* Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks from 31 to 35.
A MORE COMMERCIAL TUNE
Roger Press, 40, has changed his career. After spending five years (31)_________a concert pianist, he has gone into business, recently setting up his own company.
After leaving university I decided to (32)__________myself to a career in music. I loved performing, but it was hard work. I played at concerts in Europe and America, made recordings and got reviews. But after a while I felt I had gone as far as I could. Unless you’re one of the world’s top 20 pianists, it’s difficult to earn a good living and I wasn’t one of the greatest.
When I gave up my performing career, people around me were more sad and disappointed than I was. But I felt free and (33)_________I knew I was getting serious about life. After getting a qualification in business administration I joined the recording company EMI and started their classical video division, producing programmes about famous artists. A year ago I left EMI and formed a new company, New Media Systems, which (34)________in multimedia programs.
(35)_________I run my own business, I’m in control of my life and I feel proud of my achievements. Although the stress is high and I work long hours, the stress involved in piano playing was much worse. It took physical, emotional and mental skills. I prefer the pressures I live with now.
Điền vào ô 32
A. devote
B. take
C. assign
D. employ
ĐÁP ÁN A
Devote (v.): cống hiến Take (v.): cầm, lấy
Assign (v.): chỉ định Employ (v.): thuê
To devote oneself to something: cống hiến/ tập trung hết mình vào cái gì;
After leaving university I decided to devote myself to a career in music. I loved performing, but it was hard work.
Sau khi rời trường đại học, tôi quyết định cống hiến hết mình cho sự nghiệp âm nhạc. Tôi yêu biểu diễn, nhưng công việc rất vất vả.