Nombre y apellidos:
Unidad 2, tarea 1.
1. Watch this video to get an idea about the Beatles:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjfAXCKLcfk
2. Now you are going to read a text about John Lennon and the Beatles and answer the
following questions:
1__________________________________________________________________
John Lennon died on 8th December 1980 when Mark Chapman, a mentally ill man who called
himself a ‘fan’ of the ex-Beatle, shot him at the entrance to the building where Lennon lived in
New York. The news of Lennon’s death caused great sadness around the World.
2__________________________________________________________________
The main reason for Lennon’s popularity was, of course, his work with the Beatles in the
1960s. As well as being a singer and guitarist, he was a gifted songwriter who wrote most of
the Beatles’ lyrics in partnership with Paul McCartney. Lennon and McCartney also wrote some
songs individually – Lennon’s included Day in the Life and Come Together.
3___________________________________________________________________
In the 1950s, as a teenager in Liverpool, in the north-west of England, Lennon was a big fan of
American rock ’n’ roll music. His aunt bought him a guitar, but then began to worry that he
was spending too much time playing it. She said, ‘The guitar’s all very well, John, but you’ll
never make a living out of it.’ In 1957, aged sixteen, Lennon decided to form a band called The
Quarrymen, and invited Paul McCartney to join him. George Harrison was the next to join.
Pete Best, the drummer, was the fourth member of the band before Ringo Starr replaced him.
The band changed its name the Silver Beetles, then to the Beatles. Worldwide fame was just
around the corner.
4____________________________________________________________________
When the Beatles split up in 1970, John began a solo career. By then he was married to his
second wife, the Japanese artist Yoko Ono. He and Ono became campaigners for World peace
(the Vietnam War was still going on), and also supported new ideas such as feminism. Some
people thought Lennon’s ideas were naïve, but others admired him for using his fame to
highlight important issues.
5_____________________________________________________________________
Lennon’s beliefs also led him to write two of his most popular songs: Imagine and Happy Xmas
(War is Over). Imagine has become extremely well-known, and in December 2005 it was the
song people played at almost all the events that took place to commemorate the 25th
anniversary of Lennon’s death.
1. Are these statements True or False? Justify the answer with your own words.
a) The Silver Beetles had not yet become famous when they changed their name to
The Beatles.
b) Lennon didn’t like foreign music when he was a teenager.
c) Lennon’s aunt didn’t think he should waste his time trying to become a
professional guitarist.
d) John Lennon and Paul McCartney wrote all the Beatles’ songs together.
2. Match these titles with the paragraphs above:
a) Lennon´s most famous works.
b) Formation of the Beatles and Lennon´s initiative.
c) Lennon´s end.
d) Lennon´s own career and personal life.
e) Lennon´s good qualities for music.
3. Find in the text synonyms of the following words and give a definition for each word
(with your own words, do not copy from a dictionary):
a) Talented:
b) Famous:
c) Create:
d) Global:
4. What do you think the author of the text wants to express with the following
statements? (Use your own words to answer):
a) “The news of Lennon’s death caused great sadness around the World.”
b) “He was a gifted songwriter who wrote most of the Beatles’ lyrics in partnership
with Paul McCartney”.
c) “Some people thought Lennon’s ideas were naïve, but others admired him for
using his fame to highlight important issues.”
3. Watch this video about the biography of the Beatles:
The History of the Beatles
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAmKN7H1L4g&feature=related
Now, you are going to write a short text about the biography of the Beatles:
-
Give a title to the text (be as original as possible).
Use three short paragraphs: introduction, body and conclusion.
Use past simple tense and past continuous tense.
Use your own words; do not copy from the Internet.
Look for information on the Internet and you can use as a guide the video you have
watched and the following data:
Dates
1956-1960
1957
August 1960
April 1962
Information
John Lennon forms his first group, 'the Quarrymen'.
Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Stu Sutcliffe and
Pete Best (in 1960) join the group.
They make their debut in Liverpool (England).
The Beatles make their debut in Hamburg (West
Germany)
Stu Sutcliffe dies of a brain hemorrhage
June 1962
George Martin agrees to sign the group, but insists
that Pete Best should be replaced. Within months,
Richard 'Ringo' Starkey joins the group.
February 7, 1964
The Beatles arrive in America. The top five slots on
the 'Billboard' chart are held by the Beatles.
April 1, 1965
John Lennon composes 'Help!' the title song for the
Beatles' second film.
October 26, 1965
The Beatles are awarded England's prestigious MBE
(Members of the Order of the British Empire).
March 4, 1966
John Lennon states that the Beatles are 'more
popular than Jesus now.' The comment provokes
several protests, including the burning of Beatles
records.
After their concert at San Francisco's Candlestick
Park, the Beatles declare this to be their final concert
tour.
The Beatles make their last performance as a group
on the roof of the Apple building during the filming of
'Let It Be'.
John and Yoko are reunited. The Beatles' final
dissolution takes place in London.
John Lennon is shot by a deranged assailant as he
and Yoko return to the Dakota after a recording
session. He is pronounced dead at Roosevelt
Hospital.
August 29, 1966
January 30, 1969
January 2, 1975
December 8, 1980
GREATEST HITS:
1962 - 'Love Me Do'
1963 - 'She Loves You'
1965 - 'Ticket To Ride', 'Help!', 'Yesterday'
Your paragraph:
Introduction:
Body:
Conclusion:
1966 - 'Paperback Writer', 'Yellow Submarine'
1967 - 'Penny Lane', 'All You Need Is Love'
1968 - 'Hey Jude'
1970 - 'Let It Be'