When friends insist on ______ expensive gifts, it makes most people uncomfortable.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or d on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions (32-38) 

REALITY TELEVISION

     Reality television is a genre of television programming which, (it is claimed), presents unscripted dramatic or humorous situations, documents actual events, and features ordinary rather than professional actors. It could be described as a form of artificial or “heightened” documentary. Although the genre has existed in some form or another since the early years of television, the current explosion of popularity dates from around 2000. 

     Reality television covers a wide range of television programming formats, from game or quiz shows which resemble the frantic, often demeaning programmes produced in Japan in the 1980s and 1990s (a modem example is Gaki no Tsukai), to surveillance- or voyeurism- focused productions such as Big Brother. 

     Critics say that the term “reality television” is somewhat of a misnomer and that such shows frequently portray a modifies and highly influenced form of reality, with participants put in exotic location or abnormal situations, sometimes coached to act in certain ways by off-screen handlers, and with events on screen manipulated through editing and other post-production techniques. 

     Part of reality television’s appeal is due to its ability to place ordinary people in extraordinary situations.  For example, on the ABC show, The Bachelor, an eligible male dates a dozen women simultaneously, traveling on extraordinary dates to scenic locales. Reality television also has the potential to turn its participants into national celebrities, outwardly in talent and performance programs such as Pop Idol, though frequently Survivor and Big Brother participants also reach some degree of celebrity. 

     Some commentators have said that the name “reality television” is an inaccurate description for several styles of program included in the genre. In competition-based programs such as Big Brother and Survivor, and other special-living-environment shows like The Real World, the producers design the format of the show and control the day-to-day activities and the environment, creating a completely fabricated world in which the competition plays out. Producers specifically select the participants, and use carefully designed scenarios, challenges, events, and settings to encourage particular behaviours and conflicts. Mark Burnett, creator of Survivor and other reality shows, has agreed with this assessment, and avoids the word “reality” to describe his shows; he has said, “I tell good stories. It really is not reality TV. It really is unscripted drama.” 

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions (20-24) 

     The latest addiction to trap thousands of people is the Internet, which has been (20) ______ for broken relationships, job losses, financial ruin and even one suicide. Psychologists now recognize Internet Addiction Syndrome (IAS) as a new illness that could (21) ______ serious problems and ruin many lives. Special help groups have been set up to offer sufferers help and support. IAS is similar to (22) ______ problems like gambling, smoking and drinking: addicts have dreams about the Internet, they need to use it first thing in the morning; they lie to their partner about how much time they spend online; they wish they could cut down, but are unable to do so. A recent study found that many users spend up to 40 hours a week on the Internet; although they felt guilty, they became depressed if they were (23) ______ to stop using it. 

     Almost anyone can be at risk. Some of the addicts are teenagers who are already hooked on computer games and who (24), ______ it very difficult to resist the games on the Internet. Surprisingly, however, psychologists say that most victims are middle-aged housewives who have never used a computer before.