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Файл:Английский язык устная речь. Практикум
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Radio 1 began in 1967. Devoted almost entirely to pop
music, its birth was a signal that popular youth culture could
no longer be ignored by the country’s established institutions.
Radio 2 also broadcasts popular music but less contemporary
than that on Radio 1. At the time of writing it is the Britain’s
most popular radio station. Radio 3 is devoted to classical
music. Radio 4 broadcasts a variety of programmes, from plays
and comedy shows to consumer advice programmes and indepth news coverage. It has a small but dedicated following.
Radio 5 is largely given over to sports coverage and news.
Because of all the sport, it is sometimes referred to as ‘Radio
Bloke’. (‘Bloke’ is an informal word for a man which emphasizes
male interests).
Just as the British Parliament has the reputation for being
‘the mother of parliaments’, so the BBC might be said to be
‘the mother of information services’. Its reputation for
impartiality and objectivity in news reporting is, at least when
compared to news broadcasting in many other counties, largely
justified. In fact, the BBC is rather proud of the fact that it
gets complaints from both sides of the political divide, because
this testifies not only to its impartiality bur also to its
independence.
Interestingly, though, this independence is as much the result
of habit and common agreement as it is the result of its legal
status. It is true that it depends neither on advertising nor
(directly) on the government for its income. It gets this from
the licence fee which everybody who uses a television set has to
pay. However, the government decides how much this fee is
going to be, appoints its board of governors and its directorgeneral, has the right to veto any BBC programme before it has
been transmitted and even has the right to take away the BBC’s
licence to broadcast. In theory, therefore, it would be easy for
a government to influence what the BBC does.
Never theless, the BBC has established its effective
independence and its reputation for impartiality. It has always
been identified with the princi ples of democracy and free
speech. In this way the BBC’s fame became international. Today,
the World Service still broadcasts around the globe, in English
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and several other languages. The strength of the BBC external
services has been the provision of relatively objective and
impartial news and comment tolisteners in countries where
local censorship exists. The BBC also runs ten national radio
stations inside Britain and several local ones (BBC Radio).
British Television
TV channels in general are also independent of government
interference. There have been occasions when the government
has successfully persuaded the BBC not to show something.
But there have also been many occasions when the BBC has
refused to bow to government pressure.
There is no advertising on the BBC. But Independent
Television (ITV), which started in 1954, gets its money from
advertisements. ITV is a network of commercial companies,
each of which is responsible for programming in different
parts of the country on the single channel given to it. When
commercial television began, it was feared that advertisers
would have too much control over programming and that
the new channel would exhibit all the worst features of tabloid
journalism. Over the years, however, these fears have proved to
be unfounded. Although commercial TV has recently adopted
the habit of allowing programmes to be ‘sponsored’ by other
commercial companies, as a form of advertising for them, these
advertisers do not have the influence over programming.
The same fears that had been expressed about the quality
of television when ITV started are now heard with regard to
satellite and cable television. To some extent, these fears may
be more justified, as the companies that run channels in this
way are in exactly the same position as those which own
the major newspapers (and in some cases actually are the same
companies). In any case, new technology has meant that, instead
of just the few channels they had been used to, British
households now have access to a vast number of channels.
Although the advent of ITV did not affect television
coverage of news and current affairs, it did cause a change in
the style and content of other programmes shown on television.
The amount of money that a television company can charge
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an advertiser depends on the expected number of viewers at
the time when the advertisement is to be shown. Therefore,
there was pressure on ITV from the start to make its programmes
popular. In its early years, ITV captured nearly three-quarters
of the BBC’s audience. The BBC then responded by making
its own programming equally accessible.
Ever since then, there has been little significant difference
in the programming of the BBC and the main commercial
television channels. All show a wide variety of programmes,
includin g n e w s, d o c u men t a r ies , drama, f ilms, light
entertainment, comedies, and sports. They are in constant
competition with each other to get the largest audience (this
is known as the ratings war). But this competition does not
mean that they each try to show a more popular type
of programme than the other. Rather it means that each tries
to do the same type of programme ‘better’.
Of pa r ti c u la r impor t a n ce in the rating s war are
the performances of the channels’ various soap operas. These
are also of interest because of what they can show about British
attitudes and taste. It became obvious in the 1960s that
the popularity of soap operas and light entertainment shows
meant that there was less room for programmes which lived
up to the original educational aims of television. This was
the main impetus for the founding of two other big channels
(BBC 2 and Channel 4), which acted as the main promoters
of learning and ‘culture’. To some extent they still do this.
Mass Television programming is now more than half
a century old. This means that TV channels have large and
ever-expanding larger archives at their disposal. As a result,
they can show numerous programmes based on lists: the top
100 comedy shows, the 20 favourite soaps, the 100 best ever
music videos, and so on. However, many people find these
programmes either tedious or irritating.
Perhaps worries about the ‘dumbing down’ of British
television are unfounded. In 2002, for instance, the highest
paid performer on British TV was not an actor or actress, not
a sports presenter or game-show host, not even a newsreader.
It was a history professor called David Starkey! (In that year,
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Channel 4 arranged to pay him ,2 million for a series of 25
programmes on British monarchs.)
Although British hous eholds can now receive tens
of channels, there are still five main channels. They are: BBC 1
(founded 1936), ITV (1954), BBC 2 (1964), Channel 4 (1982), Five
(launched as ‘Channel 5’ in 1997). They are ‘big’ because
everybody with a TV has access to them and they have been
broadcasting for the longest, so that people are used to them.
Task 1. Explain and translate the following words and expressions
from the text:
1) to broadcast 12) to be independent
2) to be affected by of government interference
3) a small but dedicated 13) to adopt the habit of
following 14) to have access to a vast
4) to refer to number of channels
5) a bloke 15) an advent
6) impartiality 16) coverage of news
7) to testify 17) to charge money
8) licence fee 18) the ratings war
9) to appoint the board 19) a soap opera
of governors 20) there was less room for
10) to veto 21) dumbing down
11) to transmit
Task 2. Answer the questions.
1) When was the BBC established?
2) What removed the BBC’s broadcasting monopoly?
3) What can people listen to on BBC radio?
4) The dominant force in British Broadcasting is the BBC.
What enabled it to achieve its position, and how does it maintain
this? Can you describe some of the characteristics which give
the BBC its special position in Britain and in the rest of the
world?
5) Speak about BBC external services (especially the BBC
world service).
6) Name the main TV channels. How are they financed?
7) Why is British television considered to be the best in
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the world?
8) How is radio and television controlled in Great Britain
and in your country?
9) What programmes/shows/films are popular in Great
Britain? Does this tell you anything about the British? What
are the most popular television programmes in your country?
What does this reveal, if anything, about your nation?
Task 3. Find Internet sites of BBC and other channels mentioned in
the text. Characterise them. What can be seen and listened to on
these channels?
Task 4. Divide into small groups and discuss the following questions:
1) What role does television play in people’s life today? Do
you often watch TV? What kind of programs of films do you
prefer?
2) Is television useful for children? Are there special TV
channels for children? What is your attitude towards TV
programs for children?
3) What do you think about advertising on TV?
4) Should censorshi p exist on TV?
Task 5. Be ready to speak on the topic ‘British Radio and Television’.
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS
Introduction
Environment containsalloftheexternal factors affecting
an organism. These factors may be other living organisms (biotic
factors) or nonliving variables (abiotic factors), such as
temperature, rainfall, day length, wind, and ocean currents. The
interactions of organisms with biotic and abiotic factors form
an ecosystem. Even minute changes in any one factor in an
ecosystem can influence whether or not a particular plant or
animal species will be successful in its environment.
The science of ecology attempts to explain why plants and
animals live where they do and why their populations are
the sizes they are. Understanding the distribution and
population size of organisms helps scientists evaluate the health
of the environment.
Theproblemsfacingthe environment are vast and diverse.
Global w arming, th e depletion of the ozone layer in
the atmosphere, and destruction of the world’s rain forests are
just some of the problems that many scientists believe will
reach critical proportions in the coming decades. All of these
problems will be directly affected by the size of the human
population.
Human population growth is at the root of virtually all
of the world’s environmental problems. The world’s population
Section 2
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
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increases by about 77 million human beings each year. As
the number of people increases, crowding generates pollution,
destroys more habitats, and uses up additional natural resources.
Factors Threatening the Environment
Global Warming
Like the glass panes in a greenhouse, certain gases in
the Earth’s atmosphere permit the Sun’s radiation to heat Earth.
At the same time, these gases retard the escape into space of the
infrared energy radiated back out by Earth. This process is
referred to as the greenhouse effect. These gases, primarily
carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and water vapor, insulate
Earth’s surface, helping to maintain warm temperatures.
If the concentration of these gases rises, they trap more heat
within the atmosphere, causing worldwide temperatures to rise.
Within the last century, the amount of carbon dioxide in
the atmosphere has increased dramatically. Average global
temperature also has increased. The consequences of such
a modest increase in temperature may be devastating. Already
scientists have detected a 40 percent reduction in the average
thickness of Arctic ice. Other problems that may develop include
a rise in sea levels that will completely inundate a number of lowlying island nations and flood many coastal cities.
Depletion of the Ozone Layer
Ozone is a gas that blocks harmful ultraviolet sunlight.
Industrial chemicals released into the atmosphere have caused
ozone to break down, opening holes in the ozone layer that
tend to concentrate at the poles.
The consequences ofcontinued depletion of the ozone layer
would be dramatic. Increased ultraviolet radiation would lead
to a growing number of skin cancers and cataracts and also
reduce the ability of immune systems to respond to infection.
Additionally, growth of the world’s oceanic plankton, the base
of most marine food chains, would decline. Plankton contains
photosynthetic organisms that break down carbon dioxide.
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If plankton populations decline, it may lead to increased carbon
dioxide levels in the atmosphere and thus to global warming.
Recent studies suggest that global warming, in turn, may
increase the amount of ozone destroyed.
Habitat Destruction and Species Extinction
Plant and animal species are dying out at an unprecedented
rate. The leading cause of extinction is habitat destruction,
particularly of the world’s richest ecosystems—tropical rain
forests and coral reefs. If the world’s rain forests continue to
be cut down at the current rate, they may completely disappear
by the year 2030.
Air Pollution
Asignificantportion of industry and transportation burns
gasoline. When it burns, chemicals and particulate matter are
released into the atmosph ere. Although a vast number
of substances contribute to air pollution, the most common air
pollutants contain carbon, sulfur, and nitrogen. These chemicals
interact with one another and with ultraviolet radiation in
sunlight in dangerous ways.
Smog can usually be found in urban areas with large
numbers of automobiles. Smog can cause serious health
problems.
Air pollution may cause acid rain. Acid rain has made
numerous lakes so acidic that they no longer support fish
populations. Acid rain is also responsible for the decline of many
forest ecosystems worldwide.
Water Pollution
Withalmost80percent of the planet covered by oceans,
people have long acted as if those bodies of water could serve
as a limitless dumping ground for wastes. However, raw sewage,
garbage, and oil spills have begun to overwhelm the diluting
capabilities of the oceans, and most coastal waters are now
polluted, threatening marine wildlife. Beaches around the world
close regularly, often because the surrounding waters contain
high levels of bacteria from sewage disposal.
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Efforts to Protect the Environment
Most scientists agr ee that if pol lution and other
environmental deterrents continue at their present rates,
the result will be irreversible damage to the ecological cycles
and balances in nature upon which all life depends. Scientists
warn that fundamental, and perhaps drastic, changes in human
behavior will be required to avert an ecological crisis.
To safeguard the healthful environment that is essential
to life, humans must learn that Earth does not have infinite
resources. Earth’s limited resources must be conserved and,
where possible, reused. Furthermore, humans must devise new
strategies that mesh environmental progress with economic
growth. The future growth of developing nations depends upon
the development of sustainable conservation methods that
protect the environment while also meeting the basic needs
of citizens.
Many nations have acted to control or reduce environmental
problems. For example, Great Britain has largely succeeded in
cleaning up the waters of the Thames and other rivers, and
London no longer suffers the heavy smogs caused by industrial
pollutants. Japan has some of the world’s strictest standards
for the control of water an d air pollution. In Canada ,
the Department of Commerce has developed comprehensive
programs covering environmental contaminants.
In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) was established in 1970 to protect the nation’s natural
resources. In addition, the U.S. Congress has provided
governmental agencies with legislation designed to protect
the environment. Many U.S. states have also established
environmental protection agencies. Citizen groups, such as
the Sierra Club and the National Audubon Society, educate
the public, support environment-friendly legislation, and help
assure that federal and state laws are enforced by pointing out
violations.
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Task 1. Explain the words and expressions from the text:
1) interaction 9) habitat destruction
2) evaluate 10) species extinction
1) to threaten 11) air/water pollution
2) global warming 12) acid rain
3) retard 13) raw sewage
4) greenhouse effect 14) oil spills
5) insulate 15) diluting capabilities
6) devastating 16) environmental deterrent
7) inundate 17) to avert an ecological crisis
8) depletion of the ozone
layer
Task 2. Pronounce these words correctly:
1) carbon dioxide 5) ultraviolet
2) methane 6) oceanic plankton
3) nitrous oxide 7) gasoline
4) depletion of the ozone 8) nitrogen
layer
Task 3. Answer the following questions. Give the definitions of the
words: environment, ecosystem, ecology, habitat. Name the main
environmental problems.
1) What is the main source of all environmental problems?
What can be done to solve it?
2) W hat i s the essen ce of gr eenhouse effe ct? What
consequences may global warming have?
3) What does depletion of the ozone layer lead to?
4) Why do scientists speak about habitat destruction?
5) What are the sources of air and water pollution?
6) How do people protect the environment?
Task 4. Translate the part about global warming.
Task 5. Read the text and complete it using the words.
Tropical, vital, habitats, rainforests, atmosphere, extinct,
recycled, protest
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