B2 Assessment: Unit 4

Name: Total score: /100

Reading

A History of Microfame

Microfame: when someone is famous on a small scale; In 2015, The New York Times distinguished between
perhaps for a short time, perhaps among a small group microfame and nanofame—an even shorter, more limited
of people, or perhaps both. This is nothing new—for many spread of fame. Do you remember Bobak Ferdowski?
people, this idea dates back to a line Andy Warhol included Shaun McBride? Chris Crocker? No? All of these people
in the program for an exhibition of his work in 1968. were, for an instant, very famous.

D.R. © U.D. Publishing S.A. de C.V., 2018 / D.R. © SM de Ediciones, S.A. de C.V., 2020 Photocopiable
The line—often quoted even today—was, “In the future,
Part of the problem is that, as our attention spans grow
everyone will be world-famous for fifteen minutes.”
shorter and the range of media available grows even
We can find traces of microfame that go back even wider, there are just too many microcelebrities to keep
further than that. In Elizabethan England, people used the up with. It is true that some people—like the Vine video
expression “nine days’ wonder” to describe someone who creator Cameron Dallas—go on to achieve greater things.
was momentarily the focus of intense, but short-lived, Most Viners, however, are only famous to… other Viners.
public interest. Other media platforms, from Instagram to Snapchat, have
their own stars. For most of these people, their fame does
This expression is used less and less in the English
not last, and does not spread beyond their immediate
language, and has been replaced by others that reflect
online community.
the times we live in more accurately. Some of them derive
from Warhol’s quote. For example, in 1991, Scottish artist The nature of fame has evolved, and will continue to do
Momus said that, “On the web, everyone will be famous so. What will it mean to be famous in 2100? Only time
for fifteen people,” and he may have been right. will tell.

1 Read the article and match the sentence 2 Read the article again and choose the correct options to
halves. (5 points) complete the sentences. (10 points)
a. The article is about... a. The expression “nine days’ wonder” is used more and more in
b. Andy Warhol made an observation English/is not used as much as before/is used as often today as
about fame…
it was in Elizabethan times.
c. In Elizabethan times, microfame…
b. Bobak Ferdowski, Shaun McBride, and Chris Crocker wrote
d. The New York Times distinguishes
between… about fame in The New York Times/were microfamous or

e. We can’t keep up with all the nanofamous/used their microfame to advance their careers.
microcelebrities because… c. Cameron Dallas is a nanocelebrity who achieved wider fame/a
was said to last just over a week. nanocelebrity who no-one remembers now/a Hollywood star
microfame and nanofame. who ended up a nanocelebrity.
the changing nature of fame. d. Most nanocelebrities are famous to users of other media
there are too many of them. platforms/users of the same media platform/their immediate
in 1968. family and friends.
e. The writer thinks fame will change but cannot predict how/and
predicts how/and knows how.

Score: /15

1/3
B2 Assessment: Unit 4
Name:

Vocabulary
1 Underline the correct expression to complete each sentence. (5 points)
a. On talent shows, the first rounds eliminate people who don’t take part/take up/have what it takes.
b. The best contestants on talent shows really take up/take advantage of/take off the coaching.
c. Many contestants’ careers took off/took a risk/had what it takes after the shows were broadcast.
d. One contestant took a risk on/took part in/took advantage of several shows before being selected.
e. Contestants who take a risk/take something for granted/take up are often remembered most.

D.R. © U.D. Publishing S.A. de C.V., 2018 / D.R. © SM de Ediciones, S.A. de C.V., 2020 Photocopiable
2 Match the adjectives to the prepositions and complete the sentences. There is one combination
that you do not need to use. (5 points)

involved excited tired prepared fascinated responsible

by for with of about to

a. Many child stars are not fame, and some do not handle it well.
b. My friends are all really the Imagine Dragons concert next week!
c. I’m reality TV. I can’t stop watching it!
d. I am hearing about people who are famous for doing nothing. It’s boring!
e. When celebrities get each other, their relationship generates more fame.

Grammar
1 Underline the correct options to complete the text. (8 points)

You probably recall 1) to see/seeing the Kardashians in the media. I’ve never enjoyed 2) to watch/watching their
series. I find it surprising that the family agreed 3) to share/sharing their private lives with the general public. If
I were them, I would have refused 4) to have/having cameras in my house. I am sure that the Kardashian women
hoped 5) to attract/attracting media attention, which would help their careers. The TV company probably
promised 6) to make/making them famous. I have never heard any of them admit 7) to think/thinking that the
show was a mistake. Still, I think people should avoid 8) to let/letting their private lives become public.

2 Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verbs in parentheses. Use prepositions
where necessary. (7 points)
a. Society expects the media (publish) the truth.
b. I don’t blame journalists. I blame the public (buy) celebrity magazines.
c. Many news companies are accused (hack) celebrities’ phones.
d. Laws should prevent paparazzi (take) photos of celebrities’ kids.
e. Politicians don’t let journalists (ask) them the same questions they ask celebrities.
f. We can expect more people (become) famous by using social media in the future.
g. If a celebrity asked photographers (stop) taking photos, should they?
Score: /25

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B2 Assessment: Unit 4
Name:

Listening
1 Listen 4 to part of a radio program and underline the correct options to complete
the sentences. (7 points)
a. The person being interviewed is a singer/musician/music manager.
b. Her work is based on traditional stories/songs/dances.
c. She grew up in a big city/a rural area/several different countries.
d. Her privacy/fame/family is very important to her.

D.R. © U.D. Publishing S.A. de C.V., 2018 / D.R. © SM de Ediciones, S.A. de C.V., 2020 Photocopiable
e. A fan/Another star/A photographer made her look like she was doing something she wasn’t.
f. She‘s satisfied because people can experience her cultural heritage/original songs/sister’s original songs.
g. The next topic of conversation will be her sponsors/her first album/a short message.

2 Listen again and mark the sentences T (true), F (false) or NS (not stated). (8 points)
a. Gabriela sang traditional songs because she didn’t know many pop songs.
b. She sings traditional songs exactly the way her grandmother used to sing them.
c. Gabriela used to have a manager who didn’t always do what was best for her.
d. She sometimes argues with her brother and sister when they travel together.
e. Gabriela only answered her phone while driving once.
f. She sued the website that published photos of her using her phone in her car.
g. She believes she has a responsibility to be a role model for young people.
h. Gabriela doesn’t write original songs, but her sister does.

Writing
> Write a review about one of the items below. Write 140–190 words. (25 points)
• an app • a book • a song • a TV series • a musical • a movie • a video game

Speaking
1 Work in pairs or groups of three. Discuss whether or not any artist can cross over successfully.
Use the ideas to help you.
• the artist's own tastes/preferences
• location
• languages
• fans
• talent/abilities

2 Now, decide which factor will have the most influence on whether or not an artist will be able
to cross over successfully. (20 points)

Score: /60

3/3