Television, the Source of Information and Entertainment

What do you think of the role of television in our lives? TV is an important way we get information and stay connected in our lives. Nowadays, media is a big part of how we live. It’s supposed to tell us things, teach us, and entertain us. TV acts like a bridge between the government and regular people. It’s a strong tool that has a big impact on what people think.

Level A2/B1

Speak about the Role of Television in Our Lives

TV plays a very important part in our life.
It’s the main source of information and a cheap form of entertainment for millions of people.
It’s the window on the world which gives us an opportunity to “travel” all over the world, “to meet different people and learn about their customs and traditions.
It has the power to educate and broaden our minds.
It helps to relax and escape from reality.
There’s always a great variety of programmes on TV: news and sports programmes, documentaries and feature films, theatre performances, soap operas, weather forecasts.
There are also various shows: talk shows or chat shows, game shows, quiz shows, reality shows, talent shows.
Of course, not all programmes are good. But many are made in good taste and with great professional skill.
Some people argue that television is a terrible waste of time.
It makes us lazier.
We stay at home instead of going out.
We read less. We think less. We even talk less.
It’s true that some TV addicts spend hours in front of the “box” watching whatever’s on from second-rate Mexican soap operas to silly commercials.
The trick is to learn to control television and use it intelligently.
Violence on TV is another problem that worries people.
As George Mikes once said, TV teaches us “how to kill, to rob, to shoot and to poison”.
But the same can be said about computer games, many films and books.
What do you think of the role of television?

Word List

source – джерело
entertainment – розвага
opportunity – можливість
power – сила
educate – навчати, розвивати
broaden one’s mind – розширювати світогляд
relax – розслаблюватися
escape from reality – уходити від реальності
variety – різноманітність
various – різноманітний
documentary – документальний фільм
feature film – художній фільм
in good taste – зі смаком
professional skill – професійна майстерність
argue – сперечатися, доводити
waste of time – марна трата часу
addict – наркоман, людина залежна від чогось
box – «ящик», телевізор
whatever’s on – щоб ні показували по телевізору
second–rate – другосортний, посередній
soap opera – серіал|
commercial – телереклама
the trick is – секрет в тому (що)
intelligently – з розумом
ideal – ідеал
violence – насилля
rob – грабувати
shoot (shot, shot) – стріляти
poison – отруїти