^ractice exam

^ractice exam
Paper 1 Part 1
You are going to read a newspaper article about Hollywood. 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.
rm not a waitress - l'in an actress!
For every Kate Winslet or Catherine Zeta Jones,
there are thousands of British 'wannabe' actresses
who never make it in Hollywood. 'It is
disheartening,' admits 28-year-old Rachael
Nortance. Tve been to so many auditions for film
parts where I walk in and there's a room full of
equallytalented people, and I ask myself: "Why am
I here?" But ironically, what Rachael finds hardest
to accept is how nice people are to her at
auditions. 'The organisers teli you they love your
work, and for the first month or so I believed
thenn, but eventually I realised it's totally fake
because mostly you never bear from them again.'
Dunng her four years in the USA, Rachael has
been to more auditions than she can remember,
has sent out thousands of photos of herself, and
been to every celebrity party that she's been
invited to. For ali that, the closest she has come to
t9 a camera is the one she takes snaps with to email
home to her family in England. She has yet to land
any film or TV work, and is currently working at a
children's talent agency to make ends meet.
'Basically, I do my bestto keep happy and focused
on the industry,' she says. 'i was very realistic when
I came to Hollywood - I presumed I wouid bave
to be a waitress, so I can't complain about a job
that not only pays the bills, but which also gives me
a lot of satisfaction.'
Rachael is just one of an estimated 1,000 hopefuis
who arrive in Los Angeles every week, chasing
dreams of stardom. Many are British, and almost
ali are unprepared for the intensity of the
competition for acting jobs, and end up taking
3^ menial jobs because they have t o support
themselves. 'British actresses think Los Angeles is
the land of opportunity,' she explains. 'They see
icons like Kate Winslet and think it's possible t o be
successful here. But for every one that makes it,
there are thousands w h o end up doing dead-end
jobs. Many get stuck here because they don't want
to go home again, not so much because they can't
afford it, but because that wouId be admitting
defeat - they'd risk losing face.'
In spite of the Constant rejection, Rachael keeps
going. 'l'm passionate about acting and I think l've
reached a standard where I can prove l'm a good
actress,' she explains. 'But I do get down
sometimes. That's when I cry on the phone t o
Mum, w h o talks me out of packing my bags and
makes me realise I need to strive harder. There
isn't a day that goes by when I don't wonder if I
made the right decision to come here, but then a
big audition comes up, or someone introduces me
to a useful contact, and I realise how lucky I am.'
Rachael always wanted to act. She studied drama
at Liverpool University before spending t w o years
at the American Academy of Dramatic Aris,
winning their best actress award. It was an
instructor there w h o suggested she try her luck in
movies. Four years later, even though she has yet
to secure an acting role, she stili feels she is doing
the right thing. 'I know it takes time to make it
here. At this stage it's ali about contacts. A week
ago, 1 had a meeting with a production company,
and they've asked me t o audition for a part in a
possible film in t w o years' time. It's a long way off,
but this couid be where the ball starts rolling. It's
like any goal you set yourself - you get so far and
you can't give up.'
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*There are photocopiable Answer Sheets in the Teacher's Resource Book.
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1
What does Rachael find disheartening about auditions?
A Too many actors are invited.
B The wrong type of actors are invited.
C The organisers are insincere in their comments.
^ D The organisers refuse to give feedback on her performance.
2
The phrase 'the one' in line 19 refers to
A a social occasion Rachel attended.
B a picture Rachel has sent someone.
C an audition that Rachel remembers.
D a piece of equipment Rachel uses.
3
What does Rachael say about her job at the talent agency?
A She's not really suited to it.
B She finds it relatively rewarding.
C It's not as well-paid as waitressing.
D It's something she just does for the money
4
What are 'menial jobs' (line 34)?
A jobs with iow status
B jobs with good salaries
C jobs which provide useful contacts
D jobs for which there's lots of competition
5
According to Rachael, why do unsuccessful actresses stay in Los Angeles?
A They get used to the lifestyle.
B They are too proud to admit defeat.
C They lack the money to go back home.
D The have found alternative careers there.
6
On the phone, Rachael's mother often
A encourages her to keep on trying.
B tries to persuade her to return home.
C questions decisions that Rachael has made.
D makes useful suggestions about Rachael's career
7
Why did Rachael initially come to Hollywood?
A as part of her university course
B on the advice of one of her teachers
C in order to receive an award she had won
D because she was being considered for a film role
8
How does Rachael feei about her latest audition?
A unsure whether it's worth attending
B encouraged by the timing of the project
C doubtful about the people she's aiready met
D optimistic about her chances of succeeding