What is a Ghostwriter?

A ghostwriter is a professional writer who writes stories, books, articles, web content,
political speeches, or any other type of written material. The ghostwriter writes without
receiving credit for the work. Famous people such as politicians, sports figures often
hire ghostwriters to pen speeches, autobiographies, or other kinds of books. Some
5 people work full-time as ghostwriters, making their living creating material that will
never have their byline.
Ghostwriters can write about countless topics, whether they need to write a cookbook, a thriller, or a
biography. A ghostwriter may even serve as a book doctor, polishing
10 the work of another author until it is publishable. This job may not be glamorous but it pays well.
Some writers work for book packagers. Book packagers hire writers to write books
from an outline or basic idea. Other writers may work for a web content company,
15 writing keyword articles that will appear on a variety of web sites.
No matter what type of ghostwriting a writer completes, she rarely has her name
on the finished product. Neither does she receive royalties from her work. Instead,
a ghostwriter receives a flat fee for any work completed for either a company or
20 individual.
If a writer wishes to become a ghostwriter, she is required to “audition” for a company.
This involves sending a writing sample to the company seeking new ghostwriters. If
the company likes the writing sample, it will add the writer to its list of ghostwriters.
25 Immediate work may be available for ghostwriters of web content. A writer who works for a book
packager may need to wait until the packager has an opportunity that fits the writer’s expertise or
experience.
Ghostwriters must be excellent writers and have the ability to write quickly. They
30 must be willing to remain hidden from the public eye, allowing celebrities or famous authors to
take credit for the written work. Whether they are provided with a detailed outline, interview a
person about his life, or write a book based on a general idea, ghostwriters are required to write
quality material while staying out of the public eye.
According to paragraph 1, working as a ghostwriter involves all of the following
EXCEPT ______?
A fitting into a specific literary genre

B remaining an anonymous author

C being employed by the politicians

D being engaged on a regular basis

Which of the following is stated in paragraph 2 about ghostwriters?

AThey find clients themselves.
BThey restore damaged texts.
CThey write reviews of stories.
DThey make good money.
Ghostwriters are expected ______.
A to take a special course

B to be capable of working fast

C to be experts in web site design

D to have experience in publishing

The word “credit” in line 31 is closest in meaning to ______.

Atrust
Bmoney
Crecognition
Dresponsibility
What is TRUE according to the text?
A Ghostwriters have to pass an interview to get a job.

B Ghostwriters are in demand with on-line companies.

C Ghostwriters are involved in designing book wrappers.

D Ghostwriters are required to use their pen-names.

Spatulatta
Ding, ding! When you visit the website Spatulatta: Cooking 4 Kids Online, a cheery bell signals that
the fun is about to begin. Isabella and Olivia Gerasole of Chicago, Illinois, use the power of video to
teach kids how to prepare tasty recipes. The cool thing is, the sisters are kids themselves. When last
year they won for their website a James Beard Foundation award, named after a world-famous chef,
these grade-schoolers became the youngest cooks ever to receive recognition from the group.
The idea for the website came from their neighbour, film producer Gaylon Emerzian. Isabella, 11,
says when Emerzian asked the sisters if they’d like to help with a cooking website for kids, they
knew right away that it would be fun. “We could do a website ourselves at home and reach kids all
around the world”, Isabella says. “We get recipes and fan mail from lots of different countries.”
The sisters film new segments every two weeks. They set aside four or five hours to work, often
while the neighbourhood kids are outside playing, and have learned a lot about lighting, filming, and
editing. “The sacrifice is worth it”, says Isabella. “Sometimes it is hard to fit in, but when you see
your finished work on the website, it is the greatest feeling!”
Olivia, 9, has this advice: “If you mess up, it is just fine. I mess up all the time!” She says she’s short
and often can’t reach bowls to stir properly. She’s learned to use a stool and keep trying, “Mess-ups
can be frustrating, but you’ll get it some time!”
Since winning the award, the girls have been interviewed by television, radio, and newspaper
reporters. They’ve learned that hard work can not only turn out to be fun, but can lead to surprising
results. Isabella and Olivia have also learned that one good idea can lead to another. Their new
cookbook will roll off the presses this fall.
According to paragraph 1______.
A James Beard inspired Isabella and Olivia Gerasole

B the sisters got a prize for their humorous programme

C James Beard is the chief manager of the Foundation

D the girls show how to cook delicious dishes via the Internet

It is stated in paragraph 2 that_______.

Ait took the girls some time to agree to Emerzian’s proposal
Bthe sisters get funny recipes from their neighbours
CIsabella and Olivia have organized their own cooking competition
Dthe girls are enjoying international popularity

In paragraph 3 the author says that the sisters _______.

A make three new issues a month

B regret the time spent on the work

C have gained filming experience

D dislike playing with little kids

Which of the following is TRUE about Olivia?

A She cooks with neighbourhood children.
B She can cook few dishes because of her height.

C She has got to know a lot about film making.

D She spends hours per week answering fan mail.

Which of the following is NOT mentioned among the results of the girls’ work?
A getting interest from the mass media

B getting money and recognition

C getting their work published

D getting valuable life experience