PRSENTADO POR:

JOHAN SEBASTIAN VARON RUEDA

KARINA LIZCANO FALLA

Activity 5 – A REAL CHANGE

DESCRIPTION

Get in pairs and read the following text:

A PRESENT PERFECT STORY: VIRAL VIDEO HAS SAVED THE RADIO STAR

Through a globally famous story, we can see how to use the Present Perfect tense. A
homeless man who has lived on the streets of Cleveland, USA for years, has shot to fame,
after a clip of his mellifluous radio voice went viral on the internet.

Ted Williams, was filmed by a local cameraman holding a cardboard sign that read: "I'm an
ex-radio announcer who has fallen on hard times". Williams is seen in the video asking for
money in exchange for a quick blast of his “God-given voice”. Now that the video has had
millions of hits on YouTube, Williams, has become an overnight sensation.

He has spent today appearing on talk shows across America, sporting a new haircut and a
smarter appearance than on the clip that made him famous.

Since his story broke, he has received numerous job offers from big broadcasting names
including ESPN, MTV, ABC, CBS and CNN and The Cleveland Cavaliers. Williams has
been on the streets for years and has struggled with drug and alcohol addiction for years.

The story of the "homeless man with the golden pipes” has lifted the spirits of a recession-
hit nation in the week that it has returned to work after the Christmas holidays. However,
the instant hero has attracted so much attention that reporters have started digging into his
background and they have discovered that Williams has struggled with drug and alcohol
addiction for years and has pressed the self-destruct button previously in his life. Asked if
the media storm around him may cause him to relapse into addiction, he said, "I'm going to
meetings and I have called my sponsor.”

Accusations have also surfaced that Williams acted as a pimp during his years on the
streets. In response, Williams said, "Don't judge a book by its cover - everyone has their
own little story. I'm just so thankful. God has blessed me deeply. I'm getting a second
chance. Amazing." There are fears though that Williams will not be able to cope with his
new status as an instant hero.
They say that he will be a flash in the pan and his fairytale story is being used by the media
to reinforce American Dream propaganda, at a time when America is in serious economic
difficulties and the gap between the rich and poor is rapidly increasing. (Retrieved
from http://www.stgeorges.co.uk/blog/a-present-perfect-story-viral-video-has-saved-the-
radio-star)

1. Make the appropriate question for every answer.

Example:
Where has Ted lived?
Ted has lived on the streets of Cleveland.

 Who was Ted Williams Filmed by?

Ted Williams was filmed by a local cameraman.

 How many hits has the video had on YouTube?

The video has had millions of hits on YouTube.

 What offers has he received?

He has received numerous job offers.

 What addiction has Williams Struggled?

Williams has struggled with drug and alcohol addiction for years.

 How did Williams act during his years on the streets?

Williams acted as a pimp during his years on the streets.

2. Write a brief interview based on the previous reading. One of you should be the
interviewer and the other one the interviewee (Ted Williams). Your interview may:

 at least eight (8) questions with their corresponding answers.

Good afternoon to all viewers, we have the pleasure of introducing Ted Williams
today, who will ask him some questions about his life and about a viral video has
saved the radio star

1. The interviewer: Where did you live before you became famous?

Ted Williams: I used to live on the streets of Cleveland, USA

2. The interviewer: ¿How did you become famous? ¿Who were you filmed by?

Ted Williams: I was recorded by a local cameraman holding a cardboard sign that
read: "I am a former radio host who has been through hard times." Now that the
video has had millions of views on YouTube, I have become an overnight sensation.

3. The interviewer: ¿Where have you appeared lately? ¿How do you look?

Ted Williams: I appeared on talk shows all over the United States, sporting a new
haircut and a smarter appearance.

4. The interviewer: Is it true that you received millions of job offers?

Ted Williams: Yes, I received numerous job offers from big television companies
like ESPN, MTV, ABC, CBS and CNN and The Cleveland Cavaliers

5. The interviewer: How long have you been on the street and what vices have you
fought against?

Ted Williams: I have been on the streets for years and have struggled with drug and
alcohol addiction for years

6. The interviewer: What do you think about your addictions to drugs and
alcohol?

Ted Williams: "I think you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, they all have their
own little story. I am very grateful. God has blessed me deeply. I have a second
chance. Incredible.

7. The interviewer: Could you fall back on those additions?

Ted Williams: No, I really couldn't, I go to meetings that help me with this and I
also call my sponsor

8. The interviewer: You're afraid you can't cope with your new instant hero status,
what do you have to say?

Ted Williams: I think that everyone has a second chance, no more questions, thanks
for the interview, see you later