Hello, my wonderful fellow English teachers!
Are you ever in that B2 First prep slump? Staring at the same old materials and just wishing you could bring some REAL energy and life into your Reading and Use of English lessons? I know I’ve been there.
Well, you are in the exact right place! What if I told you we could blend serious exam practice with the pure joy of pop music?
Get ready to save yourself some precious time and ignite some serious creativity with this innovative lesson featuring Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga’s incredible song, “Die With A Smile.” Let’s get ready to watch your students’ engagement absolutely skyrocket!
Why This Lesson Plan Works:
I know what you might be thinking. A pop song for serious B2 First prep? Does that really work? YES! And here’s why.
We’re taking something that can often feel dry and disconnected—exam practice—and infusing it with the real-world energy of a song our students actually love. It stops being a chore and starts being a conversation.
And the best part? It saves YOU so much time. Your students get hooked and motivated, and while they’re enjoying the music, they are seriously leveling up their vocabulary, comprehension, and critical thinking skills. It’s a lesson that just plain works, whether you’re online or in the classroom, because it connects with them on a whole new level.
The Song: “Die With A Smile” by Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga
Can we just talk about this collaboration for a second? WOW. After a 2-3 year break from releasing music, both Lady Gaga AND Bruno Mars came roaring back with this incredible surprise track. One day they announced it, and the next—boom!—it dropped at midnight on August 15th with a music video and everything.
Lady Gaga called the song a special gift for her fans while they wait for her next album (which she’s been teasing all year!), and you can just feel that love in the music. It all came from a late-night, spontaneous studio session, which just shows the amazing creative energy between these two.
You can tell how much they respect each other. Gaga said Bruno’s talent is “next level,” and he called her “an icon” who brings pure magic to the song.
Honestly, a surprise collaboration between two of the biggest powerhouses in pop? It’s not just a gift for their fans; it’s an absolute gift for us teachers! It’s packed with so much rich material for real language analysis and the kind of deep discussions we want to have in our B2 First prep classes.
Suggested Warm-Up Activity
Step 1 (5 min)
Start a discussion with your students:
- Ask if they know Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga made a song together.
- If they know about it, what do they think of the collaboration?
- If they don’t know, what are their thoughts on this unexpected pairing?
- Inquire about their opinions on Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga individually. Do they like these artists? Why or why not?
Step 2 (5 min)
Play the music video for “Die With A Smile.” Before playing, ask students to pay attention and answer this question: “What emotions or themes do you think the song is trying to convey through its lyrics and visuals?”
After watching, have a brief discussion about their answers.
Now, transition to the worksheet activity, explaining that they’ll be analyzing the song’s lyrics more closely.
B2 First Reading and Use of English Part 5 Practice Questions
Download worksheet HERE
Answer Key and Explanations
ANSWER KEY
31 B 32 B 33 C 34 B 35 D
Question 31: B) They recognize the significance of saying goodbye.
Explanation:
B) This is correct because the speaker realizes the importance of the goodbye in their dream, indicating a deeper understanding.
A) Incorrect because it suggests the goodbye is about survival, which is not the focus of the realization.
C) Incorrect as it implies the dream is only about survival, missing the emotional weight of the goodbye.
D) Incorrect because it reduces the goodbye to just a vision, ignoring its significant impact.
question 32: B) To follow them wherever they go, as if each night were the last.
Explanation:
B) This is correct because it captures the essence of loving each night as if it were the last, highlighting the uncertainty of tomorrow.
A) Incorrect as it suggests assurance in tomorrow, which contradicts the theme of living in the moment.
C) Incorrect because it focuses on goodbyes, which is not the primary commitment.
D) Incorrect as it implies ignoring tomorrow, whereas the focus is on cherishing each night due to its uncertainty.
Question 33: C) To be next to their loved one as time on Earth concludes.
Explanation:
C) This is correct because it reflects the desire for closeness with their loved one as the world ends, emphasizing togetherness.
A) Incorrect as it lacks the emotional depth of truly being next to them.
B) Incorrect because it trivializes the situation as a party ending, which doesn't match the gravity of the world ending.
D) Incorrect as it emphasizes solitude, which contradicts the expressed desire for togetherness.
Question 34: B) A wish to be with their loved one at the end of time.
Explanation:
B) This is correct because the Chorus expresses a strong desire to be close to their loved one during the most critical and final moments, highlighting the importance of their relationship.
A) Incorrect as it suggests escaping rather than staying together during the final moments.
C) Incorrect because it implies changing feelings rather than maintaining a deep connection.
D) Incorrect as it suggests being in a different world rather than focusing on the end of time.
Question 35: D) As a battle worth fighting for despite the words they scream.
Explanation:
D) This is correct because it captures the notion of enduring conflict and effort, emphasizing the relationship's value.
A) Incorrect as it suggests a fleeting encounter, undermining the enduring nature of the relationship.
B) Incorrect because it focuses on engaging in a war for love, missing the emphasis on enduring despite challenges.
C) Incorrect as it describes it as a journey, which doesn't convey the conflict implied by a battle or war.
Question 36 : B) The urgency of living each moment with loved ones fully.
Explanation:
B) This is correct because the lyrics emphasize the importance of cherishing every moment with loved ones, especially in uncertain times.
A) Incorrect as the lyrics focus more on the immediacy of love rather than accepting fate.
C) Incorrect because the pursuit of dreams is not the central theme; the focus is on present relationships.
D) Incorrect as the balance between solitude and companionship is not the primary message conveyed.
My Final Thought
For me, this is what it’s all about. When we can take a song like “Die With A Smile” and bring it into a B2 First prep class, we’re doing more than just teaching. We’re changing the energy.
We’re showing our students that exam practice doesn’t have to be something they dread. It can be creative, it can be fun, and it can be a real connection to the music they love.
And honestly, a lesson that saves you time and leaves both you AND your students feeling energized and inspired? That’s the real magic. That’s the win.
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