Part 6
You are going to read an article about an actor. Six sentences have been removed from the article. Choose from the sentences A-G the one which fits each gap (37-42). There is one extra sentence which you do not need to use.
From rags to riches
The award-winning actor Leonardo DiCaprio is frequently in the public eye, if not for his films, then for his celebrity lifestyle or his efforts to make people aware of environmental issues. But what did he use to be like when he was growing up?
Leo grew up in an area of Los Angeles close to the glamorous film studios that would later make him a star. However, the neighbourhood in East Hollywood was both poor and dangerous, and he was used to seeing crime and violence near his home.
His parents were quite unconventional people, but they were proud of their son. 37 . They were not rich, but did their best to make ends meet and provide a loving family life for Leo. Although they divorced soon after he was born, they lived next door to each other so that they could raise him together.
38 . At school, he didn’t use to get on well with some classmates, and bigger kids often bullied him. Every day, he saw the contrast of lifestyles between the rich and poor. He wanted a way to a better life and acting became his ambition. 39 . Irmelin would drive him to acting classes and auditions. At the same time, Leo used to study films starring his favourite actors, like Robert De Niro, to learn more about acting. Eventually, he dropped out of school, and again his parents supported his decision. In fact, they also quit their jobs in order to help manage Leo’s acting career. He made appearances in a stream of advertisements, and soon got small roles in popular TV series.
In 1992, Leo auditioned for a part in a film with his role model, Robert De Niro. De Niro immediately recognised Leo’s talent and chose him from several hundred actors. 40 . A few years later, in 1997, Leo achieved international fame playing the hero Jack Dawson in the blockbuster Titanic.
In his early twenties, Leo suddenly had to get used to a very different set of problems from those he had as a child. Like many young celebrities, he gained a reputation for being a bit rebellious and enjoying his new wealth. 41 . But it was also clear that acting was still his passion.
He was careful to select roles that challenged his skills and involved intriguing and complex characters. 42 . Eventually, in 2016, he finally won an Oscar for Best Actor for his performance in The Revenant.
Leo continues to receive a lot of media attention about his private life, but he also uses this to raise awareness of environmental issues such as climate change. He still has a house in Los Angeles, but life now could not be more different from what it used to be.
A Fame and fortune meant he was often in the headlines, and not always for his appearances on screen.
B Leo’s early TV performances made him a successful teen idol, and soon he was accepting parts in Hollywood films.
C His mother Irmelin worked as a legal secretary and his father George was a comic book artist.
D Leo’s parents agreed to do what they could to make his dream come true.
E However, despite the love and support of his parents, it was a difficult time for Leo.
F While some of his films received mixed reviews, Leo always managed to make the people he played seem real.
G This was the start of his impressive movie career.
For this task: Answers with explanations :: Vocabulary