Дополнительное чтение 10-11 класс
учебно-методический материал по английскому языку (10 класс) на тему

TELEVISION

Read the following text.

TV BRINGS THE WORLD INTO THE HOME

Television has become the most important medium in American culture. It has changed the lifestyle of most Americans and has become rather a psychological necessity for them. TV brings the world into the home and provides comfort for those who want both knowledge and entertainment.

Most American families today own a minimum of two television sets. Because they own two or more sets many families no longer watch TV together and parents often do not know what their children are viewing.

In an average American family the time spent in front of TV sets is not less than seven hours a day. To view TV programmes consumes more time than any other activity besides sleeping. TV brings the world into the homes but it reduces communication among family members and replaces many useful activities. Much culture today comes to the youngsters from TV rather than from the family.

Learn these words:

medium - посредник, средство информации The plural of the word is "media "and it is usually used with "mass ".

mass media - средства массовой информации

lifestyle life + style - образ жизни.

necessity [ne'sesiti] - необходимость. Compare: "necessary"-необходимо

In the phrase "It has become rather a psychological necessity" the word "rather" is translated as "скорее всего"

to provide обеспечить, давать

e.g. to provide food (good rest, much knowledge)

entertainment развлечение. Compare: "entertaining" -занимательный

average- средний, обычный

e.g. an average family, the average temperature is - 6°C.

to consume- потреблять, расходовать, расточать

e.g. to consume time (money, energy)

to replace- замешать, заменять

communication  - общение, связь Compare Russian "коммуникация"

Ex. 1. Say

1. what mass media you know;
2. what TV can provide (знания, информация, развлечения, отдых, развитие интеллекта)
3. what activities consume much of your time (sports, doing homework, viewing TV, working about the house, listening to music, practising some music instrument, etc.);

Ex.2. Translate this text into English. Pay attention to the prompts in brackets.

Телевидение - одно из самых популярных средств массовой информации. Оно изменило (the Present Perfect ) образ жизни людей и стало для многих психологической необ ходимостью. Телевидение обеспечивает в доме комфорт и развлечение, но иногда сокращает общение среди членов семьи. Часто в домах, где есть несколько телевизоров, родители не знают, какие передачи смотрят их дети. Более того (moreover), люди предпочитают смотреть телепередачи другим видам деятельности. Они проводят меньше време ни на свежем воздухе (outdoors), реже посещают театры, занимаются спортом, навещают друзей.

Learn the words.

a customer - клиент

to drop = to stop doing something e. g. to drop reading (smoking)

in advance - вперёд, авансом

scientific - научный. Compare: science - наука, scientist - ученый

to arouse - побуждать, возбуждать (о чувствах, эмоциях) е. g. to arouse a quarrel - затевать ссору to arouse suspicions - возбуждать подозрение

to fail = to be unsuccessful e. g. to fail an exam (a test)

Ex. 3. Read the story and be ready to say

THE WILL-POWER

Mr. Brandon was watching a talk-show on TV when he heard a ring at his door. He was surprised to see a youngster, good-looking and well- dressed, who was standing at the door smiling at him pleasantly.

Good evening, Mr. Brandon.

Good evening! What can I do for you, eh ..?

My name is David. David Renkin. I'd like to offer you my service, Mr. Brandon.

Mr. Brandon let him in.

Well, what is it, Mr. Renkin? But be brief, please. I'm busy.

If you wish, Mr. Brandon, I can come to your place every night between 7 and 8 o'clock to turn off your TV set. You'll pay me $ 25 a week for my work.

What? To turn off my TV set? Is that what you really mean?

Yes, just to turn off your TV set.

Don't you think my wife and I can do it ourselves?!

Well, as you like, Mr. Brandon. Excuse me.

David turned to go out.

Wait, young man! Is this your job really?

No. I'm studying at the university. I do this work to earn some money to pay for my studies. I've got 32 customers already and I'm doing quite well now.

-I won't believe it! And you have a customer in our house, Mr. Renkin?

Not one, but two. You may call me David, Mr. Brandon.

All right, David. Who are they?

Dr. Hart from the first floor and Mr. Benson from the fourth. They can give you all necessary information.

About what?

About my work and if they are satisfied with it. I come to them every night, we exchange greetings, I turn off their TV sets and go away. All this takes not more than three minutes.

Can't Dr. Hart turn off his TV set himself?

No. The Harts got used to view all TV programmes every night and it consumed all their free time. Dr. Hart has dropped his scientific work. His son failed his exams at school last year. Mrs. Hart hasn't cooked supper for two years. But now everything is coming to order. And the Bensons like my service, too. But will you excuse me now, Mr. Brandon? I've got a lot of work for the night.

Just a moment, David. There's still a thing I can't understand. You turn their TV sets off and leave. Right?

That's right.

But after you leave your customers can turn on the TV sets again, can't they?

They can, but they don't do it.

Why?

They say that it's much better to be free from TV and to be able to turn to useful work. It's their will-power that isn't strong enough to turn off their TV sets by their own free will. Good-bye, Mr. Brandon.

Wait a minute, please. There's one more question I've got to ask you. You've said that you're paid $ 25 a week, haven't you?

Yes, but if they arouse a quarrel about the turning off they pay $ 50. And if they start fighting they pay me $ 100.

So if they fight with you, they have to pay $ 100?

Right. But it's only at the beginning. In two weeks the customers usually pay only $ 50 and it takes them about a month to reduce it to $ 25 only. But now I have to go, Mr. Brandon. I've got 32 customers for this night.

33!

Oh! It means you want to have my service.

You see, David. I'm working at my new novel. I hope to finish it by the end of the year, but maybe with your help... Let's begin this night. The money must be paid in advance, I suppose.

Certainly.

Here's $ 100.

First let's see if you start fighting. It's not so easy, you know, to turn off a TV set...

Ex. 4. Read these phrases aloud and translate them:

earned money for his studies, couldn't turn off their TV sets, turned to useful work, by their own free will, failed the exams, wanted to pay in advance, dropped scientific work, were satisfied with his work, started fighting, aroused a quarrel, had many customers.

Ex. 5. Say

how many customers David had;

what made Mr. Brandon agree to use David's service.

Ex. 6. Answer these questions. Pay attention to the prompts in brackets.

1. Why did David's customers use his service? (... will power ...)
2. Why didn't David's customers turn on their TV sets after he had left? (to turn to ...; had paid ...)
3. Why couldn't Dr. Hart's son pass his exams at school last year? (...consumed ...)
4. How much did David's customers have to pay him if they aroused a quarrel or started fighting?
5. What will Mr.Brandon be able to do if he uses David's service?

Ex. 7 Complete the following sentences.

David Renkin's service consisted of the following actions...

A lot of TV viewers ...

TV brought them a lot of harm (вред). For example, the Harts used his service because...

David's work wasn't an easy one... (Why?)

Mr. Brandon wanted to be one of David's customers... (Why?)

Ex. 7. Retell the story "The Will-power".

Ex. 8. Tell about some TV programmes that made you drop necessary work:

• name the types of the programmes: feature films (cartoons) sport reviews (games, competitions) entertainment programmes the news discussions;
• what time they consumed;
• what occupation you dropped because of them;

- with whom you watched them (talked about);

- what impression they made (were rather good, entertaining, exciting, useful, etc.)

Ex 9. Use the table below to make a brief report about the types of some TV programmes.

Ex. 10. Be ready to answers the questions below.

1. Do any TV programmes refer to your hobby?
2. Are there any TV programmes you like to watch with your family members?
3. Do you like to see old films on TV?
4. Are you fond of TV games?
5. Do you often watch cartoons on TV?
6. Do you watch TV news regularly?
7. Are there many TV programmes you would like to view this week?
8. Are there any TV programmes you would like to take part in?
9. Were there any TV programmes last week you discussed with your friends (teachers)?
10. Do you consider the profession of a TV presenter interesting?