Text 13 THE STRESS OF COMMUTING
Study and learn by heart!
exhausted– истощенный
long-standing - многолетний
long-standing - многолетний
I. 1. Read the article and say in 2-3 sentences what it is about.
In today’s modern world, people are constantly looking for ways to avoid stress and improve their lifestyle. Too much stress can lead to a variety of illnesses from headaches to high blood pressure. Simple things, such as driving to and from work on a daily basis, can be such a stressful experience that many people are left feeling totally exhausted. Cars can give normally peaceful people a feeling of power that can make them more aggressive.
Fortunately, there are various means of public transport to choose from within modern towns and cities. Sometimes, all we need to do is to change a few of our long-standing habits in order to discover a much more comfortable way of life. By simply planning journeys, not only can we save time and money, but we can also reduce stress levels dramatically. By using public transport everybody wins. Most towns and cities are well-covered by bus, tram and metro services. While making use of these services, you are also helping against increasing levels of pollution.
Public transport systems have improved considerably in recent years and there is now more focus on environmentally friendly forms. For example, old tram systems have been reintroduced into many European cities, making movement across large areas much faster and ‘cleaner’.
Another way of reducing levels of both stress and pollution is an introduction of an environmentally friendly network of cycle tracks. The aim of building cycle tracks is to motivate people to use their bicycles instead of their cars. So, next time you see your neighbor or colleague waiting at a bus stop as you drive by, don’t feel sorry for him because he will, no doubt, arrive at the office much earlier than you as you will still be fighting to find a parking space.
Or you might consider another way of getting to work. Carpooling is a relatively new and convenient system when several people arrange to share one private car to get to work. And some companies have already introduced a plan where those who carpool get preferential parking in the company garage.
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1. *commuting [kəˈmjʊːtɪŋ] ежедневные поездки на работу в город из пригорода и обратно
2. to carpool [ˈkɑːˌpuːl] подвозить на машине по очереди
2. The network of public transport has improved lately. Read aloud the extract which says about it.
3. How can we help reduce pollution?
4. Why is carpooling convenient?
In today’s modern world, people are constantly looking for ways to avoid stress and improve their lifestyle. Too much stress can lead to a variety of illnesses from headaches to high blood pressure. Simple things, such as driving to and from work on a daily basis, can be such a stressful experience that many people are left feeling totally exhausted. Cars can give normally peaceful people a feeling of power that can make them more aggressive.
Fortunately, there are various means of public transport to choose from within modern towns and cities. Sometimes, all we need to do is to change a few of our long-standing habits in order to discover a much more comfortable way of life. By simply planning journeys, not only can we save time and money, but we can also reduce stress levels dramatically. By using public transport everybody wins. Most towns and cities are well-covered by bus, tram and metro services. While making use of these services, you are also helping against increasing levels of pollution.
Public transport systems have improved considerably in recent years and there is now more focus on environmentally friendly forms. For example, old tram systems have been reintroduced into many European cities, making movement across large areas much faster and ‘cleaner’.
Another way of reducing levels of both stress and pollution is an introduction of an environmentally friendly network of cycle tracks. The aim of building cycle tracks is to motivate people to use their bicycles instead of their cars. So, next time you see your neighbor or colleague waiting at a bus stop as you drive by, don’t feel sorry for him because he will, no doubt, arrive at the office much earlier than you as you will still be fighting to find a parking space.
Or you might consider another way of getting to work. Carpooling is a relatively new and convenient system when several people arrange to share one private car to get to work. And some companies have already introduced a plan where those who carpool get preferential parking in the company garage.
________________________________________________________
1. *commuting [kəˈmjʊːtɪŋ] ежедневные поездки на работу в город из пригорода и обратно
2. to carpool [ˈkɑːˌpuːl] подвозить на машине по очереди
2. The network of public transport has improved lately. Read aloud the extract which says about it.
3. How can we help reduce pollution?
4. Why is carpooling convenient?
II. Listen to the advice how to make a good friend and answer the questions below. (32)
1. How do people feel if they have no friend?
2. What qualities does a good friend have?
3. Why is it good to be a real friend?
1. How do people feel if they have no friend?
2. What qualities does a good friend have?
3. Why is it good to be a real friend?
compassion* - сострадание
Script
Have you ever asked yourself, “Why do my classmates feel lonely and unhappy?” While the answer varies from person to person, we all seem to understand that they have no friend to talk to and share their sad and happy moments.
Have you ever asked yourself how to make a good friend? Of course people have different ideas about it, but I strongly believe that the best ingredients of friendship are compassion*, attention, honesty and caring.
Compassion is the ability to feel the same things your friend is feeling and then share in the emotions your friend is going through. Listening attentively is also important. Often, a friend doesn’t need advice, he just needs someone to listen to him.
Another part of the friendship recipe is honesty. Being truthful is part of that, but also being authentic* is important. Stand firm in your own values and beliefs. Be honest with your friend and be honest about who you are. Two sides of the same coin.
The last part of the recipe is caring. Let your friends know that you care about them and love and respect them. Let them know by the words you use and the actions you take.
Sharing, caring, listening and doing something for another person will make your life different: full, meaningful and interesting. You’ll feel the joy you can’t experience being alone.
Have you ever asked yourself how to make a good friend? Of course people have different ideas about it, but I strongly believe that the best ingredients of friendship are compassion*, attention, honesty and caring.
Compassion is the ability to feel the same things your friend is feeling and then share in the emotions your friend is going through. Listening attentively is also important. Often, a friend doesn’t need advice, he just needs someone to listen to him.
Another part of the friendship recipe is honesty. Being truthful is part of that, but also being authentic* is important. Stand firm in your own values and beliefs. Be honest with your friend and be honest about who you are. Two sides of the same coin.
The last part of the recipe is caring. Let your friends know that you care about them and love and respect them. Let them know by the words you use and the actions you take.
Sharing, caring, listening and doing something for another person will make your life different: full, meaningful and interesting. You’ll feel the joy you can’t experience being alone.
III. Let’s talk about international cooperation
- Tell me how Belarus develops economic relations with other countries.
- Do you know any international events that take place in Belarus?
- You are going to travel to Britain as an exchange student. Ask questions about the exchange programme.
- Which cultural event held in Belarus would you recommend your foreign friends to visit?
- Social networking is a convenient way to keep in touch with foreign friend and a good possibility to develop cooperation. What do you think about it?
POSSIBLE RESPONSE
1. Click here
2. Our country is famous for organizing a wide range of annual international festivals. The most popular and fascinating are: The International Arts Festival Slavyanski Bazaar in Vitebsk which gathers participants from over 30 countries; The Minsk International Festival “Listapad” where contemporary directors present their films; The International Sled Dog Race “Zavirukha” in Raubichi unites over 130 mushers from Belarus, Russia, Lithuania and Latvia; The festival of medieval culture "Rubon", that attracts the lovers of the Belarusian history with tournaments of knights and archers, and ancient games.
3. What problems could an exchange student face in a foreign society?
Where am I going to live?
How much does it cost? How long am I going to study?
How can I contact my tutor?
What are the main academic requirements?
Is it a full-year programme or a half-year programme?
Do you provide any financial aids?
4. If I were in your shoes I'd visit The National festival of ethnic and cultural traditions “Call of Polesie". During the festival the participants are taught to make pottery and cook local dishes.
2. Our country is famous for organizing a wide range of annual international festivals. The most popular and fascinating are: The International Arts Festival Slavyanski Bazaar in Vitebsk which gathers participants from over 30 countries; The Minsk International Festival “Listapad” where contemporary directors present their films; The International Sled Dog Race “Zavirukha” in Raubichi unites over 130 mushers from Belarus, Russia, Lithuania and Latvia; The festival of medieval culture "Rubon", that attracts the lovers of the Belarusian history with tournaments of knights and archers, and ancient games.
3. What problems could an exchange student face in a foreign society?
Where am I going to live?
How much does it cost? How long am I going to study?
How can I contact my tutor?
What are the main academic requirements?
Is it a full-year programme or a half-year programme?
Do you provide any financial aids?
4. If I were in your shoes I'd visit The National festival of ethnic and cultural traditions “Call of Polesie". During the festival the participants are taught to make pottery and cook local dishes.