CARD 22

5 questions - Card 22

22.Let’s talk about national character and stereotypes.

1.    Do you think it’s misleading to think that all people have the same character traits?

2.    Give me some advice on how to avoid stereotypes.

    3.    What questions would you ask your American friend about the stereotypes which exist in the USA?

         4.    Your friend is going to study in America. Advise him/ her how to communicate with Americans.

5.    Have you heard the expression “American dream” ? How do you understand its meaning?

№ 22

  I.  1. Read the article and say in 2—3 sentences what it is about.

From librarian to political reporter

The Pretenders is a very successful and popular TV series. In each programme there is a contestant who has just four weeks to learn to do a completely new job. At the end of the month the contestant has to do a ‘test’, where he or she has to do the new job together with three other professionals. Three judges have to identify the one who pretends.

Jessica Winters is a 26­year­old librarian. She studied English Literature at the University of Bath before getting a job at the local library. She didn’t know that two of her friends had sent her name to the TV company to take part in The Pretenders. ‘When someone from the company called me, I thought it was a joke,’ said Jessica. ‘First of all, I said ‘no’, in the end my friends and my family persuaded¹ me and I agreed.’

Jessica had four weeks to turn from a quiet, shy librarian into a confident TV reporter. At the end of the month she had to interview the Minister of Education. It was her test.

An experienced political journalist, Adam Bowles, had to transform Jessica into a professional. He wasn’t very optimistic when he met her. ‘Jessica needs to be a lot harder, even aggressive. She is much too sweet and shy’, said Adam. ‘Politicians will eat her alive.’ They had just 28 days to teach her how to interview people, how to be confident, how to speak clearly.

Jessica was terrified at the beginning. She watched a lot of live interviews with politicians. Adam made her read the political sections of all the newspapers. It was boring for her and she felt exhausted. Later as soon as she began making progress, she felt more relaxed.

During the interview Jessica felt nervous but well­prepared as she had done much research and had practised a lot. ‘When it was all over, came the worst part, I had to wait while the judges decided which of us they thought wasn’t a professional’. The judges gave their verdict: they were all professional reporters.

For Jessica it was a great experience and she was pleased how she did it, but actually she doesn’t feel like changing her work.

¹ to persuade [pəˈsweɪd] убедить

2.  The Pretenders is a famous TV programme. Read aloud the extract about it.

3.  How did Jessica make it into the programme?

4.  Why was it an exciting and useful experience for Jessica?

     

II.  Listen to three people talking about their favourite countries and answer the questions below.

    1.   What country does the first speaker like most?

    2.   What makes Italy a favourite place for the second speaker?

    3.   Why does the third speaker like Argentina?

      III.     Let’s talk about national character and stereotypes.