FCE Practice Test Plus 1 Test 2 Paper 1 (Reading) Part 2

FCE Practice Test Plus 1

Test 2 Paper 1 (Reading) Part 2

You are going to read a magazine article about an artist. For Questions7-14, choose the correct answer A, B, C or D. Mark your answers on the separate answer sheet.

 

THE BALLET SCULPTOR Delicate figures ready to begin a dance or caught in mid-flight-these images dominate the work of sculptor Suzy Jordan

Young sculptor Suzy Jordan is fast developing an international reputation for her beautifully crafted figures which are made from a mixture of clay and metal. People love dancers, particularly ballet dancers, and Suzy has a fascination for them too. ”I used to long to be a dancer when I was younger: she says. 'There's something amazing about all those graceful movements that, unknown to the audience, can be 50 painful for the dancers. I'm glad I didn’t go in for It, but just watching them gives me 50 many ideas.” Suzy has been in touch with same leading ballet companies to see If they’ll allow her to sit and draw their dancers during rehearsal time. Her dream is to join forces with them, do a series of life-size sculptures and then hold an exhibition in the foyer of the theatre where the dancers perform. Most of her sculpture is of figures. 'If I get the chance to sculpt from life, it's really great because I can work more quickly and I'm not guessing shapes or turning to reference books: she told us. But most of her work has to be done from drawings. After graduating from Art School, Suzy taught drawing for a number of years before setting up as a sculptor, 50 at least she has the necessary skills. Most of Suzy's works are individually commissioned and one piece can take as long as four or five months to complete. Ali of the work is done in a small shed in the garden of her family home In the country. This tin space, about 3 square metres, contains her main worktop, plus all her other gear. Suzy uses terracotta clay to form her sculptures and applies a mixture of lacquer and crushed metal powder, usually bronze, on top. This makes her pieces less expensive than solid bronze figures would be. She then adds a layer of resin or wax to give her work an aged look.

One of Suzy's biggest commissions came from a school in Sweden. They wanted three specially designed life-size figures to suspend from the ceiling in their gymnasium. Hard to imagine how she did it, but each one was made In her garden shed. They had to be made of plaster 50 that they wouldn't be too heavy to hang up. Suzy traveled to Sweden with the sculptures to help direct their installation. One of the draw backs of working to commissions rather than on mass produced pieces is having to work out what sort of price to charge. 'I used to be such a softie: she confides. 'If someone fell in love with something I’d made, I’d accept a lower offer or let them pay for it in installment, just 50 that it went to a good home. But I've learnt not to do that anymore.' Suzy's work starts at around £100 for the smallest figures, but large sculptures can cost as much as £3000 each. But as she doesn't make copies of her work, each person has an original, 50 they must be worth having as an investment. As she explains, 'Ali artists want some kind of recognition for their work. I don't think many of us do it for the money. I have a friend who says she can't wait to see my work in ten years and see how it's progressed. I'm very lucky to be doing the sort of work where that kind of progression shows.

 

7	How does Suzy feel about dancers? A.    inspired by the way the move B.    upset by how much they suffer C.    sad that she didn't train to be one D.    impressed by how they react to audiences
8	Suzy has contacted certain ballet companies because she'd like to A.       find a job in a theatre. B.       sell sculptures to them. C.       be invited to performances. D.       co-operate in a joint project.
9	Why would Suzy prefer not to work from drawings? A.       She's not good at drawing. B.       Books advise against it C.       It takes a long time to do D.       She'd like to develop new skills.
10	What is a ‘worktop’ (line 29)? A.        a type of building B.        a piece of equipment C.        a surface to work on D.        an article of clothing
11	Why does Suzy not make her figures wholly from metal? A.       They would look too new. B.       They would cost too much. C.       It would make them too heavy. D.       It would require mare space
12	What does ’it’ in line 39 refer to? A.        producing the figures B.        designing the figures C.        delivering the figures D.        hanging the figures
13	Why has Suzy's attitude towards her work changed? A.        She now produces larger quantities. B.        She now only works to commission. C.        She no longer has problems selling it. D.        She has become more businesslike.
14	What does Suzy find satisfying about her work? A.       Each piece is unique. B.       She makes a good living. C.       Her work is rising in value. D.       People appreciate what she does.

 

ANSWER KEY

7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14
A	D	C	C	B	A	D	D