Father of the CD” Dies

The pioneer of the compact disc (CD) Norio Ohga has died aged 81 of multiple organ failure in the Japanese capital Tokyo. Mr Ohga was president and chairman of Sony between 1982 and 1995. He is credited with pioneering the use of the CD. Sony sold the world's first CD in 1982. Mr Ohga was responsible for its size. He recommended a disc should be 12 cm in diameter because it contained enough space to store Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, which is 75 minutes long. The size of CDs has remained unchanged since and became the format for DVDs. CD sales in Japan overtook record sales within five years of their introduction. Ohga was an avid music enthusiast and studied to become an opera singer in his youth.

Sony's current chairman, Sir Howard Stringer, paid tribute to Mr Ohga’s leadership and vision. He said the former chairman transformed Sony from a company that sold radios and electronics into a global entertainment giant. Ohga rose through the Sony ranks at a speed highly unusual for a Japanese company and was an executive by his 30s. Ohga moved Sony into new directions, making them an international player. He was key in the purchase of Hollywood studio Colombia Pictures and the record company CBS. He also oversaw the launch of Sony’s highly successful PlayStation game console. Mr Stringer said: “By redefining Sony as a company encompassing both hardware and software, Ohga-san succeeded where other Japanese companies failed.”
(25th April, 2011)

Question 1 (2 points) Indicate whether these sentences are true or false. Justify your answers with evidence from the text.

a. The pioneer of the CD died from cancer in Tokyo
b.The former Sony chairman once trained to be an opera singer.
c. Mr Ohga bought a Hollywood movie studio and record company.
d. He had very little part to play in the launch of the Sony PlayStation.

Question 2 (2 points) Answer the following questions in your own words.
a. Why do CDs are the size they are?
b. What contributions did Mr. Ohga do to Sony?

Question 3 (1.5 points) Find words or phrases in the text that correspond in meaning to the words and definitions given.
a. innovation (par.1) b. fan (par.1) c. to include (par.2)

Question 4 ( 1.5 points) Complete the following sentences without changing the meaning.
a. CD sales in Japan overtook record sales within five years of their introduction.
Record sales ………………………………………………
b. The size of CDs has remained unchanged since 1982
The size of CDs hasn't ……………………………………..
c. : “By redefining Sony as a company encompassing both hardware and software, Ohga-san succeeded where other Japanese companies failed.”
Mr. Stringer said that …………………………………...

Question 5 (3 points)
Write a short essay (about 120-150 words) on the following topic:
How many different ways are there to keep your music? What’s your favourite?