ROOM 101.......

'1984' by George Orwell A torture chamber where prisoners are subjected to their own worst nightmares, fears or phobias. The state or government in the novel is so strong and powerful that it even knows people's nightmares. “You asked me once, what was in Room 101. I told you that you knew the answer already. Everyone knows it. The thing that is in Room 101 is the worst thing in the world.” Orwell named room 101 after a room at the BBC where he used to have boring meetings!

BBC RADIO and TV PROGRAMME (radio 1992-1994, TV 1994-2007)‏ A comedy series in which celebrities are invited to discuss their hates with the host in order to have them sent to Room 101. Hosted by Nick Hancock, then Paul Merton. The host will decide whether or not to put the suggested thing into Room 101, and discuss this with the guest. If the guest is successful, his suggestion disappears into Room 101 and is said to be gone from the world forever!

Examples celebrities (William Shakespeare, Britney Spears)‏ types of person (Men with beards, maths teachers)‏ TV/movies (Disney movies, shopping channels)‏ animals places (Airports, France)‏ sports (Football, the rules of cricket)‏ food clothing Actions (Spitting, dropping litter)‏

Instructions You will suggest something that you would like to put into Room 101 and must prepare to justify why it should go in. The class will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of putting it in room 101. The class will vote on whether it will go in or not.

This is London Mayor Boris Johnson at the Beijing Olympic closings ceremony. We will watch a couple of clips of him appearing on Room 101. This was in 2003.

Vocabulary 1 To illustrate (vb) – to show something using a picture or object. Tableau (n) – a representation of something happening. Sod off! (Excl.) - a rude way to say 'go away.' Tory (n) – a member of the British Conservative party. Tosser (Excl.) – a rude name to call a man. To run sb. Over (vb) – to hit somebody with your car/bicycle. Off-putting (adj) – distracting Duty (n) – something you must do for moral or legal reasons.

Vocabulary 2 Pedestrian (n) – somebody who travels by walking. To hold something against someone (vb phrase) – to be angry about something for a long time because of a past situation. Democratic right (adj/n)– the right of someone who lives in a democratic country (where the people have voted for the government.)‏ Abuse (n) – bad treatment. To soak up (v) – absorb. (here means so other people don't have to)‏ To channel (v) – to direct Bad karma (n) – Hindu/Buddhist theory that your actions in this life affect the next life.

Vocabulary 3 Ian Duncan Smith (name) – leader of Tory party at that time. To go at a fair lick (id.) – to move quickly To hug the kerb (vb phrase) – very close to the stones between the road and pavement. To point out (vb) – to tell someone something they don't know. Altercation (n) – a polite way to say an argument or a fight Palace of Westminster (name) – government buildings in London Metropolitan Police (name) – the police for London Indictment (n)– action saying someone has done something wrong.

Vocabulary 4 Callous (adj) – insensitive Labour (n) – the other main political party in England. Free speech (n) – the right to say what you want limo=limousine (n) – a big, long expensive car. To grin (vb) – to have a big smile on your face. Recurring theme (n) – something that often happens. Escapades (n) - adventures.