Read Carefully the Text and Then Answer the Questions
Name:______Class______Date______
Entry TestTime: 50’
Read carefully the text and then answer the questions:
Why do we need celebrities?
I
One day, while trying to think of a celebrity to interview, I went through a philosophical crisis. I wondered : Why do we need celebrities? Who ever came up with the idea of making people into stars? And why do we idolize them?
II
People think my profession is so glamorous because I have the opportunity to interview stars. I have to admit that when I first started, I was extremely excited about that aspect of my job _ for the first couple of months at least. Then I noticed how celebrities would irritate me endlessly, rescheduling our interviews or completely backing out at the last minute. I could never get enough time with a celebrity to find out anything interesting, and when I met them, I often found them arrogant and rude.
III
I started becoming resentful about the way I was being treated, and was terribly disappointed to see that these people, whom I had worshipped from afar, were quite ordinary. So I decided I would just tell the truth about them instead of perpetuating the myth of their extraordinary talent and charismatic personalities. Now, if the celebrity is a fool, I say so. If I think anyone is stupid, untalented or pretentious, I do not hold back that information. I think most readers appreciate that kind of honesty. There are, of course, those that despise me for it.
IV
Often fans will talk about film stars such as Tom Hanks, Hugh Grant and Winona Ryder as being their heroes. However, a celebrity is not the same thing as a hero. Heroes existed long before celebrities ever did, even though celebrities now outshine heroes in the public consciousness. The traditional definition of a hero is someone who sacrifices himself or herself for a higher purpose: to save other people, support an idea, or even, in the case of religious figures, redeem mankind. Now what, I ask, are most films stars doing to redeem humanity? Nothing. Still they are adored.
V
As a result, people 1______talent become celebrities all 2______time. No one in my walk 3______life seems to care 4______achievement or talent, fame 5______the only objective. Everyone wants to be 6______, because in our society 7______are not considered a 8______unless you are famous, no 9______what your career. Even 10______related to someone famous 11______considered more desirable than 12______truly creative and talented,13______obscure.
VI
What is more, I have learned that worshipping celebrities leaves you with a distinctly empty feeling.
On the other hand, admiring true heroes inspires people to both help themselves and benefit society at large. In my opinion, one of the reasons we worship celebrities is that, as a whole, our society is not as committed as it once was. I don’t assume to have all the answers, but it seems that people need something to fulfill themselves _spirituality, art, or some other higher goal. Celebrity worship is a pure substitute.
1)Cloze test Fill in the text with the 13 missing words in paragraph # 5
2)Answer each question using no more than 3 lines
14)Why are celebrities adored by their fans?
15)Why did the journalist change his mind about celebrities?
16)Why does the author use the word “ worship”?
17)Can you find in the text a word related to the term “hero”, why does the author use it?
18)According to the author, what is the difference between a “star” and a “hero?
19)Why do people want to be famous?
3)Read carefully all the answers and then choose the right one. Remember that there is only one answer right
20) What irritates the author about stars?
a) their lack of consideration for other people
b) their being always late
c) their arrogance and rudeness
d) The impossibility to interview them
21) In the third paragraph with the word “fool” the author means a
a) Celebrity
b) Shakespearean character
c) Clever person
d) Stupid person
22) In the third paragraph “whom” refers to
a) The author
b) People
c) Celebrities
d) The reader
23) In the third paragraph a synonym of “from afar” can be
a) distant
b) from a distance
c) not so near
d) very far
24) The main goal of most celebrities is:
a) to cultivate their talent
b) to achieve fame
c) to have a brilliant career
d) to be creative and talented
4)Find in the text a synonym for
25) question, be curious of (paragraph # 1) ______
26) magnetic, alluring (paragraph # 2) ______
27) angry(paragraph # 3) ______
28) result (paragraph # 5) ______