ADVANCED 2 – BRITANICO GOLD – READING TASK – AUG 2022

You are going to read an article about entertainment. For questions 31 - 35, choose the answer (A, B, C
or D) which you think fits best according to the text.

31. What impact has technology had

The changing face of entertainment on the movie business,
according to paragraph 1?
Entertainment has completely changed in the last few decades. When A. Small independent film-makers
internet streaming became more popular there was a prediction that this are struggling to find an
would boost audience numbers for small independent films and niche audience.
media products, and to a certain extent this has happened. However, the B. Only large or small-scale
mid-market seems to have all but vanished in today’s modern media productions now thrive.
environment. While people have more choice in niche viewing, C. Audiences aren’t enjoying
blockbusters are also flourishing at the expense of ’average’ budget blockbuster films like they used
productions that are just ’quite popular’. to.
D. Fewer young people are
The optimistic idea that film-making opportunities would grow has proved attracted to the industry.
to be true. Take Joe Swanberg, who makes films about the romantic lives
of young people. He shoots on his digital camera and keeps costs down.
His films are produced digitally and are hardly ever distributed in cinemas. 32. In paragraph 2 we learn that Joe
But this small-scale approach to his films helps him make a living from Swanberg’s films are …
what he loves. So, technology has helped him achieve a dream. But why A. usually low-budget costume
do blockbusters still have a stranglehold on the market? There are several dramas.
reasons for this. Firstly, the technology Joe uses is also used by B. rarely seen in cinemas.
distributors of large films. This means that a large film can be found C. often bought on DVD.
everywhere: in the cinema, on BluRay or on DVD. D. made for young people in the
city.
Another reason is perhaps more timeless, and that’s the desire to have
things in common with the people around you, and big budget media can 33. According to paragraph 3, the
supply this. It’s for this reason that things like The X Factor and Twilight success of blockbusters is
maintain their popularity. People have heard of them and know they will because people …
be able to discuss them with their friends. A prefer to see famous actors in
films.
Blockbusters also benefit from choice. Say you look online to find B like watching and talking about
something to watch. When there is so much to choose from, it can be reality shows.
simpler to select something everyone is talking about. C are reluctant to take a risk on
something new.
But is this change a good or bad thing? While many viewers may enjoy D want to share the experience
having more options, media companies might not necessarily find it easier with others.
to provide them. With so much choice, it’s up to the companies to try and
make an impact with their product. And now, rather than battling with 4 or 34. Paragraph 4 indicates that media
5 new releases, they are competing with hundreds. This can make media companies are becoming …
companies more conservative; why take a gamble on an edgy political A confused about what the viewer
drama when you can have a surefire superhero hit? These programmes wants.
also need to be successful quickly. Every year programmes are cancelled B less adventurous.
after their first seasons as viewer numbers and feedback comes in. C bolder about their choices.
D more competitive.
However, for the average viewer the change must be seen as a good
thing. Nowadays, it’s rare to have nothing to watch. We can watch short 35. What does paragraph 5 say
videos and music on YouTube, learn on TED Talks and watch films and about the situation nowadays?
TV programmes on sites like Netflix. Of course, this means that media A Programmes are becoming too
companies need to constantly work at providing entertainment that stands specialised.
out. So perhaps technology has helped small filmmakers, but still there B Making programmes is easier
are only a few things that can be guaranteed to delight huge numbers, than before.
blockbusters, and anything that may cost a lot of money and not be a big C Viewers are benefiting from the
hit often gets sidelined. changes.
D Better films and TV
programmes are being made.