7. Sound check

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ABOUT YOU

How important is music to you? What’s your favourite kind of music? When and where do you listen to music?

Music is very important to me because it helps me relax and boosts my energy when I am tired. My favourite kind of music is pop and indie rock because of the catchy rhythms and meaningful lyrics. I usually listen to music on my smartphone using headphones while I am doing my homework, travelling by bus, or walking in the park.

VOCABULARY

1 Look at the photos. Where do you think the people are? What are they doing?

In photo A, a boy band is posing and singing in a music video. In photo B, a sound technician is working at a mixing console in a recording studio. In photo C, teenagers are standing in a crowd and watching a band perform at an outdoor music festival. In photo D, an orchestra and a pianist are performing a classical concert on stage in a large concert hall. In photo E, a radio DJ is speaking into a microphone while broadcasting a show in a radio studio.

2 Listen and match the recordings to the photos.

1 E (A radio DJ and a guest singer in a broadcasting studio) 2 C (Friends watching a live music festival in a crowd) 3 D (A live performance at the Sydney Opera House concert hall) 4 A (A music channel presenter talking about a boy band and a music video) 5 B (An interviewer talking to a sound technician in a sound studio)

3 Complete the sentences with the words in the box. Listen again and check.

1 I’m DJ Mike playing your favourite music. 2 And this morning, Gina is in the studio with us. 3 I guess you could say I’ve been a celebrity at home for about three years now. 4 But tonight is my first gig in Europe. 5 The bass guitarist is amazing, don’t you think? He plays so well. 6 These lyrics make no sense. They’re awful. 7 And it’s all recorded anyhow – not even live! 8 They shouldn’t call this event a live music festival! 9 We are live from the Sydney Opera House – a concert hall that is familiar to our regular listeners. 10 And this is VVTV – the only music channel that plays your music. 11 Go to our website to watch a clip of the band’s recent show in Boston. 12 Let’s take a look at boyband EE’s latest music video. 13 Like me, you probably think the musicians record their music and that’s it. 14 I’ve just come back from the London Sound Studio where I spoke to sound technician Bob Jackson. 15 He has introduced me to a whole new world: the world of sound production.

4 Ask and answer the questions.

1 I have never been to a big music festival, but I would really love to go to one. It seems exciting to listen to multiple artists live with friends and experience the great atmosphere. 2 Yes, I often watch music videos on YouTube on my smartphone or laptop. It is entertaining to see the creative visuals and choreography that accompany the tracks. 3 Some of the most famous celebrities in Ukraine are musicians like Sviatoslav Vakarchuk, Jamala, Tina Karol, Monatik, and the band Kalush Orchestra, as well as sports stars like Oleksandr Usyk. 4 I admire the band Imagine Dragons because their songs have powerful messages and impressive energy. They write catchy melodies and always deliver unforgettable live performances. 5 My favourite music video features dynamic dancing and vibrant colours in a city setting. The story follows a group of teenagers following their dreams, and the special visual effects match the beat of the song perfectly.

READING

1 Look at the photo. How do you think he became famous?

I think he became famous by playing the guitar, singing songs and posting videos of his performances on social media platforms like YouTube and Vine.

2 These numbers are all about the life of the person in the photo. What do you think they represent?

A 2014 – The year he became famous on social media.
B 37 – The number of minutes it took for his debut EP to reach number one on iTunes.
C 10.8 – The number of followers in millions (10.8 million) he had on Twitter.
D 10,000 – The number of likes he got on his first Vine video by the next day.

3 Read the article and check your ideas.

The ideas were correct:

• 2014: The year Shawn Mendes shot to fame thanks to social media.
• 37: The number of minutes it took for his debut four-track EP to reach number one on iTunes.
• 10.8: He had 10.8 million followers on Twitter in 2014.
• 10,000: He received 10,000 likes the day after posting a clip on Vine.

4 Read the article again and answer the questions.

1 C (He watched some YouTube videos.)
2 C (a well-known song)
3 A (by uploading more clips of his songs)
4 B (sports)
5 C (He gives special concerts for a few fans.)

5 Match the highlighted words in the text to the meanings.

1 succeeded in doing something good, usually by working hard – achieved
2 entertains people by acting, dancing, singing, playing music – performs
3 looked at – checked
4 talked and did things with other people – interacted
5 officially joined – signed up

TALKING POINTS

Have you ever uploaded a video to YouTube? Why? / Why not?

I have not uploaded any videos to YouTube yet because I am quite shy and prefer watching other creators’ content. However, I sometimes record short video clips of our school concerts just for my friends and family.

Why do people upload videos to YouTube?

People upload videos to YouTube to share their talents, express creativity, and show their daily life or hobbies. It is also an effective way to find an audience, receive feedback, and build an online community.

In the future, do you think all stars will become famous through the power of social media?

Social media is definitely the most accessible platform for young artists to share their work and gain popularity quickly. Even so, traditional talent agencies, live competitions, and music schools will still play an important role in discovering and training future stars.

GRAMMAR

1 Match two examples to each rule.

Rule a: 1 (I’ve just become a Mendes fan.), 3 (Mendes is young, but he’s already achieved so much.)

Rule b: 2 (The next day he checked his account.), 4 (He practised every day.)

2 Complete the sentences with the past simple or present perfect of the verbs.

1 Mike bought his ticket for the music festival two months ago. 2 He paid a lot of money for it. 3 He has not seen his favourite band live before and so he’s excited. 4 Mike’s mum wants to help, so she has offered to take him to the stadium. 5 Mike doesn’t need a lift from his mum because he has organised a lift with a friend. 6 Mike called his friend last night to make the final arrangements for their trip.

3 We often use the adverbs just, already and yet with the present perfect. Read the examples and complete the rules with just, already or yet.

a With the present perfect, we use already when something has happened at some time before now. b With the present perfect, we use just when something happened a short time ago. c With the present perfect, we use yet in questions and negative sentences when something has (possibly) not happened.

4 Read the examples in Exercise 3 again. Which adverb is used at the end of a sentence? Where are the other adverbs used?

The adverb yet is used at the end of a sentence (in negative sentences and questions). The other adverbs (just and already) are placed between the auxiliary verb (have / has) and the main verb (past participle).

5 Correct the mistake in each sentence.

1 I have just seen your advertisement. 2 Yesterday I bought a new album. 3 A new student, Maria Vaz, has joined our class. 4 Have you already decided to buy the festival ticket? 5 I didn’t see the clip yesterday. 6 I haven’t seen the band play there yet.

6 Complete the sentences with the present perfect form of the verbs. Put the adverbs in the correct place.

1 I have just seen an advertisement for The X Factor – I think I’ll apply! 2 Some of the singers have already sung in front of a large audience. 3 They haven’t announced who the judges are yet. 4 It’s two hours to show time and the performers have already put their costumes on. 5 Jake hasn’t performed in public yet. 6 Our town has just held its annual music festival. It was last week.

7 Ask and answer these questions with a partner.

1 Yes, I have listened to an artist on TikTok recently. It was a Ukrainian indie singer named Jerry Heil, and her new track was really catchy. 2 I last listened to music by Imagine Dragons yesterday evening. I listened to their whole new album while doing my homework. 3 I have seen three artists live at open-air city concerts and local festivals.

VOCABULARY

1 Look at the words in the examples. What kind of word are they?

1 In the first sentence, help is a verb. 2 In the second sentence, helpful is an adjective. 3 In the third sentence, help is a noun.

2 Complete the table.

3 Talk about a musician you like for 30 seconds. Try to use at least one form of each of the words in Exercise 2.

My favourite musician is Shawn Mendes. He is a truly talented singer who gives incredible live performances on stage. Even when companies do not heavily advertise his shows, tickets sell out quickly because he is such an engaging entertainer. He has achieved worldwide fame at a young age, and every new recording he releases becomes an instant hit.

WRITING

1 Read part of an email that Sophia has received from her friend Jacob. Then read Sophia’s reply. Does Sophia answer all Jacob’s questions?

Yes, Sophia answers all of Jacob’s questions. She explains that the concert was her school concert, which took place in the school hall, describes how nervous she felt before walking on stage, and says that the event was awesome and they had a cool time.

2 Read the Prepare to write box. What phrases does Sophia use to begin and end her email?

• To begin her email, Sophia uses the phrase Dear Jacob,.
• To end her email, Sophia uses the phrase Write soon,.

3 Find three short forms in Sophia’s email.

Three short forms used in Sophia’s email are:

1. can’t (you can’t imagine)
2. I’ve (I’ve never seen)
3. I’ll (I’ll send you)

4 Rewrite the sentences using short forms.

1 He’s never been to a music festival. 2 We’re going to give Amy a lift at 8 pm. 3 Do you know who’s going to perform next? 4 I’d really like to see a live classical music concert. 5 They haven’t bought their tickets yet. 6 Dan and Gemma couldn’t find a place to park near the concert.

5 Match the highlighted informal words in Sophia’s email to the meanings.

1 lots – loads of 2 frightening – scary 3 very good – awesome 4 friends – mates 5 enjoyed – had a cool time

6 Read this email from your English-speaking friend, Alex, and the notes you have made. Write your email to Alex, using ALL the notes. Use the tips in the Prepare to write box. Write about 100 words. Remember to check your spelling and grammar.

Hi Alex,

It is great to hear from you! Camping in the countryside and going to concerts sounds like an awesome weekend!

Yes, I have been to a music festival too. Last summer, I went to the Atlas Weekend festival in Kyiv with my friends. What I enjoyed most about it was the amazing atmosphere and seeing my favourite rock band perform live on the main stage. The energy of the crowd was unbelievable!

No, I have never performed on a big stage, but I sometimes play the guitar for our school concerts. You should not be scared to try!

Write soon,
Alex

ABOUT YOU

06 Watch the video and then answer the questions. What is your favourite building? Do you prefer old or modern buildings? How important is it to have local facilities near your home?

1. My favourite building is the House with Chimaeras in Kyiv because of its unique Art Nouveau architecture and unusual animal sculptures on the facade.
2. I prefer modern buildings because they are often eco-friendly, energy-efficient, and have large glass windows that let in plenty of natural light.
3. Having local facilities near home is very important because easy access to supermarkets, sports centres, pharmacies, and public transport saves time and makes daily life much more convenient.

VOCABULARY

1 Match the sentences to the houses in photos 1–3 on the opposite page.

a – Photo 1 (The solar panels and glass walls on this house make it look brand new. Its original shape is spectacular to look at. It’s more contemporary than the other houses.)
b – Photo 3 (This house is unusual because it’s very narrow. Inside this home is very stylish thanks to its bright, fresh design.)
c – Photo 2 (This house is a classic example of a historic tower. Its design is very traditional but it could be quite cosy inside. It’s not as modern as the other houses.)

2 Complete the chart with the adjectives from Exercise 1.

3 Look at the photos again. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of living in each building.

• Building 1 (The modern eco-home):

  • Advantages: It has a unique contemporary design, uses solar panels to save energy, and stays naturally cool in summer and warm in winter.
  • Disadvantages: The glass walls mean there is very little privacy because people from the outside can look straight into the rooms.

• Building 2 (The historic tower):

  • Advantages: It offers spectacular views of the landscape from the top floor and has a cosy, classic atmosphere.
  • Disadvantages: It does not have a lift, which means you have to walk up and down numerous flights of stairs every day.

• Building 3 (The narrow house):

  • Advantages: It makes ingenious use of urban space, has a stylish, bright modern interior, and is situated in a vibrant neighbourhood.
  • Disadvantages: The rooms are extremely narrow, making it difficult to fit large furniture, and daily life requires constant stair climbing between levels.

4 Listen to two people talking about the buildings in Exercise 1. Do they mention any of your ideas?

Yes, they mention many of the same points:

• For the modern house, they point out its clever temperature regulation (cool in summer, warm in winter), but mention the disadvantage of having no privacy due to all the glass walls.
• For the tower, they highlight the amazing panoramic views and cosy rooms, but note that having no lift and lots of stairs is a clear drawback.
• For the narrow house, they describe how stylish and light it feels inside, but discuss how hard it is to fit furniture and how inconvenient it is to walk up and down stairs all the time.

5 Discuss the questions.

1. How much space do you need to live in? Why? I do not need a huge amount of living space, just a private bedroom with a study area and a comfortable shared room with my family. Having a compact, functional space is easier to keep clean and feels much cosier.

2. What sort of house would you like to live in? I would like to live in an energy-efficient modern house equipped with solar panels and large windows, situated near a park so that I can enjoy nature and natural light.

3. Describe the most unusual building you have ever visited or read about. The most unusual building I have read about is the Upside Down House in Bukovel, Ukraine, where all the furniture, stairs, and decorations are fixed to the ceiling, creating an incredible illusion for visitors.

READING

1 The five students below are learning about unusual homes around the world. Each student wants to find out more about one unusual home, which they will write about for an architecture project. Read the information about each student and underline the things they are interested in. The first one has been done for you.

1. Marcelo loves all kinds of sport and wants to find out about a modern home that has been designed for a famous sportsperson. He loves buildings by the ocean, too.
2. Gloria is very interested in old buildings. She would like to write about one which is in the countryside, and has fantastic views of the landscape.
3. Harry wants to find out about a well-known architect who designed a building which the architect then lived in. He also has an interest in furniture.
4. Sofie is keen to learn about a building that is the smallest of its kind. She likes city buildings and wants to find one that is located in an interesting neighbourhood.
5. Kurt wants to learn about a modern home that is better for the environment than other buildings and has won competitions because of its original architecture.

2 Read the descriptions of eight unusual homes (A–H) quickly. Which two are shown in the pictures on the opposite page? Decide which home would be the most suitable for each student (1–5) to write about.

Pictures shown: The pictures illustrate A (Keret House) and D (Freston Tower) [as well as H (The Heliodrome)].

Matching students to homes:

1. E (PAS House) – This home is located near the beach by the ocean and was designed for a former skateboarding world champion.
2. D (Freston Tower) – This is a historic tower in the countryside with six floors offering fantastic landscape views from the top room.
3. G (Gropius House) – It was designed by the renowned architect Walter Gropius as his own family residence and houses a remarkable collection of chairs and furniture.
4. A (Keret House) – It is considered the narrowest (smallest) house in the world, located right inside a capital city in an area full of things to see and do.
5. B (Crossway) – It is a modern eco-friendly passive house with a living roof and solar power that has won prestigious architecture prizes.

TALKING POINTS

In what ways are some modern buildings better for the environment?

Many modern buildings are designed with solar panels to generate clean energy and feature large glass windows that maximise natural light and warmth. In addition, some use green living roofs to reduce air pollution and are constructed using sustainable, well-insulated materials that require significantly less electricity for heating and cooling.

What makes a good family home, in your opinion?

A good family home should be comfortable, warm, and have enough personal space for every family member. It is also important to have a cosy living area where everyone can spend time together, as well as a safe location close to schools, shops, and public transport.

Would you prefer to live in a city or the countryside? Why?

Living in a city is preferable because it offers easy access to good schools, modern facilities, shops, and entertainment centres. Public transport also makes travelling quick and convenient, which allows teenagers to meet friends and take part in various activities easily.