LINKS B2

 

Health and exercise

 

1)    keep fit by eating a low-cholesterol diet, avoiding animal fats, starchy foods

2)    include plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables in your daily diet

3)    burn up excess calories by taking regular exercise

4)    smoking, drinking or over-eating have a harmful effect on your health

5)    moderation in all things is a good moto

 

Taking care of your health is beneficial and more people are becoming aware of the importance of fitness and good health.

 

Advantages of city life

 

1)    more career opportunities, greater variety of jobs available

2)    better education (wide range of schools/universities)

3)    better standards in medical care (hospitals/medical centres)

4)    fast and efficient public transport (international airports, train stations)

5)    greater range of entertainment and shopping (theatres, cinemas, malls)

 

Disadvantages of city life

 

1)    unhealthy life-smog and noise-stress related problems

2)    high urban crime rate/violence

3)    impersonal life-alienation-loneliness

 

Advantages of the country

 

1)    healthier environment-food is fresher, air not polluted-in touch with nature

2)    there are stonger bonds between people/family-ties are stronger

3)    less materialism-less crime rate

4)    people: more open and calm, down-to-earth, easy going

 

Disadvantages of country life

1)    fewer job opportunities

2)    people are narrow-minded/opposed to new ideas

3)    poor entertainment facilities-few cinemas, clubs/bars, museums, galleries

 

Means of transport

For:

1)    the use of modern means of transport contributes to modern economy (import, export, international commerce)

2)    increases a family’s mobility and flexibility

3)    facilitates long-distance traveling

 

Against:

 

1)    cause environmental damage (pollution-à leads to the depletion of the ozone layer which causes global warming

2)    they produce a lot of noise

3)    we get used to using our cars rather than walk and exercise

4)    there is an increase in accidents due to traffic-lots of people die or become disabled

 

 

Mobile phones

 

Mobile phones have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. But why are they so important?

For sure, there must be several reasons. Nowadays almost everyone owns a mobile phone because it is a useful tool.

Firstly, they are portable and more convenient. That means that we can communicate with others no matter where we are, at any time. They also enable us to call in case of emergency. For example if we are lost or in danger we can contact the police and ask for help. In addition, mobile phones have various applications. They can be used as a sort of entertainment. We can listen to music, play games, take photos or videos. What’s more we can have access to the internet.

          On the other hand there are certain drawbacks of using mobile phones. The most significant disadvantage is that they are harmful to our health. It is believed that they give out radio active rays. Some scientists believe that this radioactivity can cause brain tumors and hearing impairment. Another problem is that some people become addicted to mobile phones since mobiles are multifunctional. Moreover, although they are convenient they can be lost or stolen easily. Last but not least, they can be a nuisance when they are used in public places. It is really annoying when somebody talks loudly on their mobile while they are on the bus or in a restaurant.

          In conclusion, I think that mobile phones are extremely useful if used sensibly. We should avoid abusing them and be aware of the consequences.

          Advertising (Opinions)

1)    ad is expensive and increases the cost of a product

2)    adverts appeal to people’s greed and their desire to impress other people

3)    adverts dictate that we develop a materialistic view of life-create demands for unnecessary items

4)    the advertising industry provides job for a lot of people

5)    advertising is an insidious form of brainwashing by means of catch-phrases, slogans

6)    we are daily bombarded by non-informative slogans, catchy jingles

7)    vanity

 

Tourism

For:

1)    A lot of foreigners visit a country àhelps the local economy to flourish, encourages investments by local and foreign businesses ( construction of hotels, restaurants, banks, airports)

2)    It helps people to become broad-minded (they get familiar with new culture, different civilizations and lifestyle)

3)    Erases prejudices and racism

 

Against:

1)    national culture, traditions, cuisine die

2)    damage of archaeological sites

3)    local people lose their identity and the language adopts too many foreign words

 

 

Internet

Advantages:

1)    can send/receive emails (fast-cheap)

2)    can play games online

3)    can get information about any topic

4)    can download songs, films and pictures

5)    can get the news

 

Disadvantages:

1)    not all the information on the internet is correct

2)    can be addictive

3)    wastes time

4)    lots of harmful material available

5)    possibility of other people hacking into your private information

 

Disappointment

 

Ø Disappointment is a sort of bankruptcy- the bankruptcy of a soul that expends too much on hope and expectation

Ø Ones best success comes after their greatest disappointment

Ø Disappointments are to the soul what a thunderstorm is to the air

Ø If you are more credulous you are more likely to suffer from disappointment.