The Beatles

Read the following biography about The Beatles.

The four Beatles – John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr- were all born in Liverpool. John, Paul and George knew each other at school and played together in a guitar-based rock band called The Quarrymen in 1959. They were in their late teens. Ringo Starr didn’t join the group until 1962, after Stuart Sutcliffe, ‘the fifth Beatle’, died. John, George and Paul played rhythm, lead and bass guitars. Ringo played the drums.

The Beatles started their career at the Cavern Club in Liverpool. On the 9th November Brian Epstein, saw The Beatles at a lunchtime session. He met them and a month later he became their manager. Brian Epstein gave The Beatles a new image – the famous Beatles suits and Beatles haircut.

In 1963 the group had their first Number 1 hit record in the UK charts with their single, Please Please Me. They gave their first US concert on 11th February 1964. By April 1964 The Beatles were top of the UK singles and album charts and they held the top five places in the US charts.

In 1968, the four Beatles started to go their different ways. In 1971 they finally split up. But the music of The Beatles didn’t die. It has something special, and their music is still very popular today.

Are these statements true or false? Correct the false ones by writing the correct answer.

a) The Beatles were all born in Manchester ………………………………………………………………….

b) Ringo Starr played in the band called The Quarrymen in 1959………………………………….

c) Brian Epstein became the guitar player…………………………………………………………………..

d) In 1971 The Beatles split up…………………………………………………………………………………….

e) The Beatles started their career in Southampton…………………………………………

Put the following words in the right order to make questions then answer them.

a) The Beatles/ where / born / were / ?

…………………………………………………………………………

b) were /the members / the / band / who / of?

……………………………………………………………………………

c) did / play / what / Ringo?

…………………………………………………………………………

d) was /Stuart Sutcliffe/ who?

…………………………………………………………………………

e) career / The Beatles / did/ start/ where / their ?

…………………………………………………………………………

f) did / give / first / they / concert/ when /their / in US?

……………………………………………………………………………

g) the band / did / split up /when?

This is John Lennon on holiday. Look at the pictures and then complete the sentences using the verbs in the box. USE PRESENT CONTINUOUS.

arrive – carry – change – drive – leave – look – relax – ride – run – smile – sleep - swim

1. George ………………and he ………………..for his friend.

2. He …………………some money. He ………………a big bag.

3. He………………….for a bus. The bus………………………..

4. He …………………a bike. He …………………………………

5. HE………………… and scuba…………………………..in the sea.

6. He………………..on the beach. He……………………………….

Complete the sentences about John Lennon’s last holidays. USE THE PAST SIMPLE FORM OF THE VERBS IN BRACKETS.

Last year John …………..(go) on holidays but he …………….(do not have) a good time.

First he…………….(wait) for the plane 3 hours and he ………………(arrive) ten hours late to the hotel. John ………………..(is) very angry because he ……………(do not like) the hotel. In the brochure the rooms ……………(have) excellent views of the sea. He ………..(want) to go to the beach but it ………….(is) miles away and the water …….(is ) freezing and polluted. The waiters in the restaurant …………….(are) very rude and unfriendly.