Reading Test 1 (part 2)
11. Read the text. Fill in the gaps with
parts of the sentences listed below.
NOT ENOUGH VIOLA PLAYERS
There is currently a national shortage of viola players in Britain. For those playing the instrument (larger in size and deeper in tone than the violin), A_____________
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. Places in orchestras and on music courses are more readily available for them than for the larger numbers of violinists.
Last weekend, for example, the National Children's Orchestra (NCO) began rehearsals with viola places still vacant. 'Violists are in short supply; says Vivienne Price, the NCO's founder and vice-president. 'People all want to be first violin but B_____________
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. All the different kinds are required, not just one.'
With more than 300 of the country's top violinists competing for 170 places in the NCO this year, standards were very high, even for the training section, which takes seven to ten-year-olds. But there were just 63 competing for the NCO's 70 viola positions and, as a result. candidates who have not reached the same standard as those applying for the violin places were accepted. 'We encourage children to apply for the training orchestra, C_____________
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,' says Miss Price.
Peter Hewitt, director of the junior department of the Royal College of Music, says D_____________
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, with 24 players, but there are many more violinists. 'Younger children particularly like the glamour of the melody line, and the bass line has its attractions," he says. 'But the middle line, which is played by the viola, is a problem. I think the viola has a gorgeous sound, but E_____________
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.'
Both the Royal College and the NCO are trying to encourage children to take up the viola. 'It really frustrates me,' says Roger Clarkson. the NCO's director of music. 'People will say that, if you can't play the violin, F_____________
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. But the viola is actually a wonderful instrument in its own right."
1. it has always been an instrument people have avoided
2. if lots of violinists decide to change to the viola
3. even if they are not as far advanced
4. you should go on to the viola
5. there are plenty of opportunities in a variety of organisations
6. it is currently 'reasonably well off' for violas
7. they should realise it is like voices in a choir
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