8th grade. Unit 7. Lesson 6. If only you would listen ...

👉Communicative area: writing about the music event you've recently attended or watched on TV and sharing your impression about it

Look at the picture and describe in detail what kind of musical instruments the performers are playing. Use as many adjectives as possible and mind their order. Compare your description with the partner’s.

Where can you see such live performances?

Have you seen the Hollywood comedy “School of Rock”? 

 Do you like it? Why? / Why not?

Kate’s father has just suggested Kate and Alex should see Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical “School of Rock”. Look through the site information and discuss in pairs why he has chosen this event. 

Running time: 2 hours and 30 minutes with 1 interval 

Age restriction: 5+ 

Venue: Gillian Lynne Theatre,166 Drury Ln, Holborn, London WC2B 5PW 

Summary: “School of Rock” is a rock musical with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Glenn Slater, and a book by Julian Fellowes. Based on the 2003 fi lm of the same name, written by Mike White. The musical introduces Dewey Finn, an out-of-work rock singer, and guitarist who pretends (притворяется) to be a teacher of Music at a prestigious school. Dewey sees the musical talent in his students, so he forms a band of fi fth-graders to win the upcoming Battle of the Bands contest. 

What are people saying about the musical? 

Bobley49, West Yorshire, the UK: 

 This show is a total success. I love the fi lm, but the stage show is even better. And the four kids who play the instruments live are brilliant. Every aspect of the show was enjoyable. 

Anna37, Riga, Latvia: 

 To be honest, I haven’t been a huge admirer of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s talent until I saw School of Rock. This show is absolutely amazing! I’ve seen it twice and plan to watch it for the 3rd time next week with my twin daughters. I’ve even bought the CD so I can listen to the songs over and over again. The tunes are really catchy! The song “If only you would listen” changed my relations with daughters for the better, as now I am trying hard to fi nd out what they really want and they deeply appreciate1 this. 

Nigelg62, East Suss, the UK: 

 I took my wife and two granddaughters to the show. We all thought it was fantastic, totally uplifting (поднимающим настроение) and great entertainment for everyone. The music was played live and was of top quality. The repetitive idea of being more attentive to children and their dreams runs through the whole musical that makes it a piece of philosophical work. However, the intense energy and fast pace of the show didn’t give us any chance to feel bored! 

Are the musical viewers giving positive or negative feedback? 

Prove your answer to the partner.

Alex and Kate got interested in the musical. They are asking father the following questions. Read the information on the website again and find the answers. 

1. What film is the musical based on? 

2. Who is the scriptwriter (сценарист) of the musical / of the film? 

3. Where is the musical performed? 

4. How long does it last? 

5. How many intervals are there? 

6. Is the musical for little children? 

7. Why did the people enjoy the musical?

Recommend the music event you have recently attended or watched on TV. Write a short review following the plan. Write around 100 words. You should mention:

1. what kind of music event it was; 

2. where and when it took place; 

3. who you saw it with; 

4. some details which made the music event special to you; 

5. whether you enjoyed this music concert or not and why; 

6. whether you recommend it to your classmates or not and why. 

8th grade. Unit 7. Lesson 7. Music streaming services

 👉Communicative area: discussing modern ways to succeed in the music industry

👉Active vocabulary: an audience, a gadget, to draw one's attention, to release, to take advantage of sth, offbeat

8th grade. Unit 7. Lesson 5. What is on this month?

 👉Communicative area: discussing different music events and advising what to attend

1. What are the most popular ways of learning about new music events that are on (take place) in your city / town / village? 

2. How did people use to learn about upcoming (предстоящих) music events before the wide use of the Internet and mobile phones? 

3. Where do you usually buy tickets for the music event that you want to attend?

1. What kind of music can you hear if you attend …? 

2. Which musical events have you ever been to? 

3. Which music event would you like to attend? 

4. What music fans is it for?

a) The International Festival of Arts “Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk”; 

b) J:Mors Concert; 

c) “Carmen” Opera at the Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theatre; 

d) Dmitry Koldun Solo Concert; 

e) Jazz Nights at Minsk Town Hall; 

f) Rock Festivals of Belarus; 

g) BeZ bileta Concert. 

What other music events, which aren’t on the list above, are popular in Belarus?

1. What is the connection between the Belarusian Bolshoi Theatre and the Radziwill Castle? 

2. Which festival traditionally gathers the most talented DJs from Europe and post-Soviet countries? 

3. Which of the 2 music festivals would you prefer to go to? Why? 

4. What world-wide music festivals do you know? Where are they held? 

5. Open-air festivals usually draw full house. Why do people like going to such music events?

6. Which music event would you recommend your foreign friend to attend? Why?

8th grade. Unit 7. Lesson 4. How about going to the gig?

👉Communicative area: discussing and choosing a music event to attend, inviting a friend
👉Active vocabulary: to come across, to come up with, to make one's mind, to step up, vibes

1. Have you ever invited a friend to attend a music event together? What was the event? 

2. Have you ever been invited to any music performance? What was it? 

3. What questions do people usually ask when they want to invite a friend to go to the gig together?

Answer the questions:

1. Why is Kate calling Alex? 

2. What concert did they want to attend first? 

3. Why can’t they visit it? What news has Kate come across? 

4. What band is stepping up to protect the planet? How? 

5. How many concerts are they going to perform in London? 

6. What did Alex ask Kate to send him? 

7. What do Alex and Kate want to get from a live performance? 8. Who needs time to make up one’s mind to go to the gig? Why?

Work in pairs. Get ready to ask each other the questions to fill in the missing information.

Work in new pairs. Choose a music event you’d like to invite your friend to. Make up a conversation using the Help box. Act it out.

Help box 

– I’m just giving you a ring to ask if you want to go to …? 

 – Have you heard of …? 

 – Of course yes. / Not sure. / Let me think. Can you tell me all the details? What is the venue (место)/date? What time does it start? What programme / album / show is going to be performed? 

 – It will be held in … . It starts around … . They are giving a one-off live gig this season, so we shouldn’t miss the chance to attend it! – Can’t wait to get positive vibes from a live performance! 

– Neither can I. 

– Call me back as soon as you make up your mind / buy the tickets / … . – I will. 

8th grade. Unit 7. Lesson 3. Favourite musicians

👉Communicative area: speaking about popular musicians of Belarus and the UK

👉Active vocabulary: a gig, live, at full volume

👉Grammar revision: So do I. / Neither do I.

1. Who are your favourite musicians (singers, musical bands)?

2. Are there any Belarusians among them?

3. What are their music styles? 

4. What country (-ies) do they come from? 

5. What countries are famous for producing show-business stars?

    

Agreeing 

Выражение согласия с мнением собеседника

Для выражения согласия с мнением собеседника в английском языке можно использовать следующие варианты.

1. So / Neither + вспомогательный глагол (в соответствующем времени) + подлежащее.

При этом so используется для выражения согласия с утвердительным высказыванием, а neither – с отрицательным высказыванием:

(+) I love them! – So do I. (Я тоже.)

(+) I loved the concert. – So did I. (Я тоже.)

(-) He doesn’t like the band at all. – Neither do I! (Я тоже.)

(-) I’m not into K-pop. – Neither am I. (Я тоже.)

2. Me too / Me neither (разговорный) 

(+) I love them. – Me too. (Я тоже.)

(+) I loved the concert. – Me too. (Я тоже.)

(-) I’m not into K-pop. – Me neither. (Я тоже.)

(-) He doesn’t like the band at all. – Me neither. (Я тоже.)

Click here to practise So do I / Neither do I

Quiz created by Veronika Bebekh with GoConqr

Make up a dialogue about popular musicians of Belarus and the UK and act it out in class. 

Use the Help box and the lesson grammar revision to express agreement or disagreement.   

Help box 

– What musicians do you like listening to? 

– It depends … . Being alone / While hanging out with friends I listen to … . What about you? 

 – … had the biggest influence on my musical taste. I am really into … . I always listen to … at full volume. 

– So do I. I am dying to see one’s live performance with a variety of musical instruments. It is worth visiting! 

 – But I don’t. I don’t like one’s manner of performing. I want to go to a live gig by … . One’s latest song / single is a real catchy tune!

8th grade. Unit 7. Lesson 2. Music lessons

👉Communicative area: speaking about music lessons and describing different types of musical instruments

👉Active vocabulary: a bagpipe, a bass guitar, a cello, a flute, a saxophone, a synthesiser, a trumpet, a violin

👉Active grammar: articles with musical instruments, order of adjectives

1. Do you have music lessons on the school curriculum? If yes, how many lessons a week? If no, did you use to have them before? 

2. Do you or your classmates attend private music lessons? If yes, what are they? 

3. Have you ever thought of working in the music sphere in the future?

CLICK TO TAKE THE TEST

8th grade. Unit 7. Lesson 1. Catchy tunes

 

8th grade. Unit 6. Final test 1.

 

Quiz created by Veronika Bebekh with GoConqr

8th grade. Unit 6. Lesson 6. A 1000th anniversary

👉Communicative area: listening to a report and speaking about celebrating the birthday of a city

In 2019, one of our regional centres celebrated its landmark birthday anniversary. 

Which anniversary was it?

 

What events happened in Brest on the first day of the celebration?

Do you think Brest’s anniversary celebration was a success? Why do you think so?

 Imagine you attended Brest’s anniversary celebration. Share your experience. Mind the sequence of tenses.

 How does your city / town celebrate its birthday? 

8th grade. Unit 6. Lesson 5. Festive Time

 👉Communicative area: describing traditional Belarusian festivals

👉Active vocabulary: contest, procession, stall, wreath, spectacular, spectator, remarkable, hand down, join in

8th grade. Unit 6. Lesson 2. A keepsake from Belarus

👉Communicative area: helping a tourist to buy a Belarusian souvenir

👉Active vocabulary: a fair, an exhibition, a keepsake, an accessory, a tablecloth, a napkin, a jug, a vase, a figurine, a ring, an earring, a key ring, a broom, a towel, a horseshoe

👉Active grammar: object clauses

Your English friend wants to buy a traditional Belarusian souvenir. Where can he / she do it in your native place?

Quiz created by Veronika Bebekh with GoConqr

 Watch the “Charouny Mlyn” video. What kind of event does it advertise: a fair or an exhibition? Can you buy a souvenir there?

What do you know about the “Charouny Mlyn” fair? 

Make up the sentences. 

I (don’t) think …             (that) it’s an international crafts fair. 

I (don’t) know …             (that) it’s a national crafts fair.

I’m (not) sure …               what crafts are displayed there. 

I wonder (= want to know) …    

                                            when and where it is held. 

                                            what workshops you can attend there. 

                                            why it is so popular.

“Charouny Mlyn” (Charming Mill) is a fair of handmade art objects. It began its history in May 2010 and each time collects more than 500 modern artisans from all regions of Belarus and abroad. The fair can boast a variety of crafts and their unique collections: 

original jewellery; paintings; ceramics; designer dolls; teddy bears; clothes and accessories (hats, bags, backpacks, purses, wallets, etc.); toys and goods for children’s development; wooden furniture for home and garden; farm food and organic products; goods for hobbies and creativity; gifts and souvenirs; thousands of small cute items that keep the warmth of human hands.

The programme of the handmade exhibition is very rich and includes fascinating workshops on arts and crafts, fashion shows, educational seminars, and competitions. The “Mlyn” fair is held in the national exhibition centre BelExpo in Minsk 3 times a year: in autumn, winter, and spring. Come to the fair and you will find yourself in a warm atmosphere, full of special spirit and creativity! 

Object clauses / Дополнительные придаточные предложения

Дополнительные придаточные предложения являются частью сложного предложения и выполняют в нем функцию дополнения к глаголу (think, believe, know, say, tell, wonder, understand, remember, forget, etc.) или прилагательному (sure, glad, pleased, afraid, happy, sad, lucky, etc.) в главном предложении. 

Сравните два предложения:

простое предложение 

A. I don’t know its address.

                                          оbject (дополнение) Я не знаю (что?) 

сложное предложение 

B. I don’t know where it is. 

                          main clause (главное)    object clause (придаточное)

 

Дополнительные придаточные предложения соединяются с главным с помощью союзов that, if, whether или союзных слов who, what, where, when, how, why. 

Союз that может опускаться.

I think that it is a national fair. = I think it is a national fair.

Work in pairs. Recommend a Belarusian souvenir as a keepsake – a souvenir that will remind your English friend of Belarus. Make up sentences with object clauses. React to your partner’s ideas. 

Example:  – I know that a linen towel is an amazing keepsake. 

                 – Yes, it is. I think you can buy a cool keepsake there. / I’m not sure. I don’t like handmade objects.

Example: – What lovely earrings! I wonder what they’re made of. 

             – I think it’s a pair of silver earrings with the Belarusian ornament. / I’m not sure what they’re made of. Maybe silver or iron.

Help box: linen, ceramic, embroidered, iron, crystal, wooden, silver, metal, plastic

Make up a conversation "At the Fair" between you and an English friend recommending a Belarusian souvenir as a keepsake to remind your English friend of Belarus. Use the expressions from the Help box.

Help box: 

I think you should buy … 
Why don’t you buy …? How / What about buying … ? 
It’s quite cheap. It’s a bit expensive because it’s handmade. It’s rather useful. It’s a great keepsake/home accessory / souvenir / amulet for your … . 
You can put / hang / wear / use it … It won’t take much space in your suitcase. You should put it in your hand luggage as it is fragile (хрупкий). 
 That’s a good idea! It’s so cute / lovely / nice! I like it. 
 I’m sure my … will like it. How much is it? Can I pay in cash or by credit card? I’ll take … .  

1. What souvenirs have you decided to buy? Why?
2. What other souvenirs would you recommend to buy?
3. Have you ever been to a crafts fair? What did you like / buy there? Was it worth visiting? Why? / Why not?

8th grade. Unit 6. Lesson 1. Traditional Belarusian crafts

👉Communicative area: describing Belarusian crafts

👉Active vocabulary: craft, pottery, weaving, straw weaving, embroidery, blacksmithing, woodcarving, clay, linen, ceramic, iron, crystal.

What things do you associate with Belarusian traditions? Work in pairs and write words through the word “traditions”. Use the words given or your own ideas. 

What traditional Belarusian crafts do you know? Read the information and name the crafts in the exercise.

Picture C

The culture of handicraft in Belarus is a tradition going back centuries. 

Weaving and embroidery are among the most famous traditional Belarusian crafts. Blue flax flowers decorate the coat of arms of Belarus. You can find a wide range of linen (made from flax) goods such as tablecloths, napkins, bedding, curtains, clothes, amulet dolls, embroidered shirts, and towels. 

Picture B

Straw weaving is a tradition that goes back to a time when the grain was cut by hand. It was believed that “the spirit of the harvest” lived in the grain. In the past, people covered the roofs of their houses with straw and used straw to make clothes, footwear, hats, toys, and decorations. It was also used as bedding for domestic animals. Various figurines made from straw were not just toys but amulet-protectors. 

Picture A 

Pottery has been a popular craft in different regions of Belarus since ancient times. Each artisan1 had his own secrets of making things from clay. Belarusian women knew that milk remained (оставалось) fresh for longer in a ceramic  jug, and dishes of national cuisine cooked in clay pots were incredibly tasty. Also, Belarusians made musical instruments from clay. You can buy ceramic figurines of animals and birds (bison, beavers, storks, and many others), bells, candlesticks, accessories, magnets, and dishes. 

Picture E

Blacksmithing has always been associated with mystery. How can it be otherwise? After all, not everyone can turn a piece of metal into a useful thing or an art object. And, blacksmiths do it. Figurines and jewellery, furniture and clocks, balconies and stairs, fences and gates, barbecues, and horseshoes are made from iron and other metals. In Belarus, a land of forests, wood has always been a common material for construction and art.

Picture D

Woodcarving is still a popular craft. Belarusian artisans produce wooden furniture, dishes, spoons, interior decorations, figurines, and accessories. So, a wooden jewellery box inlaid with straw would be a lovely souvenir. 

Picture F

Belarusian glass blowing is a real point of pride of our country. There were a lot of glass and crystal factories in Belarus a hundred and more years ago. Belarusian glass blowers became famous for their unique artistic taste and the excellent quality of their work. Elegant glasses, splendid vases, candlesticks, animal and bird figurines, Easter eggs, and fruits would decorate any house.

This shirt is made of linen. (material)

Linen is made from flax. (process) 

How are the following things related to traditional Belarusian crafts?

The coat of arms of Belarus; the spirit of the harvest; amulets; fresh milk; tasty food; domestic animals; mystery; unique artistic taste.

Work in pairs. Ask and answer questions about Belarusian crafts. Share your findings with the other pairs. Which crafts have your classmates tried? 

1. Have you ever tried … ? 

2. Do you know any people who practise …? 

3. Which craft would you like to try? 

Imagine that you are at the open-air museum “Dudutki”. 

What workshop would you invite your friend to? 

Describe the craft.