7. Make a statement (you may use the statements in the preceding exercises). Let the other students ask you to expand on the point concerned.

Model:	Student 1:	TV is a unifying factor.
	Student 2:	Would you mind explaining that?
	Student 3:	Your point is not quite clear.
	Student 4:	Could you specify what you mean by a unifying factor?

You will see two fragments of discussions. In the first fragment A (the female speaker) and B (the male speaker) discuss the factors which can break up marriage and cause divorce. The second dialogue deals with the impact of divorce on the children of the divorcing spouses.

Dialogue 1

8. Read Dialogue 1. What changes in social and economic life strongly affect private life?

I see your point

A.: Did I understand you correctly that, in your opinion, divorce is mainly causes by factors external to marriage?

B.: Yes, that’s what I said.

A.: Does that mean that you consider ethical, psychological, and physiological factors less important in maintaining or breaking up a marriage?

B.: Not exactly. What I was trying to say is that some changes in our social and economic life have a strong impact on private life. They bring about a dramatic increase in divorce.

A.: I’m not sure what you mean. To what changes are you referring?

B.: The women’s liberation movement, the stain and stress of urban life, the sexual revolution, the decline of religion as an inhibiting factor, to name only a few.

A.: I see your point.

9. Read the dialogue once again and answer these questions.

1. Did A adequately understand B’s statement?

2. Did A draw correct conclusions from it?

3. Does A need any further explanation of B’s point of view?

Back up your answers by reference to the relevant phrases of the text. Turn to the script it necessary.

Dialogue 2

10. Read the Dialogue 2. What are the alternative views on the effect of divorce on children?

I can’t agree

A.: Excuse me, may I say something here?

B.: Yes, what is it?

A.: I’m afraid I can’t agree that divorce badly affects children in all cases. Sometimes it brings relief.

B.: Yes, go on please.

A.: When divorce is preceded by family conflicts and quarrels it is sure to relieve some stress in the child’s life. Besides, it gives a chance to have a happier life in a newly formed family if a divorced spouse remarries successfully.

B.: That may be so. But, on the other hand, don’t you think that children are usually excluded from their parents problem-solving and decision-making without any right to participate in them? Their opinions are not taken into consideration, their likes and dislikes are ignored. And this may be a cause of a very dramatic crisis for a child. It doesn’t matter how successful the relationship with the new mother or father might be in the future.

11. Read the dialogue once again and answer the following questions.

1. Are A and B in full agreement as to the impact of divorce on the children of the divorced spouses?

2. Which of the three statements below is correct?

a. B accepts A’s point of view.

b. B rejects A’s point of view.

c. B regards A’s point of view as plausible.

Back up your answers by reference to the relevant phrases of the text. Turn to the script it necessary.