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: 30 August 2011
NB! For WEEKLY audio stories check out LISTEN & LEARN 🔈
Beyoncé Reveals Baby Bump
Pre-Listening Vocabulary
- to steal the show: to be the one that everyone pays attention to
- baby bump: pregnant stomach
- “black carpet”: MTV’s variation of the traditional “red carpet” where celebrities pose for photographs at an event such as an awards show
- stilettos: shoes with very high heels
- maternity: the period when a woman is pregnant
Comprehension Questions
- Why was Beyoncé the star of the show at the MTV Video Music Awards?
- Where did Beyoncé pose in a red gown?
- What was Beyoncé wearing on stage?
Discussion Question: After hearing Beyonce’s news, Spice Girl Melanie Brown posted this to her twitter account: “I love the fact Beyonce just announced she is pregnant, on her own terms…” What does this tweet mean? How do you feel about personal news being shared on twitter and Facebook instead of face-to-face?
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Beyoncé Reveals Baby Bump
American pop star Beyoncé stole the show at the MTV Video Music awards on Sunday when she posed in a red gown and rubbed her baby bump on the “black carpet”. As she took to the stage in Los Angeles, Beyoncé asked the crowd to feel the love that was growing inside her. After performing in stilettos and singing Love on Top, Beyoncé dropped her microphone, unbuttoned her jacket, and began rubbing her pregnant belly. The crowd cheered at the sight of Beyonce’s baby bump, which was covered up with maternity pants. Fellow musicians congratulated her husband Jay-Z who was watching from the first row. The couple has been married for more than three years.
- Beyoncé was the star of the show at the MTV music awards because she revealed that she is pregnant.
- Beyoncé posed in a red gown on the “black carpet”. This was an untraditional carpet that was set out at the MTV Music Awards.
- Beyoncé was wearing a jacket with maternity pants on stage.
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.
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