Practice English Reading Exercises for B1 – Performing Arts: Music, Dance, Drama 2

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

For each question, choose the correct answer.

The people below all want to find a pop choir or singing group to join.

There are descriptions of eight singing groups.

Decide which singing group would be the most suitable for the people below.

1   Amy loves singing recent chart-toppers but wants a group without any stressful entry test. She is a beginner and needs a club that holds its practices on Friday evenings after her school week finishes.

2   Ben and Leo want to practice singing in harmony with other people. They need an inexpensive group because they are students, and prefer a central location that is situated very close to the main bus station.

3   Clara wants to sing popular contemporary tunes and learn how to perform different parts in a group harmony. She has a busy work schedule during the week, so she is only available on Sunday afternoons.

4   Daniel wants to join a singing group where no voice trial or music reading skills are required. He hopes to perform live on stage at the end of the term and needs an affordable club.

5   Emma and Sam are looking for a choir where they can learn about blending their voices together in harmony. They want a club with no entrance trials and prefer attending morning sessions during the week.

Pop Choirs and Singing Groups

A Friday Tracks

Do you love singing the newest radio hits from the charts? Come and join our friendly group! We never ask our members to complete an audition or read music, which makes us perfect for absolute beginners. Our lively singers meet every Friday night to practice contemporary pop songs together in a relaxed environment.

B Central Harmonies

If you want to discover how to perform different musical lines in perfect harmony, this is the place for you. Our weekly workshops cost very little, making them ideal for anyone on a tight budget. Our modern studio is located right in the town center, just a two-minute walk from the main bus station.

C Sunday Pop Blenders

We focus entirely on the latest radio classics and contemporary pop music. Our expert teachers will show you how to blend your voice with others to create beautiful group harmonies. Our popular sessions take place every Sunday afternoon, which is ideal for busy people who work hard throughout the normal week.

D Stage Stars

We believe everyone has a voice, so we have no entry tests or trials when you join. We keep our monthly fees extremely low so that our classes are available to everyone. Best of all, all our singers get the exciting opportunity to perform in a massive live concert theater show at the end.

E Morning Melodies

Start your day with music! We host our fun singing sessions every Tuesday and Thursday morning. You will learn the secrets of blending your voice into spectacular multi-part harmonies. There are no complicated entry trials or singing checks required to sign up, so anyone can come along and enjoy making music with us.

F Pop Pioneers

We are crazy about modern pop hits and the latest stadium tunes. Anyone can walk through our doors because we never hold auditions or check your singing background beforehand. We practice every Wednesday afternoon in the school hall. It is a fantastic opportunity to enjoy music and sing your heart out after lunch.

G Elite Voices

Our high-level coaches specialize in teaching advanced singers how to create complex, beautiful vocal harmonies together. Our luxury studios are situated in the heart of the city, directly opposite the central bus station terminal. Please note that our membership fees are quite expensive, as we hire professional classical musicians to guide our groups.

H Solo Chords

Do you want to sing the greatest contemporary chart hits? We offer fantastic workshops every Sunday afternoon for people who want to build their confidence. We focus entirely on solo singing, so you will never have to worry about learning complex group harmonies or blending your voice with other people on the stage.

Reading 2

For each question, choose the correct answer.

The people below all want to find an acoustic guitar course.

There are descriptions of eight guitar courses.

Decide which guitar course would be the most suitable for the people below.

1   Sarah already has an acoustic guitar at home. She wants to learn how to play the basic chords of her favourite pop songs. Her hands are quite sensitive, so she hopes to get advice on how to stop her fingers hurting.

2   Mark doesn’t own an instrument, so he needs to use one at the school. He is interested in reading traditional sheet music, not just playing modern songs. Because of his job, he can only attend morning sessions.

3   Chloe wants to learn the basic chords to sing along to famous tunes. She doesn’t own a guitar, so the studio must provide one. She is busy working all day, so she requires an evening course.

4   Leo has his own instrument at home and wants to focus on learning beautiful, traditional classical pieces. He learns best when he is alone with the teacher, so he is looking for private, one-to-one lessons.

5   Maya wants to learn on Saturdays or Sundays. She is worried that playing will make her hands ache, so she needs a class with soft strings. She also needs a course where she can borrow an instrument.

Acoustic Guitar Courses

A The Pop Player

Bring your wooden instrument from home and start making music! We focus on teaching you the common hand shapes needed to play famous radio hits. As a beginner, pressing the hard strings can be uncomfortable, so our teachers give great daily tips to stop your skin from aching while you practice.

B Classical Mornings

Start your day beautifully with our 9 AM weekday sessions! You will learn how to read formal written notes on a page instead of just copying popular songs. If you do not have an instrument yet, do not worry; our classroom cupboard is full of them for everyone to use.

C Night-time Strumming

Join our relaxed 7 PM classes after a long day at the office! We will teach you the essential hand patterns so you can quickly accompany your favourite pop singers. We have plenty of spare instruments in the studio, so you won’t need to carry or buy anything yourself.

D Solo Strings

If you already keep a wooden instrument at home, this course is for you! You get one hundred percent of the tutor’s attention in these individual, solo sessions. We focus entirely on reading and playing historical Spanish and European masterpieces, rather than teaching you basic modern pop tunes from the radio.

E Weekend Beginners

Spend your Saturday and Sunday afternoons learning a fantastic new skill! If you do not own an instrument, you can simply use ours. We know that pressing down can make your skin sore initially, so we provide special soft nylon strings and teach careful techniques to prevent any discomfort.

F Sunset Acoustics

Please carry your own acoustic to our fun 8 PM sessions. We teach you the basic hand positions to play popular modern tunes. It is a fantastic way to relax after work, but please note that we do not offer any medical advice for sore hands or tired fingers.

G Gentle Start

We supply all the equipment for our 10 AM weekday classes, so just bring yourself! We start very slowly to ensure your skin does not get sore, offering plenty of advice for sensitive hands. Unfortunately, we do not teach you how to read written notes; we only play by listening.

H Personal Pop

Enjoy solo, individual lessons where we provide the instrument for you! You will learn the basic hand patterns to play the biggest radio hits. Because you are the only student in the room, you will learn extremely quickly. However, you must already have strong, experienced hands to join us.

Reading 3

For each question, choose the correct answer.

The people below all want to find a stand-up comedy workshop to attend.

There are descriptions of eight comedy courses.

Decide which comedy course would be the most suitable for the people below.

1   Sam wants to learn how to create funny material from scratch. He often feels very nervous speaking in front of people and wants to build his confidence. Because of his job, he can only attend workshops on Sunday afternoons.

2   Clara dreams of performing on a real stage at a final show. She prefers private, one-to-one lessons rather than big groups. As a student, she has very little money and needs a workshop with low prices.

3   Tom wants a class that focuses strictly on writing funny punchlines and comedy structures. He wants to complete the training during his summer break and finish with a live performance in front of a real audience.

4   Julia loves comedy but suffers from severe stage fright and needs tricks to stay calm. She can only attend classes on weekday evenings and wants a studio that supplies all necessary learning materials for free.

5   Liam wants to develop his joke-writing skills by collaborating with other creative people in teams. He works night shifts, so he is only available to join comedy classes on weekday mornings before lunch.

Stand-up Comedy Workshops

A Sunday Smiles

Get ready to turn your thoughts into brilliant comedy scripts! Our weekly sessions focus entirely on building your confidence and helping you stop feeling anxious when people look at you. We meet every Sunday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., making it ideal for busy individuals who want to learn without missing work.

B The Private Mic

Discover your inner comedian with our exclusive one-to-one training program. We offer the most affordable rates in the city, ensuring you save money while learning. Best of all, every student gets the chance to show off their new skills on a real stage during our famous final public showcase at the end.

C Summer Laughs Workshop

Make your July and August memorable by mastering the art of writing clever punchlines! This intensive vacation course shows you how to structure hilarious stories from scratch. The program concludes with an exciting open-mic night, where you will experience the thrill of performing live in front of a genuine public crowd.

D Twilight Comedy Space

Do you love making people laugh but feel terrified of stages? Our after-work sessions run from Monday to Thursday at 7 p.m. and focus on relaxation methods to defeat fear. There is no need to bring anything from home; we supply all course books, pens, and notepads at no extra cost.

E Early Bird Comedy

Start your day with a laugh! Running from Monday to Friday at 10 a.m., this workshop is perfect for morning learners. You will work closely with fellow classmates in small teams to invent hilarious dialogue and sketches. It is a highly social course that focuses deeply on the science of creating great jokes.

F Sunday Stage Masters

Spend your Sunday afternoons writing advanced comedy routines and complex storylines. This workshop is designed strictly for confident public speakers who already have experience on stage and never get nervous. We focus entirely on editing your material, but please note that we do not teach basic confidence or performance skills.

G Premium Performance

Receive expert, individual tuition from a famous professional comedian in our luxury one-to-one studio sessions. You will practice on a beautiful theater stage and finish with a spectacular live final showcase for your friends. This is an exclusive, high-cost course, and our premium fees reflect the top-quality personal coaching provided.

H Morning Monologues

Join our popular 9 a.m. weekday sessions to develop your independent joke-writing abilities. This course is designed entirely for solo artists who prefer to write alone without any distractions. Because we focus on individual monologues, there are no group activities or opportunities to collaborate with other students in the classroom.

Exercises:   123456