WORKSHEET-12
ENGLISH Practice Book
Worksheet-12
DIRECTIONS: This passage is followed by a group of questions to USE THIS SPACE FOR
be answered based on what is stated or implied in the passage. SCRATCH WORK
Choose the best answer: the one that most accurately and completely
answers the question. Hints, insights, and answers immediately
follow the questions.
Comedy writer Armando Iannucci has called for an industry-wide
defence of the BBC and British programme-makers. "The Thick of It"
creator made his remarks in the annual MacTaggart Lecture at the
Edinburgh TV Festival.
"It's more important than ever that we have stronger, popular channels
that act as beacons, drawing audiences to the best content," he said.
Speaking earlier, Culture Secretary John Whittingdale rejected
suggestions that he wanted to dismantle the BBC.
Iannucci co-wrote "I'm Alan Partridge", wrote the movie "In the Loop"
and created and wrote the hit "HBO" and "Sky Atlantic show Veep". He
delivered the 40th annual MacTaggart Lecture, which has previously
been given by Oscar winner Kevin Spacey, former BBC director general
Greg Dyke, Jeremy Paxman and Rupert Murdoch. Iannucci said: "Faced
with a global audience, British television needs its champion supporters."
He continued his praise for British programming by saying the global
success of American TV shows had come about because they were
emulating British television. "The best US shows are modelling
themselves on what used to make British TV so world-beating," he said.
"US prime-time schedules are now littered with those quirky formats
from the UK - the "Who Do You Think You Are"'s and the variants on
"Strictly Come Dancing" - as well as the single-camera non-audience
sitcom, which we brought into the mainstream first. We have changed
international viewing for the better."
With the renewal of the BBC's royal charter approaching, Iannucci also
praised the corporation. He said: "If public service broadcasting - one of
the best things we've ever done creatively as a country - if it was a car
industry, our ministers would be out championing it overseas, trying to
win contracts, boasting of the British jobs that would be created." In July,
the government issued a green paper setting out issues that will be
explored during negotiations over the future of the BBC, including the
broadcaster's size, its funding and governance.
Primarily Mr Whittingdale wanted to appoint a panel of five people, but
finally he invited two more people to advise on the channel renewal,
namely former Channel 4 boss Dawn Airey and journalism professor
Stewart Purvis, a former editor-in-chief of ITN. Iannucci bemoaned the
lack of "creatives" involved in the discussions.
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ENGLISH Practice Book
"When the media, communications and information industries make up
nearly 8% of our GDP, larger than the car and oil and gas industries put
together, we need to be heard, as those industries are heard. But when I
see the panel of experts who've been asked by the culture secretary to
take a root and branch look at the BBC, I don't see anyone who is a part
of that cast and crew list. I see executives, media owners, industry gurus,
all talented people - but not a single person who's made a classic and
enduring television show."
Iannucci suggested one way of easing the strain on the license fee was
"by pushing ourselves more commercially abroad". "Use the BBC's
name, one of the most recognised brands in the world," he said. "And use
the reputation of British television across all networks, to financially
capitalize oversees. Be more aggressive in selling our shows, through
advertising, through proper international subscription channels, freeing
up BBC Worldwide to be fully commercial, whatever it takes. "Frankly,
don't be icky and modest about making money. Let's promote our
programs abroad so that money can come back. Take some pressure off
the license fee at home and let it be invested in even more ambitious
quality shows, that can only add to our value."
Mr Whittingdale, who was interviewed by ITV News' Alastair Stewart at
the festival, said he wanted an open debate about whether the corporation
should do everything it has done in the past. He said he had a slight
sense that people who rushed to defend the BBC were "trying to have an
argument that's never been started".
"Whatever my view is, I don't determine what programmes the BBC
should show," he added. "That's the job of the BBC." Mr Whittingdale
said any speculation that the Conservative Party had always wanted to
change the BBC due to issues such as its editorial line was "absolute
nonsense".
1. Which of the following sentences presents the basic theme of the
passage?
A. Britain has the strongest TV industry in the world
B. Britain needs a strong TV industry
C. British TV industry should follow its American counterpart
D. TV industry on the decline globally
2. Which of the following presents John Whittingdale’s opinion
given in paragraph 1?
A. British media should be a vibrant role model
B. British media should dismantle the BBC
C. British media doesn’t accept suggestions for improvement
D. John Whittingdale rejected many suggestions about British media
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3. In paragraph 4, Iannucci mentions which of the following as the
reason behind the success of American TV?
A. Focusing on modelling
B. Trying to reach global level
C. Copying ideas from British media
D. Copying scripts from British media
4. The panel of experts lacks:
A. People who make enduring TV-shows
B. Gurus of Television industry
C. Media owners
D. Top executives
5. Which of the following people was NOT invited to the discussion
about BBC renewal?
A. John Whittingdale
B. Armando Iannucci
C. Stewart Purvis
D. Dawn Airey
6. To advise on the charter renewal Mr Whittingdale appointed a
panel of:
A. Two people
B. Five people
C. Four people
D. Seven people
7. In paragraph 4, Ianucci mentions car industry in order to highlight:
A. It competition with media
B. Its exuberant success vis a vis media
C. The preference it receives
D. The negligence it faces
8. Ianucci praised everything EXCEPT:
A. US shows
B. British shows
C. Corporation
D. British programming
9. The passage is most likely to be published in:
A. A weekly media mag
B. A daily newspaper
C. A scientific journal
D. A history website
10. The writer’s overall attitude towards the British media can be
defined by which of the following:
A. Prejudice
B. Sympathy
C. Ambivalence
D. Antipathy
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ANSWER KEY (Worksheet-12) 6. Correct Answer: D
1 B Explanation:
2 A Primarily Mr Whittingdale wanted to appoint
3 C a panel of five people, but finally he invited
4 A two more people to advise on the channel
5 B renewal.
6 D 7. Correct Answer: C
7 C
Explanation:
8 A
9 A If it was a car industry, our ministers would
10 B be out championing it overseas.
8. Correct Answer: A
1. Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Explanation:
US shows are criticized for imitating the
The whole passage laments the decline of the British programs.
British media specially TV. The whole
emphasis is on the need of a strong British 9. Correct Answer: A
TV industry. Explanation:
2. Correct Answer: A A media mag is the most appropriate place
Explanation: for an article about media.
The following words of John Whittingdale in 10. Correct Answer: B
paragraph 2 lead us to the correct answer. Explanation:
"It's more important than ever that we have The tone of the writer is sympathetic towards
stronger, popular channels that act as beacons, the British media.
drawing audiences to the best content."
3. Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
The word emulate in paragraph 3 leads us to
the correct answer C.
4. Correct Answer: A
Explanation:
The panel of experts has media bosses
tycoons but no actual maker of enduring
programs.
5. Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Only Armando Iannucci was not invited.
Your STEP Towards A Brighter Future! 4
