Frank Sinatra performing New York, New York - gap fill & questions

 

Watch the video of Frank Sinatra performing 'New York, New York,' on the 1981 television special, 'Sinatra: The Man and His Music,' and fill in the gaps below. After that, answer the questions below the gap-fill.

Vinnie Falcone takes the baton now to conduct one of the most ____________ pieces of music of all my ________. This Don Costa arrangement of the Fred Ebb, John Kander love song to the city that never sleeps and the ______ team that lost.

Start spreading the news
I'm __________ today
I want to be a part of it
New York, New York

These vagabond shoes
They are longing to stray
Right __________ the very heart of it
New York, New York

I want to wake up in a city
That doesn't sleep
And find I'm king of the hill
______ of the heap

My small ______ blues
They are melting away
I will make a brand new start of it
In old New York

If I can make it there
_____ make it anywhere
It's up to you
New York, New York

In New York, New York

I want to wake up in a city
That doesn't sleep
And ________ that I'm number one

Top of the list
Head of the heap
King of the hill

These little ______ blues
They're all melting away
I'm gonna make a brand new start of it
Back in old New York

And if I can make it there
I know, ______ make it just about anywhere
It's up to you
New York, New York

New York

Now, answer these questions:

What does the line 'start spreading the news' mean?

What does the line 'these vagabond shoes' mean?

What does the line 'longing to stray' mean?

What do the lines 'little town blues' and 'small town blues' mean?

What does the line 'melting away' mean?

What does the line 'if I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere' mean?

What does the line 'it's up to you' mean?

What is the story the song is telling? 

Click here to check your answers.

London Video Tour: Westminster (Video and True / False Quiz)

   

Are the following True or False, according to the video? If something is False, what's the truth?

Westminster is a beautiful and historic neighborhood in the center of London.

Westminster is the focus of politics and culture in the city.

The seat of government is there.

Westminster's northern boundary is Mayfair and Trafalgar Square.

The Houses of Parliament are next to the Palace of Westminster.

The first real palace was built there in the 11th century.

The current Parliament building was finished in 1817.

The last real wedding at Westminster Abbey was in 2011.

You can watch the Changing of the Guard in the courtyard of Buckingham Palace.

Some Buckingham Palace state rooms are open to the public.

There's no better way to experience the city than to live in a real London apartment.

There are lots of real parks in London.

Saint James park is one of the oldest public parks in London.

You can get to the government buildings from Buckingham Palace by walking through the park.

Victoria Station is the best train station in London.

You can access several types of public transportation from Victoria Station.

Belgrave Square is a place where many people want to live.

The architecture there is emblematic of the 19th century. 

At a bar near Belgrave square you can get a beer and a meal of fish and chips.

The tour guide asks people to let his company know if there are any popular places in Westminster he did not mention.

After completing the true/false quiz, you can check your answers by turning on the English subtitles to the video and watching it again...

...and/or by clicking here for the answers.

Spanish Duke Moving to Qatar Amid Corruption Charges (Video and True / False Quiz)

According to the video, are the following true or false:

1. The Spanish Monarchy is making headlines again.
 
2. Last week the Duke of Palma caused international headlines.

3. Urdangarin was offered a job working with Spanish handball coach Valero Rivera in Qatar.
 
4. Rivera used to be Urdangarin's trainer and started training him when he was 14.

5. It is believed Urdangarin got much of the money he stole from government contracts.

6. Emails provided to the court by the Duke’s business partner have brought Princess Cristina into the case as well.

7. Urdangarin has lied about his wife's involvement in the institute’s activities.

8. The king is less popular than ever, especially among Spanish youth.

9. The case prosecutor has requested Urdangarin’s passport be taken away but the final decision rests with the judge.

10. If the Duke of Palma does leave the country, the princess and their children would join him after the end of the year.

After completing the true/false quiz, you can check your answers by turning on the English subtitles to the video and watching it again...

...and/or by clicking here for the answers.