Listen to News with Tara Benwell - Instructions:
1. Preview the vocabulary and read the gapfill text.
2. Play the news report and try to fill in the blanks.
3. Answer the comprehension questions by writing full sentences.
4. Use the discussion question to write an essay or discuss the story with other students.
5. Click "show Answers" to see the full text.
6. Pretend to be a news anchor by reading each story out loud.
dateline: 20 April 2011
NB! For WEEKLY audio stories check out LISTEN & LEARN 🔈
London Orchestra To Record Anthems
Pre-Listening Vocabulary
- philharmonic: devoted to music
- Paralympic Games: international competition for athletes with disabilities
- orchestra: a large group of musicians who use instruments such as strings, brass, and woodwinds
- cellist: a person who plays the cello (bass instrument from the violin family)
- condense: reduce in size
- studio: a place to record sound
Comprehension Questions
- What is the famous orchestra going to do?
- Who is Phillip Sheppard?
- Why does the reading mention the Beatles?
Discussion Question: “The playing of anthems at victory ceremonies is one of the most emotive parts of any Games…” Do you agree with this statement by 2012 Olympic Chairman, Sebastian Coe? How do you feel when you hear your country’s anthem?
show Answershide Answers
London Philharmonic Orchestra Recording Anthems for 2012
The London Philharmonic Orchestra is gearing up to record 205 national anthems for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The recordings will begin in May and will take about a week to complete. Phillip Sheppard, the composer and cellist who is in charge of the project, says condensing the anthems to one minute is a difficult job. The composer also had to adapt shorter anthems, such as Uganda’s which is only nine bars long. The anthems will be played at the Victory Ceremonies and welcoming events. The world famous orchestra is also recording the music for the Opening Ceremony. The recordings will take place at London’s Abbey Road Studios, used by many world famous artists, including the Beatles.
- The famous orchestra is going to record 205 national anthems for the 2012 Olympics.
- Phillip Sheppard is the composer in charge of the recordings for this project.
- The Beatles used the studio where London’s Philharmonic Orchestra will be recording the anthems.
Written and recorded by Tara Benwell for EnglishClub
Tara Benwell is a Canadian freelance writer and editor who specializes in materials and articles for the ELT industry.
© EnglishClub.com
