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Survivor

Learn English meaning of 'Survivor'

Date: Jul 26 2019

Themes: Celebrity, Pop Culture

Grammar: Simple Future Tense

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Intro

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TV shows come and go. It’s often difficult to know what will be a success, and what will not. When “Survivor” was first on television in 2000, nobody knew if the show about regular people living without food, water, and a place to sleep, would become popular. But after 38 seasons, “Survivor” is still watched and loved by people around the world.

The people playing “Survivor” are put on two tribes. They must make alliances with each other, use strategy to win immunity, and try not to be exiled. The players who are exiled become the game’s jury, and the jury decides who wins. The winning player gets $1,000,000!

Jessica wants Gary to watch “Survivor.” Why does she like it so much? Read on in today’s English lesson about reality TV.

Dialog

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2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Jessica

Gary

Jessica: Gary?

Gary: Yeah.

Jessica: I just saw the Survivor finale…

Gary: Oh, no.

Jessica: ... and it was one of the better seasons.

Gary: Isn’t that one of those backstabbing reality shows where people are just trying to get ahead by putting people down, or lying and such?

Jessica: Well, not really.

Gary: No?

Jessica: It’s actually very strategy-based.

Gary: Really!

Jessica: Well, there are two different tribes.

Gary: OK.

Jessica: And they actually form alliances throughout the game. And they can fight for “individual immunity,” and get “reward challenges” that they can share with each other.

Gary: Wait. Immunity from what?

Jessica: From being voted off the island.

Gary: So, they’re exiled by… what do they have, a jury of their peers? The tribes form a group and then vote to exile someone?

Jessica: Once you’re eliminated, you become a part of the jury. But as you’re eliminated, the tribes actually merge into one.

Gary: Huh!

Jessica: It’s pretty fun. I think there’s more strategy there than you’re giving it credit for.

Gary: That’s interesting.

Jessica: Well, you’ll have to watch it. I think you’d like it.

Gary: All right.

Grammar Point

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Quizzes

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Discussion

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Gary thinks that “Survivor” must be like the other reality TV shows he’s seen. He is certain that the people playing the game are mean to each other and treat each other poorly. But Jessica doesn’t believe this is true about “Survivor,” and she tries to help Gary understand what it’s really like.

Jessica says that “Survivor” is all about strategy. She explains that people use their time making alliances with each other to try to win the game and not get exiled. In Jessica’s opinion, “Survivor” will surprise Gary if he gives it a chance.

Do you watch “Survivor?” Would you like to play “Survivor?”

Comments

Arlinrat Aui

Thailand

No, I never watch game show like that and I think That s not reality show

and some of strategy to make game interested for keep people watching them

I would not like to play Survivor game show but …in fact … life is the life game and all people play and get a reward everyday by themself

Have a great day. ^.

bluesky97

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

No I havent seen survivor or any similar shows.

I feel these shows are a little violent😏

It is good to show how they make alliances or do teamworking but why people should fight for living or in fact for money?🤔

GWTA

Germany

no, no, daily life is hard enough

scheylla

Brazil

I’m not really into reality show. Actually I hate realities. And I don’t believe that everything that happens there is true, I guess a lot of things is manipulated by the TV which has its own interest behind.

mandzhi

Russian Federation

I’ve never watched american seasons of ’’Survivor””, but in Russia we had similar reality show. It’s also has the same name, but there were russian people. But i didn’t watch it too.

If i have a chance, i’ll give it a try to play the “survivor’’.

s11211s

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

I haven’t watched Survivor till now! But I saw a few minutes ago parts of 2 episodes from Turkey and US. They were so interesting and full of excitement.

Depends on my personality I prefer to play games instead of watching them and cheering players.

I know playing games may be so difficult and dangerous. But it is better than sitting in room and watch them on TV!

NavidArash

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

I never had the opportunity to watch Survivor, (the reality TV show has been not broadcast in Iranian medias yet.) But It’s not a big deal for me because these kind of stuffs aren’t my cup of tea.

At least TV shows aren’t supposed to be some sort of a video game. I think playing a video game online would be more interesting rather than wasting my time by watching such kind of shows. In my opinion they are so boring to watch, I hope I wouldn’t sound like a cocky here but I really feel that they aren’t even in my league.

You know what a TV show really means to me. “20 questions” dosen’t it ring a bell?

It really was so popular in past decades on radio as well as TV all around the world and it was all laugh, therapeutic and fun. It seems that producers in that time really knew what kind of programs people need to unwind after a stressful day.

La Princesse de la vie

Egypt

Seriously?! 31 seasons! That’s a lot! It seems a very old show from the eighties or maybe older, despite the fact that I’d never heard of it in my entire life till now. Where have I been?!

I have to say I’m thrilled to see it. it seems exciting to watch, but not to try xD It’s not a good way for me to earn unlikely 1 million dollars! But I must say that a small part of me would like to risk!