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• Shellyne Singuri

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American Big Picture Level 2

Name _____________________________________________________

Date ________________________________

     Unit 12 | Reading Read the text. Select True or False.

The democratization of music? The Internet has opened the door to the next stage in the evolution of our music experience. Our horizons have been broadened. Now, we constantly discover and share new music. Things used to be different. In the old days, spending hours listening to the radio or browsing music stores were the only ways to get to know new music. Record companies had total control over what we heard and bought, and a handful of megastars made millions. These days, anybody who can sing or play the guitar can distribute their music for free over the Internet. However, the same technology has also led to mass piracy of music and, according to the record companies, a big decline in music sales in recent years. While the music industry claims that millions are lost due to file-sharing and piracy, a number of recent studies challenge this claim. In fact, most artists—around 75%—actually benefit from file-sharing, according to a Harvard study carried out in 2004. It is true that an elite group of top artists have seen a reduction in sales in recent years, but many less famous artists have had the opportunity to present themselves to the world and sell their own music. Fifteen years ago, we used to pay for all our music, but today, a great deal of music is available for free online. The fact that people can discover new songs and artists by listening to free music often helps, rather than hurts, music sales. File-sharing sites have become a place to shop for new music. If people like what they sample, they are more likely to buy it. In fact, even the big record companies offer free downloads so that people can preview new songs and artists. Further, if musicians are not supported by a big record label, the Internet allows them to reach a mass audience independently. We have seen many young bands become successful in recent years because they have built a fan base through the free distribution of their music online. As the balance of power moves in favor of the consumer, and away from the big record companies, is this the democratization of music? 1.   2.   3.   4.

  The distribution of music in the past was limited by record companies.   Recent research shows that very few musicians benefit from file-sharing.   A few megastars have seen a decrease in music sales.   People who listen to music for free never buy it after. 1

T              

F              

The Big Picture Level 2  Richmond, 2018

American Big Picture Level 2

    5. The writer suggests that music has become more democratic for artists and the consumer.

       

   Unit 12 | Listening Listen to the speakers. Match the names and the statements. One statement is not mentioned.

ABP2_U12_L24_audio.mp3 1. Brenda Meyers

a. I hate loud TV commercials!

2. Terence Matthews

b. I like reality TV and talent competitions.

3. Joe Cordell

c. I watch TV a lot more than I used to.

4. Teresa Burton

d. I only watch the local news.

5. not mentioned

e. I watch a lot of movies and shows online.

   Unit 12 | Writing Write a short description of a TV series that is popular in your country. Write 100–120 words. Follow the instructions below. Write at least four paragraphs. Include some or all of the following information in your description:

• Where the show is set • A description of the main characters • The main storyline in the series 2

The Big Picture Level 2  Richmond, 2018

American Big Picture Level 2

• The reason for the series' success • Who you would recommend the program to

   Unit 12 | Grammar - used to (1) Complete the sentences with the correct form of “used to.” 1. I didn't ___________________ exercise much, but I do now. 2. We ___________________ have a small TV, but now we have a really big one. 3. Did you ___________________ play any sports? 4. She ___________________ be afraid of the dark. 5. He didn't ___________________ like getting up early, and he still doesn't!

   Unit 12 | Grammar - used to (2)

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The Big Picture Level 2  Richmond, 2018

American Big Picture Level 2

Match the parts of the sentences. 1. She used

a. to play golf in school.

2. I didn't

b. use to enjoy reading.

3. Did you

c. like watching TV, but now I don't.

4. I used to

d. use to bring lunch from home?

5. Kids didn't use

e. to paint pictures of herself.

   Unit 12 | Grammar - Modal verbs review (1) Complete the sentences with “will,” “may,” “can,” “should” or “would.” 1. You ___________________ study in a quiet place. It's noisy here. 2. If she had time for a vacation, she ___________________ go to the beach. 3. My uncle ___________________ speak English, French and Spanish. 4. What a great show! I'___________________ never forget this experience. 5. I ___________________ come with you, but I'm not sure. I'll call you after lunch.

   Unit 12 | Grammar - Modal verbs review (2) Choose the correct option to complete each sentence. 1.

You ... swim here. The sign says, “No swimming.”

a. b. c.

should shouldn't can

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The Big Picture Level 2  Richmond, 2018

American Big Picture Level 2

2.

... you go to a different university if you had more money?

a. b. c.

Should Can Would

3.

We ... go to the picnic. It depends on the weather.

a. b. c.

will might not shouldn't

4.

... you open the window, please?

a. b. c.

Will Should May

5.

I don't need a ride. I ... take the bus.

a. b. c.

may can should

     

     

     

     

       Unit 12 | Vocabulary - Places Complete each phrase with the correct preposition. 1. Thousands of spectators watched the final [at] the stadium. 2. Some young people are playing volleyball [on] the beach. 3. Do you have a radio [in] your car? 4. The woman was reading a book [on] the bus. 5. Oh, no! I left my phone [at] home!

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The Big Picture Level 2  Richmond, 2018

American Big Picture Level 2

   Unit 12 | Vocabulary - Types of entertainment Choose the correct option to complete each sentence. 1.

The band just released a new ... I love their music!

a. b. c.

album. radio interview. play.

2.

Last night, we went to a ... The actors were excellent!

a. b. c.

podcast. play. TV show.

3.

I don't watch the ... anymore. The information isn't presented in a professional way.

a. b. c.

concert news podcast

4.

The ... was very popular. You could watch it every night at eight on channel 2.

a. b. c.

movie album TV show

5.

I was just listening to a ... with the presidential candidate.

a. b. c.

radio interview the news play

     

     

     

     

     

   Unit 12 | Vocabulary - Music Complete the words. 1. I found this beautiful antique lamp at the flea market. 2. I have a big music collection. I downloaded the songs from an online music store.

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The Big Picture Level 2  Richmond, 2018

American Big Picture Level 2

3. No, this isn't the right song. Fast forward to the next track. 4. At concerts, many bands sell their T-shirts and CDs at a merchandise table. 5. Some artists promote their music by offering free MP3 downloads.

   Unit 12 | Vocabulary - The Internet Choose the correct option to complete each sentence. 1.

I'll ... my vacation photos to Facebook so you can see them.

a. b. c.

upload download view

2.

More than 350,000 ... have watched the video of the laughing baby.

a. b. c.

hits posts viewers

3.

He wrote a new ... for his blog last night. It was very interesting.

a. b. c.

post website hit

4.

The company ... shows some of the products that they make.

a. b. c.

download website post

5.

To open Google, just ... on that icon. Then type the word in the box.

a. b.

upload click

     

     

     

     

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The Big Picture Level 2  Richmond, 2018

American Big Picture Level 2

c.

download

 

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The Big Picture Level 2  Richmond, 2018