Do you like to live in the countryside or in the city? Why?

Read the passage carefully, then choose the correct option (marked A, B, C or D) to answer the questions.

In the 1960s, it took pop and rock groups one or two days to record their songs. Nowadays, it can take months and months. Many rock groups begin by recording only one instrument, for example, the voice. Then they record other instruments- electric piano, synthesizer, guitars, drums and so on.

Next, they might use a computer to add special effects. Finally, they “mix” all the instruments until they get the sound that they want. This means that a CD or cassette will always sound very different from a live concert.

Music engineers have developed a new computer programme that will change the future of music. A computer can analyse a singer’s voice. Then if you give the computer the lyrics and music of a song, the computer can “sing” it in that voice. This means that a singer only needs to record one song and the computer can then sing other songs in the singer’s own voice. Singers can sing new songs many years after they have died.

Most of us listen to music for pleasure, but for the record companies, music is a product, the same as soap powder. When a record company finds a new group (or “band”), they first try to develop the band’s “profile”. They will try to create an “image” for the band that they think will attract young people. Instead of allowing the band’s full artistic freedom, they will often tell the band what they should wear, what they should say and how they should sing and play.

In recent year, many rock groups have started their own record companies because they say that the big companies are too commercial.

Today’s record procedure results in ________.

Which of the following is NOT true about the new computer programme?

Record companies don’t always ________.

A friend of yours has written to you, asking for some advice. He wants to visit your country for three weeks this summer and would like to know which places to visit, where to stay, what sights to see, and what clothes to bring. Write to him, giving as many suggestions as you can and mentioning any national customs that may seem strange to him.

I don't care if you'd had too much to drink. Your behavior last night was _________ (defend).

When a celebrity, a politician or other person in the media spotlight _____ their temper in public, they run the risk of hitting the headlines in a most embarassing way.