photo Tara Benwell 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: 03 March 2015

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The Sound of Music Turns 50

Pre-Listening Vocabulary

  • convent: a society and residence for nuns
  • win over: to make a person like or love someone or something over time
  • widowed: having lost one’s spouse to death (widow: female who lost her spouse; widower: male who lost his spouse)
  • hold up: to stand the test of time; to remain important or notable
  • delight: to bring joy

The Sound of Music Turns 50

It has been 50 years since the release of the world-famous film, The Sound of Music. The and film were based on the true story of the von Trapp family in Nazi-occupied Austria. In the story, Maria, a singing nun played by Julie Andrews, leaves her convent to become the governess of the von Trapps. In addition to winning over the children and helping them become better singers, Maria wins over the children’s father, a widowed naval officer Christopher Plummer. The story was first told in a book by Maria . The real mother wrote The Story of Trapp Family Singers to earn some money for her family after her husband died. The book became a best-seller and inspired the Broadway musical and Hollywood film. Both the play and the film have held up over the years, and continue to delight of all ages.

Comprehension Questions

    1. What anniversary is being celebrated this March?
    2. Why does the report mention Julie Andrews?
    3. Why did the real Maria write her family story?

Discussion Questions: What allows a film, book, or other artwork to “stand the test of time”?

show Answers

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
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