Reading comprehension (II, Form 8)

   Read the text. Choose the correct answer.

Do you want to be on TV or in a film? Well, if you do, then why not become an extra? Extras play a very small part in a film or TV programme. They don’t usually speak. However, they may have to walk across the set or stand with other extras as part of a crowd.

There are many agencies that are always looking for extras and some of them are online, so it’s easy to apply wherever you live. You usually just need to fill in an application form and send in some photos. TV and film directors often want extras who have a particular look. For example, they may want women with long hair for period dramas and people who look a bit scary for horror films, so try to think about the kind of programme that you’d like to be in when you’re choosing which photos to send.

So imagine you get a call to say a director wants you in their next film. You’re really excited, but what happens next? Well, don’t be anxious about how you’ll look on screen, as the company will do lots of work on you when you arrive on the set. You might have to wear your own clothes, but don’t worry about your hair and make-up as there will be staff to make you look perfect for the role.

Now, although it all sounds really exciting, be prepared to sit around for a lot of the day, waiting until you are needed for your scene. The time can go very slowly if you don’t have anything to do, so it’s a good idea to take a book with you on any job that you get. Take some food and drink, too – you’ll probably get lunch, but remember it’ll be a long day!

Most extras can earn about £90 to £110 a day. This isn’t very good for the number of hours that you need to be available, but for the actual work that you do, it’s OK. However, people usually become an extra for the chance to be on the big screen rather than for the money. Some people hope that it may lead to a real acting part. This doesn’t happen very often, but there are some stories of extras becoming famous because a director saw them on a film set. However, even if you continue to just be an extra, you might get to see one of your favourite Hollywood actors one day, and it will definitely be something to tell all your friends about! 

      What is the best title for the article?

   Read the text. Choose the correct answer.

Do you want to be on TV or in a film? Well, if you do, then why not become an extra? Extras play a very small part in a film or TV programme. They don’t usually speak. However, they may have to walk across the set or stand with other extras as part of a crowd.

There are many agencies that are always looking for extras and some of them are online, so it’s easy to apply wherever you live. You usually just need to fill in an application form and send in some photos. TV and film directors often want extras who have a particular look. For example, they may want women with long hair for period dramas and people who look a bit scary for horror films, so try to think about the kind of programme that you’d like to be in when you’re choosing which photos to send.

So imagine you get a call to say a director wants you in their next film. You’re really excited, but what happens next? Well, don’t be anxious about how you’ll look on screen, as the company will do lots of work on you when you arrive on the set. You might have to wear your own clothes, but don’t worry about your hair and make-up as there will be staff to make you look perfect for the role.

Now, although it all sounds really exciting, be prepared to sit around for a lot of the day, waiting until you are needed for your scene. The time can go very slowly if you don’t have anything to do, so it’s a good idea to take a book with you on any job that you get. Take some food and drink, too – you’ll probably get lunch, but remember it’ll be a long day!

Most extras can earn about £90 to £110 a day. This isn’t very good for the number of hours that you need to be available, but for the actual work that you do, it’s OK. However, people usually become an extra for the chance to be on the big screen rather than for the money. Some people hope that it may lead to a real acting part. This doesn’t happen very often, but there are some stories of extras becoming famous because a director saw them on a film set. However, even if you continue to just be an extra, you might get to see one of your favourite Hollywood actors one day, and it will definitely be something to tell all your friends about! 

       The writer suggests that you will get an ‘extra’ job if

   Read the text. Choose the correct answer.

Do you want to be on TV or in a film? Well, if you do, then why not become an extra? Extras play a very small part in a film or TV programme. They don’t usually speak. However, they may have to walk across the set or stand with other extras as part of a crowd.

There are many agencies that are always looking for extras and some of them are online, so it’s easy to apply wherever you live. You usually just need to fill in an application form and send in some photos. TV and film directors often want extras who have a particular look. For example, they may want women with long hair for period dramas and people who look a bit scary for horror films, so try to think about the kind of programme that you’d like to be in when you’re choosing which photos to send.

So imagine you get a call to say a director wants you in their next film. You’re really excited, but what happens next? Well, don’t be anxious about how you’ll look on screen, as the company will do lots of work on you when you arrive on the set. You might have to wear your own clothes, but don’t worry about your hair and make-up as there will be staff to make you look perfect for the role.

Now, although it all sounds really exciting, be prepared to sit around for a lot of the day, waiting until you are needed for your scene. The time can go very slowly if you don’t have anything to do, so it’s a good idea to take a book with you on any job that you get. Take some food and drink, too – you’ll probably get lunch, but remember it’ll be a long day!

Most extras can earn about £90 to £110 a day. This isn’t very good for the number of hours that you need to be available, but for the actual work that you do, it’s OK. However, people usually become an extra for the chance to be on the big screen rather than for the money. Some people hope that it may lead to a real acting part. This doesn’t happen very often, but there are some stories of extras becoming famous because a director saw them on a film set. However, even if you continue to just be an extra, you might get to see one of your favourite Hollywood actors one day, and it will definitely be something to tell all your friends about! 

The writer says that if you get a part, you may need to

   Read the text. Choose the correct answer.

Do you want to be on TV or in a film? Well, if you do, then why not become an extra? Extras play a very small part in a film or TV programme. They don’t usually speak. However, they may have to walk across the set or stand with other extras as part of a crowd.

There are many agencies that are always looking for extras and some of them are online, so it’s easy to apply wherever you live. You usually just need to fill in an application form and send in some photos. TV and film directors often want extras who have a particular look. For example, they may want women with long hair for period dramas and people who look a bit scary for horror films, so try to think about the kind of programme that you’d like to be in when you’re choosing which photos to send.

So imagine you get a call to say a director wants you in their next film. You’re really excited, but what happens next? Well, don’t be anxious about how you’ll look on screen, as the company will do lots of work on you when you arrive on the set. You might have to wear your own clothes, but don’t worry about your hair and make-up as there will be staff to make you look perfect for the role.

Now, although it all sounds really exciting, be prepared to sit around for a lot of the day, waiting until you are needed for your scene. The time can go very slowly if you don’t have anything to do, so it’s a good idea to take a book with you on any job that you get. Take some food and drink, too – you’ll probably get lunch, but remember it’ll be a long day!

Most extras can earn about £90 to £110 a day. This isn’t very good for the number of hours that you need to be available, but for the actual work that you do, it’s OK. However, people usually become an extra for the chance to be on the big screen rather than for the money. Some people hope that it may lead to a real acting part. This doesn’t happen very often, but there are some stories of extras becoming famous because a director saw them on a film set. However, even if you continue to just be an extra, you might get to see one of your favourite Hollywood actors one day, and it will definitely be something to tell all your friends about! 

   What does the writer think is a benefit of being an extra? 

   Read the text. Choose the correct answer.

Do you want to be on TV or in a film? Well, if you do, then why not become an extra? Extras play a very small part in a film or TV programme. They don’t usually speak. However, they may have to walk across the set or stand with other extras as part of a crowd.

There are many agencies that are always looking for extras and some of them are online, so it’s easy to apply wherever you live. You usually just need to fill in an application form and send in some photos. TV and film directors often want extras who have a particular look. For example, they may want women with long hair for period dramas and people who look a bit scary for horror films, so try to think about the kind of programme that you’d like to be in when you’re choosing which photos to send.

So imagine you get a call to say a director wants you in their next film. You’re really excited, but what happens next? Well, don’t be anxious about how you’ll look on screen, as the company will do lots of work on you when you arrive on the set. You might have to wear your own clothes, but don’t worry about your hair and make-up as there will be staff to make you look perfect for the role.

Now, although it all sounds really exciting, be prepared to sit around for a lot of the day, waiting until you are needed for your scene. The time can go very slowly if you don’t have anything to do, so it’s a good idea to take a book with you on any job that you get. Take some food and drink, too – you’ll probably get lunch, but remember it’ll be a long day!

Most extras can earn about £90 to £110 a day. This isn’t very good for the number of hours that you need to be available, but for the actual work that you do, it’s OK. However, people usually become an extra for the chance to be on the big screen rather than for the money. Some people hope that it may lead to a real acting part. This doesn’t happen very often, but there are some stories of extras becoming famous because a director saw them on a film set. However, even if you continue to just be an extra, you might get to see one of your favourite Hollywood actors one day, and it will definitely be something to tell all your friends about! 

     What does the writer think about the job of an extra?

   Read the text. Are the statements true or false?

Singing in the rain

You wake up in the morning and there’s snow on the ground, but on the walk to school the sun comes out and it feels like summer. You go outside at lunchtime because it’s still sunny, but you get caught in a thunderstorm. On your way home, it’s so hot that you have to take off your jumper. Does it sound familiar? If it does, then you probably live in the UK.

The weather in the UK is unpredictable, and this is partly because of the location of the British Isles. Cold polar air from the north and warmer air from the Tropics, brought by the Gulf Stream, push against each other to create the UK's changeable weather patterns.

This means that weather forecasting in the UK is a difficult job, and the people who do it can have embarrassing moments. For example, in 1987, weather forecasters missed a huge storm that was coming towards the UK. There was no mention of the storm during the daytime weather forecast, but later that night, a place called Sevenoaks near London lost six of its seven famous oak trees when the strong wind blew them down.

These days, UK weather forecasters usually know about extreme weather that is about to hit the country, and they also try not to make unrealistic predictions about the weather. For example, they don’t say that there’s going to be a ‘barbecue summer’ (a very hot summer when people can cook outside all the time) or a freezing winter, because usually the opposite happens. They now only forecast a maximum of five days, and people don’t even trust that – they check regularly to see if a forecast is still correct.

You may think that living with this sort of weather every day makes people unhappy, but actually it has an unexpected effect on a lot of people in the UK. They tend to get more excited by sunshine than most people. They are likely to change into summer clothes whenever they see the sun, whether it is August or December. They don’t mind the rain and they’re always prepared for it, with their waterproof coats, boots and umbrellas ready by the front door. They also know how to have a good time despite the weather. Rainy summers are so common that people try not to let the weather spoil their fun. In fact, for some people, particularly young children, the rain can be fun, and you may even find them singing in the rain!

The UK’s position causes changes in the weather.

   Read the text. Are the statements true or false?

Singing in the rain

You wake up in the morning and there’s snow on the ground, but on the walk to school the sun comes out and it feels like summer. You go outside at lunchtime because it’s still sunny, but you get caught in a thunderstorm. On your way home, it’s so hot that you have to take off your jumper. Does it sound familiar? If it does, then you probably live in the UK.

The weather in the UK is unpredictable, and this is partly because of the location of the British Isles. Cold polar air from the north and warmer air from the Tropics, brought by the Gulf Stream, push against each other to create the UK's changeable weather patterns.

This means that weather forecasting in the UK is a difficult job, and the people who do it can have embarrassing moments. For example, in 1987, weather forecasters missed a huge storm that was coming towards the UK. There was no mention of the storm during the daytime weather forecast, but later that night, a place called Sevenoaks near London lost six of its seven famous oak trees when the strong wind blew them down.

These days, UK weather forecasters usually know about extreme weather that is about to hit the country, and they also try not to make unrealistic predictions about the weather. For example, they don’t say that there’s going to be a ‘barbecue summer’ (a very hot summer when people can cook outside all the time) or a freezing winter, because usually the opposite happens. They now only forecast a maximum of five days, and people don’t even trust that – they check regularly to see if a forecast is still correct.

You may think that living with this sort of weather every day makes people unhappy, but actually it has an unexpected effect on a lot of people in the UK. They tend to get more excited by sunshine than most people. They are likely to change into summer clothes whenever they see the sun, whether it is August or December. They don’t mind the rain and they’re always prepared for it, with their waterproof coats, boots and umbrellas ready by the front door. They also know how to have a good time despite the weather. Rainy summers are so common that people try not to let the weather spoil their fun. In fact, for some people, particularly young children, the rain can be fun, and you may even find them singing in the rain!

In 1987, forecasters warned people about a storm.

   Read the text. Are the statements true or false?

Singing in the rain

You wake up in the morning and there’s snow on the ground, but on the walk to school the sun comes out and it feels like summer. You go outside at lunchtime because it’s still sunny, but you get caught in a thunderstorm. On your way home, it’s so hot that you have to take off your jumper. Does it sound familiar? If it does, then you probably live in the UK.

The weather in the UK is unpredictable, and this is partly because of the location of the British Isles. Cold polar air from the north and warmer air from the Tropics, brought by the Gulf Stream, push against each other to create the UK's changeable weather patterns.

This means that weather forecasting in the UK is a difficult job, and the people who do it can have embarrassing moments. For example, in 1987, weather forecasters missed a huge storm that was coming towards the UK. There was no mention of the storm during the daytime weather forecast, but later that night, a place called Sevenoaks near London lost six of its seven famous oak trees when the strong wind blew them down.

These days, UK weather forecasters usually know about extreme weather that is about to hit the country, and they also try not to make unrealistic predictions about the weather. For example, they don’t say that there’s going to be a ‘barbecue summer’ (a very hot summer when people can cook outside all the time) or a freezing winter, because usually the opposite happens. They now only forecast a maximum of five days, and people don’t even trust that – they check regularly to see if a forecast is still correct.

You may think that living with this sort of weather every day makes people unhappy, but actually it has an unexpected effect on a lot of people in the UK. They tend to get more excited by sunshine than most people. They are likely to change into summer clothes whenever they see the sun, whether it is August or December. They don’t mind the rain and they’re always prepared for it, with their waterproof coats, boots and umbrellas ready by the front door. They also know how to have a good time despite the weather. Rainy summers are so common that people try not to let the weather spoil their fun. In fact, for some people, particularly young children, the rain can be fun, and you may even find them singing in the rain!

In the storm, Sevenoaks lost most of its famous trees.

   Read the text. Are the statements true or false?

Singing in the rain

You wake up in the morning and there’s snow on the ground, but on the walk to school the sun comes out and it feels like summer. You go outside at lunchtime because it’s still sunny, but you get caught in a thunderstorm. On your way home, it’s so hot that you have to take off your jumper. Does it sound familiar? If it does, then you probably live in the UK.

The weather in the UK is unpredictable, and this is partly because of the location of the British Isles. Cold polar air from the north and warmer air from the Tropics, brought by the Gulf Stream, push against each other to create the UK's changeable weather patterns.

This means that weather forecasting in the UK is a difficult job, and the people who do it can have embarrassing moments. For example, in 1987, weather forecasters missed a huge storm that was coming towards the UK. There was no mention of the storm during the daytime weather forecast, but later that night, a place called Sevenoaks near London lost six of its seven famous oak trees when the strong wind blew them down.

These days, UK weather forecasters usually know about extreme weather that is about to hit the country, and they also try not to make unrealistic predictions about the weather. For example, they don’t say that there’s going to be a ‘barbecue summer’ (a very hot summer when people can cook outside all the time) or a freezing winter, because usually the opposite happens. They now only forecast a maximum of five days, and people don’t even trust that – they check regularly to see if a forecast is still correct.

You may think that living with this sort of weather every day makes people unhappy, but actually it has an unexpected effect on a lot of people in the UK. They tend to get more excited by sunshine than most people. They are likely to change into summer clothes whenever they see the sun, whether it is August or December. They don’t mind the rain and they’re always prepared for it, with their waterproof coats, boots and umbrellas ready by the front door. They also know how to have a good time despite the weather. Rainy summers are so common that people try not to let the weather spoil their fun. In fact, for some people, particularly young children, the rain can be fun, and you may even find them singing in the rain!

UK weather forecasters make promises about the weather.

   Read the text. Are the statements true or false?

Singing in the rain

You wake up in the morning and there’s snow on the ground, but on the walk to school the sun comes out and it feels like summer. You go outside at lunchtime because it’s still sunny, but you get caught in a thunderstorm. On your way home, it’s so hot that you have to take off your jumper. Does it sound familiar? If it does, then you probably live in the UK.

The weather in the UK is unpredictable, and this is partly because of the location of the British Isles. Cold polar air from the north and warmer air from the Tropics, brought by the Gulf Stream, push against each other to create the UK's changeable weather patterns.

This means that weather forecasting in the UK is a difficult job, and the people who do it can have embarrassing moments. For example, in 1987, weather forecasters missed a huge storm that was coming towards the UK. There was no mention of the storm during the daytime weather forecast, but later that night, a place called Sevenoaks near London lost six of its seven famous oak trees when the strong wind blew them down.

These days, UK weather forecasters usually know about extreme weather that is about to hit the country, and they also try not to make unrealistic predictions about the weather. For example, they don’t say that there’s going to be a ‘barbecue summer’ (a very hot summer when people can cook outside all the time) or a freezing winter, because usually the opposite happens. They now only forecast a maximum of five days, and people don’t even trust that – they check regularly to see if a forecast is still correct.

You may think that living with this sort of weather every day makes people unhappy, but actually it has an unexpected effect on a lot of people in the UK. They tend to get more excited by sunshine than most people. They are likely to change into summer clothes whenever they see the sun, whether it is August or December. They don’t mind the rain and they’re always prepared for it, with their waterproof coats, boots and umbrellas ready by the front door. They also know how to have a good time despite the weather. Rainy summers are so common that people try not to let the weather spoil their fun. In fact, for some people, particularly young children, the rain can be fun, and you may even find them singing in the rain!

UK weather forecasters make promises about the weather.

   Read the text. Are the statements true or false?

Singing in the rain

You wake up in the morning and there’s snow on the ground, but on the walk to school the sun comes out and it feels like summer. You go outside at lunchtime because it’s still sunny, but you get caught in a thunderstorm. On your way home, it’s so hot that you have to take off your jumper. Does it sound familiar? If it does, then you probably live in the UK.

The weather in the UK is unpredictable, and this is partly because of the location of the British Isles. Cold polar air from the north and warmer air from the Tropics, brought by the Gulf Stream, push against each other to create the UK's changeable weather patterns.

This means that weather forecasting in the UK is a difficult job, and the people who do it can have embarrassing moments. For example, in 1987, weather forecasters missed a huge storm that was coming towards the UK. There was no mention of the storm during the daytime weather forecast, but later that night, a place called Sevenoaks near London lost six of its seven famous oak trees when the strong wind blew them down.

These days, UK weather forecasters usually know about extreme weather that is about to hit the country, and they also try not to make unrealistic predictions about the weather. For example, they don’t say that there’s going to be a ‘barbecue summer’ (a very hot summer when people can cook outside all the time) or a freezing winter, because usually the opposite happens. They now only forecast a maximum of five days, and people don’t even trust that – they check regularly to see if a forecast is still correct.

You may think that living with this sort of weather every day makes people unhappy, but actually it has an unexpected effect on a lot of people in the UK. They tend to get more excited by sunshine than most people. They are likely to change into summer clothes whenever they see the sun, whether it is August or December. They don’t mind the rain and they’re always prepared for it, with their waterproof coats, boots and umbrellas ready by the front door. They also know how to have a good time despite the weather. Rainy summers are so common that people try not to let the weather spoil their fun. In fact, for some people, particularly young children, the rain can be fun, and you may even find them singing in the rain!

The writer says people in the UK expect rain in the summer.