Pre-reading questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever seen a movie or read a book that talked about climate change? If so, what was it about and how did it address climate change? If not, what do you think a story about climate change might include?
- What do you know about the ways Hollywood movies influence people’s views on real-world issues?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- investigate /in-VES-ti-geyt/
- marketing /MAHR-ki-ting/
- education /ej-oo-KEY-shuhn/
- storytelling /STAWR-ee-tel-ing/
- reflect /ri-FLEKT /
[verb] – to examine a crime, problem, statement, etc. carefully, especially to discover the truth
The police will investigate the incident to find out what happened.
[noun] – the business activity that involves finding out what customers want, using that information to design products and services, and selling them effectively
The company’s marketing team worked hard to make sure the new product was successful.
[noun] – the process of teaching or learning, especially in a school or college, or the knowledge that you get from this
Education is important for everyone because it helps people gain knowledge and skills.
[noun] – the activity of telling or writing stories
Storytelling can be a powerful way to share experiences and teach lessons.
[verb] – to accurately represent or depict
The artwork beautifully reflects the artist’s inner turmoil and emotional journey.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
A recent study investigated how Hollywood movies from 2013 to 2022 depicted climate change. The research aimed to find out if these films recognized climate change as a real issue and if the characters in these movies were aware of its effects. Surprisingly, most of these films failed a crucial “climate reality check.” This assessment determines if films acknowledge climate change and if characters are aware of its impacts. Few movies included climate change in their storylines. Surprisingly, some non-climate-focused films passed the test, while some that addressed the topic did not. Streaming platforms offered a wider variety of climate change movies than major studios. Experts believe such studies are important for marketing and education, fostering discussions on global issues like climate change.
The researchers compared their climate reality check to the Bechdel-Wallace test, which evaluates gender representation in movies. This comparison highlights the importance of addressing climate change in modern storytelling. By revealing the deficiencies in how climate change is shown in popular culture, the study aims to spark more extensive discussions about environmental issues. The study indicates a growing demand among audiences for more realistic and socially relevant stories in movies. This research is expected to influence filmmakers to create content that better reflects the reality of climate change and its impacts on society.
The researchers compared their climate reality check to the Bechdel-Wallace test, which evaluates gender representation in movies. This comparison highlights the importance of addressing climate change in modern storytelling. By revealing the deficiencies in how climate change is shown in popular culture, the study aims to spark more extensive discussions about environmental issues. The study indicates a growing demand among audiences for more realistic and socially relevant stories in movies. This research is expected to influence filmmakers to create content that better reflects the reality of climate change and its impacts on society.
Comprehension questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- What was the main goal of the recent study on Hollywood movies from 2013 to 2022?
- What surprising result did the study reveal about climate change in movies?
- How do streaming platforms compare to major studios in terms of offering climate change movies?
- What is the climate reality check and what is its purpose?
- What comparison did the researchers make to emphasize the importance of addressing climate change in movies?
Discussion questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever watched a movie that made you think differently about climate change or any other environmental issue? If so, what was the movie and what impact did it have on you? If not, do you think movies have the power to influence your thoughts on such topics?
- Can you think of any movie that realistically portrays the impact of climate change? If yes, how does it portray the issue? If not, why do you think there are so few movies that address climate change realistically?
- Do you agree that Hollywood should include more climate change topics in its movies?
- Do you agree with the researchers that realistic depictions of climate change in movies can lead to more discussions about environmental issues? Why or why not?
- In what ways can filmmakers balance storytelling with the need to address important issues like climate change?