A lot of people say that

Passive. It is said. He is said.

Passive voice is used in construction with Complex Subject to tell the information we are not sure.
Пассивный залог используется в конструкции с сложным существительным, чтобы сообщить информацию, в которой мы не уверены.

It is said that. He is said to. (be) supposed to.

These structures can be used with a number of such verbs as (Эти структуры могут быть использованы с рядом таких глаголов, как):

Сравните эти две структуры:
— Jane studies very hard.
It is said that she studies 12 hours a day. or She is said to study 12 hours a day.
— The police are looking for a missing grandmother.
It is believed that the grandmother is wearing a brown blazer and blue scirt.
The grandmother is believed to be wearing a brown blazer and blue scirt.

— The exams started two weeks ago.
It is expected that the exams will end soon. or The exams are expected to end soon

— Those two houses belong to the same family.
It is said that there is a bunker under them. There is said to be a bunker under them.

— ‘Why was he awarded?’ ‘He’s supposed to have made a new computer programm.’ (= he is said to have made a new computer programm)

But sometimes supposed to has a different meaning. ( Но иногда supposed, имеет различное значение) ‘Something is supposed to happen’ = it is planned, arranged or expected. Often this is different from what really happens ( Часто это отличается от того, что в действительности происходит) :
— I’d better hurry. It’s nearly 7 o’clock and I’m supposed to be meeting my wife Olga at 7.15. (= I have arranged to meet Ann, I said I would meet her)

— The train was supposed to arrive at 12.30 but it was half an hour late. (= the train was expected to arrive at 12.30 according to the timetable)

— Vlad was supposed to clean the house. Why didn’t he do it?
‘You’re not supposed to do something’ = it is not allowed or advisable for you to do it:

— You’re not supposed to cheat at the exam here. It’s the exam.

EXERCISES

1 Write these sentences in another way, beginning as shown. Use the underlined word in your sentence.

3 Now you have to use (be) supposed to with its other meaning. In each example what happens is different from what is supposed to happen.
Use (be) supposed to + one of these verbs:

arrive /be /block /come /park /phone /start

A lot of people say that it is very important for everybody to own property. However, others are not so sure that property can make our lives better.

Everyone has some possessions. People own cars, buildings, land, money, bonds, stocks and so on. We are used to consuming, selling, renting, mortgaging, transferring or exchanging our property. But sometimes people attach too much importance to their possessions.
Personally, I believe that property is not the most important thing in our lives. It may arouse other people’s envy and it is difficult to say whether people surrounding you are your real friends or they just like your possessions and want to make use of them. I strongly feel that having friends, parents, relatives, spouses and children who love and understand you is better than possessing money, houses or securities.
However, there are people whose desire to own things predominates over all other feelings. They often become «slaves of property». They usually try to make a commercial use of everything and the main aim of their lives is accumulation of their capital. They sometimes buy beautiful pictures and sculptures not because they admire works of art or drive inspiration from them, but because it is a way of investing money. But to my mind, a person who values only property is miserable because inanimate objects like cars, pictures or precious stones can’t make you happy.
To conclude, I think that possessing property is not a sin, but one should remember the proverb: «Money can’t buy happiness».

Some people say that making money with the Internet is reality, while others think it is a myth.

The Internet is not only a source of information and entertainment for many people. It can also help them make money from home. At the same time the Internet business may be hard to break into.
To my mind, the Internet gives people a great number of opportunities to make money. Some of them earn money building websites for different companies, organizations or businessmen. Many people use websites to sell different goods or services. Thanks to the Internet, e-learning industry which is estimated to be worth billions of dollars has developed. People also earn money by sending spam, creating computer viruses, putting advertisements on a web page and so on.
However, those who believe that the Internet can help them make millions in a few days may be disappointed. Even hard work does not always result in success. People usually have to invest some money to develop their online business. What is more, there is usually great competition on the Internet when thousands of other people are trying to sell similar goods or services. So if you want to succeed, you should be original in order to stand out from the crowd.
To sum up, the Internet may motivate people to earn money. I strongly feel that if you are not afraid of difficulties, if you are hard-working, energetic and persistent, the Internet business will help you become richer.

Some people say that high social status is very important for everybody. Others are convinced that it is better to have a high income.

In modern societies, a person’s social status depends on many factors including their income, education, occupation, inherited wealth and position, ownerships, personal skills, abilities and efforts. Some people achieve high social status through education, occupation, and marital status. But statuses can also be inherited through family.
To my mind, it is difficult to say which is more important: high social status or a high income. Sometimes an individual’s social positions have both positive and negative influence on their social status. For example, a teacher has a positive societal image which increases his status but may earn little money, which simultaneously decreases it. In contrast, a drug dealer, may have low social position though have a high income. There are a lot of professions that are not prestigious, but well-paid and vice versa. Personally, I would prefer having high social status to being rich.
Some people say that they would rather have low social status but earn much money. They are convinced that money can make them powerful and independent. Such people also say that we live in the world where almost everything can be bought and sold, even high social status. But I think that a person must be respected only for his or her individual merits and achievements.
To sum up, both a person’s income and social status depend on him or her and may be changed in the course of his or her life. So if you want to be wealthy, respected and successful, you must work hard to achieve this goal.

Technology is an important part of our lives. We use computers and other electric equipment at work and in the home. However, some people believe we rely too much on machines, and that the more technology improves, the lazier and weaker humans will become.

Technological advances are changing our lives very rapidly. Nowadays we can’t do without such gadgets as mobile phones, PCs, digital tape recorders, air conditioners, fax machines and so on. Many people feel ill at ease without their laptop computers or GPS navigation systems.
In my opinion, technology facilitates our lives and saves our time. Computers help us do the most difficult sums and investigate complicated data. People do business, communicate and do the shopping via the Internet. It is much easier to do housework nowadays, thanks to electric equipment such as microwave ovens, washing machines and so on.
However, many people say that technology makes us lazier and weaker. For example, such technological developments as the telephone and the Internet have made communication much easier, but they can cause the loss of social interaction. A lot of people prefer communicating through a keyboard than face to face. That is why people don’t meet as often as they did in the past. A lot of people are fond of watching TV and playing computer games. They spend hours in front of the screen. They have no time to read books or to communicate with their friends. They move less, speak less and they even think less. Of course, such way of life does much harm to their health.
To sum up, people should continue to develop technology, but they must do it wisely. Otherwise we may regret in the future.

Some people say that technical devices do more harm than good. However, others think that it is impossible to live without computers or mobile phones nowadays.

Nowadays people can’t imagine their lives without different technical devices. Every day we use computers, laptops, mobile phones, i-Pods, digital tape recorders and so on.
I have always wondered if our lives could be better without these technical devices. Personally, I can’t do without my computer as it helps me study. For example, it helps me prepare reports and create beautiful presentations. Besides, the computer is a great source of entertainment. I often play computer games, watch films or listen to music. The Internet helps me learn the latest news, access useful information, communicate with my friends and what not. A mobile phone is a vital part of my daily life. It gives me an opportunity to be reachable everywhere and to keep in touch with my friends.
However, many people say that technical devices enslave those who use them. Besides, they do much harm to our health. For example, if people spend much time in front of the screen, they have problems with their eyesight and sleep. They don’t go out or exercise, they feel exhausted and depressed. Computer games can cause addiction and make people aggressive. As for mobile phones, they use electromagnetic radiation which can influence our health in a negative way.
To conclude, I would prefer a technological way of life to a natural one, though it has a number of disadvantages. In my opinion, modern society can’t do without progress and technology. People can avoid the risk to human life and health if they use technological devices wisely.

Mobile telephones have become very popular nowadays. However, some people say that their use should be restricted.

Mobile phones have changed people’s lives. They give us an opportunity to stay in touch and to be reachable everywhere. It is very comfortable, especially for the busy modern lifestyle. So, the mobile phone has become a vital part of our daily lives and it is difficult to imagine how people lived without mobile phones in the past.
In my opinion, the mobile phone is a very useful device. Thanks to it, I can access people I need to speak to and I can never miss anything important. If I need some help, I just call my friends and they rush to rescue me. If I have a meeting and I’m late, I can send an SMS with my excuses. It is very fast and convenient. What is more, with the help of my mobile phone I can access the Internet, send and receive photos and video, play games, listen to music and what not.
However, mobile phones have some disadvantages. Firstly, they deprive people of privacy and it is almost impossible to relax with your mobile phone on. Secondly, many people are worried about the harmful influence of mobile phones on their health. Mobile phones use electromagnetic radiation. Scientists say that there is no significant health effect from mobile phone radiation. But still it is better not to use your mobile phone too often.
To sum up, a mobile phone is very useful because it gives us the freedom of movement. It has made communication much easier. But we shouldn’t forget that a face-to-face conversation is much better than just a telephone talk.

Most people are used to sending e-mails and SMS messages. But others still prefer traditional paper letters or phone calls.

Nowadays more and more people are sending e-mails and SMS messages, while others say that it may lead to the loss of social interaction.
Personally, I communicate with my friends through e-mails and SMS messages. To my mind, they have a number of advantages. Firstly, both e-mails and SMS messages are rather cheap and quick. Secondly, they are non-intrusive. In comparison with a call, they do not interrupt a person if he or she is in the middle of a meeting and can’t answer you right now. Besides, there are no standard rules for writing e-mails and SMS messages, and a lot of words can be shortened. Their objective is to convey a comprehensible message as quickly as possible. That is why traditional rules of grammar, spelling and punctuation are largely ignored.
However, a lot of people say that sending an e-mail or SMS message is not the same as writing a letter. Paper letters are usually intimate and long. They give you an opportunity to tell your friends or relatives all the latest news and to express your feelings. As for e-mails and SMS messages, they are often short and impersonal. You can’t see the sender’s handwriting, you can’t feel the crisp paper and you are not likely to re-read these messages. But I still believe that sending e-mails and SMS messages is more effective than writing letters.
To conclude, when we are short of time, e-mails and SMS messages are the best way of communication. But if we want to give or learn more detailed information, letters or phone calls are better.

The Internet has revolutionized the way people live and work. However, some people think it has more drawbacks than advantages.

The Internet is a great source of information and entertainment for many people. It has made possible new forms of social interaction and has become a major source of leisure.
Personally, I can’t imagine my life without the Internet. Thanks to it, I have an opportunity to access news, documents, images, sounds, video, games and sports reports, to make friends, to book tickets and to purchase different things online. There are a lot of different sites for pupils, students, gardeners, engineers, bankers, people who are fond of music, cinema, sports and even for disabled people. What is more, the Internet has revolutionized the way people communicate. Sending electronic text messages is much faster and easier than writing letters. People use e-mail to stay in touch with friends worldwide.
However, there are still a lot of people who think that the Internet has too many disadvantages. Internet-addiction is a topical problem nowadays. Spending much time in front of the screen becomes a kind of obsession for many people. The symptoms of Internet addiction include sleep deprivation, decreased physical activity and social interaction with others. People who spend most of their time in the virtual world forget about the real one. They neglect their relatives and ruin their families. Besides, there is a lot of rubbish online and you can’t always trust what you read on the web.
To sum up, the Internet becomes dangerous when it is misused. But if it is used wisely and moderately, it helps you work, study or entertain and saves plenty of time.

Internet dating is becoming more and more popular. However, many people say that meeting people online is dangerous.

Nowadays a lot of young people feel that meeting people online is just the same as meeting in a bar. Many of them make friends online and even fall in love with their virtual interlocutors.
To my mind, it is silly to trust a person you have never seen. You can never be sure that you communicate with the individual whose personal information and photos you see. For example, a «young» boy may turn out to be a 50-year-old man. Besides, it is very dangerous to give detailed personal information to complete strangers. Your online friend may be a swindler or even a murderer. So meeting such a person in real life may be extremely risky.
On the other hand, some people say that internet dating has many advantages. Firstly, it is easier for shy people to chat through a keyboard than face to face. Secondly, you can search the Internet when you are not busy. Besides, you can talk to lots of people at the same time and you can have several online boyfriends or girlfriends. One can list all his or her romantic requirements and then find exactly what he or she wants. But I still believe that face-to-face dating is much better.
To sum up, internet dating may help you find love. If you don’t meet someone in real life, it seems a great alternative. But Internet daters must be cautious because you never know what you are going to get from online romance.

Various social networks have aroused great interest among Internet users. However, some people say that they have a lot of drawbacks.

Social networks are very popular among users of different ages and professions. But many people are concerned about the influence of social networks on their lives.
Personally, I think that social networks have a lot of benefits. Firstly, they link together users of the Internet who have common interests and give people an opportunity to look for old and new friends, to build communities, to send messages and to share news and pictures. There are other sites which allow classmates from school or university to keep in contact with each other. Secondly, many people use social networks to communicate and exchange personal information for dating purposes. Thirdly, social networks are being used by teachers and students. Teachers often help pupils with homework and post assignments, tests or quizzes. Social networks also serve to foster teacher-parent communication. Parents can ask questions without having to meet teachers face to face. Finally, some people search for job opportunities with the help of social networks.
However, some users are worried about data theft and viruses. The problem is that many people give out too much personal information that may be passed to third parties for different purposes. To protect user privacy, social networks allow users to choose who can view their profile or contact them. This prevents unauthorized users from accessing, adding, changing, or removing personal information and pictures.
To conclude, the popularity of social networks continues growing because more and more people find it easier to communicate digitally. What is more, millions of people use them for fun as well as for business and educational purposes.

Artificial intelligence performs quite a lot of jobs nowadays. However, many people are worried about computers doing the same things that people can do.

In the 90s and early 21st century artificial intelligence achieved its greatest success. Today clever machines are taught to think and make decisions. But is it safe that artificial intelligence is invading the world?
To my mind, computers and robots are very helpful. There are more and more jobs which humans leave to robots such as exploring another planet, defusing bombs or just doing boring household chores like cleaning. Computers can perform a lot of functions: they can control cars and planes, give us the news or compose music. Many factory jobs are performed by industrial robots nowadays. It has led to cheaper production of various goods, including automobiles and electronics. Artificial intelligence has successfully been used in a wide range of fields including medical diagnosis, stock trading, robot control, law, scientific discovery and toys.
However, there are some reasons to worry about robots. Firstly, the use of robots in industry leads to unemployment as many jobs are performed by machines. Secondly, industrial robots can be dangerous and cause harm to human workers. Besides, many people fear that highly intelligent robots may take over and destroy the human race. There are a lot of books and films about people losing control over clever machines that begin to kill their creators. But I believe that it is early to worry because robots are still clumsy and not very intelligent.
To conclude, artificial intelligence serves to help people and make their lives easier. That is why I think that we should promote research in artificial intelligence. But people must be careful and pay more attention to security.

People have different attitude to cloning. Some of them think that cloning opens new possibilities, while others are convinced that it is morally unacceptable.

Scientists have always dreamed of reproducing exact copies of animals and even human beings. They have already succeeded in this field and created Dolly, the first cloned sheep, and many other animals. But the question of cloning, especially human one, still remains controversial.
Personally, I think that cloning plants and animals is rather interesting and exciting. Cloned animals may be strong and healthy and they may produce more wool, meat or milk. Besides, cloning will help us preserve species that are on the brink of extinction. Moreover, cloning gives people new medical possibilities. Owing to it, scientists can create organs for transplantation and save people who need a new heart, liver or kidneys.
However, quite a lot of people are against cloning. They say that people must not interfere in the process of creating a new life because it is the duty of nature. What is more, scientists don’t know for sure how clones will behave and what diseases they may transmit. As for human cloning, it seems to be dangerous and morally unacceptable.
To conclude, I think that science must develop in order to improve our lives. But people should be more careful when they use new technologies and investigate new phenomena. So to my mind, cloning must be used only when it is necessary to save lives and to solve important problems.

The Large Hadron Collider (LHC), the world’s largest particle accelerator, is expected to advance humanity’s understanding of the deepest laws of nature. However, a lot of people are worried about its existence.

The Large Hadron Collider has gained considerable attention of the scientific community, the mass media and the general public. Experts say that it could change physics and our understanding of the world. But why do many people worry that the LHC would be a problem?
Personally, I’m amazed by all the interesting theories surrounding the LHC. Scientists hope that the Large Hadron Collider will help us answer many of the most fundamental questions concerning the structure of space and time, extra dimensions, the nature of the dark matter and many others. There hasn’t been any advance in fundamental physics for many years, but the LHC may help us understand how the universe works and discover new facts about it.
However, many people are against the LHC. The project costs much money and the LHC is considered to be one of the most expensive scientific instruments ever built. Moreover, people fear that the experiments at the Large Hadron Collider may be extremely dangerous and that it may swallow Switzerland or even destroy the planet. In his famous novel «Angels & Demons» Dan Brown describes antimatter created at the LHC which is used in a weapon against the Vatican. But according to scientists, the LHC presents no danger and there is no reason for concern. I strongly feel that the experiments at the LHC should continue because they are extremely interesting and nobody knows what is going to be found.
To conclude, I believe that the LHC may change the face of physics forever and help answer the questions that people have been asking since the beginning of time.

The use of polygraph still remains controversial. Some people think that this device helps detect a lie, while others are convinced that polygraph evidence is unreliable.

It is well-known that lying causes bodily changes. A polygraph, or a lie detector, measures the physiological stress a person endures while he or she gives statements or answers questions. The device measures the suspect’s heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate and respiration. If there is increased activity in these areas, the suspect might be lying. However, the accuracy of the polygraph has been contested almost since the introduction of the device.
Personally, I think that a polygraph is a very useful invention. If people believe that it can detect lies, they try to answer truthfully. In some countries polygraphs are used to interrogate suspects and screen new employees. Polygraph examinations sometimes help extract confessions from a defendant.
But experts say that the accuracy of this method is questionable. According to them, if you go into the test rested and relaxed, if you are cooperative and try to remain calm, you are likely to pass polygraph tests. There were some cases when polygraph failed to trap known spies. Conversely, innocent people have been known to fail polygraph tests. That is why polygraph results are not admissible as court evidence.
To conclude, I believe that no device or expert can detect a lie with 100% accuracy. To my mind, polygraph can make some people be honest, but it can also be deceived.

Some people think that science plays the most important role in the development of our civilization; others believe that our world would be impossible without poetry.

What does science have in common with poetry? Science is a product of people’s intellect. Poetry is a product of their imagination and inspiration. Science deals with bacteria, atoms, electricity, magnetic fields and so on. Poetry deals with human feelings such as love, jealousy, hatred and others.
I believe that the world wouldn’t develop without science. The aims of science are making discoveries and increasing human knowledge and understanding. Science deals with such areas as the theory of evolution, the method of creation of the universe and the Earth, the origins of life and many others. Science has already helped people answer a lot of complicated questions. With the help of the latest achievements of science and engineering we can solve many problems and make our lives better.
However, many people are not sure that all we need is science. Some of them are convinced that our lives would be dull without poetry. People’s feelings are so intense, that they want to express them using beautiful language. Poetry serves to stir our imagination and to evoke emotional or sensual responses. While reading poetry we forget about our problems and experience the poet’s deepest dreams and fears. A good poem often makes us laugh or cry. It also makes us think about other people’s feelings.
In conclusion, I’d like to say that it’s rather difficult to live both without science and poetry. Science helps develop technology and solve many problems. Poetry helps make our lives more colourful and romantic. Besides, it helps us not to forget about human feelings, values and beliefs.

Some people think that science has nothing in common with religion, while others are convinced that it is not so.

There seems to be an eternal conflict between science and religion. Religious people have disagreed or are still disagreeing with scientists in different areas. Does it mean that there is a great gap between science and religion?
To my mind, science and religion have little in common. Science is a product of people’s intellect. Religion is a product of the mystical sense and it requires some unquestioned faith. Science is based on observation, research and experiment. Religious knowledge is gained from religious leaders, scriptures and personal revelation. Scientists are convinced that there must be explanations for all mysterious phenomena. It has already answered some complicated questions about bacteria, atoms, electricity, magnetic fields and many others. Religion deals with questions which science has not answered yet. What is the purpose of our life? Is there life after death? What happens to the soul?
However, many people say that science and religion are not as different as it seems to be. Many scientists dedicate their lives to solving the riddle of existence. But the more they learn about the world, the more complex and harder to grasp it seems to be. Many scientists such as Albert Einstein or Isaac Newton were devoutly religious individuals and worked to harmonize science and religion. What scientists call the Energy is called God by religious people. Besides, more and more scientists are becoming religious and they are beginning to use words like «God», «soul» or «spirituality».
To conclude, one day people may realize that science and religion have a common ground and that spiritual power is as important as scientific power.

Some people like supermarkets and shopping centers. However, others say that they have too many disadvantages.

Some people enjoy buying different things, while others say that our lives would be better if we bought fewer goods.

To buy or not to buy? That is the question. Modern society is often called consumer society, because buying goods and services is considered to be very important. What people need depends on their age, character, way of life and other factors. But do we really need as much as we buy?
Personally, I am fond of shopping. I often buy things which I don’t really need, but which make my life a little happier such as an MP3 player, designer jeans, beautiful postcards or a bar of chocolate. There is always a wide choice of different goods in every shop and supermarket and when I see beautifully shaped bottles and bright wraps, I can’t resist the temptation to buy things.
However, some people say that if we bought only what we needed, there would be enough for everybody. If we buy fewer goods, we will become «conservers» because it will help save natural resources. Some products have too much packaging, creating more rubbish and causing pollution. Besides, if we don’t buy so many things, we won’t have to work so much. We will reduce our working day and we will have more spare time. It will give us an opportunity to go in for sports, to travel and what not.
To conclude, when we go shopping, we should think about what we really need to buy. It is also useful not to take much money with you and to make a list of goods you need, so that you will not be influenced by advertisements, discounts or promotions. Our lives may become happier and healthier if we buy less.

Some people think that excessive shopping is a hobby and the way to spend your free time. Others say that shopaholism is a disease with its specific symptoms.

Many people, especially women, consider shopping to be a leisure activity. They go shopping to pass the time and to get pleasure. However, love for shopping is all right until it turns into addiction.
To my mind, shopaholism is becoming a global problem, with the growth of advertizing and online trading. It can be compared with smoking, alcoholism or drug abuse. People who are addicted to shopping say that the act of buying gives them a high like a drug. Shopaholics often feel satisfaction when they are in the process of purchasing. Shopping gives them a sort of euphoria and excitement. It helps them forget about their sorrow. But there is usually a feeling of disappointment afterwards, followed by guilt. Shopaholics feel either regretful or depressed when they get home. Some people become so ashamed of their problem that they may commit suicide. Furthermore, shopaholism leads to emotional, social and financial problems. The consequences also include ruined relationships, health problems, extreme levels of debt or even theft.
Nevertheless, some people do not realize how destructive the nature of shopaholism is. They don’t take any measures when their friends or relatives spend much time and money on buying useless things. But they must understand that shopaholism is not just love for shopping. I think that people who are addicted to shopping must receive treatment for shopaholism.
To conclude, shopaholism is a serious disorder which can lead to numerous problems. That’s why it is essential to notice early signs of this addiction. If you catch the trouble early, the problem may be easy to fix.

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Our life is full of stress. Some people say that they feel stressed almost every day, while others think that it is possible to cope with stress and to relax.

There are a lot of stressful events in our lives. Losing a job, having difficulties at home or at work or just moving to a new flat may cause stress. Besides, we may feel stressed because of constant fatigue, physical and moral exhaustion and monotony. Some people say that it is impossible to avoid stress. But is it really so?
It is a well-known fact that stress may result in a real breakdown of health. That is why it is very important to try to avoid stress or at least to minimize it. In my opinion, one of the best ways to cope with stress is to keep a sense of humor in difficult situations. I think laughter is the best medicine for all diseases. Besides, if you feel depressed, you can try some relaxing hobbies such as yoga, swimming, bicycling, painting or gardening.
Of course, people react to stress in different ways. Some of us are more vulnerable to it than others. A lot of people don’t know how to cope with stress. They begin overeating, smoking, drinking, and even taking drugs. But junk food, cigarettes, sleeping pills and alcohol don’t help. On the contrary, they make things much worse. I believe that the best way to cope with stress is to forget about your problems, to take breaks and to be enthusiastic.
Unfortunately, stress is inevitable. It may have a negative influence on our physical and mental health. But sometimes stress helps us develop and makes us stronger. To my mind, the main thing is not to lose control and to stay positive.

A lot of people believe that it is impossible to get rid of poverty. Others say that poverty can be reduced.

Nowadays millions of people live in poverty. They are deprived of common necessities such as food, clothing, shelter and safe drinking water. They also suffer from the lack of access to opportunities such as education, information, health care and employment.
I have always wondered if it is possible to get rid of poverty. I strongly feel that it is not fair that the rich live in luxurious houses and drive expensive cars, while the poor lack access to health services, suffer hunger and experience mental and physical health problems. All people are born equal. So why do they live in different conditions? To my mind, there must be more poverty reduction programs as well as institutions dedicated to tackling poverty. In politics, the fight against poverty must be regarded as the most important goal. Besides, developed nations ought to help developing countries.
However, it is not so easy to fight poverty. Poverty may be caused by different factors including geographic factors, unemployment, overpopulation, war, discrimination and many others. So if we want to reduce poverty, we must solve quite a lot of global problems first.
To sum up, the problem of poverty remains unsolved nowadays. In my view, governments must take some urgent measures to fight poverty because it often goes hand in hand with crime and it may destroy society. Anyway, poverty must be reduced for reasons of justice and security.

Most people are worried about the problem of overpopulation. Others think that the situation is not as terrible as it seems to be.

At the present time the earth accommodates more than 6 billion people. The world’s population is growing so fast because people live longer owing to better medical care and nutrition. Besides, more babies are born, especially in developing countries. But how can overpopulation threaten people’s life on Earth?
In my opinion, overpopulation makes the standard of living worse. The world’s population increases faster than the food supply. Each year millions of deaths occur from starvation, especially in Africa, Asia and Latin America. If the world’s population continuous growing, it will be very difficult to produce enough food and goods. More people need more water, minerals, shelter and clothes. Population growth is another reason for environmental problems as the more people there are on Earth, the more they pollute. They drive cars, throw away litter, cut down forests, use electricity, build roads and plants and deplete the planet’s resources.
On the other hand, in many European countries the average woman has only one child. In many big cities fertility rates are falling because some people think that it is rather expensive to have a child. Most young women dream of making a career. So they say they have much to lose by becoming mothers. As a result, families are getting smaller and smaller.
To sum up, the real situation is not so bad. To my mind, the problem of overpopulation can be solved if there is population control in some countries. Anyway, nobody knows what will happen to the human race in ten or twenty years.

Some people are convinced that the concept of pacifism may become reality, while others say it is a kind of Utopia.

Humans have always been competing for better life. Pacifists believe that war and violence are always wrong. But is it really possible to create the world where nonviolence, love and patience rule or is it just a dream?
I strongly feel that since nuclear weapons appeared, people have understood that war cannot be used to settle confrontations. To my mind, the costs of war are so substantial that better ways of resolving disputes must be found. Fortunately, some countries have already adopted pacifism to conduct foreign policy. They reject war and stick to a neutral role. Some pacifists say it is necessary to establish a world government in order to prevent and control international aggression.
In theory, people are creating a «peace-loving» society. In practice, there are still some military conflicts and tension between different countries. Civilization is still far from establishing a world government. What is more, the modern world is not perfect enough to avert wars. But I’m convinced that nonviolent action is morally superior and more effective.
To conclude, everybody wants to live in a peaceful world. That is why people must reduce regional and international conflicts and avoid all attributes which could tend to war. I believe that international disputes can and must be peacefully resolved. All in all, any violence is morally wrong.

Some people say that gambling is just entertainment, while others are convinced that it ruins gamblers* lives.

For centuries people have spent a lot of money trying to beat the laws of probability. Some of us find gambling quite innocent. But most people believe that gambling is one of the worst temptations that exist in this world. This problem is taking on greater proportions as gambling, especially online gambling, becomes more popular.
I have always wondered what makes people risk their money or possessions. Of course, everybody hopes to gain an income. Some people even succeed in winning additional money or material goods. Others consider gambling to be a form of recreation. They enjoy gambling for the thrill of it, and they both have fun and earn a little money.
But while some people enjoy the entertainment value of a horse track or casino, others can become addicted to gambling which threatens their financial and family’s well-being. Many gamblers are possessed by the idea of getting rich quick. They often continue risking their money even after repeated losses. In my opinion, an addiction to gambling is like an addiction to any other thing. However, since it does not have any physical signs, most people discover that their relatives or friends are addicted only when it becomes too late. What is more, many people say that casinos contribute to crime because some gamblers resort to stealing.
To conclude, gambling must be banned or at least heavily controlled. Unfortunately, quitting gambling is just as hard as quitting smoking or taking drugs. I believe that gambling addicts must receive medical treatment. Otherwise they may ruin their lives and the lives of their nearest and dearest.

Some people say that in the modern world we are losing our sense of spirituality. Others are convinced that people still need faith.

In the past faith played a central role in people’s daily lives. But the situation is quite different today. A lot of people never attend religious services of any kind and some of them say they have no religion at all. But what could have brought about such a dramatic break from tradition and how can it influence our way of life?
I have always wondered what role faith plays in our lives. In my opinion, faith can help people cope with difficult emotions or moral decisions. When everything goes wrong and you feel extremely unhappy, faith can help. I think that a person who believes in God has courage, hope, confidence, calmness and assuring trust that all will come out well. Faith helps people overcome all difficulties and remain optimistic whatever happens.
Unfortunately, scientific advances have made many people question their religious beliefs. The terrible events of the 20th century have also made others question the existence of God. A lot of people say that science is more important than religion because it tries to solve the problems connected with reducing pollution, protecting biological diversity, saving energy and natural recourses and many others. But I strongly feel that if we want to resolve the global crisis and to improve our cultural, social, economic and political systems, we need faith and spirituality.
To conclude, people need to change their attitudes, values and beliefs. Faith can help us become kinder, more generous and responsible. I believe that it will make our lives much happier.

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Some people say that it is very important for everybody to have a hobby. Others do nothing but watch TV or listen to music in their free time.

Our lives would be hard without rest and recreation. People have quite different ideas of how to spend their free time. For some of them the only way to relax is watching TV or drinking beer. But other people use their spare time getting maximum benefit from it.
I strongly feel that hobbies make our lives much more interesting. There are different kinds of hobbies such as reading, cooking, knitting, collecting, playing a musical instrument, painting, photography, dancing, travelling, sports and many others. So you can always find an exciting activity which you will certainly like. Personally, I am fond of camping. To my mind, it is a great opportunity to get away from town life. What is more, camping is a cheap way to rest, to improve your health, to train yourself physically and to enjoy nature.
Nevertheless, quite a lot of people have no hobby. Most of them say that they are too busy or too tired to do anything in their free time. But I am sure that such people are lazy and passive and their lives are dull and uneventful.
In general, having a hobby is very important for everybody because it is a kind of self-expression and the way to understand other people and the whole world. A hobby makes you stronger physically and mentally, helps you escape from reality, improve your knowledge, broaden your mind, develop your skills and gain a better understanding of how the world works.

Many teenagers enjoy playing computer games. Some people, however, believe that teenagers should spend their free time doing more physical activities.

Computer games are extremely popular nowadays. A lot of teenagers play computer games in order to escape dull reality and to fight with horrible monsters or to save the world from hostile aliens.
Personally, I am fond of playing computer games. They give me an opportunity to plunge into exciting adventures: to overcome obstacles, to fly an aircraft or to pilot a spacecraft, to solve different puzzles, to look after a virtual pet, to build cities, to play sport games and even to control the lives of people. Computer games are constantly becoming more life-like and complex. New styles and genres appear. That’s why I can’t resist the temptation to buy new computer games every month.
But according to experts, computer games can be rather dangerous and they can harm teenagers’ health. They say that computer games make young people unsociable and passive. They are absorbed in games without speaking to each other for a long time. A lot of teenagers can play for hours without eating, sleeping or learning. They sit in front of the computer screen exercising their fingers instead of doing physical activities. That’s why the levels of obesity among teenagers are rising. Besides, computer games cause addiction.
To conclude, computer games have both advantages and disadvantages. Violent computer games make teenagers aggressive. But educational games help teenagers develop many skills. Anyway, it is necessary not to forget about sports as it helps teenagers to be healthy and to stay in good shape.

Some people prefer eating out. However, many people still like cooking meals at home.

Different people have different tastes. Some of them prefer eating out, while others enjoy tasty food at home. In the past people went to cafes and restaurants only on special occasions. But they are eating out more frequently now.
Personally, I enjoy eating out. Firstly, the choice of restaurants is great nowadays. You can try different foreign cuisines and you can always find something to your taste. There are Italian, Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Mexican, Turkish and many other restaurants in every city. Besides, you can go to bars, cafes or pubs. Secondly, many people work too much and have no time to cook meals at home. Thirdly, they go to bars, cafes or restaurants to meet with their friends or to celebrate a holiday. Finally, at a restaurant you will be able to relax and enjoy tasty food, good service and the atmosphere of festivity.
However, a lot of people prefer eating at home. Some of them say that it is too expensive to go to a restaurant. Others just enjoy cooking meals. What is more, some people are sure that home meals are tastier and more nutritious than food which is served at a restaurant or a cafe.
To sum up, eating at home is cheaper and more traditional. But if you want to relax and to feel a holiday atmosphere, you will certainly eat out.

Ecotourism is one of the fastest-growing sectors of the tourism industry today. Some people think that it teaches tourists to take care of nature and wildlife. Others say that ecotourism has a number of disadvantages.

Environmental pollution has disastrous effects on nature and wildlife. That is why nowadays many people try to damage the environment as little as possible. Ecotourism means travelling to natural destinations with rare flora and fauna. Its main goal is to conserve the environment and to improve the well-being of local people.
In my opinion, ecotourism gives us an opportunity to broaden our mind, to discover new ways of life, to meet interesting people and to improve our knowledge of history and geography It provides funds for conservation and jobs to local people because tourists use local transportation, inns and markets. Besides, ecotourism helps people understand the environment around them, makes them respect different cultures and be careful with nature.
However, ecotourism has some negative aspects. The increasing number of tourists can damage the local environment. Some tourists pollute drinking water, pick up rare flowers and disturb wild animals. They often purchase souvenirs made from the skin of endangered animals or leaves of rare plants and scare away animals.
In conclusion, I think that ecotourism is for environment-conscious people who love nature, understand the negative influence of conventional tourism on the environment and want to minimize it. I strongly feel that it is an unforgettable experience which is rewarding at the same time.

Some people are ready to risk their lives in order to establish a record, while others say that it is rather silly.

Every year hundreds of people do rather dangerous and silly things in order to set up a record and to become famous. They swallow bugs, climb skyscrapers, cross the ocean on a windsurfing board and what not. Are these people heroes or fools?
To my mind, all these activities are just a waste of time, efforts and money. If people want to escape everyday monotony and to get their portion of adrenaline, I think they would better do something useful. What is more, record breakers are often inexperienced and sometimes they get into trouble when they climb Everest, sail across the Atlantic or do something of this kind. Thus, adventurers risk both their lives and the lives of the people who try to save them. Helicopter and ship crews are often wounded or killed when they try to reach people who lost their way in the forest, were stuck in the mountain or crashed into the sea. Such rescue missions are not only difficult and time-consuming. They also cost much money.
But in spite of numerous warnings, people continue doing silly and dangerous things. Most of them think that they are extremely brave, strong and hardy. They want other people to admire them and to follow their example. But I’d rather call these adventures foolhardy. To my mind, if they want to get the adrenalin going, they should try such professions as rescuers, pilots or firemen.
To sum up, the adventurer should think twice before he makes up his mind to risk his life and health. It is always useful to think about all possible consequences of your actions.

A lot of people are fond of watching TV. Others say that television is becoming a national disease.
Every day millions of people watch TV and find it the best way of entertainment. Why is television so popular?
Personally, I spend at least two hours a day watching TV. Thanks to television, I can learn about the latest international and local events, I «travel» all over the world and broaden my mind. Television gives me food for thought, introduces me to new ideas and activities. There is always a great variety of programs on TV: news and sports programs, talk shows and TV games, documentaries and feature films, concerts and theatre performances. Besides, there are a lot of excellent educational programs for children and teenagers. They help them improve their knowledge, transfer them to different places and develop their imagination and creativity.
However, there are a lot of silly programs and commercials on TV which stuff our heads with nonsense. Some people don’t choose what they watch and they are glued to the screen the whole days. Watching television can be addictive as well as smoking or drinking coffee. This fact lets some people affirm that television is becoming a national disease. The other problem is that there is too much violence on TV. Every day we are reported about natural disasters, murders and robberies. We watch hits where people are killed before our very eyes. It dulls our sensitivity and makes us aggressive.
To conclude, it’s up to you to decide what to watch and how much time to spend in front of the TV-set. All in all, television can be very dangerous when it is misused. That is why it is very important to choose programs that we watch very carefully and to limit our viewing time.

Some parents allow their children to watch TV the whole days, while other parents are worried about the negative influence of television on children’s physical and mental development.

A lot of parents still don’t know how television influences children’s health and development. Is it all right to let children watch TV as much as they want?
In my opinion, it’s not right that some parents use television as a babysitter in order to keep their children quiet. Besides, many of them don’t care what films and programs their children watch. As a result, boys and girls watch hits, commercials, soap operas and programs which are not intended for them. As experts point out, television delays children’s speech development. What is more, a lot of adults complain that they can’t get their sons and daughters to leave the TV-set when they want to play with them or to take them to the zoo. Nowadays some children are so addicted to television that they are not interested in anything else: they don’t read books, communicate with grown-ups and other children. They move less, speak less and they even think less. As a result children are becoming passive, lazy and dull-witted.
However, television has some advantages as well. There are a lot of good cartoons and feature films for children on TV. Besides, there are excellent educational programs and programs designed for schools. They help children broaden their mind, transfer them to different places and develop their imagination and creativity.
To some up, if a child’s parents are clever enough, they will choose carefully what their son or daughter watches. It is very important to limit children’s viewing time. Boys and girls should understand that there are a lot of other interesting and useful things to do besides watching TV.

Many people watch soap operas because they find them enjoyable and realistic. Others say that watching soap operas is just a waste of time.

1 have always wondered why there is so much talk about soap operas. Most people either like or strongly dislike them.
Personally, I don’t watch soap operas. I find them absolutely uninteresting and totally boring. As a rule events unfold rather slowly and sometimes actors’ performance leaves much to be desired. Some soap operas have been running for several years. If I have some free time, I’d rather read a book, listen to music or go for a walk with my friends. I think soap operas are aimed at housewives and pensioners who have much spare time. To my mind, people who are fond of soap operas find their own lives rather boring. If a person’s life is full of interesting events, he or she will hardly have a desire to spend hours in front of the TV-set watching other people fall in love, quarrel, separate and so on.
However, a lot of people say that watching soap operas gives them an opportunity to relax, to experience the main characters1 feelings and to plunge into exciting adventures. People who like soap operas try to see every episode. And later they discuss what happened to their favourite characters with their friends or colleagues. Thanks to soap operas, they can learn about the lives of rich and glamorous people. Besides, watching soap operas is the best entertainment for old and disabled people who are confined to their homes and who lack communication.
To conclude, it is up to you to decide whether to watch soap operas or not. Anyway, tastes differ and what is interesting to you may seem totally boring to other people.

Some people are fond of reality TV shows, while others are against them.

Nowadays there are a lot of television programmes that put ordinary or famous people in different situations, film them over a period of weeks or months, and let the viewers watch what happens every day. Reality shows now dominate the TV schedules, but different people have different attitude to these programmes.
Personally, I think that watching reality shows is a waste of time. Most of them are boring and stupid. I don’t care about celebrities eating bugs or police officers chasing after stolen cars. To my mind, there are too many reality shows on TV and all of them are exactly the same. What is more, reality shows have become more personal and even humiliating. They are full of awkward situations and they make people do silly things to please the masses. So I’d rather watch a good movie.
However, millions of people love watching reality shows. They say reality television gives ordinary people a wonderful opportunity to become national celebrities, at least for a short period. For some people watching reality shows is a great way to pass the time and they consider these programmes to be rather funny. Some viewers are addicted to reality shows and watch them for hours. But I think it is better to worry about your own life than the lives of other people.
In conclusion, I would like to say that television should give us food for thought, and introduce us to new ideas and activities. As for reality shows, they stuff our heads with nonsense.

Some people say that television, radio and newspapers have changed our lives for the better. However, others believe that the mass media has more disadvantages than advantages.

Nowadays the mass media actually rules the world. It has a lot of power because its tool is information and its aim is to make information available to ordinary people.
Personally, I can’t imagine my life without newspapers, radio and television. They inform us of what is going on in the world and give us wonderful possibilities for education and entertainment. On every news-stand there are dozens of newspapers for businessmen, children and teenagers, sports fans and so on. To my mind, you can always find a newspaper which suits your interests. Television is the main source of news for millions of people. It gives us an opportunity to «travel» all over the world. Besides, it helps us relax and escape from reality. As for the radio, I like listening to it in the car, in the open air, or when I do something about the house.
On the other hand, newspapers, radio and television often inform us of dramatic events. Many people say it makes them feel depressed. One more disadvantage is that the media spreads gossip about different celebrities and their private lives. What is more, newspapers, television and radio have become major advertising media. Advertisements and commercials make people buy a lot of useless things. Moreover, they can be harmful. For example, cigarette or beer advertising can increase the consumption of these goods and cause problems with health.
To conclude, it is still an open question if it is good or bad that the media moulds public opinion. Anyway, I’m sure that people should not believe everything they hear, see or read about.

Some people prefer to live in a big city, while others would like to live in a small town or in the country.

Those people who live in a big city and those who live in a small town or in the country lead different ways of life. We choose where to live according to our preferences and character.
There are a lot of advantages of living in a big city. Firstly, people have more opportunities to receive good education and to find a well-paid job there. In any city there are a lot of educational establishments and a great number of firms which need qualified specialists. Besides, there is a wide choice of entertainment in a big city. One can visit concert halls, theatres, museums, art galleries, cinemas, clubs, restaurants, cafes, discos and what not. To my mind, a big city gives people all modern conveniences and cultural opportunities.
However, it is well-known that citizens suffer from a great number of problems such as traffic jams, huge crowds of people, dirty public transport and many others. Living in a big city is dangerous to your health. Factories emit tons of harmful chemicals; cars exhaust toxic gas and the air is so dirty that it is hard to breathe. That is why a lot of people prefer living in the country to living in a big city. In a village one can enjoy fresh air, beautiful nature and the quietness of provincial life.
To conclude, it’s up to you to decide whether to live in a city or in the country. But I think that if you are tired of noise, illumination and crowds, you can always leave a city and have a rest in the country to improve your health or just for a change of scene.

Some people say that it is impossible to feel lonely in a big city. However, others believe that quite a lot of citizens suffer from loneliness.

It is rather difficult to live in the world of strangers, that’s why people need friends. They give us a sense of being protected, emotional comfort and moral support. But is it easy to make friends when you live in a big city?
To my mind, loneliness is a wide-spread problem nowadays. Living in a big city many people often feel that they are not noticed because of the fast pace of city life. You can stand on the street for several hours and nobody will pay attention to you. Sometimes you feel as if you suddenly became invisible. A big city is a place where millions of people live and work, but still it is very difficult to find a devoted friend in this indifferent crowd. City life absorbs people and makes them forget about such essential things as rest, recreation or friendship. So you can feel lonely even if you are surrounded by hundreds, thousands or millions of people.
On the other hand, the city offers you a wide choice of places where you can relax and meet somebody. You can visit clubs, restaurants, cafes, discos, theatres, museums, art galleries, libraries, cinemas, parks, health clubs and what not. A sociable person can easily communicate with other people and make friends with them. So if you are a good mixer, if you are always optimistic and have a sense of humour, you will hardly feel lonely.
To sum up, I think that a big city gives you a lot of opportunities, but sometimes it can be cold, remote and indifferent. The main thing is not to despair, but to try to find friends.

2 задания по английскому языку

Advanced Level
№4
Use the derivatives of the words in bold to complete the text.

Healthy and Unhealthy Ways
In my opinion, a lot of people are 1) CARE enough about their lifestyles. They eat a lot, sleep rather little and 2) PRACTICAL don’t take any exercise. As a result many of them suffer from almost all imaginable diseases. The 3) HARM ways include eating meals 4) QUICK and having fast food regularly. Such people forget about relaxation and are always busy. Nowadays these habits have become really 5) DANGER.
On the other hand, more and more people say “No” to junk food and this kind of food is becoming 6) POPULAR. Lots of people see and understand how risky unhealthy ways are.

№5
Use the words in bold in the appropriate forms to complete the sentences.

People 1) USE language as a means of communication for thousands of years. Each language has 2) IT history. Most of the present-day European languages are Indo-European and they have a lot of similar words. Modern linguists believe that once people 3) SPEAK one original language. 4) THAT people lived in a cold climate. They 5) BE able to work with some metals. 6) THEY civilization existed in Eastern Europe about 3,000 years ago. It 7) BREAK up about 2,500 years ago. Nowadays nobody 8) KNOW why Indo-Europeans left their homes.

1)have been using
2)its
3)spoke
4)These
5)were
6)their
7)have been broken up
8) knows