大学英语第四单元turning_off_tv.ppt

Content Information related to the text Introduction Detailed reading Language points After reading Information related to the text 1. US television: A demonstration of television was held at the New York World’s Fair in 1939, and during the 1940s networks were established and TV sets began to be sold. It was in the 1950s that television started to take the place of radio in the US. Today there are more than 1000 stations all over the country . 2. The Big Three of the US Television Networks: The National Broadcasting Company (NBC) The Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) The American Broadcasting Company (ABC) They once controlled up to 99% of the US television. But with the broadcast competitors such as Fox, the WB (Warner Brothers), the UPN (United Paramount Network), satellite and cable companies, the Big Three’s Market share decreased. 根据尼尔森公司的调查数据，有一半美国家庭拥有3台或以上的电视机，只有19%的家庭只拥有一台电视。 尼尔森公司的调查报告提供了不少例子。例如，纽约一名设备经理家里拥有3台电视机，还不包括浴室里的一台可视对讲机。这还算平常的，如果家里有孩子，电视机的数量可能要翻倍：一对拥有双胞胎的纽约夫妇家里有7台电视机，另外有一台新的电视机还没有安装——夫妇的房间里装一台、两个孩子的房间各一台、客厅一台、厨房一台……电视机几乎是无处不在。 3. Couch Potato 4 TV can bring some problems The generation gap The term is used to mean differences in ideas, life styles and attitudes between older and younger people, differences which result in a lack of understanding between them and frequently lead to confrontations. High divorce rate in the US Divorce is a major problem in the US. At present, it is estimated, about one quarter to one third of all American marriages end in divorce. There is a great difference of opinion as to the causes of this high rate of divorce.. But studies indicate that there are more cases of divorce among persons with low incomes and inadequate education and among those who marry at a very young age. Apart from legally divorced cases there are many separated couples. The immediate result that arises from the high divore rate is an increasing number of single parent homes, i.e., homes where children are being raised by only one paren