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Listen&Learn: Freddie Mercury

Posted by: Jaksyn Peacock

Learn about the lead singer of the iconic rock band Queen

Pre-listening vocabulary

• vocalist: a person who sings for a band
• immigrate: to move to a new country
• vocal range: the amount of different notes that a person can sing
• theatrical: expressive and dramatic
• label: to give something a name
• foundation: an organization that gives money to a certain cause

Listening activity

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Gapfill exercise

Freddie Mercury was a British and songwriter. He was the lead vocalist of the rock Queen, which also included guitarist Brian May, drummer Roger Taylor, and bassist John Deacon. Mercury was born in Zanzibar in 1946. His given name was Farrokh Bulsara, which he changed after his family immigrated to Britain. Mercury became known for his vocal range and his experimental songwriting. His were energetic and theatrical. Although he never publicly labelled his sexuality, Mercury had romantic relationships with both men and women. In the last few years of his life, Mercury suffered from AIDS, which he kept . After his death in 1991, his band started a foundation to help AIDS around the world.

Comprehension questions

See answers below

1. Freddie Mercury was born in
   a. Britain
   b. Zanzibar
   c. India
   
2. His performances could be described as
   a. ordinary
   b. subdued
   c. theatrical
   
3. After Mercury’s death, his bandmates started a foundation to
   a. end hunger
   b. fight AIDS
   c. cure cancer

Discussion/essay questions

1. Music can be very powerful. Is there a song, singer, or band that had an important impact on your life? How did it affect you?

Transcript

Freddie Mercury was a British singer and songwriter. He was the lead vocalist of the rock band Queen, which also included guitarist Brian May, drummer Roger Taylor, and bassist John Deacon. Mercury was born in Zanzibar in 1946. His given name was Farrokh Bulsara, which he changed after his family immigrated to Britain. Mercury became known for his vocal range and his experimental songwriting. His performances were energetic and theatrical. Although he never publicly labelled his sexuality, Mercury had romantic relationships with both men and women. In the last few years of his life, Mercury suffered from AIDS, which he kept private. After his death in 1991, his bandmates started a foundation to help fight AIDS around the world.

Answers to comprehension questions

1b 2c 3b

Written and recorded by Jaksyn Peacock for EnglishClub

© EnglishClub.com

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12 comments

• hotzindms da contaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa ainnnnnn says:
  

  a cabeça da minha pikakakakakaakakakakakkaakakaakkaak

• English Club Indonesia says:
  

  I love Peter Pan’s songs. I’ve been listening to their work for years since I was a teen. Never bored of them.

• Magui says:
  

  This Singer was the most biger singer in the last times. His voice was extraordinary, actually the singer who replaced him in the band surprised me because.

• Mara says:
  

  Hey, guys!
  Keep giving us interestering stories about famous people as well as cities.
  Take care
  Mara

• Joseph GLON says:
  

  This text is very good and it reminds me Freddy that i have forgotten along the time
  He was a wonderful voice
  Thanks a lot
  A wink from France

• Kgaogelo says:
  

  Thanks,I noted a word.

• Arun says:
  

  Thanks giving me this opportunity to listen and practice.

• asuncion bardelosa says:
  

  Very helpful! Thank you so much.

• Christina Ntenjwa says:
  

  I’m struggling with prepositions such as in, on, at, onto

• Luis says:
  

  Muy interesantes sus audios en inglés para la práctica del listening. Gracias.

• Norma says:
  

  Thanks for the information and the help for practice English.

• MARIA EUGENIA says:
  

  INTERESTING, THANKS AND I WILL CONTINUE TO BE YOUR FOLLOWER