Pre-reading questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Can you think of a historical event that might make a good story for a historical drama?
- Have you ever watched a movie or TV show that is set in the past? What time period was it set in, and what did you learn about that era from it?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- award /uh-WAWRD/
- actor /AK-ter/
- secure /si-KYOOR/
- importance /im-PAWR-tns/
- representation /rep-ri-zen-TEY-shuhn/
[noun] – a prize given to someone for their achievements
She received an award for her excellent essay.
[noun] – a person who performs in plays, movies, or television shows
The actor played a brave hero in the movie.
[verb] – to obtain or achieve something with certainty
She worked hard to secure a spot on the varsity team.
[noun] – the state of being important or valuable
The teacher explained the importance of doing homework.
[noun] – the act of speaking or acting on behalf of someone or something
The group wanted better representation in the government.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
A historical drama set in feudal Japan, Shogun, dominated the recent awards ceremony, winning multiple top honors such as Best Drama Series and acting awards. Hiroyuki Sanada, one of the lead actors, made history by becoming the first Japanese actor to receive this recognition, while his co-star Anna Sawai also secured a major acting win. Both actors expressed their deep gratitude for the opportunity to work on the production. In a surprising twist, the Best Comedy Series award went to Hacks, a show that was not widely expected to win, leaving many attendees astonished. However, The Bear, which was favored to win, still received several acting awards. The creators of Hacks expressed their excitement and shock.
Another significant moment occurred when Richard Gadd, a performer in the limited series Baby Reindeer, highlighted the importance of exploring difficult themes in television. The series, known for its dark and personal subject matter, won several major awards. Jodie Foster, a veteran actor who earned her first Emmy for Best Actress in a limited series role for True Detective: Night Country, praised the collaboration with Inupiaq and Inuit contributors that contributed to the show’s success. The ceremony also honored Greg Berlanti for promoting representation of LGBTQ characters, reflecting on past challenges faced by these communities in earlier television eras. As the industry evolved, streaming platforms continued to dominate, while traditional networks did not win any awards, underscoring the changing landscape of television.
Another significant moment occurred when Richard Gadd, a performer in the limited series Baby Reindeer, highlighted the importance of exploring difficult themes in television. The series, known for its dark and personal subject matter, won several major awards. Jodie Foster, a veteran actor who earned her first Emmy for Best Actress in a limited series role for True Detective: Night Country, praised the collaboration with Inupiaq and Inuit contributors that contributed to the show’s success. The ceremony also honored Greg Berlanti for promoting representation of LGBTQ characters, reflecting on past challenges faced by these communities in earlier television eras. As the industry evolved, streaming platforms continued to dominate, while traditional networks did not win any awards, underscoring the changing landscape of television.
Comprehension questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- What did the historical drama win at the recent awards ceremony?
- Which award was won by the lead actor in the drama?
- What was surprising about the best comedy series award?
- What aspect of the limited series did a performer highlight?
- What did the veteran actor praise about the show?
Discussion questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever been involved in a project or activity where you received an award or special recognition? If so, what was the project, and how did it make you feel to receive the award? If not, what type of recognition would you like to achieve in the future?
- Have you ever watched a movie or show that you were not expecting to win any awards but it did? If so, what was the show or movie, and why was its win surprising? If not, can you think of a show or movie that you believe deserves to win an award? Why?
- Do you agree that streaming platforms are changing the television industry more than traditional networks?
- What do you think are the benefits and challenges of recognizing diversity and representation in media awards?
- Why might some people be surprised when a show or movie they didn’t expect wins an award? What factors contribute to this surprise?