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Topic “Mass Media” 8th form

Test 1 ( Newspapers and Magazines)

Section I. Reading (10 marks) Read the text and do the exercise.

Mass Media

The mass media play an important part in our lives. Newspapers, radio and especially TV inform us of what is going on in
this world and give us wonderful possibilities for education and entertainment. They also influence the way we see the
world and shape our views.
Of course, not all newspapers and TV programmes report the events objectively, but serious journalists and TV reporters
try to be fair and provide us with reliable information.
It is true that the world today is full of dramatic events and most news seems to be bad news. But people aren’t interested
in ordinary events. That is why there are so many programmes and articles about natural disasters, plane crashes, wars,
murders and robberies. Good news doesn’t usually make headlines. Bad news does.
Some people say that journalists are given too much freedom. They often intrude on people’s private lives. They follow
celebrities and print sensational stories about them which are untrue or half-true. They take photos of them in their most
intimate moments. The question is - should this be allowed?
The main source of news for millions of people is television. People like TV news because they can see everything with
their own eyes. And that’s an important advantage. Seeing, as we know, is believing. Besides, it’s much more difficult for
politicians to lie in front of the cameras than on the pages of newspapers.
Still, many people prefer the radio. It’s good to listen to in the car, or in the open air, or when you do something about the
house.
Newspapers don’t react to events as quickly as TV, but they usually provide us with extra detail, comment and
background information.
The Internet has recently become another important source of information. Its main advantage is that news appears on the
screen as soon as things happen in real life and you don’t have to wait for news time on TV.

Exercise. Complete the sentences using one of three choices, marked A,B,C.
1) The term the mass media in English refers basically to........
A) TV and radio .
B) the newspapers , magazines, television, video and radio.
C) the newspaper, television and radio.
2) If a person wants......he reads newspapers and watches TV programmes.
A) to have an interview with somebody
B) to overcome fear
C) to be well-informed
3) Good and serious journalists and reporters provide people with.....
A) reliable information
B) gossips
C) advertisements
4) A commentator is a person who.....
A) gives interviews to journalists
B) gives news or events on radio or TV
C) prepares newspapers for publication
5) People are interested in.......
A) ordinary events that happen every day
B) current events, different reports and interviews and natural disasters.
C) VIP’s private lives.
6) How do paparazzi earn their living?
A) They ask celebrities a lot of questions and then make a film about them.
B) They follow celebrities, write sensational stories about them and take photos of them in their most intimate
moments.
C) They meet very important people and ask them to take part in their performances.
7) The main source of news for millions of people is.......
A) television B) magazines C) video
8) People like watching TV news more than listening news on the radio because......
A) TV programmes report the events more objectively than radio programmes
B) Seeing is believing
C) most radio news is bad news
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9) ‘The news media’ tell us.......

A) what’s happening in the world
B) about mysterious stories which are untrue or half-true.
C) only about wars, murders and robberies, and crashes.
10) The main advantage of the Internet is......
A) that the news appears on the screen as soon as things happen in real life
B) that you have to have a computer at home
C) that multimedia web pages with photographs, music and video are very attractive

Section II. English Usage. (15 marks)

Part 1. Vocabulary. Explain the meaning of each phrase in other words: in every sentence one word or phrase is
underlined. From the three choices given (a,b,c), you should choose the one, which can be substituted for the
underlined word or phrase without changing the meaning of the sentence.

1) Most newspapers come out every day.

a. weekly b. daily c. monthly
2) The Prime Minister of Russia paid a short visit to France.
a. brief b. long c. two days’
3) This editor pays a great attention to national affairs.
a. states about b. demands that..... c. draws people’s attention
4) The latest edition was very cheap.
a. cost much money b. was too expensive c. cost a little money
5) Public life, rich in interesting and important events, receive full coverage on the pages of our newspaper.
a. isn’t widely covered b. is widely covered c. receives mutual understanding
6) A foreign correspondent is ......
a. a person who gives interview to journalists b. a journalist based abroad
c. prepares newspapers for publication
7) People can preserve peace on our planet by........
a. unity of action b. the arms race c. misunderstanding each other
8) It’s better to.........not on battlefields but in sports and cultural life.
a. overcome b. preserve c. compete
9) The general opinion about television is that it is terrifically exciting, immensely powerful, and potentially very
dangerous.
a. however b. not so c. very, extremely
10) Our common goal is.........everybody’s attention to the problems of peace.
a. to help b. to attract c. to cover

Part 2. Grammar. Choose the best answer.

11) While Diana was watching her favourite TV programme the telephone.......
A) had rung B) rang C) was rung
12) By the time we get home, the film..........
A) will have started B) is going to start C) will start
13) If I were you, I........this magazine.
A) will buy B) would buy C) would have bought
14) This newsstand is......the library.
A) across B) opposite
15) My radio, which isn’t very old , has suddenly stopped......
A) working B) to work

Test 2. (Newspapers and Magazines)

Section I. Reading (10 marks). Tony James is a newspaper reporter. Read his notes about the Pope’s visit.

Friday , Feb.12th
afternoon landed at Lagos airport, Nigeria; little girl welcomed him with flowers; crowd sang,
danced and beat on drums
evening met the President; listened to welcome speech; addressed President and Government
Saturday, Feb.13th
morning left Lagos and flew to Eastern Nigeria; 1 million people made long journeys to see him
afternoon drove to the country; blessed the people in an open air Mass; stayed 1 day
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Read the text from Tony’s report. Fill in the gaps with suitable words.

New Catholics greet the Pope

On the morning of 17 February the Pope.....(1) Lagos and ........(2) a short visit to Benin. Benin is a small French-
speaking country west of Nigeria. The President K. ......(3) him at the airport and the Pope.....(4) to a twenty-five minute
welcome speech.
Then the Pope.....(5) to Libreville in Gabon. Crowds of people......(6) and ......(7) along the route from the airport to the
city. The Pope......(8) in an open car and ......(9) the people along the road. Military helicopters .....(10) above him.

Section II. English Usage.

Part 1. Vocabulary. What do we know about newspapers? Match the words with their meanings.

1) heading a) to notice, to watch attentively

2) interview b) meet and talk to someone
3) to issue c) way of thinking about something, person’s opinion
4) to observe d) publication, the number of copies of a newspaper
5) to cover the topic e) to prepare a detailed account of an event for a newspaper
6) article f) to come out, to publish
7) editorial board g) a piece of writing
8) to report h) the title at the top of text
9) edition i) to deal with the topic
10) view j) a group of people who prepare something for publication

Part 2. Grammar (20 marks) . Choose the correct answer.

11) He works .....a national newspaper. A) for B) on C) in

12) He wrote the article ....... the magazine on a single sheet of paper and posted it immediately.
A) about B) for C) at
13) There was a large headline .....the front page which said Earthquake Shakes Tokio.
A) at B) in C) on
14) The person .....charge of a newspaper is called the editor.
A) on B) at C) in
15) The text of the speech he gave ......... in the article about him published in today’s paper.
A) has included B) has been included C) will be included
16) Since the newspaper changed owners, its circulation ........by nearly 10,000 copies a month.
A) increased B) has increased C) increase
17) An article in today’s newspaper refers to ......interest tourists show in visiting places where TV series are made.
A) a B)- C) the
18) If you......strong views about something, you can always make them known by writing to the newspaper.
A) have B) had C) will have

19) After reading the front page I always turn to the sports page to find out the...... football results.
A) latest B) last C) later
20) He always read his horoscope every morning to find out what ......... to happen to him that day.
A) will B) was going C) is going

Section III. Writing ( 10 marks) . You are talking to your partner about reading newspapers and magazines. Fill in
your partner’s questions to complete the conversation.

Your partner’s questions Your answers

1) ................................ 1) Yes, my family subscribes to Arguments and Facts.
2) ................................ 2) This newspaper contains current news, detailed articles about home and
international events, reviews of new plays, films, TV shows and letters
to the editor.
3) .............................. 3) I like reading articles on social issues and the pages devoted to literature
and the arts.
4) ................................ 4) No, I haven’t.
5) ................................ 5) Yes, I have. Some weeks ago I wrote a letter to the editor of Sankt
Peterburgsky Vedomosti . I wrote about our school problems.
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Test 3. Newspapers and Magazines)

Section I. Reading ( 10 marks). Read the text and then find the information to complete the sentences.

Reading Newspapers and Magazines

Newspapers and magazines play a very important in our life.
There is no family that doesn’t receive or buy one or two newspapers or magazines. All newspapers and magazines
inform the public about events, analyse them, express public opinions. Of course, they have changed greatly during the
recent years. I’d like to say a few words about the changes that have taken place in Russian press. In the 80s there were
several central newspapers which expressed the official viewpoint on everything. All newspapers published the same
views. The censorship was very strict. In the middle of the 80s the era of glasnost began. It influenced the press greatly.
They started publishing problematic materials. The headlines were changed. The editors-in-chief were elected. There
appeared a great number of new newspapers and magazines.
Nowadays there are many daily, weekly, monthly editions. We can subscribe to some newspapers, others we can only
buy. There are also newspapers which are distributed free in streets by metro-stations or put into mail-boxes. Newspapers
are issued by different companies, independent editorial boards and even individuals. A lot of people stop subscribing to
newspapers. Some of them can’t do it, because newspapers very expensive, some of them are afraid of getting the stress
reading newspapers and some people prefer watching TV and listening to radio. That is the cause of great competition
among the newspapers. They organise all kinds of lotteries, prizes, tours and so on. A special question is that of financed
support of the press. The newspapers are not supported by the state any more, so they have to look for sponsors and
publish a lot of advertisements. If we take a usual newspaper we’ll find an editorial on the front page which covers the
most important events of the day. Then we can find news items, current events, different reports and interviews, some
articles and reviews on culture. The last page is usually dedicated to sports events and TV programmes.

1) Newspapers and magazines inform people about.........

2) In the 80s there were some newspapers which expressed.....
3) In the 80s the censorship was......
4) The era of glasnost began in......
5) In the 90s many newspapers began publishing......
6) Nowadays we have....... different newspapers than we had in the 80s.
7) There are also newspapers which are distributed free......
8) Some people stopped subscribing to newspapers because.......
9) Some newspapers have to look for sponsors , that’s why they publish........
10) If we take a newspaper, we’ll find.......

Section II. English Usage. (20 marks)

Part 1. Vocabulary. Give the close definition of the words:

1) occasion a) additional material

2) to publish b) to make generally known, to issue a publication
3) brief c) a meeting at which a reporter gets information from a person
4) supplement d) an expression of opinion or critical note
5) to edit e) a separate piece of news ( as in newspaper)
6) to inform f) short in time
7) headline g) to give information
8) item h) a special event, the time at which something happens , takes place
9) comment i) to prepare for publication (an article)
10) interview j) words in capital letters on the front page of a newspaper

Part 2. Vocabulary and Grammar. Choose the best word or words.

11) A story or report written for a newspaper ......called/is called an article.

12) The News of the World has a huge......circulation/ sale.
13) The teacher said that if we......wouldn’t understand/ didn’t understand the article , we would have to read it
again.
14) There ........are too many / is too much news on television nowadays.
15) We didn’t enjoy the article. ....... Nor didn’t I/ Neither did I.
16) Do you subscribe.......on/to any magazines?
17) Public life, rich ........in/on interesting events, receives full coverage on the pages of our newspapers.
18) The tabloid press is.........much more popular / much popular than the quality press.
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19) In Britain, newspapers are ......most/mostly owned by individuals or by publishing companies.

20) The freedom of press.......became/has become actual and real today.
Test 4. (Radio and Television)

Section I. Reading Read the text and do the exercises.

The TV is on, but who is watching?

Many people worry about the effect of television on family life in the United States. They say that people spend too much
time watching television and that this takes away from more important activities - reading, exercising, talking to family
and friends. But is this really true?
People in the United States do spend a lot of time in front of their television sets. About 98% of American homes have at
least one TV set. In the average home, the TV is on more than six hours a day. But how mush attention do people pay to
the programs? And do people who watch TV really spend less time on other free-time activities?
Recently, some researches in New York City tried to find the answers to these questions. They telephoned more than a
thousand people all over the United States. They asked them questions about how they spend their free time.
The researches were not surprised to learn that watching TV is the most popular free-time activity in the United States.
More than 70% of Americans say that they watch TV every day. The second most popular activity is reading the
newspaper. Listening to music at home is third. Talking on the phone to friends and relatives is fourth. Exercising or
jogging is fifth.
It is true that many people turn of the TV every day, but does that mean that they watch it very much? Six out of ten
people said that when the TV is on, they seldom pay attention to it. During a typical television program, people may eat
dinner, do housework, read a newspaper or magazine, or talk or read to their children. The TV becomes «background
music». Surprisingly, television does not seem to take time away from free-time activities at home. In fact, people who
frequently watch TV read to their children and talk to their families as much as people who seldom watch TV.
The researchers learned that in some ways Americans are very traditional. Teenagers and single people may be interested
in activities and excitement outside the home, but eight out of ten Americans like to spend their free time at home in the
company of family and friends.

Exercise 1. Comprehension. Decide if the statements below are true(T) or false (F) or you don’t know(DK).

1) Almost every American family owns a television set.

2) Everyone thinks that television is good for family life.
3) Researchers telephoned people only in New York City.
4) Researchers asked questions about people’s work.
5) Most Americans think that the programs on TV are excellent.
6) Exercising is more popular in the United States than listening to music.
7) When the TV is on, everybody watches it carefully.
8) People don’t watch TV when they’re having a meal.
9) People who watch TV a lot don’t talk to their families very much.
10) Americans like to spend time with their families.

Exercise 2. Find the information from the text to complete the sentences.

11) Many people think that television is bad for family life because TV takes time away from.......
12) Some researchers from New York City tried to find the answer to the question: How much attention .............?
13) Researchers telephoned exactly .....people.
14) What do people often do while the TV is on? They............
15) What did the researchers learn about Americans? They learned that in some ways........

Exercise 3. Language. Match the underlined pronouns(16-20) with the words they refer to.

Many people worry about the effects of television on family life people
in the United States. They (16) say that people spend too much people all over the United States
time watching television and that this (17) takes away from more researchers in New York City
important activities-reading, exercising, talking to family and watching television
friends. People in the USA spend a lot of time in front of their people in the USA
TV sets. But how much attention do they (18) pay to the people in Russia
programs that they watch? And do they spend less time on other listening to music
free-time activities? talking to their children
Recently, some researchers in New York City tried to find the
answers to these questions. They (19) phoned many people all
over the United States. They asked them (20) questions about
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how they spend their free time.

Exercise 4. Vocabulary. Match the underlined word in each sentence(21-25) with the definition from the list in the box.
21) Many parents worry about the number of hours that their a) things to do
children spend watching television. b) think about problems ; feel
22) Running and swimming are physical activities. Reading troubled or anxious
and playing chess are mental activities. c) related to customs and
23) Researchers have many ways to find out facts. beliefs that come from the
24) Were you surprised to learn that almost every American past
family has a TV set, or did you already know it? d) having feelings caused by
25) Many people are losing their traditional ways. They don’t something you didn’t expect
wear the same type of clothing or eat the same foods that their e) people who want to learn
grandparents did. new facts or information

Section II. English Usage.

Part 1. Vocabulary and Grammar. Choose the correct answer.

Television
The first commercial television broadcast was made in 1939 by Radio Corporation of America (RCA). Since 1939,
it ........( 1-became / has become) one of the most important facts of modern life. Television is very much a part of the
modern world. Its ......(2-affects/ effects ) are felt all over the world.
Television is a reflection of ........(3- the /a ) modern world, say some people. It shows contemporary society . It .....(4-
affects/ effects) customs and culture, others say.
Many people have already forgotten what the world was .......(5- like/ -) before television. Several generations of children
have grown up with a TV set as a baby-sitter, teacher and companion.
Good or bad, television is difficult to avoid. Its pictures enter homes, stores, airports, and factories. It is here to stay!

Part 2. Vocabulary and Grammar. Fill in the words from the box to complete the text.

Some people believe that effects of television on our lives are negative. They anything
say that television is (6).....dangerous for children. Many children watch it for becomes
more hours (7).......day than they do (8)..........else. Some children begin dependent
(9).....queer ideas of reality from the violence on many (10)..... They may dependence
believe that there is nothing strange about fights and killings. In some countries each
a child (11).......several thousand murders on TV before he or she is twelve especially
years old. makes
Another serious problem is addiction to television. It is similar to drug or programmes
alcohol (12)..... screen
Many people begin to feel closer to actors on the (13).......... than to real people something
in their lives. To some people television (14)...... more real than reality and to get
(15)..........their own lives seem boring views

Section III. Writing. Write a «for and against» composition about television (120-150 words).
Use the plan:
 General statement of the problem/ current situation
 Points for
 Points against
 Conclusion /weighing up the points outlined and coming to some decision

Test 5. ( Advertisements and Advertising)

Section I. Reading. Read the text and do the exercises.

Campaign

Advertisements are all around us, not just on TV, radio and in the press, but also at sports grounds, in shop windows, and
on posters, carrier bags, badges, T-shirts, buses, hot air balloons. Whether we like it or not, advertising is a powerful
force, and all countries have rules about what is acceptable advertising.
In parts of Europe, naked women are common in advertisements, but not it Britain and the USA. In some countries of
Islam, it is illegal to use photos of women - only line drawings are acceptable. So different countries advertise the same
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product in different ways. The campaign for Impulse body perfume showed a man who bought flowers for a woman he
had never met before because she was wearing Impulse. In France, the women was naked on a beach; in Britain, a
romantic relationship was suggested; in Japan, the meeting was respectable and restrained; in the Arab countries, no
version was acceptable and the advertising campaign was dropped.
Britain, like many countries, has strict rules controlling advertisements for alcohol. For example, people shown drinking
must clearly be 25 or over, and the ads must not suggest that a particular drink offers the key to success in personal
relationships, or that it will make you more attractive or popular. Spirits cannot be advertised on TV in Britain.; in other
countries, such as Norway, alcohol cannot advertised at all.
Advertisements are supposed to be truthful, so advertisers avoid saying their product is the best; they usually say it is
«better». So the slogan for British Airways promises «We’ll take more care of you», and Polaroid encourages you to use
their camera and film to «Make life more colourful». The message behind most advertisements is «This product will
change you life» - by making you richer, healthier, happier, more attractive, more popular, more efficient, more
successful. Do you believe the message? Has a product ever changed your life?

Exercise 1. Comprehension. Decide if the statements below are true(T) or false (F) or you don’t know(DK).

1) You come across advertisements only on TV and in the press.

2) Some countries have strict rules controlling advertisements.
3) In Britain naked women are common in advertisements.
4) In some countries of Islam , it is illegal to use photos of women.
5) Alcohol cannot be advertised on TV in Norway.
6) Advertisements always persuade people to buy products they do not need.
7) Different countries advertise the same product in the same way.
8) All advertisements say that only their product is the best.
9) The message behind most advertisements is to buy the product if we don’t want to be left behind.
10) Pictures of attractive people are used to draw attention to a product, and the suggestion is that we’ll be desirable
if we use that product.

Exercise 2. Find the information from the text to complete the sentences.

11) Advertisements are supposed to be........

12) Advertisers avoid saying their product is the ......
13) All countries have rules about what is .........advertising.
14) In Britain, people shown drinking must be ...... years old or over.
15) Spirits cannot be advertised on TV in.......

Exercise 3. Vocabulary. Match the underlined word in each sentence(16-20) with the definition from the list in the box.
16) In some countries of Islam, it is illegal to use photos of a) body perfume
women-only line drawings are acceptable. b) respectable
17) Men can’t help acting on Impulse. c) against the law
18) In the Arab countries, no version was acceptable and the d) working well and quickly
advertising campaign was dropped. e) true to the facts
19) ‘This product will change your life’- by making you f) lost or failed
richer, happier, more efficient and more successful.
20) Advertisements are supposed to be truthful.

Section II. English Usage.

Part 1. Vocabulary. Match the words with the close meaning in the box.

1) advertisement a) thing made by person or machine

2) message b) of a particular sort, not like others
3) persuade c) a sign or notice that tells people about a product
4) product d) a particular product, or its name
5) special e) make person believe or think something
f) an important or main idea

Part 2. Vocabulary and Grammar. Choose the correct answer.

If a Star Used It, Would You Buy It?

If you saw an actor eating a Choco Bar, .......(6- will/would) you buy one? Last year when everyone saw Gabriel Hopps
eat one in the film Run Into Trouble, people bought lots ......( 7-much/more)Choco Bars than before. Was that an
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advertisement? Well, the makers of Choco Bars paid a lot of money to have Gabriel eat one of their bars and not some
other .........(8-brand/ mark). It is a new way to advertise, called ‘product placement’; the advertising people like it because
we don’t see it as an advertisement . After all, their job is to get us to buy things . How do they .........( 9-persuade/ offer)
us?
One way is to get someone famous to say they use or like a ........(10- production/product) . Choco Bars used a film-star,
Dentacreme uses a pop star , Samia. The slogan in the advertisement is a line from one of her songs, so when you hear
the song you think of Dentacreme . There is a ......(11- topic/ message ) in all advertisements, and in this one it is: if
you ......(12- will buy/ bought ) their product you would use same toothpaste as Samia, a beautiful, exciting pop-star.
Some advertisements use ......( 13- an expert/ specialist) , someone who knows about the product, and someone we
recognise. In the Tube Bikes advertisement we see Sean Elliott, the champion cyclist. This time the message is, he knows
about bicycles, you can trust him, so buy a Tube Bike and become a champion.
You don’t have to be famous to be in an advertisement. Some ads are saying ‘everybody ........ (14-like/ likes) this, you
must like it too’.
Other advertisers know that you don’t want to be like everybody ......(15-else/ also).You want something that is just for
a ...... (16- little/few) people.
Some advertisements use romance to persuade you, like Stratton jeans, and many cigarette companies. If you ......( 17-
wear/wore) Stratton jeans, they suggest, somebody would love you.
Advertising is widely used in newspapers, on radio and television, in the forms of various exhibitions and numerous
booklets. But good quality products don’t need ..... (18- to have advertised/to be advertised). The more copies are
sold, ......(19- very/ the more) attractive the paper becomes for the advertisers. Advertising is just praising of this or that
thing or company, showing its advantages . An advertisement gives detailed .........(20- information / informations) about
the name of the company , its services, the advantages of these services, the prices, the address.

Section III. Writing. You are asked to write an advertisement( 120-150 words) about your school. It will be made for
the parents of children, who are going to the 1st grade.

Test 6. (Computers)

Section I. Reading. Read the text and do the exercises.

The Language of Computers

50 years ago, people hadn’t even heard of computers, and today we cannot imagine life without them. Nearly everything
we do in the modern world is helped , or even controlled by computers because they are more efficient than human
beings. They have much better memories and they can store much information.
Computer technology is the fastest-growing industry in the world. The first computer was the size of a minibus and
weighed a ton. Today, its job can be done by a chip the size of a pin head. And revolution is still going on.
Very soon we’ll have computers that we’ll wear on our wrists or even in our glasses and earrings. Such wearable
computers are being developed in the USA.
Japan’s biggest mobile-phone company has just released its cleverest product so far, the i-mode, a mobile phone that
allows you to surf the Internet as the as make calls. People are already using the phone to check the news head lines,
follow the stock -market and download the latest jokes. Soon they will be able to buy cinema tickets and manage their
bank accounts.
The next generation of computers will be will be to talk and even think for themselves. They will contain electronic
«neural networks». Of course, they’ll be still a lot simpler than human brains, but it will be a great step forward. Such
computers will help to diagnose illnesses, find minerals, understand and control the world’s money markets, identify
criminals and control space travel.
Computer revolution is changing our life and our language, too. We are constantly making up new words or giving new
meanings to old ones. Most of computer terms are born in Silicon Valley (not far from San Francisco), the world’s top
computer-science centre.

Exercise 1. Comprehension. Decide if the statements below are true(T) or false (F) .

1) People began using computers in the middle of the 19th century.

2) The first computer was very big and weighed a ton.
3) Very soon we’ll have computers that we’ll wear on our wrists or even in our glasses and earrings.
4) In some years Japan’s biggest mobile-phone company will use a mobile phone.
5) Most of computer terms are born in the United States.
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Exercise 2. Choose the best answer.

6) What is a computer? A) the first calculating machine
B) a superman
C) an electronic machine that can be supplied with a program

7) What are the possible uses of a computer A) to buy cinema tickets

today? B) to control different operations
C) to talk to other people

8) What is a mouse? A) a small furry animal with a long tail

B) a quiet nervous fearful person
C) a small box used to operate a computer

9) What can you use the Internet for? A) to delete a file from your computer
B) to help you find information and communicate with people
C) to make your computer work faster

10) If you use the Internet, you need...... A) a computer and a phone line
B) a TV set and a computer
C) a radio, a telephone line and a computer

Section II. English Usage. Decide which answer A,B or C best fits each space.

The Pros and Cons of the Internet

The Internet is without doubt one of the ..........(1) in history. It ..........(2) in 1968 by the US government, but at first it was
used mainly by scientists. Since 1990, when the World Wide Web was created, it ......(3) the world and its uses ........(4)
every day.
The main ......(5) of the Internet is to find information - for your schoolwork or job, or just to find out more about yours
hobbies, sports or current events.
All the ......(6) information is available to you, in your home, at any hour of the day and night. It’s .........(7) faster and
easier to surf the net in search of information from all over the world than to travel to libraries in dozens of countries.
You can also use the Internet to read newspapers and magazines, play games, plan your holiday or buy from your
favourite shop.
E-mail ......(8) it possible to send electronic messages anywhere in the world in seconds, and you can use the Internet to
‘chat’ with people and make new friends.
However, the real world of the Internet may not be as perfect as it seems.
With so much information available, finding what you want can ......(9) you hours. Multimedia web pages with
photographs, music and video are attractive, but they make downloading slow and boring. Besides, there ......(10)
advertising instead of real information.
As for Internet friendships, sitting at home in front of a computer making ‘chat friends’ is not the same as actually
meeting people.
A B C
1) most important invention most important inventions more important invention
2) has been started is started was started
3) has changed changed will change
4) are growing grew is growing
5) using use in use
6) last latest later
7) more much much more
8) make have made makes
9) borrow give take
10) are too many is too many is too much

Section III. Writing. Write a «for and against» composition about computers (120-140 words).
Use the plan:
 General statement of the problem/ current situation
 Points for
 Points against
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 Conclusion /weighing up the points outlined and coming to some decision

Discussion “Mass Media”

1. There are different ways of learning about the world: through the mass media, books, traveling, visiting
museums, meeting other people, etc. Which ways do you prefer to learn about the world?

There are a lot of different ways of getting new information. In the past the only way to learn about the world was
travelling. The first travellers were explorers who wanted to discover new lands. Nowadays, millions of people travel
around the world either for pleasure or on business.
But to travel around the world you need a lot of money. That is why the main source of information for millions of people
is mass media. Mass media includes newspapers and magazines, advertising , radio and television.
Television is a reflection of the modern world. It gives you an opportunity to travel all over the world, to see different
people, and learn about their customs and traditions. Television keeps you informed about the rest of the world. When
you need immediate information about the latest world events, you switch the TV on. There are always a great variety of
programmes on TV: current affairs programmes and documentaries, plays and feature films, talks shows and TV games.
A lot of people like TV news because they can see everything with their own eyes. Besides , TV has the power to educate
and broaden our minds.
Some people think that the only way to be in the know of everything is to read newspapers and magazines. If you get on a
bus or catch a train during the morning and evening “rush hours”, when most people travel to and from work, you’ll see a
lot of people with their heads in a newspaper or a magazine. Newspapers are packed with the latest news, information,
fashion and facts. They cater to a variety of political views, interests and levels of education. Papers are generally divided
into “quality papers”, or broadsheets, and “popular papers” that are half the size of broadsheets. “ Quality papers” are
serious, with long, informative articles; while “popular papers” , known as “tabloids” , have a more sensational
reporting style and contain more human interest stories than news. The two most popular British daily newspapers, The
Sun and The Daily Mirror , are both tabloids. Tabloids sell more copies than broadsheets.
In Russia we also have these two types of newspapers. For example, Izvestiya or Kommersant are broadsheets. They
contain political, business and cultural information. Such tabloids as Megapolis-Express and Express Gazeta contain the
latest gossip, sensations and crossword puzzles. People choose a paper according to their tastes and preferences.
Though newspapers don’t react to events as quickly as TV, they usually provide us with extra details, commentaries and
background information.
There are also a lot of magazines and other periodicals. Whatever your interest , there is likely to be a magazine about it-
from sport, cookery, and farming, to religion, computers, cinema and more. Young people below the age of 18 do not buy
newspapers; but they do buy magazines. Girls enjoy magazines about pop music, clothes, fashion and make-up; whereas
boys prefer to read about sport, cars and computers. As far as I am interested in fashions I enjoy reading Yes . It is a
monthly magazine for girls containing the latest information about our favourite pop, film and soap stars, brilliant
fashions and beauty, sports and romance. It approaches interesting subjects with intelligence and good humour. Besides,
there is a lot of useful advice on various areas of life.
Still, many people prefer the radio. It’s good to listen to the radio in a car, or in the open air, or when you do something
about the house. Listeners can tune into all kinds of stations: pop or classical music, news, sport or foreign radio stations.
People can often call in and ask questions about everything from cooking or car repair to politics or health. Callers often
get a chance to give their opinions on the air. Besides, radio has fresher news than newspapers. They inform every half
hour.
The Internet has recently become another important source of information. It is a computer system that allows millions of
people around the world to receive and exchange information about almost everything. The main use of the Internet is to
find information-for your schoolwork or job, or just to find out more about your hobbies, sports or current events. All the
latest information is available to you in your home, at any hour of the day and night. It’s much faster and easier to surf the
net in search of information from all over the world than to travel to libraries in dozens of countries.
However, the real world of the Internet may not be as perfect as it seems. With so much information available , finding
what you want can take you hours.
With so many modern forms of finding information , such as radio, TV and the Internet, people read fewer books,
newspapers and magazines. Nowadays, most people consider television their most important source of information. In my
opinion, we can’t say exactly which source of information is the best. It depends on what kind of information you need.

Questions:
1) How do you get information about the world?
2) What is the role of mass media in the life of modern society?
3) Do you think TV programmes can help you to learn at school? In what way?
4) What kind of TV programmes do you enjoy watching ? Give your reasons.
5) What sort of information do you get from newspapers and magazines?
6) What are the main types of newspapers in Great Britain / Russia?
7) What newspapers and magazines do you read? What kind of articles do you prefer?
8) Do you like listening to the radio? Why?
9) Do you use the Internet? Do you think the Internet is useful?
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10) What is the best way of learning about the world?

2. Television is much spoken about nowadays. It has both good and bad points. What are your arguments
for and against watching TV?

It goes without saying that television plays a very important part in people’s lives. It’s a wonderful source of information
and one of the best ways to spend free time and not to feel bored. Television viewing is by far the most popular leisure
pastime. TV channels show a great variety of programmes: documentaries and current affairs programmes, feature films
and comedies, soaps and police series, concerts and talk shows. There are four main TV channels in Britain: BBC 1,
BBC2 , ITV and Channel 4. BBC 1 and BBC 2 , the state channels, do not show adverts. ITV and Channel 4, the
independent channels, show adverts. BBC 1 and ITV tend to televise popular programmes: sports programmes, recent
films, news, game shows, children’s programmes and soaps. BBC 2 and Channel 4 show programmes which usually
attract much smaller audiences: TV plays, classical concerts, foreign films and programmes for minority groups.
Russian television has between 15-20 channels, which show all kinds of programmes: news and sports programmes, talk
shows and quizzes, documentaries and feature films, soaps and police series, comedies and concerts.
Thanks to satellites, TV viewers can increase their options and watch TV from different countries.
Television is a reflection of the modern world. It gives you an opportunity to travel all over the world, to see different
people, and learn about their customs and traditions. Television keeps you informed about the rest of the world. And of
course, it helps you to escape from everyday problems.
A lot of people usually relax watching soaps- TV serials which dramatise their characters’ daily life. Their story lines are
entertaining, but often unbelievable. I don’t think that they show life realistically; but to many people, the characters in
the weekly TV serial shows have become more important than real people.
As for me, I prefer watching different quiz shows. That’s why my favourite TV programme is “Who wants to be a
millionaire?” It is shown twice a week, and lasts about an hour. The programme is hosted by Maxim Galkin. It is a game
show where the player is asked different questions. If the answers are correct, the participant gets a lot of money. But if he
is wrong, he loses everything. I particularly enjoy watching this programme, because the questions are always very
interesting and they help me to expand my outlook. I find this programme clever and informative and try not to miss it.
Of course, not everything shown on TV is made in good taste. There are badly-written programmes which contain bad
language and violence. The strange thing is that neither politicians nor producers like to admit that watching violence on
TV leads to greater violence on the streets.
Many people admit that the quality of television could be better. They would prefer to see fewer soap operas and crime
series, and more history, drama and science. One reason for the poor quality of programmes is advertising. Not all people
like watching commercials. They find ads silly and boring. As for me, I don’t take advertising seriously. On the one
hand, advertisements help people choose the best products and get the best value for their money. But on the other hand,
they show life unrealistically and give false information. Besides, in adverts all people seem to be happy consumers, all
kids seem to be healthy and well off. But this is not true at all. What is more, I find it very annoying when a film stops at
the most interesting moment. Nevertheless, I am not against commercials on TV, because television companies earn their
money from advertising.
Another thing I would like to complain about is the amount of smoking ,drinking , violence and sex in the films that are
shown on TV. Smoking and drinking is often shown as very “cool” things to do- making young people much more
likely to copy what they see, and take up smoking and drinking themselves.
Some people say that television is a terrible waste of time. Of course, there are TV addicts who can’t drag themselves
away from the box. They watch TV for hours without choosing programmes, and spend time in front of television which
they could spend talking to their friends and family. In this case , television makes them really waste time. But on the
contrary, if we watch TV for an hour a day, to find out what is happening in the world or to relax, then television is really
useful.
In short, television has its good points. Many of the broadcast programmes are educational and can help with schoolwork.
A good soap opera or a comedy is a source of relaxation for many people. Television also provides jobs for thousands of
people. So I think it is not the TV itself which is to blame for the bad effects it has, but the fact that people do not know
how to make the best use of it.

Questions:
1) Why is watching TV one of the most popular leisure activities?
2) Do you like watching TV? How often do you watch it?
3) What are your favourite channels? Why?
4) What are the channels/programmes your family likes to watch?
5) Do you agree that television has the power to educate? Why?
6) What do you think of advertising on TV?
7) Do you think watching TV is one of the best ways to spend free time?
8) What do British / Russian TV channels offer their viewers?
9) Which British TV channel /programme would you like to watch?
10) Which Russian TV programmes would you recommend to your foreign friends? Why?