Listening and speaking section
Look at the photo below and answer the questions a-c.
a How would you feel being part of a crowd like this?
b Do you think individuals shape society or is it the other way round? Why?
c In what way can people have a positive influence on the society they live in?
Complete sentences a-h below by adding an appropriate word from the list.
issue initiatives difficulty attitudes aspect area outline alternative
a Let’s now examine the range of ……the government has introduced to improve social awareness.
b Another major ……that we face here is the quality of research.
c One ……of the problem that has yet to be considered is the cost of society.
d Another problem ……we must examine is the meaning of the word society.
e Let us now look at the burning ……of individual responsibility.
f Let’s start with a brief ……of the course.
g One obvious ……to consider was closing the project down.
h First, let us consider the various ……people hold towards enterprise in society.
When you listen to a talk you have to be able to listen to a guidance given by the speaker. Decide the function of each of the sentences a-h above. Choose from the functions in 1-3 below.
Example
a 3
the very beginning of a talk
part of a sequence of points
beginning a new sequence of points
Replace the words in the sentences in 2 with words from the list below. In some cases, more than one word will be possible.
question sketch summary problem viewpoints hurdle proposals obstacle facet plans
The extract below comes from a lecturer’s talk. Decide which words in the extract can be replaced by the items a-g.
a topics e concerns
b influence f requirement
c effect g need
d theories
In today’s session, we are going to examine the latest thinking regarding the necessity for societies in the world to foster international cooperation on a wide range of issues. We are going to look into the dynamics of collaboration at a society level first then see if individual organizations or indeed individuals can have any impact. So, let us now go through this list of problems on the first slide.
Match at least one solution from the list below to each international problem a-g.
flood prevention trade and political partnerships
Investing strategically in job creation
sharing information and technology
International water preservation programme
sharing ideas on how to cope with changes
research into management of assets
a Water shortages are a major cause for concern.
b Some countries are too small to be heard on the international stage.
c Poverty is increasing not declining.
d Flooding is causing serious damage in both rich and poor countries.
e Demographic changes are affecting the balance within societies.
f Natural resources are becoming exhausted.
g Some countries are being left behind while other countries are advancing rapidly.
With a partner, practice asking and answering the questions below. Use the ideas in 6 to help you.
a How do you think individuals can best contribute to society?
b Do you think modern societies are in danger of being destroyed by materialism?
c What is the impact of modern business developments worldwide on societies in general?
For each statement below, decide whether it reflects your attitude to life.
a I always wear exactly what I like. I don’t care if other people think it’s not appropriate.
b Being on time is really important. It’s important to respect other’s feelings by not being late.
c Is it always wrong to break the law? It depends. For small things it’s OK, provided you don’t get caught.
d I normally do what I’m told at work. Even if I disagree, I keep my head down. It’s easier that way.
Answer the questions below.
a Would you describe yourself as a conformist or as a rebel?
b Which group makes the biggest contribution to society: conformists or rebels?
Read the questions and decide which question sentences a and b below relate to.
Where was Solomon Asch born?
Which area of interest made Asch take up psychology?
What was the name of Asch’s famous experiment?
Who were the majority of participants in each experiment?
a Asch was attracted to take up psychology because he was interested in ……… .
b It was his interest in ………….that made Asch to take up psychology.
For the other questions in 3, write two gapped sentences that paraphrase the question.
Listen to the recording. Answer the questions in 3. Write no more than three words for each answer.