Control of the Media in the U.S.A.
How do you feel about illegal downloading of movies and music from the Internet?
Do you think our government should control the Internet? How much and why or why not?
Perhaps we all know about how China censors the Internet, but did you know that the U.S.A. is now proposing the same? The problem has to do with pirating of media such as songs and movies. The proposed law in America is the SOPA Act (Stop Online Piracy Act) which some in America claim would mean America would be as oppressive as China’s famous political firewall which monitors citizens’ comments about politics. If any comment is out of order in China, then that comment is deleted or there could even be some punishment. Meanwhile in America the SOPA Act would mean that the U.S. government would also now be monitoring users, or specifically, websites would be required to police their own sites for copyright violations.
Chinese users find all the debate in the U.S. humorous because they say America is now copying China for ideas on how to control the Internet. One commentator known as Dr Zhang wrote, “I’ve come up with a perfect solution: You can come to China to download all your pirated media, we’ll go to America to discuss politically sensitive subjects.”
Guessing meaning from context
Try to guess the meaning of the words in bold and match them with their closest meaning from the choices in the right. The answers are below the table.
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Not in the correct place, wrong behavior |
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To control someone or something, a feeling of depression |
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To stop someone from doing something |
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To break a law, to attack, to invade |
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A new idea, a solution to a problem |
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Stealing, taking illegally |
A=3, B=7, C=2, D=5, E=1, F=4, G=6
Some example sentences using the new words to help you to better understand their meaning.
1. “R19” movies mean that someone must be 19 or older to watch them; these movies are censored.
2. It is difficult for Korean entertainers to sell music because of so much Internet pirating.
3. The North Korean government is known as one of the most oppressive governments in the world, that is, people can do almost nothing because the government controls every action and what people think.
4. The traffic police monitor drivers’ actions.
5. In some countries it is illegal to walk in the street drunken, it is considered being out of order.
6. My mother received a fine for her speeding violation.
7. Technology companies are always having to come up with new ideas.
Some discussion questions using the new words to help you better understand the word meaning and how to use them correctly. Try to use the words in your answer.
1. How much do you feel our government should censor the Internet?
2. How do you think we can stop or Internet pirating?
3. Would you agree that the laws (SOPA Act) in the U.S. are oppressive? Why or why not?
4. How do you feel about the government monitoring what you say or look at on the Internet?
5. Would you agree that what the U.S. government is wanting to do is out of order? Why or why not?
6. Entertainers feel violated by what people say and blog on the Internet. So do you agree that if someone wants to be famous then they have to accept that people will write so many things about them?
7. What do you think of what the blogger Dr Zhang came up with for the problem of pirated media? What ideas could you come up with?
ECK Education
