Unit Review & Progress Test

Unit review — Celebrity, Fame & Public Life

Al finalizar esta unidad, deberías ser capaz de utilizar estructuras gramaticales complejas para expresar deducciones y arrepentimientos sobre el pasado, así como manejar un vocabulario avanzado relacionado con la fama, la atención mediática y la vida pública.

Además, habrás desarrollado la capacidad de analizar textos críticos sobre la cultura de la celebridad y producir respuestas escritas con el registro adecuado (formal o informal) para exámenes de nivel C1. Este repaso consolidará tu capacidad para argumentar opiniones complejas de manera fluida.

Grammar consolidation

Part 1: Sentence Transformation Rewrite the sentences using the word in capitals so that the second sentence has a similar meaning to the first. Do not change the word given.

1. I’m sure that she didn't mean to offend the interviewer. HAVE She ______ the interviewer.

2. It was a mistake for you to buy that tabloid magazine. SHOULD You ______ that tabloid magazine.

3. Perhaps they forgot about the press conference. MIGHT They ______ about the press conference.

Part 2: Error Correction Identify and correct the error in each sentence.

4. He must has been exhausted after the three-hour interview.
5. You needn't to have brought such an expensive gift for the star.
6. She shouldn't have let the paparazzi find out where she lived. (Wait, is this correct? If not, explain why).

Part 3: Controlled Rewriting Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the word given.

7. It wasn't necessary for us to book a private jet, but we did. NEEDN'T We ______ a private jet.

8. I am certain that the celebrity was lying during the interview. MUST The celebrity ______ during the interview.

9. It was a waste of time to wait for the autograph. WASTED We ______ waiting for the autograph.

10. I regret not taking more photos of the red carpet. WISH I ______ more photos of the red carpet.

Vocabulary activation

Task 1: Collocations Complete the sentences with the correct verb/adjective to form a C1-level collocation.

1. The actor was constantly in the _____ of public attention.
2. She has managed to maintain a low _____ despite her sudden fame.
3. The scandal caused a massive _____ of privacy for the young singer.
4. He is often subject to intense media _____ regarding his personal life.

Task 2: Word Formation Use the word in capitals to form a word that fits in the gap.

5. The sudden _____ of the influencer led to a massive backlash. (RISE)
6. Many celebrities live a life of extreme _____ and luxury. (GLAMOUR)
7. The journalist's _____ approach was criticized by the public. (INVASIVE)
8. There is a growing _____ of celebrity culture in modern society. (OBSESS)

Task 3: Register Choice Select the most appropriate word to complete the sentence (Formal vs. Informal).

9. The politician's reputation was _____ by the leaked documents. (ruined / tarnished)
10. He was _____ from the industry following the controversy. (kicked / ostracised)
11. The star's _____ lifestyle was documented in the biography. (flashy / ostentatious)
12. She was _____ to the press to prevent further leaks. (shut / sequestered)

Integrated skills task

Source Text: The Price of Fame

The modern era of celebrity culture has fundamentally altered the concept of privacy. In the past, fame was often a byproduct of professional achievement; today, it is frequently a manufactured commodity. Social media has blurred the lines between public persona and private individual, leading to a constant state of surveillance. While some argue that this transparency allows for a more "authentic" connection between stars and fans, others suggest it leads to unprecedented levels of mental health struggles. The constant need to remain relevant in a fast-paced digital landscape means that many public figures are perpetually caught in a cycle of scrutiny. This "goldfish bowl" existence can be both a privilege and a prison, where every mistake is magnified and every personal moment is commodified for clicks and engagement.

Writing Task (Instrucciones en español)

Basándote en el texto anterior, escribe un ensayo de opinión (180-220 palabras). Debes analizar si la pérdida de privacidad es un precio justo a pagar por la fama o si la cultura de la celebridad actual es inherentemente perjudicial. Utiliza vocabulario avanzado y estructuras de modalidad de pasado para especular sobre las consecuencias de este fenómeno.

Speaking checkpoint

Responde a estas preguntas de forma oral para practicar tu fluidez y capacidad de argumentación.

1. Compare: Compare the lifestyle of a modern social media influencer with that of a traditional Hollywood film star.
2. Speculate: How might the concept of "fame" change in the next twenty years due to advancements in AI and virtual reality?
3. Evaluate: To what extent do you think celebrity endorsements influence consumer behaviour in your country?
4. Justify: Some people believe that celebrities should be role models. Do you agree? Justify your position.
5. Speculate: If a celebrity's private life is leaked, should the media be held legally responsible?
6. Evaluate: Is the "fame-for-fame's-sake" culture a positive or negative development for society?

Self-assessment rubric

Answer key

Grammar consolidation 1. ...must not have offended... 2. ...shouldn't have bought... 3. ...might have forgotten... 4. ...must have been... 5. ...needn't have brought... (or "didn't need to bring") 6. Correct. (She shouldn't have let... = It was a mistake to let...) 7. ...needn't have booked... 8. ...must have been lying... 9. ...wasted time... 10. ...wish I had taken...

Vocabulary activation 1. spotlight 2. profile 3. breach / invasion 4. scrutiny 5. rise 6. glamour 7. invasive 8. obsession 9. tarnished (more formal/C1) 10. ostracised (more formal/C1) 11. ostentatious (more formal/C1) 12. sequestered (more formal/C1)