B1 Preliminary - Gapped Text Exercise 1

My Journey To Music

As a child, I was always surrounded by music. My grandmother had been a famous opera singer many years before although I had never heard her singing myself. My mother was a piano teacher, and our house was filled with the sounds of piano melodies from dawn till dusk. My older sister played the violin, and my father had a beautiful baritone voice. _____1_____

Every evening, after dinner, we used to gather in the living room. My mother would sit at the piano, my sister would take up her violin, and my father would stand ready to sing. _____2_____ I would sit on the floor, watching and listening, completely enchanted.

When I was six, my mother started teaching me the piano. I was an eager student, ready to embrace the musical world that was so dear to my family. _____3_____ My progress was slow at first, but I was persistent. I practised every day, improving little by little.

By the time I reached my teenage years, I had become quite proficient at the piano. _____4_____ It was not just a hobby for me anymore, but a passion. I decided then to dedicate my life to music.

Today, I am a concert pianist, travelling the world and playing at some of the most renowned concert halls. _____5_____ I often look back on those early years with gratitude, as they laid the foundation for my musical journey.

Sentences

A. It was a unique family bond that I cherished.

B. That's when I truly felt a part of my family's musical world.

C. It wasn't an easy task, but it was definitely worth it.

D. But my journey wasn't without its challenges.

E. I owe it all to those evenings in our living room and the lessons with my mother.

F. Yet, I always felt a bit out of place.

G. Each note I played seemed to bring me closer to them.

H. And this is why I couldn't do it.