Module 5

I.A. Crawl, march, stroll, hobble, limp, follow, stride, glide (slide), chase, tow (the car away), jump, skip, overtake, outrun (the competitor).

B. Recycle, reject, refuse, deny (an opportunity), convert, consume, indulge in, spoil oneself, reuse, overeat, eat not enough, gluttony, sample, get rid of, reduce, cut down expenses, cut down on fat.

II.Chase away the blues, well-written essay, an imaginative girl, poorly structured plan, evil character, keep somebody in suspense, to be confusing, to be confused, wooden manners, reveal a secret, travel light, put safety first, conserve (save) power, alternative (renewable) energy, promote an invention, make a discovery, harsh (strict) law, strict requirements, deal a blow, to reassure the public.

III.

1. Mankind will be (run) short of oil reserves underground someday and will need alternative sources of energy.

2. People nowadays consume so much electricity that power systems fail to meet this demand and have to introduce rolling blackouts in their territories.

3. Mankind has been abusing ecological resources for so long that the situation is getting out of control, and urgent measures are needed to save our habitat.

4. As a result of overeating many young people suffer from extra weight, and this has a bad impact on their health.

5. The scientists are still undecided on whether the ecological catastrophes, such as global warming, are man-made or the result of natural cycles.

6. Many people of a variety of ages experience stress today, and this causes not only fatigue and depression, but also a number of stress-related diseases.

7. Ecologically friendly house is a new concept of a human dwelling that needs little energy for consumption and a small amount of natural resources to keep the harm done to the environment to a minimum.

8. To find a highly paid job you need good references from your former employers.

9. This had to be the man wanted by police, but I did not recognize (identify) him, although we met face to face.

10. I have such a wide choice of universities in which I can study that I have not made a decision yet and am still in balance.

IV.1. – Life must have been not very easy for housewives before the washing machines had been invented.

– Yes, although I don’t think house chores have become fewer since everyday technical appliances have come into our life.

– What makes you think so?

– Because last century washing was done once a week, but these days washing machines are turned on several times a day.

2. – Do you keep a pet at home?

– Yes, I keep a former stray dog which I took home from the street.

– Does this mean you keep a non-pedigree dog? Is it healthy?

– I had it vaccinated properly, and it turned out to be a very clever dog. And what is more, it is a good friend, too.

3. – A modern computer opens up vast opportunities for storing, searching and communicating information. Perhaps libraries in the near future will become redundant.

– That’s not impossible, although libraries do not complain about lack of users (visitors) and offer them a vast choice of information resources (sources), including electronic books and the Internet access.

– I agree, although I prefer access to library resources using distance technologies with the facilities to study without leaving one’s home.

– Some think that distance learning technologies will dominate in the future, although I am sure that students will always want to meet each other, study together, communicate and interact. That is why I don’t want traditional forms of learning to go down to history.

4. – Do you know that in London there are more theatres and cinemas than in any other European capital?

– It seems that in such a city it is difficult to choose among the great variety of entertainments.

– The choice is really difficult, but possible because every person has one’s own preferences, and London offers entertainments to meet (satisfy) any taste.

– I wish I lived in London. I would go to the theatre every night, although I could have become sick and tired of life of idleness.

V.Modern world witnesses the development of consumer society with the focus on consuming material values. The major purpose of the consumer society members is the use of ever growing amount of goods and services, while production processes are often moved to the “economic colonies”. Natural resources in the consumer society are exploited without a limit, and their shortage is already felt. This society is running a risk of polluting the environment because consumers are not held responsible for emitting harmful substances into the atmosphere. This society creates health problems for its members caused by excessive consumption of junk food giving them a sense of comfort. Consumer society ignores quality education for all because an educated person prefers satisfaction of higher order needs and not only material values, which may worsen the situation in the market of goods and services.