One in five songs 'advertises' alcohol

The Reading / Listening - Level 4

Pop songs could encourage young people to drink alcohol. England's John Moores University looked at how many song lyrics mentioned drinking. It said health warnings about alcohol may be of little value because of references to alcohol in pop songs. One in five songs in the UK music charts mentions alcohol. This figure is double that from a decade ago. Songs from 1981 contained much fewer references to alcohol. Part of the rise is because of American songs.

Researchers say songs about alcohol are "a major concern". A professor warned that songs are a "form of advertising and marketing for alcoholic products." She said alcohol advertising is already a worry, and that references to alcohol in pop songs could give a positive message to young people about it. Health care professionals should make sure that pop music does not create a stronger drinking culture and harm young people more.

Try the same news story at these levels:

Level 5 or Level 6

Sources

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/10346297/One-in-five-UK-top-ten-songs-have-alcohol-related-lyrics-study-finds.html
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/09/130930101844.htm

Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice, drag and drop activities, crosswords, hangman, flash cards, matching activities and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

The Activities

MATCHING

PARAGRAPH ONE:

1.	encouraging young people	a.	refer to drinking
2.	the extent to which lyrics	b.	to alcohol
3.	warnings on liquor may be	c.	charts
4.	the UK music	d.	to drink alcohol
5.	intoxicating	e.	of little value
6.	fewer references	f.	beverages

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ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers

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PARAGRAPH TWO:

1.	a major	a.	other professionals
2.	a form of advertising	b.	products
3.	alcoholic	c.	concern
4.	give a positive message	d.	related harm
5.	health and	e.	and marketing
6.	intoxication and alcohol-	f.	to young people

LISTEN AND FILL IN THE GAPS

Pop songs (1) ___________________ people to drink alcohol. England's John Moores University looked at how (2) ___________________ mentioned drinking. It said (3) ___________________ alcohol may be of little value because of (4) ___________________ in pop songs. One in five songs in the UK music charts mentions alcohol. This figure (5) ___________________ from a decade ago. Songs from 1981 contained much fewer references to alcohol. Part (6) ___________________ because of American songs.

Researchers say songs about alcohol are "(7) ___________________". A professor warned that songs are a "(8) ___________________ and marketing (9) ___________________." She said alcohol advertising is already a worry, and that references to alcohol in pop songs could give a positive (10) ___________________ people about it. Health care professionals should (11) ___________________ music does not create a stronger drinking culture and (12) ___________________.

MUSIC AND ALCOHOL SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about music and alcohol in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper.

When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

	STUDENT 1 _____________	STUDENT 2 _____________	STUDENT 3 _____________
Q.1.
Q.2.
Q.3.
Q.4.
Q.5.

Now return to your original partner and share and talk about what you found out. Change partners often.

Make mini-presentations to other groups on your findings.

WRITE QUESTIONS & ASK YOUR PARTNER(S)

Student A: Do not show these to your speaking partner(s).

a)	________________________________________________________
b)	________________________________________________________
c)	________________________________________________________
d)	________________________________________________________
e)	________________________________________________________
f)	________________________________________________________
g)	________________________________________________________
h)	________________________________________________________

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Student B: Do not show these to your speaking partner(s).

a)	________________________________________________________
b)	________________________________________________________
c)	________________________________________________________
d)	________________________________________________________
e)	________________________________________________________
f)	________________________________________________________
g)	________________________________________________________
h)	________________________________________________________

FREE WRITING

Write about music and alcohol for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner's paper.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Answers

(Please check your answers against the article above.

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