Words to know: addiction, unability, properly, curiosity, sensations, on the contrary, undermine, lively, listless, detached — отстраненный, dependence, injection — инъекция.
Every type of addiction is dangerous for a personality. For an addiction we mean the unability to stop doing actions that are harmful for health.
Let us take for example, computer games. Nowadays many young people are keen on computer games. Such young people don’t eat, sleep, work or learn properly. It’s a great problem and parents don’t know how to make them get interested in a real life.
The tragic effect of drug-addiction is experienced by millions of people. The use of drugs starts at school, at parties, in discotheques, etc, when youngsters are no more than 15 to 17 years old. Often they make their first “try” out of curiosity – or so as not to be “different” from their “mates”. They want to get new, unexpected sensations, they hope it will stimulate their imagination and creative abilities. But, on contrary, drugs actually undermine creativity.
As a result of regular use of drugs an active and lively personality turns into a listless person, lacking in energy and without any interests. Life becomes focused on the need to get and apply drugs. It means that the total personality becomes influenced by the regular use of drugs. The addict gradually loses his or her better moral characteristics, becomes detached from friends and family. Drugs don’t mean enjoyment, they mean dependence. And it is too late when all the victims realize it. It can take a year or six months for that “dependence” to develop – but more often, just a month or two. Sometimes a person can become addicted after just one injection.
Young people can have health problems caused by smoking or drinking beer. They do it to look older and more independent.
Problem of Love
Words to know: stable relations, inexperienced, pregnancy — беременность, a proposal — предложение руки, break down — распадаются.
The problem of love is very important for young people. They believe that love can last forever. They think that desire and passion in love are enough. Unfortunately, often their hearts are broken. Young people are not always ready to have stable relations. In many cases they are too young and inexperienced to begin a family life.
Sometimes their relationships lead to early marriages and teenage pregnancy. But young people do not realize responsibilities when make a proposal of marriage. Early marriage, pregnancy and upbringing a baby can destroy their career plans, prevent from fulfilling their dreams. Only few marriages in youth end up happily. The majority of them break down in a year or two.
4. Answer the questions:
- Do you believe in «love with first sight»?
- Do you think that love at this age can be true?
- What should young people do if they love each other? Should they be together or wait until their coming of age (совершеннолетия)?
Problem of Choosing Future Profession / Problem of Education
Words to know: educational institution — образовательное учреждение, graduate — выпускник, poor-paid position — плохо-оплачиваемая должность, good score — хороший балл, suitable — подходящий
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The problem of education is also very serious. There are educational institutions at present but the quality of education is different. Some of are state, some are private. Some are difficult to enter, others are easy to enter. Some of them prepare specialists who can easily find a prestigious and well-paid job, others offer their graduates only poor-paid positions.
The choice of the educational institutions depends on the school you study at, your parents, the financial conditions of the family, your likes and dislikes. But everbody has to study hard because to enter a good institute they must have good score on their exam test.
It is a great problem to find a suitable institute and a profession for the rest of your life. But it is very important as making the wrong choice will influence your future life.
5. Answer the questions:
- Why is it important to make the right choice while choosing future profession?
- Why is it difficult?
- Would you like to get a good education? Why?
- Is it necessary to study hard at school to make a successful career? Why or why not?
Problem of Pocket Money
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The problem of money is important as well. Young people need to have pocket money for buying things for themselves, for example discs, fashion clothes, etc. As a rule, parents give their children money for food and clothes. However, in large families children have to work to pay for extra clothes, things necessary for hobbies, etc.
6. Answer the questions:
- Do you have enough pocket money for your needs?
- Is it your parents who give you pocket money?
- What do you spend your pocket money on?
- Have you ever tried to earn money? What did you do?
Bulling
Words to know: to bully, a bully, hurt, victim, pick on — приставать, avoid — избегать, stand up for — защищать, abuse – жестоко обращаться, threaten — угрожать, tease — дразнить, cause harm – причинять вред
Bulling is a problem which is wide-spread at schools and in neighbourhoods.
A bully is anyone who feels powerful when they hurt or pick on someone else. They do not need a reason, just a victim to tease, threaten, cause harm or abuse. If you are a victim of a bully, there are a few things you can do:
· Avoid the bully whenever possible. Walk or run away from the bully.
· Ask your friends to stick close. It is harder to pick on someone when they have friends standing up for them.
· Ask an adult (parent, teacher or counselor) for help.
· Be brave and firm. Tell the bully to stop picking on you, that you do not like it and will report the abuse if it continues.
If you see someone else being bullied, don’t get in the way; you could be hurt. Find an adult to help ASAP (As Soon As Possible).
7. Answer the questions:
- Is there bullying in your school?
- Have you ever been bullied?
- Have you ever seen someone been bullied? What did you do?
- What do you think is the best way to stop a bully? Give a talk on the problem.