3. Read and retell the text Music in Great Britain

Britain has rich musical traditions. Many famous composers and singers were born and performed in Britain.

Henry Purcell (1659—1695), a prominent British composer, lived in the 17th century. He was the founder of the British Opera. His opera “King Arthur” was very popular with spectators. The main idea of this opera was the struggle for the independence of Britain.

The great influence of Henry Purcell is seen today in the works of Benjamin Britten. B. Britten is a well-known British composer (1913—1976). He has composed a large amount of music of all kinds, among them operas and choral works. His music is very expressive. One of his greatest works is the opera “Peter Grimes”. It’s an exciting story about a poor fisherman who was falsy accused and driven out of his native village.

Britain also has good traditions of folk music. There are traditional folk clubs in most towns.

Modern music is also of great popularity. The most talented and famous composers of contemporary life are John Lennon and Paul McCartney — the founders of the legendary group “The Beatles”, whose music still influences new generations.

Module 2 Unit10

ART AND CULTURE

GRAMMAR

neither, not...either, none, not...any, both and all

We use both, either and neither to refer to two people or things.

BOTH

Both = the two; that one AND the other one; this one AND that one

Both can be used as a pronoun to refer to two things that we have already mentioned.

• A: Do you want the blue shirt or the red one? B: I’ll buy both (= the blue shirt AND the red shirt = both shirts)

Both X and y

= not only X but also Y

Both + Adjective + and + Adjective

• He’s both tall and handsome.

• I’m both happy and confused at the same time!

• I have had a long, hard day and I’m both tired and hungry.

Both + Noun + and + Noun

Both can be used with a singular noun + and + singular noun

• She speaks both English and Arabic.

• They have both a cat and a dog.

• He is both an actor and a director.

We can also use Both + plural noun (see more below)

• She speaks both languages.

Both or Both of?

Both or Both of can be used without a difference in meaning though Both of is more common in the United States.

Both (of) + determiner + plural noun

You can use Both or Both of before a determiner (my, his, these, the etc.) and a plural noun.

• Both (of) my friends arrived late to class.

• Both of the wheels wobble too much.

• A prize was given to both of the players.

When we use Both (without of), we drop the article the.

• Both of the parents were nervous.

• Both parents were nervous.

Both of + Object Pronoun

When using Both with an object pronoun (me, you, him, her, it, us them), we need the preposition OF before that pronoun.

• He has invited both us. (incorrect)

• He has invited both of us. (correct)

• I’ll take both of them. (correct)

• I need to speak to both of you. (correct)

Verb + Object pronoun + both

We can use both after an object pronoun

• I hope they invite us both (= I hope they invite both of us)

• Do you need them both? (= Do you need both of them)

• The teacher sent them both to the principal’s office.

To be + both

Both comes after To Be (or an auxiliary such as have or modal verbs).

• He is both intelligent and agile.

• My sister and I are both ready for the trip.

• We were both happy with our exam results.

Modal verb + both + verb

• My parents can both speak French.

• They should both try harder.

• My brothers would both be shocked if they knew the truth.

Both + other verbs

Both goes before the other verbs. If there is an accompanying auxiliary verb, then it goes in the middle of the two verbs (i.e. auxiliary + both + verb)

• We both wanted to stay in bed and not go to work.

• They both liked the surprise.

• My parents both work in the same building.

• They have both studied a lot.