©BBC
Pre-reading questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Who are some popular musicians in your country?
- How often do you listen to music?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- decade /DEK-eyd/
- (be) over the moon /OH-ver-thuh-moon/
- release /ri-LEES/
- classic /KLAS-ik/
- eagerly /EE-ger-lee /
[adjective] – a period of ten years, especially a period such as 2010 to 2019
She has been running the restaurant for three decades.
[idiom] – to be very pleased
Sheena was over the moon when she saw the fireworks.
[noun] – a musical recording that is made available for the public to buy
They are waiting for the release of Taylor Swift’s new album.
[adjective] – having a high quality or standard against which other things are judged
Reena enjoys listening to classic songs from the 1970s.
[adverb] – in a way that shows that you want to do or have something very much, especially something interesting or enjoyable
We are eagerly looking forward to your arrival.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
Abba, one of the world’s beloved pop groups, has once again topped the charts after nearly four decades, with its newest album titled “Voyage”. Its 204,000 first-week chart sales are the highest since English singer Ed Sheeran’s album, Divide. “We are absolutely over the moon to have an album at the top of the charts again,” the group said in a statement. The 10-track album is now the fastest-selling vinyl release of the century.
The Swedish quartet was formed in 1972 by Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus, Agnetha Fältskog, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. They joined the Eurovision Song Contest in 1974 and won the international judges over with ‘Waterloo’. Some of their hits include: Chiquitita, Dancing Queen, I Have a Dream, Fernando, Money, Money, Money, and The Winner Takes It All.
Voyage has received mixed reviews since its release on November 5, 2021. “It’s vintage Abba, on par with their classic 1970s run,” bared Rolling Stone in a four-star review. But The Guardian’s two-star article said it was a “disappointment”. Also returning to the music scene is English pop diva Adele, whose fourth album has been eagerly awaited by fans.
The Swedish quartet was formed in 1972 by Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus, Agnetha Fältskog, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. They joined the Eurovision Song Contest in 1974 and won the international judges over with ‘Waterloo’. Some of their hits include: Chiquitita, Dancing Queen, I Have a Dream, Fernando, Money, Money, Money, and The Winner Takes It All.
Voyage has received mixed reviews since its release on November 5, 2021. “It’s vintage Abba, on par with their classic 1970s run,” bared Rolling Stone in a four-star review. But The Guardian’s two-star article said it was a “disappointment”. Also returning to the music scene is English pop diva Adele, whose fourth album has been eagerly awaited by fans.
Comprehension questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- How long did it take for Abba to top the music charts again?
- When was Abba formed?
- What did Abba accomplish in 1974?
- What are some of Abba’s hit songs?
- What did The Guardian say about Voyage?
Discussion questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- When was the last time you discovered a new song? Please share something about it.
- Do you know anyone who is a fan of Abba? If not, would you recommend Abba to a friend? Why?
- If you were a singer, what would you name your debut album? Please explain why you chose this title.
- What do you think are some qualities that aspiring musicians should have to become successful?
- In your opinion, what is the importance of music in today’s society?