10th form
Be a TV-Critic One of the things that worries parents is the effect that televi-
sion has on children. They write to television about the pro-
grammes shown. Here are some of them.
“Most of the programmes on television are not educational at
all. Some of them give a false idea of the world, where animals in
cartoons take the place of people and give ridiculous versions of
famous books acted out by dogs, cats or mice. Do people who make
the programmes think that children can’t understand anything
unless it’s cheap, vulgar and silly?
Some programmes for adults are no better. They are those
where people are not expected to think, like serials where people
do the same things every week, comedy shows which are silly and
not funny at all. And of course, the amount of violence on televi-
sion is a separate topic and it’s the main complaint about TV pro-
grammes,” says Helen Spikes.
“I am writing to complain about the lack of selection of TV pro-
grammes. There are hardly any worth watching and certainly none
for teenagers. They are either too children or they shouldn’t be
allowed to watch because they’re too rude or the language is bad.
Have television producers forgotten the teenagers, or is it that
they’re just too lazy? Also, how about some new series. There have
been so many repeats lately that you feel you live in two worlds be
seeing the same programmes a month later. Are there other par-
ents who feel the same way I do?” asks Nancy Flocks.
“I think television can be of great benefit to children. I think
there are a lot of good programmes that give them good education-
al information, they are presented in a way, which is very attrac-
tive to them. For example, there is a good nature programme,
which is presented in a very exciting way on television and is very
education as well. And I also think, television is good for introdu -
cing children to good literature. Good children’s stories are
dramatised for television and this can often attract children to go
and read the book, and I think it’s a good thing,” says Tom Hurley.
Be a TV-Critic
I. Before listening to the text “Be a TV-Critic”, look through the
vocabulary.
II. Listen to the text “Be a TV-Critic” and say if true of false:
a) all the parents agree that television has nothing good to
offer their children;
b) all of them like dramatized stories and famous books on TV;
c) programmes for adults are better than those for children.
III. Write which of these programmes were approved of and which were
criticised by the speakers:
a) nature programme; d) serials;
b) dramatized children’s stories; e) cartoons;
c) versions of famous books; f) comedy shows.
IV. Listen to the text again and complete the sentences according to
the text.
1. Some of the programmes give a false idea of...
2. Some programmes for adults are...
3. The amount of violence is a separate topic and it’s...
4. There are good programmes that are presented in a way,
which...
5. There is a good nature programme, which is presented in...
6. Television is good for introducing children to...
V. Say whose point of view you support. Why?
Be a TV-Critic
I. Before listening to the text “Be a TV-Critic”, look through the
vocabulary.
II. Listen to the text “Be a TV-Critic” and say if true of false:
a) all the parents agree that television has nothing good to
offer their children;
b) all of them like dramatized stories and famous books on TV;
c) programmes for adults are better than those for children.
III. Write which of these programmes were approved of and which were
criticised by the speakers:
a) nature programme; d) serials;
b) dramatized children’s stories; e) cartoons;
c) versions of famous books; f) comedy shows.
IV. Listen to the text again and complete the sentences according to
the text.
1. Some of the programmes give a false idea of...
2. Some programmes for adults are...
3. The amount of violence is a separate topic and it’s...
4. There are good programmes that are presented in a way,
which...
5. There is a good nature programme, which is presented in...
6. Television is good for introducing children to...
V. Say whose point of view you support. Why?