FCE Use of English Part 1

Cant Take That Away

A song by Mariah Carey
I. Read the following line and discuss in pairs who they are and what they cant take from her.
They can try but they can't take that away from me

II. Read the message at the beginning of the song. What do you think Mariah Carey wants to tell the world by it? You are going to listen to fi e ery short stories from fi e girls. What do all stories ha e in common? What do you think the song is going to be about?

III. Read the lyrics below and decide which answer !"# $# C or %& best fits each space.
They can say anything they want to say, try to bring me down, but I will not allow anyone to (1)_____________ in hanging clouds over me. And they can try hard to make me feel that I don t matter (!)_____ all. "ut I (#)_________ to falter in what I believe or lose ($) ______ in my dreams. %&ause there s a light in me that shines brightly. They can try but they can t take that away from me They can do anything they want to you if you let them in. "ut they won t ever win if you (') _________ to your (ride and )ust (ush them aside. *ee, I have learned there s an (+) _________ (eace I (,)_________ - something in my soul that they can not (ossess. *o I won t be afraid and the darkness will fade. %&ause there s a light in me that shines brightly. They can try but they can t take that away from me They can t take this (recious love I ll always have inside me. &ertainly, the .ord will guide me where I need to go. They can say anything they want to say, try to bring me down but I won t face the ground. I will (/)_________ steadily sailing out of their reach (0) ___________ they do try hard to make me feel that I don t matter at all. "ut I (the same as #) _________to falter in what I believe or lose (the same as $)_____________ in my dreams. 1 a) manage ! a) in # a) refuse $ a) face ' a) fasten +) a) inner ,) a) own /) a) arise 0) a) des(ite b) succeed b) for b) deny b) fame b) stand b) inside b) owe b) rise b) in s(ite of c) win c) at c) turn down c) fate c) maintain c) interior c) awe c) arouse d) although d) achieve d) above d) re)ect d) faith d) cling d) domestic d) own u( d) raise d) even so

I'. (ow listen to the song and check your answers.

)ost*listening discussion '. Mariah Carey claimed writing and singing the song had helped her get through troubled times and hoped her listeners would get the same message out of it. %o you think this song is inspiring? +ow much do you think a song can help people o ercome hardship? What gi es you personally strength to get through difficulties?

To the teacher:
I. The song's protagonist details the struggles of dealing with people who put you down, and how to overcome these struggles through faith, courage, and the power of God. Carey explains in the song's lyrics how although people can try to make her feel down and depressed, no matter what happens, she can't let them win: "There's a light in me that shines rightly. They can try ut they can't take that away from me! "from #ikipedia$

II. The video is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Modv_jYXUOA

The stories are told y five girls % fans of &ariah Carey. They sent their videos to her saying how much they were inspired y the song. The video clip starts with the stories ':'( % ':)). The lyrics: They can say anything they want to say, try to bring me down, but I will not allow anyone to (1)_____________ in hanging clouds over me. And they can try hard to make me feel that I don t matter (!)_____ all. "ut I (#)_________ to falter in what I believe or lose ($) ______ in my dreams. %&ause there s a light in me that shines brightly. They can try but they can t take that away from me They can do anything they want to you if you let them in. "ut they won t ever win if you (') _________ to your (ride and )ust (ush them aside. *ee, I have learned there s an (+) _________ (eace I (,)_________ - something in my soul that they can not (ossess. *o I won t be afraid and the darkness will fade. %&ause there s a light in me that shines brightly. They can try but they can t take that away from me They can t take this (recious love I ll always have inside me. &ertainly, the .ord will guide me where I need to go. They can say anything they want to say, try to bring me down but I won t face the ground. I will (/)_________ steadily sailing out of their reach (0) ___________ they do try hard to make me feel that I don t matter at all. "ut I (the same as #) _________to falter in what I believe or lose (the same as $)_____________ in my dreams. 1 a) manage ! a) in # a) refuse $ a) face ' a) fasten +) a) inner ,) a) own /) a) arise 0) a) des(ite b) succeed b) for b) deny b) fame b) stand b) inside b) owe b) rise b) in s(ite of c) win c) at c) turn down c) fate c) maintain c) interior c) awe c) arouse d) although d) achieve d) above d) re)ect d) faith d) cling d) domestic d) own u( d) raise d) even so