TEXT 1

An actor creates and performs a character by using cognitive empathy or Theory of Mind (ToM). It is the ability to
represent others’ mental states. ToM plays a critical role in understanding and navigating social situations. Reflection
into the character's mental life depends on the actor’s approach to character performance. This may be an important
part of the character-creation process. This process involves the exploration of the history, motivations, beliefs, and
values of the character. This exploration often goes well beyond the information contained within the script. In other
words, for many actors, creating a character involves a complex application of ToM, which includes several brain
regions such as the temporoparietal junction and posterior cingulate/precuneus.

The temporoparietal junction works in processing and judgments of self and others. According to some studies,
overcoming self–other interference and ToM is a deeply integrated process. Findings show that simulating others has
been shown to influence self-knowledge. In this simulation, trait and memory measures become similar to a simulated
other after adopting their perspective. Some brain regions are deactivated when trained actors use the first-person
fictional perspective of a character to answer questions. This is in contrast to a situation when actors answered
questions from their own perspective. It suggests that acting may involve the suppression of self-processing.
(Adapted from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)

TEXT 2
According to a recent study, when actors take on a new character, they may be able to suppress their everyday self.
This implies that theatre training may have a big impact on the fundamental mechanisms of the human brain.
Researchers in this study worked in collaboration with Flute Theatre. They created and delivered interactive
productions of Shakespeare for autistic individuals and their families. They used a series of sensory drama games,
known as the Hunter Heartbeat Method.

The team used wearable brain imaging technologies and physiological measurement devices. They were first
introduced at UCL's Department of Biomedical Engineering. Both devices were used to evaluate the brain activity of
actors as they rehearsed scenes from Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream.

The findings showed that when the actors heard their own name during the performance, their response was
suppressed in the left anterior prefrontal cortex of the brain. This is usually associated with self-awareness. The same
result was witnessed consistently in six actors who were tested when rehearsing several times over a week.
Meanwhile, when the performers were not in acting conditions, they responded normally to hearing their own name.

According to the lead researcher, this is the first time that neuroscientists have been able to record brain activity in
actors as they perform a role. We hope that this study will help us understand what theatre training does to the brain
and to build new connections between neuroscientists and theatre professionals.
(Adapted from https://www.sciencedaily.com)

1. According to Text 1, cognitive empathy or ToM ….

a. a. is an important skill for actors to supress themselves to create a new character

b. b. explores history, motivations, beliefs and values of a new character

c. c. enables actors to use several brain regions to be professional acting coaches

d. d. is a simulation implemented by actors to answer questions from others’ perspectives

e. e. deactivates an actor’s brain regions to process information contained within a script

2. The italicized word “They” in Text 2 Paragraph 1 refers to ….

 3. a. Actors

b. b. the fundamental mechanisms

c. c. Researchers

d. d. interactive productions

e. e. autistic individuals

3. Which of the following sentences from Text 2 is an opinion?

4.
a. According to a recent study, when actors take on a new character, they may be able to suppress their
everyday self.
b. They used a series of sensory drama games, known as the Hunter Heartbeat Method.
c. findings showed that when the actors heard their own name during the performance, their response
was suppressed in the left anterior prefrontal cortex of the brain.
d. The same result was witnessed consistently in six actors who were tested when rehearsing several
times over a week.
e. We hope that this study will help us understand what theatre training does to the brain and to build
new connections between neuroscientists and theatre professionals.
The results of the evaluation of actors’ brain activity when performing a character can be found in ….
a. Text 1 Paragraph 1 and Text 2 Paragraph 1
b. Text 1 Paragraph 2 and Text 2 Paragraph 3
c. Text 1 Paragraph 1 and Text 2 Paragraph 3
d. Text 1 Paragraph 2 and Text 2 Paragraph 4
e. Text 1 Paragraph 1 and Text 2 Paragraph 2

5. What is the relationship between Texts 1 and 2?

a. Text 1 argues the importance of using cognitive empathy for acting, which is criticized by Text 2.
b. Text 1 explains how the brain works when an actor performs a character and Text 2 compares the
devices used in the study.
c. Both texts explain the mechanisms of the human brain, but they focus on different participants.
d. Text 1 explains that in the character-creation process, an actor suppresses their self-processing,
and Text 2 further elaborates the brain mechanisms.
e. Texts 1 and 2 explain how creating and performing a new character using cognitive empathy can
help actors to be more professional.
Researchers have debunked the myth that extreme sportsmen and women are adrenalin junkies with a death wish.
According to Professor Brymer from Leeds Beckett University, there had been a gross misunderstanding of what
motivates people to take part in extreme sports. Many write it off as an activity for adrenalin junkies.
His research has shown that people who engage in extreme sports are anything but irresponsible risk-takers with a
death wish. They are highly trained individuals with a deep knowledge of themselves, the activity, and the
environment. They usually do the activity to have a life-enhancing experience. The experience is very hard to describe
in the same way that love is hard to describe. For example, BASE jumpers talk about being able to see all the colours
and nooks and crannies of the rock as they zoom past at 300km/h. Meanwhile, extreme climbers feel like they are
floating and dancing with the rock.
Professor Schweitzer said understanding motivations for extreme sports was important to understand human. In fact,
extreme sports participation facilitates more positive psychological experiences and expresses human values. These
include humility, harmony, creativity, spirituality, and a vital sense of self.
He added that extreme sports participants found it hard to put their experiences into words. Thus, the research project
had taken a new approach to understanding the data. His research team did not employ a theory-based approach which
may make judgements that do not reflect the lived experience of extreme sports participants. Instead, they took a
phenomenological approach. By doing so, they were able to conceptualize such experiences. They could also
investigate the choices to engage in activity which may lead to death. However, such experiences have been shown to
be affirmative of life and the potential for transformation. Extreme sports have the potential to induce powerful states
of consciousness. ... and provide a further glimpse into what it means to be human.
1. The paragraph preceding the passage most likely discusses ....
A. types and examples of extreme sportsmen and women
B. news coverage on incidents linked to extreme sports athle
C. the rising trend of people taking part in extreme sports
D. circulating sportsmen and women rumours about adrenalin junkies
E. results of earlier studies on extreme sports accident
2. The word 'debunked' in paragraph 1 in the passage is closest in meaning to ....
A. corrected
B. disproved
C. neglected
D. discontented
E. deconstructed
3. From paragraph 1, the author of the passage is trying to convey that ....
A. doing extreme sports may cause death
B. extreme sports can lead to addiction to adrenalin
C. extreme sports can be played by men and women
D. extreme sports are only played by adrenalin junkies
E. the motivations of extreme sports athletes have been mistaken
4. The author describes the intentions behind people's participation in extreme sports most effectively in
paragraph ....
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
E. 3 and 4
F. According to Professor Schweitzer, examining people's ... behind doing extreme sports can aid us inmaking
sense of humans
(A) drive
(B) concern
(C) courage
(D) pleasure
(E) excitement