A. APPLIES B. DIGESTS C. SUPPLIES D. RELATES READ THE FOLLOWING...

Câu 25: A. applies B. digests C. supplies D. relates

Read the following passage and blacken the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the

correct answer to the following 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."