2. Work in pairs. Compare your notes. Have you got enough material to write about 150 words on the topic? If you have too much, what would you leave out?

3. When you're writing a composition that asks you to give your opinion about a topic, you'll probably need to explain what you mean and give your reasons. Choose four of these opening lines and write two more sentences for each, adding an explanation or reason.

1. I hardly ever read a newspaper because . . .

I find that I get a much better picture of what is going on in the world by watching the news on television. Television news is also much more up-to-date than a newspaper and only the most important items of news are reported.

2. People like reading human interest stories in the paper, not politics, because . . .

3. Nuclear power stations are a good/bad thing because . . .

4. The reasons why the government should change/not change the law on drugs are . .

5. If a criminal has committed a very serious crime . . .

6. The only solution to terrorism is ...

7. Exams are a good/bad thing because . . .

8. Parents can be really annoying because . . .

III. Work in pairs. Look at these typical exam questions. Make notes of the points you could make if you wrote each of these articles.

1. An international magazine for young people is planning a special issue on pollution in different countries. Write a short article for this magazine, describing the situation in your country and what can be done to improve it.

2. An English-language newspaper in your country recently published a report about how few women take part in politics. Write an article for the newspaper, explaining why this so and how the situation could be improved.

3. A college magazine recently published a report that marriage is out-of-date. Write an article for the magazine, giving your views on this topic, based on your own experience.

IV. Write an article for a young people's magazine (120-180 words) beginning like this:

One of the most serious problems facing the world today is ...

or One of the most serious problems facing my country today is ...

Time yourself while you make notes and then write the article.

2 Work in pairs. Read each other's articles.

WRITING FOR WORK AND PLEASURE

A. Write a letter (100—150 words) to a newspaper, giving your reaction to one or more of the news items you have read.

B. Write an essay on newspapers in your country or on the influence of the press.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

ROLE PLAY

1. Role-play the conversation between the representative of the magazine and a reader. The reader finds fault with the quality and contents of the magazine. The editor promises to make next issues more interesting.

2. You meet your friend who is indignant at the gossip about his favourite singer published in the newspaper. You know it to be absolutely true. You try to convince your friend that the press doesn’t always lie.

BRAINSTORMING

Brainstorm the following idea: “The advantages and disadvantages of reading quality periodicals and popular ones.”

SITUATIONS FOR IMPROVISATION

Make up monologues on the following situations.

1. What is the difference between daily and Sunday papers?

2. What can you say about newspapers in Russia?

3. Speak on newspapers and magazines in GB.

4. What is the difference between popular and quality newspapers?

5. What do you know about news media in the US?

Make up dialogues on the following situations.

1. You are discussing newspapers and magazines in the USA.

2. You are discussing newspapers and magazines in Great Britain.

3. You are the editor of a magazine for women. Talk to your customer.

4. One of you is the editor of a popular newspaper, the other of a quality newspaper. Discuss their pros and cons.

5. One of you is the editor of a Sunday paper, the other – of a daily paper. Discuss merits and demerits of them.

6. You are discussing newspapers and magazines in Russia.