I

1 – In about 45-50 words answer to the following:

Which of the following media do you prefer for reliable and more complete information?
The Radio? The Press? The television? The Internet?
II
Read this text:
Kids and TV
1. The children of today have more advantages than the children of two or three generations
ago. Let’s just take TV as an example.
2. Today’s children do not need to learn to read as early or to develop an imagination. All their
fairy tales, bedtime stories and cartoons are shown in living colour on TV. There is nothing to
read and nothing is left to the imagination.
3. After watching most of the news shows on TV, it is obvious that most directors and actors
never got past primary school. Kids do not need to go to the local bowling hall to hear those
dirty words that they are taught in Sunday school should never be used. They can hear all the
dirty talk they want to at home on TV.
4. By the time they are old enough to talk, children are being programmed to tell their folks just
what they want. The big advertising agencies are directing more and more advertising at the
children. The advertising personnel know exactly who controls the purse springs at home. Just
take a good look at McDonalds and the billions of burgers they have sold. It is the “Kids meal”
with advertised toy that has brought McDonalds all that business.
5. One of the latest crazes aimed at children is the “Pokemon”. At the opening of the first
Pokemon movie in our area, several hundreds parents called the schools and said their child
was sick and couldn’t go to school. However, they all showed up at the local cinema hall for
the opening of the Pokemon movie.
6. Today’s youths no longer have to lie about their age to watch XXX rated movies. Now they
have cable TV and watch these type movies anytime. They are also learning from the soap
operas just how easy is to go from one husband/wife to another with no feelings of guilt. Yes,
TV is very educational, but are these morals what we really want to teach to our youth?
7. Too many parents use TV as a baby-sitter. They turn their TV on, go about their business, and
leave the TV to entertain their children. As long as the children are quiet the parent is satisfied.
Have you sat down with your child lately and watched TV with him/her to see what shows
they are watching? You may be surprised at some of the things they are showing on the
children’s channels now.
(adapted)

1. Find the evidence for the following sentences:

a) Today’s children have an easier life compared to the children in the past.
b) TV gives children the first opportunity to learn bad language.
c) As time goes by, there are more and more advertisements directed to a very young
audience.

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 d) Some programmes induce Kids to think infidelity or adultery is a normal thing.

2. Find synonyms in the text for the following words:

a) most recent obsession
b) teenagers, young people
c) culpability
d) amuse
e) pleased
f) astonished

3. Answer these questions on the text. Provide personalized sentences as far as possible?
a) How is TV affecting the Kids’ creative skills and imagination?
b) Why have the children become an easy target of the big advertising agencies?
c) What impact did the film Pokemon cause in the author’s area? How far do you agree/
disagree with the parents’ attitude?
d) “Too many parents use the TV as a baby-sitter”. What does that mean?

4. Complete these sentences according to ideas in the text.

a) Many programmes on TV don’t give correct language models, so the author concludes………
b) As more and more families have cable TV………
c) Parents feel more satisfied when……..

III
1. Insert a suitable Connector to complete the sentences.

In spite of Although However As

So that Since whereas

2. Rewrite the sentences below into the Passive form (simple and idiomatic where possible)
a) ______________ the Internet was the last media to arrive it expanded quickly.
b) Parents buy their kids every toy they see on TV commercials ______________they want to see
their kids happy.
c) Computer engineers proclaim the wonders of computers ______________sociologist warn
about the dangers of a computerized world.
d) Common people want to participate in reality shows ______________they can make money
easily.
e) Less people are buying newspapers.______________ , the press remains an important source
of information.
f) TV can be seen as a powerful tool of information ______________presenting programmes that 2
aren’t very suitable to children.
 a) The advertising agencies are directing more advertising at children.
More advertising………………………………….
b) Young kids can hear all the dirty talk on the family TV set.
All the dirty talk……………………………………
c) The computers engineers will build Internet-enabled houses.
Internet-enabled houses …………………………………….
d) Reality shows have changed the concept of entertainment.
The concept of entertainment ……………………………………
e) Techno freak are encouraging us to communicate through the Internet.
We …………………………………….
f) Everyone is showing them the benefits of the Information Age.
They ………………………………….
3. Use the Reported Speech to report these people’s utterances, beginning them by the words
provided into brackets.
a) “Big Brother is successful because it makes the other side of the screen accessible to
anyone who accepts to expose his/her privacy”.
In 2001, John de Mol declared……………………….
b) “The Radio has now become a global force. I’m certain that it will connect the British
Empire”.
In 1932 Lord Reith said ……………………………
c) “I don’t want the authorities to ban these programmes but I think they need to be more
careful. My kids deserve to learn through good examples”
Sally, mother of three kids, told me……
d) “Don’t forget the press was the first mass media!”
The newspaper editor asked us………………………..
e) “Use the new technologies with moderation!”
The psychologists advised…………………………………

COTAÇÕES

I 1 1 x 20 points 20 points

1 4 x 5 points 20 points

2 6 x 5 points 30 points

II 3 4 x 7 points 28 points

4 3 x 6 points 18 points

1 6 x 4 points 24 points

III 2 6 x 5 points 30 points

3 5 x 6 points 30 points

TOTAL 200 points

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