English

Key unit competence: To use language learnt in the context of the media.

3.1 Speaking and listening: The media

3.1.1 Speaking and listening activity

1. Look at the pictures. Name the different types of media that you see. Say the sentences aloud. Fill in the words that are missing.

Some of the young people are watching ________. Someone is listening to the ________. One person is reading a ________ while another is paging through a ________.

2. Use the questions as a guide for a discussion about the media.
• Do you have a TV (television set) or radio in your home or in your dormitory? (Yes, I do. No, I do not.)
• Where do you watch TV?
• How often do you watch TV? (Sometimes, often, once a day, twice a week, never, all the time …)
• What TV programmes do you like most? (I like music/ sport/the news/the weather forecast/the serials …)
• What kind of radio programmes do you like? (I like …)
• How often do you read a magazine?
• Do you read your local newspapers?
• What do you find most interesting to read in a newspaper?    

3.2 Skills: Describing

To describe something, you have to give details about what it is like.

If you want to describe people’s habits regarding TV and radio, or newspapers and magazines, you should say something like:

• In our home we are only allowed to watch TV once we have finished our homework.
• There are some programmes that our parents do not allow us to watch.
• Our radio is on all day and we listen whenever we have time.
• We only buy a newspaper when something important has happened and we want to read about it.
• I read magazines when I can, but they are very expensive.

3.2.1 Speaking and listening practice

1. Look at the sentences above that describe people’s habits. Choose the examples that apply to you. Say the sentences aloud.
2. If only some of the example sentences apply to you, make up your own sentences. Make three sentences of your own about your habits regarding watching TV and listening to the radio. Make another three sentences about your habits regarding reading newspapers and magazines. Say them aloud.

3.2.2 Speaking and listening practice

1. Complete the sentences orally.
    a) We buy a newspaper ________.
   b) The adults in our house read the newspaper ________.
   c) I only read ________.
   d) My sister reads ________.
   e) We like watching TV ________.
   f) We seldom buy magazines because ________.
   g) In the library I read ________.
   h) My favourite magazine is ________.
   i) Newspapers are important because ________.
   j) I seldom read newspapers because ________.
2. Write down the best sentences.

3.3 Vocabulary

A: Media

B: Related vocabulary

3.3.1  Writing practice

1. Copy tables A and B into your notebook. Complete them by looking up the missing meanings and pronunciations in a dictionary.

     Fill in the blank spaces.
2. Write the words that you did not know in your vocabulary book. Also write sentences using the words correctly,

     so that you do not forget them.

3.3.2 Speaking practice

1. Say the words in Table A and B aloud. Make sure that you pronounce them correctly.

3.3.3 Writing practice

1. Complete the sentences. Use the words in tables A and B to fill in the blank spaces.
    a) Let us listen to the ________ ________. If it rains tomorrow we will not be able to go to the market.
    b) We must ________ carefully as the news is read quite fast.
    c) Have you listened to the ________ today? I hear there was a serious traffic accident near Kigali.
    d) What is your favourite ________? I like the sports review.
    e) We do not have a ________, but we watch our favourite programmes at our neighbour’s house.
    f) We have a ________, so we can listen to the news and weather forecast every day.

3.3.4 Writing activity

1. Complete the following sentences. Use the words in tables A and B.
    a) I like to read the ________ because an editor is an informed person.
    b) My sister listens to the ________ at three every afternoon when the ________ is broadcast.
    c) The ________ has a very pleasant voice and is easy to listen to.
    d) I make a point of listening to the ________ ________ every evening.

        This is so that I know whether or not to take a jacket to school with me the next day.
    e) The ________ consists of 200 episodes. One episode is broadcast at a certain time every day.
    f) The news ________ is more interesting on TV because you can see where things happened.

3.3.5 Writing activity

1. Write five sentences about people’s habits regarding TV, radio, newspapers and magazines.

    Think about the group discussions that you had before you write. Use the vocabulary that you learnt.
2. Exchange notebooks with a partner and mark each other’s sentences.
    Check the language used and the spelling of the new words.

3.4 Language structure: Adverbs of frequency

An adverb of frequency tells you how often an action happens.
For example:
  • He sometimes listens to the radio.
  • She never reads the newspaper.
  • She always does her homework before she watches TV.

It is important to understand which adverb of frequency to use. It may help you to remember the adverbs of frequency if you link them to a percentage. The percentage tells you how often the action happens.

3.4.1 Writing practice

1. Write the sentences in your notebook. Choose and fill in the appropriate adverb of frequency.

a) Ngabo practises soccer every day, so he ________ has time to watch television.
b) There is no TV in Mutesi’s home, but she ________ listens to the news on radio. She likes to know what is happening in
the country.
c) Ngabo ________ listens to the weather forecast to find out if it is going to rain the next day.
d) Neza ________ watches television because she does her homework in the evenings.
e) Ngabo ________ watches soccer on television when his favourite team plays.
f) Neza ________ reads an English newspaper because she wants to improve her English.

g) If it was not so expensive Ngabo would read a sports magazine ________.
h) Neza likes to read fashion magazines, but she ________ has enough money to buy one.
 i) Mutesi ________ goes to the library to read the newspapers.
 j) Neza goes with her because there are ________ some fashion magazines.

3.4.2 Writing practice

1. Copy the text into your notebook. Choose and fill the blank spaces with appropriate adverbs of frequency.

The learners a) ________ go to the library during break to read the newspapers.

Their history teacher insists that they read the newspapers b) ________ so that they know what is happening in the country.
Many of the learners are interested in sport.

They c) ________ go to the library to see whether the latest sports magazine has arrived.

Their English teacher d) ________ encourages them.

She says that the only way to improve their English is to e)________ read and speak it.

Neza thinks that is true, because her English has improved.

She f) ________ reads the newspaper, because it is important to read some English every day.
She g) ________ tries to read for half an hour, but h) ________ she has too much homework and can only manage ten minutes.
Ngabo does not like reading much, but he i) ________ reads the sports page in the newspaper.

He j) ________ reads the sports magazine from cover to cover.

3.4.3  Writing practice

1. Write the sentences in your book. Choose and fill in the blank spaces with adverbs of frequency.

a) Isaro does not like reading and ________ reads a newspaper.
b) Her friend, Mutesi, ________ invites her to listen to the radio with her.
c) Shema ________ reads magazines because he wants to improve his English.
d) He ________ listens to the English news bulletin to hear how to pronounce words correctly.
e) Isaro prefers to find an English storybook in the library and reads ________ before bedtime.
f) She ________ reads more than ten pages, however.
g) Isaro is interested in fashion and ________ reads the magazines that her aunt buys.
h) Shema likes soccer and he ________ reads a sports magazine.
i) Isaro ________ watches TV because she likes to see what people are wearing.
j) The teacher ________ tells Isaro that she will have to improve her English.

3.4.4 Writing practice

1. Write five sentences of your own, describing your reading habits.
Use an adverb of frequency in every sentence.

Homework
Listen carefully to a news broadcast on the radio or TV. Make notes about what you hear.
• What are the main points of the news?
• Is the news mainly about politicians?
• Have there been any serious accidents in the country?
• Is there anything about education in the news?
• Is the weather having an effect on food crops this year?
• What was said about sport?

3.4.5 Listening and speaking activity

1. Before you listen to the extract, answer these questions.                                               
   a) Do you sometimes listen to an English news broadcast at home?
   b) Do you understand what is being read?

2. Listen to an extract from a news broadcast.                                                                                            
3. Answer the following questions.
    a) What is the purpose of the three short sentences at the beginning of the news bulletin?
    b) Who is the presenter?

   c) In what way is the National Police Force being modernised?
  d) Is a career in the police only for men? Explain your answer.
  e) How will the floods affect the production of rice?
  f) What is a ‘fatality’?
  g) What is particularly tragic about the loss of these lives?
  h) Did you find this news bulletin interesting? Give a reason.

4. Discuss your answers with a partner to check whether you understood what was said.

3.5 Sounds and spelling

The letter /e/ (pronounced /iː/ as a letter of the alphabet) is pronounced differently in certain words.

The sound depends on what letters appear before and after it.

3.5.1 Speaking and listening practice

1. Say the words in the table on page 45 aloud. Listen to one another and correct the pronunciation if necessary.
2. Look up the pronunciation of the words below in the dictionary. Add them to the pronunciation group where they belong.

Homework
Complete the crossword puzzle at home.

ACROSS                                                                              DOWN
1 View on TV                                                                          2 Piece of writing in a magazine
                                                        
6 Prediction                                                                            3 Information about recent events                                                                   
7 A story printed or broadcast in consecutive parts               4 A regular show on TV
8 The editor’s opinion                                                             5 Use your ears.
9 Vertical strip of print in a newspaper
10 A news report on radio or television
  3.5.2 Reading and writing activity        

1. Pre-reading activity:
   a) In your dictionary look up the meaning of the words in bold in the following text.

        Write them in your vocabulary book and learn to spell them.
   b) What does the editor of a newspaper do?
   c) Look at the heading of the extract below. What do you think this story is going to be about?
2. Read the extract from the story.        

 First day on the job
Carrie walked into the editorial offices. It was 9.30 in the morning.

For a moment she hesitated at the lift, unnoticed by the people seated at the many desks.     

    She took a deep breath and stepped into the office. A sudden silence descended as people looked up at the sound of her heels.

     She tried to relax as she walked across the floor and nodded to those who caught her eye    

      My first day on the job, she thought. Then the buzzing of telephones and the hum of conversation resumed.

      She tapped lightly on the glass door.  

    “Ms Milton!” The editor-in-chief came to his feet as he looked up to see Carrie at his door.

      “I was only expecting you tomorrow!”
       “Carrie please. I know, but I was free and I decided to come in.”
        “You’re welcome, anyway. Fred Laurence,” he introduced himself.       

                            
        “I am very glad to see you. My doctor has insisted that I leave by the end of next week.

It is good that you have come in sooner.”
“The end of next week! I thought we would have at least a month to work together.

I would then have a chance to get to grips with the work!”

“Carrie, you are an experienced editor. You will pick up the routine soon enough.

The staff know their jobs. Let me introduce you to the day editor.”

Carrie looked in the direction Fred pointed, and saw a man looking at her intently.

The expression in his eyes was so malevolent that she involuntarily took a step back.
The next moment she heard a strangled sound behind her.

She turned in time to see Fred collapsing at her feet, clutching his chest with both hands.

3. Now answer the questions in writing in your notebook.
a) Where (in what type of business) would you expect to find an editorial office?
b) What job has Carrie been appointed to take over?
c) Why was the editorial office suddenly quiet when Carrie walked in?
d) What does Carrie mean when she says, ‘Carrie, please.’?
e) You have looked up the meaning of ‘editor’. What do you think is an ‘editor-in-chief’?
f) Why do you think the editor-in-chief is being replaced?
g) Is everyone in the office glad to see Carrie? Explain your answer.
h) What do you think has caused Fred to collapse?
i) Do you think Carrie and Fred are going to spend any time working together? Explain your answer.

3.6 Language structure: Present perfect tense

You form the present perfect tense from the present tense of the verb have plus the past participle of a verb, or from have been plus the present participle.
You use the present perfect tense:
• for something that started in the past and continues in the present.
Examples:
– They have sold English newspapers in Rwanda for many years.
– They have been selling English newspapers in Rwanda for many years.
• with since for something that started in the past and is still happening.
Examples:
– The journalist has worked for the paper since she left university.
– The journalist has been working for the paper since she left university.
• when you are talking about an experience up to now.
Example:
– This is the most interesting article I have ever read.

3.6.1 Writing practice

1. Write down the correct form of the verb in brackets.
   a) Carrie (appoint) as editor-in-chief at a national newspaper.
   b) She is nervous about the appointment since she (be) working at a much smaller newspaper.
   c) The doctor (tell) the current editor-in-chief to retire for the sake of his health.
   d) Carrie (arrive) a day early to start her new job.
   e) The day editor is angry because he (not be appoint) as editor-in-chief.

3.6.2 Writing practice

1. Write down the correct present perfect form of the verb in bracket.
    a) The editor (have) many years of experience.
   b) Many journalists (work) at the newspaper for a long time.
   c) This newspaper (not have) a female editor-in-chief before.
   d) The editor-in-chief (just suffer) a heart attack.
   e) The staff (have) a lot of experience.

3.6.3 Writing practice

1. Write five sentences on your own about Carrie’s first day in her new job. Use the present perfect tense.

3.6.4 Reading and writing activity

1. Pre-reading activity:
   a) Look at the heading of the article. What is this news article about?
   b) Look at the structure of the article. Note the short paragraphs that are used.
2. Read the article.

Fatal accident causes traffic disruption
A serious road accident has occurred on the road between Kigali and Muhanga, 10 kilometres from Kigali.

It involves a bus with workers on their way to the mines.
The accident has caused the death of five passengers with another 20 seriously injured.

The driver has also been seriously injured. He has not been able to talk to the police.

It is suspected that a burst tyre caused him to lose control of the vehicle.

The road is currently closed. The accident response team, police and several ambulances are still at the scene. It has taken three hours to haul the bus out of the ditch where it landed. Paramedics are still busy tending to the injured and removing them from the wreck.
Other vehicles headed in this direction are advised to take an alternative route. It is not yet known for how long the road will be closed.

3. Answer the comprehension questions on the text.
  a) What is the purpose of the first paragraph of a news article?
  b) Why are there no articles (the, a, an) in the heading?
  c) Which word in the heading is most likely to attract the reader’s attention? Why?
  d) What is a possible reason why the driver has not been able to speak to the reporter?
  e) Why has the road been closed?
  f) What are other people to do who need to use the road?
  g) What is a paramedic?

3.6.5 Writing activity

1. Write five sentences about a news event, as if it is to be broadcast on TV or radio.

    Pay attention to the present perfect tense.
2. Exchange notebooks with a partner and edit each other’s work. Discuss the errors you have made.

 3.6.6 Speaking and listening activity

Role-play a TV/radio news broadcast, using the text you wrote in the Writing activity 3.6.5. For example: An accident has taken place in Musanze. Take turns until each member of the group has had a chance to role-play broadcasting the news item. The best role-plays may be presented
to the class.

3.7 Language structure: Future simple tense with will

The future simple tense with will is used when you make a decision about the future.
For example:
  • The article will be in tomorrow’s newspaper.
  • The article will not be in tomorrow’s newspaper. (negative)
  • Will the article be in tomorrow’s newspaper? (question)

3.7.1 Writing practice

1. Give the correct future simple form of the verb in brackets.
     a) The reporter (submit) her article tomorrow.
    b) The editor (write) the editorial this evening.
    c) The crime reporter (not write) his story tonight.
    d) The night editor (see) that the newspaper is ready for printing at midnight.

3.7.2 Writing practice

1. Give the question form of the following sentences.
    a) The political reporter (be) at parliament tomorrow.
    b) She (write) her report after the session.
    c) She (cover) the discussion of the budget tomorrow morning.
    d) The fashion reporter (attend) the fashion show on Saturday.

3.7.3 Writing practice

1. Give the correct future simple form of the verb with will.
    a) The sports writer (watch) the soccer game tomorrow.
   b) He (not watch) the tennis tournament.
   c) To get the results he (telephone) the organisers.
   d) He (write) his sports review before midnight tomorrow.

3.7.4 Writing practice

1. Complete the text by filling in the correct future simple tense form of the verbs in red.

Keza is the political reporter at one of the national newspapers. She does not spend all her time in parliament, but attends when important issues are discussed. She a) be in parliament on Tuesday when the budget b) discuss. There c) be a heated discussion because the opposition d) not satisfy with the increase in taxes. They e) propose an amendment, but it f) not approve.

Homework
Listen to the weather forecast over the radio or on TV. Note the vocabulary and tense(s) used.

3.7.5 Writing and speaking activity

Write sentences about a weather forecast using will. Role-play your weather forecast, pretending you are the radio announcer.

Checklist of learning

In this unit you learnt to:

• describe habits regarding TV and radio, use of newspapers and magazines, etc.
• read an extract from a work of literature
• write a TV news broadcast.

3.8 Unit assessment

This section can be used for formative or summative assessment, or for revision.

1. Write four sentences describing your family’s habits regarding the following media:
   a) TV
   b) radio
   c) magazines
   d) newspapers                         [4]

2. Use the following words in sentences to show that you know what they mean:
   a) broadcast
   b) bulletin
   c) weather forecast
   d) editor
   e) presenter
   f) serial                                       [6]

3. Write a brief news bulletin based on any news bulletin that you have listened to or watched recently. Write three short paragraphs, each covering one news item.                                 [10]

4. Fill in an appropriate adverb of frequency in each of the sentences.

a) Our teacher ________ encourages us to read English.
b) We enjoy TV, but ________ have time to watch programmes.
c) We ________ listen to the radio to keep up with the news.
d) We ________ buy magazines because they are expensive and we cannot afford them.

e) Our library keeps magazines and newspapers, so we ________
go there to read our favourite publications. [5]

5. Write a weather forecast of five sentences, using the future simple tense. [5]

6. Give the present perfect form of the verbs in brackets.
    a) Carrie (be appoint) as editor-in-chief at a large daily newspaper.
    b) She (dress) smartly to make a good impression on her first day.
    c) She (be look forward to) the challenge of the new job.
    d) The current editor-in-chief (be suffer) from a serious heart condition.

    e) The welcome from some of the other staff (not be) very warm. [5]

“According to the newspaper it a) be very hot in Kigali for the past few weeks.”
“Do you think it b) rain today?”
“I do not think so. It c) be a dry season so far. According to
the weather forecast there d) be no rain for the next few days.
It e) [adverb of frequency] rains in July, anyway, as it
f) always be our driest month.”
“I g) [adverb of frequency] listen to the weather forecast in the morning, but there h) be no mention of rain. I don’t think we i) have any rain before September or October. I am afraid we j) have floods in October.