2. Should people be responsible for their own health care and have private health insurance?

What is your opinion?

2. Our right to free medical care is guaranteed by the Constitution. In the USSR almost all kinds of this care were free of charge. Nowadays in new economic conditions only a small part of it is covered by state insurance. In other cases people have to pay for their medical treatment or to buy private health insurance. Is it right?

In my opinion, the government should have overall responsibility for people’s health. Firstly, those people who work pay enough taxes to ensure sufficient health care for everybody in their families and the authorities should provide money to keep medical service at a proper level. In addition, disabled and retired people who do not work have no money to pay for their treatment should not be underprivileged. Finally, medications are getting more and more expensive that is why not all people can afford to pay for the required medical care.

However, there are people who think that private insurance will provide better health care than state insurance. I think that quality of health care does not depend on who pays for your expenses but on the development of medicine in the state. What is more, private insurance companies may go bankrupt and people will not get any medical help at all.

In conclusion, I strongly believe that in a democratic highly developed society everybody should have the right to health insurance. Of course, people ought to be responsible for their health and avoid bad habits and do sports. But if they need medical help, the government should provide them with proper treatment and medications.

3. Lots of people enjoy different sports. However, there are people who think that sport is not really useful.

What can you say for and against doing sports?

4. Extreme sports have taken off in a big way over the last twenty years. However, quite a few people object to these dangerous sports, highlighting the risk of accident.

What is your opinion? Do you understand people who are fond of extreme sports?

• To be addicted to taking risks (doing risky things)

• Want to go to extremes

• To be risk-takers by nature

• To satisfy curiosity

• Want to take things to the edge

• To take risks for thrill and excitement

• Give up life for thrills

• Get the adrenalin up high

• To be daring and outrageous

• To do dangerous sports for the thrill of it, a new experience and new emotions to conquer

• I woudn’t try … because I am a chicken hearted

• It is a kind of need for them

• To look brave and strong

• Just to show off

• To overcome the fears and hardships

• Acquire self-confidence and sense of individuality

• Risky activities can lead people to injuries and even death

• Protest against smth

• People should think twice before…

«Nothing venture, nothing have.» « Faint heart never won fair lady». «He that hesitates is lost.» - Волков бояться – в лес не ходить. Кто не рискует, т