1.
The time traveler who survived the test of time
People have always been intrigued by the possibilities of time travel, so it is not surprising that one of the most popular science-fiction TV series in the world is about that very subject. Doctor Who, produced by the BBC in the UK, is also said to be the longest-running sci-fi series ever, having started in November 1963 and, after a break of about 15 years from 1989 to 2005, still continues today. It is certainly a widely-loved and much-respected series, which has won awards all over the world and is appreciated by people in over 50 countries.
So, why has Doctor Who survived the test of time? One answer is because of the very clever writing involved in creating and continuing the series. Doctor Who is unique in that the central character, ‘the Doctor’, a Time Lord who travels backwards and forwards through time helping people and challenging evil, has had 11 reincarnations. This ability of the Doctor to regenerate himself in another body has been built into the plot to enable different actors to take over the part and allow the character of the Doctor to survive as long as we wish him to. So far, there have been 12 Doctors, the most recent being Peter Capaldi, who took over from the talented Matt Smith in 2014, after first appearing in a cameo in the program's 50th anniversary special in 2013.
Doctor Who was originally created for family viewing and has nearly always been shown at prime time on television, usually on Saturday evenings. However, it quickly earned the reputation for being very frightening and in the early days there were complaints that Doctor Who was too scary for children. This side of Doctor Who has also been one of its attractions. As well as the most outrageously monstrous monsters from other planets, with numerous eyes, legs, teeth, etc. the writers also managed to create terrifying villains from the most ordinary sources, such as policemen with blank faces, stone statues in a churchyard and models in a shop window. These stories captured the horror of the familiar becoming sinister. And, of course, no one could ever forget the Doctor’s personal enemies: the Daleks, machine-like robots with scary mechanical voices, threatening to ‘exterminate’ everyone they meet. The series has terrified generation after generation of British children, who traditionally watched the Doctor from ‘behind the sofa’.
Surprisingly, Doctor Who was initially intended to be an educational programme as well as entertainment. The Doctor travels back and forward in time, on our planet Earth as well as in outer space. This gave the series scope to set adventures in different time periods and different areas, informing children about history, geography, and science. In the early days, a historical adventure alternated every second week with a future-based one. The Doctor has been seen in the Jurassic period and with great figures from history. In recent times he has returned to the Elizabethan era and also had adventures with Charles Dickens, Agatha Christie, and Vincent Van Gogh.
Doctor Who is so much a part of British culture that nearly everyone you ask will be able to hum the theme tune (the first purely electronic theme music to be made), name the time machine (the Tardis), describe and imitate a Dalek and say which actor played the Doctor when he or she was a child. Although absent for a few years, the Doctor now has a whole new following. The creativity of the program's writers and the status of the Doctor as a national hero will ensure that he remains on our screens and in our hearts for a long time to come.
2.
Doctor Who is a successful long-running science-fiction TV series concerned with travel through (1) ……………………… . The programme started in November 1963 and, after a break from 1989 to 2005, is still going today. Its longevity can, in part, be attributed to the central character’s capacity to (2) ……………………… himself, which allows new actors to play the role. The latest is Peter Capaldi, who was first introduced during a 50th (3) ……………………… episode. Although known for being frightening, Doctor Who is intended for a (4) ……………………… audience. The Doctor’s best-known enemies are the Daleks who have terrified many generations of children. The Doctor travels back and forward in time, visits other planets and fights evil. The programme’s role in national (5) ……………………… is demonstrated by the fact that most British people are able to name the Doctor’s time machine (the Tardis), describe and imitate a Dalek, say which actor played the Doctor during their childhood and reproduce the show’s (6) ……………………… music. Although absent for a few years, the Doctor now has a whole new following and looks set to continue for years to come.
3.
Doctor Who has been on television continuously since 1963.
Correct Answer
B. False
Explanation
The statement that Doctor Who has been on television continuously since 1963 is false.
4.
Doctor Who has kept its popularity due to the availability of the actor who has always played the title role.
Correct Answer
B. False
Explanation
The explanation for the answer "False" is that Doctor Who has not kept its popularity solely due to the availability of the actor who has always played the title role. While the actor's portrayal of the character is important, the show's popularity is also influenced by its writing, storytelling, special effects, and overall production quality. Additionally, Doctor Who has had multiple actors playing the title role throughout its long history, and each actor has brought their own unique interpretation to the character. Therefore, the availability of a single actor is not the sole determining factor for the show's popularity.
5.
The element of fear in Doctor Who has increased over the years.
Correct Answer
C. Not Mentioned
Explanation
The question states that the element of fear in Doctor Who has increased over the years. However, it does not mention whether this statement is true or false. Therefore, the answer "Not Mentioned" indicates that the question does not provide enough information to determine the accuracy of the statement.
6.
One frightening aspect of the series is that characters cannot trust things that they know well.
Correct Answer
A. True
Explanation
The explanation for the answer being True is that the statement mentions that characters in the series cannot trust things that they know well. This implies that there is a lack of trust or reliability in familiar things, which adds to the frightening aspect of the series.
7.
The Doctor travels to the past as well as to the future.
Correct Answer
A. True
Explanation
The statement "The Doctor travels to the past as well as to the future" implies that the Doctor has the ability to travel through time in both directions. This suggests that the Doctor has the capability to visit events that have already occurred in the past, as well as events that have not yet happened in the future. Therefore, the correct answer is True.
8.
Most British people can name the actor who will play the next Doctor.
Correct Answer
C. Not Mentioned
Explanation
The question states that most British people can name the actor who will play the next Doctor. However, the answer is "Not Mentioned" which means that the information about whether most British people can name the actor or not is not provided in the question. Therefore, we cannot determine the accuracy of the statement and the correct answer is "Not Mentioned".
9.
Doctor Who is a successful long-running science-fiction TV series concerned with travel through (1) ……………………… . The programme started in November 1963 and, after a break from 1989 to 2005, is still going today.
Correct Answer
time
Explanation
The correct answer is "time." Doctor Who is a science-fiction TV series that revolves around the concept of time travel. The show first aired in 1963 and has been running successfully, with a brief hiatus from 1989 to 2005. Time travel is a central theme in the series, as the main character, the Doctor, travels through time and space in a time machine called the TARDIS.
10.
Its longevity can, in part, be attributed to the central character’s capacity to (2) ……………………… himself, which allows new actors to play the role.
Correct Answer
regenerate
Explanation
The longevity of the central character can be attributed to their ability to regenerate themselves, which allows for new actors to take on the role. This means that even if the original actor leaves the show or movie, the character can continue to exist and be portrayed by someone else. This ability to regenerate ensures that the character remains a consistent presence and allows for the story to continue for a longer period of time.
11.
The latest is Peter Capaldi, who was first introduced during a 50th (3) ……………………… episode.
Correct Answer
anniversary
Explanation
The correct answer is "anniversary" because the sentence mentions that Peter Capaldi was introduced during a 50th episode. This suggests that the introduction of Peter Capaldi was a special event that marked the anniversary of the show.
12.
Although known for being frightening, Doctor Who is intended for a (4) ……………………… audience.
Correct Answer
family
Explanation
The correct answer is "family". This means that Doctor Who is intended for an audience that includes people of all ages, including children and adults. It is a show that can be enjoyed by the whole family, despite its reputation for being frightening.
13.
The Doctor’s best-known enemies are the Daleks who have terrified many generations of children. The Doctor travels back and forward in time, visits other planets and fights evil. The programme’s role in national (5) ……………………… is demonstrated by the fact that most British people are able to name the Doctor’s time machine (the Tardis), .....
Correct Answer
culture
Explanation
The given answer "culture" is appropriate because it refers to the impact and influence of the Doctor Who programme on British society. The fact that most British people are able to name the Doctor's time machine, the Tardis, demonstrates the show's cultural significance. The Doctor's adventures, time travel, and battles against evil have become ingrained in popular culture and have captivated multiple generations, particularly children.
14.
.... most British people are able to name the Doctor’s time machine (the Tardis), describe and imitate a Dalek, say which actor played the Doctor during their childhood and reproduce the show’s (6) ……………………… music. Although absent for a few years, the Doctor now has a whole new following and looks set to continue for years to come.
Correct Answer
theme
Explanation
The given answer "theme" is correct because the sentence is discussing various aspects of the popular British TV show "Doctor Who" and mentions that British people are able to reproduce the show's music. The music played in the show is commonly referred to as the theme music, which is recognizable and iconic among fans of the show.