TOPIC 38: Describe a quiz program or game show on TV you like.
BAND 8.0+
PART 2
Alice (English US)
George (English US)
You should say:
What it is
How do you know it?
What it is like
And explain why you like it.
ANSWER
We are living in the era of technology, which offers countless programs for us to choose from for study or amusement. However, after seeing this topic, a quiz show comes to mind: “Who wants to be a millionaire?”. I believe that you should know it because the format is very commonplace all around the world.
But what I want to talk about is a Vietnamese game show based on the original British format of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? The show was hosted by Lại Văn Sâm from its debut until 2017 and is now hosted by Đinh Tiến Dũng.
Actually, the first time I watched this program was when I was in secondary school. If my memory serves me right, maybe I was 13 years old. My close buddy recommended it to me; she said it was really great and worth watching. so I gave it a try.
I was fascinated by this program and really impressed by the contestants’ knowledge as well as the complicated questions.
At the start of the show, contestants are gathered and will have to answer a multiple-choice question to decide who gets to be in the hot seat. Naturally, it’s the person who answers accurately within the shortest time.
When a contestant is selected, he or she will proceed to sit in a chair in the center—the hot seat—and have the opportunity to answer a total of 15 questions that get harder over time. For every answer that they get right, they’ll be awarded an amount of money. If they’re not sure about one particular question, they can always stop the game and go home with the money. But if they’re feeling adventurous, they can just go with their instincts. And there’s always three aids we can use; for example, we can call your friends for help or choose to have half of the options eliminated.
In Vietnam, until now, only one person won the first prize in 2011.
I consider it exhilarating to watch because it’s really challenging and rewarding. More importantly, I have learned a great deal of knowledge from this program, and I can apply it to my life. It not only helps me to open my mind, but it also reduces my stress a lot. That’s why I really enjoy watching it.
PART 3
Alice (English US)
George (English US)
- What kinds of TV programs do you often watch?
Personally, I do not watch TV that much, though once this has been a great source of entertainment for me. On average, I watch TV for 5–10 hours a week.
Apart from “who wants to be a millionaire, as I just mentioned, I find reality TV shows, comedy TV series, and celebrity talk shows quite funny and entertaining.
I find comedy shows most interesting. I really admire comedians because of their great sense of humor. They can easily make others laugh with their stories. Whenever I watch them, I can get away from stress. It is really helpful.
Sometimes, I also watch the news to catch up on the latest news around the world.
- Do you think kids are watching too much television?
Based on my observation, children nowadays are addicted to phones instead of TV. Maybe because it’s easy and convenient to use. More importantly, they can play games at their fingertips.
- What kinds of TV programs do you think should be broadcast more?
I think it would be great if educational programs were given more airtime to raise public awareness about social or environmental issues. If that’s the case, I believe a lot of people will become knowledgeable and conscious of the many issues happening.
- Do you often watch programs on TV or on your smartphone?
Oh, definitely on my phone, because it’s so easy and convenient to use it at any time, anywhere. More importantly, I can skip ads when they appear in the middle of programs, which I cannot do when watching TV.
- Do people in your country like to watch TV?
Oh, yes, definitely. Watching television is very popular in my country because it is one of the two major traditional media that offer entertainment and news to citizens.
- What kind of television programs are most popular in your country?
Based on my observation, people tend to watch some programs such as TV series, live sports competitions, news programs, talk shows, music shows, cooking shows, documentaries, and reality TV shows. Finally, weather updates are some of the most popular program types on TV in my country.
- Why is watching TV so popular around the world?
I reckon that TV is accessible entertainment. This means that TV has become an indispensable part of our lives when it comes to entertainment and updating the latest news.
It’s often much cheaper than going to the movie theater or to a concert.
More importantly, it’s absolutely free!
- Why is TV the most effective form of media?
The contents, the messages, and the advertisers that appear on TV are reliable sources of information thanks to different mechanisms ensuring the quality of the ads broadcast on TV, unlike those shown on the Internet or apps that are not always heavily censored. Therefore, TV is the most secure medium, reaching a broad and diverse audience.
- Why does TV make us happy?
It was also found that watching TV created relaxation and good feelings. Watching TV is very much about enjoying the present moment. When we are watching TV, we are no longer focused on the stresses of life or our work. We’re just sitting back and enjoying it.
- What are the benefits of watching TV?
Nowadays, there are a huge number of channels and content available to us at any time of the day, no matter where we are. People have various options, including cable television, TV packages, and online streaming.
Despite the rise of mobile devices and the Internet, television still holds an important place in our lives as a trusted source of information, an endless flow of entertainment, and a great way to spend time together as a family.
For now, however, whatever we are looking for, whether that be educational programs, news, or entertainment shows, television is sure to have us covered.
Some shows teach children about different people, cultures, and places. They give children exposure to other parts of the world we live in and things that they might not otherwise come across.
Television can be a good way to introduce our child to sports, be it cricket, soccer, or table tennis.
- Why do some people like to watch TV on their computer?
One reason consumers may be moving their TV time onto PCs is simply that a lot of screen choices now exist for viewing content. Now that more consumers own not just laptops but smartphones and tablets with internet access, it’s a lot easier to access the many kinds of home entertainment that people are looking for.
The second reason more consumers seem to be shifting their TV time to PCs is because they don’t want to be disturbed by advertisements on TV.
- What is the difference between young people’s and old people’s favorite TV dramas?
In my humble opinion, youngsters and older people may have some different tastes in TV drama, but not by much, I believe. Young adults are more into movies with lots of excitement or supernatural factors, such as science fiction, thrillers, superheroes, or comedy. Some of the most popular TV drama series nowadays, like Games of Thrones, The Walking Dead, and Supernatural, all fall under these categories.
Meanwhile, older generations tend to value shows that have certain meanings or messages rather than the visual effects themselves. Family-friendly dramas or sit-coms are some of their favorites. However, there are also exceptions.
- How has television changed our lives?
From my perspective, TV allowed people with similar interests to connect over their shared love for different programs.
Before the internet, watching television shows was a social event. Friends and family members would gather to watch and enjoy their preferred programs.
- How do TV shows reflect society?
Personally speaking, television has become a very functional and effective learning tool if used sensibly, and it has created a powerful way of spreading awareness and influencing public opinion. TV shows can create trends in emotions and behavior. It also awakens a sense of empathy in people and fuels the growth of responsibility.
- How did television improve the world?
Nowadays, television has grown to become an essential part of most households, with at least one TV in every house. Television helps to teach us with educational programs and documentaries, inform us of international events and world news, and entertain us with creative shows.
Some people consider television to be a time-wasting and brainwashing mass medium, as TV addiction has been a problem for decades. However, it is important to acknowledge how television can positively influence our lives and our actions.
Television can help people from all social, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds develop values, form perceptions, and spread ideas about major global issues.
- Do you think people will change their preference for TV dramas as they get older?
I suppose that is likely to happen since most things change over time, and so does our taste in TV programs. This may result from changes in our perception of life and surroundings as we grow into maturity.
VOCAB
- In the era of technology
- Nghĩa: trong thời đại công nghệ
- Phiên âm: /ɪn ðiː ˈɪərə ʌv tɛkˈnɒlədʒi/
- In the era of technology, smartphones have become an essential part of our daily lives.
- Amusement -n
- Nghĩa: sự giải trí
- Phiên âm: /əˈmjuːzmənt/
- The amusement park offers a variety of rides and attractions for visitors of all ages.
- A quiz show
- Nghĩa: một chương trình truyền hình câu hỏi đố vui
- Phiên âm: /ə kwɪz ʃoʊ/
- We enjoy watching a quiz show on TV and testing our knowledge against the contestants.
- Commonplace-adj
- Nghĩa: phổ biến, thông thường
- Phiên âm: /ˈkɒmənˌpleɪs/
- Smartphones have become commonplace in today’s society, with almost everyone owning one.
- The original British format
- Nghĩa: định dạng ban đầu của Anh
- Phiên âm: /ðiː əˈrɪdʒənəl ˈbrɪtɪʃ ˈfɔːrmæt/
- The show’s producers decided to stick with the original British format for the American version.
- Debut -n
- Nghĩa: sự ra mắt, sự tỏa sáng lần đầu
- Phiên âm: /ˈdiːbjuː/
- The talented singer made her debut with a stunning performance that captivated the audience.
- If my memory serves me right—idiom
- Nghĩa: nếu tôi nhớ không lầm
- Phiên âm: /ɪf maɪ ˈmɛməri sɜːrvz miː raɪt/
- If my memory serves me right, we met for the first time at that coffee shop five years ago.
- My close buddy
- Nghĩa: bạn thân của tôi
- Phiên âm: /maɪ kloʊz ˈbʌdi/
- I’m going on a road trip with my close buddy this weekend.
- Give it a try—idiom
- Nghĩa: thử một lần xem sao
- Phiên âm: /ɡɪv ɪt ə ˈtraɪ/
- I’ve never tried sushi before, but I think I’ll give it a try tonight.
- Be fascinated by
- Nghĩa: bị mê hoặc bởi
- Phiên âm: /biː ˈfæsɪˌneɪtɪd baɪ/
- She is fascinated by astronomy and spends hours stargazing.
- Proceed to -v
- Nghĩa: tiếp tục, đi tiếp đến
- Phiên âm: /prəˈsiːd tuː/
- After finishing the first course, we proceeded to the next part of the training program.
- Adventurous -adj
- Nghĩa: mạo hiểm, thích phiêu lưu
- Phiên âm: /ədˈvɛntʃərəs/
- They are an adventurous couple who love to travel to remote and exotic destinations.
- Instinct -n
- Nghĩa: bản năng
- Phiên âm: /ˈɪnstɪŋkt/
- The mother’s instinct told her that something was wrong with her child.
- Eliminate -v
- Nghĩa: loại bỏ, tiêu diệt
- Phiên âm: /ɪˈlɪmɪˌneɪt/
The goal of the project is to eliminate poverty in the community by providing education and job opportunities.
- Exhilarating -adj
- Nghĩa: làm sảng khoái, làm hồi hộp
- Phiên âm: /ɪɡˈzɪləˌreɪtɪŋ/
- Ví dụ: Skydiving can be an exhilarating experience, giving a sense of freedom and adrenaline rush.
- Challenging and rewarding
- Nghĩa: thách thức và đáng giá
- Phiên âm: /ˈtʃæləndʒɪŋ ænd rɪˈwɔrdɪŋ/
- Learning a new language can be challenging and rewarding at the same time.
- A great source of
- Nghĩa: một nguồn lớn của
- Phiên âm: /ə ɡreɪt sɔːrs ʌv/
- The internet is a great source of information for research and learning.
- A great sense of humor.
- Nghĩa: một sự hài hước tuyệt vời
- Phiên âm: /ə ɡreɪt sɛns ʌv ˈhjuːmər/
- She has a great sense of humor and always makes everyone laugh with her jokes.
- Catch up on St.
- Nghĩa: bắt kịp, cập nhật
- Phiên âm: /kætʃ ʌp ɒn/
- I need to catch up on the latest news and read the newspaper.
- Be or get addicted to
- Nghĩa: nghiện, nghiện nặng
- Phiên âm: /biː/ /ɡɛt/ /əˈdɪktɪd tuː/
- He is addicted to video games and spends hours playing them every day.
- At SB’s fingertips-idiom
- Nghĩa: dễ dàng truy cập, có sẵn ngay trong tầm tay ai đó
- Phiên âm: /æt ˈsʌmbədiz ˈfɪŋɡərˌtɪps/
- With smartphones, we have information and resources at our fingertips.
- Raise public awareness about
- Nghĩa: nâng cao nhận thức của công chúng về
- Phiên âm: /reɪz ˈpʌblɪk əˈwɛrˌnɛs əˈbaʊt/
- The campaign aims to raise public awareness about the importance of recycling and environmental conservation.
- If that’s the case—idiom
- Nghĩa: nếu điều đó là đúng
- Phiên âm: /ɪf ðæts ðiː keɪs/
- If that’s the case, we should double-check our calculations before proceeding.
- Conscious of -adj
- Nghĩa: ý thức về
- Phiên âm: /ˈkɒnʃəs ʌv/
- She is conscious of the impact of her actions on the environment and tries to live a sustainable lifestyle.
- Tend to -v
- Nghĩa: có xu hướng, thường xuyên
- Phiên âm: /tɛnd tuː/
- Children tend to be more active and energetic than adults.
- Be heavily censored.
- Nghĩa: bị kiểm duyệt nặng nề
- Phiên âm: /biː ˈhɛvɪli ˈsɛn.sərd/
- The government-controlled media is heavily censored, limiting freedom of speech and expression.
- Reliable sources of information
- Nghĩa: các nguồn thông tin đáng tin cậy
- Phiên âm: /rɪˈlaɪəbəl ˈsɔrsəz ʌv ˌɪnfərˈmeɪʃən/
- It is important to verify information from reliable sources before sharing it online.
- A trusted source of information
- Nghĩa: một nguồn thông tin đáng tin cậy
- Phiên âm: /ə ˈtrʌstɪd sɔːrs ʌv ˌɪnfərˈmeɪʃən/
- The professor is considered a trusted source of information in the field of astrophysics.
- Supernatural -adj
- Nghĩa: siêu nhiên, ngoại vi
- Phiên âm: /ˌsuːpərˈnætʃərəl/
- The TV series explores the world of supernatural creatures and paranormal activities.
- Visual effects
- Nghĩa: hiệu ứng hình ảnh
- Phiên âm: /ˈvɪʒuəl ɪˈfɛkts/
- The movie’s visual effects were stunning and added excitement to the action sequences.
- Awake a sense of empathy.
- Nghĩa: đánh thức sự đồng cảm
- Phiên âm: /əˈweɪk ə sɛns ʌv ˈɛmpəθi/
- The documentary aims to awaken a sense of empathy in viewers towards endangered species.
- Mass medium-n
- Nghĩa: phương tiện truyền thông đại chúng
- Phiên âm: /mæs ˈmiːdiəm/
- Television is a powerful mass medium that reaches millions of viewers around the world.
- Ethnic backgrounds
- Nghĩa: nguồn gốc dân tộc
- Phiên âm: /ˈɛθnɪk ˈbækˌɡraʊndz/
- The city is a melting pot of different ethnic backgrounds, creating a diverse and vibrant community.
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