The Reading / Listening - Mariah Carey - Level 3

American singer Mariah Carey has reached number one in the U.S. music charts with her classic song "All I Want For Christmas Is You". It is not unusual for a festive song to be the best seller at Christmas, but Carey's famous song was first released 25 years ago. When the song first came out in 1994, it was on a record with several other songs. This meant it was not allowed to compete in Billboard's Hot 100 chart. Rules have been changed over the years. Carey's song has got near number one several times since 1994. The singer said she was very happy her song finally hit the top spot. She tweeted: "We did it". The song is also currently the most streamed song in the U.K. on the music streaming service Spotify.

Mariah Carey was born in 1969. She is a singer, songwriter, actress, record producer, and entrepreneur. She is now the solo artist with the most ever number ones in the U.S. chart. She is one behind The Beatles, who had 20 number ones. The Guinness World Records book called her the "Songbird Supreme". She has a unique voice and can sing in five different octaves. Her song "All I Want For Christmas Is You" is famous worldwide. It has become an essential tune at Christmas parties and family get-togethers. Wikipedia said: "The track is an up-tempo love song that includes bell chimes, heavy back-up vocals, and synthesizers....It is the most played holiday song in modern history."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Mariah Carey - Level 0 Mariah Carey - Level 1   or  Mariah Carey - Level 2

Sources
  • https://www.nme.com/news/music/mariah-careys-all-i-want-for-christmas-is-you-is-finally-us-number-one-after-25-years-2588214
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_I_Want_for_Christmas_Is_You
  • https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-50818039


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 :-)

Warm-ups

1. CHRISTMAS SONGS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about Christmas songs. 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?
       number one / music / chart / festive / famous / 1994 / singer / happy / streaming /
       1969 / actress / entrepreneur / unique / worldwide / family get-togethers / history
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. CHRIST: Students A strongly believe all Christmas songs should be about the birth of Jesus Christ; Students B strongly believe Xmas songs can be about anything.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. CHRISTMAS: What do you know about Christmas? What do you want to know? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.


About...

What I Know

What I Want To Know

Christmas

 

 

Jesus' birth

 

 

Santa

 

 

Presents

 

 

Christmas Trees

 

 

Boxing Day

 

 

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. SONG: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "song". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. ALL I WANT FOR XMAS: Rank these with your partner. Put the best presents at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • Wireless ear pods
  • Adidas trainers
  • Lots of books
  • Clothes
  • iTunes vouchers
  • Donate the money to charity
  • Expensive chocolates
  • Socks

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. reached a. Made a movie or song, book, etc.  available for people to buy or listen to, watch, etc.
      2. classic b. Take part in a contest.
      3. festive c. Got as far as.
      4. released d. Now.
      5. compete e. Looked at over a period of time to be of the highest quality of its kind.
      6. several f. About a celebration, party or happy time.
      7. currently g. More than two but not many.

    Paragraph 2

      8. streaming h. Parts of a piece of music that are sung.
      9. entrepreneur i. Sending or receiving data (especially video and audio) over a computer network or the Internet.
      10. solo j. A person who organizes and operates a business or businesses, taking risks in order to do that.
      11. supreme k. Being the only one of its kind; unlike anything else in the world.
      12. unique l. Strongest, most important, or most powerful.
      13. essential m. Done by one person alone.
      14. vocals n. Absolutely necessary; extremely important.

 

Before reading / listening

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if 1-8 below are true (T) or false (F).

  1. Mariah Carey's Christmas song is number one all across the world.     T / F
  2. "All I Want For Christmas Is You" was first released in 1994.     T / F
  3. Mariah Carey tweeted that was "satisfied" about being number one.     T / F
  4. The article said the song is number 1 in the UK on iTunes.     T / F
  5. Mariah Carey is in her fifties.     T / F
  6. Only The Beatles have had more U.S. number ones then Mariah Carey.    T / F
  7. Mariah Carey can sing across seven octaves.     T / F
  8. Wikipedia said Ms Carey's song has soft and peaceful back-up vocals.     T / F

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

  1. reached
  2. unusual
  3. released
  4. allowed
  5. currently
  6. entrepreneur
  7. unique
  8. famous
  9. essential
  10. vocals
  1. well-known
  2. permitted
  3. businesswoman
  4. presently
  5. harmonies
  6. strange
  7. necessary
  8. got to
  9. one-of-a-kind
  10. issued

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

  1. reached number one in
  2. it was on a record with
  3. Rules have been changed
  4. her song finally hit the
  5. the most streamed
  6. solo
  7. She has a unique
  8. an essential tune at
  9. family get-
  10. the most played holiday song in
  1. voice
  2. modern history
  3. song in the U.K.
  4. togethers
  5. several other songs
  6. Christmas parties
  7. the U.S. music charts
  8. artist
  9. top spot
  10. over the years

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
released
over
classic
streamed
several
service
seller
finally

American singer Mariah Carey has reached number one in the U.S. music charts with her (1) ____________ song "All I Want For Christmas Is You". It is not unusual for a festive song to be the best (2) ____________ at Christmas, but Carey's famous song was first (3) ____________ 25 years ago. When the song first came out in 1994, it was on a record with (4) ____________ other songs. This meant it was not allowed to compete in Billboard's Hot 100 chart. Rules have been changed (5) ____________ the years. Carey's song has got near number one several times since 1994. The singer said she was very happy her song (6) ____________ hit the top spot. She tweeted: "We did it". The song is also currently the most (7) ____________ song in the U.K. on the music streaming (8) ____________ Spotify.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
solo
tune
octaves
ones
history
producer
vocals
unique

Mariah Carey was born in 1969. She is a singer, songwriter, actress, record (9) ____________, and entrepreneur. She is now the (10) ____________ artist with the most ever number ones in the U.S. chart. She is one behind The Beatles, who had 20 number (11) ____________. The Guinness World Records book called her the "Songbird Supreme". She has a (12) ____________ voice and can sing in five different (13) ____________. Her song "All I Want For Christmas Is You" is famous worldwide. It has become an essential (14) ____________ at Christmas parties and family get-togethers. Wikipedia said: "The track is an up-tempo love song that includes bell chimes, heavy back-up (15) ____________, and synthesizers....It is the most played holiday song in modern (16) ____________."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  American singer Mariah Carey has reached number one in the ______
     a.  U.S. music chats
     b.  U.S. music chaste
     c.  U.S. music charts
     d.  U.S. music chants
2)  It is not unusual for a festive song to be ______
     a.  them good seller
     b.  the best selling
     c.  them best seller
     d.  the best seller
3)  When the song first came out in 1994, it was on a record with ______
     a.  several other songs
     b.  several another songs
     c.  several others songs
     d.  several the other songs
4)  The singer said she was very happy her song finally hit ______
     a.  the top spot
     b.  the top spat
     c.  the top spit
     d.  the top spurt
5)  the most streamed song in the U.K. on the music streaming ______
     a.  serviced Spotify
     b.  services Spotify
     c.  service Spotify
     d.  servicing Spotify

6)  She is a singer, songwriter, actress, record producer, ______
     a.  and entry premier
     b.  and on tree premier
     c.  and entre preen are
     d.  and entrepreneur
7)  She has a unique voice and can sing in five ______
     a.  differ rant octaves
     b.  difference octaves
     c.  differential octaves
     d.  different octaves
8)  It has become an essential tune at Christmas parties and ______
     a.  family got-together is
     b.  familiar get-togethers
     c.  family get-togethers
     d.  familiar got to gathers
9)  The track is an up-tempo love song that ______
     a.  include bell chimes
     b.  includes ball chimes
     c.  include ball chime
     d.  includes bell chimes
10)  It is the most played holiday song ______
     a.  on modern history
     b.  in modern history
     c.  at modern history
     d.  to modern history

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

American singer Mariah Carey has (1) ___________________ in the U.S. music charts with her classic song "All I Want For Christmas Is You". It is not (2) ___________________ festive song to be the best seller at Christmas, but Carey's famous song (3) ___________________ 25 years ago. When the song first came out in 1994, it was on a record with several other songs. This meant it was not (4) ___________________ in Billboard's Hot 100 chart. Rules have been changed over the years. Carey's song has got near number one (5) ___________________ 1994. The singer said she was very happy her song finally hit the top spot. She tweeted: "We did it". The song is also (6) ___________________ streamed song in the U.K. on the music streaming service Spotify.

Mariah Carey was born in 1969. She is a singer, songwriter, actress, record producer, and entrepreneur. She is now (7) ___________________ with the most ever number ones in the U.S. chart. She (8) ___________________ The Beatles, who had 20 number ones. The Guinness World Records book called her the "Songbird Supreme". She has (9) ___________________ and can sing in five different octaves. Her song "All I Want For Christmas Is You" is famous worldwide. It has become (10) ___________________ at Christmas parties and family get-togethers. Wikipedia said: "The (11) ___________________ up-tempo love song that includes bell chimes, heavy back-up vocals, and synthesizers....It is the most played holiday song (12) ___________________."

Comprehension questions

  1. Where in the world has Mariah Carey reached number one?
  2. In what year was "All I Want For Christmas Is You" first released?
  3. What is the name of the chart the song could not enter?
  4. How many times has the song nearly been number one?
  5. Where is the song number one on a streaming site?
  6. When was Mariah Carey born?
  7. Which artist has had more U.S. number ones than Mariah Carey?
  8. How many octaves does Mariah Carey's voice cover?
  9. What did Wikipedia say about the speed of the song?
  10. What is the most played holiday song in modern history?

Multiple choice quiz

1) Where in the world has Mariah Carey reached number one?
a) Japan
b) the USA
c) China
d) Nigeria
2) In what year was "All I Want For Christmas Is You" first released?
a) 1990
b) 1995
c) 1993
d) 1994
3) What is the name of the chart the song could not enter?
a) the Hit Parade
b) World Music
c) the Billboard Hot 100
d) the Christmas List
4) How many times has the song nearly been number one?
a) several times
b) seven times
c) a few times
d) many times
5) Where is the song number one on a streaming site?
a) Japan
b) the UK
c) India
d) France

6) When was Mariah Carey born?
a) 1969
b) 1967
c) 1970
d) 1974
7) Which artist has had more U.S. number ones than Mariah Carey?
a) Elvis Presley
b) Beyonce
c) The Beatles
d) Jay Z
8) How many octaves does Mariah Carey's voice cover?
a) 5
b) 6
c) 7
d) 8
9) What did Wikipedia say about the speed of the song?
a) fast-fast-slow
b) it is slow
c) it is 400 beats per minute
d) it is up-tempo
10) What is the most played holiday song in modern history?
a) Silent Night
b) Frosty the Snowman
c) All I Want For Christmas Is You
d) White Christmas

Role play

Role  A – Socks
You think socks are the best Christmas present. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their presents. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): wireless ear pods, books or a donation to charity.

Role  B – Wireless Ear Pods
You think wireless ear pods are the best Christmas present. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their presents. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): socks, books or a donation to charity.

Role  C – Books
You think books are the best Christmas present. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their presents. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): wireless ear pods, socks or a donation to charity.

Role  D – A Donation To Charity
You think a donation to charity is the best Christmas present. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their presents. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): wireless ear pods, books or socks.

After reading / listening

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

'Christmas'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • and 'song'.

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • • 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:

    • classic
    • unusual
    • first
    • compete
    • happy
    • most
    • actress
    • solo
    • voice
    • parties
    • love
    • history

    Student survey

    Write five GOOD questions about this topic 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.

    (Please look at page 12 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

    Discussion - Mariah Carey

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

    1. What did you think when you read the headline?
    2. What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'Christmas'?
    3. What do you know about Mariah Carey?
    4. What is your favourite Christmas Song?
    5. Are modern or traditional Christmas songs best?
    6. Should Christmas songs be about Jesus?
    7. What is the most important thing about Christmas?
    8. What do you think of Christmas songs?
    9. How does singing Christmas songs make you feel?
    10. What are your plans for Christmas?

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

    1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
    2. What do you think of when you hear the word 'song'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. Would you prefer to be a singer, actor or entrepreneur?
    5. Would you prefer to be a solo artist or lead singer in a band?
    6. What do you like singing?
    7. How good is your singing voice?
    8. What do you think of Christmas parties?
    9. What instruments should always be on a Christmas song?
    10. What questions would you like to ask Mariah Carey?

    Discussion — Write your own questions

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

    (a) ________________

    (b) ________________

    (c) ________________

    (d) ________________

    (e) ________________

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

    (f) ________________

    (g) ________________

    (h) ________________

    (i) ________________

    (j) ________________

    Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

    American singer Mariah Carey has (1) ____ number one in the U.S. music charts with her classic song "All I Want For Christmas Is You". It is not unusual (2) ____ a festive song to be the best seller at Christmas, but Carey's famous song was (3) ____ released 25 years ago. When the song first came out in 1994, it was on a record with several other songs. This (4) ____ it was not allowed to compete in Billboard's Hot 100 chart. Rules have been changed over the years. Carey's song has got near number one several times (5) ____ 1994. The singer said she was very happy her song finally hit the top spot. She tweeted: "We did it". The song is also (6) ____ the most streamed song in the U.K. on the music streaming service Spotify.

    Mariah Carey was born in 1969. She is a singer, songwriter, actress, record (7) ____, and entrepreneur. She is now the (8) ____ artist with the most ever number ones in the U.S. chart. She is one behind The Beatles, who had 20 number ones. The Guinness World Records book called her the "Songbird Supreme". She has a (9) ____ voice and can sing in five different octaves. Her song "All I Want For Christmas Is You" is famous worldwide. It has become an (10) ____ tune at Christmas parties and family get-togethers. Wikipedia said: "The track is an up-(11) ____ love song that includes bell chimes, heavy back-up vocals, and synthesizers....It is the most played holiday song in (12) ____ history."

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     retched     (b)     broached     (c)     reached     (d)     breached    
    2. (a)     for     (b)     of     (c)     at     (d)     by    
    3. (a)     second     (b)     first     (c)     final     (d)     then    
    4. (a)     meaning     (b)     meanie     (c)     mean     (d)     meant    
    5. (a)     in     (b)     at     (c)     since     (d)     on    
    6. (a)     currant     (b)     currently     (c)     currency     (d)     occurrence    
    7. (a)     producer     (b)     product     (c)     production     (d)     produces    
    8. (a)     lonely     (b)     single     (c)     lone     (d)     solo    
    9. (a)     clique     (b)     opaque     (c)     unique     (d)     antique    
    10. (a)     essences     (b)     essentially     (c)     essence     (d)     essential    
    11. (a)     tramp     (b)     tempo     (c)     samba     (d)     salsa    
    12. (a)     modern     (b)     ancient     (c)     medieval     (d)     post-modern

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. reechad number one
    2. her csisalc song
    3. a etsievf song
    4. on a record with avrlsee other songs
    5. allowed to ompceet
    6. runelrtyc the most streamed song

    Paragraph 2

    1. record rprudeco
    2. She has a quenui voice
    3. an tnsalesei tune at Christmas parties
    4. The track is an pu-topem love song
    5. heavy back-up ovlcas
    6. in mroden history

    Put the text back together

    (...)  entrepreneur. She is now the solo artist with the most ever number ones in the U.S. chart. She is one behind
    (...)  in Billboard's Hot 100 chart. Rules have been changed over the years. Carey's song has got near number one several
    (...)  seller at Christmas, but Carey's famous song was first released 25 years ago. When the song first came
    (...)  times since 1994. The singer said she was very happy her song finally hit the top spot. She tweeted: "We did it". The song
    (...)  Mariah Carey was born in 1969. She is a singer, songwriter, actress, record producer, and
    (...)  get-togethers. Wikipedia said: "The track is an up-tempo love song that includes bell
    (...)  is famous worldwide. It has become an essential tune at Christmas parties and family
    (...)  out in 1994, it was on a record with several other songs. This meant it was not allowed to compete
    1  ) American singer Mariah Carey has reached number one in the U.S. music charts with her classic
    (...)  the "Songbird Supreme". She has a unique voice and can sing in five different octaves. Her song "All I Want For Christmas Is You"
    (...)  is also currently the most streamed song in the U.K. on the music streaming service Spotify.
    (...)  song "All I Want For Christmas Is You". It is not unusual for a festive song to be the best
    (...)  The Beatles, who had 20 number ones. The Guinness World Records book called her
    (...)  chimes, heavy back-up vocals, and synthesizers....It is the most played holiday song in modern history."

    Put the words in the right order

    1. not   festive   It   unusual   song   .   for   a   is
    2. to   meant   was   it   not   allowed   compete   .   This
    3. near   one   times   .   song   got   Carey's   number   several
    4. finally   top   Her   the   spot   .   hit   song
    5. the   U   .K   .   streamed   most   song   in   the   Currently
    6. solo   number   the   most   with   artist   The   ones   .
    7. sing   five   can   different   She   octaves   .   in
    8. become   at   Christmas   .   has   an   tune   It   essential
    9. is   song   .   an   up-tempo   The   love   track
    10. modern   history   .   song   The   played   holiday   most   in

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    American singer Mariah Carey has reached / reaching number one in the U.S. music charts with her classic song "All I Want For Christmas Is You". It is not unusual / unusually for a festive song to be the best buyer / seller at Christmas, but Carey's famous song was first release / released 25 years ago. When the song first / second came out in 1994, it was on a record with several other songs. This meant it was not / now allowed to compete in Billboard's Hot 100 chart. Rules have been changed under / over the years. Carey's song has got near number one several times since / in 1994. The singer said she was very happy her song finally / final hit the top spot. She tweeted: "We did it". The song is also currently the most streamed song in the U.K. on the music steaming / streaming service Spotify.

    Mariah Carey was born in 1969. She is a singer, songwriter, actress, record product / producer, and enterprise / entrepreneur. She is now the solo artist with the most ever number ones / one in the U.S. chart. She is one behind The Beatles, who had 20 number ones. The Guinness World Records book called her the "Songbird Supreme". She has a unique voice / voices and can sing in five different octagons / octaves. Her song "All I Want For Christmas Is You" is famous worldwide. It has become an essential tune / dune at Christmas parties and family get-togethers. Wikipedia said: "The tack / track is an up-tempo like / love song that includes bell / ball chimes, heavy back-up vocals, and synthesizers....It is the most played holiday song in ancient / modern history."

    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)

    A m_r_c_n s_n g_r M_r__ h C_r_y h_s r__ c h_d n_m b_r _n_ _n t h_ U . S . m_s_c c h_r t s w_t h h_r c l_s s_c s_n g " A l l I W_n t F_r C h r_s t m_s I s Y__ " . I t _s n_t _n_s__ l f_r _ f_s t_v_ s_n g t_ b_ t h_ b_s t s_l l_r _t C h r_s t m_s , b_t C_r_y ' s f_m__ s s_n g w_s f_r s t r_l__ s_d 2 5 y__ r s _g_. W h_n t h_ s_n g f_r s t c_m_ __ t _n 1 9 9 4 , _t w_s _n _ r_c_r d w_t h s_v_r_l _t h_r s_n g s . T h_s m__ n t _t w_s n_t _l l_w_d t_ c_m p_t_ _n B_l l b__ r d ' s H_t 1 0 0 c h_r t . R_l_s h_v_ b__ n c h_n g_d _v_r t h_ y__ r s . C_r_y ' s s_n g h_s g_t n__ r n_m b_r _n_ s_v_r_l t_m_s s_n c_ 1 9 9 4 . T h_ s_n g_r s__ d s h_ w_s v_r y h_p p y h_r s_n g f_n_l l y h_t t h_ t_p s p_t . S h_ t w__ t_d : " W_ d_d _t " . T h_ s_n g _s _l s_ c_r r_n t l y t h_ m_s t s t r__ m_d s_n g _n t h_ U . K . _n t h_ m_s_c s t r__ m_n g s_r v_c_ S p_t_f y .

    M_r__ h C_r_y w_s b_r n _n 1 9 6 9 . S h_ _s _ s_n g_r , s_n g w r_t_r , _c t r_s s , r_c_r d p r_d_c_r , _n d _n t r_p r_n__ r . S h_ _s n_w t h_ s_l_ _r t_s t w_t h t h_ m_s t _v_r n_m b_r _n_s _n t h_ U . S . c h_r t . S h_ _s _n_ b_h_n d T h_ B__ t l_s , w h_ h_d 2 0 n_m b_r _n_s . T h_ G__ n n_s s W_r l d R_c_r d s b__ k c_l l_d h_r t h_ " S_n g b_r d S_p r_m_" . S h_ h_s _ _n_q__ v__ c_ _n d c_n s_n g _n f_v_ d_f f_r_n t _c t_v_s . H_r s_n g " A l l I W_n t F_r C h r_s t m_s I s Y__ " _s f_m__ s w_r l d w_d_. I t h_s b_c_m_ _n _s s_n t__ l t_n_ _t C h r_s t m_s p_r t__ s _n d f_m_l y g_t - t_g_t h_r s . W_k_p_d__ s__ d : " T h_ t r_c k _s _n _p - t_m p_ l_v_ s_n g t h_t _n c l_d_s b_l l c h_m_s , h__ v y b_c k -_p v_c_l s , _n d s y n t h_s_z_r s . . . . I t _s t h_ m_s t p l_y_d h_l_d_y s_n g _n m_d_r n h_s t_r y . "

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    american singer mariah carey has reached number one in the us music charts with her classic song all i want for christmas is you it is not unusual for a festive song to be the best seller at christmas but careys famous song was first released 25 years ago when the song first came out in 1994 it was on a record with several other songs this meant it was not allowed to compete in billboards hot 100 chart rules have been changed over the years careys song has got near number one several times since 1994 the singer said she was very happy her song finally hit the top spot she tweeted we did it the song is also currently the most streamed song in the uk on the music streaming service spotify

    mariah carey was born in 1969 she is a singer songwriter actress record producer and entrepreneur she is now the solo artist with the most ever number ones in the us chart she is one behind the beatles who had 20 number ones the guinness world records book called her the songbird supreme she has a unique voice and can sing in five different octaves her song all i want for christmas is you is famous worldwide it has become an essential tune at christmas parties and family gettogethers wikipedia said the track is an uptempo love song that includes bell chimes heavy backup vocals and synthesizers it is the most played holiday song in modern history

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    AmericansingerMariahCareyhasreachednumberoneintheU.S.music
    chartswithherclassicsong"AllIWantForChristmasIsYou".Itisnotunus
    ualforafestivesongtobethebestselleratChristmas,butCarey'sfamous
    songwasfirstreleased25yearsago.Whenthesongfirstcameoutin1994
    ,itwasonarecordwithseveralothersongs.Thismeantitwasnotallowedt
    ocompeteinBillboard'sHot100chart.Ruleshavebeenchangedoverthe
    years.Carey'ssonghasgotnearnumberoneseveraltimessince1994.T
    hesingersaidshewasveryhappyhersongfinallyhitthetopspot.Shetwe
    eted:"Wedidit".Thesongisalsocurrentlythemoststreamedsonginthe
    U.K.onthemusicstreamingserviceSpotify.MariahCareywasbornin19
    69.Sheisasinger,songwriter,actress,recordproducer,andentreprene
    ur.SheisnowthesoloartistwiththemostevernumberonesintheU.S.ch
    art.SheisonebehindTheBeatles,whohad20numberones.TheGuinnes
    sWorldRecordsbookcalledherthe"SongbirdSupreme".Shehasauniqu
    evoiceandcansinginfivedifferentoctaves.Hersong"AllIWantForChris
    tmasIsYou"isfamousworldwide.IthasbecomeanessentialtuneatChri
    stmaspartiesandfamilyget-togethers.Wikipediasaid:"Thetrackisan
    up-tempolovesongthatincludesbellchimes,heavyback-upvocals,an
    dsynthesizers....Itisthemostplayedholidaysonginmodernhistory."

    Free writing

    Write about Mariah Carey for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

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    Academic writing

    "All I Want For Christmas Is You" is the best ever Christmas song. Discuss.

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    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 this news story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
    3. CHRISTMAS SONGS: Make a poster about Christmas songs. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. CHRISTMAS: Write a magazine article about Christmas being a world holiday. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against this.
    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 Christmas songs. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your best Xmas songs. 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

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    Answers

    (Please look at page 26 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

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