individuals and also teaches one-to-one at her family home. She is very good with advice ‘on how to encourage singing from a young age ~ something which is increasingly in demand with all the popular talent shows on our television Philippa Brown was an experienced performer: she appeared in several famous London operas. She loves encouraging people to ‘sing with a smile’, and this is the title of the course she has created for a large adult education institution which runs courses for retired people. She has been running the course for a number of years now and always urges her students not to take it too seriously. Benefits from the lessons have been great ~ Philippa has put a lot of emphasis ‘on improving her students’ breathing technique and, as a result, several elderly ladies have told her they are now singing better. : CliveWalker, whosesisterisawell-knownactorand singer both’on television and in numerous stage shows, is a supportive and perceptive teacher for people who are unsure about their singing ability. He mainly teaches local schoolchildren, and will help a pupil with anything he or she wants to sing, from the classics to numbers from musical shows. He has strong but controversial views about the ‘vocal gymnastics’ that are so commonplace in singers’ performances nowadays: ‘I'm very much against them: they risk damaging their voices. 1 want people to sing to express themselves, not to show off what their voices can do.’ Former pupils speak highly of his patience in helping them achieve their full potential. His lessons are always booked up many months in advance. D [Getprice Rosalind Snow could have had a successful career in singing, but decided after training for ‘a while that she wanted something different. She specialises in training girls’ voices, though she has had success with people of all ages. Rosalind is married to a guitarist who regularly accompanies her lessons. She understands how damaging criticism can be to young singers, and tells students to think of a lesson as a chance to unwind and just see what they can do with their voices. She insists, too, that they maintain correct body posture when singing and always enunciate their words clearly, which all professionals know is essential. Some of her pupils have formed an amateur choir, which is currently doing very well in a regional competition. Tm) Hobin Stern During his singing career, Robin Stern sang more than sixty lead roles in musicals and worked with many legendary performers. He is thus sympathetic to young professionals, knowing the stresses that they encounter. An occasional hockey coach, Robin thinks singing teachers generally underestimate the importance of fitness and the ability to think positively, which are essential to successful singing. He works with pupils on the psychological and physical aspects of performing well. Some of the people he trains have put his advice to good use and are now to be seen appearing in musical shows locally. ‘I feel very proud of what they have achieved,” says Robin. 79