The Reading / Listening - The Beatles' Last Song - Level 3

The Beatles have released the last song they recorded. The song is titled "Now and Then". It was written by John Lennon in 1977. He sang it at the piano and recorded it in 1979 at his home. The other Beatles added to the track over the years. Recording engineers used AI technology to bring the song to life, resulting in a sound like the four Beatles recorded it together in a studio. The song has been released as a double-A side single. The flip side of the record is a new mix of the band's first single "Love Me Do". This was first released in 1962. "Now and Then" will also be the final track on a new edition of the Beatles' legendary greatest hits "blue" album. This is a collection of their classics from 1967-1970.

Beatles member Paul McCartney spoke to reporters about the new song. He said: "It's quite emotional. And we all play on it. It's a genuine Beatles recording." He spoke about his excitement at being able to release a new song, saying: "In 2023, to still be working on Beatles music, and to release a new song the public haven't heard, I think it's an exciting thing." McCartney was also excited about hearing John Lennon's voice. He said it was "crystal clear". Lennon was shot dead by a fan outside his New York home in 1980. Beatles drummer Ringo Starr said recording the song was, "the closest we'll ever come to having [John Lennon] back in the room". He said it was, "very emotional for all of us".

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    The Beatles' Last Song - Level 0,  The Beatles' Last Song - Level 1   or  The Beatles' Last Song - Level 2

Sources
  • https://time.com/6328838/beatles-last-song-now-and-then/
  • https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/beatles-now-and-then-1234862777/
  • https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/now-then-beatles-release-new-song-with-lennons-voice-2023-10-26/


Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice activities, drag and drop activities, sentence jumbles, which word activities, text reconstructions, spelling, gap fills and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

Warm-ups

1. THE BEATLES: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about the Beatles. 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?
       the Beatles / songs / piano / recording / engineers / AI / technology / studio / blue /
       reporters / emotional / genuine / excitement / music / fan / home / drummer / room
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. THE GREATEST: Students A strongly believe the Beatles are the greatest band ever; Students B strongly believe otherwise. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. BANDS: What do you know about these band? What do you think of them? Complete this table and share what you wrote with your partner(s). Change partners often.

 

What I Know

What I Think

Beatles

 

 

Rolling Stones

 

 

Queen

 

 

Nirvana

 

 

Guns and Roses

 

 

BTS

 

 
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. PIANO: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "piano". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. MUSIC: Rank these with your partner. Put the best music genres at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • Rock
  • Electro
  • Jazz
  • Classical
  • Rap
  • Country
  • Folk
  • Blues

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. track a. A version of a recording in which the main tracks are mixed in a different way from the original.
      2. single b. A work of art that is thought to be great and will be great forever.
      3. flip c. A recording of one song or piece of music.
      4. mix d. The opposite or other.
      5. edition e. A short record (usually the best from an album) with one main song or track.
      6. legendary f. A particular form or version of a published text.
      7. classic g. Amazing or great enough to be famous; very well known.

    Paragraph 2

      8. emotional h. Truly what something is said to be; authentic.
      9. genuine i. Make a film, song, book, or other product available to the public.
      10. release j. Very, very, very easy to understand.
      11. the public k. Feelings that are easily excited and openly displayed.
      12. voice l. A person who has a strong interest in or admiration for a particular person, team or thing.
      13. crystal clear m. The sound produced in a person's neck that comes out through the mouth, as speech or song.
      14. fan n. The people in society.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. The Beatles recorded the song "Now and Then" in the 1960s.     T / F
  2. The Beatles recorded "Now and Then" together in a studio.     T / F
  3. The Beatles first single was called "Love Me Do".     T / F
  4. "Now and Then" will appear on the Beatles legendary "Red" album.     T / F
  5. Paul McCartney said "Now and Then" was a genuine Beatles song.     T / F
  6. Many members of the public heard the song before it was released.     T / F
  7. Paul McCartney said it was a little difficult to hear John Lennon's voice.    T / F
  8. The Beatles' drummer said recording the song was emotional.     T / F

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

  1. titled
  2. track
  3. flip
  4. mix
  5. classics
  6. genuine
  7. release
  8. excited
  9. closest
  10. emotional
  1. moving
  2. masterpieces
  3. authentic
  4. nearest
  5. reverse
  6. called
  7. thrilled
  8. issue
  9. song
  10. combination

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

  1. The other Beatles added to the track
  2. engineers used AI technology
  3. the record is a new mix
  4. the Beatles' legendary greatest
  5. This is a collection of their
  6. It's a genuine
  7. his excitement at being able to
  8. release a new song the
  9. He said it was crystal
  10. the closest we'll
  1. public haven't heard
  2. hits "blue" album
  3. Beatles recording
  4. ever come
  5. of the band's first single
  6. clear
  7. over the years
  8. release a new song
  9. classics from 1967-1970
  10. to bring the song to life

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
flip
track
titled
legendary
piano
mix
studio
life

The Beatles have released the last song they recorded. The song is (1) _____________________ "Now and Then". It was written by John Lennon in 1977. He sang it at the (2) _____________________ and recorded it in 1979 at his home. The other Beatles added to the (3) _____________________ over the years. Recording engineers used AI technology to bring the song to (4) _____________________, resulting in a sound like the four Beatles recorded it together in a (5) _____________________. The song has been released as a double-A side single. The (6) _____________________ side of the record is a new (7) _____________________ of the band's first single "Love Me Do". This was first released in 1962. "Now and Then" will also be the final track on a new edition of the Beatles' (8) _____________________ greatest hits "blue" album. This is a collection of their classics from 1967-1970.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
emotional
voice
room
member
closest
public
able
crystal

Beatles (9) _____________________ Paul McCartney spoke to reporters about the new song. He said: "It's quite (10) _____________________. And we all play on it. It's a genuine Beatles recording." He spoke about his excitement at being (11) _____________________ to release a new song, saying: "In 2023, to still be working on Beatles music, and to release a new song the (12) _____________________ haven't heard, I think it's an exciting thing." McCartney was also excited about hearing John Lennon's (13) _____________________. He said it was "(14) _____________________ clear". Lennon was shot dead by a fan outside his New York home in 1980. Beatles drummer Ringo Starr said recording the song was, "the (15) _____________________ we'll ever come to having [John Lennon] back in the (16) _____________________". He said it was, "very emotional for all of us".

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) The other Beatles added ______
     a.  to the trick
     b.  to the track
     c.  to the truck
     d.  to the trek
2)  The song has been released as a ______
     a.  double-A side single
     b.  double-A side double
     c.  double-A side triple
     d.  double-A side treble
3)  The flip side of the record is ______
     a.  a new nix
     b.  a new pix
     c.  a new mix
     d.  a new fix
4)  "Now and Then" will also be the final track on ______
     a.  anew edition
     b.  a knew edition
     c.  a news edition
     d.  a new edition
5)  This is a collection of their ______
     a.  classic from 1967-1970
     b.  classical from 1967-1970
     c.  classics from 1967-1970
     d.  classy from 1967-1970

6)  spoke to reporters about the new song. He said: "______.
     a.  It's quilt emotional
     b.  It's quit emotional
     c.  It's quiet emotional
     d.  It's quite emotional
7)  It's a genuine Beatles recording." He spoke ______
     a.  abet his excitement
     b.  abut his excitement
     c.  about his excitement
     d.  abbot his excitement
8)  be working on Beatles music, and to release a new song the ______
     a.  publicity haven't heard
     b.  public haven't heard
     c.  publics haven't heard
     d.  publicly haven't heard
9)  McCartney was also excited about hearing John Lennon's voice. He said it ______
     a.  was "crystal clear"
     b.  was "kiss tall clear"
     c.  was "cries tall clear"
     d.  was "cliffs tall clear"
10)  the song was, "the closest we'll ever come to having [John Lennon] back ______
     a.  in the broom
     b.  in the vroom
     c.  in the room
     d.  in the loom

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

The Beatles have released the last (1) ____________________. The song is titled "Now and Then". It was written by John Lennon in 1977. He sang it at the piano and recorded it in 1979 at his home. The other Beatles added to (2) ____________________ the years. Recording engineers used AI technology to bring the song to life, resulting in a sound like the four Beatles recorded it together (3) ____________________. The song has been released as a double-A side single. The (4) ____________________ the record is a new mix of the band's first single "Love Me Do". This was first released in 1962. "Now and Then" will also be the final track on a new edition of the Beatles' (5) ____________________ "blue" album. This is a collection of (6) ____________________ 1967-1970.

Beatles member Paul McCartney spoke to reporters about the new song. He said: "It's quite emotional. And we all play on it. (7) ____________________ Beatles recording." He spoke about his excitement at being able to (8) ____________________ song, saying: "In 2023, to still be working on Beatles music, and to release a new song (9) ____________________ heard, I think it's an exciting thing." McCartney was also excited about hearing John Lennon's voice. He said it (10) ____________________. Lennon was shot dead by a (11) ____________________ New York home in 1980. Beatles drummer Ringo Starr said recording the song was, "the closest we'll ever come to having [John Lennon] back in the room". He said it was, "very (12) ____________________ of us".

Comprehension questions

  1. When did John Lennon write the song "Now and Then"?
  2. Who used AI technology to bring the new song to life?
  3. What has the song "Now and Then" been released as?
  4. What is the name of the first Beatles single?
  5. From when do the songs on the Beatles' "blue" album come?
  6. Who did Paul McCartney speak to?
  7. What kind of recording did Paul McCartney call "Now and Then"?
  8. What was Paul McCartney excited about hearing?
  9. Who is Ringo Starr?
  10. Who did Ringo Starr say recording the song was emotional for?

Multiple choice quiz

1) When did John Lennon write the song "Now and Then"?
a) in 1971
b) in 1973
c) in 1975
d) in 1977
2) Who used AI technology to bring the new song to life?
a) Beatles fans
b) recording engineers
c) the Beatles
d) Internet users
3) What has the song "Now and Then" been released as?
a) a cassette tape
b) an MP3
c) a free download
d) a double-A side
4) What is the name of the first Beatles single?
a) Yesterday
b) Hey Jude
c) Love Me Do
d) I Want to Hold Your Hand
5) From when do the songs on the Beatles' "blue" album come?
a) 1957-1971
b) 1962-1966
c) 1971-1977
d) 1967-1970

6) Who did Paul McCartney speak to?
a) his fans
b) his wife
c) reporters
d) Lady Gaga
7) What kind of recording did Paul McCartney call "Now and Then"?
a) a genuine Beatles recording
b) something different
c) a masterpiece
d) a lot of fun
8) What was Paul McCartney excited about hearing?
a) the reviews of the song
b) the new Rolling Stones album
c) John Lennon's voice
d) the song on the radio
9) Who is Ringo Starr?
a) the Beatles' bass guitarist
b) the Beatles' drummer
c) the Beatles' lead guitarist
d) the Beatles' manager
10) Who did Ringo Starr say recording the song was emotional for?
a) us
b) them
c) him
d) her

Role play

Role  A – Rock
You think rock is the best music genre. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their genres. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): electro, rap or jazz.

Role  B – Electro
You think electro is the best music genre. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their genres. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): rock, rap or jazz.

Role  C – Rap
You think rap is the best music genre. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their genres. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): electro, rock or jazz.

Role  D – Jazz
You think jazz is the best music genre. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their genres. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): electro, rap or rock.

After reading / listening

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

'song'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • and 'piano'.

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • • 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:

    • titled
    • piano
    • track
    • AI
    • flip
    • classics
    • quite
    • genuine
    • 2023
    • voice
    • fan
    • room

    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 - The Beatles' Last Song

    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 'song'?
    3. What do you know about the Beatles?
    4. What's the best music band in history?
    5. What kind of music do you like?
    6. Is music of the 1960s better than today's music?
    7. What do you think of using AI to make music?
    8. What is your favourite album?
    9. What music do you like from the 1960s?
    10. What do you think of today's music?

    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 'piano'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What do you think of the Beatles' music?
    5. Are bands better than solo singers?
    6. What music makes you emotional?
    7. How excited do you get when an artist releases a new song?
    8. Do you prefer music on vinyl, CD or MP3?
    9. Why do so many people like the Beatles?
    10. What questions would you like to ask the Beatles?

    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)

    The Beatles have (1) ____ the last song they recorded. The song is titled "Now and Then". It was written by John Lennon in 1977. He sang it (2) ____ the piano and recorded it in 1979 at his home. The other Beatles added to the (3) ____ over the years. Recording engineers used AI technology to bring the song to (4) ____, resulting in a sound like the four Beatles recorded it together in a studio. The song has been released as a double-A side single. The (5) ____ side of the record is a new mix of the band's first single "Love Me Do". This was first released in 1962. "Now and Then" will also be the final track on a new edition of the Beatles' legendary greatest hits "blue" album. This is a collection of their (6) ____ from 1967-1970.

    Beatles member Paul McCartney spoke to reporters about the new song. He said: "It's (7) ____ emotional. And we all play on it. It's a genuine Beatles recording." He spoke about his excitement at being (8) ____ to release a new song, saying: "In 2023, to still be working on Beatles music, and to release a new song the public haven't heard, I think it's an (9) ____ thing." McCartney was also excited about hearing John Lennon's voice. He said it was "crystal (10) ____". Lennon was shot dead by a fan outside his New York home in 1980. Beatles drummer Ringo Starr said recording the song was, "the closest we'll ever (11) ____ to having [John Lennon] back in the room". He said it was, "very (12) ____ for all of us".

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     releases     (b)     releasing     (c)     release     (d)     released    
    2. (a)     in     (b)     to     (c)     of     (d)     at    
    3. (a)     trick     (b)     track     (c)     truck     (d)     trek    
    4. (a)     live     (b)     living     (c)     life     (d)     lives    
    5. (a)     flap     (b)     flop     (c)     flip     (d)     floppy    
    6. (a)     classics     (b)     classical     (c)     classic     (d)     classically    
    7. (a)     quiet     (b)     quite     (c)     quit     (d)     quilt    
    8. (a)     able     (b)     ability     (c)     abled     (d)     abilities    
    9. (a)     excite     (b)     exciting     (c)     excites     (d)     excited    
    10. (a)     dull     (b)     opaque     (c)     clear     (d)     misty    
    11. (a)     do     (b)     go     (c)     come     (d)     be    
    12. (a)     emotions     (b)     emotion     (c)     emotionally     (d)     emotional

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. recording rnsgeeeni
    2. AI eghlocynto
    3. in a soduti
    4. the Beatles' aengreydl greatest hits
    5. This is a oleicctonl
    6. their csslaics from 1967-1970

    Paragraph 2

    1. It's quite laiomnteo
    2. It's a nnigeue Beatles recording
    3. He spoke about his cemnttieex
    4. release a new song the blcuip
    5. it was lctrysa clear
    6. Beatles rrdmmue Ringo Starr

    Put the text back together

    (...)   side single. The flip side of the record is a new mix of the band's first single "Love Me Do". This was first
    (...)   haven't heard, I think it's an exciting thing." McCartney was also excited about hearing John Lennon's
    (...)   having [John Lennon] back in the room". He said it was, "very emotional for all of us".
    (...)   released in 1962. "Now and Then" will also be the final track on a new edition of the Beatles' legendary greatest
    (...)   track over the years. Recording engineers used AI technology to bring the song to
    (...)   by John Lennon in 1977. He sang it at the piano and recorded it in 1979 at his home. The other Beatles added to the
    (  1  ) The Beatles have released the last song they recorded. The song is titled "Now and Then". It was written
    (...)   Beatles member Paul McCartney spoke to reporters about the new song. He said: "It's quite
    (...)   emotional. And we all play on it. It's a genuine Beatles recording." He spoke about his excitement at being able
    (...)   hits "blue" album. This is a collection of their classics from 1967-1970.
    (...)   life, resulting in a sound like the four Beatles recorded it together in a studio. The song has been released as a double-A
    (...)   1980. Beatles drummer Ringo Starr said recording the song was, "the closest we'll ever come to
    (...)   to release a new song, saying: "In 2023, to still be working on Beatles music, and to release a new song the public
    (...)   voice. He said it was "crystal clear". Lennon was shot dead by a fan outside his New York home in

    Put the words in the right order

    1. the   recorded   .   The   released   song   last   they   Beatles
    2. to   The   added   Beatles   track   .   other   the
    3. it   A   sound   Beatles   like   recorded   the   together   .
    4. single   .   first   A   of   new   the   band's   mix
    5. collection   This   classics   .   album   their   of   is   a
    6. reporters   about   song   .   spoke   to   new   the   McCartney
    7. heard   .   new   a   public   song   Release   haven't   the
    8. Shot   fan   dead   home   .   outside   by   a   his
    9. to   him   .   come   having   we'll   The   closest   ever
    10. was   for   It   of   emotional   us   .   very   all

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    The Beatles have released / releasing the last song they recorded. The song is entitled / titled "Now and Then". It was written by John Lennon in 1977. He sang it at the piano and recorded it in 1979 at his home. The other Beatles added to / of the track over / past the years. Recording engineers used AI technology to bring the song to live / life, resulting in a sound like the four Beatles recorded it together in a studio. The song has been released as a double-A side triple / single. The flap / flip side of the record is a new mix of the band's first single "Love Me Do". This was first released in 1962. "Now and Then" will also be the finally / final track on a new edition of the Beatles' legendary / legend greatest hits "blue" album. This is a collection of their classics / classical from 1967-1970.

    Beatles member / membership Paul McCartney spoke to reporters about the new song. He said: "It's quite emotional. And we all play on them / it. It's a genuine Beatles recorded / recording." He spoke about his excitement at being able to release a new song, saying / said: "In 2023, to still be working on Beatles music, and to release a new / news song the public haven't heard, I think it's an exciting / excited thing." McCartney was also excited about hearing John Lennon's voice. He said it was "crystal unclear / clear". Lennon was shot / shoot dead by a fan outside his New York home in 1980. Beatles drummer Ringo Starr said recording the song was, "the closet / closest we'll ever come to having [John Lennon] back in the room". He said it was, "very emotional for all of them / us".

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

    Insert the vowels (a, e, i, o, u)

    Th_  B__tl_s  h_v_  r_l__s_d  th_  l_st  s_ng  th_y  r_c_rd_d.  Th_  s_ng  _s  t_tl_d  "N_w  _nd  Th_n".  _t  w_s  wr_tt_n  by  J_hn  L_nn_n  _n  1977.  H_  s_ng  _t  _t  th_  p__n_  _nd  r_c_rd_d  _t  _n  1979  _t  h_s  h_m_.  Th_  _th_r  B__tl_s  _dd_d  t_  th_  tr_ck  _v_r  th_  y__rs.  R_c_rd_ng  _ng_n__rs  _s_d  __  t_chn_l_gy  t_  br_ng  th_  s_ng  t_  l_f_,  r_s_lt_ng  _n  _  s__nd  l_k_  th_  f__r  B__tl_s  r_c_rd_d  _t  t_g_th_r  _n  _  st_d__.  Th_  s_ng  h_s  b__n  r_l__s_d  _s  _  d__bl_-_  s_d_  s_ngl_.  Th_  fl_p  s_d_  _f  th_  r_c_rd  _s  _  n_w  m_x  _f  th_  b_nd's  f_rst  s_ngl_  "L_v_  M_  D_".  Th_s  w_s  f_rst  r_l__s_d  _n  1962.  "N_w  _nd  Th_n"  w_ll  _ls_  b_  th_  f_n_l  tr_ck  _n  _  n_w  _d_t__n  _f  th_  B__tl_s'  l_g_nd_ry  gr__t_st  h_ts  "bl__"  _lb_m.  Th_s  _s  _  c_ll_ct__n  _f  th__r  cl_ss_cs  fr_m  1967-1970.

    B__tl_s  m_mb_r  P__l  McC_rtn_y  sp_k_  t_  r_p_rt_rs  _b__t  th_  n_w  s_ng.  H_  s__d:  "_t's  q__t_  _m_t__n_l.  _nd  w_  _ll  pl_y  _n  _t.  _t's  _  g_n__n_  B__tl_s  r_c_rd_ng."  H_  sp_k_  _b__t  h_s  _xc_t_m_nt  _t  b__ng  _bl_  t_  r_l__s_  _  n_w  s_ng,  s_y_ng:  "_n  2023,  t_  st_ll  b_  w_rk_ng  _n  B__tl_s  m_s_c,  _nd  t_  r_l__s_  _  n_w  s_ng  th_  p_bl_c  h_v_n't  h__rd,  _  th_nk  _t's  _n  _xc_t_ng  th_ng."  McC_rtn_y  w_s  _ls_  _xc_t_d  _b__t  h__r_ng  J_hn  L_nn_n's  v__c_.  H_  s__d  _t  w_s  "cryst_l  cl__r".  L_nn_n  w_s  sh_t  d__d  by  _  f_n  __ts_d_  h_s  N_w  Y_rk  h_m_  _n  1980.  B__tl_s  dr_mm_r  R_ng_  St_rr  s__d  r_c_rd_ng  th_  s_ng  w_s,  "th_  cl_s_st  w_'ll  _v_r  c_m_  t_  h_v_ng  [J_hn  L_nn_n]  b_ck  _n  th_  r__m".  H_  s__d  _t  w_s,  "v_ry  _m_t__n_l  f_r  _ll  _f  _s".

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    the beatles have released the last song they recorded the song is titled now and then it was written by john lennon in 1977 he sang it at the piano and recorded it in 1979 at his home the other beatles added to the track over the years recording engineers used ai technology to bring the song to life resulting in a sound like the four beatles recorded it together in a studio the song has been released as a doublea side single the flip side of the record is a new mix of the bands first single love me do this was first released in 1962 now and then will also be the final track on a new edition of the beatles legendary greatest hits blue album this is a collection of their classics from 19671970

    beatles member paul mccartney spoke to reporters about the new song he said its quite emotional and we all play on it its a genuine beatles recording he spoke about his excitement at being able to release a new song saying in 2023 to still be working on beatles music and to release a new song the public havent heard i think its an exciting thing mccartney was also excited about hearing john lennons voice he said it was crystal clear lennon was shot dead by a fan outside his new york home in 1980 beatles drummer ringo starr said recording the song was the closest well ever come to having john lennon back in the room he said it was very emotional for all of us

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    TheBeatleshavereleasedthelastsongtheyrecorded.Thesongistitled"
    NowandThen".ItwaswrittenbyJohnLennonin1977.Hesangitatthepia
    noandrecordeditin1979athishome.TheotherBeatlesaddedtothetrac
    kovertheyears.RecordingengineersusedAItechnologytobringtheson
    gtolife,resultinginasoundlikethefourBeatlesrecordedittogetherinast
    udio.Thesonghasbeenreleasedasadouble-Asidesingle.Theflipsideoft
    herecordisanewmixoftheband'sfirstsingle"LoveMeDo".Thiswasfirstr
    eleasedin1962."NowandThen"willalsobethefinaltrackonaneweditio
    noftheBeatles'legendarygreatesthits"blue"album.Thisisacollectiono
    ftheirclassicsfrom1967-1970.BeatlesmemberPaulMcCartneyspoket
    oreportersaboutthenewsong.Hesaid:"It'squiteemotional.Andweallp
    layonit.It'sagenuineBeatlesrecording."Hespokeabouthisexcitement
    atbeingabletoreleaseanewsong,saying:"In2023,tostillbeworkingon
    Beatlesmusic,andtoreleaseanewsongthepublichaven'theard,Ithinki
    t'sanexcitingthing."McCartneywasalsoexcitedabouthearingJohnLen
    non'svoice.Hesaiditwas"crystalclear".Lennonwasshotdeadbyafano
    utsidehisNewYorkhomein1980.BeatlesdrummerRingoStarrsaidreco
    rdingthesongwas,"theclosestwe'llevercometohaving[JohnLennon]b
    ackintheroom".Hesaiditwas,"veryemotionalforallofus".

    Free writing

    Write about the Beatles last song for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

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    Academic writing

    The Beatles are the greatest band in history.  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. THE BEATLES: Make a poster about the Beatles. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. AI: Write a magazine article about limiting the use of AI in creating music. 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 the Beatles. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your opinions on the group. 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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