News by Levels · Level 1 · For teachers
Teacher guide & answers
Young Violinist Wins a Music Prize
How to use these two pages
Give learners the student worksheet. It contains the story and questions, without the answers. Keep this guide for yourself. Use it to lead the activity and explain the answers afterwards.
Student worksheetA simple 15–20-minute lesson
- Before reading · 2 minutes
Show the title. Ask: “What do you think this story is about?”
- Read and answer · 8–10 minutes
Give out the student worksheet. Learners read for the main idea, then reread to answer the 3 questions. They can compare answers with a partner.
- Discuss and write · 5–8 minutes
Check the answers below together. Ask learners to point to the clue in the story, then finish with the open question.
Adjust the support: Let learners use word help or Level 1 if needed. For a challenge, compare the wording in another level. This activity is not a proficiency test.
Answers to the 3 questions
The question numbers match the student worksheet. Each answer includes a reason and the clue learners can find in the story.
Which instrument does Sofia Demetriades play?
Correct answer: C — Violin
Why: The opening paragraph calls her a violinist.
Clue in the story: Sofia Demetriades, an 18-year-old violinist, has won BBC Young Musician 2026. She played music by Tchaikovsky with an orchestra in the final.
How many musicians reached the final?
Correct answer: B — Three
Why: Sofia and two other musicians reached the final, making three.
Clue in the story: Two other young musicians also reached the final. One played the recorder and the other played the saxophone. All three finalists were young women.
When was the final recorded?
Correct answer: A — October 15
Why: The last paragraph says the final was recorded on October 15.
Clue in the story: The final was recorded in Bristol on October 15. It was shown on television and the winner was announced on November 1.
The open question: accept different answers
Ask learners: When was the final recorded, and when was the winner announced?
One possible answer: The final was recorded on October 15, and the winner was announced on November 1.
This is an example, not the only correct answer. Look for a relevant idea, a reason and the learner’s own words. Learners can answer aloud or write one or two sentences.