® Reality Tv

Do you like to watch reality shows?

What reality shows are popular now?
REALITY TV: HERE TO STAY?
u
You would have to be living on a deserted island not to have heard of
the recent wave of reality television. Shows with themes from falling in
love with total strangers to eating a bucket of cockroaches have begun
to proliferate like the roaches themselves. In fact, some people are
beginning to complain about an overdose of reality TV. Knockoffs
haven’t helped, either. From The Bachelor to The Bachelorette to Joe
Millionaire to Average Joe to... well, you get the picture. Once a series
is successful a number of copycat series are produced.
n
Reality shows cover a number of subjects. In some, like Survivor,
which started the current mania of “reality” TV, participants are asked
to survive inhospitable conditions on their own in deserted areas. They
must find and cook their own food, build their own dwellings, light their
own fires (without the help of Zippos), and get along together like an
ancient jungle tribe. As if this weren’t enough, participants are also
asked to accomplish different feats (in the form of contests) in order to
remain on the show.
i
t
Joe Millionaire is the story of a group of women who are all vying for
the love and attention of one man – handsome, refined, cultured. The
audience is supposed to ignore the fact that such a terrific catch would
still be available and having problems finding a partner. But there is a
unique twist: the millionaire just so happens not to be a millionaire in
real life. The show, however, surprises everyone in the end. After the
man chooses his woman and his dirty little “secret” is revealed, the two
are awarded a check of $1,000,000 from the producers, making the
fake millionaire a real millionaire in the blink of an eye!

American Idol invites people of all ages to come and sing, then be
criticized in front of an international audience. Some go on to become
famous, landing record deals and giving concerts, but most simply fade
into oblivion after their humiliation.

Surprisingly, reality TV is not a new concept. TV has been following the

lives of real people since the medium itself began!

As early as 1955, CBS experimented with this format in a series called

Wanted. Here the crimes of fugitives were outlined, and the fugitive’s
family, along with the people working on the case, were interviewed.

The granddaddy of the reality TV genre, however, is Candid Camera, a

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show which began in 1948 and “caught” people being themselves.
Candid Camera followed people as they made mistakes, or captured
their reactions to ridiculous events that were pre-planned and staged.
For instance, the hidden camera would tape a person at a restaurant
where the waiter, who was actually an actor, was instructed to
perform a series of ridiculous acts in order to anger or embarrass the
The
“victim.” In the end, the scam would be revealed as someone would
announce, “Relax! You’re on Candid Camera!” Tube
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 And that’s not all. MTV’s Real World has been putting a group of twenty-somethings
together under the same roof for more than a decade. The more conflicts that erupt,
the better for the show’s ratings. It seems like the more we can make fun of someone
else’s problems, the better we like the show. America’s Funniest Home Videos, for
instance, has been asking for people to send in their home-video bloopers for almost 14
years.

So, if reality TV has been around for so long, why all the hype now? It has to do with
money and fame. Shows offer cash rewards to their participants. People who would
have remained in anonymity forever become celebrities overnight. Networks make
millions of dollars on the lives of people who, as they are not professional actors, work
for free.

Is reality TV here to stay? For those of you who are fans, have no fear. Producers are
busy coming up with innovative new takes on the genre in order to keep your interest
up. In fact, don’t be surprised that what used to be called documentaries, with a few
new twists, are now called reality shows.

COMPREHENSION
Choose the letter of the best answer.
1. What is the trend in reality TV?
a. more shows
b. copycat shows of popular programs
c. hidden cameras taping unsuspecting victims
d. a and b
2. Which show had a surprise ending?
a. Joe Millionaire
b. Candid Camera
c. Survivor
d. American Idol
3. Which show depicts a group of people living together in the same
house?
a. Candid Camera
b. Real World
c. Survivor
d. Wanted
4. Which show gives talented singers the chance to shine?
a. Wanted
b. Joe Millionaire
c. America’s Funniest Home Videos
d. American Idol
5. What was the first reality TV show?
a. Joe Millionaire
b. Survivor
c. Wanted
d. Candid Camera
6. How long has reality TV been around?
a. since 1948
b. since 1955
c. since Survivor started
d. the article does not say

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7. What are some reasons why viewers prefer reality TV, according to
the article? (more than one answer is possible)
a. fame and money for the “regular” guy
b. the networks make lots of money
c. badly paid participants
d. meet aspiring new, talented actors
8. Which programs involve showing someone in an embarrassing
moment?
a. Candid Camera and Joe Millionaire
b. Survivor and Real World
c. Candid Camera and America’s Funniest Home Videos
d. Joe Millionaire and American Idol

DISCUSSION
1. Do you think reality TV is a passing fad or something that will stay
around for a long time? Why?
2. What are some of the reasons reality TV has become so popular?
3. Many reality shows give regular people the chance to become famous.
Do you think this is a positive or negative quality of this type of
programming?

. activity
(For this activity, one person in the class should volunteer to be the
producer. This person does not participate in the scriptwriting.)

Write the idea for a new sitcom or game show. Provide some sort of twist
for your show.

A famous producer has come to town, with enough money to sponsor one
show. Which show will get the chance to go on the air?

[] Class survey
1. Approximately how many hours a week do you spend
watching:
news programs: ____ educational programs: ____
soap operas: ____ cartoons/children’s shows: ____
comedies/sitcoms: ____ other(specify): ____

2. How many television sets are there in your house?

______________

3. Do you have cable? _______________

4. If you could change your television viewing habits, what

would you do differently?
______________________________________________________

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 @ affirmative agreement
too
I am happy, and Bert is, too.
Lucy bought some fresh tomatoes at the market, and Jack did, too.
Polly has seen that movie twice, and I have, too.

affirmative statement , + and + subject + verb, + too

• Too is used to show affirmative agreement, when someone agrees

with an affirmative statement.
• The verb preceding too should be the corresponding auxiliary verb,
when applicable.
• Remember that verbs like can and be do not use auxiliary verbs.
• A comma precedes too.

- exercise 1: Affirmative agreement-too

Complete each sentence.
1. Ms. Green fell in love, and her daughter _________, too.
2. Minneapolis is a beautiful city, and Seattle _________, too.
3. I had five dollars, and Jack _________, too.
4. Gracie bought a new computer, and I _________, too.
5. Carmen is going to call you tonight, and Brent _________, too.
6. Mary knows all the students, and Henry _________, too.

so
Bert was late, and so was Sally.
Polly saw that movie six years ago, and so did he.
Lucy had a flat tire on her way to work, and so did we.
She can swim very well, and so can her daughter.

affirmative statement, + and + so + verb + subject

• So is used to show affirmative agreement, when someone agrees
with an affirmative statement.
• The verb following so should be the corresponding auxiliary verb,
when applicable.
• Remember that verbs like can and be do not use auxiliary verbs.
• Use a subject pronoun after so + verb (I, you, he, she, it, we, they).

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• - exercise 1: Affirmative agreement-so
Complete each sentence.
1. I’ll give you some money, and so _________ your father.
2. We have seen this movie, and so _________ she.
3. They plan to bake a cake for my birthday, and so _________ my mother.
4. He bought some shoes, and so _________ I.
5. I could see the volcano from my room, and so _________ my husband.
6. April is a lovely month, and so _________ May.

- exercise 2: Affirmative agreement

Show affirmative agreement in the following sentences.
1. My sister hates going to the market on Sundays, and ____________ I.
2. Our English teacher loves pizza, and I ________________.
3. Your birthday is in April, and ___________________ mine.
4. I was able to read the whole book last night, and he ________________.
5. All the students came on time, and ___________________ the teacher.
6. Liga won the Championship twice in a row, and Barcelona ____________.
7. Minneapolis is a Midwestern city, and __________________Saint Paul.
8. He bought the Barney tape, and she _____________________.
9. Cartoons are fun to watch, and _____________________ sports.
10. We ate at Domino’s on Tuesday, and __________________ Julie.

- exercise 3: Affirmative agreement

Find 5 things you have in common with another student. Use affirmative
agreement.

[] be someone else for a day

If you could be any celebrity or TV character, who would you be and
why?
Conduct interviews in class with the assumed identities.
Possible interview questions:

What do you like about your job?

Who is your role model?
What is the most interesting fact about you?
What aspect of your career has been the most difficult?
What is your worst quality?

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 ! pictures vs. words
Do you agree with this saying: a picture is worth a thousand words?

After listening to the speaker, answer the questions below.

1. What attitude does the speaker convey about television news

programs from the first few sentences?

2. According to the speaker, what is more trustworthy: pictures or

words? Do you agree or disagree?

3. Violence and destruction are often part of TV news stories. How do

you think the speaker would explain this phenomenon? Do you agree
or disagree?

4. According to the author, what would be some kinds of news events

that might not get covered sufficiently on TV? What current news
events would get more coverage than necessary?

5. What form of news coverage do you think the speaker prefers?

6. If the speaker could change the way TV news programs covered the
news, what do you think he/she would change?

. activity
Write a news program that covers a current event of the day, or choose
from one of the topics below.

a mud slide kills 17 after heavy rains beat the capital

three bodies are found in a quiet neighbor’s house
science discovers a way to lose weight without exercise, diet, or pills

How does your program compare to the speaker’s opinion of news?

[] activity
What is happening in the scenes below? What are the characters doing?
Why? What will happen next?
1. 2. 3. 4.

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 [] the tube
POSITIVE ASPECTS NEGATIVE ASPECTS

_________________ __________________
_________________ __________________
_________________ __________________
_________________ __________________

Do you have any positive experiences about watching TV?

@ negative agreement
either
I didn’t talk to my mother this morning, and Harry didn’t, either.
She can’t believe that she won the lottery, and I can’t, either!
Pat had never seen so many people, and Terry hadn’t, either.
I am not happy about that policy, and you aren’t, either.

negative statement, + and + subject + negative

verb, + either.

• Either is used to show negative agreement, when someone

agrees with a negative statement.
• Use a negative verb with either.
• The verb preceding either should be an auxiliary verb if
applicable.
• Remember that verbs like can and do do not use auxiliary
verbs.
• A comma usually precedes either.

- exercise 1: negative agreement-either

Complete each sentence.
1. I don’t like scary movies, and Tina _________, either.
2. Barry hasn’t heard from his parents, and Helen and her cousin _________,
either.
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3. Olivia didn’t do her homework, and Larry _________, either.
4. Mrs. Spice wasn’t at work yesterday, and her husband _________, either.
5. I couldn’t find my other shoe, and my mother _________, either.
6. The dog wasn’t on a leash, and the cat _________, either.

@ neither
Yolanda wasn’t very satisfied with her meal, and neither were we.
Gertrude didn’t follow the directions carefully, and neither did her
sister.
Jessie couldn’t believe that they were so late, and neither could I.

negative statement, + and + neither + affirmative

verb + subject.

• Neither is used to show negative agreement, when someone

agrees with a negative statement.
• Use an affirmative verb with neither.
• The verb following neither should be an auxiliary verb if
applicable.
• Remember that verbs like can and do do not use auxiliary
verbs.
• With neither, use a subject pronoun (I, you, he, she, it, we, they).

- exercise 1: negative agreement-Neither

Complete the sentences.
1. I don’t like my haircut, and neither _________ my girlfriend.
2. Our neighbors didn’t pay their rent, and neither _________ we.
3. She hasn’t called me for weeks, and neither _________ you.
4. The book wasn’t on the shelf, and neither _________ the papers.
5. Your sister doesn’t like salsa music, and neither _________ I.
6. I shouldn’t gossip about Rebecca, and neither _________ you.

- exercise 2: negative agreement

In the following sentences show negative agreement.
1. You don’t pay attention to the class, and Maggy _________________.
2. She can’t stay quiet for more than a minute, and ___________________ he.
3. You haven’t seen the new movie, and ___________________ I.
4. I couldn’t find her house, and he ________________.
5. She didn’t finish her work, and I _____________________.
6. I don’t care about her, and ______________________ you.
7. You haven’t brought my money yet, and ___________________ your sister.
8. I can’t stand salsa music, and she _____________________.
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9. She didn’t wash her uniform, and ________________________ he.
10. You don’t write very often, and I ___________________.

[]what kind of a program is it?

sitcom game show
drama/suspense news
romance documentary
reality show cooking program

TITLE TYPE OF PROGRAM

1. The $20,000 Question ____________
2. Criminal Intent ____________
3. Saving Susan ____________
4. Into the Wild: Africa Exposed ____________
5. A Night at the Clubs – Real-life Stories of Teenage Addicts ____________
6. Fashion Faux Pas of the Rich and Famous ____________
7. Name that Voice ____________
8. Fire it up with Tony ____________
9. Live from the Studio of Channel 5 ____________
10. The Pet Psychic – Reviving the Dead ____________

What examples of these types of programs do you have on your local

stations?

G vocabulary
Fill in the blanks with the words below.

rerun turn it up networks static

remote screen fast-forward record
prime time eject child-oriented rewind

1. ____________! I want to hear what she says.

2. Oh, I didn’t see that part! Please _________ the tape.
3. I’ve seen this episode before. It’s a __________.
4. Some of my favorite programs are on _____________ television.
5. I think the satellite went out because all you get is _________.
6. Please move the antennae. The __________ is flickering.
7. When I tried to _______ the tape, it didn’t come out.
8. I need programs for my kids, but there are few __________ programs on air.
9. I want to tape that show while we’re gone. Could you please ______ it for me?
10. All the television __________ are passing the game.
11. This part of the tape is boring. _______________ it.
12. I can’t change the channel because the_________ is lost!

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 ® Tv guide
What is your favorite program on TV? Write a small description of it.
Can the class guess which show it is?

TV GUIDE
“The Last Hippy Standing” – ABS, Monday 8:30 pm

This season there is a new comedy to hit the air. With actors such as Malcolm Lewis and
Cheri Riftkin, ABS’s “The Last Hippy Standing” guarantees to get a few laughs. In a new
twist to the “boy meets girl” plot, Lewis, who plays a recent divorcee whose wife leaves
him after discovering she wants to be an astronaut, goes back to college. There he falls in
love with his radical sociology teacher, played by Riftkin. The plot revolves around
Lewis’s many odd, and often ridiculous, antics, which he employs in order to get his
professor’s attention. For instance, in the first episode, we find Lewis picketing a
government agency with his class, only to be arrested for disturbing the peace. Riftkin’s
charm with the audience and Lewis’s comical mannerisms provide the recipe for success
for this new sitcom.

“Murder by Night” – WBC, Sunday 9 pm

Once upon a time, Sunday nights were for an older group, people who watched “20/20”
and “60 Minutes.” But Sundays are getting a fresh face with the season’s hottest new
drama, “Murder by Night.” With a focus on forensic science, this series provides
audiences with a weekly dose of murder and suspense. A New York team of doctors and
law enforcement officers investigate real crimes which have never been solved. It is a
gory show, with viewer discretion advised, but the characters are quirky and fascinating
in their own right. Like ER, which took drama to new lengths by exposing the personal
lives of each character much like a soap opera, “Murder by Night” will have you waiting
on pins and needles from week to week in order to follow not only the crimes, but the
problems of the characters, also.

“Jessie’s Life” – Wolf TV, Tuesday 9 pm

It’s been years since a network has brought programs geared toward – and suited for –
children to prime time. Not since “The Simpsons” has anyone introduced an animated
series which can be enjoyed by the whole family to prime time TV. “Jessie’s Life” is
bringing a breath of fresh air to Tuesday nights, however. With its unique blend of
sarcastic, yet clean-cut, humor, parents can sit alongside their children and watch,
without having to worry about inappropriate language, sexual innuendoes, or discreet
violence. In “Jessie’s Life,” the typical American family meets an afterschool special.
Parents will appreciate the show’s morals, while children will love the graphics.

COMPREHENSION
Which program would you watch if
you liked cartoons?
you liked mysteries?
you were fascinated by criminology?
you liked ER?
you liked The Simpsons?
you wanted romance?
you liked graphic images?
you wanted to laugh?
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On which program will you find ...
liberal viewpoints?
often ridiculous situations?
sarcasm?
inappropriate images?
cliffhangers?
clean-cut comments on the American family?
suspense?

Which program is for ...

children?
mature audiences?
families?
people who like drama?

. activity
Write a TV review for a show on a local channel.

@ prepositions
• Indicate a relationship between a verb and noun.

Her checkbook fell out of the purse at the bus station.

If you go up those stairs, you will see the restrooms.
If the bus driver doesn’t stop, you will have to jump off the bus.

• Are part of phrasal verbs (must be memorized)

come back hear of try out step on

take back make up hang out play down

• Are part of other idioms or special expressions which are not

phrasal verbs, but are not predictable or intuitive, either.

opposed to accustomed to careful of ready for

excited about intrigued by/at safe from good at
responsible for famous for aware of slow at
fed up with nervous about related to ashamed of

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 @ prepositions of time
at on in for
since from to before
after by during until

At
We will be there at six o’clock.
At lunchtime you have an hour break.

• At is used with specific times (clock time, time of the day).

• We say at Easter, at Christmas
• Certain expressions of time use at:
at present at the moment at the same time
at the beginning at the end at night
• Use at with age: at the age of

on
On Thanksgiving Day our families get together.
On Monday she went to the hair dresser’s.
They got married on April 15, 1999.
On Saturday nights we usually have friends over.
I don’t have to work on weekdays.

• On is used for dates and days.

in
In August we will have a family reunion.
He was born in 1987.
In the twentieth century technology became very important.
I usually stay at my grandparent’s farm in the summer.

• In is used for longer periods of time, like years and months.

• In is used in expressions:
in the morning in the afternoon in the evening.
• If used with a period of time, it refers to a time in the future.
In three weeks he will retire.
I’ll be back in a few minutes.

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- exercise 1: in, on, or at?
Choose from in, on or at to complete each sentence.

1. ____ the morning ____ Sunday, I’m going to plant the flowers.
2. She was born ____ 1973, and her sister was born ____ 1976.
3. ____ March 1, we celebrate our 21st wedding anniversary.
4. I have class ____ the early evening, but you have class ____ night.
5. ____ six years I plan to have paid off my house.
6. Every day ____ 6 a.m. sharp the baby wakes up.
7. It is really difficult for me to get up ____ Monday mornings because after
the weekend I am usually very tired.
8. ____ the moment I don’t have any nice shoes, but ____ Christmas my
parents usually give me some.
9. ____ nine o’clock the show is going to start.
10. I met my husband ____ June, ____ a warm, sunny day.
11. Susan studies, and ____ the same time works full time.
12. There will be many new inventions ____ the next century.
13. I expect to graduate ____ the year 2005.
14. ____ a beautiful day ____ July, ____ 9:00 ____ the morning, Laura was
born.
15. Helen was already manager of a supermarket ____ the age of twenty.

@ for, since, during

I have known her for three years.
I have known her since 1990.
We were friends during our childhood, but then lost touch.

for + period of time (two years, six weeks, three minutes)

• For is used to say how long something lasted.

since + specific time (1678, Friday, 4:00)

• Since is used to say when something started.

during + noun (the fair, class, the last century)

• During is used to say when something happens (not how long).

- exercise 1: for, during, or since?

Complete the sentences with for, during, or since.
1. ______ the last five years she has worked for Microsoft.
2. The U.S. has been an independent country ______ 1776.
3. ______ the night the baby woke up four times.
4. Marlene has had romantic feelings for Dennis ______ the last two years.
5. It’s amazing! Amber hasn’t complained about anything ______ ten minutes.
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6. Rose and Mike have been dating ______ the day they first met.
7. Morgan hasn’t come to class ______ last Friday.
8. George works the third shift, so he sleeps ______ the day and works
______ the night.
9. The doctor told my mother that she needs to exercise ______ thirty
minutes each day.
10. ______ many years Jenny and Alana were best friends.

@ by and until
You have to give me the report by Friday.
She should be here by now.
I can’t play until it stops raining.
I slept until noon.

by + time
until + time/clause

• By is used to indicate “not later than.”

• Until is used to say how long a situation continues.

- exercise 1: prepositions of time

Use any of the prepositions of time discussed in this chapter to complete the
sentences.

1. ______ 6:00 tomorrow, we will have heard the answers.

2. ______ Sunday we are going to go to Nayon to buy flowers.
3. ______ 6:00 tomorrow she will tell us the answers.
4. We have known each other ______ 1990.
5. Barb has been married to Alex ______ April, and plans to stay with him
______ the day she dies.
6. Mary has been in El Salvador ______ Monday.
7. Carmen has been living in Rio ______ twelve years.
8. You liked that book ______ Greg said that it was his favorite.
9. ______ the course of the week, Karen found out that she had been
adopted.
10. I was driving ______ a snowstorm when I crashed.

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[] tv show review
Outside of class, watch a half-hour program. Write a review about it, using the
format below.

Name:
Actors:
Storyline:
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________

Main conflict and solution:

_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________

What a future show would be about:

_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________

Rating:HHHHH (excellent, highly recommended)

HHHH
HHH
HH
H (poor, don’t waste your time)

V pronunciation
• The sounds made by the letters b and v are similar, yet different.
Both are both voiced sounds, which means that when pronounced
there is a vibration in the vocal cords.
/b/
• Pronounce this sound with your lips closed. Pressing them firmly
together, push the sound out. Practice.

ball both bother believe

bubble basketball berry rob

/v/
• Pronounce this sound by pressing your top row of teeth to your
bottom lip. Push the sound out, keeping teeth and lips in contact.
Practice.

reveal velvet very envelope

volleyball verify villain vex

15
!PRONUNCIATION EXERCISE: B OR V?
Listen. Circle the word that was said. Check your answers with a
partner.

1. valet ballet
2. bolt volt
3. very berry
4. revel rebel
5. vest best
6. vine bind
7. vigor bigger
8. bet vet
9. veer beer
10. bent vent

@ prepositions of place
at on in over
under beside beneath next to
above on top of by (near) at the bottom of

• There are few clear-cut rules for the use of many of the
prepositions of place, especially at/in/on.

in
in a room in the water/ocean
in a building in a row/line
in a garden/park in the corner (of a room)
in a town/country in a picture
in a mirror in the sky
in back of in front of

• When we use in, we are usually emphasizing the place.

• In also refers to being enclosed, for example my clothes are in the
closet.

16
 on
on the floor on the grass
on the roof on the chair
on the left on the desk
on the ground on the wall
on page seven on the road
on the coast on the corner (of a street)
on the back of (a book) on the back of (a piece of paper)

• When we use on, we are often speaking of a surface.

at
at the corner (of a street) at the light
at the bus stop at the window
at work at the front of the room
at the top/bottom at the end (of a street)

• When we use at we are usually thinking of where an event takes

place.
at the hotel at a restaurant at the theater

• We also use at to speak of the event itself.

at the movies at a concert at a party

by (Near)
He is standing by(near) your car.
Angie lives near me.

• By means near when used for place.

• Do not use to with near.

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 L zoom
IN, AT: SPECIAL CASES

Tom is in school until four.

I dropped him off at the school this morning.
At Lakewood Community College, we strive to be the best.

• We say at school/college or in school/college.

• We use at when we use the name of the school.

She was at Richard’s house yesterday.

In Richard’s house there are three bathrooms.

• We say at someone’s house/apartment/office.

• When we are thinking of the house/building itself, we use in.

I live in Cuenca.
The Parthenon is in Athens.
Does this train stop at Pine City?
We stopped at a small village near the lake on our way to Chicago.

• In is usually used for towns and cities.

• At may be used when the town or city is a
point on a journey.

Notice the use of the verb arrive.

When did he arrive in Quito? (IN for a country or
Înote: town)
What time did he arrive at work this morning? (AT
with other places/buildings)
He arrived home on Friday. (NO preposition with home)

- exercise 1: in, at, or on?

Complete each sentence with in, on or at.
1. He has a pimple ____ his chin.
2. Of all the people ____ the room, she was the only one ____ red.
3. He sat ____ the couch while his wife sat ____ the armchair.
4. The name of the author was written ____ a page ____ the beginning of the
book.
5. Don’t leave the papers ____ the desk; put them ____ my bag.

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6. She is ____ the library ____ the moment.
7. I work ____ a bakery ____ the weekend.
8. When you put the clothes ____ the drawer, be careful not to wrinkle them.
9. The child wrote ____ the desk and made his father angry.
10. When you enter his house, the bathroom is ____ the right.
11. Did you take off the label that was ____ the bottle?
12. Who is the man ____ that picture?
13. Please put the cover ____ the back of the couch.
14. Sally is ____ the pool, playing ____ the water.
15. I will meet you ____ the bus stop.

- exercise 2: prepositions of place

Complete each sentence with one of the prepositions of place discussed in
this unit.
1. I live ______ the mall, ______ a neighborhood called “Las Farsalias.”
2. He arrived ______ Loja after midnight, and went directly to his hotel.
3. Mr. Evers lives ______ Pennsylvania, but his family lives ______ Iowa.
4. You can find my hat ______ the dresser ______ my bedroom.
5. ______ my house there is a library.
6. ______ Wanda’s house there are six bedrooms!
7. Tyrone was ______ Wanda’s house last night.
8. The metro train stops ______ Rush City and Cloquet.
9. There are some children playing ______ the street; I wish they would go
and play ______ the park.
10. The groceries are ______ the counter ______ the kitchen.

h grammar first aid

The disk is in the computer.
As I was putting the disk into the computer the screen froze.

• Some prepositions of place are static (e.g. in), while others indicate
movement or direction (e.g. into).

He goes to work by taxi.

This present is for Mary.
He works as a waiter on weekends.

• Other types of prepositions indicate means, give descriptions, or have

other functions:
with despite in spite of by as

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 ! two opinions
In general, do you think TV has had an overall positive or negative
effect on society?
A. CUT BACK ON TV!
Finish the ideas below, based on the first opinion.

1. Before television began to monopolize our ___________ ___________,

families would actually sit down together and share _______________.
2. In the middle of the last century, suddenly families were required to
look at a _______________ instead of one another.
3. TV can be _______________, and even _______________ at times.
4. Most American children have watched over _________ hours of
television programming by first grade.
5. Some parents use the TV as a _______________ for their children.
6. TV is taking the blame for America’s increasing _______________ in
teens.
7. Some studies say that by the time our youngest hit 70, they will have
watched about _____ to ______ years of television.
8. Because we see so much of it, TV also desensitizes us to
_______________ twenty-four hours a day.

B. TV: THE TRUE CULPRIT?

Finish the ideas below, based on the second opinion.

1. In the U.S. there is a trend right now to _______________ TV for

everything.
2. It’s time TV stopped being blamed for the shortcomings of
_______________ _______________.
3. The truth is that without TV our lives would be extremely
_______________.
4. Television gives us a unique opportunity to see how others live and to
learn from them, and to experience the beauty of ____________
____________.
5. TV is a more effective medium than a _______________.
6. TV is guilty of teaching us _______________, decorating, home-
improvement, and _______________.
7. TV entertains us by providing comic relief, suspense, and a form of
_______________ after a long day at work.
8. TV can help us forget our _______________.

COMPREHENSION
Which speaker (1 or 2) would probably say each sentence below?
_____TV is harmless.
_____TV makes it difficult for children to learn.
_____Social problems are a direct result of violence and sexual references
seen on TV.
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_____TV is an activity that has a relaxing effect.
_____TV is a healthy activity.
_____Children watch too much TV.
_____TV enriches our lives.
_____TV helps us understand that which is incomprehensible otherwise.
_____TV is more efficient than a teacher.
_____TV encourages passivity.
_____People get fat because of TV.
_____The institution of the family is deteriorating because of TV.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. What is the general viewpoint of each speaker?

2. What are some of the aspects discussed?

Positive Negative
______________ ______________
______________ ______________
______________ ______________

3. Which opinion do you agree with? Why?

Æ role play
What are some characteristics that classify all soap operas?

Invent a soap opera. Use any of the ideas below to prepare a scene
from your soap.

CHARACTERS SITUATIONS
a serial killer in love for the wrong reasons
a pregnant CEO an innocent man goes to jail
a cancer victim betrayal of best friends
a recovering alcoholic a poor family comes into money

How do you feel about the role soap operas play in general culture?

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 @ prepositional phrases
After leaving us, Vincent went to work.
There were three people in the room whom I knew.

• A prepositional phrase begins with a preposition and ends with a

noun or noun phrase.
• Prepositions must be followed by a noun.
• To use a verb after a preposition, it must be in the gerund form (the
noun form of a verb).

- exercise 1: prepositional phrases

Choose the correct preposition from the list for each of the blanks below. In
some cases, there may be more than one answer. When you finish,
underline the prepositional phrases.

by on for with about during

in front of in near next to at until
after since

1. _____ the time we left for school, the sun was already out.
3. The woman waited _____ the corner _____ three hours _____ only a light
jacket.
4. _____ now her plane should have landed.
5. _____ class it began to snow.
6. _____ the last decade he got rich.
7. I was standing _____ line when the boy _____ me spilled milk _____ my
jeans.
8. Chicago is _____ Lake Michigan.
9. _____ listening to the baby cry _____ a few minutes, the mother finally
got up and laid it _____ its back.
10. We had fun _____ our vacation _____ the mountains.
11. Have you seen the notice _____ the bulletin board _____ the dance that is
_____ five weeks?
12. Please don’t write _____ these receipts.
13. _____ the beginning of last year, we lived _____ the mall _____
Jamestown.
14. He was supposed to be here _____ seven o’clock.
15. While she was driving _____ the highway, a big skunk came out of the
forest and stopped _____ her car.

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- exercise 2: prepositions-special uses
Decide which preposition should follow each of the expressions below.

of to into in
at with on by

1. Nobody knows what the cause ____ his problem is.

2. She reacted violently ____ what I said.
3. The disadvantage ____ driving is that it is difficult to see the landscapes.
4. I have a picture ____ my father in my wallet.
5. I ran ____ an old friend last night.
6. The television caught ____ fire last night!
7. She called Stan ____ his middle name ____ mistake.
8. Are you going to pay ____ cash or check?
9. I was very proud ____ the way you handled that bully.
10. Christian was very rude ____ the customer.
11. It was incredibly foolish ____ you to forget to lock your car door.
12. Why is Cindy so jealous ____ everyone else? She should be ashamed
____ the way she has been acting.
13. Brenda is excellent ____ telling stories to children.
14. What are you so angry ____?
15. She is very fond ____ children.
16. The mall was crowded ____ last-minute shoppers.
17. I would like to complain ____ the manager about the lousy service here.
18. A bicycle crashed ____ me on my way to work this morning.
19. The dish she made consisted ____ potatoes and ham.
20. Can you take care ____ my dog while I am on vacation?

[] television programming

most violent programs _______________ ______________

funniest programs _______________ ______________
most educational programs _______________ ______________
most pointless programs _______________ ______________

Take a class survey of the answers. Based on the survey, which programs
should be taken off of the air immediately?

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 § writing
Think of a time that television has impacted your life in a negative or
positive way. Write a few paragraphs about this experience.

___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

[] commercials
What are some of the characteristics all commercials have?
What makes a commercial successful?
Do you have a favorite commercial?

Make a television commercial. What are you trying to sell? What

techniques are you going to use in order to convince viewers to buy
your product?

ø internet
Have you ever wanted to know more about your favorite soap stars? Do you
like to watch television game shows, always wishing that you could
participate? Now you can, at www.abc.com. On this web site you can learn
more about ABC’s television shows and stars. Play Who Wants to be a
Millionaire (even take the “fastest finger” challenge!), download video
games based on the hit show Alias, and predict endings to your favorite
shows, like The Bachelorette. Surf this web site for more fun trivia and
games.

. Write some trivia questions about your favorite show. Can anyone in
the class answer them?

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