Friends Like These

B2 First · Multiple Choice Reading · Ready for B2 First 4th Edition Workbook, Macmillan Education Limited

You are going to read a magazine article about the TV series Friends. For questions 1–6, choose the answer (A, B, C or D) which you think fits best according to the text.

Friends, the TV series which follows six 20-somethings living in New York, doesn't seem to have lost its appeal even though the doors to Central Perk finally closed in 2004. It ran for 10 years and its last episode attracted over 50 million American viewers. So, what continues to be the appeal of this iconic programme? Shouldn't something your parents watched be 'uncool'? I can't quite remember the first episode I watched. I realised then that it was ahead of its time. But I had no idea of the impact it would have in years to come, thanks to the incredibly talented cast and crew who all contributed to its success. It's cross-generational, which is something that is harder to achieve than it sounds. There is no denying that certain aspects of the show give the game away regarding when it was made. The appearance of the Twin Towers on the New York skyline is hard to miss, as are the fashions: the high-waisted trousers, the 1990s hairstyles and the amount of denim! Then, there's the technology, which is perhaps the most evident factor. There are several scenes where one of the characters puts a VHS into the far-from-slimline TV. And the lack of phones is actually nostalgic, considering they are so prominent in modern life. How refreshing are their chats at the Central Perk cafe without people constantly checking their phones? Not many series could stand the test of time over 25 years once it was first aired. Regardless of certain aspects of the show that date it, there is a lot to be positive about. It is still relatable to people in their 20s. There are the dating disasters, not just from Joey, the serial dater, but from all of the key characters. Then, there's entering the world of work when you're at the bottom of the career ladder. Joey struggles to find acting work, Rachel starts off waitressing and Monica tries to establish herself as a chef. Also, family dynamics which have been carried over from childhood – Ross is still the golden child, leaving sister, Monica, to live in his shadow. Chandler's relationship with his parents is difficult and Phoebe's childhood is a slow reveal of tragedy. But the main message is that friendship makes you strong. Although they are all very different in character, they all get on. To anyone who has made the move to a big city from the security of their parents and siblings, living with friends for the first time increases your dependence on them. If there's a problem with colleagues at your new workplace, your friends are there to make you feel better. To young people about to leave home, this type of programme must be reassuring. And let's not forget the fun factor. Ultimately, the show is uplifting. No one can actor stands out when it comes to comic timing. This is due to the quality of the writing as well as the actors themselves, who quite literally throw themselves into the part. One of the funniest scenes is when Ross, Rachel and Chandler try to get a sofa up a narrow staircase. Any fan would tell you that the comedy here is both physical and verbal. So, when I find my kids watching the whole series for the third time, it's far from the annoyance of other rubbish they watch. As I find a comfortable place on the sofa, there's a little guilt as I know I should be getting on with some jobs. It's not quite nostalgia I feel, more a sense of satisfaction. There aren't many things that I can honestly say we watch together, but this is definitely one of them – a rare and genuine common interest in a world where teen life and adult life rarely meet.

The series came to an end.

The actors found new jobs.

The filming location moved.

The series was no longer popular.

What does 'the doors to Central Perk finally closed' in line 3 mean?

the impact of the very first show

the future influence the show would have

the appeal of the show to all age groups

the well-written scripts

What does the writer appreciate about the show in the second paragraph?

the Twin Towers

the coffee shop

the technology

the fashion

What is it that most dates the show?

A support network is very important.

Look for acceptance in others.

Don't grow up too soon.

Try to forget the past.

What message do the storylines give to young people?

intelligently written

thought-provoking

a high standard

full of hope

What does 'uplifting' mean in line 51?

nostalgic

annoyed

content

guilty

How does the writer feel when she sees her children watching the series?

Friends Like These

Available as a free printable PDF worksheet with an optional answer key.

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