TV Guide: TV Channels and Programming

TV Guide

I. Pre-Listening Exercises
II. Listening Exercises
III. Vocabulary
IV. Post-Listening Exercises

Level:	Topic:	Type:	Speakers:	Length:
medium	TV shows	conversation	man - woman	01:19

I. Pre-Listening Exercises [Top]
Look at the list of TV programs below. Which shows interest you most? Discuss your answers:

nature, documentary, news, game, home improvement, reality, cartoon, fitness or exercise, soap opera or drama, talk, sitcom, cooking

HELPFUL TIP: Watching TV in a foreign language can be a useful way of improving your language skills. In fact, some TV shows contain captions of the words in the program. Reading the words along with the show can help you improve your comprehension.

tv remote

II. Listening Exercises [Top]

Listen to the conversation by pressing the "Play Audio" button and answer the questions based on the information you hear. Press the "Final Score" button to check your quiz.

Media Player

[ What are these different audio choices? ]

[ Other Audio Options: Play RealMedia | Play Window Media ]

1. When is the reality showing on TV? What channel is showing the program?
A. at 7:00 on channel 5
B. at 7:30 on channel 7
C. at 8:00 on channel 11

2. Why does the man not want to watch the reality show?
A. He watched the same program last week.
B. He isn't interested in show's theme.
C. He wants to go swimming instead.

3. How does the man feel about watching Star Wars on TV?
A. He wouldn't mind seeing it again.
B. He'd like to watch it if he had more time.
C. He'd prefer to watch something else.

4. Which statement best describes the man's feelings about watching the home improvement show?
A. He doesn't want to watch because his wife will expect him to fix things around the house.
B. He thinks that he will be able to get a better job by learning from the show.
C. He thinks it is easier to get someone else to repair their problems around the house.

5. What does the couple decide to watch?
A. a TV drama
B. a sports event
C. a talk show

Score =
Correct answers:

Listen to the conversation again as you read the Quiz Script.

III. Vocabulary Activities [Top]

Review the key vocabulary from the conversation: [ Why do these? ]

IV. Post-Listening Exercises [Top]

If you were having a party at your house with some friends, what TV programs would you watch? What do you like and dislike about the following shows? Reality shows, documentaries, news, sitcom, soap operas, nature programs. Explain your reasons.

Now, write your ideas on a similar topic at Randall's ESL Blog HERE.

VIDEO SNAPSHOT [ ? ]

IDIOMS!

"get into something" = be interested in something

"How about watching something else on TV? I don't really get into baseball."

"couch potato" = someone who sits and watches TV a lot

"I'm a little worried about my roommate. He's a real couch potato and doesn't get outside and exercise very much."

More of Randall's Favorite Learning Resources