Упр.1 Юнит 4 Урок 4 ГДЗ English Кузовлев 10-11 класс
In the early 90s, British television had a series of discussions on the problems of teenagers in a programme called Crosstalk. Young people shared their opinions on what it means to be young.
John McCarthy, 17
Teenagers today have a lot more to worry about than their parents ever did. The world is becoming a very scary place. Violence, teen pregnancy, and AIDS cases are increasing. More and more teens are turning to drugs and alcohol. I’m sure that almost every teenager will at one time or another have an experience with drugs, alcohol or sex. These things combined with personal problems and mates’ influence make being a teenager very difficult. I don’t have a single friend who has never had a drink of alcohol. Some of them don’t drink at all now, but some do. It seems to me that adults are generally quite indifferent to what their children do. Once you reach the age of sixteen or seventeen, your parents think you are old enough to decide for yourself and let you do what you want.
Estelle Hammersley, 16
It’s true that there are so many problems facing teens today. I go to an all-girls private school which makes my school life easier. I focus more attention on doing my work than on impressing a cute guy. But when I go out on weekends there is a lot of pressure to drink and smoke. There are no teen clubs close to where I live so weekend activities are limited. My friends and I don’t do anything exciting, but we usually have fun just being around each other. We usually talk about humorous things. On the other hand, we also talk about serious things like abortion, sex, and politics. My friends and I try to help each other if we can, because a lot of the time, being a teenager isn’t fun. It’s a chore (duty). You have to go to school and your parents want you to get good grades, which is hard enough in itself, and you have to deal with your own problems too.
Bart Naik, 16
Where I live teenagers have few dangers, but even in my town kids can get alcohol easily. I personally do not drink alcohol. I don’t think drinking is exciting. But I know some guys who do. My view is that if they want to, then they can — it’s their life, they are free to decide and nobody can forbid them to do what they want. The people I hang out with don’t really put any pressure on me or anyone else. Dating is not a big deal. We usually go out with a bunch of friends, both girls and boys. Social events such as discos and parties are a very popular conversation topic among teenagers. At school, politics are discussed quite a lot but along with this there are conversations about boyfriends, girlfriends, and plans for the weekend ahead. I feel also that the majority of boys are football-mad and the girls are very conscious of their appearance and clothes. Being a teenager is great fun. Take it easy.
Which of these teenagers thinks that being young
- brings a lot of serious problems?
- allows you to do exciting and wonderful things?
- is a kind of duty and makes you feel responsible for what you do?
(Listening/reading for the main idea)
- How do John, Estelle and Bart feel about the life of today’s teenagers? Do teenage years bring luck to them? What do they say about it?
(Reading for detail) - What problems facing young people do John, Estelle and Bart usually discuss with their friends? Which of the problems do they find serious?
(Reading for specific information) - Do their mates influence these teens’ lives much? How do they spend time together?
- Name the reasons that make John call the world “a very scary place”.
- Why does Estelle think that being a teenager is “a chore”?
- What do the teenagers think about adults’ attitude towards teens’ problems? Do they approve of it?
- Which of these teenagers could say the following? What makes you think so?
- Whose attitude towards life appeals to you most? And which opinion do you disagree with? Why?
John McCarthy thinks that being young brings a lot of serious problems.
Estelle Hammersley thinks that being young allows you to do exciting and wonderful things.
Bart Naik thinks that being young is a kind of duty and makes you feel responsible for what you do.
John thinks teenage life is very difficult and full of dangers. Estelle thinks it is not easy, but there are also fun and interesting moments. Bart thinks being a teenager is great fun.
Teenage years do not bring luck to John, because he sees them as a time of problems. Estelle says they are mixed: there is pressure and limited freedom, but also friendship and fun. Bart is positive and believes teenage years are enjoyable.
John and Estelle usually discuss serious problems such as drugs, alcohol, sex, abortion and politics. Bart also talks about politics, boyfriends, girlfriends and weekend plans.
The most serious problems for John are violence, teen pregnancy, AIDS, drugs and alcohol. For Estelle, serious problems are pressure to drink and smoke, and the fact that being a teenager is often not fun. Bart does not think teenage life has many serious dangers.
Yes, their mates influence them, but in different ways. John says mates’ influence makes teenage life difficult. Estelle feels pressure from others to drink and smoke. Bart says his friends do not put pressure on him.
They spend time together by talking, going out on weekends, attending discos and parties, and hanging around in groups of friends.
John calls the world “a very scary place” because violence, teen pregnancy and AIDS are increasing, and more teenagers are turning to drugs and alcohol.
Estelle thinks being a teenager is “a chore” because teenagers have to go to school, get good grades, and deal with their own problems. She also feels pressure from weekend activities and from people around her.
They think adults are often indifferent to teenagers’ problems. John says parents usually think that at sixteen or seventeen you are old enough to decide for yourself and let you do what you want. They do not really approve of this attitude.
John could say: “Teenagers today have a lot more to worry about than their parents ever did.”
Estelle could say: “Being a teenager isn’t fun. It’s a chore.”
Bart could say: “Being a teenager is great fun. Take it easy.”
Personally, Bart’s attitude appeals to me most because he is optimistic and relaxed. I disagree most with John’s opinion, because he sees only the dangers and problems, while teenage life can also be interesting and happy.
