Read the following text.

Fill in the
blanks with the present perfect
simple or past simple tense of the
verbs in parentheses. Then answer
the multiple choice comprehension
questions below.

From Humble Beginnings to Global

Phenomenon: The Rise of TikTok
TikTok (1) ________ (evolve) from a humble beginnings as a short-form video app for lip-
syncing and dance challenges into a global phenomenon, capturing the attention of millions of
users worldwide. Its meteoric rise (2) ________ (transform) the social media landscape,
challenging established platforms and redefining the way we consume and create content.

In 2016, a Chinese company called ByteDance (3) ________ (launch) Douyin, a short-form
video app that would soon take the world by storm. The app quickly (4) ________ (gain)
popularity in China, attracting a diverse user base drawn to its creative and engaging content.
In 2017, ByteDance (5) ________ (release) an international version of Douyin called TikTok,
adapting it to Western audiences and introducing it to global markets.

TikTok’s success (6) ________ (be) attributed to several factors. Its user-friendly interface and
focus on short, entertaining videos (7) ________ (make) it particularly appealing to younger
generations. The app’s algorithm, which curates content based on user preferences, (8)
________ (play) a significant role in its popularity, ensuring, despite its competition, that users
are constantly exposed to fresh and engaging material.

TikTok (9) ________ (transform) the way we consume and create content. It (10) ________
(democratize) the creative process, empowering individuals to express themselves and share
their talents with the world. The app’s dance challenges, viral trends, and comedic skits (11)
________ (become) a ubiquitous part of pop culture, influencing fashion, music, and even
language.

**Questions:**
 1. What was TikTok’s original purpose?

(A) To provide a platform for short-form videos

(B) To facilitate communication between users

(C) To host lip-syncing and dance challenges

2. In what year did TikTok first launch outside of China?

a) 2016

b) 2017

c) 2018

3. What was the original name of the app that later became TikTok?

a) Douyin

b) ByteDance

c) Lip-Sync Challenge

4. What is the main reason for TikTok’s popularity?

(A) Its user-friendly interface

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(B) Its focus on short, entertaining videos

(C) Its algorithm that curates content based on user preferences

5. How has TikTok transformed the way we consume and create content?

(A) It has made it easier to create high-quality videos

(B) It has democratized the creative process

(C) It has made it more difficult to find interesting content

6. What impact has TikTok had on pop culture?

(A) It has made dance challenges more popular

(B) It has influenced fashion, music, and even language

(C) It has made it more difficult to find new music

7. What is the main challenge that TikTok faces?

(A) Attracting new users

(B) Maintaining its popularity

(C) Dealing with copyright infringement

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8. How does TikTok’s algorithm work?

(A) It recommends videos based on user preferences

(B) It recommends videos that are trending

(C) It recommends videos that are created by popular users

9. What is the main difference between TikTok and other social media platforms?

(A) TikTok is focused on short-form videos

(B) TikTok is more popular with younger generations

(C) TikTok is more difficult to use

10. What is the future of TikTok?

(A) It is likely to continue to grow in popularity

(B) It is likely to face increasing competition from other platforms

(C) It is likely to fade into obscurity

Discussion Questions:

Imagine you are a journalist interviewing a TikTok creator. What questions would you ask
them?

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Imagine you are a marketing executive pitching TikTok to a potential client. What would you say
to convince them to use the platform?

Imagine you are a parent concerned about your child’s use of TikTok. What would you say to
them?

Creative Writing Exercises:

Write a short essay about the impact of TikTok on pop culture.

Write a script for a video about the pros and cons of using TikTok.

Write a poem about the experience of using TikTok.