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
A. Who says the following? Write the names in the blank spaces:

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: ……………………………………….

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

1. Popular papers are also called: 2. A newspaper sold every day is:
a) tabloids a) diary
b) broadsheets b) daily
c) quality papers c) weekly

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. Turn the following sentences into the Passive Voice.
1. Millions of people watch the news every day.
The news…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..… ………..

2. The photographer took some pictures for the local newspaper.

Some pictures……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…

3. Does she write a long article?

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

4. They don’t sell magazines.

Magazines………………………………………………………………………………………………..… …………………………………………………

5. I read a good magazine yesterday.

A good magazine………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…

G. 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.”

I. Write a text (80-100 words).

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