Unit_4_handout

Part A Words 1. hit 2. makeover 3. covet 4. ubiquitous 5. donut 6. pastry 7. rind

Exercise 1: Watch the TV news and get the main Idea. What is the main theme of this news?

A. The challenge to produce the show \"The Simpsons\". B. \"The Simpsons\" was welcomed by people in Arab. C. How the show \"The Simpsons\" was translated. D. \"The Simpsons\" has turned up on Arab television.

Exercise 2: Watch the TV news again and fill in the blanks with the exact words or phrases. Elizabeth Vargas:

Finally tonight. Homer Simpson in Arabia. After 17 seasons entertaining American audience, \"The Simpsons\" has turned up on Arab television. US 1 policy is not always a hit overseas, there is, however, a huge demand for American pop culture abroad. But to 2 offending Arab viewers, Homer Marge and the gang had extreme! makeovers, which bets a big question: Are they still \"The Simpsons\"? Here's ABC's Jack Tapper.

Jack Tapper: \"The Simpsons\" might not be the 3 you'd introduce to the Arab world, which is constant references to things forbidden by the Koran such as beer and bacon, but Arab satellite network MBC has done just that, introducing \"The Simpsons\" now called \"Al Shamshoon\ 4 for the Muslim holiday of Ramadan. With Omar instead of Homer, and Badr substituting for Bart, the network hopes to attract coveted younger 5 . After all, 60 percent of the Arab world is 20 years old or younger.

Michel Costandi (MBC's director of business development): I think \"The Simpsons\" will open new 6 for us to the future.

Jack Tapper: But with a show, this American. Arab media experts say, it's not enough to just 7 the language. After all, \"The Simpsons\" has characters who are Jewish, (My father was a Rabbi.) Hindu (By the many arms of Vishnu, I swear it is a lie.) and Christian (Mmm, Marge, just about everything is a sin [holds up Bible] you've ever sat down and read this thing?). So NBC is making some changes as the characters go from American to Arabic. Homer's ubiquitous Duff beer will now be soda, donuts will be Arab pastries called \"kahk.\" This image of homework eating pork rinds was 8 . The executive producer of the American \"Simpsons\" says those changes mean they are not \"The Simpsons\" 9 . 1

Al Jean (Executive producer of The Simpsons): If he doesn't drink and eat bacon, you know, and generally act like a pig — which I know is also against Islam, but I 10 it's Homer. Jack Tapper: And some on the Arab street agree.

One Arab viewer: It's different. We are a totally different culture, so you can't be talking about the same subject and in the same way.

Jack Tapper: One thing that didn't change. Omar Shamshoon does say \"D'oh!\" Jack Tapper, ABC News, Washington. Part B Words

1. sci-fi flick 2. catalyst 3. over-the-top 4. wreak 5. havoc 6. warp 7. doom 8. bash 9. stifle 10. outrage 11. emission 12. voluntary 13. debut 14. hoax 15. perpetrate 16. have one’s head in the sand

Exercise：Listen to the news report and decide whether the following statements are true or false.

1. A disaster film banned by the White House provokes fierce controversy on the issue of global warming.

2. A sci-fi film was shot to lash at Bush's administration on unfair treatment of the NASA scientists.

3. Environmentalists condemned President Bush for his dismissal of the Kyoto Treaty, the protocol to curb emissions.

4. The president's allies claim the flick is just a pure sci-fi, exaggerating the crisis of global warming.

5. As required by NASA, its scientists have to remain silent on science fact and devote themselves to their own specific research. Part C words 1. premiere 5. pivoting

2. feature 6. grandeur 10. boost

3. illuminated 7. oasis

4. materialize 8. robe

9. re-enhanced

Exercise 1: Watch the TV news and answer the following questions.

1. How many “impression features” has Zhang Yimou produced before \"Impression Dahongpao\" ?

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2. What is Zhang Yimou’s next “impression feature”? 3. How many big screens are hidden in the distant mountains?

4. What breakthrough in the stage performance in China has Zhang Yimou made in the “Impression Dahongpo”?

5. How do you translate “Dahongpao” into English? Exercise 2: Watch the TV news and have a dictation

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