The man who could play piano after a head injury

ESL Lessons: True Stories

A printable worksheet for story-based English conversation classes.

Difficulty: Intermediate B1

PDF: The man who could play piano after a head injury

Warm-up

Can you play a musical instrument? (Yes, I can play...)

Vocabulary Match

professionally •• jumping into water
syndrome •• past thoughts
injury •• health problem
memory •• special illness
diving •• hurt body
condition •• as a job

Vocabulary Answers

professionallyas a job
syndromespecial illness
injuryhurt body
memorypast thoughts
divingjumping into water
conditionhealth problem

True Story

Listen and fill in the blanks with words from above.

In 2006, Derek Amato had a bad accident while ________ into a swimming pool. He hit his head hard and lost some of his ________. But something strange happened too. A few days later, Derek sat at a piano and found he could play beautiful music, even though he had never learned before. He said he could see black and white shapes in his mind that showed him where to put his fingers.

Doctors said he had a rare ________ called Acquired Savant ________. It happens when a brain ________ unlocks a hidden talent. Derek's life changed completely, and he now writes and plays music ________.

In 2006, Derek Amato had a bad accident while diving into a swimming pool. He hit his head hard and lost some of his memory. But something strange happened too. A few days later, Derek sat at a piano and found he could play beautiful music, even though he had never learned before. He said he could see black and white shapes in his mind that showed him where to put his fingers.

Doctors said he had a rare condition called Acquired Savant syndrome. It happens when a brain injury unlocks a hidden talent. Derek's life changed completely, and he now writes and plays music professionally.

Quiz

  1. What happened to Derek Amato in 2006?
  2. What did Derek discover he could do after his accident?
  3. What did Derek see in his mind that helped him play the piano?
  4. What is the name of the condition that Derek has?

Quiz Answers (examples)

  1. He had a bad accident while diving into a swimming pool.
  2. He discovered he could play beautiful music on the piano.
  3. He saw black and white shapes in his mind.
  4. It is called Acquired Savant Syndrome.

True or False

  1. Derek hit his hand hard. T F
  2. Derek could play music before his accident. T F
  3. Derek now writes and plays music professionally. T F

True or False Answers

  1. False
  2. False
  3. True

Conversation

A:Derek, how did you learn to play the piano so well?
B:Honestly, I have no idea! It just happened after my accident.
A:Wow, that's amazing! Do you see music in your mind?
B:Yes, I see black and white shapes that guide me.
A:That sounds like a superpower!
B:It sure feels like one sometimes!

Discussion

  1. Do you know anyone with a surprising talent?
  2. What instrument would you like to play if you could?
  3. Would you like to be a professional musician? Why or why not?
  4. What skill would you like to learn?

Further Reading

https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/derek-amato-acquired-savant-syndrome-piano/

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