Episode 234

EPISODE 234
LEVEL A1.2/A2.1

 

READING COMPREHENSION

 

 MUSIC         

John: Are you keen on pop music?
Mark: No, I don’t like it very much.
John: Why not? I think it is really relaxing.
Mark: The lyrics ( = the text of the song) are rather stupid, you know. They are only about love.
John: It’s good to listen about love. Do you know this band ( = a group of people who play together)? They released a CD ( = you can buy their new record now) last month. Their last hit single ( = a very popular song) was really nice. In fact, I enjoyed all the tracks ( = songs) on this album.
Mark: Well, I’ve heard some of their songs on the radio, but didn’t enjoy them.
John: I think their lead singer ( = the most important singer) is very good.
Mark: Maybe you’re right, but I only like the cover ( = a new version of an old song) of Madonna’s song.

 

 

More contexts for the new words:

• Have you heard his latest release?
  ( = Have you heard his last record?)
• She is single.
  ( = She is not married.)
• The cover of this book is quite interesting.
  ( = The front page of the book is interesting.)

 

 

EXERCISE 1

Use the words from the text to complete the sentences.

 

1. Metallica is John’s favourite ……………………………..
2. Michał Wiśniewski was the lead …………………………….. of Ich Troje.
3. New bands often don’t have their own songs, but make …………………………….. of songs by famous artists.
4. Iron Maiden is going to …………………………….. a new CD next year. The fans are excited!
5. If you know English well, you can understand the …………………………….. and know what the song is about.
6. Usually there are about twelve …………………………….. on a music CD.

 

 

EXERCISE 2

Match phrases from the two columns to make questions and then answer them.

 

1. What is a. of your favourite songs?
2. Who is b. your favourite band?
3. Do you know the lyrics c. the lead singer of your favourite band?

 

ENGLISH IN USE 

This time we will look at negative sentences with „I, you, we, they”. Here is our example:

I don’t like it very much.

You can see that if we want to make a negative sentence, we put „don’t ( = do not)” after the person. The rest of a sentence is the same.

 

 

IDIOM CLOSE-UP

 

A/ Here’s your paycheck for this month.

B/ Ah, that’s MUSIC TO MY EARS!

 

If something is music to your ears, it is exactly what you wanted to hear.

 

PHRASAL VERBS CLOSE-UP

 

 

1. If you SING ALONG, you sing a piece of music while someone else is singing or playing it.

The radio station played a Madonna song, and I started singing along to it.

 

2. If you SING OUT, you shout or sing some words clearly and loudly.

‘Stop!’ a sharp voice sang out.

 

 

 

EXERCISE 3

Complete the text with words from the idiom/phrasal verbs you’re learned.

 

Sarah and her brother were listening to her favourite CD. She was singing …………….., because she knew the lyrics. Her brother only knew some parts, so he sang …………….. – very loudly – during the chorus. Then he told her that he would buy her another CD of this band for her birthday. It was …………….. to her ears!

 

 

 

NEWS

 

TEENAGE BANDS

 

More and more teenagers in Poland are starting up their own bands as a way of spending their free time. Making your own music has become almost as fashionable as playing computer games or doing various sports. What do you need to have your own band? First of all, you need a bunch of people with similar music tastes to yours. Secondly, you need to find a place where you can rehearse – a garage is fine to start with. Then, you need some instruments, like a guitar, a bass guitar, drums, and – of course – a lead singer. Once you have some songs ready, the last step is to find a venue to perform your first concert. Very often young people can do it at school. And there you have it – your own band!

 

 

GLOSSARY

– various – different

– a bunch – a few

– to rehearse– to practice

– a venue – a place where you perform a concert

 

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