Part A. Reading Comprehension. Read the following text.

Where have all the heroes gone?

What is a celebrity? A celebrity is basically a famous person. Young people nowadays talk
about celebrities like Tiger Woods, Jennifer Lopez and Julia Roberts as their heroes. Yet, in
the past, heroes were people we admired because of their noble achievements. They were
people who sacrificed themselves for a higher purpose, to save other people or to support
an ideal. Martin Luther King is an American hero because of his struggle for civil rights. But
what has Tiger Woods or Jennifer Lopez done for humanity?
Real heroes have inspired people to make sacrifices or to achieve something worthwhile. Do
celebrities inspire us in this way? In contrast to heroes, some people with no special talent
have achieved fame without any sacrifice at all. Ridiculously, some celebrities like Ralph
Schumacher or Paris Hilton are famous only because they are relatives of famous people.
And what contribution to society have models such as Cindy Crawford or Naomi Campbell
made to deserve the attention they receive? Perhaps we care more about fame than noble
achievement?
People appear to be extremely interested in the lives of celebrities. Are our lives so dull and
empty that we need glamorous celebrities to brighten them up? Do we envy these people
for their success? Do we admire the fame, wealth and status they possess? Are these
qualities for which we should admire a person?
So, why do we really admire celebrities? Is it because they are no real traditional heroes any-
more and celebrities are the next best thing?
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1. For the following questions using your own words but taking into account the information in the
text. ( 2 points: 1 point each)
a) What type of people are celebrities nowadays?
b) Why are people interested in the lives of celebrities? Give 2 reasons.

2. Are the following statements true (T) or false (F)? Identify the part of the text that supports your
answer by copying the exact words on the answer sheet. (1.5 points: 0.5 each)
a) The writer of the article admires Martin Luther King.
b) People nowadays admire noble achievements.
c) Today’s celebrities don’t encourage us to make sacrifices.
 3. Find the synonym for each of the four words below from the six options.

Purpose sacrifice ideal brighten humanity dull

a) Belief
b) Boring
c) Aim
d) People

4. Choose A, B or C in the questions below. Only one choice is correct. (1.5 points: 0.5 each)

1. Traditional heroes ….
a) Cared about other people
b) Were always brave.
c) Are more popular than ever.
2. According to the writer, Paris Hilton …
a) Does not inspire respect
b) Has got a lot of talent.
c) Makes sacrifices.
3. Celebrities often …
a) Remind us that our lives are dull.
b) Are not talented people.
c) Are not real heroes.

PART B. Composition (130-150 words approximately) (4 points)

What are the advantages and disadvantages of being a celebrity?

ANSWERS

1a. nowadays, celebrities are famous actors, sports people and singers. They are rich and well-known.

1b. Noble achievement is less important than fame for many people.

People admire celebrity status and wealth.

Celebrities are the nearest thing to real heroes nowadays.

People need something to make their lives more interesting.

Some people are jealous of celebrities.

2a. T. Martin Luther King is an American hero …..

2b. F. in the past, heroes were people……. / perhaps we care ….

2c. T. In contrast to heroes …..

3a. ideal b. dull c. purpose d. humanity

4. aac