4th Year

Name:_____________________ Date:___________
READING
50 Cent
50 Cent is one of the most famous musical artists today. He was born Curtis James Jackson in New York
City in 1975 and was raised solely by his mother who gave birth to him at the age of 15. When he was 8 years
old, Curtis’ mother (who dealt cocaine) was murdered and he was sent to live with his grandparents.

With such a tumultuous childhood, it is hardly surprising that Curtis also began dealing drugs at the age
of 12. At this time, cocaine had garnered huge popularity in the United States and Curtis cashed in on this but
claims he never used cocaine himself. In 1994, Curtis was arrested for possession of narcotics and served 6
months in jail.

When he was released, Curtis took on the new nickname ’50 Cent’ and began focusing on his rapping
abilities. In 1997, he became father to a son whose name he has tattooed on his right shoulder. 50 Cent’s
popularity grew from this point until 2000, when he was shot 9 times at close-range outside his
grandmother’s house. As a result of this, 50 Cent spent 6 months recovering. When his wounds
had completely healed, many of the recording companies he worked with had forgotten him and in
2001 he was forced to go to Canada. It was at this point that 50 Cent’s music was heard by
another rap artist named Eminem. Eminem invited 50 Cent to California where they recorded 50
Cent’s famous Get Rich or Die Tryin’ album. This album went platinum many times over.

Today, 50 Cent lives in the US and has just released his third platinum-selling album
entitled Curtis. This album sold over 691,000 copies in its’ first week. During all this time he has
been working hard to be a good artist and a good father too.

1. Answer the questions

1. How old was Curtis’ mother when she gave birth to him?
________________________________________________________________
2. How did Curtis’ mother die?
______________________________________________________________________
3. Has he used drugs?
______________________________________________________________________
4. What did he tattoo on his shoulder?
______________________________________________________________________
5. Why did the recording companies forger him?
______________________________________________________________________

2. Order the events.

a) 50 Cent released his album Curtis.___ e) The recording companies forgot Curtis. ___
b) Curtis was arrested. ___ f) He had a son.___
c) Curtis’ mother died. ___ g) Curtis was shot.___
d) Eminem invited 50 Cent to record an album. ___ h) Curtis went to hospital.___

VOCABULARY
3. Circle the correct option.
1) Darling I need some ___ money, so let’s save.
a)spare b) frail c)fee 8) It’s raining! Fortunately I ___ my umbrella with me.
a) took b)brought c)went
2) Dear! Don’t walk alone in dark ___ . It’s very dangerous.
a) communal b) bright c)alleyways 9) My girlfriend ___ here to stay with me some days.
a) took b)came c)went
3) Football is sth really___ by all my family. We really love watching
it. 10) I will kill my kids! They ___ my mirror.
a) cherished b)proud c) close knit a) demolished b)noticed c)cracked

4) (On the phone) Mum, can you please ___ me the books I forgot? 11) My wife hates me. She ___to her mum’s house.
a) take b)bring c)come a) went b)came c)brought

5) My little sister loves watching films of ___ animals, like lions and 12) We are in a critical situation, we are almost
tigers. penniless. We have to live ___ for a while.
a) well-balanced b)wild c)frail a) frugally b) communal c)elderly

6) People get ___ at work. They get worried easily.

a) stressed b)amazed c) increased

7) Poverty is seen everyday at horrible ___ where poor people live.

a) single-storeys b)slums c)frugally
 4th Year

4. Complete the sentences with the right word from the box.
fall well-paid close-knit make do take
1) Luther has a _______________ job but it’s a boring job.
2) After Luther broke up with her girlfriend, he promised not to __________ in love again.
3) I’d like to __________ a photograph of this beautiful landscape.
4) My family is not ___________. We never talk to each other or meet.
5) I don’t know if I’ll pass the exam but I’ll __________ my best.
6) I had to _________ another appointment with the doctor because I’m not feeling well again.

GRAMMAR
5. Read the situations and write two sentences:

a) Anne started watching a film an hour ago. Now, she’s still watching it.
- (watch the film/for an hour) ________________________________________________________________
- (watch/half of the film) ____________________________________________________________________

b) John is driving his car from London to Stansted airport. He started driving twenty minutes ago.
- (drive/ for twenty minutes) _________________________________________________________________
- (cover/forty miles) ________________________________________________________________________

c) I’m travelling around the world. I began my journey four months ago.
- (travel/for four months) ____________________________________________________________________
- (visit/ten countries so far) __________________________________________________________________

d) Angela is a swimmer. She started competing two years ago.

- (compete/for two years) ___________________________________________________________________
- (win/nine competitions) ____________________________________________________________________

6. Ask questions for the following answers:

Diane: (1) _________________________________________________________?(How long/you/wait/here)
Desmond: I’ve been waiting here for two hours.
Patty: (2) _________________________________________________________? (How many/ novels/you/write)
Paul: I have already written two novels and a short story.
Claire: (3) __________________________________________________________?(How long/you/study)
Bea: I’ve been studying for two hours. I’m so tired!
Betty: (4)_____________________________________________________________? (How many /times /you
/be / shopping centre)
Carla: I have been to the new shopping centre twice.
John: _____________________________________________________________? (How much/you/spend/
supermarket)
Carla: I’ve spent forty pounds at the supermarket.

WRITTING
7. Choose a topic and write 200-250 words.
a) Write an autobiography. Include: words to join ideas (although, however, still, eventually, specially, suddenly,
etc)

b) Write a letter to an English friend. Answer: Where are you? Where are you staying? Why are you there? What
do you do each day? What do you do in your free time? Who have you met?