AGRUPAMENTO DE ESCOLAS DE CARVALHOS

ESCOLA SOLIDÁRIA

Name:____________________________________________________no._____ class: _____

TEENS AND THE MEDIA

What do ordinary teenagers who read newspapers and watch TV programmes think
of the media? Here are five different opinions. Read them attentively.

I think the media are out of control. They don’t just report the news any more –
they create it too. I mean, the TV news isn’t shorter on a day when hardly
anything happens, is it? They make everything seem so dramatic, too. They always
use words like “Crisis!”, “Triumph!”, “Disaster!” And what happens two or three
days later? Everyone’s forgotten about that story and moved on to the next. It’s
crazy.
Torsten, Germany

In my opinion, today’s younger generation is the best-informed ever. We’re really

lucky. And why do we know so much?...because of the media. Ok – not all papers
and programmes are good, I admit, but so what? You don’t have to read or watch
the bad ones.
Cindy, America

To be honest, I don’t pay much attention to the media. My parents and some of my
friends say I should, but I don’t really see the point. If I could do something
about all the awful disasters in the news, then maybe there would be a point. I
can’t, though, so why should I depress myself for no good reason?
Marie-Louise , France

I feel sorry for people who work in the media, I really do. They get the blame for
everything. After all, they’re only doing their job, aren’t they? It’s not their fault
if the world is in a mess. What they do is difficult and people should realise that
instead of complaining all the time.
Alfredo, Spain

I use the media in different ways at different times. It depends on my mood.

Sometimes I want to watch a serious current affairs programme. Other times I
want to escape from reality and read about pop stars in a teen magazine. I don’t
think there is anything wrong with that – it’s a fact of life. I like the media
because they allow me to do both.
Hiroko, Japan
Source: The Media Dossier
A. Who says the following?

1. Nowadays the media exaggerate the importance of what happens in the world: ..…

2. You shouldn’t let yourself be affected by the news because there is nothing you can
do to change it : ………………….

3. You can always choose between quality programmes and not so good ones……..

4. Being a journalist / reporter / broadcaster is hard : ……………………………………

B. Find synonyms in the texts for the following words :

1. horrible : ……………………… 3. disorder: …………………………..

2. feel sad : ………………………… 4. state of mind : …………………….

C. Answer the questions on the text:

1. Why does Torsten think the media are out of control?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

2. Why does Hiroko like the media?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

3. Cindy thinks today’s younger generation is the best-informed ever. Do you agree with
her? Why? / Why not?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………..…

D. Read these definitions. They are types of TV programmes. Identify them:

1. Programmes where journalists tell us about what is happening all over the world:
……………………………………………………………….……………………..

2. A competition or game where questions are put :

………………………………………………………………………..……….

3. Cinema pictures: …………………………………………………………………

4. A show in which guests are interviewed informally: ……………………………………….

5. Write other types of TV programmes: ……………………………………………………….

E. Now think about NEWSPAPERS and choose the right option:

1. Popular papers are also called: 2. A newspaper sold evert day is:

a) tabloids a) a diary newspaper

b) broadsheets b) a daily newspaper
c) quality papers c) a weekly newspaper

3. Larger newspapers with factual news are: 4. The heading printed in

large letters is:

a) quality papers a) the lead

b) magazines b) the headline
c) tabloids c) the article

F. Complete the sentences with one of the following connectors:

but so although because when after and

Today’s news:

1. “Tom Hamilton, 57, died ……….................................... his airplane crashed northwest of

Chicago.”
2. “Fire-fighters rescued about 30 dogs, cats ……………..…..… birds ………..……….. a fire at the
Evergreen Animal Service Clinic.”
3. “Many people were hospitalised ……………………….……. there was a chain of accidents
involving 20 vehicles”.
4. “ A fire melted some cables, …………………………..many people were deprived access to the
Internet in Minnesota.”
5. “………………………….. that journalist wrote a good article, it was never published.”
6. “ A teenage girl was violently thrown from a jet-ski into a boat……………………………..……. she
wasn’t badly injured.”

G. PRESENT PERFECT or PAST SIMPLE?

1. Television …………………………………………..…(change) people’s lives.

2. She……………………………….……..(not/ listen) to the news yesterday.
3. Radio and TV………………..…………..….(always/be) important forms of entertainment.
4. They ………………..………..…………(watch) their favourite programme last weekend.
5. The soap opera……………………………………..……………..(just/begin).
6. ……………………………….…...(he/ever/do) his homework while watching a cartoon?
7. They…………………………….……………………...…(not/see) this documentary yet.
8. ……………………………….…………………………..(you/hear) the news last night?
9. ……………………………….…………………….……..(you/ever/visit) a TV station?
10. Daniel……………………….………………(speak) to his father a few moments ago.