Unit 2 · Musical Moods · Explain the Role of Music in Your Life

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Lesson References

Open the reference pages first. Then continue to the warm-up activity.

Open / close Grammar Snapshot and Grammar page

Open / close Practice and Grammar Exchange page

Noun clause practice and grammar exchange page

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Warm-up Activity

Think about music

1. Which statement best shows the role of music in everyday life?

2. Which sentence contains a noun clause?

Useful speaking prompts

I think that... music helps me focus.

What I like most is... the calm feeling it gives me.

The truth is... I listen to music every day.

Use these patterns while working through the lesson.

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Grammar Snapshot

Audio 17 · Grammar Snapshot

Listen to the commentaries and notice the use of noun clauses.

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Explain the role of music in your life

GRAMMAR SNAPSHOT · Read the commentaries and notice the use of noun clauses.

Frankly, I can’t imagine what my life would be like without music. It’s what gets me through the day. Listening to music is how I get going in the morning. Later, at work, it’s how I stay productive. And in the evening, it’s what helps me unwind.

It’s my opinion that music is a kind of international language — a way for people to communicate with whomever they meet. The fact that enjoyment of music is universal makes it an ideal way to bring cultures together. Music can open doors to people everywhere you go in the world.

I’m a performer, and music is a part of what’s in my heart. The truth is, whether or not I perform is not really a choice — I have to do it. Whatever happens during the day — good or bad — comes out in my music.

Discussion. Which comment is closest to your own opinion about music?

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Grammar · Noun Clauses

What is a noun clause?

A noun clause is a clause that acts like a noun. It can be a subject, a direct object, an indirect object, a subject complement, or the object of a preposition.

Function	Example
Subject	Whatever happens during the day comes out in my music.
Direct object	I don’t know why I’m so crazy about his music.
Indirect object	I’ll give whoever calls first the tickets.
Subject complement	Music is what helps me unwind.
Object of a preposition	Music is a way for people to communicate with whomever they meet.

How noun clauses begin

Noun clauses can begin with:

that → I believe that life would be empty without music.
if / whether (or not) → We asked them whether they could play the song for us again.
question words → Do you know which / what instrument she plays?
whoever / whatever / whenever / wherever / however / whichever / whomever

Word order: In noun clauses, use normal subject + verb order.
Correct: She asked her how she trained her voice.
Not correct: She asked her how did she train her voice.

Remember

A noun clause can begin with that, if, whether (or not), or a question word.

I believe that life would be empty without music.
We asked them if they could play the song for us again.
We asked them whether (or not) they could play the song for us again.
I’m not sure why the band decided to break up.
Do you know which / what instrument she plays?

Note: When a noun clause is a direct object, that may be omitted.

Detailed explanation

1) Subject noun clauses: The whole clause is the subject of the sentence. Example: What I have in my heart comes out in my music.

2) Object noun clauses: The clause receives the action of the verb. Example: I know that music changes my mood.

3) Clauses after expressions: We often use noun clauses after phrases like the fact, the idea, the truth, and it’s my opinion.

4) Embedded questions: When a noun clause comes from a question, the clause keeps statement word order. Example: I don’t know where he lives, not I don’t know where does he live.

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Practice

D. Choose the correct word to complete each noun clause.

1. It’s his opinion _____ classical music is boring.

2. Buying old records is _____ I spend my Saturday afternoons.

3. I’m having difficulty recalling _____ band played at the dance.

4. _____ I like most is to take a hot bath while I listen to music.

5. Did they tell you _____ the concert would start?

6. I can’t really tell you _____ I like some pieces of music.

7. Robert asked me _____ I had bought tickets yet.

8. She can’t imagine _____ she would do without music.

E. Match each question with the correct noun clause completion.

1. I don’t know ... (Where did Mozart live?)

2. I have no idea ... (When did Georges Bizet compose Carmen?)

3. She told me ... (Where do the Black Sheep usually perform?)

4. I don’t know ... (Which genre of music is his favorite?)

5. I’m not sure ... (What kind of lyrics does she write?)

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Grammar Exchange

Now explain the role of music in your life.

“Music is a gift and a burden I’ve had since I can remember who I was.” Nina Simone, U.S. singer and pianist
1933–2003

“What I have in my heart must come out. This is why I compose music.” Ludwig van Beethoven, German composer
1770–1827

“The audience knows when they’re just listening to notes and when they’re truly listening to music.” Sarah Chang, U.S. violinist
1980–

1. Which quote contains a subject noun clause?

2. Which sentence starter is best for discussing music in your own life?

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Final Quiz

1. A noun clause can function as a subject.

2. Which sentence uses correct noun-clause word order?

3. Which word can start a noun clause?

4. Complete the sentence: Music is _____ helps me unwind.

5. “The truth is that music matters.” The noun clause begins with: