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.
(31) ....................
