Paul Dummett, Rebecca Robb Benne and Robert Crossley

Upper Intermediate Students Book CEFR: B2 Upper Intermediate Students Book

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 Upper Intermediate Students Book

ASPIRE
Paul Dummett, Rebecca Robb Benne and Robert Crossley
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ASPIRE_UPPERINT_SB.indb 1 28/11/2011 12:12

 Contents
Grammar Vocabulary Reading and Listening Speaking and Writing Culture

1
Present perfect Art; theatre Reading: Putting on a play; Yann Speaking: Conversation between The graffiti artist
simple and Arthus-Bertrands photography; A a musician and music fan about Banksy; The arts
present perfect youth orchestra music piracy; Talking about tastes in Britain
Artists continuous; Listening: Radio programme in music; Survey on the arts
page 5 Present simple, about music piracy; Talking about Writing: A review of a concert
present going to a concert
continuous and
will; Articles

2
Determiners; The environment; Reading: Mdecins Sans Speaking: Describing an Being born into a
Narrative tenses: Discourse Frontires (Doctors Without experience different culture
past simple, past markers; Borders); Earth Hour; Ellis Island Writing: A description of a place to your parents;
Crossing borders continuous, past Compound and emigrating to the USA Extract from
page 17 perfect simple adjectives; Listening: MSF volunteers; History West is West
and past perfect Compound nouns of immigration to the UK after
continuous; used WWII
to and would
Unit 1 Everyday English: Phoning the box office (making a booking) Video: A
Review Chinese artist in
page 29 Harlem
Unit 2 Case Study: Artists for the planet
Review
page 30

3
The future Ageing; Prefixes Reading: Facts about ageing; Speaking: Talking about getting Changing food
(will, be going of measurement; Nanotechnology; UK chef Jamie older; Discussing population culture
to, present Types of meal Oliver tables; Speculating about the
Living in a continuous, Listening: Radio programme future; Expressing opinions
changing world present simple); about the future of Bhutan Writing: An opinion essay
page 31 future perfect
simple, future
continuous and
future perfect
continuous

4
Time Synonyms; Verbs Reading: Science-fiction films Speaking: Speculating about the The Big Bang
conjunctions; of achievement; and books; The history of human past; Talking about space tourism; Theory
Modals of The universe space travel; Professor Brian Cox Talking about unexplained events;
Reaching for the speculation Listening: The merits of reading Talking about the importance of
stars science fiction; The effects of a space and physics
page 43 long stay in space; SETI Writing: A story

Unit 3 Everyday English: Making arrangements

Review
page 55
Unit 4 Case Study: The end of the world? Video:
Review Mysterious crop
page 56 circles

5
Question tags; University; Reading: University prospectus; Speaking: Talking about the University life
Conditionals Specialists; Life A herpetologist and explorer; merits of vocational degrees;
(zero, first, experiences Erasmus exchange students Talking about obligations and
Higher second, third, Listening: Comparing British and requirements
education mixed) American universities; Unusual Writing: A personal statement
page 57 career paths; Students giving
advice to new students

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 Grammar Vocabulary Reading and Listening Speaking and Writing Culture

6
Gender-neutral Prehistory Reading: Early humans; Tracing Speaking: Planning and agreeing Social history
pronouns; and ancient ancestry through DNA; Ancient on a course of study; Comparing
Verb patterns civilisations; Word civilisations and archaeology the past with the present
Learning from with gerund building (prefixes) Listening: The formation of the Writing: A book / TV programme
the past and infinitive; Earth; The teaching of history; review; A short report
page 69 have/get Personal history
something done;
Comparatives
Unit 5 Everyday English: Applying for a student loan
Review
page 81
Unit 6 Case Study: Putting the world on the map
Review
page 82

7
Passive gerund Festivals; Reading: Different approaches to Speaking: Talking about important How people
and infinitive; Stages of life; marriage; Large families; National personal events; Talking about celebrate
Passive reporting Relationships Days wedding traditions; Talking about
Important verbs Listening: Coming of age the significance of festivals;
events celebrations; Describing significant Presenting a proposal
page 83 moments in growing up; Writing: A description of an event
Important birthdays in the UK;
Dragon Boat festival

8
Relative clauses; Jobs; Personality Reading: Extract from The Horse Speaking: Talking about Work culture
Double the + traits Boy; Fishermen in Bangladesh; a problem at work; Clarifying
comparative; Working conditions in the UK meaning
Get to work Participle clauses; Listening: Interview about animal- Writing: A CV; An information
page 95 Inversion assisted therapy; Talking about sheet for people going to work in
problems at work another country
Unit 7 Everyday English:Choosing a present Video: The great
Review kite fight
page 107
Unit 8 Case Study: Celebrations and customs Video: The
Review Gauchos of
page 108 Argentina

9
(a) few and (a) Collocations; Reading: Changemakers (social Speaking: Presenting a The third sector
little; Reporting Types of entrepreneurs) community project; Negotiating
verbs; Reported organisation Listening: The original affluent a house share; Talking about the
The economy speech; Indirect society; Freeconomics; Negotiation results of a survey and carrying out
page 109 questions with a sales person a similar survey
Writing: A report of a meeting

10
Past ability (could Workplace crimes; Reading: Dont stop snitching; Speaking: Discussing workplace Sense of humour
/ was able to, Personality; The Stanford marshmallow crimes; Presenting alternative
etc.); Future in Holidays experiment; Intelligent travel plans to those of a developer;
Doing the right the past; better, (ethical travel); Fooling the public Giving advice; Discussing moral
thing should and ought Listening: Interview about dilemmas
page 121 to unethical practices in the Writing: A review of a TV
workplace; People talking about documentary
giving advice
Unit 9 Everyday English:Starting your own business (asking for and giving advice)
Review
page 133
Unit 10 Case Study: The rise of China Video: Saving
Review the Amazon
page 134 together
Irregular Verbs page 135 Video Worksheets pages 136140 Communication Activities pages 141144
Grammar Reference pages 145155 Pronunciation Guide page 156

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 Artists 1 1

Inthisunityouwilllearn
Communication:talking about tastes, phoning
the box office
Vocabulary:art, theatre
Reading and Listening:music piracy, Yann
Arthus-Bertrands photography, Banksy
Writing:a review of a concert
Grammar:present perfect simple and present
perfect continuous, present simple, present
continuous and will, articles

Lets get started Vocabulary

1 Look at the picture and read what two artists said 2 Brainstorm words associated with each type of
about their work. What do you think the artists art, e.g. the artist and the piece of art produced.
mean? Do you agree?
music fashion design sculpture photography
Music is your own experience, your own thoughts, your ballet theatre graphic design film
wisdom. They teach you theres a boundary line to music.
architecture comedy painting opera
But, man, theres no boundary line to art.
Charlie Parker, jazz musician (19201955)
3 How do you express yourself or your creativity?
Art is the only way to run away without leaving home.
Why do you enjoy this activity?
Twyla Tharp, dancer and choreographer (1941)
Example:
UsefUl expressions I do a modern dance class every week. I enjoy it
use your imagination lose yourself in something because we learn to interpret the music in different
express yourself escape from reality ways and we develop our own dance routines.
be creative

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 1A Making music
Reading
1 Read about Remmy Ongala. What does he use his
reputation as a famous musician to do?
Music with a message
Remmy Ongala is one of East Africas true
superstars. A band leader, guitarist, singer and
songwriter of immense talent, Ongala and his band,
Super Matimila, blend elements of different African
music styles. Theyve been doing it for decades and
Ongala uses his music and international reputation
to broadcast positive social messages.
Ongala wasnt always able to make a living from
music alone, and for years he worked hard as
a labourer by day, and a musician by night. But by
the early 80s Super Matimila was the hottest sound
in Dar Es Salaam (Tanzania), and Ongala began
recording profusely (and getting pirated even more
profusely). Singing in Swahili and other languages,
Ongala has spoken out against poverty, economic
exploitation and music piracy. These days Ongala
continues to live and work in Dar Es Salaam.
2 Discuss the questions.
1 How do you feel about musicians and other artists
getting involved in social and political issues?
2 What famous artists in your country use their art
to make people aware of important issues?
Give some examples.
ASPIRE_UPPERINT_SB.indb 6
Listening
3 One of the topics Remmy Ongala is concerned
about is music piracy. What exactly is music
piracy? Write a short definition, then compare with
a partner.
4 1.02 Listen to a radio programme about
downloading music. Choose the statement 14
which best summarises the interview.
1 Illegal copying of music is a new and widespread
problem.
2 Artists are protesting about giving their music away
for free.
3 Illegal downloading is widespread but many songs
are also downloaded legally.
4 Music sales are hurt by free music online.
5 1.02 Listen again and decide which statements
are true and which are false.
True False
1 Many people pay for the music
they download.
2 Artists offer free downloads to
help young people who have
little money.
3 Nearly half of the songs on
a young persons mp3 player
have been copied illegally.
4 People have been copying
music illegally for years.
5 Artists have the right to money
from downloads of their music.
6 Discuss the questions with a partner.
1 How important is music to you?
2 How do you listen to music? (radio, music TV, CDs,
music DVDs, online, internet downloads)
3 Do you share music or music files with friends?
4 How has listening to music changed over the last
few decades? How did your parents listen to music
when they were young?
28/11/2011 12:12
 Grammar: present perfect simple
and continuous
9 Look at sentences 14 from the radio programme
in Exercise 4. Then complete the information
about the present perfect simple and continuous
with the words in the box.
1 The music industry has known about the problem
for a long time.
2 The problem has become more widespread.
3 People have been copying music illegally for years.
4 An increasing number of artists have been offering
music for free on their websites.

duration is used isnt used result

Pronunciation: linking sounds
7 1.03 Listen to the sentences ac and join the
sounds that are linked together with . Present perfect simple
Then look at the linked words and answer Form: have + past participle
questions 13.
Emphasises the (1) of an activity in
a I went to a great concert in August at a student the present.
club.
(2) with state verbs to talk about a
b I often listen to my favourite songs over and over state up to the present.
again.
c Its illegal to copy a music file without paying for it. Present perfect continuous

Form: have + been + -ing

1 What happens when a consonant links with
a vowel? Emphasises the (3) of an activity
which lasts up to the present or the recent
2 What happens when an r links to a vowel? past.
3 When a vowel links to another vowel, the words
are linked with an extra sound. What extra sound
(4) with state verbs.

do you hear after o? What extra sound do you
hear after y?
10 Choose the correct forms. Then make the
Listen again and repeat.
Speaking
8 Do this role play with a partner. note down
your arguments and ideas before you start. Pay
attention to linking when you speak.
Student A: You are a member of a young band.
Some of the songs on your first CD are available for
free on several internet websites. Explain to a fan why
you are unhappy about this.
Student B: You are a music fan. You regularly
download free music from the Internet illegally.
Put your side of the story to a member of a band.
See Grammar Reference, page 145
sentences true for you.
1 Ive downloaded / been downloading four
songs from the Internet this month.
2 Ive been / been going to two concerts this year.
3 Ive had / been having piano lessons for
nine years.
4 Ive liked / been liking classical music for
a long time.
5 Ive followed / been following Ellie Gouldings
musical career since she became famous.
6 Ive never bought / never been buying
a music DVD.

UsefUl expressions 7 Ive started / been starting to write my

own songs.
make a living
8 Ive wondered / been wondering about
lose out on sales
a career as a musician.
break copyright laws
be overpriced 11 Compare your sentences with a partner. Are any
meet customers needs of your sentences the same or similar?
promote music on websites

UNIT 1A MAkInG MUSIC 7

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 1B On stage
Reading and vocabulary
1 Work with a partner and answer the questions.
1 Is there a particular place in your country that is
famous for its theatres?
Making theatre
Actors are the artists that immediately spring to
2 What sort of theatre is most popular in your mind when talking about the theatre. But the success
country: musicals, opera, classical plays, modern of a play or musical also depends on the work done
plays, mime, pantomime, sound and light, ? by an army of staff (1) the scenes.
2 Read the text about putting on a play. Choose the
correct word for each gap. Circle A, B, C or D.
Cast
Once a play has been chosen or written, the casting
1 A in C behind director works with the director of the play to find
B on D in front of the actors who they think will be best for a part.
Theatres are always (2) both experienced
2 A looking at C looking after
actors and new talent, and casting staff will watch
B looking for D looking up hundreds of plays every year to identify possible
3 A borrow C repair actors. A director will often invite actors for two
auditions and look at their ability to interpret the
B destroy D construct
script and develop a character.
4 A are designed C are being designed
B have been designed D were designed Set and props
5 A while C since The director and designers decide together on the
look of the stage. Craftsmen then (3) scenery
B during D after
from a wide range of materials and scenic artists
6 A very C strongly paint the sets. It is also vital that the objects in a play
B extremely D mostly recreate an authentic feel and look. Props include
furniture, food and drink, and even body parts such
3 Match the words from the text 18 to the as severed heads. An in-house team makes many of
definitions ah. the objects for a particular production.
1 cast
2 audition
a creation of fires, particular
sounds, etc. Costumes and wigs
b a test to get a part in a play
Usually the actors clothes (4) by freelancers
3 script for individual shows and then the theatres costume
4 set c the clothes that actors wear department is responsible for making or buying the
on stage clothes and accessories. While the play is running,
5 props
d the lines and the actions in a large team of maintenance staff will wash and look
6 costumes after the costumes. Actors are always damaging
the play
7 run costumes (5) performances (for example in
e how the stage looks
8 special fighting or dancing scenes) and so maintenance staff
f all the actors in a play will also carry out repairs. A team of dressers helps
effects
g how long a play is open the actors get dressed for the shows. Wigs are made
to audiences for individual actors and will be used when there is
insufficient time to style hair between scenes.
h the objects used on stage

4 Have you ever been involved in a school play or
amateur dramatics? What aspect of producing the
play were you involved in? Which area of theatre-
making do you find most interesting?
Lighting and special effects
The way the stage is lit (6) influences the
mood of a play. Technicians set up and programme
lights to change direction, colour and focus.
Specialised technicians are also responsible for the
use of weapons on stage, fires, explosions and other
sound effects.

ASPIRE_UPPERINT_SB.indb 8 28/11/2011 12:12

 Grammar: present tenses
5 Underline examples of the present simple, the
present continuous and will in the text. Then
complete the rules.

Regular actions and habits

We use (1) to talk about regular habits

or actions, permanent states or things that are
always true.
We can use (2) to talk about repeated
actions.
We can also use (3) to talk about
repeated actions. We often use it with always to
complain about irritating habits.

Actions in progress and temporary actions

We use (4) to talk about actions 9 1.04 A journalist asked five people what habits
happening now, or around now, and for temporary they found the most irritating at the theatre or
actions. cinema. Decide which of these things you think
they mentioned. Then listen and check.
See Grammar Reference, page 145 talking
6 Complete the sentences with the present simple, chewing gum
present continuous or will form of the verbs. unwrapping sweets
1 We (always / pick up) the actors eating crisps and popcorn
clothes off the floor. Most of them slurping drinks
(not do) it themselves. biting nails
2 I (do) drawings of the clothes and arriving late
find fabrics that I would like to use. Then the tailors
leaving early
(make) the clothes.
forgetting to switch off mobile phones
3 We (act) in a musical on Broadway at
the moment so we (live) in a hotel. texting
4 My job is about pulling the whole production Which of the things in the list do you find the
together. I (really / enjoy) it. most irritating?
5 I (always / visit) hundreds of shows
each year in order to see different actors perform. 10 What habits do friends and family have that
irritate you? What nice habits do they have?
6 Occasionally one of the explosions
Tell your partner.
(not work) but luckily that (not
happen) very often. UsefUl expressions

7 Look at the sentences in Exercise 6 again. Which Irritating habits nice habits
theatre job does each person have? He/She is always + -ing He/She always
It drives me crazy when I love it when
8 Imagine you are one of the people in Exercise 6. I cant stand it when I think its nice when
Tell a partner about your daily routine using will
and wont. Example:
Example: It drives me crazy when my sister borrows my shoes.
Im an actor. Every day Ill get up at nine oclock. Her feet are bigger than mine so she stretches them!
I wont have any breakfast but Ill have several cups My dad always makes me a cup of tea in the
of coffee. Ill spend some time reading my fan morning. I really appreciate that.
letters, and then Ill meet the rest of the cast to go
through our lines.

UNIT 1b On STAGE 9

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 1c Photographic art
Vocabulary
1 Complete the definitions of different types of
picture or art with the words in the box.
landscape seascape portrait sketch
1 A drawing is composed of lines made with pencil
or ink.
2 A is a view of the countryside.
3 A is a picture of a person, especially
of their face only.
4 A still life is a picture of inanimate, everyday
objects (e.g. fruit, flowers).
5 A street scene is a picture of activity in a street in
a town or city.
6 A is quick drawing.
7 A is a view of the sea.
Speaking
2 Read the quotation about the art of photography.
Do you agree with it?
It takes a lot of imagination to be a good photographer. You
need less imagination to be a painter because you can invent
things. But in photography everything is so ordinary; it takes
a lot of looking before you learn to see the extraordinary.
David Bailey, photographer (1938)
Reading
3 Look at photographs AC on page 11 taken by
Yann Arthus-Bertrand. Can you tell what each one
depicts? Check your ideas on page 143.
4 Read the article on page 11. Match sentences AF
to gaps 14. There are two extra sentences.
A This is what is so special about Yanns work: you
can be at the same time uplifted by its art and
disheartened by its underlying message.
B His aim has always been to spread his ecological
message all over the world.
C The organisation provides environmental news
through its website.
D And this, of course, is the essence of art: to share
with others your own personal vision of the world.
E Yanns answer is the philosophical response of a
Frenchman.
F He works with his team of aerial photographers.
10
ASPIRE_UPPERINT_SB.indb 10
5 Discuss the questions.
1 Do you think that photographs are a good way to
convey a political or social message? What other
effective ways are there?
2 Can you think of any photographs in magazines or
newspapers that made a strong impression on you?
Grammar: articles
6 Work with a partner. Study the articles a, the
or (no article) in this extract from Exercise 4.
Match each one to the correct rule AC.
It was (1) a trip with his wife to Africa, where he
filmed (2) lions in (3) the Maasai Mara Reserve
from (4) a hot air balloon, that inspired his most
famous work, Earth from the Air. (5) The work is
(6) a photographic collection of (7) aerial
photographs, which has been exhibited around
(8) the world.
a, the or no article
A For the first mention of something, we use a.
For something already mentioned, we use the.
We used to live in a house on Regent Street.
The house belonged to my grandmother.
B When we generalise about things (in the
plural), we use no article. When we talk about
specific things (singular or plural), we use the.
Cats are popular pets in the UK.
Can you feed the cats later?
C We use a to refer to one of many and the to
refer to a unique thing.
Joes a doctor. Kirstys the Chief Medical
Officer.
See Grammar Reference, page 146
7 1.05 Choose the correct articles to complete
the text about another famous photographer.
Then listen and check.
David Doubilet is one of (1) a / the / worlds
leading underwater photographers. He has travelled
to the Red Sea, (2) a / the / South Pacific and
beyond, capturing (3) a / the / groundbreaking
images of great white sharks, fluorescent coral, some
World War II wrecks, and more. Born in New York
City in 1946, Doubilet began snorkelling off (4) a /
the / New Jersey coast when he was eight years
old. By the time he was twelve, he was scuba diving
and taking (5) a / the / pictures using
(6) a / the / Brownie Hawkeye in (7) a / the /
rubber bag as his first underwater camera. He spent
his summers diving, taking pictures and working as
(8) a / the / dive guide.
28/11/2011 12:12
 A witness with a unique perspective
At 53 years old, Yann Arthus-Bertrand can
look back on an eclectic career that has mixed
art, business, journalism and environmental
campaigning. It was a trip with his wife to Africa,
where he filmed lions in the Maasai Mara Reserve
from a hot air balloon, that inspired* his most
famous work, Earth from the Air. The work is a
photographic collection of aerial photographs, which
has been exhibited around the world. In a project
that spanned 15 years and 76 countries, he and his
team compiled* thousands of fabulous shots, 160 of
which formed the exhibition and have been included
in books, calendars, diaries and DVDs. Is it Art?
(1) The Earth is Art, the photographer is only
a witness. But the photographs also carry a strong
message: Here is nature at its most beautiful; please
do not allow its destruction at the hands of man.
Finding the artist inside him has been a journey of
discovery. At first photography was simply a means
to observe and record animal behaviour, but once
in the air, he realised that aerial photography could
discover things that are not apparent from the
ground and tell a story about life that hasnt yet been
told. (2)
Inevitably, this unique perspective* became bound
up in politics as the questions of climate change and
diminishing global resources have increased both in
A magnificence of nature. He has opened the worlds
ASPIRE_UPPERINT_SB.indb 11
importance and urgency. In 2005, Yann founded
the international ecologists association, GoodPlanet.
(3) It also sets up education programmes to help
children become more aware of environmental issues.
Educating the next generation is very important to
him and his dream is one day for photography to be
taught in schools alongside maths and spelling because
There is nothing more universal than photography.
Most recently, he has directed a film called Home
(produced by Luc Besson) which uses aerial images to
show the disastrous effects that unbridled consumerism
is having on the planet. Devastated rainforests make
way for soy bean crops and industrial-scale cattle
ranches in order to meet the developed worlds demand
for beef. Major rivers that once raged in full flow are
reduced to a trickle which never makes it to the sea.
Screened on World
The Earth Environment Day in June
is Art, the 2009, Home was met with
photographer is both gasps of amazement at
its beauty and of horror at its
only a witness. revelations. (4)
On the Sunday following its premiere in France,
where eight million people watched it, the Ecologist
party scored a record result in the elections for
the European Parliament. This perhaps was no
coincidence. Yann Arthus-Bertrand has done more
than share his perspective on the endless variety and
eyes to how we humans are squandering that gift.
inspire to motivate or move you to do something
compile put together a collection
perspective the point from which you look at things
UNIT 1C PHOTOGRAPHIC ART 11
28/11/2011 12:13
 1d Taste in music
Reading Listening: expressing likes and dislikes
1 Work with a partner. Look at the two pictures and 4 1.06 Listen to two friends talking about going
discuss what you think the connection between
to a concert given by the Venezuelan Youth
them could be.
Orchestra. Decide which statements are true and
which are false.

True False
1 Sarah doesnt really like
classical music.
2 Nathan generally prefers
recorded music to live music.
3 Sarah used to listen to
Beethoven when she
was studying.
4 The Venezuelan Youth
From rags to musical riches Orchestra will definitely
play some Beethoven in
The Venezuelan Youth Orchestra is on tour
celebrating its 30th anniversary. It is composed of their concert.
young people from the slums* of Caracas and other
underprivileged* backgrounds, many of whom 5 1.06 Listen again. Complete the sentences that
were at risk of getting involved in a life of crime. describe the speakers feelings about music.
It trains them and gets them performing at the 1 Classical isnt really my , Im afraid.
earliest opportunity. The result is a group of highly
motivated performers who play with enormous 2 I didnt use to be a big either, but Im
feeling and conviction. It is said that the opera really on it now.
singer Placido Domingo cried when he saw them 3 Well, I do some classical music, when
play. As well as helping to give youngsters with Im in the right , that is.
limited prospects a new chance in life, the aim of the
orchestra is also to help make classical music more 4 My Dad it. He always used to listen to
a part of popular culture. The programme is seen as it when he was working.
the most exciting thing happening in the world of 5 Its very soothing and . It
classical music and has inspired many similar projects me of sitting quietly in the evening.
in countries across the globe.
6 When Placido Domingo saw them, he found it so
that he cried.

Speaking: talking about tastes

6 Think of two pieces of music that are, or have
been, special to you. Look at the questions and
make notes about each piece. Then describe your
feelings about them to your partner.
1 Why is it so special?
slum an area of very
2 What do you like about it?
poor housing
3 Where do you listen to it and what mood are
underprivileged
coming from a poor you in?
background and with
few opportunities

2 Read the text and see if you were correct.

3 What are the two aims of the Venezuelan Youth
Orchestra? What are its main achievements?

12

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 Vocabulary
7 Look at the words related to music. Explain the
difference in meaning between the words in each
group. Use a dictionary to help you.
1 a gig a concert a tour
2 an orchestra a group a musician
3 a venue a concert hall an arena
4 a song a piece lyrics
5 a support act a guest appearance
8 What was the last concert you went to? Did you
enjoy it? Describe the experience to your partner.
Writing: a review of a concert
9 Read the review of a concert given by the young
pianist Rafa Blechacz. What is it that makes his
playing of Chopin so special?
10 Read the review again and make notes under
the headings.
Introduction the artists background
The occasion of the concert (when, where)
The details (what he played)
Overall impression
The audiences reaction
Conclusion and recommendation
11 Write your own review of a concert. Use the
headings in Exercise 10 to plan your writing. You
can describe the same concert as in Exercise 8 or
choose a different one if you prefer (pop, classical,
jazz etc.). Write 200250 words.
UsefUl expressions reviewing a concert
X formed the group in
For the last ten years, X has been
The concert took place at
The venue was
X opened with and ended with
Each song / piece was played with great
It was an amazing night.
It was a disappointing performance.
The audience was made up of
I would advise you not to miss / to stay away
ASPIRE_UPPERINT_SB.indb 13
MUSIC REVIEW:
Rafa Blechaczs
debut at the Kennedy Center
Rafa Blechacz won the International
Frederic Chopin Piano Competition in
an encore
2005 when he was only 20 years old. Last
Saturday, he played his first concert at
the Kennedy Center. It was a very special
evening.
Blechacz still looks rather young and
awkward. He wore a formal black suit
and smiled a little self-consciously. His
programme a Bach partita, a Mozart
sonata and three pieces by Chopin was
similar to the kind presented at a piano
recital, designed to show off his technical
ability and range.
However, it was clear from the moment he
opened with the Bach Partita No. 1 that, as
a performer, Blechacz has now grown up. He
wants to share with us his understanding
of the music he plays and so delivers it
gently and with great clarity. As much as the
audience enjoyed the Bach and Mozart, the
auditorium was waiting to hear Blechaczs
performance of Chopin. And it was with
three difficult Chopin pieces that he took
the concert to a higher level.
What makes Chopins music difficult
is the contrast between darker, more
technical passages and an often simple
melody. The change from one to the other
seems to confuse many pianists; but not
Rafa Blechacz. He has mastered Chopins
moods and can make sense of the musics
emotional difficulties.
He played only one encore, the Mazurka,
Op. 17, No. 4. but the audience was anxious
to hear more, applauding long after he
had left the stage. Typical of his natural
modesty, he did not return to take a bow,
instead leaving us with just the echo of the
final notes.
If you have a chance to see Rafa Blechacz
perform, it is definitely worth it.
There are few pianists alive who
understand Chopin so well.
UNIT 1D TASTE In MUSIC 13
28/11/2011 12:13
 1E Art for the public
Reading
1 Look at the different examples of
graffiti. Then discuss the questions
with your partner.
1 Which have defaced the building?
Which have improved its
appearance?
2 What messages are being
communicated by each?
3 Can you see similar graffiti in your
town? Where? What do people
think of it?
2 Read the article about Banksy and
answer the questions.
1 Who is Banksy?
2 What do the public think of him?
3 What do the critics think of him?
14
ASPIRE_UPPERINT_SB.indb 14
The peoples artist
Disguised in a thick beard, wire-frame glasses and a rather crumpled*
hat, Banksy, the anonymous* graffiti artist, sneaked into four of New
Yorks most prestigious museums in March 2005. He (1)
work on their walls without permission including a Warholesque
painting of Tesco Value cream of tomato soup cans in the Museum of
Modern Art. Afterwards, the street artist explained himself on
a graffiti website: Ive wandered around a lot of art galleries thinking
I could have done that so it seemed only right that I should try.
These galleries are just trophy cabinets* for a handful of millionaires.
The public never has any real say in what art they see.
This statement is no (2) true. This month, Londons
Tate Modern the worlds most popular modern art gallery hosts
Street Art, a group exhibition which will turn the
buildings riverside faade over to be used as a
canvas by the artists. The show features work by Ive wandered
around a lot
European street artists Blu, JR and Sixeart, So of art galleries
Paulos Nunca and Os Gmeos and American thinking
collective Faile. If recent events are anything to go I could have
by, the show will be popular. Last weekends Cans
done that
Festival, held in a London railway tunnel, was a
huge bank holiday hit. The event featured work by
so it seemed
40 artists and was organised by Banksy. only right that
The public may still not have much say over
I should try.
what art they see in galleries, but theyre certainly getting better at
expressing their opinions. Banksy was voted one of the nations top
three art heroes in (3) last year, providing, as he does, a
voice for important social and political messages. In Bristol, the artists
hometown, the city council held a public vote in 2006 on whether
Banksys graffiti on the wall of a local health clinic (4)
be removed. The public decided to let it stay. Network Rail has
since given its cleaners art lessons to ensure they dont erase any of
Banksys work.
Millionaires are now buying the sort
of art that Banksy used to smuggle
into museums, displaying it alongside
other contemporary artworks.
(5) the universally negative
reviews by British art critics, who
have called street art a joke or
simply refused to discuss it, auction
houses regularly feature street art
in contemporary sales, and serious
collectors buy it. At a recent auction,
Banksys monkey stencil Laugh Now
fetched the highest price (228,000).
crumpled as if it has been sat on
anonymous no one knows their name
trophy cabinet glass cupboard for displaying prizes
28/11/2011 12:13
 3 Choose the correct word for each gap in the article. 7 Complete the statistics 16 with one
Circle A, B, C or D. word in each gap. Look back at the
1 A hanged B hung C had hung D had hanged text in Exercise 5 to help you.
2 A more B further C still D longer 1 One eight people play
a musical instrument.
3 A a survey B an enquiry C an investigation D a review
2 4% the population has tried
4 A ought B would C should D can
writing a book or a play.
5 A Despite B Although C Nevertheless D In spite
3 A surprising number of people in the
4 Look back at the text. Decide which statements are true 6580 age attend dancing
and which are false. lessons.
4 About a of the population
True False
(23%) have never read a book.
1 Banksy defaced pictures in the Museum
5 half the population (54%)
of Modern Art.
is interested in photography.
2 He wanted to show that ordinary people
6 Six times the number of people go to
could decide what to see in galleries.
the cinema to the theatre.
3 At Tate Modern, street artists will draw
pictures on the outside of the building. Speaking
4 The Cans Festival was a moderate 8 You are going to do a survey on
success. the arts for your class. Follow the
5 People dont like art to carry a political instructions.
message. Work in four groups: 1 musical
6 British art critics dont take the work of concerts, 2 dance and theatre
street artists seriously, but collectors do. performances, 3 art exhibitions,
4 cinema.
Listening Write five to ten questions for
your survey.
5 Look at the statistics for the arts in Britain below. Try to
complete the sentences with the figures in the box. Interview the other members of the
class and note their answers.
26% 90% biggest five once quarter
second biggest ten twice two
In your group, compile your results
and prepare a list of statistics.

6 1.07 Listen and check your ideas. What do the statistics tell Present your statistics to the class.
you about British peoples relationship with the arts? Does this Watch a video about a Chinese
surprise you? artist in Harlem. Turn to page 136.

The arts in Britain Opera attracts (6) the

percentage of the population as in the USA.
(1) of the British Over (7) million people
population visit an art-related venue visited Tate Modern in London in 2007,
each year. making it the most visited modern art
(2) million people in gallery in the world.
Britain are involved in amateur dramatics One in five people go to a pop or
each year, the largest percentage of rock concert each year and one in
these are in the 1619 age group. (8) to a classical concert.
(3) of people over 16 go The (9) group of cinema
to the theatre at least (4) goers are the top socio-economic group;
a year a (5) of these go the (10) group are the
to a musical. unemployed. Tate Modern

UNIT 1E ART FOR THE PUBLIC 15

ASPIRE_UPPERINT_SB.indb 15 28/11/2011 12:13

 Everyday
English Phoning the box office
Listening and speaking 3 1.08 Listen again. Then work with a partner
and take it in turns to explain the meaning of the
1 Look at the two posters and answer the questions
words in the box.
with a partner.
1 What do the posters show? sold out matinee circle stalls
student discount group rate
2 What impression of the two events do you get
from the posters?
3 Which event would you prefer to attend and why? 4 Look at the example sentences from the
recording. Then complete the rules with the
correct tense.
The evening performance starts at half past seven.
Were leaving on Sunday.

Remember!
We use the for events in
schedules or timetables.
We use the for fixed
arrangements in the future.

See Grammar Reference, page 146

5 Work with a partner.

Student A: You are
a ticket agent. Look at
page 141.
Student B: You want to
book tickets for Stomp.
2 1.08 Listen to a conversation with a ticket agent Look at page 143.
about one of the events in Exercise 1. Complete
the booking form. Role play the
conversation.
Start like this:

STRADA A Hello, Box Office.

How can I help you?
BOX OFFICE B Hello,

BOOKING FORM A unique mix of theatre,

dance, music and comedy
SHOW: 6 Work with the same partner.
DATE: MATINEE EVENING Student A: You want to book tickets for the concert in
the poster in Exercise 1.
NUMBER OF TICKETS: Student B: You are a ticket agent.

DISCOUNTS: GROUP STUDENT

SENIOR CITIZEN CHILD (1015)

TICKET PRICE:

NAME:

16

ASPIRE_UPPERINT_SB.indb 16 28/11/2011 12:13

Visite a pgina deste livro na
Cengage Learning Brasil e
conhea tambm todo o nosso
catlogo
 Paul Dummett, Rebecca Robb Benne and Robert Crossley
Upper Intermediate Students Book CEFR: B2 Upper Intermediate Students Book

ASPIRE
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Students Book Teachers Book

Upper Intermediate Students Book

Everyday English sections prepare students for the
way English is used in the real world
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Grammar reference section provides a fully
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Video worksheets Interactive Whiteboard CD-ROM
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Workbook
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