Writing: A review of a TV programme

1Read the review below and answer the questions. 

• 1What kind of TV programme is the review about?

  a soap operaa costume dramaa reality show

• 2Is the review negative or positive?

  negativepositivea mixture of positive and negative

VDescribing TV programmes

2Read the review and choose the correct words. 

Think of a cookery show, and you usually imagine something rather 

¹dullspectacular

 

and boring watched by middle-aged housewives. But The Great British Bake Off, a competition to bake the best cakes and pastries, is nothing like that. Everyone loves it, young and old.

There is nothing 

²predictablememorable

 

about this programme either. You might expect an older lady to win, but the winner this year was 23-year-old John Whaite, beating 21-year-old student James Morton in the final. James produced FIVE cakes, which was quite 

³impressivehumorous,

 

but John's 'Heaven and Hell' cake was truly 

⁴spectaculardull.

 

I have never seen anything like it!

I was surprised how 

⁵entertainingpredictable

 

the programme was – I really enjoyed it. There were plenty of 

⁶humorousimpressive

 

moments, especially as two of the programme's presenters are the comedians Mel and Sue.

Perhaps one of the most 

⁷memorableconvincing

 

moments was when, after working so hard to make his cake, James dropped the mixture on the floor. I will never forget it! They are already filming the next series, so don't miss this great British show!

VDescribing TV programmes

3Read the last paragraph of the review. Which of these ways of finishing a review did the writer use? 

a quotea memorable moment from the programme and a recommendationa rhetorical questiona prediction

Perhaps one of the most memorable / convincing moments was when, after working so hard to make his cake, James dropped the mixture on the floor. I will never forget it! They are already filming the next series, so don't miss this great British show!

 VDescribing TV programmes

4Read the following alternative endings to the review. Match them to the types of endings in the box. There is one ending you don't need. 

MOVE
• a quote
• a memorable moment from the programme and a recommendation
• a rhetorical question
• a prediction

• AIt is completely unexpected, but this is the best thing on TV this year. What is next? A reality programme about housework?  

• BAfter the show finished, John said he was so relieved that he felt dizzy. 'Finally,' he said, 'I've done something to please my mother!'  

• CI hear that they are already filming the next series. If it is as good as this one, I will definitely be watching!  

Unit 9 Writing Guide

1.  Read the instructions.
2.  Write your answer in the Word document.
3.  Save your work.
4.  Upload your file.
5.  If you want to add a note for your teacher, write it in the Comments box.
6.  Select Submit to dropbox to send your work to your teacher.