Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct word that best fits each of the numbered blanks. Roger Press, 40, has changed his career. After spending five years (1) a concert pianist he has gone into business, recently (2) up his own company. "After leaving university, I decided to (3) myself to a career in music. I loved performing but it was very hard (4) I played at concerts in Europe and America, made recordings got good reviews. But after a while, I ...

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct word that best fits each of the numbered blanks.

Roger Press, 40, has changed his career. After spending five years (1) a concert pianist he has gone into business, recently (2) up his own company. "After leaving university, I decided to (3) myself to a career in music. I loved performing but it was very hard (4) I played at concerts in Europe and America, made recordings got good reviews. But after a while, I felt I had gone as (5) as I could. Unless you are one of the world's top pianists, it's difficult to earn a good (6) 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 (7) I knew I was getting serious about life. After getting a (8) in business administration I joined the recording company EMI and started their classical video division, producing programs about famous artists. A year ago I left EMI and formed a new company, New Media System, which (9) in multimedia programs. Now that 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 (10) 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.