Костанайский государственный университет им. А.

Байтурсынова

Кафедра иностранных языков

М.Л. Фёдорова

Сборник текстов для чтения на английском языке

Костанай,2011

ББК-84.1
Автор: Фёдорова Марина Леонидовна

Рецензенты: Соловьева Н.А.,к.п.н.,зав.кафедрой гуманитарно-социальных

дисциплин Костанайский инженерно-педагогический университет
им.М.Дулатова
Левшина С.М.к.п.н.,ст.преподаватель кафедры английского языка КГПИ
Касьянова В.П. ст. преподаватель кафедры иностранных языков ГСФ КГУ
им. А. Байтурсынова

Фёдорова М.Л.
Ж 35 Сборник текстов для аудирования и чтения на английском языке. –
Костанай: КГУ им. А. Байтурсынова, 2011. - 35 с.

Методические рекомендации содержат тексты для чтения и аудирования на

английском языке, касающиеся актуальных тем современной жизни.
Предназначено для студентов старших курсов, а также всех желающих
совершенствоваться в навыках аудирования и чтения на английском языке.

ББК 67.99

2
Содержание
Section 1 Social sciences

Global workforce development …………………………………………… 5

Market research ……………………………………………………………6
Foreign exchange services………………………………………………….7
E-commerce business……………………………………………………….8
Microcredits ……………………………………………………………….. 10
Lifestyle planning …………………………………………………………..11
Investing in youth …………………………………………………………..13
Effects of globalization …………………………………………………… 14
Genetic counselling ………………………………………………………..21
Hybrid cars …………………………………………………………………23
Future fuel resources ……………………………………………………… 24
Lovelock and nuclear energy ………………………………………………25
Organic farming ……………………………………………………………26
How I became a fitness fanatic …………………………………………… 27
Discrimination …………………………………………………………… 30
Notforprofit organisation ………………………………………………… 32
Crime ………………………………………………………………………33

3
Введение

Данные методические рекомендации представляют собой сборник

аутентичных текстов для аудирования и чтения. Содержание сборника
охватывает такие актуальные темы как мировая экономика, права человека,
новейшие технологии и медицина.
Целью работы является совершенствование навыков чтения и устной речи.
Предназначены для изучающих английский язык на продвинутом
уровне,подготовки к поступлению в магистратуру и к международным
экзаменам

4
 Section 1
Social sciences

GLOBAL WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

1.Before reading try to explain the meaning of the following:

exchange-programm (Erasmus)
work-force
labour market
undergraduate
multicultural society
intellectual flexibility
intercultural competencies

2. Read the text

One of the biggest challenges facing employers and educators today is the rapid
advance of globalization. The marketplace is no longer national or regional, but
extends to all corners of the world, and this requires a global ready workforce.
Universities have a large part to play in preparing students for the twentyfirst
century labour market by promoting international educational experiences.
The most obvious way universities can help develop a global workforce is by
encouraging students to study abroad as part of their course. Students who have
experienced another culture firsthand are more likely to be globalready when they
graduate. There are, of course, wellestablished international undergraduate
student exchange schemes, such as Erasmus, which operates within Europe and the
exchange partnerships that exist between universities around the world. The
Fulbright program in the US enables graduate students to study and conduct
research abroad. We need to expand and add to such schemes, to enable many
more students to study abroad.
Global workforce development doesn’t always have to involve travel abroad,
however. If students learn another language, and study other cultures, they will be
more globalready when they graduate. It is important to point out that students
also need to have a deep understanding of their own culture before they can begin
to observe, analyse and evaluate other cultures. In multicultural societies, people
can study each other’s cultures to develop intercultural competencies such as
critical and reflective thinking, and intellectual flexibility. This can be done both
through the curriculum and through activities on campus outside of the classroom
such as art exhibitions and lectures from international experts.
Many universities are already embracing this challenge and providing
opportunities for students to become global citizens. Students themselves,
however, may not realise that when they graduate they will be competing in a
global labour market, and universities need to raise awareness of these issues
amongst undergraduates.
5
(https://list-english.ru/audio/BritishCouncil/audio/other/GlobalWorkers)

3.Complete the sentences , use the following keys

(a word that means being open to new ideas and ways of thinking/ a program
name/ a word that means being open to new ideas and ways of thinking/ a word
that means a language other than one's native language/ a verb that means traveling
to another country)

1. There are established international undergraduate student exchange

programs, like ______, within Europe and partnerships between universities
worldwide.
2. However, global workforce development doesn't always require
______ abroad.
3. Multicultural societies offer opportunities to study other cultures,
fostering intercultural competencies like critical thinking, reflection, and
intellectual _______.
4. Universities have a large part to play in preparing students. If students
learn another ________, and study other cultures, they will be more global -
ready.

4.Answer the following questions:

1. What is the main theme of this talk?
2. Why is a global ready work-force required now?
3. Who must play a large part in preparing students for modern labour
market?
4. How can students become global ready when they graduate?
5. Is it important to have a deep understanding of their own culture?
6. What for do educational programs exist?

5.Make up a dialogue.
You are going to study abroad/Discuss with your friend pros and cons of
participating in the exchange programms.

6
 Market research

1. Before reading the text study the key words:

2. market research
3. experience
4. advertising research
5. trends
6. customer satisfaction
7. adhoc
8. clients
9. data,
10. online surveys

2. Match the definitions and the keywords:

a. The study of the effectiveness of advertising campaigns, including the
measurement of ad recall, brand awareness, and consumer response.
b. A measure of how well a product or service meets the expectations of
customers, often measured through surveys or feedback.
c.The process of gathering, analyzing and interpreting information about a
market, product, or service to inform business decisions.
d.Market research projects that are designed to answer a specific question or
provide information for a specific purpose, often with a shorter time frame.
e.Online surveys: Market research surveys conducted over the internet, often
through email or web-based platforms.
f. The individuals or organizations for whom the consultant provides market
research services.
g.General direction or pattern of change in consumer behavior or market
conditions over a period of time.
h. Facts or information collected through observation, experimentation, or
other methods, often used to inform decision making.
i. Knowledge or skill acquired through practical exposure, usually over a
period of time.
j.Market research projects that are designed to answer a specific question or
provide information for a specific purpose, often with a shorter time frame.

3.Read the dialogue of a market research consultant being interviewed about

her job.

Interviewer: How long have you been a Market Research Consultant?

Consultant: Well, I started straight after finishing university in 1997.
Interviewer: Did you study market research?
Consultant: Yeah, and it really helped me to get into the industry but I have to say
that it’s more important to get experience in different types of market research to
find out exactly what you’re interested in.
7
Interviewer: So what are you interested in?
Consultant: Well, at the moment I specialise in quantitative advertising research
which means that I do two types of projects. Trackers, which are ongoing projects
that look at trends or customer satisfaction over a long period of time. I then have
to analyse the shifts in trends. The only problem with trackers is that it is very
admin intensive and so takes up a lot of your time, but erm you do build up a good
relationship with the client. I also do a couple of adhoc jobs which are much
shorter projects.
Interviewer: What exactly do you mean by adhoc jobs?
Consultant: It’s basically when companies need quick answers to their questions
about their consumers’habits. They just ask for one questionnaire to be sent out for
example so the time you spend on an adhoc project tends to be fairly short.
Interviewer: Which do you prefer, trackers or adhoc?
Consultant: I like doing both and in fact I need to do both at the same time to keep
me sane. I need the variety.
Interviewer: So on a daily basis how much contact do you have with your clients?
Consultant: A lot, although it does depend on how live a project is?
Interviewer: What do you mean by ‘live’?
Consultant: Some clients want a lot of data and so could be on the phone every
other day wanting updates and new questionnaires.
Interviewer: Ok, so how exactly do you get the data they need?
(https://list-english.ru/audio/BritishCouncil/audio/other/MarketResearch)

4.Put the process that the consultant goes through with a new client into the
correct order.
a. I have to go back to the original proposal and analyse the results to see what
corresponds with their objectives and to see if I can find anything they may not
have thought of.
b. I then design a questionnaire.
c. I then speak to the data processing department about what the end tables should
look like.
d. Once the final tables are ready I have to check them and organise a presentation.
e. Once the interviewers have been briefed, I send the client a schedule and then
they get back to me with deadlines.
f. Together we decide on the methodology and the objectives of the research

5. Answer the following questions:

1. How long has the consultant been a Market Research Consultant?
2. Did the consultant study market research?
3. What type of market research does the consultant specialize in at the
moment?
4. What are trackers and adhoc projects?
5. Does the consultant prefer trackers or adhoc projects?

8
 6. How much contact does the consultant have with clients on a daily
basis?
7. What does the consultant mean by 'live' projects?
8. How does the consultant gather the data that clients need?

6.Discuss the following in small groups

1. The importance of experience in different types of market research to
find one's interest.
2. The consultant's specialisation in quantitative advertising research,
including the two types of projects: trackers and adhoc jobs.
3. The difference between trackers and adhoc jobs in terms of project
length and intensity.
4. The consultant's daily contact with clients and the importance of
keeping clients updated with new questionnaires and data.

9
Foreign exchange services

1.Before reading the text study the key words:

1. overseas retailers
2. suppliers and purchasers
3. fluctuate
4. foreign exchange services
5. Wire transfer

2.Read the dialogue and complete these sentences.

1. Wire transfer is fastest and __________ way to transfer money.
2. __________________ Should use international wires in foreign currency –
lower __________ and less risk.
3. Know full cost of __________ before wire is sent.
4. Sterling wire transfers use __________ rate applicable when wire is received.
5. Another advantage of using foreign currency – could negotiate better price for
__________.
6. Many foreign currency cheques can be cleared next __________.
7. Need to send cheque with __________ slip and foreign cash __________
agreement.
8. Send to foreign cheque __________ centre

3.Read the dialogue between Rachel, the owner of a small business, and her
business account manager
Account manager: Ah, Rachel, good to see you again. What can I do to help you?
Rachel: Well, as you know, I run a small company manufacturing children’s
clothes.
Account manager: Yes, and it’s doing rather well, if I remember correctly.
Rachel: Yes, I’ve recently increased production, and I’m very happy with my sales
figures. In fact, I’ve had some interest from overseas retailers wanting to sell my
clothes. I’d also like to be able to buy materials from abroad. What I’d like to
know is if I can make and accept payments in foreign currencies.
Account manager: We offer full foreign exchange services, so there shouldn’t be
a problem. We have an extensive foreign correspondent bank network so funds
can easily be transferred worldwide.
Rachel: So this bank is part of a network of foreign banks?
Account manager: That’s right. The advantage is that payments can be made and
received quickly and efficiently and at the lowest cost to you and your suppliers
and purchasers. You can do this by wire transfer – it’s the fastest and safest way
to transmit money around the world. Using our services, you can send
international wires in foreign currency. You pay lower fees than for international
sterling wires, and you reduce risk because you lock in the exchange rate and know
the full cost of the transaction before the wire is sent.
10
Rachel: How exactly does this reduce risk?
Account manager: Currency exchange rates fluctuate, so if you send a wire in
sterling, you won’t know the exact exchange rate applicable when the wire is
received and the funds converted into the foreign currency. You could find
yourself under or overpaying your supplier. Using the supplier’s currency may
also mean you can negotiate more favourable pricing of materials.
Rachel: I see, and the same applies for my customers. If I use their currency, I
won’t be in danger of over or undercharging them.
Account manager: Exactly.
Rachel: What happens if a foreign customer wants to pay by cheque?
Account manager: We offer foreign currency cheque conversions for a wide range
of countries. We can even offer nextday credit for many countries, so you don’t
have to wait weeks for the cheque to clear. All you have to do is complete a
foreign cash letter agreement and send it, along with the cheque and a deposit slip,
to our foreign cheque processing centre.
Rachel: So I shouldn’t have any problems dealing with foreign currencies. Now,
I’ve got another question
(https://list-english.ru/audio/BritishCouncil/audio/other/CurrencyExchange.pdf)

4. Answer the following questions:

1. What kind of business does Rachel own?
2. What kind of interest has Rachel received from overseas?
3. What services does the account manager offer for foreign exchange?
4. How can Rachel make and accept payments in foreign currencies?
5. What is the advantage of using a foreign correspondent bank network?
6. Why is wire transfer considered the fastest and safest way to transmit
money?
7. How does using the supplier's currency reduce risk for Rachel's
business?
8. What are the steps involved in converting foreign currency cheques?

5.Act out the dialogue.

6.Summarize the dialogue between Rachel and her business account manager,
focusing on their discussion on foreign exchange services and the advantages of
using wire transfer to reduce risk.

7.Speak on the following :

Task 1: Summarize the advantages of using a foreign correspondent bank network
for international transactions.
Task 2: Outline the steps involved in converting a foreign currency cheque.

11
 E-commerce business
1.Before reading the text study the key words:
1. weight ratio
2. digital products
3. online transactions
4. postage or
5. delivery costs
6. online gambling
7. supermarket groceries

2. Read an extract from a lecture about the characteristics of successful e-

commerce businesses.
I’d like to look at a vital aspect of ecommerce, and that is the nature of the product
or service. There are certain products and services that are very suitable for selling
online, and others that simply don’t work.
Suitable products generally have a high value to weight ratio. Items such as CDs
and DVDs are obvious examples. Books, although heavier and so more expensive
to post, still have a high enough value to weight ratio, as the success of Amazon,
which started off selling only books, shows. Laptop computers are another good
product for selling online.
Digital products, such as software, films and music, can be sold in a purely virtual
environment. The goods are paid for by online transactions, and then downloaded
onto the buyer’s computer. There are no postage or delivery costs, so prices can be
kept low.
Many successful virtual companies provide digital services, such as financial
transactions, in the case of Paypal, or means of communication, as Skype does.
The key to success here is providing an easy- to- use, reliable service. Do this and
you can easily become the market leader, as Skype has proved.
Products which are potentially embarrassing to buy also do well in the virtual
environment.
Some of the most profitable e-commerce companies are those selling pornography,
and other sex related products or services.
For a similar reason, online gambling is highly popular.
Products which are usually considered unsuitable for selling online include those
that have a taste or smell component. Food, especially fresh food, falls into this
category, along with perfume. Clothes and other items that need to be tried on such
as jewellery are generally not suited to virtual retailing, and, of course, items with
a low value to weight ratio.
There are exceptions, though. Online grocery shopping has really taken off, with
most major supermarkets offering the service. The inconvenience of not being able
to see the food you are buying is outweighed by the time saved and convenience of
having the goods delivered. Typical users of online supermarkets include the
elderly, people who work long hours and those without their own transport.
(https://nanopdf.com/download/here-cant-see-the-player-click_pdf)
12
3.According to the lecturer which products are suitable (S) or unsuitable (U)
for online selling.
1. Books
2. CDs
3. clothes
4. DVDs
5. fresh food
6. jewellery
7. laptops
8. perfume
9. pornography
10. software
11. supermarket groceries

4.Fill in the blanks with the appropriate words from the given text:

1. There are certain products and services that are very suitable for
selling online, and others that simply don’t work. Products that have a high
_____________ to weight ratio, such as CDs and DVDs, are very
_____________ for online selling.
2. Books, although heavier and more expensive to post, still have a high
enough value to weight ratio.
3. Digital products, such as _____________, films, and music, can be
sold in a purely virtual environment.
4. The success of virtual companies depends on providing an easy-to-
use, _____________ service.

5.Match the words on the left with their definitions on the right:
1.virtual a. having a high value in relation to its weight
2.ratio b. the state of being embarrassed or ashamed
3.transaction с. an act of buying or selling something
4.reliable d. existing only in cyberspace
5.embarrassing e. able to be trusted or believed

6. True or False Decide whether the following statements are true or false
based on the information in the text:
1. Products that have a low value to weight ratio are well-suited for
online selling. Amazon started off selling only books.
2. Digital products can be sold in a purely virtual environment, with no
delivery costs.
3. Online grocery shopping has not gained popularity among consumers.
4. Clothes and jewelry are generally suited to virtual retailing.

13
7. Form nouns from the following words:
succeed → ________________
convenient → ________________
embarrassment → ________________
pornography → ________________
reliability → ________________

8.Use the word in parentheses to form a new word that fits in the blank space.
1. Many __________ companies are able to provide digital services.
(success)
2. The __________ of the product determines its suitability for online
selling. (nature)
3. The key to success in e-commerce is providing an easy-to-use,
__________ service. (rely)
4. Clothes and jewellery are generally not suited to virtual retailing due
to the need for __________. (try)
5. Online grocery shopping has really taken off, with most major
supermarkets offering the __________. (serve)
6. Products with a low value to weight ratio are not __________ to
online selling. (suit)
7. The __________ of online transactions has made it possible to sell
digital products in a purely virtual environment. (pay)
8. Items with a __________ or smell component are usually considered
unsuitable for online selling. (taste)

14
Microcredits

1.Before reading the text study the key words:

1. Straw –
2. Traditional crafts-
3. Outskirts of a large city-
4. Profit -
5. loan -

2.Read the text. People are talking about the use they made of their
microcredits.

Sandra
I live in a village in the Philippines with my five children.I used to work selling
vegetables in the village market,but we never had enough money.my children were
hungry all the time.Some other women in the village had got loans,but I thought I
was too poor and wouldn’t be able to pay it back. They persuaded me to take out a
loan,and I was able to buy better vegetables to sell in the market. Every day I sold
more and more vegetables and made more and more profit. I paid the loan back on
time, and now I’ve taken out another one. I’ve bought seeds to grow vegetables,
so that I can make more money. My life has changed completely. My children are
never hungry and I can afford to send them to school.
Estelle:
I live in Ghana and I make straw hats and baskets. Before I got my loan I couldn’t
make many hats and baskets because I couldn’t afford to buy much straw. Now I
make a lot more, and I buy baskets from other women in my village to sell. I’ve
set up a stall and sell my goods to tourists. I’m planning to start selling different
traditional crafts. Every week I pay back some of the loan, and now I’ve nearly
paid it all back. The extra money that I’m making means my three children can go
to school.
Miriam:
I live in Ecuador on the outskirts of a large city. For years I sold bottled water by
the roadside, but I never made much money. My house was falling down and I
couldn’t feed my three children properly. With my first loan I bought some bottles
of soft drink. You can make much more profit than from selling just water. At
first all the extra money went on feeding my family. I started buying more
vegetables and sometimes even meat. I used my second loan to start selling snacks
as well, and made enough money to get the house repaired. Now I’ve taken out
another loan and I’m going to open a small shop. Every week I save some money
so that if anyone in my family gets ill I can afford medicine.

(https://list-english.ru/audio/BritishCouncil/audio/other/Microcredits.pdf)

15
3.Match the names with the profiles.
Sandra Estelle Miriam
from Ecuador lives in a city has 3 children
from Ghana lives in a village has 5 children
from the Philippines

4.Answer the following questions:

1. What do you know about these countries?
2. Where are they situated?
3. What is their economic situation?
4. What languages are spoken there?(Ecuador the Philippines
Ghana)
5. Have you ever taken a loan?
6. What are good and bad effects of it?
7. What would make you happier: stable financial position or easy
attitude to life?

5.Role-play exercise: Work in three groups. Each group one of the characters
from the text: Sandra, Estelle, or Miriam. Each group prepares a short role-play
dialogue based on their character's story. The groups should consider the following
questions in their preparation:
1. What was their life like before they received the loan?
2. What did they do with the money from the loan?
3. How did their life change after they received the loan?
4. What are their plans for the future?

Once the groups have prepared their dialogues, they will perform them for the
class.

16
Lifestyle planning

1.Before reading the text study the key words:

1. lifestyle planning
2. contract
3. future plans
4. expert advice
5. career guidance
6. retraining
7. distance learning
8. flexibility
9. investing time and money
10. financial advice
11. job market research
12. mortgages
13. earnings
14. web resources
15. part-time education.

2.Read a part of a radio phone-in programme. Financial expert Timothy

Grady is talking about lifestyle planning.

RH = radio host /TG = Timothy Grady /HJ = Helen Jones

RH: Ah, I think we have another caller on the line. Could we have your name
please?
HJ: Yes, it’s Helen, Helen Jones.
RH: And where are you calling from Helen?
HJ: From Wales, South Wales.
RH: And do you have a question for today’s guest, Helen?
HJ: Yes, several in fact!
RH: That’s great. That’s what we’re here for. I’ll hand you straight over to
Timothy Grady.
TG: Hello Helen, how can I help you?
HJ: Hello Timothy. Well, last week I read your article in “Business Trends” about
lifestyle planning and about writing a contract.
TG: Ah, yes. And have you written one?
HJ: Yes. It took me a while and it’s quite long but I found the exercise itself quite
useful. You know, thinking about what I really want. It’s the first time I’ve really
sat down and thought about it seriously.
TG: Well, as I said in the article Helen, you can’t really plan for the future if you
don’t know what you want. Sometimes identifying what we really want is more
difficult than we think.
17
RH: So, Helen, what would you like to ask Timothy?
HJ: Ehm, yes. Well, I’ve done the contract and feel happy to have given some
thought to the future but now I don’t really know where to go from here. What the
next step should be.
TG: (laughing) I had an idea you were going to say that! In next month’s edition of
“Business Trends” I’ve got a follow up article about just exactly that. But we can
have a preview if you like. Er, Helen, would I be very indiscreet if I were to ask
your age?
HJ: (laughing) No, that’s all right. I’m twenty-six. I finished university a few years
ago and I’ve been doing temporary jobs since then. I’d really like to work for a big
newspaper but I did a degree in French and German and don’t know the first thing
about journalism.
TG: Okay, well my advice to you is to speak to as many experts as possible. Go
back to visit the Careers Officer at your university and find out which routes you
could take to move into journalism. Next, arrange to visit one of the big
newspapers. That will be easier than you think. After all, you should make
absolutely sure that this is what you really want. The best way to do that is to speak
to people who are actually doing that kind of work. Go prepared with a list of
specific questions that you want to ask them. There are lots of career advice web
sites these days as well. Check those out too. The more information you get, the
better.
HG: And what about the other plans I’ve made, plans about my home, buying a
car, my family, holidays.
TG: Well, my advice is the same. Speak to the experts. Your first step should be to
find out what kind of earnings you will need in order to make these dreams come
true. You’ll need to look at house prices, investigate mortgages and get financial
advice. You can get that kind of advice from your bank manager. When you’ve
worked out how much you need to earn you’ll have to find out which newspaper
jobs pay that kind of money. Job Centres and Careers Offices can give you that
kind of information. You might need to think about retraining as well.
RH: Are you suggesting that Helen gives up her job?
TG: No, I’m not. There are lots of ways to retrain on a part time basis. These days
more and more qualifications obtained through distance learning are being
recognised. That’s often a practical option because it allows a certain amount of
flexibility.
HJ: So, I need to start tracking down the experts?
TG: I don’t think I could have put it better myself. It will take time. But time well
spent. Investing time in planning for the future is just as important as investing
money.
RH: Helen, have you got any more questions for Timothy?
HJ: Er, not really, I did have but I think I can predict what his answers might be –
“get advice from the ex-“
TG/HJ: experts! (all laugh)
Thank you Timothy. I’ll look forward to reading your article next month.
TG: Thanks for calling, Helen. And good luck!
18
RH: Yes, all the best, Helen. Now, I think we have time for one more call

3.Decide whether the following statements are TRUE or FALSE.

1. Timothy Grady is the editor of “Business Trends”.
2. Helen Jones does not feel happy with the contract she has written.
3. Helen has not found a permanent job since she graduated.
4. Helen wishes she had studied languages at university.
5. Timothy advises Helen to get help from many sources.
6. Timothy advises Helen to study full time.
7. Timothy is in favour of Distance Learning.
8. Timothy believes it is more important to invest money in your future than time.

4.Answer the following questions:

1. What did Helen do after reading Timothy's article on lifestyle
planning?
2. What advice did Timothy give Helen to pursue her dream of working
in a big newspaper?
3. How can Helen find out what kind of earnings she needs to make her
dreams come true?
4. What does Timothy say about investing time in planning for the
future?

5.Vocabulary building.Identify at least three words or expressions from the text

that are related to career planning and explain their meaning.
a.Find a synonym for the word "retraining" used in the text.
b.Can you think of an antonym for the word "flexibility" mentioned in the text?

6. Discuss the following :

1. Have you ever written a lifestyle contract or plan? If so, did you find it
helpful?
2. What advice would you give to someone who wants to pursue a career
in a field they don't have a degree in?
3. Do you think it's important to have specific financial goals when
making a lifestyle plan? Why or why not?
4. How do you balance planning for the future with living in the present
moment?

7.Writing task:
Write a short paragraph about your own career aspirations and the steps you are
taking to achieve them. Do you have a specific plan or are you still exploring your
options? What kind of advice or resources have you found helpful in this process?

9.Make up an oral summary of the text.

19
Investing in youth

1.Before reading the text match the following words with their definitions.

1. NGO
2. Secondary education
3. Poorly paid job
4. Prevention
5. HIV
6. Infection rates
7. Human suffering
8. Virus

A. The level of occurrence of a disease in a population. B. An organization that is

not a part of a government, but works to address social or political issues. C.
Education that is provided after primary school and before higher education. D. A
job that pays a low salary or wage. E. The experience of pain, distress, or hardship
caused by a particular event or circumstance.F. An infective agent that typically
consists of a nucleic acid molecule in a protein coat, is able to multiply in living
cells, and can cause disease.G. The action of stopping something from happening
or arising H. The Human Immunodeficiency Virus is a virus that attacks the
immune system, which can lead to the development of AIDS.

2.Read a radio talk show about the importance of girls attending schools in
Uganda.

‘Our Planet’ radio show from Kampala, Uganda

Presenter: Welcome to this week’s edition of ‘Our Planet’. This week the
programme comes from Kampala in Uganda. With me in the studio is Lillian
Masuga development expert. Welcome Lillian ..
Lillian: Thank you so much
Presenter: Lillian, you’re closely involved with young people in Uganda – can you
tell us something about your work?
Lillian: Of course. I work for an nongovernmental agency – an NGO – our aim is
to help as many girls as possible to complete their secondary education in Uganda.
Presenter: Why is it so important for girls to stay in school?
Lillian: For so many reasons ... When a girl completes secondary school she has
better chance of getting a job. She’ll probably marry later and have fewer children
than normal. A better job and fewer children means that her family will be looked
after better.
Presenter: I see ...
Lillian: You know, if a girl marries before completing secondary school statistics
show that she’ll have a poorly paid job, and will have more children. Those
20
children will have fewer opportunities because their family background will be
poorer – this is why I’m really passionate about girls staying on to complete their
secondary educations ....
Presenter: And your other areas of work?
Lillian: School’s a good place to inform young people about HIV – about how the
virus is transmitted and how they can protect themselves. We’re having some
success now in Uganda, infection rates are going down, but it’s been hard work ....
Presenter: What’s been the hardest thing?
Lillian: Well you know the virus causes terrible human suffering. So many
children have lost both their parents. When this happens often the grandparents
look after the children, they can’t send the children to school, so children stop their
schooling. Later these children can’t find good jobs, they live in poverty.
Presenter: Awareness and prevention is the key ...
Lillian: That’s right, we take the message to the schools, young people need to
know how to protect themselves from the virus.
Presenter: Lillian, are you optimistic for the future?
Lillian: We have made progress in Uganda, there’s still a lot to do, but yes, I am
optimistic…

3.Decide whether the following sentences are true or false.

1. Lillian Masuga is an expert on development problems.
2. Lillian works for the Ugandan government.
3. Lillian works to help boys stay on in school.
4. If a girl leaves school early she will marry early.
5. Girls who complete school get better jobs.
6. Many children in Uganda have lost both their parents because of HIV.
7. HIV infection rates are still increasing in Uganda.
8. Lillian is optimistic about the future.

4. Complete the following sentences with the correct words from the text.
1. Lillian works for an __________ agency in Uganda.
2. Completing secondary school can lead to better __________ opportunities.
3. Marrying before completing secondary school can result in a __________
job and more children.
4. Lillian's NGO aims to help girls complete their __________ education in
Uganda.
5. In Uganda, infection __________ are decreasing due to successful
prevention efforts.

5. Discuss the following questions. Use specific examples and details from the
text to support your answers.:
1. Why is it important for girls to complete their secondary education in
Uganda?
2. How does completing secondary school benefit a girl's future and her
family's future?
21
3. Why is it important to inform young people about HIV?
4. What are some of the challenges facing young people in Uganda in
regards to HIV?
5. What is the key to reducing the transmission of HIV in Uganda?
6. Are you optimistic about the future of Uganda and its youth? Why or
why not?
7. Encourage students to After the discussion, have a few pairs share
their answers with the class.

22
Effects of globalization
1.Before reading the text study the key words:

1. Production markets
2. Foreign products
3. Worldwide financial markets
4. External financing
5. Regulatory regime
6. Global common market
7. Freedom of exchange
8. World government
9. Information flows
10. Fibre optic communications
11. Satellites
12. Competition
13. Productivity
14. Global environmental challenges
15. Climate change
16. Cross-boundary water and air pollution
17. Developing countries
18. Environmental regulation
19. Pollution
20. Standard of living

2.Match the words on the left with their definitions on the right.

1.Production markets a.problems related to the environment

2.Worldwide financial markets
3.Global environmental challenges
4.External financing
that affect the whole world
b.long-term changes in the earth's
climate due to human activities, such as
the burning of fossil fuels and
deforestation
c.global markets where financial assets
such as stocks, bonds, currencies, and
commodities are bought and sold
d.a worldwide market where goods,
services, and capital can move freely
between countries

5.Foreign products e.a rivalry between companies,

individuals, or groups to gain market
share or achieve a goal
6.Global common market f.goods and services that are produced
in other countries and sold in one's own
23
 country

7.Competition g.funds borrowed from sources outside

of a company or country

8.Climate change h.the emergence of worldwide markets

where goods and services are produced

3. Fill in the blanks with the correct words:

1.Globalization is a ____ phenomenon that has brought about several significant
changes in the world.
2.It has led to the emergence of worldwide production markets and increased
access to a range of ______ products for consumers and companies.
3.Moreover, globalization has given rise to the _____ of worldwide financial
markets and made external financing more accessible for borrowers.
4.However, the growth of these worldwide structures has increased the ______ of
the global financial infrastructure, leading to financial crises.
5.Globalization has also contributed to the ______ of a global common market,
which is based on the freedom of exchange of goods and capital. Finally, the
increase in information flows between geographically remote locations is an aspect
of globalization that has been made possible by technological advances such as 6
optic communications and satellites.
Clues: foreign/global/ instability/ realization/ emergence/fibre

4. Choose the word that is the closest in meaning (synonym) or the opposite in
meaning (antonym) to the given word.
1.Realization a. Delusion b. Recognition c. Distortion d. Illusion
2.Unstable a. Insecure b. Strong c. Sturdy d. Fixed
3.Improved a. Declined b. Bettered c. Deteriorated d. Worsened

5.Read the text. Discuss it with the group.

Globalization has various aspects which affect the world in several different ways
such as:
A - emergence of worldwide production markets and broader access to a range of
foreign products for consumers and companies. Particularly movement of material
and goods between and within national boundaries
Financial - emergence of worldwide financial markets and better access to external
financing for borrowers. As these worldwide structures grew more quickly than
any transnational regulatory regime, the instability of the global financial
infrastructure dramatically increased, as evidenced by the financial crises of late
2008.
B - realization of a global common market, based on the freedom of exchange of
goods and capital. The interconnectedness of these markets, however meant that an
economic collapse in any one given country could not be contained.
24
Political - some use "globalization" to mean the creation of a world government
which regulates the relationships among governments and guarantees the rights
arising from social and economic globalization. Politically, the United States has
enjoyed a position of power among the world powers, in part because of its strong
and wealthy economy. With the influence of globalization and with the help of The
United States’ own economy, the People's Republic of China has experienced
some tremendous growth within the past decade. If China continues to grow at the
rate projected by the trends, then it is very likely that in the next twenty years,
there will be a major reallocation of power among the world leaders. China will
have enough wealth, industry, and technology to rival the United States for the
position of leading world power.
C - increase in information flows between geographically remote locations.
Arguably this is a technological change with the advent of fibre optic
communications, satellites, and increased availability of telephone and Internet.
D- the most popular language is English.
About 35% of the world's mail, telexes, and cables are in English.
Approximately 40% of the world's radio programs are in English.
About 50% of all Internet traffic uses English.
E - Survival in the new global business market calls for improved productivity and
increased competition. Due to the market becoming worldwide, companies in
various industries have to upgrade their products and use technology skillfully in
order to face increased competition.
F - the advent of global environmental challenges that might be solved with
international cooperation, such as climate change, cross-boundary water and air
pollution, over-fishing of the ocean, and the spread of invasive species. Since
many factories are built in developing countries with less environmental
regulation, globalism and free trade may increase pollution. On the other hand,
economic development historically required a "dirty" industrial stage, and it is
argued that developing countries should not, via regulation, be prohibited from
increasing their standard of living.

6. Match paragraphs A-F with titles 1-8

1. Industrial; 2.Informational; 3Ecological; 43.Financial; 5.Language 6.Economic;
7.Competition; 8. Political

7.Decide if these statements are True or False

1. Globalization has led to the emergence of worldwide production markets and

the availability of foreign products for consumers and companies, which has
increased movement of materials and goods between and within national
boundaries
2. The instability of the global financial infrastructure has dramatically
increased as the worldwide financial markets grew faster than the transnational
regulatory regime

25
 3. The interconnectedness of the global markets has meant that an economic
collapse in any one given country can be contained
4. Politically, China has experienced significant growth due to globalization,
which has put it in a position to rival the United States for the leading world
power in the next 20 years
5. Globalization has led to increased information flows due to technological
advancements such as fibre optic communications, satellites, and the internet
6. English is the most popular language, with around 50% of all Internet traffic
using English, approximately 40% of the world's radio programs in English,
and around 35% of the world's mail, telexes, and cables in English
7. The global business market has become less competitive due to
globalization, which has reduced the need for improved productivity
8. Globalization has led to the advent of global environmental challenges that
might be solved with international cooperation, such as climate change, cross-
boundary water and air pollution, over-fishing of the ocean, and the spread of
invasive species
9. Since many factories are built in developing countries with less
environmental regulation, globalism and free trade may decrease pollution
10. Developing countries should be prohibited from increasing their
standard of living, as it may lead to an increase in pollution

8. Essay writing. Write an essay discussing the positive and negative impacts of
globalization on your country. Use examples from the text to support your
arguments and provide suggestions on how to mitigate the negative impacts.

9. Debate Divide into two groups , each group has a position to defend:
"Globalization is good for the world" and "Globalization is bad for the world."
Prepare arguments and counterarguments based on the information provided in the
text.

10. Research Project.Conduct research on a specific aspect of globalization

mentioned in the text, such as financial globalization or ecological globalization.
Write a report summarizing your findings and providing recommendations for
addressing the challenges associated with that aspect of globalization.
Cultural effects of globalization

1.Before reading the text study the key words:

1. Сulture
2. Globalization
3. Food
4. Meditation
5. Yoga
6. Cultural appropriation

26
 7. Internet
8. Communication
9. Digital media
10. Photo sharing

2.Read the text

Culture is defined as patterns of human activity and the symbols that give these
activities significance. Culture is what people eat, how they dress, beliefs they
hold, and activities they practice. Globalization has joined different cultures and
made it into something different. As Erla Zwingle, from the National Geographic
article titled “Globalization” states, “When cultures receive outside influences,
they ignore some and adopt others, and then almost immediately start to transform
them.”
One classic culture aspect is food. Someone in America can be eating Japanese
noodles for lunch while someone in Sydney, Australia is eating classic Italian
meatballs. India is known for their curry and exotic spices. France is known for its
cheeses. America is known for its burgers and fries. McDonalds is an American
company which is now a global enterprise with 31,000 locations worldwide. Those
locations include Kuwait, Egypt, and Malta. This company is just one example of
food going big on the global scale.
Meditation has been a sacred practice for centuries in Indian culture. It calms the
body and helps one connect to their inner being while shying away from their
conditioned self. Before globalization, Americans did not meditate or practice
yoga. After globalization, this is more common. Some people are even traveling to
India to get the full experience themselves.
Another common practice brought about by globalization is Chinese symbol
tattoos. These tattoos are popular with today’s younger generation despite the fact
that, in China, tattoos are not thought of as cool[34]. Also, the Westerners who get
these tattoos often don't know what they mean, [35] making this an example of
cultural appropriation.
The internet breaks down cultural boundaries across the world by enabling easy,
near-instantaneous communication between people anywhere in a variety of digital
forms and media. The Internet is associated with the process of cultural
globalization because it allows interaction and communication between people
with very different lifestyles and from very different cultures. Photo sharing
websites allow interaction even where language would otherwise be a barrier.
(https://ru.scribd.com/document/73389341/Globalization-Jakir)

3.Answer the following questions:

1. What is culture and how is it defined in the text?

2. How has globalization affected different cultures, according to the
text?
3. What are some examples of globalized food mentioned in the text?
4. How has the practice of meditation been impacted by globalization?
27
 5. What is cultural appropriation, and how is it exemplified in the text?
6. How has the internet contributed to the process of cultural
globalization?
7. What are some potential benefits and drawbacks of cultural
globalization?
8. How can cultural diversity be preserved in the face of increasing
globalization?
9. What role do symbols and symbolic practices play in cultural
globalization?
10. What are some ways in which people can learn about and appreciate
cultures different from their own?

4. Decide if these statements are True or False

1. Culture is defined as patterns of human activity and the symbols that
give these activities significance.
2. Globalization has no effect on different cultures.
3. Culture is only about what people eat.
4. McDonald's is an American company that has now become a global
enterprise.
5. Meditation and yoga were already popular in America before
globalization.
6. Chinese symbol tattoos are popular in China.
7. The internet has no role in cultural globalization.
8. Photo sharing websites can help people from different cultures interact
even if they don't speak the same language.

28
 Negative effects
1.Before reading the text study the key words:
1. Globalization
2. international economics
3. opposition, inequality
4. environmental degradation
5. sweatshops
6. anti-sweatshop campaigns
7. legislation
8. human and worker rights
9. free labour
10.digital media

2.Read the text

Globalization has been one of the most hotly-debated topics in international
economics over the past few years. Globalization has also generated significant
international opposition over concerns that it has increased inequality and
environmental degradation In the Midwestern United States, globalization has
eaten away at its competitive edge in industry and agriculture, lowering the quality
of life in locations that have not adapted to the change.
Sweatshops
It can be said that globalization is the door that opens up an otherwise resource-
poor country to the international market. Where a country has little material or
physical product harvested or mined from its own soil, large corporations see an
opportunity to take advantage of the “export poverty” of such a nation. Where the
majority of the earliest occurrences of economic globalization are recorded as
being the expansion of businesses and corporate growth, in many poorer nations
globalization is actually the result of the foreign businesses investing in the country
to take advantage of the lower wage rate: even though investing, by increasing the
Capital Stock of the country, increases their wage rate.
One example used by anti-globalization protestors is the use of sweatshops by
manufacturers. According to Global Exchange these “Sweat Shops” are widely
used by sports shoe manufacturers and mentions one company in particular – Nike.
There are factories set up in the poor countries where employees agree to work for
low wages. Then if labour laws alter in those countries and stricter rules govern the
manufacturing process the factories are closed down and relocated to other nations
with more conservative, laissez-faire economic policies.
There are several agencies that have been set up worldwide specifically designed
to focus on anti-sweatshop campaigns and education of such. In the USA, the
National Labor Committee has proposed a number of bills as part of the The
Decent Working Conditions and Fair Competition Act, which have thus far failed
in Congress. The legislation would legally require companies to respect human and
worker rights by prohibiting the import, sale, or export of sweatshop goods.

29
Specifically, these core standards include no child labor, no forced labor, freedom
of association, right to organize and bargain collectively, as well as the right to
decent working conditions.
Tiziana Terranova has stated that globalization has brought a culture of "free
labour". In a digital sense, it is where the individuals (contributing capital) exploits
and eventually "exhausts the means through which labour can sustain itself". For
example, in the area of digital media (animations, hosting chat rooms, designing
games), where it is often less glamourous than it may sound. In the gaming
industry, a Chinese Gold Market has been established.

3. Match the culture-related vocabulary on the left with their corresponding definitions on the
right.
Vocabulary Definition
The process of integrating and interacting with people from
globalization different countries.
cultural The act of taking aspects of a culture without understanding or
appropriation respecting their significance.
A practice used to calm the mind and connect with one's inner
meditation self.
A factory where workers are paid very low wages and work in
sweatshops poor conditions.
A digital culture where individuals contribute their labor for no
free labor pay.

4.Fill in the blanks with the correct word from the given vocabulary.
1. ________ is the act of taking cultural elements without understanding their
significance.
2. ___________ is a practice used to calm the mind and connect with one's
inner self.
3. ___________ has caused the integration and interaction of people from
different countries.
4. A ___________ is a factory where workers are paid very low wages and
work in poor conditions.
5. In the digital age, there is a culture of ___________ where individuals
contribute their labor for no pay.
6. Sentence completion exercise: Complete the sentences using the correct
word from the given vocabulary.
7. Globalization has ______________ different cultures, making them into
something different.
8. Meditation has been a sacred practice for centuries in _____________
culture.
9. Cultural appropriation is when people take aspects of a culture without
understanding or respecting their _______________.

30
 10.Sweatshops are factories where workers are paid very low wages and work
in poor _______________.
11.In the digital age, individuals often contribute their labor for no pay in a
culture of _________________.

5.Make up a role-play. Divide your group into two teams:

1.supporters of globalization 2.anti-globalists; exchange your points of view.

Social networks
1.Before reading the text study the key words:
31
1. Social networks
2. Business applications
3. Customer relationship management
4. Advertisingl contacts
5. Peer-to-peer knowledge
6. Pharmaceuticals
7. Social good
8. Online marketplace
9. Privacy issues
10.Data theft
11.Viruses
12.Law enforcement
13.Legal investigations
14.Criminal investigations
15.User behavior
16.Prosecution
17.Court evidence

2.Match the key words with the definitions:

A. Strategies and technologies used by businesses to manage customer interactions
and relationships.
B. Software programs that are designed to improve business efficiency and
productivity.
C. Platforms that connect people and allow them to share information and interact
with each other.
D. Contact information of potential clients or customers for marketing purposes.
E. A digital platform that allows buyers and sellers to trade goods and services.
I. Concerns related to the collection, storage, and use of personal information
online
F. Medications and medical products that are regulated by the government.
G. The use of technology to support social causes and promote positive change.
H. Malicious software that can cause damage to computer systems or networks...
J. Unauthorized access or theft of digital information, including personal and
financial data.
K. The exchange of information and advice among peers in a specific field or
industry
L. The branch of government responsible for maintaining public safety and
enforcing laws.
M. The ways in which people interact with digital technology, including online
behavior
N. The process of investigating and solving crimes.
O. Information and material presented in a court of law to support a legal case.

32
P. The legal process of holding individuals or organizations accountable for their
actions.
Q. The process of gathering evidence and information to build a legal case.

3.Read the text .Match headings 1-8 with paragraphs A-G

1. a.Business applications
2. b. Privacy issues
3. c. Medical applications
4. d. Investigations
5. e.Languages, nationalities and academia
6. f. Business model
7. g.Social networks for social good

A ______ Social networks connect people at low cost; this can be beneficial for
entrepreneurs and small businesses looking to expand their contact base. These
networks often act as a customer relationship management tool for companies
selling products and services. Companies can also use social networks for
advertising in the form of banners and text ads. Since businesses operate globally,
social networks can make it easier to keep in touch with contacts around the world.
B_________Social networks are beginning to be adopted by healthcare
professionals as a means to manage institutional knowledge, disseminate peer to
peer knowledge and to highlight individual physicians and institutions. The
advantage of using a dedicated medical social networking site is that all the
members are screened against the state licensing board list of practitioners. The
role of social networks is especially of interest to pharmaceutical companies who
spend approximately "32 percent of their marketing dollars" attempting to
influence the opinion leaders of social networks.
C. ___________Various social networking sites have sprung up catering to
different languages and countries. The popular site Facebook has been cloned for
various countries and languages and some specializing in connecting students and
faculty.
D.__________ Several websites are beginning to tap into the power of the social
networking model for social good. Such models may be highly successful for
connecting otherwise fragmented industries and small organizations without the
resources to reach a broader audience with interested and passionate users. Users
benefit by interacting with a like-minded community and finding a channel for
their energy and giving.
E.___________ Few social networks currently charge money for membership. In
part, this may be because social networking is a relatively new service, and the
value of using them has not been firmly established in customers' minds.
Companies such as MySpace and Facebook sell online advertising on their site.
Hence, they are seeking large memberships, and charging for membership would
be counter productive. Some believe that the deeper information that the sites have
33
on each user will allow much better targeted advertising than any other site can
currently provide. Sites are also seeking other ways to make money, such as by
creating an online marketplace or by selling professional information and social
connections to businesses.
F.____________ On large social networking services, there have been growing
concerns about users giving out too much personal information and the threat of
sexual predators. Users of these services need to be aware of data theft or viruses.
However, large services, such as MySpace, often work with law enforcement to try
to prevent such incidents. In addition, there is a perceived privacy threat in relation
to placing too much personal information in the hands of large corporations or
governmental bodies, allowing a profile to be produced on an individual's behavior
on which decisions, detrimental to an individual, may be taken.
G_________ Social network services are increasingly being used in legal and
criminal investigations. Information posted on sites such as MySpace and
Facebook, has been used by police, probation, and university officials to prosecute
users of said sites. In some situations, content posted on MySpace has been used in
court. (https://www.examenglish.com/FCE/fce_reading.htm)

4.Answer the following questions:

1. What benefits do social networks offer for entrepreneurs and small
businesses?
2. How are healthcare professionals using social networking sites to manage
institutional knowledge and disseminate peer-to-peer knowledge?
3. What is the role of social networks for pharmaceutical companies?
4. How do social networking sites cater to different languages and countries?
5. How are social networks being used for social good?
6. What concerns have arisen about personal information and privacy in
relation to social networking sites?

Discrimination
34
1.Before reading the text study the key words:
diversity risks
ageism
recruitment policies
insurance
single people
married parents
criminal background
job applicants
law
risk manager
employee
differences
employer
statistics
sued
third party

2.Read the podcast. Mr Griffin, a Human Resources expert is talking about

discrimination in the workplace.

Radio interviewer: Tell me, Mr. Griffin are diversity risks really still an issue?
Aren’t companies these days dealing with diversity?
Alan Griffin: Oh yes they are very much an issue. ... We have come a long way
since those days when employers were allowed to discriminate against job
candidates just because of their race or their sex. The trouble is ... the boundaries
of diversity and discrimination ...... are widening. Companies have a lot more to
consider than a person’s skin colour or a person’s gender.
Radio interviewer: So ... can you give listeners an example of what kind of things
you are referring to here?
Alan Griffin: Okay ... let’s see .... well, one growing area of discrimination is
ageism. In 1998, companies in the United States had to pay out more than fifty-five
million dollars to employers who had filed age related discrimination complaints
against their companies. That’s a lot of money.
Radio interviewer: Phew ... … so how should companies protect themselves from
this kind of thing?
Alan Griffin: Well, first of all they should think carefully about their recruitment
policies and then they should take out insurance to cover themselves.
Radio interviewer: Isn’t that expensive? ... for the companies, I mean.
Alan Griffin:No, not as expensive as you might think. These days most small and
medium sized organisations take out EPLI ... that’s Employment Practices
Liability Insurance. The cost of the insurance has fallen over the years and if a
company isn’t covered and loses a discrimination case ... well,let’s just say this is
the cheaper option!

35
Radio interviewer: You’ve mentioned ageism as a growing concern ... but what
other kinds of diversity should managers be aware of?
Alan Griffin: Well ... you’d probably be surprised to hear about some ...
discrimination against single people, against married parents, against people who
are too tall, too short, too heavy ...
Radio interviewer: Really...
Alan Griffin: Oh yes. Security firms are a good example here. They typically state
that their employees need to be over or under a certain height or weight, They
claim it’s necessary for the job .... but there have been cases where people have
claimed discrimination.
Radio interviewer: And won?
Alan Griffin: Sometimes yes. ........ Then there are people with a criminal
background. Employers used to feel justified in turning away job applicants just
because they’d been in trouble with the law.
Radio interviewer Isn’t that still the case?
Alan Griffin: No .... not exactly. The law states that employers can only reject a job
applicant with a criminal record ... if the crime bears a direct relation to the job in
question. So .... somebody who has served a sentence for ... let’s say stealing
cars ... would be alright in a job as a kitchen porter.
Radio interviewer: And Mr. Griffin, tell me .... how many people actually go
through with their threats to sue a company for discrimination?
Alan Griffin: Well I haven’t got the latest figures for the UK but in the United
States the Equal Opportunities Commission receive around eighty five thousand
complaints every year ... and that figure is rising. Race and sex account for most of
the complaints that are filed but age discrimination is on the increase too.
Radio interviewer: So ... any words of advice for risk managers?
Alan Griffin: Well ... first of all make sure that you have adequate insurance. Then
address the issues of diversity from within the organisation. Get the employees
involved. Celebrate the differences and try to build up a reputation as a fair
employer. And remember .... it is worth investing time and effort in addressing
these issues because statistics have shown that ..... you’re much more likely to be
sued by an employee than a third party.

3.Decide whether the following statements are true or false according to what
Mr. Griffin says.
1. Although diversity is being dealt with, it is still an important concern for
employers.
2. A growing number of people are suing employers because they feel
discriminated against because of their age.
3. Insurance to cover discrimination claims is an enormous cost for companies.
4. Security firms sometimes discriminate against people because of their age.
5. Employers cannot discriminate against job applicants who have been convicted
of any crime.

4. Answer the following questions:

36
 1. According to Alan Griffin, are diversity risks still an issue?
2. What is the growing area of discrimination that Alan Griffin mentions?
3. What insurance policy does Alan Griffin suggest companies take out to
protect themselves from discrimination claims?
4. What are some other types of diversity that managers should be aware of,
according to Alan Griffin?
5. How many complaints of discrimination does the Equal Opportunities
Commission receive every year in the United States?

6.Discussion
1. In what ways do you think companies can promote diversity and prevent
discrimination in their workplace?
2. How do you think insurance policies like EPLI (Employment Practices
Liability Insurance) affect a company's approach to diversity and
discrimination?
3. Why do you think ageism is a growing area of discrimination in the
workplace?
4. Do you think it is fair for companies to have height and weight requirements
for certain jobs? Why or why not?
5. How can individuals who have experienced discrimination at work best
handle the situation?

7.Act out this dialogue

37
 NOTFORPROFIT ORGANISATIONS

1.Before reading the text study the key words:

1. Overseas volunteer scheme
2. Word of mouth
3. Community work
4. Ex-prisoner
5. Building sites
6. Interrailing
7. Isolated community
8. Basic conditions
9. Adaptable
10.Independent
11.Outdoor person
12.Mountain climbing
13.Accommodation
14.Local families

2.Read an interview for a job with a nonprofitmaking organisation.

Interviewer: Well, thanks very much for coming along today. I’d like to start off by
finding out a little bit about yourself and your reasons for applying for our overseas
volunteer scheme. Tell me first of all, how did you hear about us?
Volunteer: er, well it was through a friend, actually, who got involved with your
organisation a couple of years ago. I’ve been wanting to do something like this for
a while, and I suppose she gave me the courage to actually take the plunge.
Interviewer: Word of mouth is one of the commoner ways people find out about
us. We don’t spend huge amounts on advertising campaigns and the like. So why
community work in particular?
Volunteer: Well I’ve had a bit of experience in my home town getting involved in
various projects during school holidays, and while I was at university as well.
Interviewer: Oh yes…?
Volunteer: One was working with the elderly in care homes, listening to their life
stories that was part of an oral history project funded by the local authority. And
then another time I worked on a scheme for exprisoners to improve their reading
and writing. Oh and I’ve worked on building sites off and on since I left school.
Interviewer: But you’ve never lived or worked abroad before?
Volunteer: Only travelling with friends. Interrrailing in Europe, just what a lot of
young people do in their gap year.
Interviewer: So Costa Rica would be a real change?
Volunteer: Absolutely!
Interviewer: And why Central America?
Volunteer: Well I have to admit there are selfish reasons. I want to improve my
Spanish. I got a GSCE at school but never really had the chance to use it. But it’s
more than that, I feel I want to put the experience I’ve had to better use.

38
Interviewer: How do you feel about living so far from home comforts? You know
you’ll be spending three months of the year in quite an isolated community in the
mountains. Conditions will be pretty basic.
Volunteer: To be frank, I’m a little nervous, but I think I’m quite adaptable and
independent.
Interviewer: And you’re in good shape, I presume? The building project can be
quite physically demanding. Plus you’ll be at altitude as well which takes a bit of
getting used to.
Volunteer: Oh, I’m an outdoor sort of person. I still do quite a lot of sport and
mountain climbing, so I think I’ll be able to cope with that side of things.
Interviewer: OK let’s move on to accommodation arrangements. As you know
most of volunteers stay with local families….
(https://list-english.ru/audio/BritishCouncil/audio/other/
NonProfitOrganizations.pdf)

3.Put these points in the order they are mentioned.

A adaptable and independent
B does sport and mountain climbing
C interrailing in Europe
D Spanish GCSE
E worked on building sites
F working with the elderly/exoffenders

4. Answer the following questions:

1. How did the volunteer hear about the overseas volunteer scheme?
2. What kind of community work has the volunteer done in the past?
3. Has the volunteer ever lived or worked abroad before?
4. Why did the volunteer choose Central America for the overseas volunteer
program?
5. How does the volunteer feel about living in an isolated community in the
mountains?
6. Will the building project be physically demanding for the volunteer?
7. What are the typical accommodation arrangements for volunteers in the
overseas volunteer scheme?

5.Role-play the interview, taking turns being the interviewer and the
volunteer.

6. Writing. Write a short essay on the benefits and challenges of volunteering

overseas, based on the conversation between the interviewer and the volunteer in
the text above.

39
 Crime
1.Before reading the text study the key words:
1. Burgled
2. Stolen
3. Watched
4. Frightened
5. Escaped
6. Prove
7. Break-in
8. Police
9. Crime
10.Victim
11.Neighborhood
12.Guilty
13.Suspect
14.Investigate
15.Arrest
16.Evidence
17.Trial
18.Punishment

2.Read the interview with a couple who have been the victims of repeated
crime and a police officer.
Interviewer: Good afternoon. Today on Crime Check we are going to talk about
"repeat victims", people who are victims of crime more than once. First of all we
bring you the sad story of Ruth and Harold Saunders from Hull, who have had
their house burgled no fewer than eight times in the last 3 years. Worth an entry in
the Guinness Book of Records you might think, but for Ruth and Harold, it's no
joke. Ruth, why do you think you've been burgled so many times?
Ruth: I wish I knew. It's a nightmare. We bought this house because it looks out
onto the playing fields and we thought it was the perfect house for our retirement.
Interviewer: When were you first burgled?
Ruth: Oh, three years ago, just a week after we had moved in. It was as if the
burglars were waiting for us.
Interviewer: Do you feel sorry that you moved there now?
Ruth: Oh definitely. If we had known we were going to have this sort of trouble,
we wouldn't be living here we would chosen somewhere safer. But now we can't
even sell the house because everyone knows the burglars like it! No one will buy
it. We can't escape from this neighbourhood. We're just waiting for the next break-
in.
Interviewer: Do you know who the burglars are?
Ruth: We think so, but we can never prove anything. You see, people can watch
the house from the playing fields, and there are a number of youths who we see

40
watching the house. They hang around there smoking in the afternoons. I'm
frightened to go to the shops in case they break in while I'm away.
Interviewer: Have you tried calling the police?
Ruth: Yeah, several times, but these youths always get away by running into the
woods on the other side of the playing fields, and the police don't bother to go after
them.
Interviewer: And what have you had stolen?
Ruth: Oh all sorts of things on different occasions. They never take much, but they
always seem to come back. They've taken the television twice. If we'd known they
were going to come back, we wouldn't have bought a new television after the first
burglary, but a week after we bought it, the burglars broke in again.
Interviewer: What else have they taken?
(https://www.academia.edu/27945799/
LearnEnglish_Professionals_CRIME_AUDIOSCRIPT1)

3.Are the following statements True or False according to the interview?

1. The Saunders have been burgled eight times.
2. They bought the house for its views.
3. They thought they might have problems when they bought the house.
4. They think they know who the burglars are.
5. The burglars haven't stolen anything valuable from the Saunders.
6. They do not lock the door.
7. The Crime Prevention Officer doesn't think there is anything they can do to stop
the burglars.
8. The Saunders do not have a burglar alarm.
9. The Crime Prevention Officer thinks it's always the same burglars who break
into the Saunders' house.
10. Burglars like to steal things which have been bought recently.

4.Read the following sentences and choose the correct meaning of the
underlined word based on the context of the text.
1. Ruth and Harold have been burgled eight times in the last three years.
a) punished b) robbed c) praised
2. Ruth thinks that the burglars are watching their house from the playing
fields. a) criminals b) police officers c) neighbours
3. Ruth is frightened to go to the shops. a) happy b) scared c) confident
4. The burglars never take much, but they always come back. a) leave b)
return c) stay
5. The police don't bother to go after the youths. a) annoy b) interest c) help

5.Match the words from column A with the words from column B to form
collocations that are related to the topic of the text.
Column A:
break
hang around
41
call
watch
get away
Column B: a) the police b) the house c) in the afternoons d) the burglars e)
someone
Example: Hang around + the house

6.Retell the dialogue

42
 The Truth About ART

1.Before reading the text study the key words:

1. Modern art
2. bad press newspapers
3. classic art
4. modern art
5. abstract
6. non-representational
7. popular taste
8. survey
9. cubism
10.watercolour
11.ignorance
12.exposure
13.city-dweller
14.second-rate material
15.art auction houses
16.local amateur art classes
17.artistic influences

Modern art has had something of a bad press recently - or, to be more
precise, it has always had a bad press in certain newspapers and amongst certain
sectors of the public. In the public mind, it seems, art (that is, graphic art - pictures
- and spatial art - sculpture) is divided into two broad categories. The first is
'classic' art, by which is meant representational painting, drawing and sculpture;
the second is 'modern' art, also known as abstract or non-representational. British
popular taste runs decidedly in favour of the former, if one believes a recent survey
conducted by Charlie Moore, owner of the Loft Gallery and Workshops in Kent,

43
and one of Britain's most influential artistic commentators. He found that the man
(or woman) in the street has a distrust of cubism, abstracts, sculptures made of
bricks and all types of so-called 'found' art, He likes Turner and Constable, the
great representatives of British watercolour and oil painting respectively, or the
French Impressionists, and his taste for statues is limited to the realistic figures of
the great and good that litter the British landscape - Robin Hood in Nottingham
and Oliver Cromwell outside the Houses of Parliament. This everyman does not
believe in primary colours, abstraction and geometry in nature - the most common
comment is that such-and-such a painting is "something a child could have done".
Lewis Williams, director of the Beaconsfield Galleries in Hampshire, which
specialises in modern painting, agrees. "Look around you at what art is available
every day," he says. "Our great museums and galleries specialise in work which is
designed to appeal to the lowest common denominator. It may be representational,
it may be 'realistic' in one sense, but a lot of it wouldn't make it into the great
European galleries. Britain has had maybe two or three major world painters in the
last 1000 years, so we make up the space with a lot of second-rate material."
Williams believes that our ignorance of what modern art is has been caused
by this lack of exposure to truly great art. He compares the experience of the
average British city-dweller with that of a citizen of Italy, France or Spain.
"Of course, we don't appreciate any kind of art in the same way because of
the paucity of good art in Britain. We don't have galleries of the quality of those in
Madrid, Paris, Versailles, Florence, New York or even some places in Russia. We
distrust good art - by which I mean both modern and traditional artistic forms -
because we don't have enough of it to learn about it. In other countries, people are
surrounded by it from birth. Indeed they take it as a birthright, and are proud of it.
The British tend to be suspicious of it. It's not valued here."
Not everyone agrees. Emily Cope, who runs the Osborne Art House,
believes that while the British do not have the same history of artistic experience as
many European countries, their senses are as finely attuned to art as anyone else's.
"Look at what sells - in the great art auction houses, in greetings cards, in
posters. Look at what's going on in local amateur art classes up and down the
country. Of course, the British are not the same as other countries, but that's true of
all nationalities. The French artistic experience and outlook is not the same as the
Italian. In Britain, we have artistic influences from all over the world. There's the
Irish, Welsh, and Scottish influences, as well as Caribbean, African and European.
We also have strong links with the Far East, in particular the Indian subcontinent.
All these influences come to bear in creating a British artistic outlook. There's this
tendency to say that British people only want garish pictures of clowns crying or
ships sailing into battle, and that anything new or different is misunderstood. That's
not my experience at all. The British public is poorly educated in art, but that's not
the same as being uninterested in it."
Cope points to Britain's long tradition of visionary artists such as William
Blake, the London engraver and poet who died in 1827. Artists like Blake tended
to be one-offs rather than members of a school, and their work is diverse and often
word-based so it is difficult to export.
44
 Perhaps, as ever, the truth is somewhere in between these two opinions. It is
true that visits to traditional galleries like the National and the National Portrait
Gallery outnumber attendance at more modern shows, but this is the case in every
country except Spain, perhaps because of the influence of the two most famous
non-traditional Spanish painters of the 20th century, Picasso and Dali. However,
what is also true is that Britain has produced a long line of individual artists with
unique, almost unclassifiable styles such as Blake, Samuel Palmer and Henry
Moore.

(https://ielts-up.com/reading/academic-reading-sample-7.3.html)

3.Answer the following questions:

1. What are the two broad categories of art according to the public?
2. What is the result of a recent survey conducted by Charlie Moore?
3. What kind of art does the man on the street prefer?
4. What is Lewis Williams' opinion on the art available in the UK?
5. What does Williams believe is the cause of the British ignorance of modern
art?
6. What is Emily Cope's opinion on the British artistic experience?
7. Who are some of the visionary artists in British history mentioned in the
text?

4.Fill in the gaps using key words from ex.1

1. _________ has had something of a bad press recently.

2. Modern art has always had a bad press in certain ___________ and amongst
certain sectors of the public.
3. In the public mind, it seems, art is divided into two broad categories. The
first is 'classic' art, by which is meant representational painting, drawing, and
____________; the second is 'modern' art, also known as abstract or
_____________.
4. British popular taste runs decidedly in favour of the former, if one believes a
recent ___________ conducted by Charlie Moore.
5. The man (or woman) in the street has a distrust of __________, abstracts,
sculptures made of bricks and all types of so-called 'found' art.
6. Lewis Williams, director of the Beaconsfield Galleries in Hampshire, which
specializes in modern painting, agrees. "Look around you at what art is
available every day," he says. "Our great museums and galleries specialize
in work which is designed to appeal to the lowest common ____________.
7. Williams believes that our ___________ of what modern art is has been
caused by this lack of exposure to truly great art.
8. Emily Cope, who runs the Osborne Art House, believes that while the
British do not have the same history of artistic experience as many European
countries, their senses are as finely attuned to art as anyone else's. "Look at
what sells - in the great ____________, in greetings cards, in posters. Look
45
 at what's going on in local amateur art classes up and down the country. Of
course, the British are not the same as other countries, but that's true of all
nationalities.
9. Cope points to Britain's long tradition of visionary artists such as William
Blake, the London engraver and poet who died in 1827. Artists like Blake
tended to be one-offs rather than members of a school, and their work is
diverse and often word-based so it is difficult to __________.

Discussion.Discuss the questions in pairs:

1. What is your opinion on modern art? Do you prefer classic art or modern
art?
2. Do you agree with the survey conducted by Charlie Moore about the public's
taste in art? Why or why not?
3. In your opinion, why do some people have a distrust of cubism, abstracts,
and sculptures made of bricks?
4. Lewis Williams believes that Britain has a lack of exposure to truly great art.
Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not?
5. Emily Cope believes that the British people's senses are as finely attuned to
art as anyone else's. Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not?
6. In your opinion, what is the reason behind the British public's poor
education in art?
7. Can you name any British artists with unique, almost unclassifiable styles?
What makes their work special?
8. Do you think it is important for people to appreciate and understand art?
Why or why not?
9. How can the public's interest and education in art be improved in your
country?
10.In your opinion, what is the future of art in the 21st century? Will it continue
to evolve and challenge traditional forms or will it become more
conservative?

46
 Genetic counselling

1. What do you think these words mean:

1. family history file
2. NHS swipe card
3. National mutation Search Programm
4. gen profile
5. health index
6. probability ratings
meaning
a. A government/private initiative to find changed genes that account for
various diseases of the population
b. Software which tells you if you are susceptible to a hundred human diseases
c. A database of your family’s medical history
d. Measurement of how healthy you are according to age/sex/weight/diet/etc
e. The comparative significance of contracting arrange of diseases based on
your individual genetic profile
f. Your personal National health service card with all your essential medical
data on it

2.Which person mentions the following topics, the Interviewer (I) or the
Genetic Counsellor (GC)? They are not in the order they are in the text.
a. a new way of keeping personal medical information
b. children inheriting diseases from their parents
c. new genetic tests
d. people going to counselling in pairs
e. patient being able to choose
f. patients’ being able to see quickly which disease they might suffer from in the
future

47
3.Decide if these statements are true or false
1. The counselor’s job used to involve advice to people who were ill.
2. The counselor and the patient would talk about what could happen.
3. Later it became possible for people to find their personal genetic profile.
4. This information helps them to decide what to do in their live.
5. Their health information is now on a kind of a “credit card”

4.Read an online broadcast which takes place some time in the year 2040…
Interviewer Good afternoon and welcome to Health Forum. Today we have with us
Kate Hulme, who is a genetic counsellor with the Derbyshire Health Zone. Tell us
first of all a bit about your background.
Genetic counsellor Yes, well I’ve been in the profession for about ten years now
and it’s changed a little since I started. Traditionally, genetic counselling was all
about offering advice and support for people who might be at risk from developing
cancer, or for expectantmothers to make informed decisions about the various tests
available for their unborn child, for things like Down’s Syndrome or Cystic
Fibrosis…
Interviewer …conditions based on a singlegene defect...
Genetic counsellor...that’s right, and another important aspect was the discussion
we had with the patient about probabilities and managing risk, and about who else
might be affected by whatever decision they take. That’s still part of the job...
Interviewer But things have moved on since those days, haven’t they? A whole
new range of genetic tests have recently become available…
Genetic counsellor Well, indeed. The job I do these days has changed significantly
since the National Mutation Search Programme was completed. This has opened
up a whole new set of medical and personal questions for patients and their
families.
Interviewer What’s the process you go through with a patient who comes to you?
Genetic counsellor Well, an increasing number of clients have been to their doctor
and taken the new combined GenProfile, the one with the hundred or so tests,
perhaps because they’re at an age where they’re thinking of buying a house,
starting a family, that sort of thing, so they’re worried about getting life insurance
or passing something on to their children…
Interviewer You get a lot of couples I believe
Genetic counsellor That’s right. Anyway, we take them through the consequences
of each result by crossreferencing their family history file with their current health
index. Then we can give them probability ratings so that the client can see
potential problem areas at a glance. In most cases we can offer concrete advice
about areas of future risk behaviour associated with diet, lifestyle and so on.
Things they might like to consider…
Interviewer …but ultimately it’s up to them whether they take your advice?
Genetic counsellor Yes, absolutely. Obviously, an individual’s health status is now
no longer a matter for that person alone...
Interviewer You mean the new NHS swipe card that the government brought in
last month?
48
Genetic counsellor …yes
, and we’re still explaining the implications of that, addressing people’s concerns
about confidentiality and so on. But more often what they want is some support
and reassurance about the specific gene intervention they might have to embark on
and…
Interviewer So talking things through is still a key part of your work?
Genetic counsellor Oh, for sure

5.Discuss the following

The role and evolution of genetic counseling in modern healthcare: challenges and
opportunities.

Hybrid cars
1.Before reading the text study the key words:
1. test-driving
2. public transport
3. emissions
4. conventional cars
5. major car manufacturers
6. instrument panel
7. fuel consumption
8. engine power
9. recharged
10.traffic lights
11.petrol engine
12.pollution
13.fuel costs
14.powerful car

2.Read. A radio show host talking to a guest about a hybrid car she test-drove.

Presenter: Welcome to the programme, Linda.

Linda: Thanks.
Presenter: Now you’ve been test-driving a hybrid car, the Honda Civic Hybrid.
Linda: That’s right. I spent three days last week trying it out.
Presenter: Now I know that you were very interested in test-driving a hybrid.
Why is that?
Linda: I’ve been thinking of buying one for some time now. Ideally I would
prefer to use public transport all the time, but my job means I have to have a car. I
do a lot of driving around town, and I’d like to feel I was doing something to
reduce air pollution
49
Presenter: Yes, hybrid cars produce fewer emissions than conventional cars, as
well as using less fuel. Now at the moment only two major car manufacturers
produce hybrid cars, Toyota and Honda. You chose the Honda Civic hybrid. Why
is that?
Linda: I used to drive a conventional Honda Civic, so I was interested in seeing if
the hybrid car is similar.
Presenter: And is it?
Linda: Yes. From the outside it looks almost the same. And inside it’s very
similar, until you look at the instrument panel. Then you notice a gauge showing
fuel consumption, and a display that shows when the electric motor is being used
to boost the engine power, and when the battery is being recharged.
Presenter: When you drove the car, how did it compare to the conventional Honda
Civic?
Linda: It felt very similar. Sometimes it felt like it had a little less power, but
that’s not really a problem when driving round town. The main difference was that
it’s quieter, and when you stop at traffic lights the petrol engine shuts down, so it’s
completely silent.
Presenter: Does that cause a problem when you start moving again?
Linda: Not at all. As soon as you start putting it into gear the engine instantly
starts up again. You don’t notice anything. And imagine how nice it would be if
all car engines stopped running at traffic lights – there would be so much less
pollution in town.
Presenter: So all in all, driving the hybrid car was a positive experience.
Linda: Yes, and I will certainly consider buying one.
Presenter: Were there any downsides?
Linda: Well, the boot is smaller than a conventional Civic, and it is more
expensive. But then you save money on fuel costs.
Presenter: So you would recommend a hybrid.
Linda: Based on this experience, yes. For someone like me, who doesn’t need a
really powerful car,it’s ideal.
Presenter: Thanks very much.

3.Fill in the blanks with the appropriate words from the following list.
List of words: emissions, gauge, hybrid, boost, instrument, pollution, conventional,
recharged, gear, downside
Linda recently test-drove a _____ car, the Honda Civic Hybrid, and was quite
impressed with its performance. She has been thinking about buying a car that can
help reduce _____ since she does a lot of driving around town. The Honda Civic
Hybrid appealed to her because she used to drive a _____ Honda Civic, and she
wanted to see if the hybrid was similar.
The exterior of the car looked almost the same as the _____ Honda Civic, and the
interior was very similar as well, except for the _____ panel. The _____ displayed
the fuel consumption and showed when the electric motor was being used to _____
the engine power and when the battery was being _____.

50
When Linda test-drove the Honda Civic Hybrid, she felt that it was very similar to
the _____ Honda Civic. The only difference was that it was quieter and when she
stopped at traffic lights, the petrol engine shut down, making the car completely
silent. She did not find any _____ when the engine started up again as soon as she
put it into _____.
Although there are a few _____ to buying a hybrid car, such as a smaller boot and
a higher price, Linda would still recommend buying one based on her experience.
She thinks the Honda Civic Hybrid is ideal for people who don't need a really
powerful car and are concerned about _____ in town.

4.Answer the following questions:

1. Why did Linda choose to test-drive the Honda Civic Hybrid specifically?
2. How does the Honda Civic Hybrid differ from the conventional Honda Civic
in terms of appearance?
3. What features are present on the instrument panel of the Honda Civic
Hybrid?
4. How does the driving experience of the Honda Civic Hybrid compare to that
of the conventional Honda Civic?
5. What is the main benefit of the Honda Civic Hybrid shutting down the
engine when stopped at traffic lights?
6. What are the downsides to the Honda Civic Hybrid compared to the
conventional Honda Civic?
7. Would Linda recommend a hybrid car based on her experience test-driving
the Honda Civic Hybrid? Why or why not?
8. What type of driver would Linda recommend the Honda Civic Hybrid to?
9. What are some of the advantages of driving a hybrid car over a conventional
car?

5.Discuss the following:

1. Have hybrid cars future?
2. Why did appear the necessity of inventing alternative means of transport?
3. Would you like to have such a car?

51
 Future fuel sources
1.Before reading the text study the key words:
1. renewable energy
2. sources
3. hot topic
4. to insulate

2.Read the dialogue. An energy expert, Sue Booth, talking about how to use
renewable energy sources in the home.

Interviewer: Good morning, today in the studio we have Sue Booth from Eco
Power,she’s here to tell us about renewable energy sources and how we can use
them in ourhomes.
Sue: Good morning ...
Interviewer: Sue, energy is a hot topic at the moment, with petrol prices at record
highs, gas shortages andprice increases everywhere, what can the average
householder do to save money?
Sue: Well, we’re talking about the UK here – I think there are two issues.
Interviewer: What are these?
Sue: Well, first we need to use energy in the home more efficiently, and then we
can look at a couple of ways of using renewable energy sources in the home
Interviewer: OK, how can I make my home more energy efficient?
Sue: Let’s start with insulation make sure that the roof and the walls of your house
are insulated, and you’ll save money on your heating bills. Next look at your
windows, do these close well? Do you have draughts? Consider installing double
glazing –this is expensive initially but again you’ll save in the long term...
Interviewer: Ok, so ‘insulate’ seems to be the key word

52
Sue: Definitely, yes, now as regards actually producing energy in the home, solar
power is a solution.
Interviewer: Energy from the sun? In this country?
Sue: Typical reaction .. you know it is possible to produce energy from the sun
even in this country. There are two possibilities, the sun’s energy can be used to
produce electricity using photovoltaic cells
Interviewer: Sorry what was that ..?
Sue: Photovoltaic cells - these convert energy from the sun into electricity.
Interviewer: I see ……
Sue: Or solar panels can be used to produce hot water.
Interviewer: Which do you recommend for the average British household?
Sue: Well, of the two I’d recommend solar panels to heat water for central heating
and showers.
Interviewer: How much does this cost?
Sue: Well it’s hard to say precisely, this depends on the size of the house, but for
an average house in the UK installation costs would be four to five thousand
pounds
Interviewer: Rather a lot of money
Sue: Initially yes, but within three years the system will have paid for itself and
there are government grants available to help with the installation costs
Interviewer: So solar power’s the answer
Sue: It can definitely help to reduce those gas and electricity bills
(https://list-english.ru/audio/BritishCouncil/audio/other/FutureFuelSources.pdf)

4.Answer the following questions:

What is the topic of the interview with Sue Booth?
What are the two issues that Sue mentions when talking about energy in the UK?
What are some ways to make your home more energy efficient according to Sue?
How does solar power work?
What are the two possibilities for using the sun's energy according to Sue?
Which of the two possibilities for using the sun's energy does Sue recommend for
the average British household?
How much does it cost to install solar panels for an average house in the UK?
How long does it take for the system to pay for itself?
Are there government grants available to help with the installation costs of solar
panels?
Can solar power help to reduce gas and electricity bills?

5.Decide whether the following statements are true or false.

1. Sue says householders can do little to reduce their energy bills.
2. Sue says that a lot of energy is lost through the floors of homes.
3. According to Sue the key to saving money is better insulation in homes.
4. Householders can produce power too.
5. Houses in the UK can produce electricity using photovoltaic cells.
6. Photovoltaic cells can produce hot water.
53
7. It costs £3,000 to install solar panels for an average UK home.
8. The UK government helps householders to buy solar panels.

6.Writing Exercise:
Imagine that you are an environmental activist who is passionate about the use of
renewable energy sources to mitigate the effects of climate change. Write a
persuasive essay to convince people to adopt renewable energy sources in their
homes.
In your essay, you should:
1. Define renewable energy sources and explain their importance to the
environment.
2. Explain how renewable energy sources can help to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions.
3. Discuss the benefits of using renewable energy sources for households,
including cost savings and increased energy efficiency.
4. Outline the different types of renewable energy sources that can be used in
homes, such as solar power and wind power.
5. Address any potential concerns or objections that people may have about the
use of renewable energy sources in their homes.
6. Conclude with a call to action, urging people to consider the use of
renewable energy sources and take action to protect the environment.
Your essay should be well-organized and contain at least 500 words. Make sure to
use evidence and examples to support your arguments, and to address any
counterarguments that may arise.

54
 NUCLEAR ENERGY
1.Before reading the text study the key words:

Nuclear power
Harmful
Fossil fuels
Storing nuclear waste
Member of Parliament
Environmental problems
Distinguished scientist
Defend the environment
Biologist
Pollute
Cancer
Leukemia
Putting off the damage

2.Read how different people commenting on James Lovelock's current views

on nuclear energy.
Decide who makes these points: Michael, Teresa, Kevin, Raymond, Kerry.
Which person thinks...
1. that a lot of scientists don’t agree with Lovelock?
2. that Lovelock has made a turnaround?
3. that Lovelock now agrees with the government?
4. that Lovelock’s ideas are not really that important?
5. that nuclear power is not safe?
6. that people are impatient?

55
Michael: green campaigner
I’m very disappointed with Lovelock’s change of ideas. He was somebody who
had a lot of interesting ideas about the environment, and I’m sad that he has turned
his back on what he said before. There's no way nuclear power is safe – it's just as
harmful to the environment as traditional fossil fuels, and as well as that, there's
the enormous risk of storing nuclear waste.
Teresa: Member of Parliament
A brave statement from a very interesting man. Our party has always had a strong
record on defending the environment, and looking at environmental problems in a
constructive way. I’m glad to see that a distinguished scientist agrees with us.
We want to build more nuclear power stations, and defend the environment – and
now we can!
Kevin: biologist
The problem with James Lovelock is that he isn’t really a scientist. He has lots of
experience in different fields, and I respect him, he’s certainly an intelligent man.
But a lot of his theories have never really had that much support in the serious
scientific community they’ve been picked up by lots of other people, Green
campaigners and such. I wouldn’t listen to him too much.
Raymond: CEO of International Nuclear Fuels
Who? No, I don’t think I’ve ever heard of the man. Who is he? An
environmentalist? Oh well, it’s always good to have support, from anywhere. And
nuclear power is very, very safe. And no, it doesn’t pollute at all.
Kerry: member of Surfers for the Environment
People always want quick solutions. As far as the environment goes, there aren’t
any. It could take hundreds of years to sort out the mess this planet is in. Nuclear
power looks like a quick and easy solution, but it isn’t. There are levels of
radioactivity well above average, and well above safe, in all the sea around nuclear
power stations. There are higher rates of cancer and leukemia. Nuclear power is
just a way of putting off the damage until a later date.

3.Match the following definitions with the appropriate active vocabulary from
the text:
1. Someone who promotes or supports the protection and preservation of the
natural environment.
2. The practice of making sure that something is safe and does not cause harm
to the environment or human health.
3. A person who is involved in the government and represents the people who
live in a particular area.
4. The unwanted or harmful materials that are produced as a result of an
industrial process.
5. A person who manages a company or organization and is responsible for
making decisions about how it operates.

A. Fossil fuels B. Environmentalist C. CEO D. Nuclear waste E. Environmental

protection F. Member of Parliament
56
Dramatize this conversation

ORGANIC FARMING
1.Before reading the text study the key words:

1. Vegetarian
2. Organic
3. Hormones
4. Cereal
5. Genetically modified
6. Pesticides
7. Chemicals
8. Government
9. Scientists
10.Poisoning
11.Drugs
12.Volunteers

2.Read the text.Two work colleagues discuss the pros and cons of choosing
organic food.
Brian: What’s that you’re eating, Sam, not a piece of steak, is it? I thought you
were vegetarian!
Sam: It is steak. But it’s organic. I was never vegetarian. I just like eating natural
food
Brian: How can meat be organic?
Sam: It means the animal isn’t full of strange hormones, or ate cereal that’s been
genetically modified or sprayed with pesticides. That sort of thing

57
Brian: And I suppose it’s had a good time walking around the fields, not shut
inside all its life.
Sam: That’s right.
Brian: But can you taste the difference?
Sam: I think so. And anyway, I‘m not filling myself with all sorts of chemicals that
might give me cancer.
Brian: Yes, but there’s no proof that pesticides give you cancer. The government
would ban them. Look what happened with DDT
Sam: So why do the scientists who monitor these things prefer to eat organic food
too? Brian: But if the public found out that some company was poisoning them,
it’d be a national scandal!
Sam: Yeah, but that’s just the point. Pesticides are only tested on animals. It’s not
like new drugs, where companies have to spend millions on trials with human
volunteers. Small quantities of chemicals do get into your food.

(https://list-english.ru/audio/BritishCouncil/audio/other/OrganicFarming.pdf)

3.Decide which speaker, Sam or Brian, has the following opinions.

1. He thinks organic food is healthier
2. He wonders whether it tastes better
3. He doesn’t believe pesticides are dangerous
4. He is worried about the remains of pesticides on food
5. He talks about how much organic food there is in the shops
6. He thinks organic food costs too much

5. Decide whether the following statements are true or false.

1. Sam is a vegetarian.
2. Brian is surprised to see Sam eating a piece of steak.
3. Organic meat is free from hormones and genetically modified cereals.
4. Brian believes that pesticides do not pose a health risk to humans.
5. Scientists who study the effects of chemicals on food prefer to eat organic
food.
6. Pesticides are only tested on humans
7. Small amounts of chemicals can get into your food through the use of
pesticides.

58
 How I became a fitness fanatic

1.Look at the words and try to guess what the text is about:

Smoking, sport, football, running, work, lift, stairs, exhaustion, physical

appearance, colleagues, boss, smoke-free zone, exercise, addiction, tennis, fitness.

2. Read the text.

Oleg Svensson was out of shape until his lift broke down.
At first you don't notice how you cannot do things so easily as you used to, or you
do not look like you used to. When you realise, it can be quite difficult to put
right. I had taken up smoking when I was just a teenager, along with my friends. I
never smoked very much, and I knew from watching television that it was bad for
you. But at that age you do not pay much attention to warnings about the dangers
to your health. You think you will live forever, or that there is plenty of time to
give up when you are twenty-five or thirty. It is not that you enjoy smoking, but
you like to look grown up.
When I was a youngster, I used to do plenty of sport. I was in my school football
team, and I was a member of a running club. When I left school, I gave up
football. I found a job straightaway, but the hours were long, sitting in front of a
computer all day adding up figures, sending and receiving e-mails and so on, and
when I finished work in the evening, I was too worn out to think of more than
going down to the pub and having a drink, or sitting down in front of the television
and relaxing. So I never played football again, except for kicking a ball around in
the park occasionally on Saturday afternoons with my friends, and I got out of the
habit of running.
My job went well. I got promoted and given extra responsibility. That was all
fine, and I was only smoking 15 cigarettes a day. I left home and bought a flat on
59
the fifth floor of a modern building. Everything was going well for me, until one
day the lift broke down and I had to walk upstairs. I had been living in the flat for
six months, and this was the first time I had used the stairs. Now you might think
that a modern staircase should present no problems for a fit young man like
myself, but I can tell you that when I finally made it to my front door, I was
exhausted. I was gasping for breath. I let myself in, and lay down on my bed to
recover.
Later, I went to the bathroom and looked at myself in the mirror. And that was
when I had my surprise, or should I say, shock? I had been going through life as if
nothing had changed, hardly looking at myself in the mirror and not noticing the
changes. But today was different: I looked at my stomach and noticed how it
hung outwards over the edge of my trousers, how my face was beginning to get
wrinkled, and how pale my skin was. I tried touching my toes without bending my
legs. I had not done that for several years, but I had never had any difficulty with
it in the past. But now I could not do it, and I was not even thirty yet.
The future looked bleak until I mentioned my problem at work the next day. Many
of my colleagues seemed to be in much the same state as me, but there was one
man there, my boss in fact, who had the answer quite clear. He told me I should
take up some sport again after work or in the lunch hour. I knew I was never going
to get into shape if I went on smoking, and I mentioned this. Two of my
colleagues were listening, and they immediately said that if I gave up, they would
too, so we formed a club to get ourselves into condition. This involved calling the
office a smoke-free zone, getting up a little earlier in the morning and doing a few
exercises (nothing too strenuous at first), exercising will-power and self-control for
the first few months without cigarettes, and going jogging in the park during the
lunch break.
Eventually, I found that exercise was almost as addictive as smoking - you get
hooked on it, and in the evenings once or twice a week I managed to persuade my
girlfriend to come and play tennis with me. Now, eighteen months later, I have a
good colour to my skin, a flat stomach, firm thighs, and I run up the stairs to my
flat, two steps at a time. I never take the lift.

3.Choose the correct option:

1. What does the writer think about health and fitness problems?
They are easy to correct.
They make you look different.
They are not obvious to begin with.
They start when you are young.
2. The writer started smoking because
He enjoyed it.
He wanted to seem like an adult.
He was persuaded by television advertisements.
He wanted to be like his friends.
3. The writer had problems with the stairs because
He was not fit.
60
He had not used them before.
He had not lived in the flat for long.
He was tired after work.
4. Why was the writer shocked when he looked in the mirror?
He suddenly looked different.
He didn’t recognize himself.
He looked older than usual.
He had changed without realizing it before.
5. The writer decided to give up smoking because
He wanted to get fit.
Some of his colleagues were giving up.
It was forbidden in the office.
He found it easy to do.
6. How does the writer feel about exercise now?
It is more unhealthy than smoking.
It is difficult to give up.
It takes up too much time.
It is something you should do alone.

4.What do these phrasal verbs mean?

1. go on ; 2. let in; 3.go through; 4.give up; 5. get out of ; 6.take up; 7.break
down
a. start a habit, a sport or a hobby; b.stop a habit because you have decided to;
c.stop (a habit or activity) gradually; d.stop working ; e. open the door and enter;
f.experience; g. continue

5.Decide whether the following statements are true or false.

1. Oleg knew he needed to make a change, so he decided to go on daily jogs to
improve his fitness.
2. After climbing the stairs to his apartment, Oleg was so tired that he had to let
in some fresh air to catch his breath.
3. Oleg hadn't really looked at himself in the mirror for a while, but when he
did, he was shocked by the changes he had gone through.
4. When Oleg realized that smoking was negatively impacting his health, he
made the difficult decision to give up cigarettes.
5. Oleg had gotten out of the habit of exercising, but he was determined to get
back in shape.
6. After receiving advice from his boss, Oleg decided to take up exercise again,
starting with small steps like walking and gradually building up to more
strenuous activities.
7. When the lift in Oleg's building broke down, he was forced to climb the
stairs and quickly realized how out of shape he was.

61
6.Speaking. Work in pairs or small groups.Each group discusses questions related
to the text:
1. What bad habits did the narrator have when he was younger?
2. What was the turning point that made him want to get in shape?
3. What kind of sports did he do when he was younger?
4. How did his colleagues help him to get in shape?
5. What were some of the challenges he faced while trying to quit smoking?
6. What are some of the benefits he has experienced since becoming a "fitness
fanatic"?
7. What advice would you give to someone who wants to get in shape but
doesn't know where to start?

Each group should share some of their key takeaways from the discussion.

7.Share their own personal experiences with fitness or bad habits they've had
to overcome in the past.
The science of sleep

1.Before reading the text study the key words:

1. Memory
2. Performance
3. cognitive functioning
4. emotional health
5. physical health
6. sleep cycle
7. non-REM sleep
8. REM sleep
9. stages of sleep
10.light sleep
11.true sleep
12.deep sleep
13.delta waves
14.rapid eye movement
15.paralysis
16.amount of sleep required
17.hallucinations
18.delusions

2. Read the text

We spend a third of our lives doing it. Napoleon, Florence Nightingale and
Margaret Thatcher got by on four hours a night. Thomas Edison claimed it was
waste of time.
So why do we sleep? This is a question that has baffled scientists for centuries and
the answer is, no one is really sure. Some believe that sleep gives the body a
chance to recuperate from the day's activities but in reality, the amount of energy

62
saved by sleeping for even eight hours is miniscule - about 50 kCal, the same
amount of energy in a piece of toast.
With continued lack of sufficient sleep, the part of the brain that controls language,
memory, planning and sense of time is severely affected, practically shutting
down. In fact, 17 hours of sustained wakefulness leads to a decrease in
performance equivalent to a blood alcohol level of 0.05% (two glasses of wine).
This is the legal drink driving limit in the UK.
Research also shows that sleep-deprived individuals often have difficulty in
responding to rapidly changing situations and making rational judgements. In real
life situations, the consequences are grave and lack of sleep is said to have been be
a contributory factor to a number of international disasters such as Exxon Valdez,
Chernobyl, Three Mile Island and the Challenger shuttle explosion.
Sleep deprivation not only has a major impact on cognitive functioning but also on
emotional and physical health. Disorders such as sleep apnoea which result in
excessive daytime sleepiness have been linked to stress and high blood pressure.
Research has also suggested that sleep loss may increase the risk of obesity
because chemicals and hormones that play a key role in controlling appetite and
weight gain are released during sleep.
What happens when we sleep?
What happens every time we get a bit of shut eye? Sleep occurs in a recurring
cycle of 90 to 110 minutes and is divided into two categories: non-REM (which is
further split into four stages) and REM sleep.
Non-REM sleep
Stage one: Light Sleep
During the first stage of sleep, we're half awake and half asleep. Our muscle
activity slows down and slight twitching may occur. This is a period of light sleep,
meaning we can be awakened easily at this stage.
Stage two: True Sleep
Within ten minutes of light sleep, we enter stage two, which lasts around 20
minutes. The breathing pattern and heart rate start to slow down. This period
accounts for the largest part of human sleep.
Stages three and four: Deep Sleep
During stage three, the brain begins to produce delta waves, a type of wave that
is large (high amplitude) and slow (low frequency). Breathing and heart rate are at
their lowest levels.
Stage four is characterised by rhythmic breathing and limited muscle activity. If
we are awakened during deep sleep we do not adjust immediately and often feel
groggy and disoriented for several minutes after waking up. Some children
experience bed-wetting, night terrors, or sleepwalking during this stage.
REM sleep
The first rapid eye movement (REM) period usually begins about 70 to 90
minutes after we fall asleep. We have around three to five REM episodes a night.
Although we are not conscious, the brain is very active - often more so than
when we are awake. This is the period when most dreams occur. Our eyes dart
around (hence the name), our breathing rate and blood pressure rise. However, our
63
bodies are effectively paralysed, said to be nature's way of preventing us from
acting out our dreams.
After REM sleep, the whole cycle begins again.
How much sleep is required?
There is no set amount of time that everyone needs to sleep, since it varies from
person to person. Results from the sleep profiler indicate that people like to sleep
anywhere between 5 and 11 hours, with the average being 7.75 hours.
Jim Horne from Loughborough University's Sleep Research Centre has a simple
answer though: "The amount of sleep we require is what we need not to be sleepy
in the daytime."
Even animals require varied amounts of sleep.
The current world record for the longest period without sleep is 11 days, set by
Randy Gardner in 1965. Four days into the research, he began hallucinating. This
was followed by a delusion where he thought he was a famous footballer.
Surprisingly, Randy was actually functioning quite well at the end of his research
and he could still beat the scientist at pinball.
(https://ielts-up.com/reading/academic-reading-sample-3.2.html)

3.Answer the following questions:

1. What happens to the brain when a person suffers from sleep deprivation?
2. How does sleep apnoea affect a person's emotional and physical health?
3. What are the two categories of sleep?
4. What happens during the first stage of sleep?
5. What is the longest period of sleep known to man?
6. Why do our bodies become effectively paralyzed during REM sleep?
7. What is the average amount of sleep people need?

4.Are the following statements True or False according to the interview?

1. Scientists have a clear answer as to why we sleep.

2. Sleep gives the body a chance to recuperate from the day's activities.
3. The amount of energy saved by sleeping for eight hours is significant.
4. Lack of sufficient sleep can lead to decreased performance equivalent to a
blood alcohol level of 0.08%.
5. Sleep deprivation can only have an impact on cognitive functioning.
6. Sleep apnea has been linked to high blood pressure.

7. Non-REM sleep is divided into five stages

5.Speaking task. Work in pairs.

Each pair discusess their sleeping habits, including how many hours they sleep per
night, how often they wake up during the night, and if they feel well-rested during
the day.
Share your opinions on whether sleep is important for good health, and why.
64
 SOLAR ENERGY

1.Match words 1-7 to the definitions A-G

1. Solar cooking
2. Deforestation
3. Carbon dioxide
4. Parabolic dish
5. Reproducible technology
6. Reflectors
7. Aid agency

A. an organization that provides assistance to people in need, often in the form of

humanitarian aid or development projects.
B. a type of solar oven that uses a curved reflective surface to focus the sun's rays
onto a small area for cooking.
C. a method of cooking food using the heat of the sun, often achieved with
reflective surfaces and black pots.
D. a greenhouse gas that is released into the atmosphere by burning fossil fuels,
deforestation, and other human activities, contributing to global climate change.
E. the removal of trees from an area due to human activities, such as logging or
clearing for agriculture or settlements.
F. a technology that is simple and easy to replicate, often using everyday materials,
making it accessible to people in developing countries.
G. surfaces that reflect light, often used in solar cooking to direct the sun's rays
onto a pot or surface for cooking.

2.Read a radio broadcast on solar cooking technology.

Presenter: And now here is another in our series of reports, ‘Africa in the 21st
century’. This week our correspondent found herself in Kenya with a small, but
significant story. Tell us all about it, Kate
Correspondent: Yes, I’ve been investigating solar cooking.
Presenter: Cooking using the heat of the sun?
Correspondent: That’s right
Presenter: Well, I must admit to my shame that I’ve never heard of it
Correspondent: It’s an idea that’s been around in its modern form at least since the
1970s.
Presenter: But why solar cooking?
Correspondent: It’s clean, free and in many parts of the world an abundant form of
energy. It’s become popular in countries near the equator because it comes as a
very simple alternative to the traditional method of cooking using trees for
firewood
Presenter: Which is not good for the environment…
65
Correspondent: Yes, it’s a major cause of deforestation, it puts more carbon
dioxide into the atmosphere and it puts more pressure on already poor families. In
Kenya it’s usually the women and children who have to find wood to cook their
one meal of the day, and have to walk greater and greater distances to get it.
Presenter: So what does a solar oven look like?
Correspondent:Well, there are basically three types -you either have a box, a fold-
out panel or a parabolic dish and each is covered in a shiny material or mirrors
that reflect the suns rays onto a black pot in which the
food is cooked.
Presenter: Sounds simple
Correspondent: They are and that’s the point. Anyone could make one from
everyday materials. For the reflector you could use aluminium foil, for example.
Obviously they’ve gone through many prototypes, but the idea is that this is a
simple, reprodu-cible technology for people in developing countries to cook their
everyday meals.
Presenter: And is it safer than an open fire?
Correspondent: Yes, because you’re using a reflector not a flame, although the
cooking temperatures you get are similar. Presenter: And the test, presumably, is
not just can local people in Kenya use it and teach others how to use it, but are they
still being used a year later?
Correspondent: Exactly, and that’s what we’ve found. This isn’t a solution
imposed from outside that is discarded as soon as the aid agency turns its back.
They are spreading all over the developing world, not only in Africa where I’ve
seen them in action, but in Asia, the Caribbean, South America…
Presenter: So even I could use one when I next take the family camping?
Correspondent: Why not!

3.Decide whether the following sentences are true or false.

1. The modern form of solar cooking was invented 70 years ago
2. There is more than one reason why solar power is a good way to cook
3. Using solar power is good for the environment
4. There are several different types of solar cooker
5. It is not easy to use a solar cooker
6. Solar cooking is becoming popular in different parts of the world

Список использованных источников:

1.www.britishcouncil.com
2. www.buzzle.com
3. www.economywatch.com
4.www.scienceagogo.com
5.www.associatedcontent.com
66
6.www.crime-research .com

67