Dialogue 2 “Problem with the Article”

Task: study the dialogue between a British and an overseas law student.

F.: I’ve just looked through the current statistical data on crime.	Ин.:   Я просмотрел последние статистические данные по уголовным преступлениям.
Br.: They show a steady crime rate increase, don't they? The fact is recorded by government.	Англ.: Они демонстрируют постоянный рост преступности, не так ли? Факт официально признается правительством.
F.: It isn't as simple as that. You see I'm writing an article for the 'Res Nova' – a kind of comparative crime research and ...	Ин.: Не так все просто. Понимаешь, я пишу статью для “Res Nova” – что-то вроде сравнительного исследования преступлений.
Br.: Are you? And how are you getting on with it?	Ан: Да? И как оно продвигается?
F.: Terribly! I've been slaving at it every evening for weeks!	Ин.: Ужасно! Я каждый вечер горблюсь над ним уже много недель!
Br.: Are there any general trends for different countries?	Ан: Существуют какие-либо тенденции для разных стран?
F.: Sure. The number of crimes committed in different countries seem to be increasing rapidly. But it's not clear whether people are breaking the law more, being caught more or report, other people's crimes more.	Ин.: Конечно. Количество преступлений, совершенных в разных странах, стремительно растет. Но неясно, то ли больше нарушают закон, или ловят больше, или сообщают чаще о преступлениях других.
Br.: Well, I know computer theft is on increase. And people tend to steal more cars.	Ан: Ну, я знаю, что компьютерное воровство увеличивается. А еще есть тенденция больше красть машин.
F.: That's a trend for industrialized rich countries. In developing countries a greater number of murders, assaults and other grave crimes are committed.	Ин.: Такова тенденция для развитых богатых стран. В развивающихся странах совершается большее количество убийств, нападений и других тяжких преступлений.
Br.: I see you're working too hard. Why not go out for a change?	Ан: Вижу, ты слишком много работаешь. Почему не пойти куда-нибудь отвлечься?
F.: Not a bad idea I regard.	Ин.: Думаю, это неплохая идея.

E x. 1. Find English equivalents for the following:

последние статистические данные, постоянный рост преступности; это официально признается правительством; не так все просто; И как идут дела?; общие тенденции; кажется, что количество преступлений растет; число компьютерных краж; почему бы не пойти куда-нибудь?

E x. 2. Put questions to the italiazed words:

1. Different governments continually review their ideas of what should be or shouldn't be considered crime. (1)

2. The concept of defence should not be confused with that of mitigation. (2)

3. In deciding if the defendant's act caused death, the court must be sure that the act was a substantial cause of the result. (2)

4. A person can be considered guilty of crime after the state proves he committed it. (1)

E x. 3. Sum up the information you have learned. Use the following words and word combinations:

current statistical data, crime increase, to record, to be as simple as that, to slave at smth, a general trend, rapidly, to break law, to report crime, to tend, computer theft, to commit a crime, to go out.

E x. 4.

a)    continuous — continuously

proper — properly

particular — particularly

comprehensive – comprehensively

legal — legally

formal — formally

b) 

1. Continuous efforts both on the part of government and citizens are required. If efforts are made persistently and ... there might be changes for the best.

2. Proper background and hard work are the first necessary steps in setting up one's own legal practice. I mean if you work hard and ... you will achieve sometingh in life.

3. Some progress has been made in particular industries. And it is ... important to make use of the experience they have.

4. Comprehensive laws are difficult to make, but each area of people's activities must be codified as ... as possible.

5. In each case a legal action can be taken against the individual who breached the regulations. I mean if you act ... you might have a chance to win.

6. In a formal situation we are expected to act ... .

LISTENING COMPREHENSION

Text "Ma"Barker"

Part A Pre-listening activities

I. Make sure that you know the following word phrases:

to protest innocence – to affirm strongly being not guilty

to raise bail – to pay a sum of money demanded by a law court as security

to hit the big time – to prosper

hideout – the plays where one hides to escape justice

Part B Listening activities

I. As you listen to the tape, make brief notes to help you answer the following questions:

1. Who were the members of "Ma Barker's gang?"

2. What crimes did they commit?

3. How were they captured?

II. Listen to the tape recording once more and complete the sentences:

1. "Ma Barker's gang was mostly composed of ...

2. "Ma" would appear in the court and protest ...

3. When Arthur Barker was captured, "Ma's" hideout ...

4. The FBI's g-men surrounded the house and called on ...

5. The FBI used tear gas but ...

Part C After listening activities

I. Listen to the song "Ma Barker" (Boney M). Does the text of the song correspond to the story you have just heard?

“Ma Barker” (tapescript)

"Ma" Barker's gang was mostly composed of her own four sons, and she led them to criminal fame. She was never arrested, but her sons often were. Ma would appear in court and protest their innocence or raise bail. By the time the gang was cleared up by the FBI it had been responsible for the deaths of four policemen, a civilian and on of their own number who talked too much. The Barkers hit the big time when they started kidnapping rich men for ransom, but this increased the pressure by police and the FBI on the gang and its members had to split up. When Arthur Barker was captured, Ma's hideout in Florida was revealed. The FBI's G-men surrounded the house and called on Ma Barker and her son Fred to surrender. "To hell with all of you", she replied and opened fire. The FBI used tear gas, but the gunfight continued until both Ma Barker and her son were dead.