Look at the following pictures and discuss with a partner the news items in the radio clip. Can you put the pictures in order that they were mentioned?

1. Look at the following words in the box below in a dictionary and write out possible definitions. Work with a partner.

Scramble (v)
Dramatic (adj.)
Hostage (n)
Maliciously (adv.)
Resits (n)
Summon (v)
Tariff (n)
Extremist (n)
OFGEM (n)
The coming year (n)
Disrupted (adj.)
Qualifications (n)
Benchmark (n)
Sleet (n)
Suspend (v)
Widespread (adj.)
Prisoner (n)
Fatal (adj.)
Shooting (n)

1. Listen to the radio clip again and complete the following passages using the vocabulary from the text box above. Check with a partner your answers.

scramble	dramatic	hostage	maliciously	GCSE resits	Summoned
tariffs	extremists	OFGEM	the coming year	disrupted	Qualifications
benchmark	sleet	suspended	widespread	prisoner	fatal shootings

 

In the past hour, it has emerged that the Foreign Office has _________________ the Russian Ambassador to explain why two long range bombers from Russia flew over the English Channel yesterday. It says civil aviation was _________________. Typhoon fighter jets were _________________ in response.

 

Discs containing information from three sensitive judge led enquiries including two

 

_________________ by police have gone missing in the post. The Ministry of Justice says a member of staff has been _________________ but at this stage there’s no evidence to suggest that the loss happened _________________.

 

Jordan says it wants proof that its pilot being held _________________ by Islamic State fighters in Syria is still alive before releasing the Jihadist _________________

 

in exchange. The deadline set by the _________________ for the Jordanian authorities to free the female bomber has passed.

 

The number of secondary schools in England deemed to be underperforming has more than doubled since last year. 330 schools didn’t reach the _________________

 

standard of two fifths of their pupils obtaining five good GCSEs, including English and maths. The measure’s been changed so that it takes into account a reduced number of

 

_________________. _________________ are no longer included.

 

The energy watchdog _________________ says that the six big power companies are expected to make nine pounds more per customer over _________________. That’s despite recent price cuts to gas _________________ and a _________________ fall in the price of crude oil. UK Energy, which represents the large companies, has called the figures ‘ inaccurate ’.

And the weather. Outbreaks of rain, _________________ and snow on the hills will move

south eastwards across Scotland and Northern England during the night. A

 

_________________ frost is likely.

A Have you ever thought the functions of mass media in modern life?

B You are going to read an article about the functions of media. Brainstor++m your idea about the functions mass media. What are they?

Functions of Mass Media

The mass media serves several general and many specific functions. In general, the mass media serves information, interpretation, instructive, bonding, and diversion functions:

• Information function. We have a need for information to satisfy curiosity, reduce uncertainty, and better understand how we fit into the world. The amount and availability of information is now overwhelming compared to forty years ago when a few television networks, local radio stations, and newspapers competed to keep us informed. The media saturation has led to increased competition to provide information, which creates the potential for news media outlets, for example, to report information prematurely, inaccurately, or partially.
• Interpretation function. Media outlets interpret messages in more or less explicit and ethical ways. Newspaper editorials have long been explicit interpretations of current events, and now cable television and radio personalities offer social, cultural, and political commentary that is full of subjective interpretations. Although some of them operate in ethical gray areas because they use formats that make them seem like traditional news programs, most are open about their motives.
• Instructive function. Some media outlets exist to cultivate knowledge by teaching instead of just relaying information. Major news networks like CNN and BBC primarily serve the information function, while cable news networks like Fox News and MSNBC serve a mixture of informational and interpretation functions. The in-depth coverage on National Public Radio and the Public Broadcasting Service, and the more dramatized but still educational content of the History Channel, the National Geographic Channel, and the Discovery Channel, serve more instructive functions.
• Bonding function. Media outlets can bring people closer together, which serves the bonding function. For example, people who share common values and interests can gather on online forums, and masses of people can be brought together while watching coverage of a tragic event like 9/11 or a deadly tornado outbreak.
• Diversion function. We all use the media to escape our day-to-day lives, to distract us from our upcoming exam, or to help us relax. When we are being distracted, amused, or relaxed, the media is performing the diversion function.

 

1. Which function of mass media (information, interpretation, instructive, bonding, or diversion) do you think is most important for you and why? Which is most important for society and why?
2. Getting integrated: Discuss media messages that have influenced or would influence you in a professional, academic, personal, and civic context.

Writing reviews

· Introduction and tips (Writing reviews)

· ANSWER THE QUESTION

· PLAN your review.

· Make sure you have at least 4 paragraphs.

· Choose an appropriate title.

· The introduction will talk about what's being reviewed.

· Use a relaxed, friendly, chatty style.

· You can use contractions such as I'm, I've etc..

· Use a new paragraph for each point you want to make.

· Give your opinion.

· In the concluding paragraph give your opinion.

 

· Useful phrases (Writing reviews)

· What I liked

· What I liked most was …..

· The thing I liked most was ….

· I was pleasantly surprised by …..

· ….. would appeal to …..

· If you get a chance to ….

 

· What I disliked

· What I disliked most was …..

· I was disappointed by ……

· I was disappointed with …..

· I was very disappointed by …..

· I was very disappointed with ….

 

· Reviews of books:

· main character

· is set in

· comedy

· science fiction

· thriller

· romance

· comedy:

· author

· written by

· chapter

· factual

· fiction

· unbelievable

· bestseller

· chapter

· ending

· Reviews of films, tv programmes, plays:

· lead role

· star role

· star

· star actor

· star actress

· starring

· secondary role

· He plays a …….

· She plays a …….

· written by ….

· is set in …..

· based on a true story …..

· believable

· true to life

· not very believable

· far-fetched

· comedy

· romance

· science fiction

· ending

 

· Reviews of hotels, restaurants, etc:

· location

· service

· setting

· attractive setting

· disappointing setting

· owned by

· run by

· head chef (restaurant)

· waiters (restaurant)

· staff …….

· staff at reception …….(hotel)

· hotel facilities ….

· reasonable prices …..

· good value for money …..

· excellent value for money …..

· expensive

· a bit expensive

· overpriced

· not worth the money

· poor value for money

· always fully booked

1. Your teacher has asked you to write a review for a book you have read recently. The best reviews will go in the school magazine. Review the book giving your opinion and saying whether or not you would recommend it.