[originaltext] Acting is such an over-crowded profession that the only advic

Acting is such an over-crowded profession that the only advice that should be given to a young person thinking of going on the stage is "Don’ t!" But it is useless to try to discourage someone who feels that he must act, although the chances of his becoming famous are small. The normal way to begin is to go to a drama school. Usually only students who show promise and the talent are accepted, and the course lasts two years. Then the young actor or actress takes up work with a theatrical company, usually as an assistant stage manager. This means doing everything that is to be done in the theatre: painting scenery, publicity, taking care of the costumes, and even acting in very small parts. It is very hard work indeed, the hours are long and the salary is tiny.
    Of course, some people have remarkable chances, which lead to fame and success without this long and tedious training. Connie Pratt, for example, was just an ordinary girl working in a bicycle factory. A film producer happened to catch sight of her one morning waiting at a bus stop, and he got out to speak to the girl. He asked her if she would like to go to the film studio to do a test, and she thought he was joking. Then she got angry and said she would call the police. It took the producer twenty minutes to convince Connie that he was serious. The test was successful. And within a few weeks she was playing the leading part opposite one of the most famous actors of the day. But chances like this happen once in a blue moon!
Questions 16 to 18 are based on the passage you have just heard.
16. From the very beginning, what does the author say about acting?
17. Which of the following is NOT part of an assistant stage manager’ s job?
18. Where did Connie Pratt find herself a few weeks after the test?