Level 1 — Absolute Beginner
Sam Smith is a famous singer. Sam has some good news to share.
Sam is now engaged to Christian Cowan. Christian is a fashion designer, and they have been together for three years.
Sam also has a new album coming out. It is called 'Hazel Eyes,' named after Christian's eye color.
The new album comes out on August 21. It tells the story of their love.
- singer
- a person who sings, especially as a job
- engaged
- having agreed to get married
- fashion designer
- a person who creates clothing and style
- album
- a collection of songs released together
- eye color
- the color of a person's eyes
- story
- an account of events, real or imagined
- relationship
- a close connection between two people
- famous
- known by many people
Level 2 — Elementary
Singer Sam Smith confirmed they are engaged to fashion designer Christian Cowan, after the two had been dating for three years.
Sam shared the happy news at the same time as announcing a new album, giving fans a double surprise all at once.
The album is called 'Hazel Eyes,' a title chosen because it matches the color of Christian's eyes.
Fans will be able to hear the new album starting on August 21, and it follows the story of Sam and Christian's relationship from the beginning.
- confirmed
- stated clearly that something is true
- dating
- spending time together romantically before marriage
- announcing
- telling people about something publicly
- fans
- people who admire and support a singer or celebrity
- title
- the name given to a creative work, such as an album or book
- matches
- is the same as or corresponds to something else
- beginning
- the start of something
- surprise
- an unexpected event or piece of news
Level 3 — Intermediate
Singer Sam Smith confirmed to the New York Times that they are engaged to fashion designer Christian Cowan, their partner of three years, delivering fans a double announcement alongside news of an upcoming album.
The record, titled 'Hazel Eyes,' takes its name directly from the color of Cowan's eyes, underscoring how personal and autobiographical the project is meant to be.
Smith revealed that work on the album began the night before their very first date with Cowan, when they started writing the song 'Everlasting Love,' long before either of them knew where the relationship would lead.
Set for release on August 21, the album also includes tracks such as 'My Guy,' which Smith describes as an ode to what they call requited love, marking a departure from earlier songs inspired by heartbreak.
- autobiographical
- based on the writer or artist's own life experiences
- underscoring
- emphasizing or drawing attention to something
- revealed
- made known something that was previously secret
- ode
- a piece of writing or music that celebrates or honors something
- requited
- returned in equal measure, especially referring to love
- departure
- a change from what is usual or expected
- heartbreak
- intense emotional pain, especially from a failed relationship
- partner
- a person someone is in a committed relationship with
Level 4 — Advanced
Singer Sam Smith confirmed to the New York Times that they are engaged to fashion designer Christian Cowan, their partner of three years, unveiling the news in tandem with an upcoming album that promises to chronicle the relationship in intimate detail.
Titled 'Hazel Eyes' after the color of Cowan's eyes, the record underscores just how autobiographical the project is, positioning it as a deliberate departure from the conventions of Smith's earlier, heartbreak-driven catalog.
Smith disclosed that the earliest song on the album, 'Everlasting Love,' was written the night before their inaugural date with Cowan, long before the trajectory of the relationship could have been anticipated.
Slated for release August 21, the record also features 'My Guy,' which Smith characterizes as an ode to requited love, a thematic pivot that signals a newfound emotional stability reflected throughout the tracklist.
- in tandem
- together, at the same time as something else
- chronicle
- to record a series of events in detail over time
- conventions
- established or traditional methods or styles
- catalog
- the complete body of an artist's recorded work
- disclosed
- revealed information that was previously private
- inaugural
- marking the first in a series; the very first
- trajectory
- the path or course something follows over time
- thematic
- relating to the central subject or idea of a work