News Mash-up: Global Entertainment

Category: Lifestyle/Entertainment

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. dominate / ˈdɒm əˌneɪt / (v.) – to be more powerful or successful than others in a competition, game, etc.
    Example:

    The animated film dominated the box office, earning the number one spot for over seven weeks.


  2. posthumous / ˈpɒs tʃə məs / (adj.) – happening or done after someone’s death
    Example:

    The soldier received a posthumous award for his bravery.


  3. villain / ˈvɪl ən / (n.) – a character in a fictional work who does evil things
    Example:

    While reading the book, I found myself cheering for the villain instead of the main character.


  4. pageant / ˈpædʒ ənt / (n.) – a contest where people, often young women, are judged based on their looks and other qualities
    Example:

    My friend joins a lot of beauty pageants.


  5. beam / bim / (v.) – to smile widely because one is happy, pleased, or proud
    Example:

    The student beamed after his teacher praised his project.


Article

Read the text below.

Disney+ superhero TV show WandaVision sweeps the 2021 MTV Movie & TV Awards


Marvel comics spinoff WandaVision dominated the MTV Movie and TV Awards on May 16, while Scarlett Johansson and Sacha Baron Cohen got special awards for their contributions to the film industry.


Chadwick Boseman received a posthumous award for best performance in a movie for his final film, the jazz period drama Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. The Black Panther actor died in August 2020 of colon cancer at age 43.


Kathryn Hahn took home the golden popcorn statuette for best villain for her role as nosy neighbor Agatha in WandaVision. Black Widow star Johansson was honored with MTV’s Generation Award in recognition of her Hollywood career. Johansson thanked her fans in a video message for their support. (Reuters)


Andrea Meza of Mexico becomes first Miss Universe since December 2019


Andrea Meza of Mexico has been crowned Miss Universe 2020.


Meza, who has a software engineering degree, beat out Miss Brazil at the end of the night on May 16, screaming when the announcer shouted “Viva Mexico!” at the pageant held at Hollywood, Florida.


Previous winner Zozibini Tunzi fit the crown on Meza’s head and waited to make sure it would stay in place as Meza beamed and took her first walk to the front of the stage.


Tunzi, a public relations professional who became the first Black woman from South Africa to win the contest, had held the title since December 2019. Last year’s ceremony was canceled due to the pandemic. (AP)


These articles were provided by The Japan Times Alpha.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • Marvel comics spinoff WandaVision dominated the MTV Movie and TV awards. In your opinion, why are a lot of comic-based superhero movies and TV shows so popular in recent years? Do you think they’ll still be popular in the next few years, or will the trend end soon? Why? Discuss.
  • In your opinion, what was the best movie or TV show of 2020? Why? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • In recent years, supporters of pageants like Miss Universe say that the winners are chosen based on personality, volunteer work, and education, not looks. Do you think this is true, or are they still more or less beauty pageants? Why? Discuss.
  • Do you think children should be allowed to enter beauty pageants? Why or why not? Discuss.