English Learning: Journalism Fun!

Dialogue

Alice: Bob, what are you doing with that big camera?
Bob: Oh, Alice! Perfect timing! I’m a journalist today.
Alice: A journalist? Really? What’s your big story?
Bob: Breaking news! A pigeon is trying to open the bakery door!
Alice: *chuckles* A pigeon? That’s your scoop?
Bob: Yes! It’s a gripping tale of urban wildlife and forbidden pastries. I need to get the facts straight.
Alice: Did you interview the pigeon? Or the baker?
Bob: Not yet! I’m observing its methods. This could be a new trend! ‘Pigeons Gone Wild!’
Alice: Hmm. Sounds like important local news. Are you writing an article?
Bob: Of course! I’m gathering all the information. I’ll write a report later. Maybe even get it on the evening news!
Alice: The evening news for a pigeon? You’re funny, Bob. Don’t forget to check your sources!
Bob: My source is the pigeon itself, Alice! Very reliable. It’s an investigative report!
Alice: Well, good luck, reporter Bob. Let me know if the pigeon gets a croissant.
Bob: Will do! This story is going to be huge!
Alice: I’m sure it will be. Keep me updated!

Current Situation

Journalism is how we get information about the world around us. Journalists are people who find, write, and present news. They tell us what is happening in our city, country, and globally. Today, journalism is changing very fast. Many people get their news from the internet and social media, not just newspapers or TV. This means news travels quickly, but it also means we need to be careful about “fake news” – stories that are not true. Good journalism is very important because it helps us understand facts, make good decisions, and know what’s going on. Journalists work hard to check their facts and share honest stories, from serious world events to interesting local news, just like Bob’s pigeon story!

Key Phrases

• Breaking news: An important story that is happening right now.
  • Example: “The TV said there’s breaking news about the big storm.”
• Journalist: A person who writes or reports news.
  • Example: “My sister wants to be a journalist and write for a newspaper.”
• Scoop: An exclusive or exciting news story.
  • Example: “The local paper got a scoop about the new park.”
• Local news: News about events in a specific town or region.
  • Example: “I like to read the local news to know what’s happening in my neighborhood.”
• Article: A piece of writing about a particular subject in a newspaper or magazine.
  • Example: “I read an interesting article about healthy food.”
• Report: A spoken or written description of an event or situation.
  • Example: “The weather report says it will rain tomorrow.”
• Source: A person, book, or document that provides information.
  • Example: “Always check your sources to make sure the information is true.”
• Investigative report: A report that looks very deeply into a topic to find hidden information.
  • Example: “The TV show did an investigative report about the old factory.”
• Story: A piece of news or a report.
  • Example: “Did you hear the story about the new bridge?”

Grammar Points

Let’s look at some important grammar points from the dialogue:

1. The Present Continuous Tense

We use this to talk about actions happening right now or around now.

• Structure: Subject + am/is/are + verb-ing.
• Example from dialogue: “What are you doing?” (Alice wants to know about Bob’s current action). “I am observing its methods.” (Bob is doing this action now).
• Another example: “The pigeon is trying to open the door.”

2. The Simple Present Tense

We use this for facts, habits, or things that are generally true.

• Structure: Subject + base verb (add -s for he/she/it).
• Example from dialogue: “Journalists are people who find, write, and present news.” (This is a general truth about journalists). “It is a gripping tale.” (A fact about the story).
• Another example: “The sun rises in the east.”

3. Modal Verb: Could

We use “could” to talk about possibilities.

• Structure: Subject + could + base verb.
• Example from dialogue: “This could be a new trend!” (Bob thinks it’s possible).
• Another example: “It could rain later, so take an umbrella.”

4. Asking Questions with “Did” (Simple Past)

To ask about actions that happened in the past.

• Structure: Did + Subject + base verb?
• Example from dialogue: “Did you interview the pigeon?” (Alice asks about a past action).
• Another example: “Did you eat breakfast?”

Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Match the words with their meanings.

1. Journalist
2. Breaking news
3. Local news
4. Article
5. Source

a) A piece of writing in a newspaper or magazine.
b) A person who writes or reports news.
c) News that is happening right now.
d) Information about events in a specific town.
e) A person or document that gives information.

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Exercise 2: Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb in parentheses (Present Simple or Present Continuous) or ‘could’.

1. Alice (read) _______ an article right now.
2. Journalists usually (write) _______ many stories.
3. Look! Bob (talk) _______ to a baker for his story.
4. This (be) _______ a big story, maybe not.
5. Where (you / get) _______ your news? (General question)

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Exercise 3: Answer the questions based on the dialogue.

1. What is Bob trying to be today?
2. What is Bob’s “breaking news” story about?
3. Does Alice think the pigeon story is very serious?
4. What does Alice tell Bob to check for his report?

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Answers

Exercise 1: Answers

1. Journalist – b) A person who writes or reports news.
2. Breaking news – c) News that is happening right now.
3. Local news – d) Information about events in a specific town.
4. Article – a) A piece of writing in a newspaper or magazine.
5. Source – e) A person or document that gives information.

Exercise 2: Answers

1. Alice is reading an article right now.
2. Journalists usually write many stories.
3. Look! Bob is talking to a baker for his story.
4. This could be a big story, maybe not.
5. Where do you get your news?

Exercise 3: Answers

1. Bob is trying to be a journalist today.
2. Bob’s “breaking news” story is about a pigeon trying to open a bakery door.
3. No, Alice thinks it’s funny/amusing, not very serious.
4. Alice tells Bob to check his sources.