The reluctant hero – B2 English Reading Test

The reluctant hero

The most endearing thing about Aaron Green – and there are many – is his refusal to accept how famous he’s about to become. ‘I can walk down the street and not be hassled, which is really nice. I kind of hope that continues and I’m sure it will,’ he says earnestly. He seems genuinely to believe that the job won’t change his life. ‘There’s nothing fascinating about my life, and there’s absolutely no reason why that should start happening.’ You can only wish him well.

How lovely if this turned out to be true, but the chances are it won’t, and he must know this. Aaron has been cast as the hero in the latest fantasy blockbuster that will hit our screens next year. The first photo of him in his costume was released last week to an Internet frenzy.

After an award nomination for his last film, Aaron is having the biggest year of his life, but it hasn’t gone to his head. ‘It’s nice if your work is praised, but it’s all very new to me, this,’ he (line 11) says. ‘I really like working in this profession and exploring its possibilities. Who knows what the future holds? We could dream about what might happen next, but there’s not much point. I’m just enjoying my job and want to do well in it in the future, but that’s kind of it, really No big hassles.’

Of all the characters in his last film, which is based on a true story about a group of university students who start an influential blog, Aaron’s character is the one who emerges as most likeable. But he insists that the plot is not as straightforward as it might appear. ‘What’s wonderful about this film is that everyone feels they are the good guy. I don’t think anyone in the cast felt they were playing the villain. It was just a group of human beings that had different opinions.’

It’s a typically thoughtful answer from the 27-year-old, who seems to be a bit of a worrier and prefers to avoid watching himself on screen. Doubtless he doesn’t care for interviews either, but he is so open and engaging that you wouldn’t know it. He felt ‘a heightened sense of responsibility’ playing a real-life person in his last film, but had no contact with the person concerned. ‘These people are living and breathing somewhere – of course that has a great effect on the care with which you approach your work. I kept wondering if he’d come and see the film, if he’d recognise himself in my performance or be angered by it.’

His performance has a vulnerability about it that is almost painful to watch. Does he seek out those parts or do directors see that quality in him? ‘I don’t know, I think it’s probably a bit of both. I certainly have that unwillingness to lose naivety; to lose that childlike way of looking at the world. I find it a very real and profound theme in my life and, talking to other people my age, I think it’s universal.’

1    In the first paragraph, the writer suggests that he thinks Aaron

      A   has a sensible attitude towards fame.

      B   seems confident that he can deal with fame.

      C   seems unaware that he’s about to become famous.

      D   has unrealistic ideas about what it’s like to be famous.

2    The phrase ‘hasn’t gone to his head’ (line 11) suggests that Aaron is

      A   modest about his achievements.

      B   used to receiving so much praise.

      C   doubtful whether he will win an award.

      D   unsure whether he deserves so much attention.

3    What does Aaron say about his last film?

      A   There are clear heroes and villains in it.

      B   The story is not as simple as it may seem.

      C   He knows why people liked his character best.

      D   There were often disagreements between the actors.

4    What makes the writer think that Aaron is an anxious person?

      A   He has no wish to watch his own films.

      B   He obviously doesn’t like giving interviews.

      C   He feels responsible for the character he plays.

      D   He thinks carefully before answering a question.

5    What does Aaron say about playing a real-life person on screen?

      A   He was disappointed that he never met that person.

      B   He was sure that person wouldn’t want to see the film.

      C   He was concerned that the person might easily be offended.

      D   He was pleased that the person approved of the fact he was playing it.

6    What does Aaron suggest in the final paragraph?

      A   He only plays parts that suit his own personality.

      B   He lets the director decide how a part should be played.

      C   He’s not such an immature person as he may appear.

      D   He shares certain feelings with lots of other young people.