0 Here is some information on how the media brings people closer to each other. Read the short story by G. Harris, an American reporter, of how he celebrated the turn of the Century. a) Before you read the story.
There are some major cities named in G. Harris’s story. Say what countries they belong to. Use the Cultural guide if necessary.
Example: Rome is the capital of Italy. Bombay is one of the biggest cities in India.
Sydney
Los Angeles
Wellington
Paris
Prague
Bangkok
Bombay
b) Read the text and answer the question: What day was celebrated by G. Harris and his overseas friends at the turn of the Century?
Celebrating the New Year with Television
Some of my overseas friends asked how I celebrated the turn of the Century in Los Angeles. Here is how I have done it. Don’t be surprised! I stayed at home with my family. We had television reports from every major city’s celebrations throughout New Year’s Eve. We started with Wellington, New Zealand at 4:00 am and moved to Sydney, then Bangkok, Bombay, Moscow (1:00 in the afternoon for us), and on and on to the west.
When we were finished with Rome and Paris and Prague at 3:00 and then London at 4:00, we were ready to quit. But we stayed with television until New York had managed to get to the New Year. It was surprising how many people in Los Angeles watched so many celebrations on television that we had no energy left for our own — 3 hours after New York.
I myself was in bed and asleep at 10:30. As such, it proved to be a terrific way to celebrate the New Year.
c) Look back at the text and give your opinion on the following:
1. Whom does G. Harris call “my overseas friends”? Where possibly do they live?
2. Where is the New Year celebrated later — in Rome or in Sydney?
3. Why didn’t the people of Los Angeles have any energy to watch their own New Year celebrations on TV?
4. What other holidays can be celebrated in the same way?
5. Is television a vital part of celebrating some holidays? Which holidays are they?
