The Reading / Listening - Level 3

The U.S. pop star Taylor Swift has removed her best-selling album '1989' from Apple Music. The 25-year-old singer-songwriter said she disagrees with the way Apple is giving her music away for free. Apple Music is Apple's new music streaming service that starts on June 30th. Anyone can sign up for a free trial and get the first three months without paying. Swift says this is wrong and that Apple should pay artists for these three months. After the initial trial period, subscribers will pay a monthly fee of $9.99. She wrote an open letter suggesting that Apple was being greedy. She said: "We don't ask [Apple] for free iPhones. Please don't ask us to provide you with our music for no compensation."

Swift further outlined her criticism of Apple Music in her letter. She wrote: "I'm not sure you know that Apple Music will not be paying writers, producers, or artists for those three months." She added that it was very unlike Apple to be so "unfair," saying: "I find it to be shocking, disappointing, and completely unlike this historically progressive and generous company." She told people that Apple had the money to pay artists for the three months. She said: "We know how astronomically successful Apple has been and we know that this incredible company has the money to pay artists….Three months is a long time to go unpaid, and it is unfair to ask anyone to work for nothing."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Level 0 Level 1   or  Level 2

Sources
  • http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-33216778
  • http://techcrunch.com/2015/06/21/free-are-never-getting-back-together/
  • http://www.wsj.com/articles/taylor-swift-withholds-album-from-apple-music-1434916050


Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice, drag and drop activities, crosswords, hangman, flash cards, matching activities and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

The 40 Lesson Activities on the PDF Handout

WARM-UPS

1. STREAMING MUSIC: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about streaming music. Change partners often and share your findings.

2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, talk about these topics or words from the article. What will the article say about them? What can you say about these words and your life?

 

pop star / 1989 / disagree / streaming / free / trial / artists / three months / greedy / criticism / writers / unfair / generous / successful / incredible / unpaid / nothing

Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.

3. MUSIC: What are the good and bad things about listening to music in these ways? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

Good

Bad

Streaming

 

 

CD

 

 

Radio

 

 

YouTube

 

 

Record

 

 

MP3 player

 

 

4. STREAMING: Students A strongly believe streaming music is betterthan buying songs and albums; Students B strongly believe the opposite.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

MY e-BOOK
ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers
See a sample

5. MUSIC GENRES: Rank these with your partner. Put the best music genres at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • pop

  • classical

  • rock 'n' roll

  • jazz

  • soul

  • country

  • folk

  • hip-hop

6. FREE: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "free". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.

BEFORE READING / LISTENING

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if  a-h  below are true (T) or false (F).

a.

The new Taylor Swift album is called '1998'.

T / F

b.

Taylor Swift is not happy at Apple Music giving away music for free.

T / F

c.

There is a three-month free trial with Apple Music.

T / F

d.

Taylor Swift asked Apple to give her a free iPhone.

T / F

e.

Taylor Swift wrote a letter to Apple.

T / F

f.

Taylor Swift said it was very like Apple to put money first.

T / F

g.

Taylor Swift called Apple a progressive and generous company.

T / F

h.

Taylor Swift said she was happy to work for three months without pay.

T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

1.

removed

a.

time

2.

initial

b.

disapproval

3.

period

c.

payment

4.

provide

d.

additionally

5.

compensation

e.

advanced

6.

further

f.

took away

7.

criticism

g.

amazing

8.

added

h.

supply

9.

progressive

i.

went on to say

10.

incredible

j.

beginning

3. PHRASE MATCH:  (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)

1.

The 25-year-old singer-

a.

away for free

2.

giving her music

b.

so "unfair"

3.

Anyone can sign

c.

no compensation

4.

After the initial trial

d.

go unpaid

5.

provide you with our music for

e.

to work for nothing

6.

I'm not sure you

f.

period

7.

it was very unlike Apple to be

g.

songwriter

8.

astronomically

h.

know that

9.

Three months is a long time to

i.

up for a free trial

10.

unfair to ask anyone

j.

successful

GAP FILL

The U.S. pop star Taylor Swift has (1) ____________ her best-selling album '1989' from Apple Music. The 25-year-old singer-songwriter said she disagrees with the way Apple is giving her music (2) ____________ for free. Apple Music is Apple's new music streaming service that starts on June 30th. Anyone can sign up for a free (3) ____________ and get the first three months without paying. Swift says this is (4) ____________ and that Apple should pay artists for these three months. After the (5) ____________ trial period, subscribers will pay a monthly (6) ____________ of $9.99. She wrote an open letter suggesting that Apple was being (7) ____________. She said: "We don't ask [Apple] for free iPhones. Please don't ask us to provide you with our music for no (8) ____________."

 

 

wrong
trial
fee
away
removed
compensation
initial
greedy

Swift further outlined her (9) ____________ of Apple Music in her letter. She wrote: "I'm not sure you know that Apple Music will not be (10) ____________ writers, producers, or artists for those three months." She added that it was very (11) ____________ Apple to be so "unfair," saying: "I find it to be shocking, disappointing, and completely unlike this historically progressive and (12) ____________ company." She told people that Apple had the money to (13) ____________ artists for the three months. She said: "We know how astronomically (14) ____________ Apple has been and we know that this incredible company has the money to pay artists….Three months is a long time to go (15) ____________, and it is unfair to ask anyone to work for (16) ____________."

 

successful
unlike
paying
nothing
generous
unpaid
criticism
pay

 

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)

she disagrees with the way Apple is giving her music ______

 

a.  away for free
b.  away for freeze
c.  away for frees
d.  away for flee

2)

Anyone can sign up for a free trial and get the first three months ______

 

a.  with not paying
b.  within paying
c.  with out-paying
d.  without paying

3)

After the initial trial period, subscribers will pay a monthly ______

 

a.  feel of $9.99
b.  free of $9.99
c.  fee of $9.99
d.  feed of $9.99

4)

She wrote an open letter suggesting that Apple was ______

 

a.  be in greedy
b.  been greedy
c.  bean greedy
d.  being greedy

5)

Please don't ask us to provide you with our music ______

 

a.  for not compensation
b.  for no compensation
c.  for non-compensation
d.  for know compensation

6)

Apple Music will not be paying writers, producers, or artists for ______

 

a.  these three months
b.  this three months
c.  throws three months
d.  those three months

7)

She added that it was very unlike Apple to ______

 

a.  be so "unfair"
b.  be such "unfair"
c.  be slow "unfair"
d.  be show "unfair"

8)

She told people that Apple had the money to pay artists for ______

 

a.  the three months
b.  them three months
c.  these three months
d.  then three months

9)

we know that this incredible company has the money ______

 

a.  to pay artists
b.  to pays artists
c.  to paid artists
d.  to play artists

10)

Three months is a long time to go unpaid, and it is unfair to ask anyone to ______

 

a.  work from nothing
b.  work for nothing
c.  work four nothing
d.  work far nothing

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

The U.S. pop star Taylor Swift (1) ___________________ best-selling album '1989' from Apple Music. The 25-year-old singer-songwriter said she disagrees with the way Apple is giving (2) ___________________ free. Apple Music is Apple's new music streaming service that starts on June 30th. Anyone can (3) ___________________ trial and get the first three months without paying. Swift says this is wrong and that Apple should pay artists for these three months. (4) ___________________ trial period, subscribers will (5) ___________________ $9.99. She wrote an open letter suggesting that Apple was being greedy. She said: "We don't ask [Apple] for free iPhones. Please don't ask (6) ___________________ with our music for no compensation."

Swift further outlined (7) ___________________ Apple Music in her letter. She wrote: "I'm not sure you know that Apple Music will not be paying writers, producers, (8) ___________________ three months." She added that it was very unlike Apple to be so "unfair," saying: "I find it to be shocking, disappointing, and (9) ___________________ historically progressive and generous company." She told people that Apple had the money (10) ___________________ the three months. She said: "We know how astronomically successful Apple has been and we know that this incredible company has the (11) ___________________….Three months is a long time to go unpaid, (12) ___________________ anyone to work for nothing."

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.

What was the name of the album Taylor Swift removed?

2.

When does Apple Music start?

3.

For how long is the free trial?

4.

How much will subscribers pay each month?

5.

What did Taylor Swift suggest was being in her open letter?

6.

What did Swift additionally outline in her letter?

7.

Who else did Swift say Apple Music would not pay in addition to artists?

8.

What did Swift say it was unlike Apple to be?

9.

How successful did Taylor Swift say Apple was?

10.

What did Swift say was a long time to go without?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.

What was the name of the album Taylor Swift removed?

6.

What did Swift additionally outline in her letter?

 

a) 1989
b) Taylor Swift's Greatest Hits
c) Taylor
d) 1998

 

a) the Apple apple
b) the idea for her next album
c) a new song
d) her criticism

2.

When does Apple Music start?

7.

Who else did Swift say Apple Music would not pay in addition to artists?

 

a) August 30th
b) July 30th
c) June 30th
d) September 30th

 

a) Apple Music employees
b) Lady Gaga and Shakira
c) writers and producers
d) songwriters

3.

For how long is the free trial?

8.

What did Swift say it was unlike Apple to be?

 

a) three weeks
b) four weeks
c) four months
d) three months

 

a) sweet
b) unfair
c) generous
d) fruity

4.

How much will subscribers pay each month?

9.

How successful did Taylor Swift say Apple was?

 

a) $19.99
b) $9.99
c) $12.99
d) $14.99

 

a) fairly
b) pretty
c) astronomically
d) incomprehensibly

5.

What did Taylor Swift suggest was being in her open letter?

10.

What did Swift say was a long time to go without?

 

a) greedy
b) rich
c) historic
d) shocking

 

a) an iPhone
b) being unpaid for three months
c) being without music
d) working for three months

ROLE PLAY

Role  A – Pop

You think pop is the best kind of music. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their genres aren't so good. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): classical, jazz or hip-hop.

Role  B – Classical

You think classical is the best kind of music. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their genres aren't so good. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): pop, jazz or hip-hop.

Role  C – Jazz

You think jazz is the best kind of music. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their genres aren't so good. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): classical, pop or hip-hop.

Role  D – Hip-hop

You think hip-hop is the best kind of music. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their genres aren't so good. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why):  classical, jazz or pop.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionary / computer to find collocates, other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words 'apple' and 'music'.

apple

music

 

 

 

  • Share your findings with your partners.
  • Make questions using the words you found.
  • Ask your partner / group your questions.

2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS: Look back at the article and write down some questions you would like to ask the class about the text.

  • Share your questions with other classmates / groups.
  • Ask your partner / group your questions.

3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise. Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new, interesting, worth learning…?

4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.

5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try to recall how they were used in the text:

  • best
  • way
  • first
  • initial
  • greedy
  • ask
  • sure
  • unfair
  • generous
  • pay
  • know
  • nothing

STREAMING MUSIC SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about streaming music in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper.

When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

 

STUDENT 1

_____________

STUDENT 2

_____________

STUDENT 3

_____________

Q.1.

 

 

 

 

Q.2.

 

 

 

 

Q.3.

 

 

 

 

Q.4.

 

 

 

 

Q.5.

 

 

 

 

  • Now return to your original partner and share and talk about what you found out. Change partners often.
  • Make mini-presentations to other groups on your findings.

STREAMING MUSIC DISCUSSION

STUDENT A's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

1)

What did you think when you read the headline?

2)

What springs to mind when you hear the word 'music'?

3)

How important is music to you?

4)

What do you think of downloading or streaming music?

5)

Is streaming music better than buying songs or albums?

6)

What do you know about Taylor Swift?

7)

What do you know about Apple Music?

8)

What do you think of the monthly $9.99 price for Apple Music?

9)

Do you think Apple is being greedy?

10)

Should Apple pay artists for the trial period?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

STUDENT B's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

11)

Did you like reading this article? Why/not?

12)

What do you think of the company Apple?

13)

How unfair do you think Apple is being?

14)

How is it best to listen to music?

15)

Why is Apple such a successful company?

16)

Is Taylor Swift really going three months unpaid?

17)

How successful do you think Apple Music will be?

18)

Would you ever work for nothing?

19)

What advice do you have for Taylor Swift?

20)

What questions would you like to ask Apple's boss?

DISCUSSION (Write your own questions)

STUDENT A's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

1.

________________________________________________________

2.

________________________________________________________

3.

________________________________________________________

4.

________________________________________________________

5.

________________________________________________________

6.

________________________________________________________

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

STUDENT B's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

1.

________________________________________________________

2.

________________________________________________________

3.

________________________________________________________

4.

________________________________________________________

5.

________________________________________________________

6.

________________________________________________________

LANGUAGE - CLOZE

The U.S. pop star Taylor Swift has (1) ____ her best-selling album '1989' from Apple Music. The 25-year-old singer-songwriter said she disagrees with the          (2) ____ Apple is giving her music away (3) ____ free. Apple Music is Apple's new music streaming service that starts on June 30th. Anyone can sign (4) ____ for a free trial and get the first three months without paying. Swift says this is wrong and that Apple should pay artists for these three months. After the (5) ____ trial period, subscribers will pay a monthly fee of $9.99. She wrote an open letter suggesting that Apple was being greedy. She said: "We don't ask [Apple] for free iPhones. Please don't ask us to provide you with our music for (6) ____ compensation."

Swift (7) ____ outlined her criticism of Apple Music in her letter. She wrote: "I'm not sure you know that Apple Music will not be (8) ____ writers, producers, or artists for those three months." She added that it was very unlike Apple to be so "unfair," saying: "I (9) ____ it to be shocking, disappointing, and completely unlike this historically progressive and (10) ____ company." She told people that Apple had the money to pay artists for the three months. She said: "We know (11) ____ astronomically successful Apple has been and we know that this incredible company has the money to pay artists….Three months is a long time to go unpaid, and it is unfair to ask anyone to work (12) ____ nothing."

Put the correct words from the table below in the above article.

1.

(a)

removal

(b)

removing

(c)

removes

(d)

removed

2.

(a)

why

(b)

which

(c)

how

(d)

way

3.

(a)

from

(b)

for

(c)

far

(d)

of

4.

(a)

to

(b)

of

(c)

up

(d)

away

5.

(a)

initially

(b)

initialise

(c)

initial

(d)

initialled

6.

(a)

no

(b)

the

(c)

free

(d)

non-

7.

(a)

future

(b)

further

(c)

father

(d)

farther

8.

(a)

paying

(b)

paid

(c)

pays

(d)

payment

9.

(a)

locate

(b)

find

(c)

search

(d)

seek

10.

(a)

generosity

(b)

gregarious

(c)

generous

(d)

generals

11.

(a)

now

(b)

wow

(c)

how

(d)

bow

12.

(a)

of

(b)

far

(c)

from

(d)

for

SPELLING

Paragraph 1

1.

odveemr her best-selling album

2.

she gaiedress

3.

Apple's new music streaming evcsrie

4.

Anyone can sign up for a free tilra

5.

srbcbiresus will pay a monthly fee

6.

being eeygdr

Paragraph 2

7.

her csirictmi of Apple Music

8.

paying writers, orsupdrec, or artists

9.

tmlypleoce unlike this

10.

uonegser company

11.

how astronomically csesslufcu Apple has been

12.

this nlecribedi company

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

(    )

don't ask us to provide you with our music for no compensation."

(    )

artists for the three months. She said: "We know how astronomically

(    )

three months without paying. Swift says this is wrong and that Apple should pay artists for these three months. After the

(    )

Swift further outlined her criticism of Apple Music in her letter. She wrote: "I'm not sure

(    )

very unlike Apple to be so "unfair," saying: "I find it to be shocking, disappointing, and completely

(    )

open letter suggesting that Apple was being greedy. She said: "We don't ask [Apple] for free iPhones. Please

(    )

old singer-songwriter said she disagrees with the way Apple is giving her music away for free. Apple Music is Apple's

(    )

unlike this historically progressive and generous company." She told people that Apple had the money to pay

(    )

you know that Apple Music will not be paying writers, producers, or artists for those three months." She added that it was

(    )

long time to go unpaid, and it is unfair to ask anyone to work for nothing."

(    )

successful Apple has been and we know that this incredible company has the money to pay artists….Three months is a

(    )

initial trial period, subscribers will pay a monthly fee of $9.99. She wrote an

1  )

The U.S. pop star Taylor Swift has removed her best-selling album '1989' from Apple Music. The 25-year-

(    )

new music streaming service that starts on June 30th. Anyone can sign up for a free trial and get the first

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.

away   music   her   giving  is  Apple  way   the  with  disagrees  She   .  

2.

can   free   sign   trial   up   for   Anyone   a   .   

3.

initial  a  subscribers  trial  After  monthly  will  period  the   fee  pay , .

4.

letter   Apple   greedy   open   that   being   An   suggesting   was   .  

5.

compensation   our   music   Provide   for   you   no   with   .  

6.

be   was  .  to   it   "unfair"   Apple   that   unlike  added  so   very   She

7.

artists   pay   to   money   the  had   Apple   months   three   the   for  .  

8.

been   astronomically   successful   We   Apple   know   has   how   .  

9.

that  know  We   pay   to  money  the  has   company  incredible  this  .

10.

unfair   to   ask   anyone   to   work   for   nothing   It   is   .  

 

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

The U.S. pop star Taylor Swift has removed / removal her best-selling album '1989' from Apple Music. The 25-year-old singer-songwriter said she disagreement / disagrees with the way Apple is giving / given her music away for free. Apple Music is Apple's new / news music streaming service that starts on June 30th. Anyone can sign down / up for a free trial and get the first three months without paid / paying. Swift says this is wrong and that Apple should pay / paid artists for these three months. After the initially / initial trial period, subscribers will pay a month / monthly fee of $9.99. She wrote an open letter suggesting that Apple was being greedy. She said: "We don't ask [Apple] for free iPhones. Please don't ask us to provide you with our music for no / not compensation."

Swift further outlined her critics / criticism of Apple Music in her letter. She wrote: "I'm not sure you know that Apple Music will not be paying writers, producers, or artists for those / them three months." She addition / added that it was very unlike Apple to be such / so "unfair," saying: "I find it to be shocking, disappointing / disappointed, and completely unlike this historically progressive and generals / generous company." She told people that Apple had the money to pay artists for / from the three months. She said: "We know how / now astronomically successful Apple has been and we know that this incredible company has the money for / to pay artists….Three months is a long time to go unpaid, and it is unfair to ask anyone to work for nothing / something."

Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct.

INSERT THE VOWELS (a, e, i, o, u)

Th_ _.S. p_p st_r T_yl_r Sw_ft h_s r_m_v_d h_r b_st-s_ll_ng _lb_m '1989' fr_m _ppl_ M_s_c. Th_ 25-y__r-_ld s_ng_r-s_ngwr_t_r s__d sh_ d_s_gr__s w_th th_ w_y _ppl_ _s g_v_ng h_r m_s_c _w_y f_r fr__. _ppl_ M_s_c _s _ppl_'s n_w m_s_c str__m_ng s_rv_c_ th_t st_rts _n J_n_ 30th. _ny_n_ c_n s_gn _p f_r _ fr__ tr__l _nd g_t th_ f_rst thr__ m_nths w_th__t p_y_ng. Sw_ft s_ys th_s _s wr_ng _nd th_t _ppl_ sh__ld p_y _rt_sts f_r th_s_ thr__ m_nths. _ft_r th_ _n_t__l tr__l p_r__d, s_bscr_b_rs w_ll p_y _ m_nthly f__ _f $9.99. Sh_ wr_t_ _n _p_n l_tt_r s_gg_st_ng th_t _ppl_ w_s b__ng gr__dy. Sh_ s__d: "W_ d_n't _sk [_ppl_] f_r fr__ _Ph_n_s. Pl__s_ d_n't _sk _s t_ pr_v_d_ y__ w_th __r m_s_c f_r n_ c_mp_ns_t__n."

Sw_ft f_rth_r __tl_n_d h_r cr_t_c_sm _f _ppl_ M_s_c _n h_r l_tt_r. Sh_ wr_t_: "_'m n_t s_r_ y__ kn_w th_t _ppl_ M_s_c w_ll n_t b_ p_y_ng wr_t_rs, pr_d_c_rs, _r _rt_sts f_r th_s_ thr__ m_nths." Sh_ _dd_d th_t _t w_s v_ry _nl_k_ _ppl_ t_ b_ s_ "_nf__r," s_y_ng: "_ f_nd _t t_ b_ sh_ck_ng, d_s_pp__nt_ng, _nd c_mpl_t_ly _nl_k_ th_s h_st_r_c_lly pr_gr_ss_v_ _nd g_n_r__s c_mp_ny." Sh_ t_ld p__pl_ th_t _ppl_ h_d th_ m_n_y t_ p_y _rt_sts f_r th_ thr__ m_nths. Sh_ s__d: "W_ kn_w h_w _str_n_m_c_lly s_cc_ssf_l _ppl_ h_s b__n _nd w_ kn_w th_t th_s _ncr_d_bl_ c_mp_ny h_s th_ m_n_y t_ p_y _rt_sts….Thr__ m_nths _s _ l_ng t_m_ t_ g_ _np__d, _nd _t _s _nf__r t_ _sk _ny_n_ t_ w_rk f_r n_th_ng."

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

the us pop star taylor swift has removed her best-selling album '1989' from apple music the 25-year-old singer-songwriter said she disagrees with the way apple is giving her music away for free apple music is apple's new music streaming service that starts on june 30th anyone can sign up for a free trial and get the first three months without paying swift says this is wrong and that apple should pay artists for these three months after the initial trial period subscribers will pay a monthly fee of $999 she wrote an open letter suggesting that apple was being greedy she said "we don't ask [apple] for free iphones please don't ask us to provide you with our music for no compensation"

swift further outlined her criticism of apple music in her letter she wrote "i'm not sure you know that apple music will not be paying writers producers or artists for those three months" she added that it was very unlike apple to be so "unfair" saying "i find it to be shocking disappointing and completely unlike this historically progressive and generous company" she told people that apple had the money to pay artists for the three months she said "we know how astronomically successful apple has been and we know that this incredible company has the money to pay artists…three months is a long time to go unpaid and it is unfair to ask anyone to work for nothing"

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

TheU.S.popstarTaylorSwifthasremovedherbest-sellingalbum'19
89'fromAppleMusic.The25-year-oldsinger-songwritersaidshed
isagreeswiththewayAppleisgivinghermusicawayforfree.AppleMusici
sApple'snewmusicstreamingservicethatstartsonJune30th.Anyonec
ansignupforafreetrialandgetthefirstthreemonthswithoutpaying.Swi
ftsaysthisiswrongandthatAppleshouldpayartistsforthesethreemont
hs.Aftertheinitialtrialperiod,subscriberswillpayamonthlyfeeof$9.99.
ShewroteanopenlettersuggestingthatApplewasbeinggreedy.Shesai
d:"Wedon'task[Apple]forfreeiPhones.Pleasedon'taskustoprovideyo
uwithourmusicfornocompensation."Swiftfurtheroutlinedhercriticis
mofAppleMusicinherletter.Shewrote:"I'mnotsureyouknowthatAppl
eMusicwillnotbepayingwriters,producers,orartistsforthosethreemo
nths."SheaddedthatitwasveryunlikeAppletobeso"unfair,"saying:"Ifi
ndittobeshocking,disappointing,andcompletelyunlikethishistoricall
yprogressiveandgenerouscompany."ShetoldpeoplethatApplehadth
emoneytopayartistsforthethreemonths.Shesaid:"Weknowhowastro
nomicallysuccessfulApplehasbeenandweknowthatthisincredibleco
mpanyhasthemoneytopayartists….Threemonthsisalongtimetogoun
paid,anditisunfairtoaskanyonetoworkfornothing."

FREE WRITING

Write about streaming music for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner's paper.

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

ACADEMIC WRITING

Streaming music is better than buying songs or albums. Discuss.

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

HOMEWORK

1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google's search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.

2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about streaming music. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. STREAMING MUSIC: Make a poster about streaming music. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. APPLE MUSIC: Write a magazine article about whether Apple Music should pay Taylor Swift. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against it.

Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).

5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.

6. LETTER: Write a letter to an expert on streaming music. Ask him/her three questions about streaming music. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to make streaming better. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

A Few Additional Activities for Students

Ask your students what they have read, seen or heard about this news in their own language. Students are likely to / may have have encountered this news in their L1 and therefore bring a background knowledge to the classroom.

Get students to role play different characters from this news story.

Ask students to keep track of this news and revisit it to discuss in your next class.

Ask students to male predictions of how this news might develop in the next few days or weeks, and then revisit and discuss in a future class.

Ask students to write a follow-up story to this news.

Students role play a journalist and someone who witnessed or was a part of this news. Perhaps they could make a video of the interview.

Ask students to keep a news journal in English and add this story to their thoughts.

Also...

Buy my 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers eBook. It has hundreds of ideas, activity templates, reproducible activities for:

  • News
  • Warm ups
  • Pre-reading / Post-reading
  • Using headlines
  • Working with words
  • While-reading / While-listening
  • Moving from text to speech
  • Post-reading / Post-listening
  • Discussions
  • Using opinions
  • Plans
  • Language
  • Using lists
  • Using quotes
  • Task-based activities
  • Role plays
  • Using the central characters in the article
  • Using themes from the news
  • Homework

Buy my book

$US 9.99

ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

F

b

T

c

T

d

F

e

T

f

F

g

T

h

F

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.

removed

a.

took away

2

initial

b.

beginning

3.

period

c.

time

4.

provide

d.

supply

5.

compensation

e.

payment

6.

further

f.

additionally

7.

criticism

g.

disapproval

8.

added

h.

went on to say

9.

progressive

i.

advanced

10.

incredible

j.

amazing

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.

1989

2.

June 30th

3.

Three months

4.

$9.99

5.

Greedy

6.

Her criticism of Apple

7.

Writers and producers

8.

Unfair

9.

Astronomically

10.

Being paid

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

a

2.

c

3.

d

4.

b

5.

a

6.

d

7.

c

8.

b

9.

c

10.

b

ALL OTHER EXERCISES

Please check for yourself by looking at the Article on page 2.
(It's good for your English ;-)

Help Support This Web Site

  • Please consider helping Breaking News English.com

Sean Banville's Book

Thank You