English C-Test C1: The economics of streaming

An English C-Test at C1 level: academic style, abstract nouns and less common words.

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25 gaps: 9 on grammar, 16 on vocabulary. Complete the second half of each word, then check; every answer with its explanation is under the text.

The economics of streaming

C1

Within little more than a decade, streaming has replaced the purchase of records and downloads as the main source of income in the recorded music industry. Subscribers n longer acq individual alb but p a monthly f for acc to a almost unli catalogue. Mo services po these fe and distr them acco to ea artist's share o total str, so a sin play gene only a frac of a ce. Critics ar that th arrangement bene a small num of glo stars. Proposals for a user-centric model, in which each subscription is shared only among the artists that the subscriber actually plays, have therefore attracted considerable attention.

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Answers and explanations: The economics of streaming
  1. no Grammar

    "no longer" = not any more.

  2. acquire Vocabulary

    "acquire" = obtain, buy.

  3. albums Vocabulary

    "albums" = collections of songs released together.

  4. pay Grammar

    "pay": second verb after "but"; the subject is still "subscribers" (plural, no -s).

  5. fee Vocabulary

    "a monthly fee" = a sum paid every month.

  6. access Vocabulary

    "access to" = the right to use.

  7. an Grammar

    "an", not "a", because "almost" starts with a vowel sound.

  8. unlimited Vocabulary

    "unlimited" = without limits.

  9. Most Grammar

    "Most services" (no "the").

  10. pool Vocabulary

    "pool" = put together in one fund (a verb here).

  11. fees Vocabulary

    "fees" = payments (plural).

  12. distribute Vocabulary

    "distribute" = share out.

  13. according Grammar

    "according to" = in proportion to.

  14. each Grammar

    "each" + singular noun: every single artist.

  15. of Grammar

    "share of total streams".

  16. streams Vocabulary

    "streams" = plays of a track.

  17. single Vocabulary

    "a single play" = just one play.

  18. generates Vocabulary

    "generate" = produce; third person -s, the subject is "a single play".

  19. fraction Vocabulary

    "a fraction of a cent" = a small part of one cent.

  20. cent Vocabulary

    "cent" = one hundredth of a euro or dollar.

  21. argue Vocabulary

    "argue that" = claim with reasons.

  22. this Grammar

    "this arrangement" points back to the model just described; "that" is also possible.

    Also correct: that

  23. benefits Vocabulary

    "benefit" = be good for; third person -s.

  24. number Grammar

    "a small number of" + plural countable noun.

  25. global Vocabulary

    "global stars" = artists famous all over the world.

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