When the lead actor for whom I was an understudy fell terribly ill with pneumonia the night before the opening of our play, I should have felt awful for her. I did, in a way. Not so much because she was ill - I was sure she'd pull through - but because it must have been gut-wrenching to have rehearsed for so many moons, as we all had, only to be struck with such disappointment. I know how this already appears to you: I was happy that she had fallen ill. After all, this was my golden opportunity to shine as the star of the production, and the way to fulfil my dreams of becoming an acting legend. I was going to seize the day and steal her thunder, never mind that we were friends and that I owed so much to her, what with her helping me get the role of her understudy in the first place. (It was very generous of her to put my name forward; she knew that I might one day take her place. Her attitude was always Tf someone can do it as well as me, let them do it.' I admired her for that.)
Naturally, I had always hoped for a big break in theatre, to get to actually perform at the centre of the production, rather than just remain on the sidelines. Most people don't quite realise the kind of effort an understudy puts into a production. I'm not only learning the roles of the master, I’ve also got my own minor part to excel at. I must learn more lines than anyone else, well, except for the understudy for the male lead, who was my kindred spirit, the one I could console and be consoled by.
But if I felt any happiness about Annette's misfortune, it was unbeknown to me. In truth, when I heard the news about her ill health, less than a day before the opening night, nothing could have kept my heart from sinking into my stomach. Naturally, I had poured every effort into perfecting the role in case such a thing might ever happen, but I had somehow felt a bit of comfort in knowing that I wouldn’t be the star just yet. I felt I still needed some time to develop my craft, and what better way to do that than to practise in my minor role. That comfort all disappeared in an instant. I felt a bit weak at the knees, actually, and I had to struggle to put on a brave face when the director told me it was I who would be playing Lady Macbeth.
I basically had less than twenty-four hours to prepare myself to be the star of the show. It wasn’t as if I hadn't thought about it before, but possibility versus reality is a different story altogether. I was really and truly going to be in the lead. And furthermore, how many people were coming to see the performance because they adored Annette? What would be going through their minds when the director announced that Julie Hardy would be playing her role? Would I have to endure a round of faint sighs? I would be grateful not to see their faces, and I ’d probably have my ears covered when the announcement was made.
Luckily, I was surrounded by a supportive cast, who cheered me on. They must have assumed I’d be nervous, despite my attempts to hide it. Of course, if I couldn’t pretend that I was in control and ready to shine, how good an actor would I really be?
12 In what way did the author sympathise with the lead actor?
1) She was mainly concerned about her illness. 2) She worried that the actor may never perform again.
3) She felt it must be hard to accept the situation. 4) She felt the actor had been put under too much pressure.
13 The expression ‘steal her thunder’ in the second paragraph means ...
1) take a possession. 3) take someone’s glory.
2) make someone feel bad about something. 4) make a strong impression.
14 What does the author say about her preparations as an understudy?
1) The duties are largely unappreciated by others.
2) There is no one there to share the pain with.
3) She has to learn the role better than the actor she’s replacing.
4) She’s not required to do anything other than learn the main role.
15 Before the author learnt she would be playing the lead, she ...
1) never thought the day would come. 2) hoped the day would never come.
3) did everything she could to prepare for it. 4) tried to get other roles in the play.
16 What happened when the director broke the news to the author?
1) She lost her strength and balance. 2) She made a terrible face.
3) She expressed that she didn’t think she was ready. 4) She was overcome with joy.
17 ‘It’ in ‘I hadn’t thought about it before’ in the fifth paragraph refers to ...
1) the role of Lady Macbeth. 2) being centre stage.
3) backing out of a commitment. 4) remembering her lines.
18 What concerned the author about the announcement?
1) What her fellow actors would think 2) What the director thought.
3) What the audience would think. 4) What the director would actually say.
13)The expression "steal her thunder" in the second paragraph means to take someone's glory. This is evident from the sentence "I was going to seize the day and steal her thunder, never mind that we were friends and that I owed so much to her." The author wants to take the lead actor's spotlight and gain recognition for herself.
14) The author mentions that most people don't realize the kind of effort an understudy puts into a production. This implies that the duties of an understudy are largely unappreciated by others. This is evident from the sentence "Most people don't quite realise the kind of effort an understudy puts into a production."
15) Before the author learned she would be playing the lead, she hoped the day would never come. This is evident from the sentence "I had somehow felt a bit of comfort in knowing that I wouldn’t be the star just yet. I felt I still needed some time to develop my craft." The author felt she needed more time to prepare and develop her skills before taking on the lead role.
16) When the director broke the news to the author that she would be playing Lady Macbeth, the author felt weak at the knees. This is evident from the sentence "I felt a bit weak at the knees, actually, and I had to struggle to put on a brave face when the director told me it was I who would be playing Lady Macbeth." The author was overwhelmed and had a physical reaction to the news.
17) 'It' in "I hadn't thought about it before" in the fifth paragraph refers to being center stage. This is evident from the sentence "Possibility versus reality is a different story altogether. I was really and truly going to be in the lead." The author hadn't fully considered the reality of being in the lead role before.
18) The author was concerned about what the audience would think when the director announced that Julie Hardy would be playing the lead role. This is evident from the sentence "What would be going through their minds when the director announced that Julie Hardy would be playing her role? Would I have to endure a round of faint sighs?" The author was worried about the audience's reaction to the change in casting.