Vocabulary

1. to live on their own – жить самостоятельно

2. treat – обращаться (с кем-либо)

3. adults – взрослые

4. likes and dislikes – предпочтения и неприязнь

5. is hot with the young – популярно среди молодёжи

6. youngsters – молодой человек, ребёнок

7. to live on their own – жить самостоятельно

8. support – поддерживать

9. I’m of age – я достиг совершеннолетия

3. Freedom of press

Freedom of press is one of the most valued achievements¹ of democracy. But many people suffer from journalistic mistakes. What can you say for and against freedom of press?

Press is called the fourth branch of power², and it is not less important than the other three. But it is the power which can cause good and bad³.

Of course, mass media help people keep informed⁴ about what’s happening in the world. Newspapers and political talk shows usually have serious discussions on home and foreign affairs⁵ and teach people to understand how the world develops. Tabloids⁶ have articles about fashion and stars of cinema and television, which are interesting to the young to learn how to find their style and way in life. Journalistic investigations help the society to learn about the things politicians would like to keep in the shadow⁷. That’s why newspapers, television and radio are useful for a democratic society.

Nonetheless⁸ there are publications which don’t follow the rules of the democratic press. These brainwashing journalists write false materials to form a wrong public opinion⁹. They try to make people think badly of good people and projects. This black PR companies are especially popular during the pre-election period¹⁰. Publishers, when they want to raise their ratings and get more money, they use intolerable means¹¹ such as pirate materials, intimate photos and lots of ads.

So the press can be a tool of democracy and the tool of tyranny. It depends mostly on the people who make it.

Vocabulary

1. valued achievements – ценное достижение

2. branch of power – ветвь власти

3. cause good and bad – причинять хорошее и плохое

4. keep informed – быть информированным

5. home and foreign affairs – дела в стране и за рубежом

6. the tabloids – жёлтая или бульварная пресса

7. to keep in the shadow – держать в тени

8. nonetheless – тем не менее, всё же

9. to form a wrong public opinion – формировать неправильное общественное мнение

10. the pre-election period – предвыборный период

11. intolerable means – нетерпимые средства

4. Living in a big city

Life in a big city is attractive to many people. But others consider it tiresome and tiring¹. What can you say for and against living in a big city?

Nowadays more and more people live in big cities. Some of them are born there, others come searching something². Are they satisfied?

It’s true that there are many advantages of living in a big city. It offers many entertainments and possibilities³. Cinemas, theatres, museums, cafes and restaurants open their doors to the public. Walking along its streets one can enjoy looking at beautiful buildings and statues.

In addition to it, there are more working places in cities, and salaries⁴ are higher than in the country. Life is more convenient because of many shops and supermarkets where you can easily do your shopping and which are open round the clock⁵.

But there are some disadvantages too. The first is that a big city is very dirty. The air smells⁶ petrol. There are lots of wrappers⁷ everywhere. Few trees. The second disadvantage is the anonymity of a big city, where people don’t care to know⁸ each other. The third, big cities are really big, and you have to travel an hour or more to get to work, while in the country people come home to have lunch with their families.

Considering⁹ both advantages and disadvantages, many people say that soon more people would choose to live in the country, where, thanks to¹⁰ the development of distance education and the growth of transportation system, they’ll be able to have the city standards of life combined with¹¹ the pleasure of life in a village.