Oxford Exam Trainer B1 II Semester Reading

Our school always puts on an end-of-year play and this year it was the story of King Arthur. I have never acted in any of these plays because I’m a shy person – I have always only followed the text and my job has been to remind the actors when they forget their lines. It usually means that I know everybody’s part by the end of rehearsals.

But the day before the play, disaster struck! The boy who was playing Merlin had fallen ill the night before. The teacher said, ‘Can you play Merlin? You’re the only person who knows the lines.’ I was absolutely terrified, but the teacher persuaded me to try the costume on. Then I realised that no one would recognize me because Merlin wears a long hat and a beard. So, I spent the whole day practising with the teacher until I felt a bit more confident.

The following day I was very nervous but when the play started, I began to relax a bit. I even began to enjoy it. At the end of the play, I took off Merlin’s hat and beard to bow to the audience. Everybody was surprised and clapped when they realised it was me. I felt so proud. Now, I’m less shy and next year I’ll definitely be in the play again.

1. The school play is an annual event in the writer’s school.

Our school always puts on an end-of-year play and this year it was the story of King Arthur. I have never acted in any of these plays because I’m a shy person – I have always only followed the text and my job has been to remind the actors when they forget their lines. It usually means that I know everybody’s part by the end of rehearsals.

But the day before the play, disaster struck! The boy who was playing Merlin had fallen ill the night before. The teacher said, ‘Can you play Merlin? You’re the only person who knows the lines.’ I was absolutely terrified, but the teacher persuaded me to try the costume on. Then I realised that no one would recognize me because Merlin wears a long hat and a beard. So, I spent the whole day practising with the teacher until I felt a bit more confident.

The following day I was very nervous but when the play started, I began to relax a bit. I even began to enjoy it. At the end of the play, I took off Merlin’s hat and beard to bow to the audience. Everybody was surprised and clapped when they realised it was me. I felt so proud. Now, I’m less shy and next year I’ll definitely be in the play again.

2. The writer has always been a part of the play.

Our school always puts on an end-of-year play and this year it was the story of King Arthur. I have never acted in any of these plays because I’m a shy person – I have always only followed the text and my job has been to remind the actors when they forget their lines. It usually means that I know everybody’s part by the end of rehearsals.

But the day before the play, disaster struck! The boy who was playing Merlin had fallen ill the night before. The teacher said, ‘Can you play Merlin? You’re the only person who knows the lines.’ I was absolutely terrified, but the teacher persuaded me to try the costume on. Then I realised that no one would recognize me because Merlin wears a long hat and a beard. So, I spent the whole day practising with the teacher until I felt a bit more confident.

The following day I was very nervous but when the play started, I began to relax a bit. I even began to enjoy it. At the end of the play, I took off Merlin’s hat and beard to bow to the audience. Everybody was surprised and clapped when they realised it was me. I felt so proud. Now, I’m less shy and next year I’ll definitely be in the play again.

3. The writer didn’t remember the text of the play.