EnglishClub

Pre-listening vocabulary

• foster home: a place where a child lives temporarily when their parents are unable to care for them
• role: the character an actor plays in a movie or play
• tension: dislike or disagreement between two or more people
• studio: a company that produces movies or TV shows
• stage fright: nervousness about performing
• addiction: a dependency on drugs or alcohol
• iconic: very recognizable, often symbolic of a certain culture or time period

Listening activity

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:46 — 1.6MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | More

Gapfill exercise

Marilyn Monroe was an American . She was born in 1926 in Los Angeles. Her birth name was Norma Jeane Mortenson. She lived in multiple foster homes during her childhood. When she was only 16, she married her first . Her career began three years later, after a man named David Conover her working in a drone factory during the war. She began to receive modelling offers, and later movie roles. Monroe quickly became a popular symbol of . Although she wanted to be seen as a actress, she was often cast in “dumb blonde” roles, which caused tension between her and her studio. Fame was also difficult for Monroe because of extreme stage fright. She struggled with addiction for many years, and she died when she was only 36. Even though her life was short, Monroe is still known as one of the most iconic actresses in history.

Comprehension questions

See answers below

1. When she was 16, Marilyn Monroe
   a. took her first movie role
   b. changed her name and dyed her hair
   c. married her first husband
   
2. The photo that started Monroe’s career was taken
   a. on a beach
   b. in a factory
   c. on a subway grate
   
3. The stereotypical role that Monroe often played was the
   a. “dumb blonde”
   b. “girl next door”
   c. “obedient housewife”

Discussion/essay questions

1. The “dumb blonde” is a much less common character type today. How have stories about women changed since Marilyn Monroe’s life? Do you think there is still room for improvement?
2. Why do you think fame can be harmful to people’s health? Would you ever want to be famous? Why or why not?

Transcript

Marilyn Monroe was an American actress. She was born in 1926 in Los Angeles. Her birth name was Norma Jeane Mortenson. She lived in multiple foster homes during her childhood. When she was only 16, she married her first husband. Her career began three years later, after a man named David Conover photographed her working in a drone factory during the war. She began to receive modelling offers, and later movie roles. Monroe quickly became a popular symbol of sexuality. Although she wanted to be seen as a serious actress, she was often cast in “dumb blonde” roles, which caused tension between her and her studio. Fame was also difficult for Monroe because of extreme stage fright. She struggled with addiction for many years, and she died when she was only 36. Even though her life was short, Monroe is still known as one of the most iconic actresses in history.

Answers to comprehension questions

1c 2b 3a

Pre-listening vocabulary

• art movement: a style or form of art that many artists use over a period of time
• icon: a recognizable image that represents something
• print: an art piece that has been reproduced
• controversial: causing many different opinions
• venue: a place where events are held
• dispute: a disagreement

Listening activity

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:11 — 1.1MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | More

Gapfill exercise

Andy Warhol was an American artist. He was born in 1928 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Warhol was one of the most famous figures in the New York pop art movement of the 1960s and 1970s. Pop artists created works that used flat and icons of popular culture. Some common subjects of pop art pieces included consumer , comic characters, and . Among Warhol’s most famous pieces are his prints of actress Marilyn Monroe. Warhol lived an and controversial life. His art studio was a venue for many celebrity parties. In 1968, he survived a gunshot wound after a dispute with a writer who worked with him. He was also gay, which was at the time. Warhol died in 1987, at age 58.

Comprehension questions

See answers below

1. Andy Warhol created his art in
   a. Pittsburgh
   b. New York
   c. Los Angeles
   
2. Warhol was a famous figure in the
   a. pop art movement
   b. surrealist movement
   c. abstract art movement
   
3. Warhol’s studio was
   a. a venue for many parties
   b. often a crime scene
   c. the subject of one of his famous artworks

Discussion/essay questions

1. Warhol’s works often reproduced iconic images. This has caused debates about credit and ownership of art. Some people believe that transforming other people’s work is a form of art. Others believe that this is stealing. What do you think?

Transcript

Andy Warhol was an American artist. He was born in 1928 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Warhol was one of the most famous figures in the New York pop art movement of the 1960s and 1970s. Pop artists created works that used flat colours and icons of popular culture. Some common subjects of pop art pieces included consumer products, comic characters, and celebrities. Among Warhol’s most famous pieces are his prints of actress Marilyn Monroe. Warhol lived an eventful and controversial life. His art studio was a venue for many celebrity parties. In 1968, he survived a gunshot wound after a dispute with a writer who worked with him. He was also gay, which was illegal at the time. Warhol died in 1987, at age 58.

Answers to comprehension questions

1b 2a 3a