1e: can you live without it?

1 Vocabulary

A. Read the examples below. What’s the difference between useful and useless?

The adjective useful (=of use) has a positive meaning whereas the

adjective useless (=of no use) has a negative meaning.

B. Complete with the correct form of the words in capitals.

1. Eating junk food every day is harmful to your health. HARM

2. I was in London and I couldn’t speak English. I felt helpless. HELP

3. Tony is a very careless driver. He’s had many accidents. CARE

4. The sea looked beautiful at night. BEAUTY

5. Don’t be afraid of the cat. It’s harmless. HARM

6. My brother was very helpful. Thanks to him I finished my project on time. HELP

2 Speak & Listen

A. Read the statements a-e below and discuss. Do you agree with them?
Why/Why not? Give reasons using the phrases in the box.

A: In my opinion, there are more advantages to television than disadvantages. There are many educational programmes and you can spend a nice afternoon at home watching a good quality show.

B: I disagree. I think that many programmes are of low quality and people usually waste a lot of time in front of the screen.

A: I don't think so. I think that there is a variety of channels and programmes that keep people informed and it's also a very cheap form of entertainment.

B: Maybe it's a cheap, but it's also easy to get addicted to. Television can make kids less active and can influence them in many ways, not all of which are positive.

B. Listen to four people talking about television and match the names with one of the statements a-e above. There is one extra
statement which you do not need to use.

Kathy d
Mark e
John c
Carlos b

3 Speak and Write

A. What are the advantages and disadvantages of having a mobile phone?
Discuss.

advantages:

1. makes communication easy

2. you can be reached at any time.

3. helps in emergency situations

4. convenient size

5. many uses: photos, games, Internet, calendar, alarm, etc.

disadvantages:

1. signal coverage not guaranteed everywhere

2. harmful to health

3. addictive

4. can cause car accidents

5. target for pickpockets

6. latest models can be expensive

7. costly phone bills

B. Read the texts below and compare the ideas to your answers. Then answer the questions.

1. In which text does the writer have a positive opinion about mobile phones? How can you tell?

In the first text. This is clear because of the phrases he/she uses:

I believe they are very useful gadgets, ... communication is easy..., saved a lot of people's lives..., Mobiles are extraordinary machines, ... I don't think I could live without one.

2. Which words/phrases do the writers use to list their points? Underline them.

Firstly, Also, to begin with, in addition, what is more

3. Which phrases do the writers use to state their final opinion?

Personally, In my opinion.

D. Rewrite the phrases in bold using the expressions in activity C.

1. Oh, and something else, computers can help people organise their work so they can work faster.

In addition, computers can help people organize their work so they can work faster.

2. If you ask me, staring at a screen for many hours can be very harmful to the eyes.

In my view, staring at a screen for many hours can be very harmful to the eyes.

3. I believe that computers are useful.

personally, I believe that computers are useful.

E. Write a paragraph expressing your opinion about TV.
Use the ideas in activity 2 and follow the guidelines above.

I think that there are more disadvantages to TV than advantages.

To begin with, doctors say that TV can be harmful to our health when we star at the screen for many hours.

In addition, children can get addicted to it. What is more, it can waste time. In my opinion, people shouldn't use it a lot.