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GENERAL ENGLISH · BREAKING NEWS · INTERMEDIATE (B1-B2)

ABBA MAKES
A COMEBACK

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1 Warm up

Look at some of the music types and some adjectives connected to experiencing music. Discuss the
questions in pairs or small groups.

music genres

jazz R&B hip hop classical blues salsa

reggae house techno dub rock & roll pop

hard rock grunge heavy metal gospel country funk

adjectives to describe music

heavy soft melodic relaxing soothing sad

energizing timeless funky jazzy catchy lively

1. What is your favourite band? Type of music?

2. When do you usually listen to relaxing sounds and when to more lively music? Why?
3. What makes a song catchy? Think of some necessary ingredients for a song to become popular.
4. When was the last time you went to a gig or concert?

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2 Vocabulary focus

Part A: Match words with the correct definitions.

1. release a. a CD or record that contains one main song and usually a very small
number of other songs
2. split up b. expected or looked forward to

3. anticipated c. one of several songs or pieces of music on a CD or musical recording

4. set up d. permanently

5. single e. to allow something to become available to the general public

6. for good f. to end a relationship or marriage

7. track g. to give someone great pleasure or satisfaction

8. delight h. to start a business or create something new

Part B: Complete the short text with the missing words and phrases from Part A. You may need to
change the form of the word or phrase.

When a band decides to record an album, they have several important decisions to make. Firstly, how
1
many songs are they going to include? Usually, an album contains at least 10 . Of
2 3
these, the band may choose two or three to as , which can create
4
interest in the new album. The band may also wish to a website or Twitter account.
Eventually, they can expect to perform their new songs at a series of concerts known as a tour. By
5
the time the album releases, it should be widely by fans and the media. A band
6
should always aim to and entertain, no matter what genre of music they play. When
7 8
they finally , even if it is , their albums will continue to exist as a
permanent reminder of their music.

3 Listening for accuracy and comprehension

Listen to the report. Match the numbers to the item they refer to.

Video

Audio

10 24 30 40 40

1. tracks in an album to be released in November

2. hours, when most pre-orders have been made in the UK alone
3. years, ABBA has announced a new album, Voyage

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4. million copies sold, making it one of the best-selling albums of all time
5. thousand pre-orders of the album

Part B: Now, listen again and fill in the gaps with the correct word or phrase from the recording.

1. The group will also perform a greatest hits tour, using to appear younger.
2. The band’s is highly anticipated.
3. After the launch of a website for the album, accounts were set up.
4. The album looks set to be a commercially.
5. Their greatest hits album ABBA Gold is one of the albums of all time.
6. Ulvaeus and Andersson that Voyage would be their last album during an interview
with The Guardian.

4 General vocabulary

Part A: Match the words in bold with the correct definitions.

Group 1

1. The author’s new book has been negatively reviewed by critics.

2. She won the World Snooker Championships, beating male players from around the world.
3. Some museums offer interactive experiences, such as the chance to wear an astronaut’s helmet in
the National Space Centre.
4. The Beatles have been credited with creating worldwide interest in all things British.
5. Jenny felt a sense of disappointment when she realised her parents were taking her to the dentist
instead of the zoo.

a. a feeling that something or someone is not what you were hoping it would be
b. allowing participants to become more involved in something
c. held responsible for beginning something in a positive way, for example starting a trend
d. people whose job is to give their opinion about something, particularly films, books or music
e. to win against somebody, usually in a competition

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Group 2

1. We founded our band in the 90s and are still playing together today.
2. His novel was adapted into a successful film.
3. When I go on holiday, I often like to visit famous monuments and take photographs next to them.
4. Many people have contrasting ideas on the best way to raise children.
5. It’s rare, but sometimes a sequel is better than the first film.

a. a book, movie or play that continues the story of the previous book etc.
b. an old building or place that is an important part of a country’s history
c. to change something slightly for a specific purpose
d. to start something (often a business or organisation)
e. very different

Part B: Complete the sentences with the correct words from Part A.

1. I’m publishing the to my novel next month. I hope readers enjoy it as much as
the last one!
2. Even if you can’t please the , you can still find a large audience for your film.
3. My friend likes to go on holiday to visit and take photos of them.
4. Isaac Newton is often with the discovery of gravity.
5. I could barely hide my when they chose somebody else for the role of Romeo.
6. The political alliance failed because the two parties had opinions on many issues.
7. His life story is being into a stage play.
8. Our record company was almost 50 years ago.
9. The film did well, all the other movies to the top spot that week.
10. The art gallery is unusual because it is , with visitors being able to touch the
sculptures and move them around.

Now, discuss these questions in pairs.

1. Have you ever been to an interactive museum?

2. Can you think of any books that have been adapted into films or television series?
3. Can you think of a sequel that is better than the first movie?
4. When deciding on a film to watch, do you read reviews from critics?
5. Have you ever visited a historical monument in your own country? Were you impressed or did
you feel a sense of disappointment?

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5 Reading for general understanding

You are going to read a text about the Swedish pop group ABBA. Scan the text quickly (page 6) and
find out which paragraph best matches the following subheadings (A-F). There is one subheading for
each paragraph and one additional heading that is not related to the article, which should be marked
as "not given".

(A) Successful throughout the ages (B) Voyage: a mixed reception

(C) Making trends and history (D) Their last album?

(E) Delighting their fanbase (F) A culturally important band

6 Reading comprehension

Put the questions in the correct order, then find the answer to each question in the text.

year / in which / did / ABBA The Museum / open?

1.

the name / of the / what / musical? / was

2.

song / accepted / which / officially / Grammy Hall of Fame? / was / for

3.

stars / The Guardian / give / how many / did / ABBA’s new album?

4.

did / Rolling Stone / call / what / Voyage?

5.

has / times / each new song / many / been / on YouTube? / viewed / how

6.

one fan / describe / the album? / did / how

7.

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ABBA MAKES A COMEBACK
ABBA bounce back with new album
A voyage too far?
1.
The island of Djurgarden in Stockholm is home to
many attractions, including historical monuments,
galleries, an amusement park and a variety of
museums, including ABBA The Museum,
interactive exhibition that opened in May 2013.
Here, visitors from around the world have the
opportunity to perform ABBA’s songs and view items
of interest from the band’s history, including stage
costumes and instruments. The exhibition, which
was inspired by The Beatles museum in Liverpool,
is a sign of ABBA’s cultural impact, in Sweden and
beyond.
2.
The group was founded in Stockholm in 1972. By
1974 they had begun to top music charts worldwide,
enjoying a decade of success until an informal break-
up. For many bands, the story would end here, but
ABBA went from strength to strength. A greatest
hits album was released 10 years later, and in 1999
their music was adapted into a successful musical,
Mamma Mia!, with a film of the same name following
in 2008. A sequel was released in 2018, but more
was to come.
3.
The announcement of the album Voyage- after a
40-year wait - surprised many. The band have,
however, always made their own rules. Their cultural
impact extends beyond musicals and movies. Their
colourful costumes have been credited with starting
fashion trends, and after a series of record-breaking
hits and music awards, their song "Dancing Queen"
was officially accepted for the Recording Academy’s
Grammy Hall of Fame.
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4.
ABBA’s latest album has, however, divided critics.
The reviews have been mixed, with The Guardian
giving the album 2 stars and suggesting that ABBA’s
an ninth album delivers "disappointment", claiming that
it feels stuck in the past. On the other hand, music
magazine Rolling Stone called Voyage "vintage ABBA"
and said the album "reflects how far these four
(members) have travelled, musically and emotionally."
These contrasting opinions are unlikely to worry the
band themselves. Benny Andersson, who co-wrote
the songs on the new album, told BBC News that
he didn’t think the band were taking a risk and was
comfortable with people thinking that they were
better 40 years ago.
5.
As for the fans, ABBA’s loyal followers have
welcomed "Voyage" with open arms. Excitement
was built online from the moment the band released
the new singles. Each new song has millions of
views on YouTube, with warm messages left in the
comments section. One fan described the album
as incredible and uplifting, while another said that
"I never thought music could make me so happy."
Whatever the critics might think, it appears that
Voyage will be a huge commercial success. In the
UK, it has become the fastest-selling album in four
years, beating popular singer Ed Sheeran. Perhaps
this is exactly the sort of thing that people need right
now as the pandemic continues around the world - a
little bit of light-hearted hope and happiness.
Sources: BBC, The Guardian, Reuters, The Independent
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ABBA MAKES A COMEBACK

7 Expressions and collocations

Complete the short text with up to three words from the underlined phrases found in the article
above.

1
The nineties was a strange decade. I remember watching television shows about in
which bands and groups would perform live. I never agreed with the number one choice. We didn’t
have as many video games as we do now, so people would often go on day trips. Every year, my parents
2
would take me to an . These types of places were very expensive, but full
of fantastic rides and attractions. The way we dressed back then was a little strange, too. I remember
3
how fashion trends such as flannel shirts were welcomed . People loved
4
them! The trend began with the band Nirvana, whose cultural influence .
5
They also invented a music genre called grunge, which went from as the
6
decade progressed. After Kurt Cobain’s death in 1994, fans left outside
his house, offering support and expressing their love for the singer.

8 Talking point
In pairs, discuss the following questions.

1. What do you think about ABBA’s comeback? Can you think of any other bands that have split up
and got back together?
2. Why do you think ABBA continue to be so popular?
3. Have you seen Mamma Mia! or the sequel? Do you like musicals?
4. Which other bands from the past do you wish would release a new album?
5. Can you think of a musician or music group from the 21st century that has had a huge cultural
impact?
6. Think of an album you really like. What makes the album so enjoyable?

9 Extended activity/writing homework

Choose one from the following options.

Option A

Think of an album you have listened to. Write a review of the album. In your review, you
should try to think of at least three positive things to say about the album, even if the review
is critical in general.

Option B

Write a short biography (no more than 200 words) of a famous band or musician. When
researching the biography, make sure not to copy sources. Instead, try to rephrase facts.

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