READING: Michael Jackson

I. Read the passage and fill in the blanks

consisted emotions signed guitarist
crane operator group joined
played recorded spent failed
pushed performers manager album

Michael Joseph Jackson was born on August 29, 1958, in Gary, Indiana, to
an African-American working-class family. His father, Joseph Jackson, had
been a (1)..…………….but had put aside his musical aspirations to provide for
his family as a (2)………………... Believing his sons had talent, he molded them
into a musical (3)……………in the early 1960s. At first, the Jackson Family performers (4)………………of
Michael's older brothers, Tito, Jermaine and Jackie. Michael (5)…………….his siblings when he was 5 years
old, and emerged as the group's lead vocalist. He showed remarkable range and depth for such a young
performer, impressing audiences with his ability to convey complex (6)……………... Older brother Marlon
also became a member of the group, which evolved into the Jackson 5.

Behind the scenes, Joseph Jackson (7)…………. his sons to succeed. He was also reportedly
known to become violent with them. Michael and his brothers (8)………….endless hours rehearsing and
polishing up their act. At first, the Jackson 5 (9)………………local gigs. They (10)…………… one single on
their own, "Big Boy" but it (11)………………to generate much interest.
The Jackson 5 moved on to working an opening act for such R&B artists as Gladys Knight and
the Pips... Many of these(12)…………….. were signed to the legendary Motown record label, and it has
been reported that Gladys Knight may have been the one to tell Motown founder Berry Gordy about the
Jackson 5. Impressed by the group, Gordy (13)…………..them to his label in 1968.
Relocating to Los Angeles, Michael and his brothers started work on their music and dancing with
their father as their (14)…………... They lived with Gordy and also with Supremes singer Diana Ross when
they first arrived there. In August 1969, the Jackson 5 was introduced to the music industry at a special
event, and later served as the opening act for the Supremes. Their first (15)…………., Diana Ross Presents
the Jackson 5, hit the charts in December of that year. It's first single, "I Want You Back," hit No. 1 on
the Billboard Hot 100 chart in January 1970.
- After reading, decide if the following statements are true (T) or false (F).
Underline your answers in the text.
16. Michael Joseph Jackson was born in America.
17. Michael’s father was a singer.
18. The first single of the Jackson 5 was not successful.
19. The Jackson 5 signed contract with Diana Ross in 1968
20. The Jackson 5 was introduced to the music industrry in 1970.

Keys
1. Guitarist 2. crane operator 3. group
4. consisted 5. joined 6.emotions
7. pushed 8.spent 9.played
10. recorded 11.failed 12.performers
13. signed 14.manager 15.album

16. F 17. F 18. T 19.F 20. F