8th grade. Unit 8. Lesson 5. The land under white wings

👉Communicative area: reading and speaking about your favourite book by a Belarusian author

👉Active vocabulary: to reveal, to inspire, a source of inspiration, to depict, to raise questions, to draw parallels, to appeal to, outstanding

Think of the books by Belarusian authors you have read. Which of the expressions in exercise above can you use to describe them? 

8th grade. Unit 8. Lesson 4. My favourite book character

👉Communicative area: listening and speaking about your favourite book character

👉Active vocabulary: to admire, to portray, inventive, hilarious, determined

8th grade. Unit 8. Lesson 3. It's a great read.

👉Communicative area: recommending a book and sharing opinions about the book

👉Active vocabulary: gripping, thought-provoking, monotonous, to admire, to be set in/on, to convey a powerful message, to live up to all the hype, unexpected twists, a masterpiece

1. How do you choose a book to read? Do you ask your friends / parents / teachers for advice? Do you google the bestseller lists? Do you go to a bookshop and pick the book with an attractive cover? 

2. Do you ever go to the library? 

When did you last go there? 

When you go to the library, do you ask the librarian for advice? 

3. Do you think libraries are necessary in the modern world?

Read a girl’s opinion on the book. Does she like it? Have you read the book? If yes, do you agree with the girl? 

Last week I borrowed “The Hunger Games” from the library. The book is set in the future. My friends said the book was a masterpiece, a real work of art. They all read it from cover to cover in a day because the plot was gripping with a lot of unexpected twists, but I found it a bit monotonous. It didn’t live up to all the hype at all: I expected much more from it. Actually, I thought it was really violent. A lot of people were killed and I got upset. I even wanted to give it up halfway through the book. Perhaps (возможно) it was thought-provoking and conveyed a powerful message, but I just didn’t get it.

8th grade. Unit 8. Lesson 2. From cover to cover

👉Communicative area: speaking about your reading preferences

👉Active vocabulary: to cope with, to keep in suspense, to relate to, predictable, mind-numbing, varied, a page turner, a bookworm, halfway through

What kind of books do you have at home?

Discuss the questions. Which genres ....

1. keep you in suspense? 

2. describe imaginary events? 

3. help people cope with real life problems? 

4. amuse you? 

5. make you feel different emotions?

Look at the words. Guess what they may mean. 

Speak about your reading preferences. What do you have in common? Use the phrases from the Help Box.

Help box

My tastes in books are varied/not really varied. 

I like/enjoy/dislike/ hate /can’t stand/don’t mind reading … .                

 I’m really into / crazy about / interested in reading … . 

I think there is no point in / it is worth reading … . 

These books are humorous / mysterious / enjoyable / predictable / mind-numbing / realistic / motivating / boring / amusing / real page-turners. 

I can / can’t usually relate to the characters because they are realistic / unrealistic / boring / predictable / etc. 

Such books keep you in suspense / make you feel amused / make you think about / help you predict the future / enrich your vocabulary / broaden your horizons / develop critical thinking skills / help you cope with problems / etc.

8th grade. Unit 7. Final Test 1

 👉Communicative area: testing your reading, listening and speaking skills.

Quiz created by Veronika Bebekh with GoConqr

8th grade. Unit 8. Lesson 1. Books through the ages

👉Communicative area: speaking about the history and the role of books

👉Active vocabulary: an author, audiobooks, e-books, to predict, a prediction, access

8th grade. Unit 7. Lesson 10. Culture corner. Music legends

👉Communicative area: reading, asking, and answering questions about famous musicians of the UK and Belarus

Read the quotation below and say if you agree with it or not. 

“It is easier to understand a nation by listening to its music than by learning its language.” 

 Author unknown 

1. Do you remember the first song in English that you were trying to sing along with? 

2. When was it – before you started learning English or after?

3. What musicians are the main representatives (представители) of Belarusian culture / British culture? Why?

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