Song Activity

“YOU MAKE ME FEEL BRAND NEW”

Reported Speech

TEACHER´S SHEET:

BEFORE LISTENING: This song was first released in 1974 by the band “The
Stylistics”. In 2003, the band SIMPLY RED also recorded it.

WHILE LISTENING: Listen to the song and based on the context. find out what these
words and phrases mean,

Answers:

1. e
2. d
3. b
4. a
5. c

AFTER LISTENING: Make sure students understand that they don´t necessarily
have to change every single sentence in the song, but the ones the rule of
backshifting is applied to.

They might come up with the following reported sentences:

 He said that he would never find the words to tell her how he felt.
 He said that mere words could not explain.
 He said mere words could not explain.
 He said she had held his life within her hands.
 He said she had created everything he was and that she had taught him
how to live again.
 He said that she had believed in him through thick and thin.
 He said this song was for her and that it was filled with gratitude and love.
 He said she made him feel brand new.
 He said she had given him pride back.
 He said that with her, he would always have a friend.
 He said she was someone he could depend.
 He said that without her, life had no meaning or rhyme.
 He asked how he could repay her for having faith in him.