Try the online quiz, reading, listening, and activities on grammar, spelling and vocabulary for this lesson on Christina Aguilera. Click on the links above or see the activities below this article:
READ
Christina Aguilera was born in December, 1980. She is a highly successful singer and songwriter. She signed a recording contract with RCA Records after recording the song ‘Reflection’ for the 1998 Disney film ‘Mulan’. She is popular with Latin and English-speaking audiences. Aguilera is known for her extraordinary vocal range. Celine Dion described her as "probably the best vocalist in the world”.
Aguilera was born in New York and had a troubled childhood. She suffered physical and emotional abuse from her father. As a child, Aguilera desperately wanted to be a singer. One of her biggest influences was the musical ‘The Sound of Music’. She sang in local talent shows and people called her "the little girl with the big voice."
As a youngster, Aguilera sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" in front of tens of thousands at major sporting events in Pittsburgh. Her first major role came in 1993 when she joined a Disney Channel show. Aguilera’s co-stars included Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears, who called her "the Diva”. Aguilera recorded her first song when she was 14, a hit duet with Japanese singer Keizo Nakanishi.
Aguilera's self-titled debut album ‘Christina Aguilera’ was released in August, 1999. It sold over 14 million copies worldwide. In 2001 she recorded an album in Spanish and won the World Music Award as the best selling Latin artist. Her next two albums marked a change in direction and image, from a pop singer to the soulful and versatile singer she is today.
247 words
Sources: http://www.wikipedia.org/ and assorted biographies.
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SYNONYM MATCH
Match the words from the article on the left with their synonyms on the right. Are your answers the same as other students’?
Paragraphs 1 and 2
1.
highly
a.
problematic
2
audiences
b.
ill-treatment
3.
vocalist
c.
listeners
4.
troubled
d.
hugely
5.
abuse
e.
urgently
6.
desperately
f.
singer
Paragraphs 3 and 4
7.
youngster
g.
important
8.
major
h.
globally
9.
influences
i.
adaptable
10.
worldwide
j.
kid
11
direction
k
role models
12
versatile
l
course
PHRASE MATCH
Match the following phrases from the article:
1.
She is a highly successful singer
a.
the best vocalist in the world
2
Aguilera is known for her
b.
a change in direction
3.
Celine Dion described her as probably
c.
role came in 1993
4.
She suffered physical and
d.
extraordinary vocal range
5.
people called her the little
e.
versatile singer she is today
6.
Her first major
f.
emotional abuse from her father
7.
a hit
g.
and songwriter
8.
won the World Music Award as the
h.
duet
9.
Her next two albums marked
i.
best selling Latin artist
10.
the soulful and
j.
girl with the big voice
LISTENING GAP FILL
Christina Aguilera was born in December, 1980. She __________________ singer and songwriter. She signed a recording contract with RCA Records __________________ song ‘Reflection’ for the 1998 Disney film ‘Mulan’. She is popular with Latin and _____________________. Aguilera is known for her extraordinary vocal range. Celine Dion described her as "probably the __________________ world”.
Aguilera was born in New York and __________________. She suffered physical and emotional __________________. As a child, Aguilera desperately wanted to be a singer. One of her biggest influences was the musical ‘The Sound of Music’. She __________________ shows and people called her "the little __________________."
As a youngster, Aguilera sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" ______________ thousands at major sporting events in Pittsburgh. Her first major role came in 1993 __________________ Disney Channel show. Aguilera’s co-stars included Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears, who __________________. Aguilera recorded her first song when she was 14, __________________ Japanese singer Keizo Nakanishi.
Aguilera's __________________ ‘Christina Aguilera’ was released in August, 1999. It __________________ copies worldwide. In 2001 she recorded an album in Spanish and won the World Music Award as the best selling Latin artist. Her next two albums __________________ direction and image, from a pop singer to the __________________ singer she is today.
CHOOSE THE CORRECT WORD
Delete the wrong word in each of the pairs of italics:
Christina Aguilera was born in December, 1980. She is a highly / highest successful singer and songwriter. She signed a recording contract by / with RCA Records after recording the song ‘Reflection’ for the 1998 Disney film ‘Mulan’. She is popularity / popular with Latin and English-speaking audiences. Aguilera is known for her extraordinary vocal range. Celine Dion described her as "probably the best vocal / vocalist in the world”.
Aguilera was born in New York and had a troubled / trouble childhood. She suffered physical and emotional abusive / abuse from her father. As a child, Aguilera desperately / desperate wanted to be a singer. One of her biggest influences was the musical ‘The Sound of Music’. She sang in local talent / talented shows and people called her "the little girl with the big voice."
As a youngster / young, Aguilera sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" in front of tens / ten of thousands at major sporting events in Pittsburgh. Her first major role came / went in 1993 when she joined a Disney Channel show. Aguilera’s co-stars included Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears, who called her "the Diva”. Aguilera recorded her first song when she was 14, a hit duet / pair with Japanese singer Keizo Nakanishi.
Aguilera's self-titled debut albums / album ‘Christina Aguilera’ was released in August, 1999. It sold over / more 14 million copies worldwide. In2001 she recorded an album in Spanish and won the World Music Award was / as the best selling Latin artist. Her next two albums marked a change in direction and image, from a pop singer to the soulful / soul and versatile singer she is today.
SPELLING
The underlined, jumbled words are from the text. Spell them correctly.
Paragraph 1
1.
a hgliyh successful singer and songwriter
2.
She signed a recording cornctat
3.
Latin and English-speaking sidncueea
4.
probably the best ltosivca in the world
Paragraph 2
5.
a ebrltudo childhood
6.
physical and emotional ebsau
7.
One of her biggest sflinenceu
8.
the caumils ‘The Sound of Music’
Paragraph 3
9.
As a sneurogty
10.
major sporting evtnes
11.
she doijne a Disney Channel show
12.
Aguilera rcrddeoe her first song when she was 14
Paragraph 4
13.
Aguilera's esfl-iltdte debut album
14.
she recorded an album in Sahisnp
15.
a change in oeirdntic and image
16.
the soulful and ateilsrve singer
PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER
Number these lines in the correct order.
( )
abuse from her father. As a child, Aguilera desperately wanted to be a singer. One of her biggest influences was the
( )
best selling Latin artist. Her next two albums marked a change in direction
( )
with Latin and English-speaking audiences. Aguilera is known for her extraordinary vocal
( )
Aguilera's self-titled debut album ‘Christina Aguilera’ was released in August, 1999. It sold
( )
and image, from a pop singer to the soulful and versatile singer she is today.
( )
Diva”. Aguilera recorded her first song when she was 14, a hit duet with Japanese singer Keizo Nakanishi.
( )
musical ‘The Sound of Music’. She sang in local talent shows and people called her "the little girl with the big voice."
( )
a recording contract with RCA Records after recording the song ‘Reflection’ for the 1998 Disney film ‘Mulan’. She is popular
( 1 )
Christina Aguilera was born in December, 1980. She is a highly successful singer and songwriter. She signed
( )
Aguilera was born in New York and had a troubled childhood. She suffered physical and emotional
( )
range. Celine Dion described her as "probably the best vocalist in the world”.
( )
thousands at major sporting events in Pittsburgh. Her first major role came in 1993 when she joined a Disney Channel
( )
show. Aguilera’s co-stars included Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears, who called her "the
( )
As a youngster, Aguilera sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" in front of tens of
( )
over 14 million copies worldwide. In 2001 she recorded an album in Spanish and won the World Music Award as the
SCRAMBLED SENTENCES
With your partner, put the words back into the correct order.
1.
recording a signed She Records RCA with contract
2.
extraordinary her for known is Aguilera range vocal
3.
vocalist the probably best in world the
4.
emotional She abuse suffered from physical her and father
5.
" her called people ” voice big the with girl little the
6.
, As The Aguilera a Banner Star-Spangled sang “ youngster "
7.
14 song Aguilera when recorded she her was first
8.
over It worldwide copies million 14
9.
Latin artist won the World Music Award as the best selling
10.
change a image and direction in
DISCUSSION (Write your questions)
STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)
1.
What do you know about Christina Aguilera?
2.
Would you like to meet Christina Aguilera?
3.
What would you like to know about Christina Aguilera and why?
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 more information about Christina Aguilera. Talk about what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
3. CHRISTINA AGUILERA POSTER: Make a poster showing the different stages of the life of Christina Aguilera. Show your poster to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all find out similar things?
4. MAGAZINE ARTICLE: Write a magazine article about Christina Aguilera. Include an imaginary interview with her. Write about what she does every day and what she thinks about.
Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.
5. LETTER: Write a letter to Christina Aguilera. Ask her three questions about her life. Give her three suggestions on what she should do in her future. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your “Christina Aguilera expert” partner(s) will try and answer your questions.
ANSWERS
SYNONYM MATCH:
Paragraphs 1 and 2
1.
highly
a.
hugely
2
audiences
b.
listeners
3.
vocalist
c.
singer
4.
troubled
d.
problematic
5.
abuse
e.
ill-treatment
6.
desperately
f.
urgently
Paragraphs 3 and 4
7.
youngster
g.
kid
8.
major
h.
important
9.
influences
i.
role models
10.
worldwide
j.
globally
11
direction
k
course
12
versatile
l
adaptable
PHRASE MATCH:
1.
She is a highly successful singer
a.
and songwriter
2
Aguilera is known for her
b.
extraordinary vocal range
3.
Celine Dion described her as probably
c.
the best vocalist in the world
4.
She suffered physical and
d.
emotional abuse from her father
5.
people called her the little
e.
girl with the big voice
6.
Her first major
f.
role came in 1993
7.
a hit
g.
duet
8.
won the World Music Award as the
h.
best selling Latin artist
9.
Her next two albums marked
i.
a change in direction
10.
the soulful and
j.
versatile singer she is today
ALL OTHER EXERCISES:
Check your answers in "THE READING / TAPESCRIPT" section at the top of this page.
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