Talking about: TELEVISION

Here you can find some questions you can ask your partner during conversation about television:

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1. Do you have a TV set <p class = tooltip2><b>TV set</b> (level: intermediate)</p><p class = tooltip2>a television set (device)</p><p class = tooltip2><i>We need a new TV set. The old one has broken down recently.</i></p> at home?

2. If so, how many TV channels <p class = tooltip2><b>TV channel</b> (level: intermediate)</p><p class = tooltip2>TV station</p><p class = tooltip2><i>The only TV channels she watches are about fashion.</i></p> do you have at home? Do you need all of them?

3. What is your favourite <p class = tooltip2><b>favourite</b> (level: pre-intermediate)</p><p class = tooltip2>best liked</p><p class = tooltip2><i>My favourite colour is green.</i></p> TV channel? Why?

4. What is the worst TV channel? Why?

5. How often do you watch TV?

6. Is TV popular in your country? Does this popularity grow <p class = tooltip2><b>to grow</b> (level: intermediate)</p><p class = tooltip2>increase, become bigger or more advanced</p><p class = tooltip2><i>The number of people getting addicted to smoking or drinking has grown considerably.</i></p> or decline <p class = tooltip2><b>to decline</b> (level: upper intermediate)</p><p class = tooltip2>decrease</p><p class = tooltip2><i>Unfortunately, the number of healthy, natural food products in our shops declines.</i></p>?

7. What kind of TV programs <p class = tooltip2><b>TV program</b> (level: intermediate)</p><p class = tooltip2>a broadcast on TV (or radio)</p><p class = tooltip2><i>Music shows are my favourite TV programs.</i></p> do you usually watch?

8. Do you like watching TV shows <p class = tooltip2><b>TV show</b> (level: intermediate)</p><p class = tooltip2>a spectacular TV program that intends to entertain people</p><p class = tooltip2><i>There are too many TV shows on TV now and I’m getting bored with them.</i></p>? If so, what is your favourite one?

9. Do you like watching TV shows that are aimed at <p class = tooltip2><b>to be aimed at</b> (level: upper intermediate)</p><p class = tooltip2>to be intended (directed) at particular purpose (effect)</p><p class = tooltip2><i>Don’t believe advertisers. They are aimed only at getting your money.</i></p> discovering and showing people’s talents? If so, what is your favourite one?

10. Do you like watching TV shows with celebrities <p class = tooltip2><b>celebrity</b> (level: upper intermediate)</p><p class = tooltip2>a person who is famous, e.g. a singer or an actor</p><p class = tooltip2><i>Celebrities must find it extremely annoying to be observed all the time.</i></p>? If so, what is your favourite one?

11. Do you like watching talk shows <p class = tooltip2><b>talk show</b> (level: intermediate)</p><p class = tooltip2>a TV or radio program in which people discuss a particular topic</p><p class = tooltip2><i>The yesterday’s talk show touched on an interesting topic of money and happiness.</i></p>? If so, what is your favourite one?

12. Do you watch movies on TV?

13. Do you prefer watching movies on TV or going to the cinema?

14. In which TV channel can you find the best movies?

15. Do you like watching commercials <p class = tooltip2><b>TV commercial</b> (level: upper intermediate)</p><p class = tooltip2>an advertisement on television</p><p class = tooltip2><i>I don’t watch movies on TV, because I can’t stand fifteen minute long commercials every thirty minutes.</i></p>?

16. What TV commercials do you like? Why do you like them?

17. What TV commercials do you hate? Why do you not like them?

18. Do you think that TV commercials influence <p class = tooltip2><b>to influence</b> (level: intermediate)</p><p class = tooltip2>to change or affect something</p><p class = tooltip2><i>You won’t influence her decision, she’s too stubborn.</i></p> people a lot?

19. Do you often buy goods <p class = tooltip2><b>goods</b> (level: intermediate)</p><p class = tooltip2>something that is sold or something that you owe</p><p class = tooltip2><i>Sales of luxury goods decreased a lot during the economic crisis.</i></p> that are advertised <p class = tooltip2><b>to advertise</b> (level: intermediate)</p><p class = tooltip2>to make something known, especially in order to encourage people to buy it</p><p class = tooltip2><i>She advertises her services on the Internet.</i></p> on TV or elsewhere?

20. Are subliminal messages <p class = tooltip2><b>subliminal message</b> (level: upper intermediate)</p><p class = tooltip2>a message that influences your mind in such a way that you do not realize it</p><p class = tooltip2><i>Pictures of natural, beautiful landscapes in food commercials send people a subliminal message that makes them think that the food is fresh and healthy.</i></p> in TV commercials forbidden <p class = tooltip2><b>to forbid (irregular verb: forbade, forbidden)</b> (level: intermediate)</p><p class = tooltip2>to tell somebody not do to something</p><p class = tooltip2><i>She told me her secret and forbade me to tell anyone.</i></p> in your country?

21. Do you think that subliminal messages in TV commercials should be forbidden everywhere?

22. Do you watch TV news regularly?

23. Do you watch weather forecasts <p class = tooltip2><b>weather forecast</b> (level: upper intermediate)</p><p class = tooltip2>information about what the weather is going to be for the next several days</p><p class = tooltip2><i>Have you seen the weather forecast? We are going to have a warm, sunny weekend!</i></p> on TV?

24. What are the advantages <p class = tooltip2><b>advantage</b> (level: pre-intermediate)</p><p class = tooltip2>a positive side of something</p><p class = tooltip2><i>The biggest advantage of living in the country is the silence.</i></p> of watching TV?

25. What are the disadvantages <p class = tooltip2><b>disadvantage</b> (level: pre-intermediate)</p><p class = tooltip2>a negative side of something</p><p class = tooltip2><i>There are two big disadvantages of using your own car instead of public transport: traffic jams and the prices of petrol.</i></p> of watching TV?

26. What TV programs are particularly <p class = tooltip2><b>particularly</b> (level: upper intermediate)</p><p class = tooltip2>especially</p><p class = tooltip2><i>He likes all kinds of meat, but he thinks that lamb is particularly good.</i></p> suitable <p class = tooltip2><b>suitable</b> (level: upper intermediate)</p><p class = tooltip2>right for somebody or something</p><p class = tooltip2><i>A short skirt is not suitable to wear to church.</i></p> for children?

27. What TV programs are particularly unsuitable <p class = tooltip2><b>unsuitable</b> (level: upper intermediate)</p><p class = tooltip2>not right or acceptable</p><p class = tooltip2><i>Toys with small parts are unsuitable for children under 3.</i></p> for children?

28. Do you think there is too much violence <p class = tooltip2><b>violence</b> (level: intermediate)</p><p class = tooltip2>using words and force in order to hurt other people</p><p class = tooltip2><i>Computer games including too much violence should be forbidden for all people under 18.</i></p> on TV?

29. Do you think there is too much nudity <p class = tooltip2><b>nudity</b> (level: upper intermediate)</p><p class = tooltip2>when people have no clothes on</p><p class = tooltip2><i>In my opinion too much nudity in movies, TV commercials and on billboards is simply unaesthetic.</i></p> on TV?

30. Do you think that TV is educational <p class = tooltip2><b>educational</b> (level: intermediate)</p><p class = tooltip2>providing new knowledge</p><p class = tooltip2><i>Although too much Internet is harmful, its educational value cannot be underestimated.</i></p>?

31. Could you do without <p class = tooltip2><b>do without</b> (level: upper intermediate)</p><p class = tooltip2>be able to live without something</p><p class = tooltip2><i>I got addicted to my mobile phone many years ago and I can’t do without it anymore.</i></p> a TV set?

32. What is more important for you: the computer and the Internet or the TV?

33. Do you think that people spend too much time watching TV? How about you?

34. Do you think that watching TV makes people lazy <p class = tooltip2><b>lazy</b> (level: pre-intermediate)</p><p class = tooltip2>unwilling to make any effort</p><p class = tooltip2><i>Her thirty year old son is too lazy to find a job.</i></p> and passive <p class = tooltip2><b>passive</b> (level: intermediate)</p><p class = tooltip2>unwilling to change a situation, allowing the others to take control</p><p class = tooltip2><i>She is very passive in her marriage. It is her husband who decides on everything.</i></p>?

35. Do you think that TV may cause conflicts <p class = tooltip2><b>conflict</b> (level: intermediate)</p><p class = tooltip2>a disagreement between people; a fight between groups of people or countries</p><p class = tooltip2><i>Many family conflicts result from the generation gap: it is difficult for the young to understand their parents.</i></p> in families? In what ways?

Useful vocabulary connected with: TELEVISION

TV set (level: intermediate)
a television set (device)
We need a new TV set. The old one has broken down recently.

TV channel (level: intermediate)
TV station
The only TV channels she watches are about fashion.

favourite (level: pre-intermediate)
best liked
My favourite colour is green.

to grow (level: intermediate)
increase, become bigger or more advanced
The number of people getting addicted to smoking or drinking has grown considerably.

to decline (level: upper intermediate)
decrease
Unfortunately, the number of healthy, natural food products in our shops declines.

TV program (level: intermediate)
a broadcast on TV (or radio)
Music shows are my favourite TV programs.

TV show (level: intermediate)
a spectacular TV program that intends to entertain people
There are too many TV shows on TV now and I’m getting bored with them.

to be aimed at (level: upper intermediate)
to be intended (directed) at particular purpose (effect)
Don’t believe advertisers. They are aimed only at getting your money.

celebrity (level: upper intermediate)
a person who is famous, e.g. a singer or an actor
Celebrities must find it extremely annoying to be observed all the time.

talk show (level: intermediate)
a TV or radio program in which people discuss a particular topic
The yesterday’s talk show touched on an interesting topic of money and happiness.

TV commercial (level: upper intermediate)
an advertisement on television
I don’t watch movies on TV, because I can’t stand fifteen minute long commercials every thirty minutes.

to influence (level: intermediate)
to change or affect something
You won’t influence her decision, she’s too stubborn.

goods (level: intermediate)
something that is sold or something that you owe
Sales of luxury goods decreased a lot during the economic crisis.

to advertise (level: intermediate)
to make something known, especially in order to encourage people to buy it
She advertises her services on the Internet.

subliminal message (level: upper intermediate)
a message that influences your mind in such a way that you do not realize it
Pictures of natural, beautiful landscapes in food commercials send people a subliminal message that makes them think that the food is fresh and healthy.

to forbid (irregular verb: forbade, forbidden) (level: intermediate)
to tell somebody not do to something
She told me her secret and forbade me to tell anyone.

weather forecast (level: upper intermediate)
information about what the weather is going to be for the next several days
Have you seen the weather forecast? We are going to have a warm, sunny weekend!

advantage (level: pre-intermediate)
a positive side of something
The biggest advantage of living in the country is the silence.

disadvantage (level: pre-intermediate)
a negative side of something
There are two big disadvantages of using your own car instead of public transport: traffic jams and the prices of petrol.

particularly (level: upper intermediate)
especially
He likes all kinds of meat, but he thinks that lamb is particularly good.

suitable (level: upper intermediate)
right for somebody or something
A short skirt is not suitable to wear to church.

unsuitable (level: upper intermediate)
not right or acceptable
Toys with small parts are unsuitable for children under 3.

violence (level: intermediate)
using words and force in order to hurt other people
Computer games including too much violence should be forbidden for all people under 18.

nudity (level: upper intermediate)
when people have no clothes on
In my opinion too much nudity in movies, TV commercials and on billboards is simply unaesthetic.

educational (level: intermediate)
providing new knowledge
Although too much Internet is harmful, its educational value cannot be underestimated.

do without (level: upper intermediate)
be able to live without something
I got addicted to my mobile phone many years ago and I can’t do without it anymore.

lazy (level: pre-intermediate)
unwilling to make any effort
Her thirty year old son is too lazy to find a job.

passive (level: intermediate)
unwilling to change a situation, allowing the others to take control
She is very passive in her marriage. It is her husband who decides on everything.

conflict (level: intermediate)
a disagreement between people; a fight between groups of people or countries
Many family conflicts result from the generation gap: it is difficult for the young to understand their parents.