Susan Boyle
0 likes120 views
Susan Boyle found instant global fame after her surprise performance of "I Dreamed a Dream" on Britain's Got Talent, with over 26 million views of a video of her performance on YouTube alone. While her talent and story have resonated with many, the widespread sharing of videos and discussions on social media have also helped propel the previously unknown amateur singer from a small Scottish town into an international media sensation. Though unprepared for her newfound fame, Boyle's ordinary looks and background challenging stereotypes have also contributed to the powerful response to her emotional performance.
Susan Boyle
- 1. I dreamed a dreamHer appearance on ITV1's reality show Britain's Got Talent lasted just a few minutes, but that was long enough to propel 47-year-old amateur singer Susan Boyle to instant global fame. From Japan to Denmark to the US, the clip of the Scottish charity worker's spine-tingling performance of I Dreamed a Dream from the musical Les Mis辿rables last Saturday night has electrified viewers. As of last night, the clip had been seen by more than 26 million people on YouTube, with the number jumping from 1 million to 5.5 million in just one 24-hour period alone, making it the most watched video on the site globally this week. A further 2.3 million have viewed the video on the Britain's Got Talent website, while on ITV1 and its digital spin-offs, more than 11 million viewers have now seen it. Boyle has been the most talked-about subject on Twitter all week, with users in a multitude of languages raving about her. This speed is testament to the new technologies that have become more mainstream since 2007, namely YouTube and social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter.Susans story - her mother's death and her devotion to her and also never having had a boyfriend or been kissed - and the way she looks also helps. It tugs on everyone's heartstrings. Then she opens her mouth and everything changes. Boyle is not on Facebook and has never heard of Twitter. In just a week her life has been turned upside down. She has found herself at the centre of an international media frenzy, with television crews and journalists from around the globe descending on her small home town of Blackburn in West Lothian.While technology has helped spread the word, it is the message behind Boyle's performance that prompted it in the first place - the fact that an ordinary woman in her late 40s without movie-star looks can still get a break and make her dreams come true.Adapted by Sergio P辿rez Tabares for educational purposeshttp://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/apr/18/susan-boyle-britains-got-talent1. - Say whether the following sentences are TRUE OR FALSE according to the text. Copy the evidence from the text. No marks will be given without the evidence. (1.5 point).a) Susan works as a singer.b) Her performance was moving.c) It is only thanks to her appearance on Facebook, Twitter and Youtube that Susans got her fame and popularity. 2.- Choose ONLY THREE of the following words and write a synonym(=), an antonym(=), a definition or a sentence (only one of these four) to show that you understand their meaning in the text. Use your own words (1.5 points)furtherd) crewssubjecte) spreadnamelyf) prompted3.- Bj旦rk McGregor is interviewing Vanessa Kristii about her appearance on her lattest blockbusting film, Goodbye, Mr President. Here is part of the conversation. Some sentences have been left incomplete. Complete the blanks suitably. (2 points)Bj旦rk: So, Vanessa. Did you ever expect such a warm response from your public?Vanessa: Well, it depends. ......................................................................................................?Bj旦rk: Well, according to the papers review.......................................................................Vanessa:It is certain that..........................................................................................................Bj旦rk:could you tell us.......................................................................................................? Vanessa:It is not just...............................................................................................................Bj旦rk:so, you mean that you have had some kind of problems, dont you?Vanessa:In a way yes, but ......................................................................................................Bj旦rk:Well, Vanessa. Could you tell our listeners why they shouldnt miss your film?Vanessa:Sure, I think .............................................................................................................4.- What would you say in or about these situations? Choose ONLY FOUR of the situations. (2 points)a) You bump into your favourite soap opera actor in the street.b) Nobody has realised your new brand pair of shoes.c) You are actually fed up with explaining your mother where you went and who you went with.d) You need to go to the toilets at the railway station but there are too many people queuing.e) Stop singing, your voice is awful, someone tells youf) Its raining and you must meet your friends and you havent got money for a taxi.5.-Write a composition of about 100 words on ONE of the following topics. (3 points) a) Pros and cons of becoming a celebrity. b) Describe a dream where you become a celebrity.