Listen to News with Tara Benwell - Instructions:
1. Preview the vocabulary and read the gapfill text.
2. Play the news report and try to fill in the blanks.
3. Answer the comprehension questions by writing full sentences.
4. Use the discussion question to write an essay or discuss the story with other students.
5. Click "show Answers" to see the full text.
6. Pretend to be a news anchor by reading each story out loud.
dateline: 09 February 2015
NB! For WEEKLY audio stories check out LISTEN & LEARN π
Kanye West Steals The Limelight at the Grammys
Pre-Listening Vocabulary
- steal the limelight: to get more attention than anyone else
- Grammys: Grammy Awards Show; annual music awards
- storm: to suddenly rush to an area
- pull a stunt: to perform a trick or joke
- disrespect: to dishonour
- recipient: the person who receives something
- hand over: to reluctantly give something to someone else
Comprehension Questions
- Who won Album of the Year at the 2015 Grammys?
- How did Kanye West react after the winner was announced?
- Why does the report mention Taylor Swift?
Discussion Questions: Celebrities do many things to attract media attention. Do you think this was all planned as a publicity stunt? If yes, which artists were involved?
show Answershide Answers
Kanye West Steals The Limelight at the Grammys
American rapper Kanye West stole the limelight at the Grammys on Sunday night when he stormed the stage as Beck accepted Album of the Year. Kanye had pulled a similar stunt when Beyonce lost Video of the Year to Taylor Swift at the MTV Music Awards in 2009. After the Grammys, Kanye told entertainment reporters that the Grammys “disrespected artistry” by not giving the award to Beyonce, its rightful recipient. He also stated that Beck should have handed over his award to Beyonce. Ironically, Kanye West was also seen shaking Taylor Swift’s hand at the Grammys.
- Beck won Album of the Year at the 2015 Grammys.
- Kanye West jumped on the stage in protest. He thought Beyonce deserved to win. He explained his reaction and voiced his opinion after the Grammys.
- Kanye West interrupted Taylor Swift at an awards ceremony in 2009 when she beat Beyonce.
Written and recorded by Tara Benwell for EnglishClub
Tara Benwell is a Canadian freelance writer and editor who specializes in materials and articles for the ELT industry.
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