CHOOSE FROM THE PEOPLE (A-D). THE PEOPLE MAY BE CHOSEN MORE THAN O...

10, choose from the people (A-D). The people may be chosen more than once. When more than one

answer is required, these may be given in any order. There is an example at the beginning (0).

- I didn’t listen to others’ advice.

0. ..B..

- I thought I’d be famous one day.

1. ..……

2.……….

- My taste in music was different from

3. ..……

everyone else’s.

- I regretted a decision I made.

4. ………..

- I sometimes found it difficult to concentrate.

5……….

- The more confident I became, the better I

6. ………….

performed.

- I performed my own material.

7. …………..

8. ……….

- My family was more important to me

9. ………..

than music.

- I’d like to live a more stable life.

10. ……..

Making music

Getting into the music business isn’t easy. We asked four different musicians to tell us about

their experiences.

A. Martin – Country and western singer - 17 years old

I always used to sing along to my granddad’s old country and western records, and when I got a

guitar for my eighth birthday, they were the first tunes I played. My mates were all into Madonna

and Michael Jackson so, of course, they thought I was a bit strange. At the age of ten I began

writing songs and when I was 13, I started taking part in talent contests. Things didn’t go too well

at first, partly because audiences didn’t know the words to the song I’d written, but mostly

because of nerves. I gradually lost them, though, as I got used to being on stage, and so my

playing and singing improved. I won my first contest when I was 15 and I’ve just signed a record

deal.

B.

Natasha – Violinist - 34 years old

When I was just seven, I was accepted into a music conservatory in Moscow and had to spend

four or five hours a day practising. That’s a long time for someone of that age to keep their mind

on something as intense as that, and I didn’t always succeed. Friends and family tried to put me

off becoming a professional musician because it’s such a hard life. They’re right of course but I’m

glad I ignored them. Now, as I get older, I want to move away from performing and the constant

tours, and start composing my own music. It’ll also be easier to start my own family if I have a

more permanent home.

C. Pete – Guitarist and singer - 50 years old

When I was 16, I played the lead guitar in a band, doing versions of songs by The Beatles and

The Stones. The other guys in the group seemed to think our chances of success were slim, but I

took no notice. I was confident I’d make a name for myself one day, with or without the rest of the

band. I left when I was 20 to become a session musician, which was a mistake, I realized

afterward, as it took me away from the one place I wanted to be – the stage. Then my wife and I

had two children and I decided to put them first and got a more stable job in a bank. Now they are

both grown up, I’ve started performing again – songs I write myself, this time. I play the local pubs

and clubs at weekends only, which is enough for me at my age!

D. Jake – Rap singer - 19 years old

I remembered when I was five and I sang a couple of songs on the karaoke machine at my

uncle’s 30th birthday party. When I finished, everyone cheered and came up and gave me hugs

and kisses. ‘This is good,' I thought, ‘I could get used to this!’ Then at school, I performed in plays

and musicals – always the lead part, of course – and once again, the audience’s reaction made

me feel good. I think I knew at that stage I was going to be a star. It was just a question of time.

III. Read the text below and fill each blank with ONE word. Write your answers in the box

provided. (10 marks)

Answers

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