Assignments

(a) Say what the text is about in (i) one word; (ii) an extended sentence.

(b) This text can be described as (i) factual; (ii) humorous; (iii) documentary; (iiii) critical. Give your reasons.

(c) Quickly look through the list and mark the lettered phrase nearest in meaning to the word or phrase tested.

1. Essential: (i) absolutely necessary; (it) very interesting; (iii) most exciting.

2. Convenient: (i) safe; (ii) comfortable; (ii) wonderful.

3. Entertainment: (i) an exciting show, play, etc; (ii) a dull lecture; (iii) work to do.

4. Cheap: (i) low in price; (ii) high in price; (iii) free.

5. Expensive: (i) low in price; (ii) high in price; (iii) free.

6. Danger: (i) safety; (ii) excitement; (iii) risk.

7. The other day: (i) the day before yesterday; (ii) a few days ago; (iii) last night.

(d) Choose the answer that expresses most accurately what is stated in the passage. Only one answer is correct.

1. It is essential for us to try to decide whether television is good or bad because: (i) it dominates many people's lives; (ii) lots of people watch TV the whole time; (iii) TV plays an important part in the lives of many people.

2. TV is a convenient source of entertainment because: (i) there is no need to arrange for tickets, or transport; (ii) you can watch plays, shows, etc, staying at home and enjoying the comfort of your living-room; (iii) the children are with you and there is no need to find a babysitter.

3. TV is a comparatively cheap source of entertainment because: (i) you can watch TV for nothing; (ii) you pay the price of a TV set and can watch any programme you like; (iii) watching TV at home is cheaper than going to the theatre, cinema, etc.

4. The idea behind the sentence "Television is not only a convenient source of entertainment, but also a comparatively cheap one" is that: (i) TV, though convenient, is rather expensive; (ii) TV is much cheaper than other kinds of entertainment (theatre, cinema, etc) but not as convenient; (iii) TV is favourable to your comfort and at the same time not so expensive as other sources of entertainment.

5. "TV is as good or as bad as we make it" means that: (i) TV is good if it is put to good uses; (ii) TV is bad if it is put to bad uses; (iii) TV may be used for both good and bad purposes.

(e) List all the arguments for television.

(f) List all the arguments against television.

(g) Sum up what the text has to say on each of the following points.

1. The dangers of television. 2. TV as a source of information, instruction and entertainment, and how it fulfils each of these roles.

(h) State briefly what, according to the text, explains the growing popularity of TV, and express your own opinion on the subject.

(i) Describe briefly a TV programme you especially enjoy watching, and explain why you like it better than the others.

Ex 47 Read the passage carefully, without a dictionary. While reading, pay special attention to international words. Compare their meaning with the Russian words of the same root. Make a list of facts about the TV Tower in Ostankino (in note form^*).

In 1967 a new Moscow "sight" rose in Ostankino, the concrete TV Tower, one of the world's tallest structures, 539 metres high, and 50 metres in diameter at the base. At the 337 level there is an observation platform to which visitors are taken by fast lifts (travelling at eight metres a second). The platform is also the foyer for the Seventh Heaven Restaurant at the levels between 328 and 334 metres. The restaurant has three dining halls. Their floors slowly rotate one full revolution in 40 minutes or so, so that the diner sees a panorama of Moscow during the meal. The view from both observation tower and restaurant on a clear evening is wonderful.

Near the TV tower is the Television Centre, with studios, a concert hall, and offices. Its programmes, sent out from the tower, cover a radius of 120 kilometres without need for relay stations. The TV Centre is linked through Intervision and Eurovision with all countries in Europe, and through communication satellites with almost all points on the Earth's surface.

Central Television broadcasts on four channels.