Unit 1

The World of Television

Analyze some phrases taken from commercials and based on them fill out the
sentences below with the most appropriate option.
“Want to keep your house spotless? This thick bleach is the end of your problems.”
“This new revolutionary product means the end of dirty work.”
“You’ll feel fresher and cleaner with this soft toilet paper.”
“Our language school is the best in town. Come and see our brand-new branch”
“Try our new range of home-made meals and make your life much easier.”

A common feature in the language used in advertisements is the use of _________________

(adjectives/phrasal verbs) to describe products and feelings. They can be used in their simple form or in
their superlative and __________________ (comparative/adverbial) forms.

Adjectives are usually placed ________________ (before/after) a noun and __________________

(before/after) a verb.

Unscramble the words below in order to make full sentences.

works / cable / newscaster / new / That / for / station / small / a
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
white / bought / and / set / television / black /I / a / second-hand
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
a / funny / destination / show / prize / in / is / and /quiz / a / warm/ The / that / trip / cozy / to
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
that / simply / handsome / I / soap / love / talented / actor
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
witty / of / ad /because / I / expensive / its / bought / that / product
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
spent / dollars / show / Millions / tacky /were / on /of / that / silly
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
a / seventy-two / on / is / lady / There / TV / eastern / year / a / series / about / old / European
/ brand-new
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
human / a / I / on /American / Last / saw / documentary / cloning / interesting / night / very
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________

1 UNIT1 - The World of Television

 Read the text below and choose the most appropriate option to answer the
questions.

Television has great influence on people’s lives. It is one of the most addictive time killers of our
days. To what extent can television be harmful? Studies show that children who spend more than
4 hours a day in front of the small screen have more difficulty in concentrating than the ones who
does not spend much time watching TV. What’s more, too much television can influence kids’
behavior. Children can get addicted to TV without realizing it, so if your child’s best friend is the
telly watch out!! Try to make your kids do some outdoors activities and don’t let them spend long
hours in front of the television. Don’t be drastic, though. If well monitored children will naturally
spend less time watching TV. Parents have great influence on their children habits, so try to
discourage them from being couch potatoes, by showing them some pleasant options such as
swimming, playing soccer, reading. Under no circumstances should parents threat or punish
their kids because they watch TV. It is important to bear in mind that television is only harmful if it
becomes an addiction, otherwise it is a good pastime.

According to the text it is correct to say that:

television is always harmful
television can be harmful
parents should not let their kids watch television on their own
television is not addictive whatsoever

What is the best definition for time killer?

pastime
bad habit
addictive activity
watch TV

According to the text which statement is true?

Children should give up watching television and start doing outdoors activities instead.
Parents should be lenient when monitoring their kids TV viewing.
Watching TV is a good pastime, so children should watch it as much as they want.
Children have more chances of getting addicted to television if the TV screen is small.

What’s the best definition for coach potato?

someone who spends a lot of time at home eating and watching TV.
someone who eats lots of potatoes.
someone who is addicted to television.
someone who enjoys swimming, playing soccer and reading.

Look at the sentences below and choose the most appropriate word to
complete the sentences.
It is not possible to make out what that actor says. He speaks too slowly/slow/quick/quickly
The audience was amazing/amazed/amazingly/amaze by the magician performance.
The plot is too complicated/complicating/complicate/complicates for children to understand.
She is a multi talent/talented/competent/competence actress.
The soprano sang beautiful/beautifully/awful/awfully. Her voice is very tender and her performance was
wonderful.
The main character in the soap opera faced a nerve-racking/nerve-racked/never-racks/nerving-racking
situation.

2 UNIT1 - The World of Television

Match the words with the correct definition.
Television show where there are cameras filming contestants 24 hours a day.
Humorous use of words that have two meanings or of different words that sound the same.
Part of a newspaper of magazine where readers write asking for advice about their personal life
Column of a newspaper or magazine that has informal writing about social events and famous people
private lives.
Films or TV shows that contain scenes unsuitable for young children.
A public notice telling people about a product, job or service.
Comedy program based on a set of characters in a particular situation.
Person who introduces and talks to guests on a television or radio show.

( ) P.G. ( ) reality show ( ) advertisement ( ) gossip column

( ) talk show host ( ) sitcom ( ) pun ( ) agony column

Fill out each gap with one of the words below.

plot a crush on episode ring a bell over the moon head over heels

Last night ______________________ was about a Tommy and Phoebe, a couple who had just moved on
to a new flat in New York City. They were completely ______________________, because it was their
dream home. As soon as they got into the building they saw someone who looked familiar to Tommy. It
was a television presenter he has always had ______________________. He was very excited, but Phoebe
had no idea whatsoever who she was. Tommy said she was a minor celebrity and her name was Alison
Roberts. Phoebe said that name did not ______________________and she felt quite jealous, because she
was ______________________ in love with Tommy. I know the ______________________ sounds silly, but
I cannot wait to see the last part of it and see how the story is going to end.

In each group choose the word in which the /h/ sound can be silent.

helicopter honor hippo hiccups

heir hand hoop homophone

enhance hunch hour harbor

honest hilarious hunk harvest

thorough Thai Thursday thought

hood hijack herb holy

honorary humanity hallow hollow

thorn threat through thyme

3 UNIT1 - The World of Television

Look at the sentences below and choose the most appropriate alternative to
fill out the gaps.

If you are ________________take part in our poem contest.

a talented young writer
a young talented writer
a writer intelligent and talented
a writer talented and intelligent

It was ________________ they used in the advertisement.

a pun witty very
a very pun witty
a pun very witty
a very witty pun

It is necessary ______________________if you want to take part in that new reality show.
to fill a very form detailed out
to fill out a very detailed form
to fill out a detailed form out
to fill out a very form detailed

Have you seen that __________________?

new detective series
detective new series
new series detective
detective series new

I ___________________ that actress is going to be nominated for the prize.

hear from the grapevine
heard from the grapevine
hear through the grapevine
heard through the grapevine

4 UNIT1 - The World of Television