Claire Adams, 16, describes what it's like being a fashion model.

Date: 2015-10-07; view: 576.

Who do you think are more competitive – male or female models?

Are the same qualities required of male and female models?

What qualities do you think a fashion model needs?

• Now read the text where two models speak about their experiences. Seven sentences have been removed from the article. Choose from sentences A – H the one which fits each gap (1 – 7). There is one extra sentence that you do not need to use.

BEING A FASHION MODEL

Last summer I was walking through Covent Garden and a woman from a modelling agency came up to me. I had little spectacles on, huge Doc Marten boots and my hair was pulled back in a bun. She asked if I'd ever thought of modelling, and I said, ‘No, never.' But I was signed up and started modelling in the school holidays. I decided to go into it full-time this year. My parents supported the decision, though they would rather I'd stayed on at school and gone to university. But they are fairly keen on show business themselves. (1) …………… . I think I've grown up a lot. You have to be very self-disciplined: eating the right things, exercising, looking your best when you get up in the morning. It sounds easy but it's hard work. But I hate being typecast as the innocent redhead. Sometimes you want to be wild and wicked but I'm usually the English rose.

It's a very competitive profession. When you go on castings all the models look you up and down; but a lot of them are very friendly. I would say male models are more vain: all the ones I've met seem terribly in love with themselves. (2) ……………. . I spend most of my time with my boyfriend, who's a computer programmer, or with old friends. Modelling's a lot of fun but it's not something I want to do as my career. (3) …………… . I know people say models always go on to acting and singing and can't do it, but if I'm making the money I don't really care what they say.