English Lesson 16
Films and TV
Watching films, a TV programme that made an impression on you, and children and TV.
How to practise
- Listen to an answer two times. Read the text while you listen.
- Shadow it. Set the speed to 0.75×. Play it again and speak at the same time as the voice.
- Turn on practice mode. The answers are hidden. Read each question and answer it out loud.
- Make it yours. Use the same phrases, but say true things about your city, your job and your life.
- Practise with a partner. One person reads the questions. The other answers without looking.
Part 1 · Interview
Films
Short answers. About 20 to 30 seconds each. Answer, give a reason, add one detail.
Do you enjoy watching films? Why?
Yes, I really enjoy them. A good film helps me relax after a long day. For two hours, I can forget about my own life and enter a different world. I like comedies the most, because I love to laugh.
- helps me relaxmakes me calm
- after a long dayafter a tiring day
- enter a different worldimagine you are somewhere else
- I like … the mostsay your favourite
How often do you watch films?
I watch about one or two films a week, usually at the weekend. On weekdays, I'm often too tired, so I watch a short series episode instead. Once a month or so, I go to the cinema with my friends.
- about one or two … a weektalk about how often
- I'm often too tiredtoo + adjective = more than you want
- Once a month or so, …or so = about
Do people generally prefer watching films at home or at the cinema?
I think most people prefer watching at home now. It's cheaper, and you can pause the film whenever you want. But for big action films, many people still go to the cinema. The big screen and the sound make it a special experience.
- most people prefer…give the general opinion
- pause the filmstop it for a short time
- whenever you wantat any time you like
- a special experiencesomething that feels different and exciting
Would you like to be in a film? Why?
Not really. I'm quite shy, and I'd feel nervous in front of a camera. Also, actors work very long hours, and they have no private life when they become famous. But it might be fun to be in the background of one scene, just to see how films are made.
- Not really.a soft no
- I'd feel nervousnervous = worried and a bit afraid
- no private lifeno time or space away from people watching
- it might be fun to…accept a small part of the idea
Part 2 · Cue card
A TV programme that made a strong impression on you
You get 1 minute to prepare and then speak for 1 to 2 minutes. Follow the four points on the card in order.
Candidate task card
Describe a film or a TV programme which has made a strong impression on you.
You should say:
- what kind of programme it was
- when you watched it
- what it was about
- and explain why it made such an impression on you
Start
I'd like to talk about a TV programme called Planet Earth. It's a nature documentary, and it completely changed the way I see animals.
What kind of programme
It's a documentary series made by the BBC. Each episode is about one kind of place, like the oceans, the deserts or the jungles. The famous presenter David Attenborough tells the story.
When you watched it
I watched it about three years ago, during a long winter holiday. I watched one episode every evening with my father.
What it was about
It showed how animals live and survive in different parts of the world. Some scenes were amazing, like birds dancing to find a partner, and a snow leopard hunting in the mountains. The camera work was incredible.
Why it made an impression
It made a strong impression on me because it showed how beautiful our planet is, and also how fragile it is. In one episode, they explained how many animals are losing their homes because of humans. After that, I started to care much more about the environment. I even started recycling at home.
- It's a nature documentarya film about real nature, not a story
- it completely changed the way I see…describe a big effect on you
- Each episode is about…an episode = one part of a series
- survivestay alive in difficult conditions
- how fragile it isfragile = easy to break or damage
- I even started…even = something surprising
Part 3 · Discussion
Children, TV and films
Longer answers. About 30 to 45 seconds. Give your opinion, explain why, and give an example.
Do you think what children watch on TV affects their behaviour?
Yes, definitely. Children copy what they see. If they watch violent cartoons, they may become more aggressive with their friends. But good programmes can have a positive effect too. For example, some cartoons teach children to share and to be kind.
- affects their behaviourchanges the way they act
- Children copy what they seea simple, strong reason
- aggressiveangry and ready to fight
- have a positive effectchange something in a good way
Do children in your country watch too much TV these days?
I think they spend too much time on screens, but not always on TV. These days, children watch more YouTube videos on phones and tablets than TV. Some children spend four or five hours a day on screens, which isn't healthy. They should play outside more.
- spend too much time on screensuse phones, TV, etc. too much
- but not always on TVcorrect part of the question
- which isn't healthyadd your opinion
Why are animated films becoming more popular? Who watches them?
Animated films have become much better because of computer technology. They look beautiful, and the stories are often clever. That's why not only children but also adults watch them. Parents often enjoy them as much as their kids, because there are jokes for adults too.
- Animated filmsfilms made with drawings or computer images
- That's why…show the result
- not only … but also…both groups
- as much as their kidsthe same amount
Do you think there are too many foreign films on TV? Why?
I don't think there are too many. Foreign films help us learn about other cultures, and many of them are really good. But I think TV should also show more of our own films, to support local film-makers. A good mix of both is best.
- I don't think there are too manya clear opinion
- learn about other culturesunderstand how other people live
- support local film-makershelp film-makers from our country
- A good mix of both is besta balanced ending
Should the government control what we watch? Why?
I think the government should control some things, but not everything. For example, it should stop very violent content from being shown to children. But adults should be free to choose what they watch. Too much control can stop people from hearing different opinions.
- some things, but not everythinga balanced opinion
- violent contentscenes with a lot of fighting or blood
- should be free to chooseshould decide for themselves
- Too much control can…show a danger
What kind of support should the government give to artists and film-makers?
The government could give money to young film-makers who have good ideas but no budget. It could also build more cinemas and art centres in small cities. And it could organise film festivals, so artists can show their work and meet each other.
- could give money to…suggest a solution
- no budgetno money to make the film
- organise film festivalsplan events where many films are shown
- show their worklet people see what they made
Audio: Microsoft neural voices. A British voice reads the examiner's questions, and an American voice reads the model answers.