Text analysis

Ex. 4

1. Nowadays, the media bring up the issues that require urgent solutions daily.

2. The fact that such a trip put the family at great expense brought about a heated dispute.

3. Unfortunately, sometimes a big amount money brings out a person’s worst qualities.

4. I doubt that you will manage to bring them round to your point of view.

5. In the mid-19th century, Potato Famine in Ireland brought about / on the death of more than a quarter of the whole population of the island.

6. Eleven years after the execution of Charles I, in 1649 the monarchy was brought back in England.

7. Each performance of a pianist who is internationally recognized is brought the house down

8. If the piano wasn’t been so ill-tuned, its sale would bring in twice as much money.

9. A new plan that allows workers to receive a part of the profits has been brought in.

10. The jury brought in a verdict: not guilty.

1. bring about a quarrel/crises – приводить к ссоре / кризису;

Unfortunately, the coronavirus epidemic has bought to an economic crisis first in China, and then in other countries.

2. bring down a stag – подстрелить (подбить) оленя;

People who are seriously ill with coronavirus, like stags that were brought down, are helpless.

3. bring down the prices – снизить цены;

The President demanded that all businesses should bring down prices so that every Russian during the quarantine can afford to buy all the necessary products.

4. bring smb down to earth – спустить кого-л. с небес на землю (рассказать неприятную правду)

His grandmother was sure that the coronavirus was a fiction, but when her sister fell ill, it brought her down to earth.

5. to bring the house down – вызвать фурор, иметь успех;

When the doctors finally came out of the hospital, which was closed for 2-week quarantine, they brought the house down.

6. bring home to smb – убедить, заставить понять;

Everyone should bring home to their relatives over the age of 65 not to leave their house, because they are in potential danger.

7. bring out the worst in smb – выявлять худшие качества;

Some couples, having been together in self-isolation for several weeks, bring out worst in each other and want to divorce.

8. bring smb round – привести в чувства, заставить прийти в себя;

No one could bring her round after the news of her friend's death due to the coronavirus.

9. bring up a question – поднимать вопрос;

The government of each state has brought up a question about the need to declare a state of emergency.

10. bring up to date – доводить до сведения, вводить в курс дела;

Every citizen should be brought up to date on the means of protection against coronavirus.

Text analysis

The text under analysis belongs to publicist functional style, the main function of which is to make us think about how the TV with its extreme popularity can influence our minds and our subsequent life.

The text focuses on the social issues. Its genre can be defined as a publicist essay. The given article was written by Arnold J. and Harmer J. and was published in 1980 in “Advanced Writing Skills”, and it is entitled “A National Disease?” The title suggests the opinion of the authors that people have become the TV addicts because of the growing popularity of TV.

The article under consideration can be logically divided into 4 parts.

In the first part the author introduces the reader to the fact that at least ten million viewers in Great Britain watch TV every evening. Leisure time, that is mostly evenings and weekends, is spent by “goggling at the box”. Also the appearance of colour television has made it more popular. That is why people that don’t want to resist this “monster” should know the consequences that can be.

In the second part we find the information that TV doesn’t destroy the art of conversation because people do like talking about some TV-programs or films. But it brings a sense of unreality into our lives, that is why it affects our minds and attitudes. E.g. people used to be afraid of seeing a shot person on the street, but after watching such incidents on TV every day, a person may change his mind.

In the third part the authors point out that as television brings evil, dulling our reactions to violence and tragedy, so it can bring good, introducing people to new ideas and activities like Open University, etc.

In the last part we are exposed to the important facts that TV is the most important invention of the 20^th century and its popularity certainly continues to grow as the years go. But the television digs a grave for itself, continuing to occupy all possible time of people.

As far as Factual information of the article is concerned, it is rendered by UK statistics of the number of viewers for 1970s – 1980s years. Also the authors suggest sound argumentation and subjective assessment.

As far as Conceptual information of the text is concerned, it is realized through the Subjective Modality expressed by the modal verb “can” (e.g. “this figure can even rise…”, “…the choice of the pub can be influenced…”, “…there can be little likelihood…”, ect.), and modal verb “may” (e.g. “…ideas which may eventually lead…”, “…television may be sowing…”, ect.). Also it is marked by rhetorical question “…are scenes of earthquakes and other natural disasters likely to have much effect either?”

Conceptual information is greatly enlarged by text implication.

The Category of Implication is realized in the text by choice of words. The authors use the words with negative connotation (e.g. “detrimental”, “disaster”, “misleading”, “violence”, “tragedy”, etc.) in order to show the impact of the television on the people and to correlate it with the possible consequences. Also the authors use the words with positive connotation (e.g. “beneficial”, “unanswerable”, “grateful”, “inventive genius”, etc.), but they are used with irony. Besides, the informal words are used (e.g. “goggling”, “telly”).

Using the similes (“national disease”, “destroying popularity”, “coldblooded murder”, “lethargic mind”) the authors describe television as a phenomenon rather on the negative side.

Using the periphrasis “to live with the monster” the authors create the imagery of TV as frightful and cruel one which imposes itself on people and captivates all their attention.

Using the metaphor “to dull reactions” the authors wanted to say that the television, constantly showing cruelty, blurs our attention that we no longer understand the difference between reality and virtuality. In the metaphor “sowing the seeds of its own downfall” there is meant that if the television continues to impose itself, then people will soon lose interest in it.

The article is aimed at making us reconsider the issue of influence and growth of TV popularity. The author’s initial task is to make people think about the need to watch TV every day, that there are other ways to entertain, and that people shouldn’t have lethargic minds.

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