Susan Boyle's amateur singing performance of "I Dreamed a Dream" on Britain's Got Talent became an instant international viral sensation after being viewed over 26 million times on YouTube within a week, far surpassing any other video on the site. Although Boyle is an ordinary 47-year old woman without acting experience, her emotional performance prompted widespread discussion on social media sites and interest from global news outlets due to its heartfelt message about pursuing one's dreams. The viral spread of Boyle's talent show clip has highlighted how new technologies like YouTube and social networks have changed the speed at which compelling unknown talents can achieve worldwide fame.

1. I dreamed a dream Her appearance on ITV1's reality show Britain's Got Talent lasted just a few minutes, but that was long enough to propel 47-year-old amateur singer Susan Boyle to instant global fame. From Japan to Denmark to the US, the clip of the Scottish charity worker's spine-tingling performance of I Dreamed a Dream from the musical Les Misérables last Saturday night has electrified viewers. As of last night, the clip had been seen by more than 26 million people on YouTube, with the number jumping from 1 million to 5.5 million in just one 24-hour period alone, making it the most watched video on the site globally this week. A further 2.3 million have viewed the video on the Britain's Got Talent website, while on ITV1 and its digital spin-offs, more than 11 million viewers have now seen it. Boyle has been the most talked-about subject on Twitter all week, with users in a multitude of languages raving about her. This speed is testament to the new technologies that have become more mainstream since 2007, namely YouTube and social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Susan’s story - her mother's death and her devotion to her and also never having had a boyfriend or been kissed - and the way she looks also helps. It tugs on everyone's heartstrings. Then she opens her mouth and everything changes. Boyle is not on Facebook and has never heard of Twitter. In just a week her life has been turned upside down. She has found herself at the centre of an international media frenzy, with television crews and journalists from around the globe descending on her small home town of Blackburn in West Lothian. While technology has helped spread the word, it is the message behind Boyle's performance that prompted it in the first place - the fact that an ordinary woman in her late 40s without movie-star looks can still get a break and make her dreams come true. Adapted by Sergio Pérez Tabares for educational purposes http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/apr/18/susan-boyle-britains-got-talent 1. - Say whether the following sentences are TRUE OR FALSE according to the text. Copy the evidence from the text. No marks will be given without the evidence. (1.5 point). a) Susan works as a singer. b) Her performance was moving. c) It is only thanks to her appearance on Facebook, Twitter and Youtube that Susan’s got her fame and popularity. 2.- Choose ONLY THREE of the following words and write a synonym(=), an antonym(=), a definition or a sentence (only one of these four) to show that you understand their meaning in the text. Use your own words (1.5 points) furtherd) crews subjecte) spread namelyf) prompted 3.- Björk McGregor is interviewing Vanessa Kristii about her appearance on her lattest blockbusting film, Goodbye, Mr President. Here is part of the conversation. Some sentences have been left incomplete. Complete the blanks suitably. (2 points) Björk: So, Vanessa. Did you ever expect such a warm response from your public? Vanessa: Well, it depends. ......................................................................................................? Björk: Well, according to the paper’s review....................................................................... Vanessa:It is certain that.......................................................................................................... Björk:could you tell us.......................................................................................................? Vanessa:It is not just............................................................................................................... Björk:so, you mean that you have had some kind of problems, don’t you? Vanessa:In a way yes, but ...................................................................................................... Björk:Well, Vanessa. Could you tell our listeners why they shouldn’t miss your film? Vanessa:Sure, I think ............................................................................................................. 4.- What would you say in or about these situations? Choose ONLY FOUR of the situations. (2 points) a) You bump into your favourite soap opera actor in the street. b) Nobody has realised your new brand pair of shoes. c) You are actually fed up with explaining your mother where you went and who you went with. d) You need to go to the toilets at the railway station but there are too many people queuing. e) “Stop singing, your voice is awful”, someone tells you f) It’s raining and you must meet your friends and you haven’t got money for a taxi. 5.-Write a composition of about 100 words on ONE of the following topics. (3 points) a) Pros and cons of becoming a celebrity. b) Describe a dream where you become a celebrity.