General Listening Quiz
“TV Guide”
| Level | Topic | Speakers | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intermediate | TV Shows | Man – Woman | 01:19 |
Pre-Listening Exercise
Look at the list of TV programs below. Which shows interest you most? Discuss your answers:
nature, documentary, news, game, home improvement, reality, cartoon, fitness or exercise, soap opera or drama, talk, sitcom, cooking
Agree or Disagree? Let’s Spark Some Conversation!
These statements are designed to get everyone thinking, exploring ideas, and sharing opinions.
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In a face-to-face classroom: Read each statement aloud. If you agree, move to one side of the room; if you disagree, move to the other. Talk with your group—why do you feel that way?
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In an online classroom: Use polls, emojis, or the chat box in your online platform to show your opinion. Then, join the conversation as a group or in breakout rooms.
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For independent learners: Read each statement and think about your opinion. Then say your answer out loud and explain your reason, as if you’re talking to a classmate.
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- Watching TV is a waste of time.
- Educational programs make TV more valuable than other forms of entertainment.
- People watch too much TV instead of being active.
- Reality TV is harmful to society.
- Watching TV with family is better than watching alone.
- TV shows influence people’s behavior more than books do.
- Children should have limited TV time every day.
- Watching international TV shows is a good way to learn about other cultures.
Idioms
“get into something” = be interested in something
“How about watching something else on TV? I don’t really get into baseball.”
“couch potato” = someone who sits and watches TV a lot
“I‘m a little worried about my roommate. He’s a real couch potato and doesn’t get outside and exercise very much.”
Listening Exercise
Listen to the recording and answer the questions. (See transcript)
Vocabulary and Sample Sentences
Here are some words and expressions that appear in the recording:
- get into something (verb): be interested in something
– I didn’t think the kids would get into watching that nature program, but they loved it - documentary (noun): a television program that gives facts on a person, place, or thing
– Hurry. Switch the channels. I don’t want to miss the documentary on space travel. - suspense (noun): a feeling of excitement about what will happen next
– She liked the movie because it was full of suspense from beginning to end. - rerun (noun): a TV program that is shown over again
– This channel usually shows reruns of programs from the 1960s late in the evening. - zillion (noun): a very large number
– Sometimes, kids don’t mind watching the same TV cartoons a zillion times. - improvement (noun): a change that makes something better
– There are a number of improvements you can make on your writing assignment. Read it again and see what you can do. - beat (adjective): very tired
– I was so beat last night that I fell asleep watching TV. - hit the sack: go to sleep
– He hit the sack early because he has to work in the morning.
Vocabulary Practice
Do the vocabulary quizzes with the words from the conversation for more practice:
Post-Listening Exercise
If you were having a party at your house with some friends, what TV programs would you watch? What do you like and dislike about the following shows? Reality shows, documentaries, news, sitcom, soap operas, nature programs. Explain your reasons.
Online Investigation
Watching online TV shows and viewing instant streaming movies is becoming a common recreational activity for the young and old. Use the internet to find two companies that provide such services. Compare price, convenience, and features of each and discuss your findings with a partner.