你有沒有過一次連看兩集電視劇的經歷？研究顯示，很多人都這樣做過。隨著網絡媒體的更新和發展，我們不再需要每周苦苦地坐在電視機前等待連續劇一集一集地播出，而是可以按自己的需求“刷劇”。這種強迫性的行為正變得越來越普遍，甚至有可能令我們上癮。跟隨《隨身英語》瞭解連續看電視劇給現代人的生活造成的影響。
課文內容
Vocabulary: binge-watching 詞匯: 連續看劇
Have you ever loved a TV show? I mean really loved it? Like, you can’t wait to get to work to talk about it loved it? What about the cliffhanger? That’s the unresolved situation at the end of the episode which makes you want to watch the next one. But, when will the next one be?
In the past, viewers had to wait up to a week for the next episode of their favourite shows. What agony! But, that’s not the case any more. And hand in hand with that comes a, possibly dangerous, growing social trend. We speak of binge-watching.
Binge-watching is when a person watches more than one episode of a show in quick succession. With developments in the speed and connectivity of the internet, increases in technology and the rise of on-demand entertainment companies, people can now have their favourite shows streamed directly to their television at their convenience.
This behaviour is nothing new. In fact, ‘binge-watching’ has been officially listed in dictionaries since 2015. The entertainment companies recognise this behaviour and many take steps to encourage it. Often, instead of releasing each episode on a week-by-week basis, an entire series will become available concurrently. Once the episode finishes, many platforms will display pop-ups with ‘you might like’ suggestions, or will automatically play the next episode.
However, this wondrous gift may in fact be a poisoned chalice. Recent research from British media watchdog Ofcom suggests that this behaviour may have become a hindrance. Out of the more than half of British adults who watch more than one episode of a show back-to-back, almost a third have admitted missing sleep or becoming tired as a result; and one quarter have neglected their household chores. Next we’ll be missing work!
Bingeing has other connections – binge eating, binge drinking and binge smoking. All of which are often associated with compulsive behaviour, a lack of control and a possible route to addiction. Lindsey Fussell, consumer group director at Ofcom, said: “The days of waiting a week for the next episode are largely gone, with people finding it hard to resist watching multiple episodes around the house or on the move.” If people find binge-watching hard to resist, coupled with the fact that it has shown to lead to negligence in many, are we witnessing the birth of a new type of addiction?
The myriad of information and entertainment that television and online media can bring us is, many would say, a good thing. It offers us opportunities to better understand the world we live in, educate ourselves and enjoy much needed downtime. However, like any behaviour done to excess, it can become dangerous. And when the activity begins to bleed into other areas, causing us to stop functioning – then it becomes a problem. So, what’s the answer? Moderation! Neither a tiny amount, nor too much. After all, as the old proverb says… a little of what you fancy does you good.
詞匯表
cliffhanger （故事）懸念，扣人心弦的部分
agony 煎熬、痛苦
binge-watching 無節制地、連續地看電視劇
in quick succession 緊接著，接連不斷地
on-demand 按需提供服務的
streamed 可供在線收看
encourage 激勵、促使（行為）
concurrently 同時地
pop-up 彈出式窗口
wondrous 絕妙的，美好的
poisoned chalice “金盞毒酒”，指外表誘人實則有害的事物
watchdog 監督機構
hindrance 妨礙，阻礙
back-to-back 一集接一集地
neglected 疏忽瞭，忘記做瞭
compulsive 強迫性的
resist 忍住，抗拒
negligence 疏忽（名詞）
myriad 數不勝數，無數
excess 太多，過度
bleed 波及，幹擾
moderation 節制、適度
測驗與練習
1. 閱讀課文並回答問題。
1. Why can people now have television shows streamed into their TV?
2. How do entertainment companies encourage binge-watching?
3. How many of the people in Ofcom’s study have admitted losing sleep due to binge-watching?
4. In the article, which word means ‘time to relax’?
5. True or false: People find it easy to just watch one episode of a show at a time.
2. 請在不參考課文的情況下完成下列練習。選擇一個意思合適的單詞填入句子的空格處。
1. The boxer delivered a series of punches ______, knocking out his opponent.
agony on-demand moderation in quick succession
2. There are a ______ of hotels in the city centre. You can find one easily.
hindrance concurrently myriad excess
3. Not speaking a second language has been a ______ whenever I go abroad.
poisoned chalice agony on-demand hindrance
4. Be careful of Jim. He’s a nice guy, but a ______ liar. You can’t believe a word he says.
watchdog compulsive neglected moderation
5. My father worked long hours when I was a child. I knew he loved me, but I always felt somewhat ______ because I never saw him.
neglected wondrous resist agony
答案
1. 閱讀課文並回答問題。
1. Why can people now have television shows streamed into their television?
Developments in the speed and connectivity of the internet, increases in technology and the rise of on-demand entertainment companies.
2. How do entertainment companies encourage binge-watching?
Instead of releasing each episode on a week-by-week basis, an entire series will become available concurrently. Many platforms will display pop-ups with ‘you might like’ suggestions, or will automatically play the next episode.
3. How many of the people in Ofcom’s study have admitted losing sleep due to binge-watching?
A third have admitted missing sleep
4. In the article, which word means ‘time to relax’?
Downtime
5. True or false: People find it easy to just watch one episode of a show at a time.
False. “People finding it hard to resist watching multiple episodes around the house or on the move”
2. 請在不參考課文的情況下完成下列練習。選擇一個意思合適的單詞填入句子的空格處。
1. The boxer delivered a series of punches in quick succession, knocking out his opponent.
2. There are a myriad of hotels in the city centre. You can find one easily.
3. Not speaking a second language has been a hindrance whenever I go abroad.
4. Be careful of Jim. He’s a nice guy, but a compulsive liar. You can’t believe a word he says.
5. My father worked long hours when I was a child. I knew he loved me, but I always felt somewhat neglected because I never saw him.
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