Homework, 10th November, 2016

Howdy, 

This week I would like you to read the letter below, then answer the questions that follow. 

This is due on Monday, 14th, 2016

Phillip Smith

12 Bishop’s Avenue

Fulham

SW6 6EG

16^th December, 2015

The Editor

TV Choice Magazine

17 Cardinal Road

London

W1 7YG

Dear Sir/Madam

I am writing to you to express my views on the topic of reality television, following an article I saw in your magazine last week.

Reality television is a controversial subject which divides opinion. On one side there are people who think it is very boring and silly, and isn’t even very real because many of these programmes are based on unrealistic situations, for example I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, in which celebrities who aren’t even that famous are put on an island and forced to survive, which is a situation most people will never find themselves in. Then there is Made in Chelsea, in which rich Londoners have conversations in expensive bars about their relationships, which is clearly scripted and most people who live in London don’t live that kind of life anyway.

My feeling, however, is that, although reality television might not be very realistic, it has a place on television because it is entertaining and can be quite educational. I’m a Celebrity, whilst it might be quite over the top in places, does give us a view into people’s minds, so, although we may not learn very much about survival techniques, we do learn about people, and, as we are surrounded by people everyday, I would argue that this is actually more useful. It is also very entertaining, as there is just something interesting and often quite funny about the things the celebrities say and do, especially when they are arguing with each other, so it works in the same way as a comedy.

For these reasons, I believe that reality television has a place in our society and I hope there are enough people who agree with me to keep it going.

Yours faithfully,

Phillip Smith

Reading task

1. Scan through the letter to find and underline the following words (some of the words appear more than once):

·         Controversial

·         Unrealistic

·         Famous

·         Relationships

·         Scripted

·         Entertaining

·         Educational

·         Techniques

·         Interesting

2. What is the overall purpose of the letter?

3. In the first line, what word could have been used instead of ‘express’?

4. Does the second paragraph confirm that the person who wrote the letter is anti-reality television?

5. How do we know this?

6. Based on how it is used in the first line of the second paragraph, what does the word ‘controversial’ mean?

7. What, according to the letter, are the two main problems with I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here, as far as some people are concerned?

8. Which word in the second to last line is used to tell us that Made in Chelsea isn’t actually real?

9. What are the two main arguments in favour of reality television that are put forward in the third paragraph?

10. What, according to the third paragraph, can we learn from watching I’m a Celebrity?

11. Re-write the last sentence of the third paragraph, which begins ‘It is also very entertaining …’ in your own words.

12. What is the overall conclusion of the letter?

13. Looking at the letter as a whole, why are the first and fourth paragraphs so much shorter than the second and third?

Writing task

Some people argue that, with programmes like Game of Thrones and Westworld, there is too much violence on television. Write a letter to the editor of a magazine (you will need to make up the name and address of the magazine) giving your views on this topic.