Television viewing is Britain’s most popular leisure pastime: 95 per cent of households have a colour television set. The British also call it “watching the box” or “the telly”. The average viewing time per person is over 25 hours a week. Britain is one of the world’s foremost exporters of TV productions, which continue to win large numbers of international awards, especially for documentaries, nature programmes and drama serials.

There are four TV channels in Britain: BBC1, BBC2, ITV and Channel 4. BBC1 and BBC2 do not show adverts. ITV and Channel 4 are independent. They get most of their money from advertising. Advertisements are shown every 15-30 minutes.

BBC 1 and ITV tend to broadcast popular programmes. They specialize in general interest programmes, sports programmes, recent films, current affairs, game shows, soaps, children’s programmes. Soaps are broadcast either three or four times a week and each episode lasts about half an hour. The most popular soaps are Coronation Street and East Enders. They depict ordinary lives in relatively ordinary circumstances. So the viewers can see themselves and other people they know in the characters and in the things that happen to these characters.

The two Australian soaps, Neighbours and Home and Away, are shown five days a week and children watch them when they come in from school.

BBC2 and Channel 4 show programmes that usually attract much smaller audiences: TV plays, classical concerts, foreign films, travel and educational programmes. BBC2 is used by the Open University to broadcast educational programmes. These programmes are shown early in the morning or late at night and they allow many thousands of students to study at home.

In general, British people think that the programmes shown on British TV are of a very high standard. However, many people are worried about the amount of violence on TV, and the effect this may have on young people.

Write true, false, doesn’t say.

1. Some people prefer watching adverts.

2. BBC2 and Channel 4 show programmes that usually attract much smaller audiences.

3. British people consider that the programmes shown on British TV are of a very low standard.

1) He usually (goes) to school by bus, but today he (is walking) to school. 2) Listen! The birds (is singing). They always (sing) in the morning. 3) What (are you / doing)? Do you always (work) like that? 4) I (do not / swim) in this lake! It (is) far too cold. 5) Peter (has just / eaten) his school dinner, but I (think) school dinners (taste) horrible. 6) The girls often (do) their homework together, but today they (are not / doing) their homework properly! 7) I sometimes (go) for a walk in the afternoons, but today I (am working) instead. 8) Christiana always (feeds) her cows in the morning, but Tim (is feeding) them today. 9) Look! (Isn't ) that Sarah? She (is just / going) into the cinema with her boyfriend. 10) Dad (does not / know) that Tom (has run) in a marathon today. He will be surprised.

1 I can't translate this article because i don't have a dictionary. 2 may I see Bill? Certainly. You can find him in the reading hall. 3 I can remember many words at once. 4 yesterday I couldn't come to you because I was busy. 5 he can't go quickly. He is tired. 6 can you sing? Yes, I can. Can you take part in the concert tomorrow? Of course, with pleasure. 7 can you help me to lay the table? I am sorry but I am in a hurry and I can't help you now. 8 I wonder if he can do this work himself 9 if you work hard, you will able to speak English well soon. 10 I couldn't get tickets to the theatre yesterday. 11 my friend can't drive a car well. 12 he is unlikely to have made such a mistake. 13 he couldn't read Latin and understand what the doctor prescribed him 14 could you give me your dictionary? I will return it the day after tomorrow. 15 can she really be the little Lizzy? How much she has grown. 16 can I see the manager? Unfortunately, no. He will be by 12. 17 unfortunately, I can't remember anything about her. It was so long ago. 18 can you roller skate? No, I can't. Neither can I. But Tom can. 19 here it is forbidden to cross the street. Please, go to the passage underground. 20 in spite of difficulties he was able to achieve a lot. 21 he couldn't explain us anything. 22 I can't carry this bag. It is too heavy. 23 he will able to call you only late in the evening. 24 he can't be here anymore. It is very dangerous. 25 I won't be able to believe you until you show me this letter. 26 they can't have noticed us. We were too far away. 27 can you drive a car. No, I can't. I am learning. 28 if the weather doesn't change, we won't be able to go picnicking on Sunday. 29 you can go there on foot. It will take you 10 minutes. 30 it is forbidden to leave a car here. 31 it is possible to get to the city by bus. 32 some parrots can pronounce words and even phrases. 33 could he really be involved in this case? 34 she can't be sleeping now. I have just seen her in the garden. 35 it can be cold in England . 36 I couldn't come to you yesterday in the evening because I had a meeting. 37 when can I talk to you? 38 he couldn't join us. He had a training. 39 could she really have told you about it herself? 40 I can't leave home. I have a fever. 41 she will able to help you if you ask her. 42 could she really be still speaking over the phone. 43 would you kindly tell me the time? 44 you could watch TV if you like. 45 he can't be late. He is always so punctual. 46 he can't have read this book so quickly. It is too hard for him. 47 you can take the dictionary. I don't need it anymore. 48 you shouldn't drink so much coffee in the evenings. 49 you can rely on him. He is a very reliable person. 50 speak louder, please. I don't hear anything.