Разговорные темы для обучающихся 9 - 11 классов (стр. 2 )

Environmental Protection

Ecology is a science about nature and about the relations of man with it. Practically, it is a science studying whether we, human beings keep our common house, our planed the Earth, in a good state and how we use the gifts it is giving us: water, air, land, minerals, plants, animals etc. We are really one with nature, our planet and the Universe. We are part of the earth and it is part of us. The perfumed flowers are our sisters; the deer, horse, the great eagle – these are our brothers. Air, water and soil are necessary for existence of all living things.

Polluted air can cause illness, and even death. Polluted water kills fish and other marine life. On spoiled soil, food can not be grown. In addition, environmental pollution spoils the natural beauty of our planet. These are the names of the environmental problems of today:

-  Littering

-  Air pollution, smog

-  Water pollution

-  Overcrowding, overpopulation

-  Endangered species of animals which are almost extinct

-  The destruction of natural resources

We have a moral duty to look after our planet and hand it on in good order to future generations. Let everybody remember: we live only once and not a very long life. We have one earth for all those who love it and who do not.

Labour Opportunities in Russia

Finishing school is the beginning of the independent life for millions of school leavers. Many roads are open before them: technical schools, institutes, universities. But it is not an easy thing to choose a profession out of more than 2,000 existing in the world. There are many useful and interesting professions such as a teacher, a doctor, an actor, an artist, a secretary, a business person etc. But the most popular professions among the young people in Russia are a secretary, a business person, a designer, a layer, a computer programmer. I think the best way to prepare for any job is to get a good education – to do well at school and to learn all you can about your future profession.

Russian legislation gives wide opportunities for vocational training and for choosing a trade for all those who are looking for employment: young people who have left secondary school, young men after military service, people who have left their jobs because they have moved, housewives.

The local authorities are obliged to assist young people in finding a job. There are special job centres for young people which consult them about the opportunities in getting jobs.

The systems of National Insurance and Social Security provide financial help for different categories of citizens. National Insurance benefits are available to the sick, the retired, the disabled, the windowed and the unemployed.

In Russia an unemployed person must have worked at least 11 pensation depends on an unemployed person’s average salary. First 3 month the unemployed receives 75%, next 4 month – 60%, after that – 45% + 10% on every dependable family member. After a year minimal average salary is available.

Subcultures

Young people have a particular relationship with the world. There are many groupings or subcultures that have interests different from those of the mainstream culture. A particular cultural grouping is a way for young people to express their individuality. Different subcultures have their own beliefs, value systems, fashion, and favourite music. Some of the most popular subcultures are rockers, hippies, bikers, hackers, skinheads, punks, goths, ravers. When young people form different cultural groupings, they want to express their own identity, show off and rebel against the society, against the older generation.

Teenage rebellion caused different music styles to appear: reggae, punk rock, rock ‘n’ roll, psychedelic or acid rock, techno. The most famous musicians performing punk rock are the Six Pistols, the Clash; psychedelic rock – Pink Floyd; techno – Prodigy, the Chemical Brothers, Pearl Jam; rock ‘n’ roll musicians are Little Richard, Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley. The most famous musician of reggae is Bob Marley.

Members of different subcultures prefer different music styles, have their own image and values.

Members of punk subculture wear leather jackets, metal chains. They have brightly coloured hair. They reject (say no to) everything. Their music is aggressive.

Skinheads have very short hair. They are uninterested in politics, regarded as violent and aggressive. They are thought to be reggae and football fans. Most wear tight trousers and heavy boots (Doc Martens)

Bikers ride 2-or 3–wheeled motorized vehicles

Goths wear the blackest clothes, a lot of silver jewelry. They prefer reading Brown Stoker.

Ravers prefer all-night dance parties. They are thought to be rebellious. They enjoy listening to synthesized music (techno).

Members of mod grouping wear a neat white Italian shirt, a short jacket or green anoraks. They prefer soul music and ride scooters.

Hippies don’t conform to social standards. Their behaviour and attitudes differ from social norms. They listen to rock ‘n’ roll.

Rockers wear leather jackets, army boots and cowboy hats. They are associated with something rebellious.

Hackers are the “wizards” of the computer community; people with a deep understanding of how their computers work. They prefer techno, and industrial music.

Self-expression

Young people have a particular relationship with the world. Some of them support the ideas and values of the mainstream, others form different groupings. Most young people create a certain lifestyle within their subcultures. They do it for different reasons: some young people want to express themselves, their identity; others like to show off and say to everybody that they’re different. Teenage rebellion comes from boredom and grown-ups`indifference to them. I think it’s not easy to be young nowadays. Teens face different problems every day: lack of mutual understanding with their parents and teachers, violence, alcohol and drug addiction, problems at school and others. To join a particular grouping is a way to escape from the problems and boredom of everyday life.

As for me, I’m not a member of any subculture. I can’t approve punks, goths and ravers`behaviour. I don’t think it’s good when people reject everything. But hippies`ideas correspond to some of my own values. I also support a liberal attitude and lifestyle. Their good point is that they want to change the world to the best and they are not violent.

I have my own values, beliefs and my own way of self-expression. I don’t smoke and don’t take drugs to support a healthy lifestyle.

Some of my friends smoke just to show off, but I don’t think it’s good. Of course people can try out all sorts of options including smoking. It’s their choice. I like to be in a collective, but I personally prefer to be healthy. I like to be trendy and try to follow fashion. I study well enough at school and try to keep up-to-date. I have got a lot of friends and we are never bored together. Love and friendship are the most important things for me. In conclusion I’d like to say that we are all different and we are all special. In order to be happy we should understand each other and let people have their ways. We ought to respect another person’s choice. So, it’s my image and my way of self - expression.

Fashion

Let us talk about fashion. Different people have different attitudes towards fashion. But most young people think that fashion is important because it helps to express their individuality. Usually fashion reflects person’s values, feelings and beliefs. Clothes are immediate. They tell us about people right away. What’s more, clothes can be like drugs. Many teenagers easily become addicted. But fashion is changing. What was in fashion some time ago is out of fashion nowadays. For example, pale appearance, slim bodies and tight waists were the popular idea of beauty in the 18th century. In the Victorian age the rich English people displayed their wealth wearing silk clothes. In Tudor Times the most successful English men and women showed off their wealth wearing silk, woolen and linen clothing. At present not only the rich can afford to buy trendy clothes. Most teenagers prefer wearing things which express their own ideas and feelings. For different occasions people dress differently.

As for me I try to follow fashion and look trendy. I dress for the occasion and wear something nice I feel comfortable in. What I put on often depends on my mood. If I am at home I usually wear casual things, for going out wear I like anything trendy, as for a party or a concert I prefer a classic dress and high-heeled shoes. I think they will never go out of fashion.

I agree that clothes don`t make the man, but it is important to have a good taste of clothing. I like it when people look smart and attractive.

I think if a thing suits you, you`ll always look great. It is good when clothes match in quality, colour and design.

Books in our life

I’m fond of reading. Usually I borrow books from the library, but I have a lot of them at home too. As a rule, I borrow books on history because I like to learn some new information about our past. Most often I get books on fine arts because I’m fond of painting. I like to read books about the history of our country, about famous people and detective stories.

Literature means much in my life. It helps to form the character and understand life better. I think reading is important because it is the perfect way to spend free time and not to be bored. Books can tell us about ancient times, latest discoveries and other interesting things.

There are some names in Russian and foreign literature that are very dear to me. In Russian literature I highly appreciate Ivan Sergeyevich Turgenev. He created a number of national characters in his books. The image of Turgenev’s woman, deeply feeling, faithful and tender is an ideal of a Russian woman for me. It doesn’t lose its charm even today.

Of the present day writers and poets I like Eugene Evtushenko, Valentin Rasputin, Valentin Picul, Boris Vassilyev. Their works are very human and realistic.