English through Music

The Beatles: Let It Be

Calm in uncertain moments

A2–B1Approximately 30 minutesAdults

Created by Denis M., British English teacher.

01 Watch 02 Useful English 03 Quick quiz 04 Speaking

Your goal: Understand a reassuring message and give simple advice without dismissing someone’s problems.

Personal and spiritual imagery. Discuss the message without assuming a particular religious interpretation.

01 · 6 minutes

Watch

Watch the complete video once without pausing. Focus on the overall meaning and mood; you do not need to catch every word.

Listen for the advice that returns and the mood it creates.

If the player cannot load or reports an error, open the video on YouTube.

Open on YouTube

Choose one word for your first reaction. There is no correct answer.

02 · 5 minutes

Useful English

Four useful items connected with the song. Definitions and examples are original; not every item is claimed to appear in the recording.

British English vocabulary audio

Open the full MP3

Choose an item to hear its word, meaning and example.

wisdom

noun, uncountable

Good judgement gained through knowledge and experience.

My grandfather shared the wisdom he had gained over many years.

comfort

noun, uncountable

A feeling of being less worried, sad or alone.

A familiar voice can bring comfort after a difficult day.

let something be

verb phrase

To stop interfering with or trying to change something for the moment.

The paint is still wet, so let it be for now.

uncertain

adjective

Not known, decided or completely sure.

Our plans for the weekend are still uncertain.

03 · 9 minutes

Quick quiz

Choose one answer for each question. Questions 1–2 focus on the song; questions 3–6 practise useful vocabulary.

Open the six-question quiz

1. What kind of message is repeated in the song?

An instruction to defeat another person.A warning that calm is never possible.Reassurance during trouble or uncertainty.

2. What does the repeated advice most closely encourage?

Controlling every detail of other people’s decisions.Allowing a difficult moment to be, rather than forcing everything immediately.Pretending that no difficulty has ever existed.

3. Which person shows wisdom?

Someone repeating a rumour without checking it.Someone deciding that every problem has the same simple answer.Someone using experience to make a thoughtful decision.

4. A kind message brings comfort. What does it do?

It guarantees that every problem is solved.It helps someone feel less upset or alone.It makes someone’s chair physically softer.

5. You are told to let the wet paint be. What should you do?

Leave it alone for now.Immediately remove all of it.Touch it repeatedly to see whether it changes.

6. Our weekend plans are uncertain. What does this mean?

They are not yet definite.They are exactly the same every week.They have definitely been cancelled.

1–2 minGrammar in a minuteA2–B1 · Let + object + base verb

Use let to describe allowing a person or thing to act without interference.

Let the soup cool before you taste it.

Original practice model, not a song lyric

After let and its object, use the base verb without to: let it cool. The object names the person or thing involved. This is different from allow it to cool.

Choose the standard sentence with let.Let your friend to explain the problem.Let your friend explaining the problem.Let your friend explain the problem.

Grammar support

A2–B1Verb + object: ask me to, let me, make me

04 · 10 minutes

Speaking

Give your opinion and explain it. Different reactions are welcome. You may use invented examples instead of personal experiences.

Open the three speaking questions

1. What makes a piece of music comforting?

Think about the voice, pace or repetition.

I find… comforting because…

2. When is it useful to wait rather than act immediately?

Give a small everyday example.

It is useful to wait when…

3. How can you reassure a friend without saying their problem is unimportant?

Give one short response.

I understand that… Perhaps…

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