YouTube made a new computer program that lets people make songs that sound like famous singers. Right now, only a few people can use it. They can make a song by telling the program what they want the song to be about and how it should feel. Some famous singers said it’s okay for the program to copy their voices.

This new program is called Dream Track and it’s made by YouTube. It’s not for everyone yet, just some people. They can use it to make short songs that sound like singers such as Demi Lovato. YouTube also says they will tell people when a video is made by a computer and let them ask to take down videos that pretend to be real people.

YouTube is also making other music tools with computers. One tool lets singers hum a tune and the computer makes music for it. YouTube will put a special mark on music made by computers so everyone knows. People are talking a lot about using computers to make art and music, and YouTube is trying to be careful with it.

Original news source: YouTube tests AI tool that clones pop stars’ voices (BBC)

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Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Summary
Instructions: Divide the class into small groups. Give each group a copy of the article. Instruct the groups to read the article and then write a summary of the main points. After a designated time, have each group share their summaries with the class.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Write a list of vocabulary words from the article on the board. Divide the class into pairs. One student from each pair chooses a word from the list and must draw a picture representing that word, while their partner tries to guess the word. Encourage students to use their English vocabulary to describe the word if their partner is struggling to guess.

– Sketch It
Instructions: Provide each student with a blank piece of paper. Instruct them to read the article and then choose a specific scene or moment they found interesting. They must then sketch a visual representation of that scene or moment. Afterward, have students share their sketches with a partner and explain the significance of their chosen scene.

– Think-Pair-Share
Instructions: Pose a question related to the article, such as “Do you think using computer programs to create music is a good thing? Why or why not?” Give students a few minutes to think about their answer individually. Then, have them pair up with a partner to discuss their thoughts. Finally, open up a class discussion and allow students to share their opinions.

– Future Predictions
Instructions: Ask students to imagine how technology will continue to evolve in the future and its impact on music and art. In small groups, have students discuss and brainstorm their ideas. Then, have each group present their predictions to the class, using English to explain their reasoning.

Comprehension Questions:

1. What is the name of the new computer program made by YouTube?
2. Who can use the program right now?
3. How do people make a song with the program?
4. Which famous singers said it’s okay for the program to copy their voices?
5. What is the special mark that YouTube will put on music made by computers?
6. Why is YouTube being careful with using computers to make art and music?
7. What other music tool is YouTube making with computers?
Go to answers ⇩

Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

YouTube made a new computer program that lets people (1)______ (2)______ that (3)______ like famous singers. Right now, only a few people can use it. They can make a song by telling the program what they want the song to be about and how it should feel. Some famous singers said it’s okay for the (4)______ to copy their voices.

This new program is called Dream (5)______ and it’s (6)______ by YouTube. It’s not for everyone yet, just some people. They can use it to make short songs that sound like singers such as Demi Lovato. YouTube also (7)______ they will tell people when a video is made by a (8)______ and let them ask to (9)______ down videos that pretend to be real people.

YouTube is also making other music tools with computers. One tool lets singers hum a tune and the computer makes (10)______ for it. (11)______ will put a (12)______ mark on music made by computers so everyone knows. People are talking a lot about using computers to make art and music, and YouTube is trying to be careful with it.
Go to answers ⇩

Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What is Dream Track and who made it?
2. How do people use Dream Track to make songs?
3. Do you like the idea of a computer program making songs that sound like famous singers? Why or why not?
4. How would you feel if someone made a song using Dream Track and pretended to be you?
5. What do you think about YouTube telling people when a video is made by a computer? Why or why not?
6. Do you think it’s fair for YouTube to let people ask to take down videos that pretend to be real people? Why or why not?
7. What other music tools is YouTube making with computers?
8. How do you think the tool that lets singers hum a tune and the computer makes music for it works?
9. Do you think using computers to make art and music is a good idea? Why or why not?
10. How do you think YouTube is trying to be careful with using computers to make art and music?
11. Have you ever used a computer program to make music or art? How was your experience?
12. If you could create your own computer program to make something, what would it be? Why?

Individual Activities

Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. program
2. singers
3. voices
4. YouTube
5. songs
6. computer
7. music
8. art

Meanings:
(a) People who sing songs
(b) A machine that can do calculations and follow instructions
(c) The sounds that come out of someone’s mouth when they sing or talk
(d) A set of instructions that tells a computer what to do
(e) A website where people can watch and share videos
(f) Creative activities that express feelings and ideas
(g) Music with words that people can sing along to
(h) Sounds that are pleasing to listen to
Go to answers ⇩

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What is the name of the computer program made by YouTube?
(a) Singing Stars
(b) Famous Voices
(c) Dream Track
(d) Music Maker

2. Who can currently use the Dream Track program?
(a) Only a few people
(b) Everyone
(c) Famous singers
(d) Singing teachers

3. What can people do with the Dream Track program?
(a) Watch videos of famous singers
(b) Make songs that sound like famous singers
(c) Learn how to sing like famous singers
(d) Write lyrics for famous singers

4. Which singer is mentioned in the article?
(a) Taylor Swift
(b) Justin Bieber
(c) Demi Lovato
(d) Ariana Grande

5. What will YouTube do if a video is made by a computer?
(a) Delete the video
(b) Make the video more popular
(c) Copy the video
(d) Tell people it was made by a computer

6. What can singers do with the other music tool made by YouTube?
(a) Play a musical instrument
(b) Hum a tune and the computer makes music for it
(c) Listen to other singers
(d) Dance to music made by computers

7. Why is YouTube being careful with using computers to make art and music?
(a) Because they want to make more money
(b) Because they don’t like computers
(c) Because they want to be famous
(d) Because people are talking a lot about it

8. What is the purpose of putting a special mark on music made by computers?
(a) So everyone knows it was made by a computer
(b) So the music sounds better
(c) So people can’t listen to it
(d) So YouTube can make more money

Go to answers ⇩

True or False Questions:

1. YouTube has created a new computer program called Dream Track that allows people to make songs that sound nothing like famous singers.
2. YouTube will not inform viewers when a video is made by a computer and will not allow them to request the removal of videos that pretend to be real people.
3. Dream Track is available to everyone now, and YouTube has no plans to make it more widely accessible in the future.
4. Some famous singers have given permission for the program to copy their voices.
5. YouTube is not being cautious with the use of computers in art and music creation, as there is no discussion around this topic.
6. Currently, only a few people have access to this program.
7. The program works by allowing users to tell it what they want the song to be about and how they want it to feel.
8. YouTube is developing other music tools with computers, including one that allows singers to hum a tune and have the computer create music for it.
Go to answers ⇩

Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. What is the name of the computer program made by YouTube?
2. Who can use the Dream Track program right now?
3. What can people do with the Dream Track program?
4. What do some famous singers think about the program?
5. What other music tools is YouTube making with computers?

Answers

Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What is the name of the new computer program made by YouTube?
The new computer program made by YouTube is called Dream Track.

2. Who can use the program right now?
Only a few people can use the program right now.

3. How do people make a song with the program?
People can make a song by telling the program what they want the song to be about and how it should feel.

4. Which famous singers said it’s okay for the program to copy their voices?
Some famous singers said it’s okay for the program to copy their voices.

5. What is the special mark that YouTube will put on music made by computers?
YouTube will put a special mark on music made by computers so everyone knows it was made by a computer.

6. Why is YouTube being careful with using computers to make art and music?
YouTube is being careful because people are talking a lot about using computers to make art and music, so they want to make sure it’s done responsibly.

7. What other music tool is YouTube making with computers?
YouTube is making another music tool that lets singers hum a tune and the computer makes music for it.
Go back to questions ⇧

Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) make
(2) songs
(3) sound
(4) program
(5) Track
(6) made
(7) says
(8) computer
(9) take
(10) music
(11) YouTube
(12) special
Go back to questions ⇧

Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. program
Answer: (d) A set of instructions that tells a computer what to do

2. singers
Answer: (a) People who sing songs

3. voices
Answer: (c) The sounds that come out of someone’s mouth when they sing or talk

4. YouTube
Answer: (e) A website where people can watch and share videos

5. songs
Answer: (g) Music with words that people can sing along to

6. computer
Answer: (b) A machine that can do calculations and follow instructions

7. music
Answer: (h) Sounds that are pleasing to listen to

8. art
Answer: (f) Creative activities that express feelings and ideas
Go back to questions ⇧

Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What is the name of the computer program made by YouTube?
Answer: (c) Dream Track

2. Who can currently use the Dream Track program?
Answer: (a) Only a few people

3. What can people do with the Dream Track program?
Answer: (b) Make songs that sound like famous singers

4. Which singer is mentioned in the article?
Answer: (c) Demi Lovato

5. What will YouTube do if a video is made by a computer?
Answer: (d) Tell people it was made by a computer

6. What can singers do with the other music tool made by YouTube?
Answer: (b) Hum a tune and the computer makes music for it

7. Why is YouTube being careful with using computers to make art and music?
Answer: (d) Because people are talking a lot about it

8. What is the purpose of putting a special mark on music made by computers?
Answer: (a) So everyone knows it was made by a computer
Go back to questions ⇧

True or False Answers:

1. YouTube has created a new computer program called Dream Track that allows people to make songs that sound nothing like famous singers. (Answer: False)
2. YouTube will not inform viewers when a video is made by a computer and will not allow them to request the removal of videos that pretend to be real people. (Answer: False)
3. Dream Track is available to everyone now, and YouTube has no plans to make it more widely accessible in the future. (Answer: False)
4. Some famous singers have given permission for the program to copy their voices. (Answer: True)
5. YouTube is not being cautious with the use of computers in art and music creation, as there is no discussion around this topic. (Answer: False)
6. Currently, only a few people have access to this program. (Answer: True)
7. The program works by allowing users to tell it what they want the song to be about and how they want it to feel. (Answer: True)
8. YouTube is developing other music tools with computers, including one that allows singers to hum a tune and have the computer create music for it. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧