Reading - The Magic of Moving Pictures

    Movies, or films, have been a popular form of entertainment for over a century. Before the 1890s, people could only see still photographs. But then, inventors started to experiment with ways to make pictures move. One of the most important moments was in 1895 when the Lumière brothers in France showed their first "moving pictures" to a paying audience. This was the birth of cinema as we know it.

    Early films were very short, often just a few minutes long, and they were silent. There was no sound, so actors had to use exaggerated movements and facial expressions to show emotions. Sometimes, a pianist or an orchestra would play music live in the cinema to add to the atmosphere. People were amazed by this new technology, and going to the cinema quickly became a very popular activity.

    The 1920s brought a big change: "talkies," or films with synchronized sound. The first full-length talkie, "The Jazz Singer," came out in 1927. This meant actors could speak, and music and sound effects could be part of the film itself. This made movies much more realistic and engaging. Studios began to grow, and Hollywood, in the United States, became the center of the film industry.

    Today, movies are more diverse than ever. We have action films, comedies, dramas, animations, and many other genres. Technology continues to advance, bringing us incredible special effects and immersive experiences. From silent films to modern blockbusters, cinema continues to capture our imagination and tell stories that connect people around the world.

VOCABULARY

• century: a period of 100 years.
• The 20th century was a time of great change.

• inventors: people who design or create something new.
• Thomas Edison was a famous inventor.

• experiment: to try a new idea or method to see if it works.
• Scientists often experiment to find new solutions.

• exaggerated: made to seem larger, better, or more important than it really is.
• He made an exaggerated gesture to show his surprise.

• facial expressions: the feelings shown on a person's face.
• Her facial expressions clearly showed her happiness.

• synchronized: happening at the same time and speed.
• The dancers moved in perfectly synchronized steps.

• diverse: very different from each other.
• The city has a diverse population with many different cultures.

• genres: particular types or styles of art, literature, or music.
• My favorite film genres are science fiction and fantasy.

• immersive: seeming to surround the viewer, listener, or player completely and make them feel as if they are part of the experience.
• Virtual reality games offer a truly immersive experience.

ACTIVITIES

1 - Choose the best title for each paragraph (from paragraph 1 to 4).

2 - Complete the sentences using the given words.