Unit 3 Mass Media Text l . Mass Media

Mass media, or the press, the radio and television play an important role in the life of society. They inform, educate and entertain people. They also influence the way people look at the events and sometimes make them change their opinions.

Millions of people watch TV and read newspapers and magazines in their free time. People listen to the radio while driving a car. On the radio we can hear music, plays, news and different discussions of current events. Lots of radio or TV games and films attract large audience.

Newspapers give more detailed reviews of political life, culture and sports. There is a lot of advertising in mass media. Many TV channels, radio stations and newspapers are owned by different corporations. The owners can advertise what they choose.

Mass media also tries to raise the cultural level of people and develop their tastes. Mass media bring to millions of homes not only entertainment and news but also cultural and educational programs.

There are a lot of TV channels, cable TV, satellite TV and many radio stations and newspapers now.

Exercise 1. Find in text 1 the English for: средства массовой информации; играть важную роль; воспитывать; развлекать; влиять; менять мнение; новости, текущие события; привлекать аудиторию; подробный обзор; реклама; владеть; собственники; рекламировать; поднять уровень; развивать вкус; кабельное ТВ.

Exercise 2. Answer the questions.

1. What is mass media?

2. What role do mass media play in the life of society?

3. What can we hear on the radio?

4. What do newspapers publish?

5. Who owns mass media?

6. How do mass media raise the cultural level of people?

Exercise 3. Find in text 1 the sentences with the Present Simple. Ask General questions and make them negative.

Text 2.Television

Television, or TV, is one of the most important means of communication. It brings pictures and sound from around the world into millions of homes.

Some TV stations are commercial and sell advertising time to pay for operating costs and to make profit. Others are public stations, which are non-profit organizations.

Commercial TV stations broadcast mostly entertainment programs because they must attract more people for to sell advertising time at high prices. These programs include situation comedies, action-packed dramas about detectives, police, doctors and lawyers, soap operas, dancing and singing shows, movies, cartoons. Commercial TV broadcasts also documentaries and talk shows. Documentaries can be programs about travelling, people and animals in faraway countries, problems of alcoholism, drug abuse, racial prejudice. On talk shows a host interviews politicians, movie and TV stars, famous sportsmen and writers. Commercial TV also translates sport programs, local, national and international news. Commercial advertising appears between and during most programs. They urge viewers to buy different products and services.

Public television focuses mainly on education and culture. They are programs on different topics: from physics and literature to cooking and yoga. Public TV also broadcasts plays, ballets,

symphonies, programs about art and history. Public television attracts less viewers than commercial TV.

Exercise 1. Find in text 2 the English for: средство общения; продавать рекламное время; текущие расходы; извлекать прибыль; общественные станции; некоммерческие организации; транслировать развлекательные программы; высокие цены; мыльная опера; танцевальные шоу; наркомания; расовые предрассудки; местные новости; коммерческая реклама; убеждать зрителей; общественное телевидение; привлекать зрителей.

Exercise 2. Compose questions and answer them.

1. TV / is / the most important I why / means of communication?

2. Commercial TV stations I advertising time I why I sell I do /?

3. Broadcast I what programmes / do / mostly / commercial TV stations/?

4. Documentaries I what I are/?

5. Commercial advertising I does I appear I when/?

6. On public television I are I programmes I what/?

7. Is / a talk show / what/?

Exercise 3. Divide TV programmes into 2 groups:

1. Commercial TV programmes

2. Public TV programmes.

Exercise 4. True, false or half-true. Give your arguments.

1. Commercial TV translates mostly entertainment programmes because they have little money for serious programmes.

2. All public stations sell advertising time.

3. Talk shows and documentaries are translated only by public TV.

4. Documentaries are programmes about pop-singers, dancers, faraway countries and social problems.

5. Public television focuses only on politics.

6. Public TV has no advertising at all.

Exercise 5. Say what you like and what you dislike to watch on TV. Organise a discussion in group. Use the initial phrases: What do you think about...?, Do you like ...?, What do you prefer...?, What do you say to...? And the responses: As for me..., In my opinion..., I think..., etc.