Britain Needs Strong TV Industry Reading Answers
The IELTS Reading section is one of the most important parts of the IELTS exam that focuses on the reading abilities of students. Students appearing for the IELTS exam need to ensure that they are proficient in all the skills of reading, writing, speaking and listening. The IELTS reading passage contains a passage and certain questions asked from different paragraphs. Students need to follow the IELTS Reading Sample Papers for effective practice for development of reading skills. There are three types of questions that are included in the Britain Needs Strong TV Industry Reading Answer. The three types of questions are:
- True or False or Not Given
- Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)
- Fill in the blanks
Check: Get 10 Free IELTS Sample Papers
Check: Register for IELTS Coaching - Join for Free Trial Class Now
Section 1
Read the Passage to Answer the Following Questions
Britain Needs Strong TV Industry Reading Answers
1
Comedy writer Armando Iannucci has called for an industry-wide defense of the BBC and British programme-makers. "The Thick of It" creator made his remarks in the annual MacTaggart Lecture at the Edinburgh TV Festival.
2
"It's more important than ever that we have more strong, popular channels... that act as beacons, drawing audiences to the best content," he said. Speaking earlier, Culture Secretary John Whittingdale rejected suggestions that he wanted to dismantle the BBC.
'Champion supporters'
3
Iannucci co-wrote "I'm Alan Partridge", wrote the movie "In the Loop" and created and wrote the hit "HBO" and "Sky Atlantic show Veep". He delivered the 40th annual MacTaggart Lecture, which has previously been given by Oscar winner Kevin Spacey, former BBC director general Greg Dyke, Jeremy Paxman and Rupert Murdoch. Iannucci said: "Faced with a global audience, British television needs its champion supporters."
4
He continued his praise for British programming by saying the global success of American TV shows had come about because they were emulating British television. "The best US shows are modelling themselves on what used to make British TV so world-beating," he said. "US prime-time schedules are now littered with those quirky formats from the UK - the "Who Do You Think You Are"'s and the variants on "Strictly Come Dancing" - as well as the single-camera non-audience sitcom, which we brought into the mainstream first. We have changed international viewing for the better."
5
With the renewal of the BBC's royal charter approaching, Iannucci also praised the corporation. He said: "If public service broadcasting - one of the best things we've ever done creatively as a country - if it was a car industry, our ministers would be out championing it overseas, trying to win contracts, boasting of the British jobs that would bring." In July, the government issued a green paper setting out issues that will be explored during negotiations over the future of the BBC, including the broadcaster's size, its funding and governance.
6
Primarily Mr Whittingdale wanted to appoint a panel of five people, but finally he invited two more people to advise on the channer renewal, namely former Channel 4 boss Dawn Airey and journalism professor Stewart Purvis, a former editor-in-chief of ITN. Iannucci bemoaned the lack of "creatives" involved in the discussions.
7
"When the media, communications and information industries make up nearly 8% our GDP, larger than the car and oil and gas industries put together, we need to be heard, as those industries are heard. But when I see the panel of experts who've been asked by the culture secretary to take a root and branch look at the BBC, I don't see anyone who is a part of that cast and crew list. I see executives, media owners, industry gurus, all talented people - but not a single person who's made a classic and enduring television show."
'Don't be modest'
8
Iannucci suggested one way of easing the strain on the licence fee was "by pushing ourselves more commercially abroad".
9
"Use the BBC's name, one of the most recognised brands in the world," he said. "And use the reputation of British television across all networks, to capitalise financially oversees. Be more aggressive in selling our shows, through advertising, through proper international subscription channels, freeing up BBC Worldwide to be fully commercial, whatever it takes.
10
"Frankly, don't be icky and modest about making money, let's monetise the bezeesus Mary and Joseph out of our programmes abroad so that money can come back, take some pressure off the license fee at home and be invested in even more ambitious quality shows, that can only add to our value."
11
Mr Whittingdale, who was interviewed by ITV News' Alastair Stewart at the festival, said he wanted an open debate about whether the corporation should do everything it has done in the past. He said he had a slight sense that people who rushed to defend the BBC were "trying to have an argument that's never been started".
12
"Whatever my view is, I don't determine what programmes the BBC should show," he added. "That's the job of the BBC." Mr Whittingdale said any speculation that the Conservative Party had always wanted to change the BBC due to issues such as its editorial line was "absolute nonsense".
Section 2
Solution and Explanation
Questions 27 to 31:
Do the following statements agree with the information in the IELTS reading text?
In boxes 27–31 on your answer sheet, write
TRUE if the statement agrees with the information
FALSE if the statement contradicts the information
NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this
Question 27. Armando Iannucci expressed a need to have more popular channels.
Answer: True
Supporting Sentence: It's more important than ever that we have more strong, popular channels ... that act as beacons, drawing audiences to the best content.
Keywords: Armando Iannucci, popular channels, more strong, important
Keyword Location: Para 2 line 1
Explanation: The above statement given is true because Armando Iannucci believes and expressed that there is a need for more channels. So, the answer, in this case, is true.
Read More IELTS Reading Related Articles
Question 28. John Whittingdale wanted to dismantle the BBC.
Answer: False
Supporting Sentence: John Whittingdale rejected suggestions that he wanted to dismantle the BBC.
Keywords: John Whittingdale, dismantle, the BBC, rejected, suggestions
Keyword Location: Para 2, line 3
Explanation: According to the information provided in the above paragraph, John Whittingdale was one who did not wish to dismantle the BBC. Unlike the question which says, he is the one who wanted to dismantle the BBC.
Question 29. Iannucci delivered the 30th annual MacTaggart Lecture.
Answer: Not Given
Question 30. Iannucci believes that British television has contributed to the success of American TV shows.
Answer: True
Supporting Sentence: He continued his praise for British programming by saying the global success of American TV shows had come about because they were emulating British television.
Keywords: British television, contributed to the success, global success, American TV shows, emulating British television
Keyword Location: para 4, line 1-2
Explanation: The above-given question is true as per the information provided to the candidates. Iannucci said that British television has helped American television shows to get successful among audiences.
Question 31. There have been negotiations over the future of the BBC in July.
Answer: False
Supporting Sentence: In July, the government issued a green paper setting out issues that will be explored during negotiations over the future of the BBC, including the broadcaster's size, its funding, and governance.
Keywords: In July, over the future, negotiations, of the BBC, setting out issues
Keyword Location: Para 5, lines 4-6
Explanation: The information provided in the paragraph contradicts the question. As per the question, negotiations are made for the future of BBC. But, on the other hand, the government has said that such negotiations will take place after a certain time.
Questions 32–35:
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D.
Write the correct letter in boxes 32-35 on your answer sheet.
Question 32. Ianucci praised everything EXCEPT
- the US shows
- British shows
- Corporation
- British programming
Answer: A
Supporting Sentence: The best US shows are modeling themselves on what used to make British TV so world-beating.
Keywords: Ianucci praised, US shows, modeling themselves, British TV world beating.
Keyword Location: Para 4, Line 2-3
Explanation: The information given in the above paragraphs shows that Armando Iannucci was against American shows as they are particularly modeled on British shows. So, in this case, the answer would be US shows as Iannucci was against these shows only.
Question 33. To advise on the charter renewal Mr Whittingdale appointed a panel of
- five people
- two people
- seven people
- four people
Answer: C
Supporting Sentence: Primarily Mr Whittingdale wanted to appoint a panel of five people, but finally, he invited two more people to advise on the channel renewal.
Keywords: Mr. Whittingdale, panel of five people, invited two more people, advise on the channel renewal
Keyword Location: Para 6, line 1-4
Explanation: The information given above says that Mr. Whittingdale had a panel of five people initially. Later, after the renewal of the panel, two more people were added. So, ultimately there were seven people in an appointed panel.
Question 34. Who of these people was NOT invited to the discussion concerning BBC renewal?
- Armando Iannucci
- Dawn Airey
- John Whittingdale
- Stewart Purvis
Answer: A
Supporting Sentence: Namely former Channel 4 boss Dawn Airey and journalism professor Stewart Purvis, former editor-in-chief of ITN. Iannucci bemoaned the lack of "creatives" involved in the discussions.
Keywords: Channel 4, Dawn Airey, journalism professor, Stewart Purvis, former editor in chief, Iannucci lack of creatives, in the discussion
Keyword Location: Para 6 lines 2-3
Explanation: There are four options stating the names of different people. The answer is Armando Iannucci as in the question it is asked that which person is not invited to BBC renewal meeting. The reason for not participating in the discussion can be the lack of creatives that were involved in the discussion.
Question 35. Their panel of experts lacks:
- media owners
- people who make enduring TV-shows
- gurus of the Television industry
- top executives
Answer: B
Supporting Sentence: I see executives, media owners, industry gurus, all talented people - but not a single person who's made a classic and enduring television show.
Keywords: media owners, industry gurus, not a single person who's made a classic, enduring television show, a panel of experts
Keyword Location: para 7 lines 5-6
Explanation: In the question, the examiner is asking which talent is missing in a panel of experts. So, as per the answering experts, the panel lacks people who make enduring TV shows.
Questions 36–40:
Complete the summary below.
Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.
Write your answers in boxes 37–40 on your answer sheet.
Easing the strain on the licence fees
Iannucci recommended increasing BBC's profit by pushing ourselves more 36. . He suggests being more aggressive in selling British shows, through advertising and proper international 37. . Also, he invokes producers to stop being 38. and modest about making money and investing into even 39. quality shows. However, Mr Whittingdale denied any 40. that the Conservative Party had always wanted to change the BBC because of its editorial line.
Question 36:
Answer: commercially abroad
Supporting Sentence: And use the reputation of British television across all networks, to capitalise financially overseas.
Keywords: British television, across all networks, capitalise financially overseas, commercially abroad
Keyword Location: para 9 lines 1-2
Explanation: The information reveals that the reputation of British television is important to capitalise financially overseas. Thus, commercially abroad is the answer for the same as British television is worth supporting all the networks worldwide.
Question 37:
Answer: subscription channels
Supporting Sentence: Be more aggressive in selling our shows, through advertising, through proper international subscription channels, freeing up BBC Worldwide to be fully commercial, whatever it takes
Keywords: proper international subscription channels, aggressive in selling our shows, BBC worldwide
Keyword Location: para 9, lines 3-4
Explanation: The answer to this question is subscription channels as freeing up BBC worldwide to be commercial. The supporting sentence helps us to identify the appropriate answer in this case which is the subscription channel.
Question 38:
Answer: icky
Supporting Sentence: Frankly, don't be icky and modest about making money, let's monetize the bejesus Mary and Joseph out of our programs abroad so that money can come back.
Keywords: don't be icky, modest about making money, monetize the bejesus, quality shows
Keyword Location: Para 10, lines 1-4
Explanation: The information given above tells that one doesn't have to be icky but modest when it comes to making money. So, in this case, the answer would be icky as it cannot be a good practice in the long term.
Question 39:
Answer: more ambitious
Supporting Sentence: take some pressure off the licence fee at home and be invested in even more ambitious quality shows, that can only add to our value.
Keywords: pressure off, even more, ambitious quality, add to our value
Keyword location: Para 10 last lines
Explanation: As per the information provided above pressure from the licence fee should be put off. Instead of that, they should be more ambitious about quality shows as it can add value to their shows in the future too.
Question 40:
Answer: speculation
Supporting Sentence: John Whittingdale rejected suggestions that he wanted to dismantle the BBC.
Keywords: speculation, rejected suggestions, wanted to dismantle, BBC
Keyword location: para 2 lines 2-3
Explanation: The above-given information tells that John Whittingdale was against the suggestion of dismantling the BBC. So, in this case, speculation can be the suitable answer as Whittingdale denied any speculation against making changes in BBC.
Comments