Please read the vocabulary lesson at your natural speed, though it should not be too fast so that I could hear what you speak naturally and imitate yours. Part 1 can be found at https://rhinospike.com/audio_requests/sunflower/56307/ Thank you!
Examiner: We have been talking about a TV programme and now I would like to ask you some more general questions relating to this topic.
EXPLAIN how TV can influence people in both a good and a bad way
Student: Many crimes have been committed as a direct result of people watching violent TV programmes or films. This is a particularly worrying way in which TV can have a negative influence on people. There are however educational programmes which can have a positive influence on people such as programmes about our health and well-being.
ASSESS whether parents should stop their children from watching some programmes
Student: In the UK there is a watershed of 9pm. This means that before 9pm programmes should not contain to many swear words or too much violence. If parents allow children to stay up after the watershed, then they need to monitor the programmes the children are watching to see if they are suitable. I think that parents have a responsibility to censor the programmes that their children watch. This is good parenting.
CONSIDER whether it is a good thing that we can see such violent news on our TV every day
Student: I watched the news today and it was full of stories of murders and violence. I was horrified and consider it a bad thing that we are exposed to such things day in day out. I am also of the opinion that violence breeds violence. People copy what they have seen on television so I would be happy if our news was censored.
SPECULATE on the future of TV.
Student: With satellite television and the internet we are now able to get TV 24 hours a day and from all the continents. Because of this, however, I personally feel that the quality of TV programmes has diminished. In the past the BBC was respected for the quality of its programmes and they were sold all over the world. Nowadays because of 24-hour TV more programmes need to be made and they are not as good as they used to be. I think this reduction in quality TV programmes is a trend that will continue.
CONSIDER whether it is fair that people can now often download music from the internet for free, without paying the writer or performer anything
Student: I totally disagree with people being able to download music from the internet and the writer or performer gets nothing. To me it is stealing. You cannot just walk into a supermarket and take something without paying for it so why should you be allowed to have music for nothing. Record companies should work with the internet to make it impossible to download music without paying for it. This would then solve this problem.
CONSIDER whether it is a good thing that “western” music seems to be popular all over the world
Student: For language students I think western music is a useful tool for learning a language. A large proportion of western music is sung in English, therefore for learners of English listening to songs in English can contribute to their language acquisition. However, if the popularity of western music means that indigenous music is lost then the dominance of western music is a bad thing.
Hi Diane! I see what you mean. Thank you so much for your great help!