American Big Picture Level 2

Name _____________________________________________________ Date ________________________________

     Unit 12 | Reading
Read the text. Select True or False.

The democratization of music?

The Internet has opened the door to the next stage in the evolution of our music experience.
Our horizons have been broadened. Now, we constantly discover and share new music.
Things used to be different. In the old days, spending hours listening to the radio or browsing
music stores were the only ways to get to know new music. Record companies had total
control over what we heard and bought, and a handful of megastars made millions. These
days, anybody who can sing or play the guitar can distribute their music for free over the
Internet. However, the same technology has also led to mass piracy of music and, according to
the record companies, a big decline in music sales in recent years.
While the music industry claims that millions are lost due to file-sharing and piracy, a number
of recent studies challenge this claim. In fact, most artists—around 75%—actually benefit
from file-sharing, according to a Harvard study carried out in 2004. It is true that an elite
group of top artists have seen a reduction in sales in recent years, but many less famous
artists have had the opportunity to present themselves to the world and sell their own music.
Fifteen years ago, we used to pay for all our music, but today, a great deal of music is available
for free online.
The fact that people can discover new songs and artists by listening to free music often helps,
rather than hurts, music sales. File-sharing sites have become a place to shop for new music. If
people like what they sample, they are more likely to buy it. In fact, even the big record
companies offer free downloads so that people can preview new songs and artists. Further, if
musicians are not supported by a big record label, the Internet allows them to reach a mass
audience independently. We have seen many young bands become successful in recent years
because they have built a fan base through the free distribution of their music online. As the
balance of power moves in favor of the consumer, and away from the big record companies, is
this the democratization of music?
  T F
1. The distribution of music in the past was limited by record companies.    
       
2. Recent research shows that very few musicians benefit from file-sharing.    
       
3. A few megastars have seen a decrease in music sales.    
       
4. People who listen to music for free never buy it after.    

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5. The writer suggests that music has become more democratic for artists    
and the consumer.

   Unit 12 | Listening
Listen to the speakers. Match the names and the statements. One statement is not
mentioned.

ABP2_U12_L24_audio.mp3

1. Brenda Meyers a. I hate loud TV commercials!

2. Terence Matthews b. I like reality TV and talent

competitions.

3. Joe Cordell c. I watch TV a lot more than I used

to.

4. Teresa Burton d. I only watch the local news.

5. not mentioned e. I watch a lot of movies and

shows online.

   Unit 12 | Writing
Write a short description of a TV series that is popular in your country. Write 100–120
words. Follow the instructions below.

Write at least four paragraphs. Include some or all of the following information in your
description:

• Where the show is set

• A description of the main characters
• The main storyline in the series

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• The reason for the series' success

• Who you would recommend the program to

   Unit 12 | Grammar - used to (1)

Complete the sentences with the correct form of “used to.”

1. I didn't ___________________ exercise much, but I do now.

2. We ___________________ have a small TV, but now we have a

really big one.

3. Did you ___________________ play any

sports?

4. She ___________________ be afraid of the dark.

5. He didn't ___________________ like getting up early, and he still doesn't!

   Unit 12 | Grammar - used to (2)

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Match the parts of the sentences.

1. She used a. to play golf in school.

2. I didn't b. use to enjoy reading.

3. Did you c. like watching TV, but now I don't.

4. I used to d. use to bring lunch from home?

5. Kids didn't use e. to paint pictures of herself.

   Unit 12 | Grammar - Modal verbs review (1)

Complete the sentences with “will,” “may,” “can,” “should” or “would.”

1. You ___________________ study in a quiet place. It's noisy here.

2. If she had time for a vacation, she ___________________ go to the

beach.

3. My uncle ___________________ speak English, French and

Spanish.

4. What a great show! I'___________________ never forget this experience.

5. I ___________________ come with you, but I'm not sure. I'll call you after lunch.

   Unit 12 | Grammar - Modal verbs review (2)

Choose the correct option to complete each sentence.

1. You ... swim here. The sign says, “No swimming.”

a. should  
b. shouldn't  
c. can  

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2. ... you go to a different university if you had more money?

a. Should  
b. Can  
c. Would  

3. We ... go to the picnic. It depends on the weather.

a. will  
b. might not  
c. shouldn't  

4. ... you open the window, please?

a. Will  
b. Should  
c. May  

5. I don't need a ride. I ... take the bus.

a. may  
b. can  
c. should  

   

   Unit 12 | Vocabulary - Places

Complete each phrase with the correct preposition.

1. Thousands of spectators watched the final [at] the stadium.

2. Some young people are playing volleyball [on] the beach.

3. Do you have a radio [in] your car?

4. The woman was reading a book [on] the bus.

5. Oh, no! I left my phone [at] home!

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   Unit 12 | Vocabulary - Types of entertainment

Choose the correct option to complete each sentence.

1. The band just released a new ... I love their music!

a. album.  
b. radio interview.  
c. play.  

2. Last night, we went to a ... The actors were excellent!

a. podcast.  
b. play.  
c. TV show.  

3. I don't watch the ... anymore. The information isn't presented in a professional way.

a. concert  
b. news  
c. podcast  

4. The ... was very popular. You could watch it every night at eight on channel 2.

a. movie  
b. album  
c. TV show  

5. I was just listening to a ... with the presidential candidate.

a. radio interview  
b. the news  
c. play  

   Unit 12 | Vocabulary - Music

Complete the words.

1. I found this beautiful antique lamp at the flea market.

2. I have a big music collection. I downloaded the songs from an online

music store.

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3. No, this isn't the right song. Fast forward to the next track.

4. At concerts, many bands sell their T-shirts and CDs at a merchandise

table.

5. Some artists promote their music by offering free MP3 downloads.

   Unit 12 | Vocabulary - The Internet

Choose the correct option to complete each sentence.

1. I'll ... my vacation photos to Facebook so you can see them.

a. upload  
b. download  
c. view  

2. More than 350,000 ... have watched the video of the laughing baby.

a. hits  
b. posts  
c. viewers  

3. He wrote a new ... for his blog last night. It was very interesting.

a. post  
b. website  
c. hit  

4. The company ... shows some of the products that they make.

a. download  
b. website  
c. post  

5. To open Google, just ... on that icon. Then type the word in the box.

a. upload  
b. click  

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c. download  

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