3. Insert the correct preposition before the gerund where required.

1. "I hated the idea __ your going," he said simply. (Greene) 2. She said: "Excuse me __ corning in __ knocking."(Lessing) 3. The others insisted __ accompanying them. (Lessing) 4. I am tired __ being old and wise. (Greene) 5. We'll look forward __ seeing you. (Hansford Johnson) 6. Why were you so anxious to prevent anybody. __ leaving the house? (Maugham) 7. I'm afraid I shan't succeed __ being as sympathetic as you have the right to expect. (Maugham) 8. I was afraid __ saying the wrong thing. (Maugham) 9. Look here, it may sound funny, but I'm terrifically grateful to you __ saying it. (Hansford Johnson)10. Both windows needed __ cleaning. (Hansford Johnson) 11. I've paid very heavily __ being a romantic girl. (Maugham) 12. She could not bear __ lying. (Priestley) 13. I suppose nothing is gained __ delaying. (Maugham) 14. They were in the habit __ coming up to London for the season. (Maugham) 15. We wouldn't mind __ being poor again. (Hansford Johnson) 16. I didn't at all like the idea __ going to the station in the luggage cart. (Maugham) 17. He looked at me for a long time __ answering.(Clark) 18. He felt he was going to be denounced __ daring to suggest such a thing. (Priestley) 19. I thought you had just been blaming me __ being neutral. (Snow) 20. If you won't tell me what's wrong, what's the use __ my being here? (Braine)

Listening

Listen and fill in the gaps.

What would __________________ music? I wonder how music started. It is an important part of every culture on Earth. I wonder when __________________ interested in music. I also wonder when we first become interested in music. __________________ a baby? Some people think our interest in music starts before we are born. Music is an essential part of my day. It changes my feeling and __________________ mood. There’s nothing better to do on a train or bus than put on my headphones. I __________________ music, from classical and opera to jazz, rock and world music. I’m always looking for something new. Sometimes I hear a song __________________ on the TV or radio. I have to find out who it is. Do you do that? I’m sure I’ll keep collecting CDs or mp3s __________________. Perhaps I __________________ hear it then!

Reading

Read and translate the text.

Music in our life

People all over the world are fond of music. There are a lot of different kinds of music. Some of them appeared long ago, and some are modern.

Let’s speak about classical music. There are different musical genres: symphony, concerto, chamber music, vocal music, opera and ballet. Classical music gives people delight, pleasure, partly sensual, partly intellectual. It is also a complex of emotions, excitement and at the same time., love for others and a desire to do something for people. When listening to classical music people have to combine all their feelings into one and it is happiness. Classical music contains the powerful appeal for listeners, it addresses both our senses and intellect. Some musical pieces are based on the theme of struggle of good against evil. This theme is very actual today.

There are a lot of outstanding composers and orchestras in the world. And you can listen to music by L. Beethoven, W. Mozart, B. Britten, G. Gershvin, P. Tchaikovsky and others everywhere. Today one can also listen to original interpretations of classical music, because some people think that classical music is a complicated art and they want the kind of music to which they can dance or just talk to friends. It should be simple, cheerful and up-to-date.

That’s why many young people today are gravitating towards new rhythms. These rhythms help them to express their individuality. Pop is short for “popular”, and there has always been popular music. But until the 1950s there wasn’t a style of music just for young people. That all changed when rock-and-roll began. Since then, hundreds of styles and stars have come and gone.In the 1980s such style as rave was introduced new styles such as rap and reggae have been also introduced under the influence of Afro-American culture. Rap music came from the USA, and is the form of poetry that involves chanting to a strong beat. Today it is common to hear rap on TV commercials as well as on the radio. Pop music is a kind of global language, a really unusual, exciting one , too. It cuts across all the barriers – age, colour, class, religion – and brings people together. It’s a way of sharing all teens hopes and fears. 

b) Explain the meaning of the following words and word combinations.

Classical music, musical genres, up-to-date, rhythms, style, pop music

c) Put 5 special questions to the text. 

Speaking

1. What do you think about classical music? 

2. What famous composers of classical music do you know? 

3. How does classical music influence your feeling and mood? 

4. Do you agree that classical music creates a special spiritual world for the listener which enriches his inner life and makes him happy? 

5. What do you think about pop music? 

Tasks for self-study

1. Complete the sentences using V+ing instead of the Infinitive.  I can’t help (to watch this programme). It is very interesting. 

1. My grandfather can’t give up (to smoke). 

2. My friend enjoys (to listen to buskers). So he goes to the park on Sundays. 

3. She can’t help (to sing songs). She is a merry girl. 

4. I was mesmerized by (to perform Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony). 

2. Make the beginning of the sentences.  1….. playing the piano. 2.….. listening to classical music. She says it is fascinating. 

3.….. composing catchy tunes. So he is my favourite modern composer. 

4.….. taking part in school concerts. 5.….. evoking forgotten events and feelings.