Soap Operas, Cycling, and Bedtime Stories

Soap Operas

1. a) FALSE. “Each show will have several different storylines happening at once that continue over several shows.” b) FALSE. “And we should not forget Emmerdale, which is set on a farm in Yorkshire, in the north of England.”

2. a) The word “soap” comes from the early days of these programs. They were mainly for women, who watched them, probably while they were doing the washing. Because of this, the companies that made cleaning products advertised them when soap operas were being aired. That’s where the word comes from.

b) They magnify daily life, with lots of divorces, love affairs, and violent characters that kill other people; in a few words, a histrionic vision of real life.

3. Depict, At once, Continue, Happen.

4. a) Often, a. b) Who, without. c) Watching, what. d) Leaving, had watched.

Go on Two Wheels

1. a) FALSE. “It is absurd to give dog-like obedience to a red light when your eyes and ears tell you it is safe to go.” b) FALSE. “The car is no longer a symbol of freedom, so if you want to feel free, go on two wheels.”

2. a) They reacted to both strikes exactly the same way, taking their bicycles to the streets to get around. b) It helped them to get rid of the rigid dresses they used to wear, because it could lead to a misshapen figure and difficulty of movement when cycling.

3. Similarly, timetables, founded, throw off.

4. a) Biking, where. b) Was founded, than. c) Must, to do. d) Why they didn’t go for a walk the following day if the weather was fine.

The Decline of “Once Upon a Time”

1. a) TRUE. “According to a poll of mums and dads with under-sevens, 36 percent of parents never pick up a book with their little ones.” b) TRUE. “The vast majority of parents were told bedtime stories regularly when they were little.”

2. a) They had created a reading contest to try to make young people read more. b) They say that they live under pressure and that they don’t have time to read with their children. Others say that their children don’t want to do it.

3. Also, teamed up, create, vast.

4. a) Told, going. b) Is considered, between, better. c) Than. d) A spokesman from the company said that they appreciate how important it was for parents and kids to spend quality time together.