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Stuff for ESL Learners October 2009
Each month EnglishClub.com posts interesting articles for ESL learners.
Balloon Boy Story a Hoax
The family told authorities that the flying-saucer style balloon was a science experiment. The father claimed that one of his boys had climbed inside just as it was lifting off from the backyard. However, when the balloon was found there was nobody inside. Though searchers began looking for the body, the young boy, Falcon Heene, was found hiding in the attic of his family home. When interviewed, the boy reminded his dad they did it “for the show”. Police began to investigate more closely. By the end of the weekend the family was being accused of organizing a hoax. The Heene family has starred in a previous reality series called “Wife Swap”. The latest reports suggest the balloon boy story was most likely a publicity stunt for a future reality show. Though the family appeared panicked and upset and denied it was a hoax, local investigators say the parents could be charged with conspiracy. Do you watch reality shows? What type of reality shows are available in your country? Has the concept of reality shows gone too far? Wordchecker: Contributed by Tara Benwell | October 2009
Tara Benwell is a Canadian freelance writer and editor who specializes in materials and articles for the ELT industry. 25 Comments on “Balloon Boy Story a Hoax”Leave a Comment |
Millions of television viewers watched in horror as a hand-made helium balloon supposedly carrying a 6-year-old boy fell from the skies in Colorado last week. The silver mushroom-shaped balloon had traveled 80 kilometres across two counties. Two helicopters and a number of TV camera crews were tracking it after the family called 911 to report the accident.
I haven’t watch that reality show, But I heard about that from television and radio. For me that such a Fun, at least it have been entertained USA people eventhough that’s fake story.the family not need to send to the court. Don’t you think that some realty show also fake?? like in my country , they said that the reality was true happening. but after seeing the realty it’s fake. but its entertining us..
Excellent “current affairs” article for ESL learners.
It can be a starting point for many rich conversations/essays.
Well done!
That’s good to hear!however his family have succeeded in attracting the media & he is the talk of the town!
To reply ur question,there are some reality tv. In my country which I watch them.For example chasing violent pepole by police or setting a record by sportmen and accidents may be happen for them,…
It’s very good knowledge for me, for everybody.
Thanks…
I watched it on CNN. Initially I was bewildered, later on it was revealed that it was a kind of stunt. The lesson presented above is excellent for the students who are learning English. I would like to thank Tara Benwell.
Such reality shows may occur everywhere. In order to make money or come into notice of public, such reality shows are really a shortcut to success. Today “nothing is impossible.”
hi, this story not only gives us learning opportunity but also a booster for our general knowledge
fsl: I love how you called reality shows a “shortcut to success”. It’s amazing that we get sucked into these shows, isn’t it? Do you consider American Idol a “reality show”?
I have watched that show and was very sorry for boy’s parents. I imagined how frightened they were when they thought that their little son was alone in the sky. You ask “What types of reality shows are available in your country?” I want to tell you about one accident or I can titled as a “happy ending” show which was on by TV in Tbilisi, Georgia. Two years child fell down out of the window, from the fifth floor and was caught by a young man, passing by that street. I think it was child’s second birthday. That’s why I called that show “happy ending”
I was listening to my favourite radio station when was told us about a boy who was in a baloon. Honestly I didn’t care at all.
Good entertainment story… with great words to be learnt from it…
It’s very good story and gives us learning opportunity.
thanks.
It is good wonderful story
thanks
Thank you it is nice story , I can see reality show evry day in my country becaus I live in Iraq and you know what happen in this country.I agree that serious TV go too far sometimes ,many things must have privacy .
It is good story
thanks
Perhaps it is a nice and interesting story.. but not the idea.. it’s terrible. How can the parents arrange such kind of ‘action’ for his boy? Will the money they get worth with the sadness they may have when their boy seriously hurt or even died of the accident??
for a while I thought it was a real event.it could be a starting point for a very interesting future film.i very much like baloons but of course i dont look forward to be inside it one day.thank you for the news
I watched the story on t.v last week, and i think that is very nice to put an article about a real current event. And i like it because we are able to learn new words, that had to do with real events.
I think that if the parents wanted to call people´s attention, they did it the wrong way! They would´t have use their son to do that!
That story was interesting to read and I really I enjoy that.
I have not seen that kind of show on television.
I am entreated to see
Here, in Rio, Brazil we can´t belevied in that. What kind of father is he???? Shame, Shame!
I’m going to present this story to my Chinese students and get their reaction. I think they’ll be surprised to learn to what length people will go to have their “15 minutes of Fame”.
The story was so fear, but it was interesting to. Nowadays in Indonesia the most television programs are reality show.In many ways the reality show that offered are not true. Sometimes the drama are write by the directors. Drama on reality show always made by them are dramatics or more than a film.
But reality show as talent search probably pure reality show.
I think, the question that Has the concept of reality shows gone too far is true.
one occasion when I was on the public transportation I was heard a group of people discuss about reality show. The conversation they were talked about how much they got money after joint a program.
That’s mean The program reality shows gone too far from the concept.
thank you so much…
It is actually a report based on facts.The art of writing is very much lucid.But I wonder how can a set of parents defy all norms & etiquette to venture extorting popularity in this way.They have also put their innocent child in frustration who probably has already become alien in friends” circle.
With thanks
Mir Quasem
Bangladesh
fantastic story. it teaches the english as well as the bad thing about reality shows
I heard a news about this story but not in detail. Now I read this story,it’s very intreasting……….& I learned much from this story.