Here are some simple definitions for words that appear in the text.

Find the words they refer to and fill in the gaps.

1. _ _ _ _ (noun) a space or hole you can fit something into, or a specific period of time in which it has been arranged that something will happen

2. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ (adjective) showing much stronger emotions than are necessary or usual

3. _ _ _ _ _ _ (noun) the place or moment where something begins to exist

4. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ (adjective) invented for a book, play, film or TV programme

5. _ _ _ _ _ _ (adjective) showing life as it really is, even when it is not pleasant or attractive

6. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ (noun) a movement of the body (for example with the hands) that communicates a feeling or an instruction

7. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ (adjective) relating to people’s homes and family life

8. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ (verb) be made of (particular parts or things)

9. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ (noun) a woman who does not work outside the home and whose main job is cooking, cleaning, looking after children etc. (Often seen as a slightly old-fashioned word.)

10. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ (noun) the progression of events in a book, film or TV programme.

Decide whether the following statements are true (T) or false (F), or if the text doesn’t say (D).

1. Eastenders is Britain’s longest-running soap opera.

2. Eastenders is often praised for the way it deals with important social issues.

3. Coronation Street is set in a working-class area of an English city.

4. Four episodes of Coronation Street are broadcast every week.

5. Eastenders can be melodramatic.

6. English-language soap operas are not the only ones watched outside their countries of origin.

7. Soap operas made in Portugal are popular in Brazil.

8. There is music at the end of Eastenders.

Complete the crossword below. If all the horizontal words are correct, the three vertical words will be the name all the characters in Eastenders give to the pub in Albert Square where many of the most important events in the soap opera take place.

1. The popularity of Brazilian soap operas has apparently led to some Brazilian Portuguese words being ___________ in Portugal.

2. Lots of British people know the ___________ tune of Eastenders.

3. Each ___________ of Eastenders lasts half an hour.

4. The characters in Eastenders live in a fictional ___________ in east London.

5. Neither Eastenders nor Coronation Street is a ___________ soap opera.

6. The ___________ for Eastenders on Christmas Day 1986 was thirty million.

7. Eastenders ___________ sensitively with the issue of AIDS in the early 1990s.

8. Eastenders has been ___________ air since 1985.

9. Coronation Street has recently had slightly more ___________ than Eastenders.

10. The first radio soap operas were broadcast in the ___________.

11. The adverts in the first radio soap operas were often for soap or other domestic

___________, hence the name.

 

Lesson 77.

REALITY TV: WOULD YOU BE A SURVIVOR?

DISCUSSION

Discuss the answers to these questions.

A) Check the columns.

Which type of program ….	Reality TV	News	TV Comedy or Drama
is entertainment?
uses actors?
has a script that is written before the program?
gives important information?
is often surprising or embarrassing?
offers people money or valuable opportunities?
claims that it shows how people react in real situations?

B) Is reality television popular in your country? If so, which programs are the most popular?

2. Predict

A. Scan the reading and make predictions.

1. How many reality programs are discussed?

a. 2

b. 3

c. 4

2. Which program began in the Netherlands?

a. Survivor

b. Temptation Island

c. Big Brother

3. Which program gives away $1,000,000?

a. Survivor

b. Fear Factor

c. Big brother

B. Skim the reading to answer these questions.

4. Why did the writer choose to talk about these programs?

a. Because they are good reality TV programs.

b. Because they are popular reality programs.

c. Because they are unusual reality programs.

5. What is the writer’s purpose?

a. To describe the programs.

b. To encourage people to watch the programs.

c. To judge the programs.

3. READING

Read the article.

A GUIDE TO REALITY TV

Reality television programs are growing in popularity. There are many different types, but all of them have one thing in common – they make ordinary people famous, if only for a few days. Here is a sample of some of the most popular shows.

Big Brother

This popular program originated in the Netherlands. Many different countries have adapted the program. On Big Brother, ten people live in a house together. The housemates cannot contact the outside world. There is no TV, radio, telephone, the Internet, newspaper, or any other forms of media. The contestants have to share the housework. In addition, “Big Brother” gives them a special job or task every week. These tasks test their ability to work as a team. In most countries, the audience votes to eliminate one of the competitors each week. In the United States, however, the contestants vote, but the public doesn’t.

Fear Factor

On this program, contestants “face their fears” to win money. In order to win, they have to do many things to test their courage. For example, they often have to eat live worms and other small animals such as insects. In addition, their bodies may be covered with bees or they may be asked to get inside a box full of snakes. There are many different types of Fear Factor teams. Some of the teams consist of female competitors; other teams are made up of siblings. There have even been parent and child teams. The producers of Fear Factor say that all the stunts have been tested. Indeed, no one has been injured yet.

Survivor

One very popular reality show is Survivor. On this program, 16 people compete for $1,000,000. They must live outside and cook their own food. They often have to catch it as well. In addition, the competitors must perform different kinds of physical tests. Every week the competitors vote out one member of their group. The producers say that the competition depends on the competitors’ ability to survive in the wilderness. However, understanding politics is actually the most important skill. Successful players must be able to make agreements with other players. If they cannot do this, the other competitors will eliminate them. When only two people are left, the previously eliminated contestants vote to give one of the finalists $1,000,000.

Temptation Island

Temptation Island takes four couples to a tropical island. The couples are not married, but they have serious relationships. On the island, the couples are separated. The four women stay with 13 handsome bachelors. The four men stay with a group of beautiful single women. The single men and women are supposed to temp the members of each couple to leave their mates. If a single person can convince a man or a woman to leave his or her mate, he or she wins. Many religious organizations are upset about this show. They say that it is unmoral because it is about sex, not relationships. A television executive defends the show. He says that it helps couples learn about themselves.

6. READING COMPREHENSION

Check the Predictions