The folk genre that inspired the Beatles was called a. samba b. skiffle c. ska
The Beatles’ main songwriters were a. Lennon and McCartney b. Lennon and Harrison c. McCartney and Starr
The term “Beatlemania” described a. the frustration that caused the Beatles to break up b. the disruptive crowds of fans that the Beatles attracted on tour c. the wave of new bands that took inspiration from the Beatles
Discussion/essay questions
In the 1960s, Beatlemania was strange and surprising. Television and radio helped the Beatles reach audiences all over the world. This was a new kind of fame. How has the internet changed fan culture? Do you think any living famous people have their own “mania”?
Transcript
The Beatles were a famous British rock band of the 1960s. The four members of the group were lead vocalists John Lennon and Paul McCartney, guitarist George Harrison, and drummer Ringo Starr. The band took inspiration from a British folk genre called “skiffle,” as well as American rhythm and blues. They became known for experimenting with many genres and sounds. Lennon and McCartney were the main songwriters, but Harrison and Starr wrote some of the band’s songs too. The Beatles were an important influence on 1960s popular culture. When they went on tour, they attracted disruptive crowds of fans—a phenomenon known as “Beatlemania.” The Beatles recorded 14 albums over ten years. After they broke up in 1970, each of the band members began successful solo careers. They are still the best-selling musical group of all time.
Freddie Mercury was born in a. Britain b. Zanzibar c. India
His performances could be described as a. ordinary b. subdued c. theatrical
After Mercury’s death, his bandmates started a foundation to a. end hunger b. fight AIDS c. cure cancer
Discussion/essay questions
Music can be very powerful. Is there a song, singer, or band that had an important impact on your life? How did it affect you?
Transcript
Freddie Mercury was a British singer and songwriter. He was the lead vocalist of the rock band Queen, which also included guitarist Brian May, drummer Roger Taylor, and bassist John Deacon. Mercury was born in Zanzibar in 1946. His given name was Farrokh Bulsara, which he changed after his family immigrated to Britain. Mercury became known for his vocal range and his experimental songwriting. His performances were energetic and theatrical. Although he never publicly labelled his sexuality, Mercury had romantic relationships with both men and women. In the last few years of his life, Mercury suffered from AIDS, which he kept private. After his death in 1991, his bandmates started a foundation to help fight AIDS around the world.
The “Midnight’s Children” all have a. secret languages b. magical powers c. hidden identities
Saleem and Shiva are a. best friends b. siblings c. rivals
In 1981, Midnight’s Children a. became a movie b. was banned c. won the Booker Prize
Discussion/essay questions
Salman Rushdie’s work has often been controversial. Rushdie was sued by Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi for content in Midnight’s Children. His 1988 novel, The Satanic Verses, was so controversial that it caused serious threats against his life. What are the consequences of censoring writers? Do you think there is ever a good reason to ban a book? Why or why not?
Transcript
Midnight’s Children is a 1981 novel by Indian-British author Salman Rushdie. It tells the story of a boy named Saleem, who is one of 1,001 children born around midnight on the first day of India’s independence from Britain. Each of these children was born with a magical power. Saleem has the power of telepathy, as well as a very strong sense of smell. He was switched at birth with another boy named Shiva, who becomes his rival later in life. Midnight’s Children won the 1981 Booker Prize. It is famous for its unique use of language and its allegorical elements. Saleem’s character is often interpreted as an allegory for India itself.
Ada Lovelace’s father was a. a poet b. a mathematician c. a scientist
Lovelace helped Charles Babbage a. build the mechanisms for the Difference Engine b. write an algorithm for the Analytical Engine c. develop the idea for the Analytical Engine
Lovelace predicted that a. machines would become smarter than humans b. society would become extremely dependent on machines c. machines would be able to generate music and images
Discussion/essay questions
Computers have advanced a lot since Ada Lovelace’s time. Today, artificial intelligence can generate many things, including art, writing, and music. What do you think the future of artificial intelligence is? Do you think it is possible for a machine to be creative?
Transcript
Ada Lovelace was an English mathematician known for her contributions to early computer science. She was born in 1815. Her father was Lord Byron, a famous poet. However, her mother wanted her to be educated in math and science instead of the arts. In 1833, Lovelace met a mathematician named Charles Babbage, who had designed a machine that could theoretically make calculations on its own. This machine was called the Difference Engine. Lovelace was inspired by Babbage’s ideas and helped him write an algorithm for his next project, the Analytical Engine, which was even more complex. Lovelace’s algorithm is now known as the first computer program. In her notes, Lovelace predicted that machines would one day be able to generate music and images using algorithms.
