FAHMI ROBBANI

XI MIPA 2
PERSONAL LETTER EXERCISE

TASK 1

Listen to Gillian Anderson reading a letter written by Hellen Keller and state whether these
statements are true or false based on the letter.

1. Hellen Keller was a blind and deaf woman. (T)

2. Hellen Keller wrote the letter to one of her relatives. (F)
3. The letter was written 97 years ago. (T)
4. Hellen Keller liked to listen to Beethoven music since she was a child. (F)
5. Hellen Keller listened to the music like the way other people did. (F)
6. Hellen Keller could feel both the vibrations and the impassionate rhythm. (T)
7. Hellen Keller could differentiate the voice of orchestra musical instruments. (T)
8. Hellen Keller was overwhelmed by joy being able to enjoy the beautiful symphony. (T)
9. The letter expressed Hellen’s gratitude to her family (F)
10. Through her letter, Hellen only thanked to the WEAF Radio Station. (F)

TASK 2

Listen again the letter of Hellen Keller read by Gillian Anderson and fill in the blank spaces with
the words you hear from the letter.

“One of Hellen Keller’s great sorrow in her life was the nature of her speaking voice and so this
night, she will have a sweet speaking voice.”

93 Seminole Avenue
Forest Hills, Long Island

February 2nd, 1924

The New York Symphony Orchestra

New York City

Dear Friends,
I have the joy of being able to tell you that though deaf and blind. I spent a glorious hour last
night, listening over the radio to Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. I do not mean to say that I
heard the music in the sense that other people heard it. And I do not know whether I can make
you understand how it was possible for me to derive (1) pleasure from the symphony. It was a
great surprise to myself.
I had been reading from my magazine for the blind of the happiness that the radio was bringing
to the sightless (2) everywhere. I was delighted to know that the blind had gained the new
source of enjoyment but I did not dream that I could have any part of their joy.
Last night when my family was listening to your wonderful rendering (3) of the immortal
symphony, someone suggested that I put my hands on the receiver (4) and see if I could get any
of the vibrations. He unscrewed the cap and I’d lightly touched the sensitive diaphragm (5).
What was my amazement to discover that I could feel not only the vibrations but also the
impassioned (6) rhythm, the throb and the urge of the music, the intertwined and
intermingling vibrations from different instrument enchanted me. I could actually distinguish
the cornets (7), the role drums, deep-toned violas and violins singing in exquisite unison (8).
How the lovely speech of the violins flowed and plowed over the deepest tone of the other
instruments.
When the human voice leaped (9) thrilling from the surge of harmony, I recognize them
instantly as voices. I felt the chorus grow more exultant more ecstatic (10) up curving swift and
flame-like, until my heart almost stood still. The woman voices seemed an embodiment (11) of
all the angelic voices rushing in a harmonious flood of beautiful and inspiring sound. The great
chorus throbbed against my fingers with poignant (12) pause and flow. Then all the instruments
and voices together burst forth an ocean of heavenly vibration and died away like winds when
the atom is spent, ending in a delicate (13) shower of sweet notes. Of course this was not
hearing but I do know that the tones and harmonies conveyed to me moods of great beauty
and majesty. I also sensed or thought I did the tender (14) sounds of nature that sing into my
hand swaying reeds and the murmur (15) of streams. I have never been so enraptured (16)
before by a multitude of tone vibrations as I listened with darkness and melody shadow and
sound filling all the room. I could not help remembering that the great composer who poured
forth such a flood of sweetness into the world was deaf like myself. I marvelled (17) at the
power of his quenchless spirits by which out of his pain, he brought such joys for others and
there I sat feeling with my hand the magnificent (18) Symphony which broke like a sea upon
the silent shores of his soul and mine.
Let me thank you warmly for all the delight (19) which your beautiful music has brought to my
household and to me. I want also to thank Station WEAF for the joy they are broadcasting (20)
in the world. With kindest regards and best wishes.
I am Sincerely Yours,

Hellen Keller.