UNIT 4. THE MASS MEDIAPART I. PHONETICS

Exercise 10. Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D to indicate the correct answer to

each of the questions.

REALITY TELEVISION

Reality, television is a genre of television programming which, it is claimed, presents unscripted

dramatic or humourous situations, documents actual events and features ordinary people rather than

professional actors. It could be described as a form of artificial or "heightened" documentary. Although

the genre has existed in some form or another since the early year of television, the current explosion of

popularity dates from around 2000.

Reality television covers a wide range of television programming formats, from games to quiz

shows which resemble the frantic, often demeaning programmes produced in Japan in the 1980s and

1990s (a modern example is Gaki no Tsukai), to surveillance - or voyeurism - focused production such as

Big Brother.

Critics say that the term "reality television” is somewhat of a misnomer and that such shows

frequently portray a modified and highly influenced form of reality, with participants put in exotic

locations or abnormal situations, sometimes coach to act in certain ways by off-screen handlers, and with

events on screen manipulated through editing and other post-production techniques.

Part of reality television's appeal is due to its ability to place ordinary people in extraordinary

situations. For example, on the ABC show, The Bachelor, an eligible male dates a dozen women

simultaneously, travelling on extraordinary dates to scenic locales. Reality television also has the

potential to turn its participants into national celebrities, outwardly in talent and performance programs

such as Pop Idol, though frequently Survivor and Big Brother participants also reach some degree of

celebrity.

Some commentators have said that the name "reality television" is an inaccurate description of

several styles of program included in the genre. In competition-based programs such as Big Brother and

Survivor, and other special-living-environment shows like the Real World, the producers design the

format of the show and control the day-to-day activities and the environment, creating a completely

fabricated world in which the competition plays out. Producers specifically select the participants, and

use carefully designed scenarios, challenges, events, and settings to encourage particular behaviours and

conflicts. Mark Burnett, creator of Survivor and other reality shows, has agreed with this assessment, and

avoids the word "reality” to describe his shows; he has said, "I tell good stories. It really is not reality TV.

It really is unscripted drama."

111. In the first line, the writer says “it is claimed” because________.

A. he wants to distance himself from the statement B. he totally disagrees with the statement

C. everybody except the writer agrees with the statement

D. he wants to emphasize that it is his own claim

112. The word demeaning in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to________.

A. valueless B. humiliating C. despising D. diminishing

113. According to the passage, Reality TV appeals to some because________.

A. it uses exotic locations C. it can turn ordinary people into celebrities

B. it shows eligible men dating women D. it shows average people in exceptional circumstances

114. According to the passage, the program “Pop Idol”________.

A. is more likely to turn its participants into celebrities than Big Brother

B. turns all participants into celebrities

C. is a dating show D. is less likely to turn participants into celebrities than Big Brother

115. Producers choose the participants________.

A. to make an imaginary world B. on the ground of talent

C. to create conflict among other things D. only for special-living-environment shows

116. The term “reality television” is inaccurate________.

A. for talent and performance programs B. for special-living-environment program

C. for all programs D. for Big Brother and Survivor

117. The word fabricated in paragraph 5 is closest in meaning to________.

A. real B. imaginative C . imaginary D. isolated

118. Which of the following in NOT true according to the passage?

A. Shows like Survivor have good narratives.

B. Mark Burnett thinks the term "reality television” is inaccurate.

C. Reality television has been popular since well before 2000.

D. Japan has produced demeaning TV shows copied elsewhere.