темы для экзамена / Topic_7

Topic 7. Retirement (Unit 7. Tapescript 7.6)

1. What is retirement like for most people?

Retirement is a period when a person becomes unemployment. Some people are forced to retire when they have reached the retirement age and other – when physical conditions don`t allow a person to work anymore.

Reaching a retirement age is a big stress for many people because they are afraid of becoming useless after it, feel restless and suffer from depression as a result of their new situation. But on the other side retirement might bring important life changes. For example, a retired worker might move to a new location or take up new hobby or sport such as golf or sailing. Some retirees are called upon to care for grandchildren. Retirement isn`t the end of life, on the contrary it`s a new big part of life.

2. Describe the life of Thomas Wilson.

Thomas Wilson – a man who has been retired nearly four years. Before it he had worked for Courtaulds for over forty years. He doesn`t suffer from depression, otherwise he is happy because he has got his health so he can do a lot and get out at lot. Thomas has just taken up golf because he finds it a wonderful sport for an old man like he and it’s not really a sport at all, at least not the way he plays it. It’s just a good excuse for a walk. Few years ago Thomas had a dog called Rover. They were greatfriends. And he needs an excuse since Rover died. That`s why Thomas has choosen playing golf. He goes to the golf club twice a week and he has made some good friends there, for example a lovely couple of his age Ted and Marjorie. They went to Wales together last Easter. And they had a lovely time. He does appreciate company since his wife died. He really misses her. Thirty-five years they were married, and Thomas is still as much in love as the day they met. So he likes to keep busy and has been on all sorts of special holidays such as Spain, Morocco, Turkey and cruise round the Caribbean. These package holidays are very good for people like Thomas and he loves every minute of it and doesn`t spend time for nothing. While he was in cruise round the Caribbean he met the American widow called Mariam, who is just a baby of fifty-five. Also he went to visit his son Keith in Australia.

The most important thing for Thomas is not to wish his life away. He enjoys it all. And retirement for him is a great opportunity to travell, meet new friends and live this part of life with pleasure.