Band Aid 30: X Factor unveiling for Ebola charity song

The new Band Aid single has been broadcast for the first time. A video showing performers including One Direction, Rita Ora and Ed Sheeran singing the reworked "Do They Know It's Christmas?" was shown on ITV's X Factor. They were among the stars who recorded a cover of the 1984 song, to raise money to tackle Ebola, on Saturday. 
          The current outbreak of the deadly virus was first reported in March and has killed more than 5,000 people, almost all in West Africa. The UK government has said VAT will not have to be paid on the single. Organiser Bob Geldof, who was also behind the 1984 original, said he addressed the participants "like the headmaster" before they sang the chorus."I explained the situation in West Africa, I explained what the UN were saying, explained what we could do, and just geed them up," he said.

            Speaking on X Factor to presenter Dermot O'Leary, Geldof described the new recording as a "little bit of pop history".  He said the video - which began with shots of victims of Ebola - was "harrowing and not meant for an entertainment show" but was something the X Factor audience should see. Bob Geldof spoke to the singers before the track was recorded.

            Other artists taking part included Emeli Sande, Ellie Goulding, Sam Smith, ChrisMartin, Elbow, Seal, Jessie Ware, Fuse ODG, Sinead O'Connor, Angelique Kidjo, Olly Murs, Paloma Faith, Queen drummer Roger Taylor, Clean Bandit and Foals. Bono, who featured on the original 1984 version, was also involved, as were YouTube video stars Zoella, Alfie Deyes and Joe Sugg. Geldof had suggested the song and video shown on X Factor may not be the finished versions."We'll have a rough edit on the X Factor and we'll have a rough edit of the film," he said.

          The song will be available to download, costing 99p, from 08:00 GMT on Monday. A CD version will be released in three weeks, costing £4.Geldof and co-writer Midge Ure's first version of the song raised £8m for famine relief in Ethiopia.  Do They Know It's Christmas? was recorded again in 1989 and 2004. The lyrics have been rewritten in parts for the new recording.

Question 1: [2 POINTS] Indicate whether the following statements are true or false and write down which part of the text justifies your answer.

a) The Band Aid 30 single is exactly the same as the 1984 song.

b)The Ebola virus is fatal for many victims.

c) Bob Geldof is a headmaster in a school.

d)Some of the artists of Band Aid 30 also sang on the 1984 version.

Question 2: [2 POINTS] Answer the following questions in your own words according to the text

a) What do we find out about the  Ebola from the text?

b) How and when can people access the song and how much will it cost?

Question 3: [1,5 POINTS]Find words or phrases in the text that correspond to the words and definitions given

a) To show on TV (paragraph 1)

b) a copy of (paragraph 1)

c) disturbing (paragraph 3)

d) launched (paragraph 5)

e) words to a song (paragraph 5)

Question 4: [1,5 POINTS] Complete the following sentences without changing the meaning.

a) ‘Why don’t we do a Band Aid song for charity?’ suggested Bob Geldof.

Bob Geldof suggested………………………………….

b) A CD version will be released in 3 weeks time. It will cost 4 pounds.

A CD version, ……………………………………….

c) Although the Band Aid video is not meant for an entertainment show, it is something the X Factor audience should see.

Despite…………………………………………………..

Question 5: [3 POINTS] Write a short essay (120-150 words) on the following topic:

What do you think about the role of charities in today’s society? Do you think they are necessary? Discuss.