C1 Reading — Multiple Choice: Michelle Smith/Walsh — From Luxury Obsession to Cyber-Gig Survival

C1 Reading — Multiple Choice: Michelle Smith/Walsh — From Luxury Obsession to Cyber-Gig Survival

Instructions: Read the following text carefully. For questions 25–30, choose the answer (A, B, C or D) which you think fits best according to the text.

 

Reading Text: Michelle Smith/Walsh — From Luxury Obsession to Cyber-Gig Survival

Michelle Smith—known professionally as Michelle Walsh—built a reputation as a promising young producer in the independent film industry. Her early success brought her invitations to exclusive events, networking dinners, and creative collaborations that made her believe she had finally “made it.” However, the glamour surrounding her career soon became both a temptation and a trap. Determined to maintain the image of a high-profile industry figure, Michelle began spending excessively on luxury handbags, designer clothing, imported cosmetics, and first-class travel. At first, she justified each purchase as an “investment in her professional brand,” but her expenses quickly outpaced her actual income.

By the time she noticed the warning signs—late payment alerts, rising interest charges, and a steadily decreasing credit score—she had already accumulated an overwhelming amount of debt on multiple credit cards. Unable to cover even the minimum payments, Michelle found herself cornered. She briefly considered asking friends for help but feared damaging her carefully crafted image. What she needed was income that was immediate, flexible, and discreet.

That was when she discovered cyber-gig platforms. These websites offered everything from video editing and transcription to micro-tasks, digital marketing, and AI-training assignments. Michelle threw herself into the cyber-gig economy, taking as many jobs as she could. The work was unstable, the pay inconsistent, and the deadlines relentless, but the anonymity suited her: no one on the platforms knew she was a producer drowning in debt. For the first time in months, she felt a sense of control.

Yet the cyber-gig world came with its own complications. The constant competition pushed her to accept lower fees than she deserved, and the irregular hours left her mentally drained. Despite this, the income allowed her to slowly reduce her credit-card balance. Still, the experience forced her to confront an uncomfortable truth: the image she had spent so much money preserving had nearly destroyed her financial stability. In the end, Michelle learned that authenticity—not luxury—was her most valuable asset.

Multiple-Choice Questions:

25. Michelle initially justified her luxury purchases because she believed they were…

A. required by her employers

B. necessary to maintain her professional reputation

C. a temporary reward for recent achievements

D. part of a long-term investment strategy unrelated to her career

26. What prevented Michelle from asking her friends for financial assistance?

A. She feared damaging her public image

B. She believed they were facing similar financial difficulties

C. She no longer trusted them due to past conflicts

D. She didn’t want to involve her family in her spending habits

27. One advantage of cyber-gig work for Michelle was that it allowed her to…

A. earn large amounts of money quickly

B. build long-term relationships with clients

C. keep her financial struggles hidden

D. avoid working irregular hours

28. According to the text, one major challenge of the cyber-gig platforms was that…

A. clients often demanded in-person meetings

B. competition pushed workers to lower their prices

C. users needed advanced technical certifications

D. platforms restricted the number of jobs one could accept

29. Michelle’s experience ultimately helped her realise that…

A. luxury goods rarely hold their value

B. online reputation is crucial to financial growth

C. financial stability requires high income

D. authenticity is more important than maintaining an image

30. The overall tone of the passage portrays Michelle’s story as…

A. a cautionary tale about the dangers of image-driven spending

B. a criticism of the film industry’s working conditions

C. an argument in favour of cyber-gig platforms

D. a warning against using credit cards in creative professions