Topic 20 Should children grow up in the countryside or in a city?

Nowadays, technological development is directed to such people-crowded places such as big cities, resulting in significant differences of lifestyles between people living in the town and in the countryside. It is said that big cities are no longer suitable for bringing up (для воспитания детей) children. In my point of view, I strongly agree that children should grow up in the countryside. Being close to nature, children in the countryside are likely to improve both physical and mental behaviors better than those who are in the city. In the rural areas (сельской местности), children are endowed with real nature that affects to the development of children.

endowed with a good sense of humour — одарённый хорошим чувством юмора

First, fresh air in the countryside provides children with good health. Research has it that (Исследование гласит, что) more and more children in the town nowadays are exposed (подвергаются) to allergy on account of pollution from both vehicles and factories. On the other hand, children living far away from any high technologies are liable (несут ответственность) to be much healthier. Polluted air is a main cause to destroy the health of everybody, especially children.

to furnish assistance — оказывать помощь

Another benefit of living in the countryside is that a majority of children spend their free time wisely. After coming back from school or during vacations, most of the city-dwelling children waste their time by watching TV or playing video games. Big cities have limited areas and hardly furnish (предоставлять) people in the communities with public places for relaxing such as park and playgrounds.

conduct studies - проводить исследования осмысленный ответ — intelligent / sensible answer

Therefore children in the cities are limited to conducting useless or even harmful activities. In contrast, rural children devote their leisure time playing with others in large open fields or helping their parents look after their cattle. As a result, not only be rural children so strong from everyday exercise, but they also spend their time in a meaningful way (осмысленно) by helping their parents do some work.

Finally, children in the countryside may become more considerate man (более внимательным) than those who are in the big city. In the cities, there are very high rate of rivalry (конкуренция).

Topic 21 Why are people living longer?

It is a common phenomenon (явление) and an indisputable (неоспоримый) fact that people are living longer now. There are many reasons of this phenomenon. Generally speaking, it is due to the better living conditions people enjoy, the improved medical treatment people receive, and the healthier lifestyle people adopt (выбирать, принимать, удочерять).

With the development of science and technology, people's living conditions have been improved considerably (значительно, существенно). They have foods sufficient enough to keep them alive, clothes warm enough to protect them against cold, and houses strong enough to shelter them from danger. Hunger, cold, and danger no longer threaten the lives of the human beings. When facing with nature disasters, people can use all available means to survive.

To human beings, diseases may well be another killer. They took away (забрали) lives of a large number of people, some being very young. But things are quite different today. The quality of medical care has been improved. Doctors know more now about what causes diseases and how to cure them. Many diseases that were used to be incurable can be cured now. Patients who get timely and effective treatments may recover in a couple of months, or even weeks. It is estimated that today's deaths are mostly caused by unexpected accidents.

In ancient times, people did not care much about their way of living for lack of knowledge and shortage of daily necessities (нехватка предметов первой необходимости). Now, thanks to the progress men has made and the civilization men has built, the present-day people can afford time, money, and energy to consider (считаться, принимать во внимание) their living habits and lifestyles. They are eagerly (горячо, пылко, страстно) seeking healthier ways of life to live longer, such as giving up smoking, doing physical exercise, and eating low-fat foods such as vegetables and fruits, which are now available year-round.

It is announced by scientists and doctors that human life expectancy will be extended to over 150 years. Men and women of longevity (продолжительность жизни), say 100 years old, are increasing in number. Senior citizens (Пенсионеры) already dominate many cities in developed countries. Although it may present some problems, living longer is a blessing (является благом) to human beings.