2. Answer the following questions:

1. Can you name the several ways of communicating the world to

individuals?

2. What are the purposes of using Mass media?

3. How is the Mass media defined?

4. What is the role of Mass media in forming public opinion?

5. What do you think about the last paragraph of the article?

3. Fill in the gaps:

Mass media plays an important role in our life. They are usually defined by ___________ as any of the means of communication, such as ______, _______, _________, ________, etc. that reach and influence a very large audience, at least as large as the whole ________ of a nation. The term was coined in ______ with emerging of nationwide _____________ and of ________ newspapers and magazines. I believe mass media are so influential because they can be used for various purposes: __________, for business or social concerns (advertising, marketing, public relations, and political communication), education, _______, video and computer games, journalism, public service announcements. Media include _______ and television, films, various types of discs or tapes used for music and computer, ________, publishing on paper (books, magazines, and newspapers).

4.Translate the following sentences into your native language

1. Mass media are means of communication, such as radio, television, newspapers, magazines, which create a very large audience.

2. Mass media are so influential as they are used for popularisation for business and social concerns, education, entertainment, advertisements, and so on. 3. Mass media play a crucial role in forming public opinion, because, first, they communicate the world to individuals, second, they reproduce the modern society's self-image, third, they cater for the tastes of some social group. 4. The four main news agencies provide 90 % of the total news output of the world's press, radio and television.

5. Mass media constantly force attention to certain issues, build up images of political figures and present various objects suggesting what people should think about them.

6. As some amount of the information they present is impartial and serious, they have respect and authority.

7. They create the audience which supports them financially.

5. Points for reflection.

1.Have you learnt anything new from the article?

2. Has anything surprised you?

3. What facts were the most amazing?

4. Did you like the article? Why? /Why not?

6. Express your opinion of Mass media. Use the linking words: as for me,

personally I believe, it strikes me that, for this reason, needless to say,

consequently.

Advantages and disadvantages of Mass media

1. Work in groups. Try to list all the advantages and disadvantages of

Mass media.

Mass media

Cons

Pros

2. After brainstorming your ideas, read the article below. Were your

answers the same?

Mass media consists of printed production, television, radio and Internet. One can choose from a great variety of these sources. Mass media provides us with necessary information on things and events happening worldwide 24 hours a day. And it also helps us to spend our leisure time. Its history begins with the first printed Chinese newspaper in 868 A.D. Europe saw its first book in 1453 when Johannes Guttenberg invented the printed press.

The influence of mass media is doubtless, but is it positive or negative? There are benefits as well as some drawbacks in this issue. The very first benefit is information. Nowadays the information can be useful for people. It is very important for everyone because there are lots of things happening every minute in the world which can affect our professional and private life. And it makes news accessible: just turn on the TV or look through news sites and you will be kept currently informed.

Another useful purpose is education. Many people gain knowledge from the Internet and TV programs. It is an easy and affordable way to cultivate intelligence.

And what about drawbacks? As people use to say “Too much of a good thing is good for nothing”. This suits to the mass media. One shouldn`t rely on everything the newspapers say. Misrepresentations and bare-faced lie easily take place and misinform millions of people. Mass media can also manipulate the minds of the audiences as it was done in the times of the Soviet Union.

Today we witness the influence of various sources of mass media on youth. Tons of meaning less TV- shows, glossy magazines and social networks steal youth’s time that could be spent on beneficial and healthy activities. They lose their own opinion and have nothing to say except the ideas heard from others.

In my opinion we can’t imagine our lives without mass media. It is silly to avoid it as we can use its advantages. Though we should be careful and filter all information we get. I do my best to stay informed about the latest events and I’m fond of searching in the Internet. But I don’t forget that mass media is only a part of my life and not the essential one.