Films and TV — Unit 36, Pre-intermediate to Intermediate English
Types of film and TV show, the people who make them, how to describe a plot, and the adjectives for saying whether it was any good.
Reading: Choosing What to Watch
With so many **streaming** services available, choosing a film or series can take longer than watching it. A recent survey asked 600 adults how they decide. Most respondents said they first read a short **review** or ask a friend for a recommendation.
However, people do not all want the same thing. Some choose a familiar comedy after a difficult day, while others want a crime drama with a complicated **plot**. Younger viewers in the survey were more likely to watch several episodes in one evening. Older viewers preferred films that began and ended in one sitting.
Film teacher Paul Grant believes viewers should sometimes take a risk. "An excellent poster or famous actor does not always mean a film will suit you," he says. "Watch the first twenty minutes and notice whether you care about the characters. If you do, the story will probably hold your attention."
He also recommends documentaries. Although some people think they are only educational, a well-made documentary can be as exciting as fiction. It can introduce a real person, place or problem and make the audience ask new questions.
The survey also found that people often stop watching when they are using a phone at the same time. Grant suggests putting the phone away for one episode or one film. This allows viewers to notice small details and follow a story without missing important information. He does not say that every choice has to be serious; sometimes people simply need a relaxing programme. His point is that audiences have more choices when they know what they enjoy and why.
Several respondents also said that they value programmes they can discuss with someone afterwards. This may explain why older films often become popular again when a new group discovers them online. A story does not have to be new to feel fresh; it only needs to give viewers something worth sharing. Grant encourages students to keep a short viewing diary, noting one scene or idea they remember the next day. He says this simple habit makes personal recommendations more useful and precise.
Several respondents also said that they value programmes they can discuss with someone afterwards. This may explain why older films often become popular again when a new group discovers them online. A story does not have to be new to feel fresh; it only needs to give viewers something worth sharing. Grant encourages students to keep a short viewing diary, noting one scene or idea they remember the next day.
Vocabulary from this unit
| Genre | Meaning |
|---|---|
| a comedy | it is funny and makes you laugh |
| an action film | fighting, chases and explosions |
| a thriller | exciting and tense — you want to know what happens next |
| a horror film | it is frightening |
| a romance / a romantic comedy | two people fall in love |
| a science fiction film (sci-fi) | the future, space, technology |
| a documentary | about real people and real events |
| an animated film / a cartoon | drawn or made on a computer |
| a historical drama | set in the past |
| Person | Meaning |
|---|---|
| an actor / an actress | plays a part in the film |
| a director | tells the actors what to do and makes the film |
| a producer | finds the money and organises it |
| the cast | all the actors together |
| the main character | the most important person in the story |
| a hero / a villain | the good one / the bad one |
| the audience | the people watching |
This is the free sample from this unit. The full unit adds 1 more reading passage, comprehension questions with an answer key, the listening exercises, flashcards for the vocabulary above, and a speaking task — with your progress tracked so the next unit unlocks when you are ready for it.
Common questions
What level is this unit?
Pre-intermediate to Intermediate — roughly CEFR A2–B1. If you are not sure of your level, the course places you with a short diagnostic before you start rather than making you guess.
Do I need to pay to use this?
The reading passage and vocabulary on this page are free to read. The rest of the unit — the remaining passages, the exercises, the listening, the answer key and the progress tracking — is part of the paid General English course.
Is this British or American English?
British English spelling and vocabulary, which is what most learners in Azerbaijan are taught and what IELTS expects, though both are accepted in the exam.