Dustin Hoffman July 2001

There is a scene in the movie Tootsie that best illustrates the character of Dustin Hoffman as a professional. In it he plays an actor auditioning, for a role. He wants the work badly. Nevertheless, he argues with the director about the interpretation. And, of course, he does not get the role. As a film director once said, "If Dustin Hoffman weren't so talented, he would never get any work. Who could tolerate his craziness?" Hoffman is known for being difficult. He's better known for being a perfectionist. But he's best known for being very talented. As a result, he is one of America's most successful and important actor. He is a rarity among great Hollywood stars. He has succeeded even though he is not tall like Richard Gere, handsome like Paul Newman or charming like Robert Redford. What he does have is sensitivity, honesty and an incredible determination to do the best he can. Dustin was born in a small working-class neighbourhood in Hollywood in 1937. His father was a prop-man and set designer for Columbia Pictures, but lost his job before Dustin was born. As a young man, Dustin wanted to become a concert pianist but after one year of University, he left for New York City to become an actor. The first ten years in Manhattan were very difficult for him. Dustin worked doing odd jobs in Broadway theatres. Finally, at 29, film director Mike Nichols chose him for the leading role in The Graduate. From that moment on, he has been one of Hollywood's biggest names. In the early years Dustin was married to actress Anne Byrne, The two have two children now in their twenties. In 1978, Dustin divorced Anne and fell in love with Lisa Gottsegen, the daughter of family friends. They married in 1980 and have three children. Throughout his career, Dustin has been nominated for the Oscar awards countless times and many of his films have been popular. However, he has also had a few flops. Starting with The Graduate, he has been in over 20 films, some of which include Little Big Man, Midnight Cowboy, Straw Dogs, All the President's Man, Marathon Man, Kramer vs. Kramer, Tootsie, Death of a Salesman and Rain Man, for which he won an Academy Award for best actor in the role of an autistic man. Other films inc1ude Hook, Steven Spielberg's version of Peter Pan co-starring Robin Williams and Hero.

Interviewer: If you could be remembered for something in this profession, what would it be?

Hoffman: There are three things I would like people to think of when they think of me. The first, that my best work is still ahead of me. Since there is still growth in me, I expect it to manifest in my work. I would also like to be thought of as a professional - that I do the best I can and that I don't take audiences for granted. They want more than just a famous name.

1.- ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS ABOUT THE TEXT IN YOUR OWN WORDS (4 points) (1 each)

2.- ARE THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES TRUE OR FALSE? JUSTIFY YOUR ANSWER WIHT EVIDENCE FROM THE TEXT. (2 points) (1 each)

3.- VOCABULARY (1 point) (0,25 each) - Find words in the text or expressions that have the following meanings:

4.- WRITE A SHORT COMPOSITION OF ABOUT 130 WORDS. CHOOSE ONE OF THE TOPICS. (3 points):

a) If you remember one of D. Hoffman's films, tell us the story and your opinion about it. If you want, write something about D. Hoffman, or about another film star.

b) Are you more interested in American or in European films? Which do you like best?

	English Department
	BHI Orixe IES
	University Entrance English Test
	JULY 2000/2001
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PRUEBAS DE ACCESO A LA UNIVERSIDAD JULIO. CURSO 2000/2001. DUSTIN HOFFMAN There is a scene in the movie Tootsie that best illustrates the character of Dustin Hoffman as a professional. In it he plays an actor auditioning, for a role. He wants the work badly. Nevertheless, he argues with the director about the interpretation. And, of course, he does not get the role. As a film director once said, "If Dustin Hoffman weren't so talented, he would never get any work. Who could tolerate his craziness?" Hoffman is known for being difficult. He's better known for being a perfectionist. But he's best known for being very talented. As a result, he is one of America's most successful and important actor. He is a rarity among great Hollywood stars. He has succeeded even though he is not tall like Richard Gere, handsome like Paul Newman or charming like Robert Redford. What he does have is sensitivity, honesty and an incredible determination to do the best he can. Dustin was born in a small working-class neighbourhood in Hollywood in 1937. His father was a prop-man and set designer for Columbia Pictures, but lost his job before Dustin was born. As a young man, Dustin wanted to become a concert pianist but after one year of University, he left for New York City to become an actor. The first ten years in Manhattan were very difficult for him. Dustin worked doing odd jobs in Broadway theatres. Finally, at 29, film director Mike Nichols chose him for the leading role in The Graduate. From that moment on, he has been one of Hollywood's biggest names. In the early years Dustin was married to actress Anne Byrne, The two have two children now in their twenties. In 1978, Dustin divorced Anne and fell in love with Lisa Gottsegen, the daughter of family friends. They married in 1980 and have three children. Throughout his career, Dustin has been nominated for the Oscar awards countless times and many of his films have been popular. However, he has also had a few flops. Starting with The Graduate, he has been in over 20 films, some of which include Little Big Man, Midnight Cowboy, Straw Dogs, All the President's Man, Marathon Man, Kramer vs. Kramer, Tootsie, Death of a Salesman and Rain Man, for which he won an Academy Award for best actor in the role of an autistic man. Other films inc1ude Hook, Steven Spielberg's version of Peter Pan co-starring Robin Williams and Hero. Interviewer: If you could be remembered for something in this profession, what would it be? Hoffman: There are three things I would like people to think of when they think of me. The first, that my best work is still ahead of me. Since there is still growth in me, I expect it to manifest in my work. I would also like to be thought of as a professional - that I do the best I can and that I don't take audiences for granted. They want more than just a famous name. Auditioning: Playing a trial performance Prop-man: A man who prepares objects, furniture, etc. on a stage. Flops: Complete failures. 1.- ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS ABOUT THE TEXT IN YOUR OWN WORDS (4 points) (1 each) a) Which are Hoffman's main qualities as a film star? b) Which role did Hoffman win an Oscar for? c) Why can you say that all rus films have been a big success? d) What does hewant to be remembered for? 2.- ARE THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES TRUE OR FALSE? JUSTIFY YOUR ANSWER WIHT EVIDENCE FROM THE TEXT. (2 points) (1 each) a) Dustin Hoffman became an actor in "Broadway theatres." b) His father helped D. Hoffman to work for Columbia Pictures. 3.- VOCABULARY (1 point) (0,25 each) - Find words in the text or expressions that have the following meanings: a) Playing a trial performance. b) The most important parts in a play or a film. e) Complete failures. d) Increase.. 4.- WRITE A SHORT COMPOSITION OF ABOUT 130 WORDS. CHOOSE ONE OF THE TOPICS. (3 points): a) If you remember one of D. Hoffman's films, tell us the story and your opinion about it. If you want, write something about D. Hoffman, or about another film star. b) Are you more interested in American or in European films? Which do you like best?
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