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Celebrity charity game show returning for second series

Level
b1
Topic
culture

Read this at a different level:a2b2c1

Kwame works at a community centre in Bristol. He has always loved reality TV, and his favourite show is Traitors. Last week, his colleague Fatima told him that a celebrity edition of the show is returning for a second series. Kwame was really excited to hear the news.

Fatima said that twenty-one celebrities are competing this time. Kwame thinks that is a large group. He said that viewers shouldn't expect the game to be easy for the contestants. The show is full of surprises, and trust is very hard to find. Each celebrity is playing for a charity that they have chosen themselves. If a celebrity wins, their chosen charity will receive £100,000.

Kwame has already told his friends about the new series. They are planning to watch it together every week. He believes that players shouldn't trust anyone too quickly in this kind of game. That is what makes it so exciting to watch. Fatima agreed. She said that she enjoys shows where people compete for a good cause.

Kwame is looking forward to seeing which charities will benefit. He thinks the prize money will make a real difference. If he had the chance to compete, he would choose a local children's charity. For now, he is happy to watch from his sofa.

Highlighted sentences show the grammar focus structure.

Key Vocabulary

  • colleague

    /ˈkɒliːɡ/

    A person who works with you in the same place or organization.

    My colleague helped me finish the report before the deadline.

  • celebrity

    /səˈlebrɪti/

    A famous person, especially one who appears on television, in films, or in the news.

    The celebrity signed autographs for fans outside the theatre.

  • compete

    /kəmˈpiːt/

    To try to win something or be better than others in a contest or activity.

    She trained every day so she could compete in the national swimming championship.

  • contestant

    /kənˈtestənt/

    A person who takes part in a competition or game show.

    The last contestant answered all the questions correctly and won the prize.

  • charity

    /ˈtʃærɪti/

    An organization that collects money to help people who are in need.

    She donated her old clothes to a local charity that helps homeless people.

  • benefit

    /ˈbenɪfɪt/

    To receive help or an advantage from something.

    Students who read regularly benefit from a larger vocabulary.

Grammar Spotlight

Modal 'shouldn't' — Negative Advice

subject + shouldn't + base verb

When do we use it?

  • Use 'shouldn't' to advise someone NOT to do something — you think it's a bad idea or a mistake.
  • Use it to warn someone about behaviour that could cause a problem or negative result.
  • Use it for general advice, not just rules — it sounds caring or concerned, not like a strict order.

How is it formed?

subject+shouldn't+base verb (infinitive without 'to')

'shouldn't' = should + not (contracted). The base verb never changes form.

★Advise against something — no 'to', no '-ing'!

See it in action

  1. Kwame shouldn't stay up too late watching Traitors — he has work in the morning.

  2. Fatima told him he shouldn't spoil the show for colleagues who haven't seen it yet.

  3. You shouldn't judge a reality TV show before you've actually watched it.

  4. The community centre shouldn't book the same night as the Traitors finale — nobody will come!

Remember this

✗He shouldn't to watch so much TV.
✓He shouldn't watch so much TV.

After modal verbs like 'shouldn't', always use the base verb — never add 'to'.

✗She shouldn't watching the show alone.
✓She shouldn't watch the show alone.

The base verb is needed, not the '-ing' form. Modals are always followed by the infinitive without 'to'.

✗They shouldn't to be late for the community centre event.
✓They shouldn't be late for the community centre event.

'Be' is the correct base verb here — 'to be' with 'to' is a common error after modals.

Discussion Questions

  1. 1.

    Are there popular game shows or reality TV programmes in your country? What are they like, and do you enjoy watching them?

  2. 2.

    Have you ever done something to raise money or help a charity? What did you do, and how did it make you feel?

  3. 3.

    If you could compete in any kind of contest or game show, what would you choose and why?

Comprehension Questions

  1. 1.

    Why was Kwame excited when Fatima spoke to him last week?

  2. 2.

    How much money will a winning celebrity's chosen charity receive?

  3. 3.

    What does Kwame believe is the most important thing for players to remember in this kind of game?

  4. 4.

    Who agreed with Kwame's view about the show, and what reason did she give?

  5. 5.

    Which charity would Kwame choose if he had the chance to compete on the show?

View answers for the comprehension questions
  1. 1.Fatima told him that a celebrity edition of Traitors was returning for a second series, and Kwame was really excited to hear this news.
  2. 2.The winning celebrity's chosen charity will receive £100,000.
  3. 3.Kwame believes that players should not trust anyone too quickly, because that is what makes the show so exciting to watch.
  4. 4.Fatima agreed with him. She said she enjoys shows where people compete for a good cause.
  5. 5.Kwame says he would choose a local children's charity if he had the chance to compete.

Test your knowledge

Question 1Fill-in-the-blank

The school organised a fundraising event to collect money for a local ____ that helps people in need.

Question 2Fill-in-the-blank

Several students decided to ____ in the spelling contest to see who knew the most words.

Question 3Fill-in-the-blank

Taking regular exercise can ____ your health in many positive ways.

Question 4Fill-in-the-blank

She introduced me to her ____, who works in the same office and sits at the desk next to hers.

View answers for test your knowledge
  1. 1.charity
  2. 2.compete
  3. 3.benefit
  4. 4.colleague

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