Exercise3. Write down your letter with your opinion.

Exercise4. Here are the main arguments put forward in the Votes at 16 Debate.

Which views support lowering the voting age?

Which views argue against a change in the law?

Tick the opinions you agree with.

Would you change the voting age?

16 year olds in 2004 are more mature than an average 16 year old in 1967 when the voting age was decided. They have more experience of life.

When young people are learning about politics at school it is natural for them to want to vote at the end of it.

A move to lower the voting age is not in line with the rest of Europe. In all other European countries they can vote at 18. We shouldn't be different.

The internet and the large number of TV channels we have now have changed the amount of information we get. Young people today see far more news and have information programmes made especially for them. They are better informed about government, the Economy and the World.

People at 16 are still very self-absorbed and not very interested in their rights or their responsibilities. They are much more mature at 18 and ready to think about the way their country works.

Conversation Practice: Invitations.

a) How to invite others to do something (with you)

Would you like to come to a party with me on Saturday?

Do you want to

How about coming to Brighton with me tomorrow

Do you feel like afternoon?

b) How to accept an invitation:

I’d love to.

I’d like to very much.

That sounds like a good idea. Thank you (very much)

That sounds (nice/lovely/super).

That would be nice.

Of course.

With pleasure.

c) How to turn down an invitation politely:

No, thank you.

I’m afraid I can’t.

I’m (awfully) sorry but I can’t.

d) How to accept an invitation and ask for further details:

Yes, (I’d love to) but where exactly?

what time?

when exactly?

which day?

e) How to turn down an invitation but suggest an alternative time or day:

Oh, dear, I can’t (on Friday). But another time perhaps?

I’m afraid I’m busy then. Can’t you make it another day/time?

I’m sorry but I can’t (tomorrow). Does Tuesday suit you?

I’m afraid (Friday’s) a bit difficult. What about another day?

f) How to persist with an invitation to try to persuade others to change their minds:

If a person turns down your invitation, you can always persist and try to make him change his mind. Here are some phrases you can use:

Oh, come on. It should be fun/interesting.

Are you sure you can’t? I promise it’ll be fun.

Oh, surely you can! Just for me, eh?

g) How to give in to persuasion:

Oh, all right then.

very well.

as you wish.

h) how to resist persuasion politely:

No, honestly, I really can’t.

It’s really impossible.