Từ vựng tiếng Anh 10: Âm nhạc

Vocabulary for Music and Entertainment in English

Welcome to this comprehensive English language lesson focused on music‑related vocabulary. Whether you are watching a TV show, voting for a favorite singer, or describing a cultural festival, the words and structures covered here will help you sound natural and confident. This course is organized around the key terms that appeared in a recent quiz, and each section provides definitions, usage notes, example sentences, and tips for remembering the expressions.

1. Audience Members Who Watch on Screen: viewer

The word viewer refers specifically to a person who watches a program on television or online. It is different from audience, which can describe anyone who listens or watches, including those present at a live event.

• viewer (noun) – a person who watches a broadcast or streaming content.
• audience (noun) – the collective group of listeners or spectators, whether they are in a hall or at home.
• spectator (noun) – usually someone who watches a live event, such as a sports match.

Example: "The show attracted over two million viewers worldwide last night."
Tip: Pair viewer with visual‑media verbs like watch, stream, or tune in to reinforce the meaning.

2. Being Removed from a Competition: eliminate

When a contestant is forced to leave a contest, the appropriate verb is eliminate. In the passive voice, you will often see is eliminated or was eliminated.

• eliminate (verb) – to remove or disqualify someone from a competition.
• remain (verb) – to stay, the opposite of being eliminated.
• perform (verb) – to carry out a musical piece; not related to removal.

Example: "After the first round, three singers were eliminated based on the judges' scores."
Memory aid: Think of the phrase "eliminate the competition" – the word itself contains "limit," hinting at cutting something out.

3. Voting by Phone: vote

In many talent shows, the audience participates by calling in to vote for their favorite performer. This verb is distinct from judge, which means to evaluate rather than to select by ballot.

• vote (verb) – to cast a ballot or make a choice in a poll.
• judge (verb) – to assess quality or performance, often by a panel of experts.
• comment (verb) – to give an opinion, not a formal selection.

Example: "Fans can vote for their favorite singer by dialing the toll‑free number shown on screen."
Tip: Pair vote with nouns like ballot, poll, election, or contest to keep the context clear.

4. Expressing Extreme Degree: so … that …

The correlative structure so … that … is used to describe a result that follows from an extreme condition. In the quiz, it was applied to a song that moves listeners to tears.

• so … that … – a cause‑effect pattern indicating that something is so [adjective] that [result] occurs.
• similar to – a comparison, not a cause‑effect.
• not only … but also … – a additive structure, used to list two qualities.

Example: "The melody was so beautiful that everyone in the audience began to cry."
Practice: Replace the adjective with different intensifiers (e.g., so loud that, so exciting that) to master the pattern.

5. The Second‑Place Finisher: runner‑up

When a contestant finishes in second place, they are called the runner‑up. This term is widely used in sports, reality shows, and academic competitions.

• runner‑up (noun) – the person or team that finishes second.
• organiser (noun) – the person who arranges the event.
• judge (noun) – the official who evaluates performances.
• guest (noun) – a visitor or invited participant, not a competitor.

Example: "Although she didn’t win, the talented guitarist was proud to be the runner‑up of the competition."
Mnemonic: The word "run" suggests moving forward, but not crossing the finish line first – exactly what a runner‑up does.

6. Events That Happen: take place

To describe when and where an event occurs, English speakers use the phrasal verb take place. It is the standard equivalent of the Vietnamese “diễn ra”.

• take place (verb phrase) – to happen or occur.
• dress up (verb phrase) – to put on special clothing.
• come up with (verb phrase) – to create an idea or solution.
• make it (verb phrase) – to succeed or arrive at a destination.

Example: "The summer music festival takes place every July in the city park."
Tip: Pair take place with time expressions (e.g., last weekend, next month) for natural sentences.

7. Regional Musical Instruments: The gongs of the Central Highlands

In Vietnam, the đàn chiêng (gongs) are a hallmark of the Central Highlands (Tây Nguyên) musical tradition. Knowing the cultural context enriches vocabulary and helps you discuss world music with confidence.

• Tây Nguyên (Central Highlands) – the region where gong ensembles are most prominent.
• Other regions mentioned (for contrast):
  • Đồng bằng Bắc Bộ – Northern Plain
  • Duyên hải Nam Trung Bộ – South Central Coast
  • Đồng bằng sông Cửu Long – Mekong Delta

Example: "The resonant sounds of the gongs from the Central Highlands echo throughout the festival."
Remember: Associate "highlands" with "high" sounds, which can help you recall the region’s musical heritage.

8. Describing How a Folk Song Spreads: spread

When a folk song travels from village to village, the verb spread accurately captures that diffusion. It is more appropriate than worship, praise, or reveal in this context.

• spread (verb) – to extend or distribute over a larger area.
• worship (verb) – to show reverence, not about distribution.
• praise (verb) – to express admiration.
• reveal (verb) – to make known, not to describe movement.

Example: "The catchy melody spread quickly across neighboring villages, becoming a beloved folk tune."
Practice tip: Use spread with nouns like news, rumors, disease, culture to solidify its meaning.

Putting It All Together: Sample Dialogue

Below is a short conversation that incorporates every term from this lesson. Reading it aloud will help you internalize pronunciation and context.

    A: Did you watch the live finale last night?
    B: Yes, I was a viewer. The performances were amazing!
    A: I heard two singers were eliminated after the semi‑finals.
    B: That’s right. The audience voted for their favorites, and the results were so close that the judges had to decide quickly.
    A: Who ended up as the runner‑up?
    B: The guitarist. He’ll perform at the summer festival, which takes place in July.
    A: I can’t wait! I love the gongs from the Central Highlands; they always add a magical touch.
    B: And the new folk song is already spreading through the villages.
  

Notice how each vocabulary item fits naturally into the flow of conversation. Try rewriting the dialogue with your own details to reinforce learning.

Study Checklist

• ✅ Know the difference between viewer and audience.
• ✅ Use eliminate in both active and passive forms.
• ✅ Practice the verb vote in contexts of phone or online polling.
• ✅ Master the so … that … structure for expressing cause‑effect intensity.
• ✅ Identify a runner‑up in any competition scenario.
• ✅ Replace “happens” with take place for formal descriptions.
• ✅ Associate Tây Nguyên with the traditional gong ensemble.
• ✅ Use spread to describe the diffusion of songs, ideas, or cultural elements.

Additional Resources

To deepen your understanding, explore these free online tools:

• Dictionary.com – definitions, pronunciation audio, and example sentences.
• Thesaurus.com – synonyms and antonyms for nuanced writing.
• BBC Learning English – short videos that illustrate the so … that … structure.
• Coursera – courses on world music that include cultural notes about the Central Highlands.

By mastering these terms and structures, you’ll be better equipped to discuss music, festivals, and competitions in English with precision and flair. Keep practicing, and soon these expressions will become second nature.