Read the selection. Then, answer the questions that follow.
If you are considering a career as a television or movie actor, don’t expect a glamorous life. First,
you’ll need a professional agent who will help your career by arranging auditions, giving advice,
and providing information about the industry. But even a great agent can’t guarantee you a
profitable career. When they start out, most actors must take extra jobs as waiters, bartenders, or
caterers to pay their bills. The lucky ones may be tapped for bit parts, such as passersby on the
sidewalk in an urban street scene. Others may be selected to play roles such as doctors,
homeowners, or office workers in television advertisements. Those with especially attractive
hands might appear in jewelry commercials, and those with shiny, flowing hair might be chosen
to appear in spots promoting shampoo. Although such opportunities are often fun and exciting,
most young actors accept the fact that their chances for becoming truly famous are slim.
However, they are driven by a will to succeed, and a few actually realize their dreams. While
waiting for that “big break,” they learn to deal with disappointment, and they must try to be as
patient as possible. They know that they will never live contented lives if they ignore their
passion for the theater.
1. Why should someone considering a career as an actor not expect a glamorous life?

Read the selection. Then, answer the questions that follow.
If you are considering a career as a television or movie actor, don’t expect a glamorous life. First,
you’ll need a professional agent who will help your career by arranging auditions, giving advice,
and providing information about the industry. But even a great agent can’t guarantee you a
profitable career. When they start out, most actors must take extra jobs as waiters, bartenders, or
caterers to pay their bills. The lucky ones may be tapped for bit parts, such as passersby on the
sidewalk in an urban street scene. Others may be selected to play roles such as doctors,
homeowners, or office workers in television advertisements. Those with especially attractive
hands might appear in jewelry commercials, and those with shiny, flowing hair might be chosen
to appear in spots promoting shampoo. Although such opportunities are often fun and exciting,
most young actors accept the fact that their chances for becoming truly famous are slim.
However, they are driven by a will to succeed, and a few actually realize their dreams. While
waiting for that “big break,” they learn to deal with disappointment, and they must try to be as
patient as possible. They know that they will never live contented lives if they ignore their
passion for the theater.
2.While trying to establish acting careers, why must most people take extra jobs to pay
their bills?

Read the selection. Then, answer the questions that follow.
If you are considering a career as a television or movie actor, don’t expect a glamorous life. First,
you’ll need a professional agent who will help your career by arranging auditions, giving advice,
and providing information about the industry. But even a great agent can’t guarantee you a
profitable career. When they start out, most actors must take extra jobs as waiters, bartenders, or
caterers to pay their bills. The lucky ones may be tapped for bit parts, such as passersby on the
sidewalk in an urban street scene. Others may be selected to play roles such as doctors,
homeowners, or office workers in television advertisements. Those with especially attractive
hands might appear in jewelry commercials, and those with shiny, flowing hair might be chosen
to appear in spots promoting shampoo. Although such opportunities are often fun and exciting,
most young actors accept the fact that their chances for becoming truly famous are slim.
However, they are driven by a will to succeed, and a few actually realize their dreams. While
waiting for that “big break,” they learn to deal with disappointment, and they must try to be as
patient as possible. They know that they will never live contented lives if they ignore their
passion for the theater.
3. An example of a “bit part” in a movie is a passerby on the sidewalk in an urban
street scene. What is a “bit part”?

Read the selection. Then, answer the questions that follow.
If you are considering a career as a television or movie actor, don’t expect a glamorous life. First,
you’ll need a professional agent who will help your career by arranging auditions, giving advice,
and providing information about the industry. But even a great agent can’t guarantee you a
profitable career. When they start out, most actors must take extra jobs as waiters, bartenders, or
caterers to pay their bills. The lucky ones may be tapped for bit parts, such as passersby on the
sidewalk in an urban street scene. Others may be selected to play roles such as doctors,
homeowners, or office workers in television advertisements. Those with especially attractive
hands might appear in jewelry commercials, and those with shiny, flowing hair might be chosen
to appear in spots promoting shampoo. Although such opportunities are often fun and exciting,
most young actors accept the fact that their chances for becoming truly famous are slim.
However, they are driven by a will to succeed, and a few actually realize their dreams. While
waiting for that “big break,” they learn to deal with disappointment, and they must try to be as
patient as possible. They know that they will never live contented lives if they ignore their
passion for the theater.
4. Which type of people has the best chance for winning roles in jewelry commercials?

Read the selection. Then, answer the questions that follow.
If you are considering a career as a television or movie actor, don’t expect a glamorous life. First,
you’ll need a professional agent who will help your career by arranging auditions, giving advice,
and providing information about the industry. But even a great agent can’t guarantee you a
profitable career. When they start out, most actors must take extra jobs as waiters, bartenders, or
caterers to pay their bills. The lucky ones may be tapped for bit parts, such as passersby on the
sidewalk in an urban street scene. Others may be selected to play roles such as doctors,
homeowners, or office workers in television advertisements. Those with especially attractive
hands might appear in jewelry commercials, and those with shiny, flowing hair might be chosen
to appear in spots promoting shampoo. Although such opportunities are often fun and exciting,
most young actors accept the fact that their chances for becoming truly famous are slim.
However, they are driven by a will to succeed, and a few actually realize their dreams. While
waiting for that “big break,” they learn to deal with disappointment, and they must try to be as
patient as possible. They know that they will never live contented lives if they ignore their
passion for the theater.
5. Which of the following is the best synonym for spots, as it is used in this sentence:
People with attractive hair are often chosen for spots promoting shampoo

Read the selection. Then, answer the questions that follow.
If you are considering a career as a television or movie actor, don’t expect a glamorous life. First,
you’ll need a professional agent who will help your career by arranging auditions, giving advice,
and providing information about the industry. But even a great agent can’t guarantee you a
profitable career. When they start out, most actors must take extra jobs as waiters, bartenders, or
caterers to pay their bills. The lucky ones may be tapped for bit parts, such as passersby on the
sidewalk in an urban street scene. Others may be selected to play roles such as doctors,
homeowners, or office workers in television advertisements. Those with especially attractive
hands might appear in jewelry commercials, and those with shiny, flowing hair might be chosen
to appear in spots promoting shampoo. Although such opportunities are often fun and exciting,
most young actors accept the fact that their chances for becoming truly famous are slim.
However, they are driven by a will to succeed, and a few actually realize their dreams. While
waiting for that “big break,” they learn to deal with disappointment, and they must try to be as
patient as possible. They know that they will never live contented lives if they ignore their
passion for the theater.
6. What makes young actors keep trying, even though they may never find fame and
success?

Read the selection. Then, answer the questions that follow.
If you are considering a career as a television or movie actor, don’t expect a glamorous life. First,
you’ll need a professional agent who will help your career by arranging auditions, giving advice,
and providing information about the industry. But even a great agent can’t guarantee you a
profitable career. When they start out, most actors must take extra jobs as waiters, bartenders, or
caterers to pay their bills. The lucky ones may be tapped for bit parts, such as passersby on the
sidewalk in an urban street scene. Others may be selected to play roles such as doctors,
homeowners, or office workers in television advertisements. Those with especially attractive
hands might appear in jewelry commercials, and those with shiny, flowing hair might be chosen
to appear in spots promoting shampoo. Although such opportunities are often fun and exciting,
most young actors accept the fact that their chances for becoming truly famous are slim.
However, they are driven by a will to succeed, and a few actually realize their dreams. While
waiting for that “big break,” they learn to deal with disappointment, and they must try to be as
patient as possible. They know that they will never live contented lives if they ignore their
passion for the theater.
7. What is the meaning of the idiom big break in the sentence Young actors wait for that
“big break”?

8. Identify the verb in the following sentence.
Brian memorized the opening line of his speech.

9. Identify the verb in the following sentence.
The injured man stumbled into the hospital.

10. Identify the verb in the following sentence.
Our dinner might have been ready by now.

11. Identify the adverb in the following sentence.
The tired little boy fell steadily behind

12. Identify the preposition in the following sentence.
Among his friends he numbers several prominent doctors.

13. Identify the subject in the following sentence.
Have the grandparents arrived yet?

14. Choose whether the following group of words is a sentence or a fragment.
She enjoys waffles and ice cream

15. Choose whether the following group of words is a sentence or a fragment.
My friends, my family, and my teachers.

Writing

The only opportunity many people have to see exotic or rare animals is in a zoo or other place
where the animals are held in captivity. Write a persuasive short essay paper about whether
keeping animals in captivity is a good idea or no. Be sure to clearly state your position and to
support it with reasons and facts.