YL 14 - Unit 10 (Reading - Lang Lang the Pianist)

The pianist Lang Lang was just 23 years old when he became a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. Lang Lang, who is regarded as the most exciting pianist of our times, works, like other UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors, to bring awareness to the needs of children throughout the world.

• I think it is good that helps the children throughout the world.

• I think he should pay more attention to poor people, not only children.

Lang Lang, who was born into a musical family in Shenyang, started piano lessons at the age of three. At nine, he entred the Central Music Conservatory of China. As his talent grew, he began to enter competitions. Among the awards won by him was first prize at the prestigious Tchikovsky International Young Musicians' Competition which was held in 1995 in Japan.

• It is always good to start learning from the very young age.

• Even if you are old, you can still learn what you want.

In 1997, 15-year-old Lang Lang, accompanied by his father, went to the US to study at the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia. In April 2001, Lang Lang made his Carnegie Hall debut, which was given great reviews by the American critics. At the Great Hall of the People in Beijin he gave a concert attended by an audience of 8,000 people.

• If I were him, I would scared to have 8,000 people watching my performance.

• If I were him, I would excited and happy to perform for those 8,000 people.

An article written about him some years ago in Teen People identified him as one of the 'Top Twenty Teens who will change the World'. He's no longer a teenager, but he is certainly making his mark on the world and helping to make it a better place.

• It was himself writing he was the top twenty teen.

• It was other people writing to show that he is the top twenty teen.

What can you remember about Lang Lang? Tick four statements that are true about him.

• He is a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.

• He plays music when he was young.

• He was born into a musical family.

• He visited US with his father to study and perform.

• There were 10,000 people joining his concert in Beijing.

In 1997, 15-year-old Lang Lang, accompanied by his father, went to the US to study in Philadelphia.

• Accompanied means : His father went to the US with him.

• Accompanied means : His father asked him to go the US alone.

Among the awards won by him was first prize at one competition.

• won - active verb

• won - passive verb

Lang Lang, _________ born into a musical family, started piano lessons at the age of three.

• who was

• which was

Competition which was held in 1995 in Japan was a wonderful experience for Lang Lang.

• which was held refers to competition.

• which was held refers to Japan

who/which/that are called ______.

• related pronouns

• relative pronouns