Warm-up
Answer a few quick questions before today’s lesson about entertainment.
Listening
Listen carefully to the recording and answer each question. You can replay the audio up to two times.
Listening — Discussing Career Trajectories in Entertainment
Read all the questions carefully before the recording begins. You will hear the recording twice.
Reading
Read the passage on the left, then work through the questions on the right.
Reading — From Struggle to Stardom: How Two Icons Shaped Entertainment
Read the passage on the left, then answer the questions one by one.
From Struggle to Stardom: How Two Icons Shaped Entertainment
The entertainment industry has always celebrated individuals who rise from humble beginnings to achieve global recognition. Two remarkable figures exemplify this journey: Viola Davis and The Weeknd. Viola Davis has had an extraordinary career spanning over three decades. She began performing in theatre productions in the 1980s before transitioning to film and television. Her breakthrough came in 2008 when she starred in the film Doubt, earning her first Academy Award nomination. Since then, she has continued to deliver critically acclaimed performances, winning the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in 2017 for Fences. Beyond acting, Davis has become an influential producer and philanthropist. She has established a production company that actively works to create more opportunities for underrepresented voices in Hollywood. In numerous interviews, she has emphasized that her success should open doors for others, not just benefit herself. The Weeknd’s trajectory represents a different but equally compelling narrative of modern stardom. Born Abel Tesfaye in Toronto, he began uploading music to YouTube in 2010 as an independent artist. His atmospheric sound and innovative production caught attention rapidly, and by 2012, major record labels were competing to sign him. His 2015 album Beauty Behind the Madness became a commercial breakthrough, debuting at number one on the Billboard 200 chart. The Weeknd has since sold over 70 million records worldwide and won numerous Grammy Awards. What sets him apart is his meticulous control over his artistic vision and visual identity. He has created elaborate concept albums and music videos that blur the boundaries between entertainment and art. Both Davis and The Weeknd demonstrate that authentic talent combined with determination can transcend industry barriers. Their careers suggest that contemporary audiences value artists who remain true to their craft while using their platform for meaningful impact. Whether through challenging roles or innovative music, these figures have redefined what it means to be a celebrity in the modern age.Vocabulary Practice
Practise the 12 key vocabulary items from this lesson through three exercises.
Vocabulary Practice — Movie and Music Celebrities
Work through all three parts. Each part uses the same vocabulary in a different way.
Use of English
Transform the root word in brackets to fit the sentence.
From Struggle to Stardom: A Celebrity’s Journey
Use of English — Word formation
Choose or type the correct word for each gap in the passage above.
Writing Task
B2 First — Writing Part 2
Enter your name if you would like your teacher to identify your work — this is optional. Click Start when you are ready. The timer will begin immediately.
Speaking
Speaking task. Read the instructions, then complete the task.
After the Lesson
Reflect on what you learned and how confident you feel now.
Teacher Guide
Practise with
- lotterynoun
a competition where prizes are won by chance
- quiz shownoun phrase
a television or radio programme in which people answer questions to win prizes
- soap operanoun phrase
A TV drama series following characters' personal and romantic relationships over many episodes.
- socialiseverb
to spend time with other people socially, for example at a party
- spectacularadjective
visually impressive and striking