Comprehension check

Ex. 1. Translate paragraphs 2, 4 in writing.

Ex. 2. Put 8-10 questions on the text so that they will cover its content.

Ex. 3. Mark the following statements as true or false:

1. The number of convict population in the UK is growing.

2. All local prisons in England are open.

3. Sentenced prisoners are classified into groups for security reasons.

4. Open prisons are prisons which do not have physical barriers to prevent escape.

5. People awaiting for a trial have more privileges than convicted prisoners.

6. The Government is trying to create better conditions for inmates.

7. Remand centres are not overcrowded.

8. All prisoners in Great Britain are housed in decent conditions.

9. Converted premises are expensive to maintain.

Ex. 4. Read and choose the correct alternative for the following sentences:

1. The aim of the Government is to provide …

1. severe treatment for criminals;

2. humane, efficient and effective prison service;

3. overcrowding in prisons.

2. Terrorists in Northern Ireland are serving sentences in …

1. closed prisons;

2. open prisons;

3. special prisons.

3. People who wait for trial …

1. stay in overcrowded remand centres;

2. stay together with other prisoners;

3. have certain privileges.

4. Many prisons in England and Wales …

1. are in decent conditions;

2. need repairing;

3. were built not long ago.

Text 7. Crime in sweden

1. Nowadays the number of crimes involving violence¹ is growing in Sweden as well as many other countries. The main course of this development is undoubtedly the use of drugs especially in larger cities. The higher rate of unemployment and growing racism are significant reasons too. Meaningless² murders and assaults are the frightening results. One can, as a consequence, see how people not only in countries like Sweden, arm themselves with weapons for protection, but violence breeds violence.

2. It is claimed that an efficient³ way to lower the number of acts of violence is to have more severe sentences. However, people who commit these crimes often have serious social and psychological problems. Many of them may therefore be indifferent to how severe the sentences are. Besides, these criminals do not think that they will ever get caught. Because of these reasons, I doubt that act of violence in Sweden would decrease if our government was to make the sentences for this type of crime more severe.

3. A common measure to reduce the acts of violence is to increase the number of policemen patrolling the streets. Although this is a good way of preventing acts of violence, it will not actually stop people from becoming criminals.

4. I am convinced that it is impossible to erase⁴ the violence related to criminality completely, but there is a way in which I think it can be reduced⁵ considerably. Children should be informed about crimes related to violence and drugs. This information should be given in kindergarten as well as in elementary school. Furthermore, it should especially reach those children who live in areas with high crime rates. The information should take the form of a discussion, not a lecture, led by some experts, preferably a local police officer.

5. Hopefully, the children would then at an early age already have some understanding of these problems that would be valuable to them for the rest of their lives. Although the cost for such a project would be considerable⁶, the benefits⁷ would be great. It would certainly prevent many from becoming violent criminals in the future.

Notes: 1) жестокость; 2) бессмысленный; 3) действенны, эффективный; 4) уничтожить; 5) снизить; 6) значительный; 7) выгода, польза.