Підручник Англійська мова 8 клас - Калініна Л.В. - Генеза 2016 рік

Unit 4 In the World of Mass Media

4.2. What's on TV?

I. Now for it!

In pairs, look at the pictures of the TV programmes and say which of them you would watch regularly and why.

Example: I personally would watch the Discovery Channel as it gives ample opportunity to learn new striking facts about life on our planet.

II. Reading

Read what these teenagers think about TV in their countries and say what programmes they prefer and why.

TV Customs

When I’m off school sick, I always watch TV. It helps me to pass the time. We have the normal 5 channels that everyone has. But I like to watch BBC1, BBC2 and ITV. My morning usually starts with a magazine programme. That’s what they call a programme with lots of different sections, such as: news, home, fashion, or politics. It’s like a magazine, so they call it a magazine programme. This one is all about news and business.

Then I watch a couple of docusoaps. This kind of programme is really popular right now, and they seem to be on television constantly. They are a mix between a documentary (a factual programme that gives you lots of information) and a soap opera (a fictional series following the lives of different people). Docusoaps follow the lives of real people going about their work, in a hospital, or an airport. It gives a lot of useful information, but feels more personal and real than a boring documentary.

Johanna

In the evening I have a holiday programme, a documentary and «Eas- tenders». «Eastenders» is a soap opera that has been running for years. It’s set in London, and can be a little depressing at times, but my Mum really likes it. She won’t miss it for anything.

It’s now 9 o’clock, and time for my little sister to go to bed. After the 9 p.m. ’watershed’, as it’s called, there are more adult programmes. I’m allowed to stay up and watch them, but my sister is only 10, and Mum and Dad don’t want her to watch TV after the watershed.

American houses are simply invaded by television. People like to see ’live’ shows in their living rooms. You won’t believe it but it has become a social ritual! Most Americans set up their activities and lifestyles around TV programme schedule.

There are five major TV networks, which we usually watch CBS, WBC, Fox, the CW and ABC. Every morning my dad switches on TV and he watches an early morning news show on TV during breakfast. Then there’ll be children’s programmes, especially cartoons, which are for really young kids who are too young to go to school. All of them are educational, not like the cartoons I used to watch as a kid. Many of them like «Micky Mouse», «Pluto» and «Goofy» have carefully worked out plots and, as a rule, the innocence triumphs over the wicked world in them. All W. Disney’s cartoons preach a moral, giving a message of optimism and success.

In the afternoon, there are lots of documentaries. I think my granddad would have enjoyed them, but I find them really boring and I look forward to entertaining programmes. There will be the popular soap opera «General Hospital» which is quite tempting to teenagers. It’s a daytime serial when I come back from school to watch it. We like them because they feature teenagers in important roles, who are involved in some very adults’ problems like drugs, teenage pregnancy and romance. How can teenage viewers resist such thrillers? Besides, the TV characters are recognizable and teens would like to identify themselves with them. We see our lives not just mirrored, but exaggerated and glamorized. It provides an escape from routine of school, family life and homework.

Ukrainians are great admirers of TV. Happily, there are TV programmes to every taste and age, because we have government-run TV companies, private TV, let alone satellite or cable TV.

The choice of any TV programme I’m going to see depends on my mood. If I want to raise my spirits I try to watch a cartoon, Ukrainian cartoons about «Kozaks’ Adventures» or «There Lived an Old Dog» have become many teenagers’ favourites, because in them we can find resemblance between the animal and the human world. They end happily, the characters are good-humoured and cruelty, violence and tragedy are excluded. It gives those who watch them something easy and undemanding. My little sister can watch them for hours on end. I often warn her, ’You’ll become a real coach potato if you don’t watch out’.

Rob

Sometimes it helps, but unfortunately not very often.

There are also interesting cooking programmes conducted by Boris Burda or Dasha Malakhova.

I love them because they teach to cook something delicious. I tried some of the recipes I had borrowed from them and my mum said it was a good try. While cooking, TV conductors give a lot of interesting information about the countries the dishes came from, the people who first cooked them, and the peculiarities of the dishes in ofter countries. Isn’t it amazing?! You can get not only cookery skills but broaden your outlook.

Natalia

Across Cultures: Great Britain/The USA

BBC1 - the oldest government controlled channel, providing entertainment, news and current affairs programmes for every age group.

BBC2 - A sister channel to BBC1, traditionally serving an older age group. This is where most of the documentaries and more informative programmes are shown.

ITV - Independent Television; an independent channel, which tries to cater for the whole family.

«Eastenders» - a popular British television soap opera set in East End of London in the imaginary Albert Square.

Watershed - at 9 p.m. After this time, viewing is not recommended for children.

CBS - Columbia Broadcasting System - one of the television network. NBC - National Broadcasting Company.

ABC - American Broadcasting Corporation - one of the main national networks in the USA.

Fox - American Broodcasting Company.

III. Language Track

1. In the text, find 10 words in which ’w’ or ’wh’ is read as /w/ and reproduce them in context. Practise saying them in the sentences of your own.

Example: /w/ - watershed My sister is only 10, and Mum and Dad don’t want her to watch TV after the watershed. I’m allowed to stay up and watch more adult programmes after 9pm.

1. Study the difference in meaning. In the text «TV Customs», find the sentences with these words and interpret their meanings. Make up your own sentences by analogy.

2. Choose the right words and complete the sentences.

1. British housewives enjoy … programmes.

2. Martha is my kindred … .

3. My brother is in the best of … these days - he got a promotion in his office.

4. Our teacher of English has contributed an article to the Modern Teacher … .

5. His … were so low that he refused to answer his phone.

6. My family has subscribed to «Correspondent». It’s a … magazine.

3. Read the sentences and correct the ideas according to the text «TVCustoms», p. 113.

1. British people set up their activities and lifestyles around TV programme schedule.

2. «Neighbours» is a popular American soup opera.

3. American teenagers enjoy magazine programmes.

4. Ukrainian teenagers like to watch cartoons and soap operas.

5. British teens like to identify themselves with TV characters.

6. «General Hospital» is a popular comedy show in the USA.

7. «Eastenders» is one of the British talk shows.

8. Teenagers of all countries don’t spend much time at the TV screen.

4. In pairs, read what different people say about TV and decide which of them relates to the content of the text above. Say whose opinion you share and why.

1. In the text «TV Customs», find the sentences with some of these phrasal verbs and collocations and translate them into Ukrainian.

Complete the instructions:

✵ If you want to translate a collocation or a phrasal verb, don’t translate directly from … .

✵ Check … dictionary.

2. Match the phrasal verbs and collocations to their definitions.

3. Illustrate the proverb «A watched pot never boils» with your own context.

IV. Communication Track

1. Speaking

a) Look through the part of a Ukrainian TV Guide and characterize different kinds of programmes you would like to see.

b) In pairs, discuss your plans for televiewing on Sunday. Use the pattern below. Pattern:

A: I say, …, what is on TV on Sunday?

B: A … programme, and some documentary about …

A: Really. As I’m interested in … . I’d like to see that.

B: That’s documentary is on for … . How about watching … on … ?

A: I know you can’t resist … .

B: True, true. Such … broaden my outlook and … . And will you … ? I know you are so found of …

A: That’s right. I never miss a chance of … . Can you tell me the time?

B: If I’m not mistaken …

A: And after it there will be … and … .

B: Well, well, I’m not going …

A: It’s harmful for eyes.

B: But … and … .

c) In groups, look at the pictures of the TV programmes which are going to be on soon and try to predict what they may be about. Which of them would you like to see? Why?

«When the Stars Come Out»

«Flying Up»

«Challenge Yourself»

«Follow Me»

2. Listening

a) Before you listen

You are going to listen to the descriptions of the TV programmes in the pictures below. Make up a list of 3-5 ideas about the formats of the programmes.

b) While you listen

Listen to the descriptions and say to what pictures they refer. Give grounds for your choice and say what you think of these programmes.

c) After you listen

Say what advice you would give to a foreign visitor to Ukraine about TV channels and TV programmes.

3. Writing

a) Before you write

✵ Brainstorm with your friends what information should be included in a synopsis (summary) for television which can be published in a TV guide.

✵ Make a list of words/phrases you’ll use to formulate it.

b) While you write

If you want to draw other TV viewers’ attention to your favourite TV programme, write a synopsis for television. Follow the format of the synopsis below.

How to write a synopsis for television

At Home: In your WB, write a synopsis for your favourite series on Ukrainian television.