Watching TV is a very popular pastime in the UK. But what kind of programmes do British people like to watch? Well, the most-watched TV programmes every week are very popular dramas that are usually on at least four times every week. They are dramas based in one neighborhood that try to depict ordinary life in the UK - we call these dramas 'soap operas' or 'soaps'.
In the early days of TV, there were often dramas on during the day. Back in those days, it was traditional for the husband to go out to work and for the wife to stay at home and look after the house and the children. Most of these daytime dramas were aimed at entertaining the housewives who would traditionally be at home, probably doing the washing. Companies selling washing powder would advertise their products at times when these dramas were on, and sometimes those companies would even sponsor the drama. Hence the word 'soap'.
So what about the word opera? Well, that's because these dramas are often an exaggeration of real life. They are supposed to represent ordinary lives but, to make them entertaining, lots of dramatic events, like murders, divorces, affairs etc., all happen probably much more regularly than they would in a normal neighbourhood.
Most soap operas these days are shown in the evening. Each show will have several different storylines happening at once that continue over several shows. The same cast members will appear in every show, too.
Question 1: : What type of programmes do British people prefer to watch?
A. drama series B. soap opera C. comedy D. musical
Question 2: Why did sponsors advertise soap on TV during the mornings?
A. Because most women were at home doing their housework and watching TV.
B. Because it was cheaper to advertise during the day.
C. Because there were only television programmes during the day.
D. Because advertisements were aimed at entertaining the housewives.
Question 3: The word “soap” in “soap opera” refers to ______.
A. the classical singing you hear in the drammas
B. products sold on television
C. washing powder used by housewives to do the washing
D. a musical play in which all of the words are sung
Question 4: According to the passage, soap operas ______.
A. are mostly shown in daytime
B. offer accurate depictions of ordinary life
C. have lots of continuing storylines happening over a few shows.
D. tend to focus on female characters
Question 5: Which of the following statements is NOT true?
A. British people don’t really like watching TV.
B. In the early days, dramas were often shown in daytime.
C. Soap operas are usually more exaggerated than normal life.
D. Each cast member will appear in some episodes.
