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Архитектура Аудит Военная наука Иностранные языки Медицина Металлургия Метрология Образование Политология Производство Психология Стандартизация Технологии |
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Архитектура Аудит Военная наука Иностранные языки Медицина Металлургия Метрология Образование Политология Производство Психология Стандартизация Технологии |
ABOUT MYSELF AND MY FUTURE PROFESSIONСтр 1 из 8Следующая ⇒
CONTENTS
Unit 1 ABOUT MYSELF AND MY FUTURE PROFESSION Learn these words:
Text A
Pre-text activity 1: Can you tell the other students what kind of person you are? Are you shy? Cheerful? Reliable? Optimistic? …? What do you like and dislike? What do you do in your spare time? Read and translate the following passages, then describe yourself, your friends and members of your family.
***
I’m five foot height. I’m not sure what that is on the metric scale — I think it’s one meter seventy, or something like that. So I’m quite tall. I’m overweight I think, although people say I’m not. I don’t know how much I weigh, cause I always find it too depressing to weigh myself. I don’t feel I take as much exercise as I should. I used to go to a gym, but I found it really boring. My main exercise is walking — I walk everywhere — and swimming, which is fine for giving you good stamina and broad shoulders, and it’s good for your heart and lungs. I have very short hair. I had it cut recently because if you go to swimming every day, which I try to, then it’s much more convenient to have really short hair. It doesn’t get in the way, you can dry it really quickly, you don’t have to take gel and all sorts of hair products to the swimming pool every time you go. It’s light brown. It’s much fairer in the summer, and in the winter it gets darker. I have blue eyes. I wear contact lenses — well I wear one, in one eye.
***
I think I’m quite easy-going. I get more stressed out than I used to, but I think it’s just the pressure of work, as journalism can be quite stressful. As a journalist, you always have deadlines. You have to write something by a certain time and if you don’t get it done, then the editor gets really mad. I think I’m quite shy, I never really used to like meeting people, and got quite shy and nervous and had nothing to say for myself, but now I feel much more comfortable. If you have a job or something you can tell people about, you can have self-confidence.
***
I’m not particularly religious. My family isn’t religious at all. We never went to church. The only times I’ve been to church recently were weddings and funerals. I remember when I was little though, I used to really love singing. At the age of about seven, I wanted to go to church because I wanted to sing the hymns, as they have good tunes. So my attitude to life is not particularly religious, although I do believe in some kind of spiritual life. In the spiritual world. I find the Eastern religions much more appealing. I think reincarnation is a fascinating subject and I believe in it to some extent. I feel you always have to keep an open mind, be prepared to learn new things and meet new people, and always try to live in the best way that you can and not hurt other people.
***
Maria has a very gentle personality. She has a passionate interest in music, and also in poetry and literature. She is very open-minded, and assimilates new ideas very easily. I’m not as disciplined as her, and I am not so good at being tidy in appearance, or keeping my clothes in the right place, or putting all my things away, and I think that on the whole, I’m not such a tidy person as she is. It seems natural to her to keep everything in its place. When she does something, she does it very carefully, precisely and accurately. I think that I’m more lazy than her overall.
***
My father is very hard working, but I think that he uses this as a shield against other parts of his life. For a long time, he cut off his feelings by pouring all of his energy and attention into his work. Generally, he has quite a depressive personality. He lets things get on top of him, things make him sad very easily, and he finds it very hard to let go of his sadness. He has quite and addictive personality. He smokes a lot of cigarettes, and drinks a lot of coffee and tea all day. He has very unusual sleeping patterns. Sometimes he stays up all night working, and in the daytime he sleeps.
***
One of my friends, Anita, is a Tibetan Buddhist, and has a very strong personality. Indeed, she is quite a special person. She is 23 years old, has 2 children aged four and three, and somehow manages to fulfill all of the responsibilities of being a mother, a career woman, and a full-time student at a Buddhist University. Sometimes she has to hire a baby-sitter during the day-time, but these instances are getting rare now. She seems to have so much energy, and never stops doing things. I really don’t know how she can fit so much into her life. She is a really full-power person. In all situations she seems to be able to keep a level head. She is younger than me but she is very wise, and if I’m in trouble of feeling sad, or if I need adviсe, I always go to talk to her. In business matters, she’s also a very wonderful person to know. She’s very straightforward, clear, and very honest. I’ve known her for 3 years now. Our friendship doesn’t stop growing.
2. Interview your partner and your teacher and find out as much as possible about him/her? Then find out (asking questions) which of the students:
Text B
Pre-text activity 2: Do you know: 1. The origin of the word «psychology»? 2. The subject-matter of psychology? 3. The place of psychology in the system of sciences? 4. The primary activities of a community psychologist, an engineering psychologist and a personality psychologist? 1. Read and translate the text:
SCOPE OF PSYCHOLOGY
Psychology as a science studies mental activity and human behaviour. Psychologists study basic functions such as learning, memory, language, thinking, emotions, and motives. They investigate development throughout the life span from birth to death. They are involved in mental and physical health care. They treat people who are emotionally distressed. Psychology occupies a strategic position between natural and social sciences on the one hand, and between sciences and humanities, on the other.
Diagram to illustrate the place of psychology among the sciences And humanities
Each of the subjects listed in the four groups has its own relationship with psychology. For example, knowledge of physics and chemistry is necessary to provide a scientific basis for experimental psychology. Psychology is also closely linked to sociology. But whereas sociologists direct their attention to groups, group processes, and social forces, social psychologists focus on group and social influences on individuals. Psychology and biology are also closely connected. Physiological psychologists investigate the role of the brain and the nervous system in such functions as memory, language, sleep, attention, movement, perception, hunger, anger and joy. On the other hand, psychologists took much from the theory of knowledge, logic and philosophy of science. Besides, psychology separated from philosophy. The word «psychology» is derived from the Greek word meaning «study of the mind or soul». So in the definition of psychology there are three basic words: «science», «behaviour», «mental processes».»Science» means rational investigation of processes and phenomena. By «behaviour» psychologists mean everything that people and animals do: actions, emotions, ways of communication, developmental processes. «Mental processes» characterize the work of the mind and the nervous system. 2. Study this table:
3. Answer the following questions: 1. What basic functions do psychologists study? 2. What position does psychology occupy among the sciences and humanities? 3. What basic words are there in the definition of psychology? What do they mean? 4. Why is there a great number of different specialists in the field of psychology? 5. Which group of psychology experts is the largest? 4. Give English equivalents for: Память; мышление; естественные науки; гуманитарные науки; внимание; восприятие; определение; общение; лечить; оценивать; окружающая среда. 5. Give all possible derivatives of the following words:
6. Discuss the following questions: 1. Who or what influenced on your decision to take up psychology? 2. What psychology specialist would you like to be and why? 7. Develop the following situations making up dialogues: 1. You are going to enter the Psychology Faculty but your parents object. You are trying to persuade them that psychology is one of the basic fields of knowledge. 2. Ask you friend if they know the differences in the specialities of a psychologist, psychiatrist and psychoanalyst. If they don’t, enlighten them. 3. You are interviewing a famous psychologist. What possible questions could you ask about the development of psychology as a separate discipline. 8. Translate into English: Понятие «психология» образовано из двух греческих слов: «psyche» — душа и «logos» — слово, учение. Оно имеет два значения: психология как наука и психология как совокупность особенностей характера, внутренний мир человека. Именно во втором смысле мы говорим о психологии того или иного человека, группы людей, даже животных, особенно наших домашних кошек и собак. Такое понимание легло в основу житейской психологии, которая обобщает и закрепляет опыт многих поколений людей, наш собственный жизненный опыт, оно лежит в основе нашего представления об окружающих нас людях, о самих себе, о причине поступков, мотивах поведения, успехах и неудачах. Всякий человек, даже никогда специально не изучавший психологию, постоянно объясняет свои собственные поступки, слова и поведение других людей. И эти объяснения основываются на его представлениях о мотивах поведения, мыслях, чувствах, ощущениях, эмоциях. Без этого нормальная жизнь людей невозможна. 9. Speak on the following topic: «Psychology is my future profession.» Don’t forget to give information about yourself and your character. Say what or who influenced your decision to become psychologist and what field of psychology you are going to major in. Unit 2
CHARACTER AND APPEARANCE NATIONAL STEREOTYPES
Learn these words:
Text A
Pre-text activity 1: Do you think it is worth judging by appearances? Give your reasons. 1. Read and translate the text: Appearances are deceptive. It is a common truth; practically everyone has met at least someone whose character and appearance differ radically. When one sees a tall, broad-shouldered youth, one expects him to be strong-willed and brave. One thinks: «A model to follow! » How often a good-looking individual turns out to be petty, weak-willed or even cowardly. Then one thinks: «A mediocrity». At the same time everyone knows that a lot of great people were of a poor build: short and fragile. It did not stop them from displaying intelligence and courage. Ingenuity does not depend on one's complexion or constitution. Plump or fat people create an impression of generous and kind personalities. Strangely enough, not rarely they may be thrifty or even greedy. One usually thinks: «A scrooge! » On the other hand, thin or slim nervous ladies often tend to be lavish. They like to buy and never think twice when they pay. One thinks: «I would call her open-handed and Mother would call her a spendthrift». Yes, mothers are always stricter in judgements. Has it ever happened to you that you come to an important office and see an important boss? You immediately evaluate his looks: «Round-faced, small narrow eyes, dimples on the cheeks and an upturned nose. What a kind-hearted person! A simpleton! » You tell the boss of your troubles and expect immediate help. But the boss appears to be rude, harsh and wilful. You never get your help and think: «A stone heart and an iron fist». When someone sees a delicately built pretty blonde with curly hair, blue eyes, a straight nose and a high forehead, one is inclined to think that the beauty is intelligent and nice. It may be disappointing to think later «What a stupid, capricious, impolite bore» On the contrary, when one sees a skinny brunette with ugly irregular features — a hooked nose, pointed chin, close-set eyes and thin lips, strange thoughts come to one's head; because it is the image of evil people — cruel and cunning. It may be a relief some time later to find her a clever, gentle and good-mannered lady and think: «What charm! A heart of gold! » Another general misconception lies in the fact that children are always expected to resemble their parents. And parents like it when children take after them. Relatives like to compare moles, the shape of noses, etc. The greatest compliment is: «They are as like as two peas». The greatest disappointment is to find nothing in common. We want to deny people their exclusiveness. We don't want to admit that nature has selected other options from an enormous genetic fund developed over generations. Why do we like our copies? Who knows! Nature likes to play tricks on us. But don't you think it is a present on the part of nature? Life becomes not a boring routine, but a brilliant kaleidoscope of characters and appearances which often clash. 2. Discuss the following questions: 1. Do you agree that appearances are deceptive? Tell your classmates about your own experience. 2. Does character influence people’s appearance? 3. Do you think that good looks can help people in their life? 4. Do you think people should improve their appearance or is it better to leave it as it is? 5. Why do you think lots of people don’t give up their bad habits (smoking, drinking alcohol, overeating) in spite of the fact they affect their appearance? 6. How do you choose your friends? What influences your choice? 3. Match the words with their definitions:
Text B
Pre-text activity 2: 1. People often say such things as «Italians are good lovers’ or «Englishmen are cold-blooded». What other generalizations of this nature can you think of? 2. Do these generalizations serve any useful purpose? If so, what? 1. Read and translate the text:
NATIONAL STEREOTYPES
We are repeatedly warned to beware of generalizations yet, paradoxically, it seems that the human mind cannot resist categorizing people and things. We love to «pigeon-hole», to make order out of a universe that frequently seems to us confusing and even chaotic. Nowhere is this tendency more evident that in our willingness to generalize about nationalities. We create national stereotypes and cling tenaciously to our prejudices. To illustrate this point, we shall take a look at the findings of a survey carried out by the market research firm, Parkland Research Europe. This organization carried out a detailed study of European attitudes by questioning 185 business executives, lawyers, engineers, teachers and other professional people from seven European countries. It revealed many widely-held stereotypes, but also came up with a few surprises.
Parkland Findings
2. Discuss the following questions: 1. How would you say your national character is different from that of people in the immediately neighbouring countries? 2. How do you think your character has changed or developed over the years? Are their any aspects of your personality you still don’t like? 3. Which of these traits of character do you most dislike in a partner? Why? Place them in order.
4. Which of these qualities is most important for you in a partner? Why? Place them in order of importance.
5. Which personal characteristics (good and bad) that you would expect to find in these people? 1) a nurse 2) the chairman of a multinational company 3) an actor 4) a politician 5) a teacher 6) a psychologist 3. Develop the following situations making up dialogues: 1. You are writing a paper on the theme: «Major Personality Characteristics». You experience some hardships in your research. You come to your scientific advisor to receive some explanations. Ask him: — if it is correct trend to divide all people into extroverts and introverts; — what is meant by personality traits; — what he thinks whether a personality formation is genetically predisposed; — what role the family plays in shaping a personality; — how a social setting influences the personality development; — at what age the personality character is formed. 2. Your friend is sure that our mood and emotional state depend on the weather and horoscope forecasts. You are not inclined to believe in astrology but still you ask some questions on the subject. Ask him: — what his sign of zodiak is; — what positive characteristics his star sign supposes; — whom he is like in character: his mother or father; — if he has got any negative traits; — if he believes in horoscope forecasts partly or completely; — what he does to match his star sign. 3. You are making up a questionnaire in order to find out basic personality characteristics and categorize them. Ask your respondent: — how he feels in an unfamiliar situation; — what helps him feel at ease; — in what situations he feels shy and worried; — what he considers to be the necessary qualities to feel comfortable everywhere; — if he can describe the most pleasant situation in his life; — what he experiences seeing beggar in the streets. 4. Your friend has just come from England. He had a chance to study there for three weeks. He spoke with a number of the British people noted for their particular features. You are eager to receive information first-hand. Ask him: — how he would characterize the English as a separate nation; — if they are as reserved as they seem to be; — what are the most distinctive features of their character; — in what dwellings the British people live; — why they prefer to live in cottages. 4. Translate into English: Характер — это индивидуальное сочетание существенных свойств личности, выражающих отношение человека к действительности и проявляющихся в его поведении и поступках. Характер представляет собой неповторимое сочетание психологических качеств, индивидуальных особенностей личности, именно характер дает основание для суждения о том, хороший ли это человек или нет. Слова, движения, действия, отдельные поступки и поведение в целом позволяют понять характер человека, они как бы высвечивают его внутреннее, скрытое от посторонних глаз содержание. Но, с другой стороны, каждое свойство характера приводит в определенных условиях к совершению тех или иных поступков, накладывает печать на все действия, мысли и чувства человека. Народная мудрость гласит: «Каков характер, таковы и поступки». 5. Test yourself:
What’s your number?
1. Do you believe in numerology? 2. What about astrology? Do you read your stars in magazines? 3. What other things might influence our character and future life? Unit 3
BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE DO THEY HAVE ANY PROBLEMS?
Learn these words:
Text A
Pre-text activity 1: 1. What makes a person beautiful? A perfect face? A good body? 2. There is a famous children’s story called The Ugly Duckling. Do you know what happens? The article below has the same title. Can you guess what it is going to be about? 1. Read and translate the text: I realized how cruel life can be for an unattractive child when everybody in my class was invited to a tenth birthday barbecue on the beach. Everybody, that is, except for me. At first I thought there had been a mistake and that my invitation had been lost. But when I made inquiries to the hostess, she didn’t beat about the bush: «Sorry, Susie. You are too fat to wear a swimsuit on the beach and you can’t see without those horrible glasses anyway». I went home and cried for hours. My mother was ready with comforting cuddles, yet even she couldn’t bring herself to reassure me I was lovely. I used to spend a long time staring at my brothers and twin sisters and feeling extremely hard done by. The chip that was developing on my shoulder became obvious in my aggressive manner. This, of course, only made things worse. Tea invitations stopped, I walked home from school alone and often found drawings that looked like me in the classroom wastepaper bin. I hated everyone because everyone seemed to hate me. When I was 14, my mother decided that I should go to the church youth club. I stood alone watching the dancing, feeling embarrassed, ugly and awkward. Then a miracle happened. A skinny boy called Peter, with glasses and spots, asked me to dance. He also had a brace on his teeth. We didn’t talk much but he asked if I would be there the following week. I have to credit Peter with changing my life. He stopped me feeling hideous. Encouraged, I put myself on a diet, begged my mother for contact lenses and grew my hair. Then another miracle occurred I grew taller and, as that happened, I started looking slimmer. The brace was finally removed and my teeth were even. I was never going to be a beautiful swan, but I was going to try. 2. Answer the following questions: 1. Why wasn’t the narrator invited to the party? 2. Why do you think Susie felt «hard done by» when she looked at her brothers and sisters? 3. How did other children react when Susie became aggressive? 4. What was the first «miracle» which increased Susie’s self-confidence? 5. What were the three ways in which Susie tried to improve her appearance? 6. Do you think the girl was right to exclude Susie from her birthday party? Why/why not?
Text B
Pre-text activity 2: 1. What do people do to improve their appearances? 2. When do you think plastic surgery is a good idea? 1. Read and translate the text: Sammy is 11 years old. She is young, healthy and attractive. But for some reason, she is not happy with her looks. «When I grow up, I’m going to be singer or a dancer. It’s hard to get into show business. Looks are important and I’m going to do everything I can to become famous. I’m saving all my pocket money so I can have a nose gob for my 16th birthday.» Sammy’s mum, who is an actress, agrees. «Sammy’s nose is OK now, but by the time she’s teenager, it’ll be enormous — like mine was at her age. If Sammy has a big nose, she won’t make it in show business. If she wants cosmetic surgery, then she can have it.» Dr Steve Harding, a child psychologist, says: «Sammy is a good —looking kid, but she thinks she is going to need a nose job to succeed. 2. Discuss the following questions: 1. Do you think teenagers should be allowed to have cosmetic surgery? 2. Do you think people should have to pay for cosmetic surgery? 3. If you could change one part of your face, what would it be? Why? 3. Do you agree that: 1. Looks are important. 2. Teenagers must learn to feel good about themselves. 3. Personality is more important than looks. 4. Good-looking people choose good-looking partners.
Text C
Pre-text activity 3: 1. Do different countries and cultures have different ideas of beauty, or is there a common ideal of world beauty? What is beautiful person in your opinion? 2. Do you agree with the opinion that beautiful people are more happy and successful? 3. Attractive women have problems reaching managerial positions. Do you agree? Why? 1. Read and translate the text:
BODY IMAGE
More than 62, 000 «Psychology Today» readers answered a questionnaire about their attitudes towards their bodies. Overall, most of us like what we see in the mirror quite a bit. «No one is free who is a slave to the body», wrote Seneca some 1.900 years ago. Judging from the advertisements, products, and best sellers that deluge us daily, we are a nation of slaves. We are obsessed with being thin, beautiful, young, and sexy, and we will go to extraordinary lengths to approach those ideals. In а recent issue of Psychology Today, we offered readers the opportunity to express their thoughts and feelings about the body. The topic was timely, and the response overwhelming: more than 62.000 readers returned the 109-item «Body image» questionnaire. But they were divided and ambivalent on the matter of how important attractiveness and physical looks are — or should be. A good number of people wrote letters to protest a «whole survey» on the body Some said that appearance is a superficial matter, not worthy of undue discussion: «Perhaps if I thought I were ugly or beautiful I would pay more attention to my appearance», wrote one woman. «But as it is, this is a topic of little concern for myself. There are just many more important matters in my life.» Nevertheless, she filled out the whole questionnaire. Another woman summarized the views of many: «There's a lot more to me than my looks. I know I'm attractive, but I don't want to be attractive to someone only because of physical appearance. That would be ghastly.» By contrast, other respondents acknowledged, some reluctantly the importance of one's appearance. «Your questionnaire made me feel as though I have floated through life ignoring my body. You have made me dissect myself and realize that I do think it's important. Now I must learn to connect my body with the rest of myself. «The questionnaire was extremely thought-provoking, » seconded an older woman. «My long-held belief that our bodies are unimportant was shattered.» One honest soul confessed, with some shame, that «I discriminate against beautiful people, probably out of jealousy, and tend to label them shallow and egotistical.» Good Looks and Self-Esteem. In their studies of body image done in the 1950s, Paul Secord and Sidney Jourard found that college students who had negative body images also tended to have low self-esteem. Our survey gave us the opportunity to test this relationship on a more diverse group of people. We used 10 questions such as. How often do you dislike yourself?. How sure of yourself do you feel among strangers?. How often do you feel self-conscious?, and Overall, how confident do you feel about your abilities? We found that for both sexes, body image is strongly related to self-esteem. Only 11 percent of those with a below-average body image (compared to 50 percent of those with an above-average body image) had an above-average level of self-esteem. We also looked at the links between satisfaction with various parts of the body and self-esteem, and found that, for both sexes, the face makes the difference. People who are satisfied with their faces are more self-confident. Most psychologists have overlooked the connection between body image and self-esteem. Obviously, body image is only one component of self-esteem; a person's assessment of his or her abilities and other attributes is equally important. Some respondents felt that other sources of self-esteem can supersede the relevance of body image: looks don't matter, runs this view, since I'm bright /talented/charming or whatever. «I was quite self-conscious when I was younger, even though I was probably average in looks, now I am less worried and embarrassed about my looks — I think because I feel more intelligent and intellectually interesting.» But others clearly distinguished their body image from their personal traits. «No problems with self —confidence, fellers. There's never been any doubt that my intellectual (and lately, sensitivity-type) abilities have always been at the top of the ladder. But that doesn't mean I have a good, or even accurate body-image picture». Of course, one trouble with survey findings is that we cannot determine cause and effect. A positive body image may increase person's self-esteem, or basic esteem may lead a person to feel good about his or her body. Self-esteem — the general to that one is competent and confident — spills over into other area personality. Respondents who have above average positive body images also consider themselves to be more likeable, assertive, conscientious and even more intelligent than «average person». For example those who rate their body images as above average. 69 percent; indicate that they're more likeable than the average person, compared to People who are happy with their bodies may actually be more assertive and likeable than those who have negative body images. Or they think they are. One young man explained that in the last year his body image has changed very much for the better, as a result of his personal development: «I've gone from considering myself some sort of asshole to believing that I'm charismatic individual nearly impossible to dislike...I have more friends than I know what to do with.» 2. Discuss the following questions: 1. Do you agree with the survey respondents who said that beauty is a superficial matter, not worthy discussion? How far is this disproved by the article? 2. In your experience, have you noticed that physically attractive people have an advantage professionally or socially? Give some examples. 3. What criteria do you think we use to measure our own «body image»? are they the same criteria which we use to judge other people? 4. Is it harder for people who are beautiful when they are young to come to terms with growing older and aging physically? 5. In the survey referred to, women were more likely than men to agree that physical appearance is very important. Would you have expected this result, and if so, why? 6. «People who are satisfied with their faces are more self-confident». But is it true that those who are not satisfied can compensate by feeling themselves to be intelligent, talented, or charming? Don’t they really always care about how their faces look? 3. Give English equivalents for: Раб тела; быть озабоченным; приблизиться к идеалу; писать письма протеста; мало интересовать; признаваться; разбиться вдребезги; разные части тела; стесняться своей внешности; определить причину и следствие; развитие. 4. Arrange in pairs of synonyms:
5. Develop the following situations making up dialogues: 1. You friend is unhappy about his/ her appearance. That tells much on his character and behaviour. He/she is sometimes very aggressive and hates everybody who is good-looking. What would you recommend him /her to do? 2. Your friend is going to change his/her appearance, though from your point of you he/she is rather attractive. Convince him/her not to do this. 3. You are offered to take part in a beauty competition. Your mother is not pleased. Why? What effect do you think beauty competitions have on the contestants? 4. Your friend is very beautiful. She thinks that she can easily achieve every thing in life: will get excellent marks at a college, find a good job, make a career, be happy in marriage… Do you think it is as easy as she thinks? 6. Translate into English:
САМООЦЕНКА
Низкая самооценка может быть обусловлена многими причинами. Иногда человек перенимает ее в детстве у своих родителей, так и не разобравшимися со своими личностными проблемами. В других случаях она развивается у ребенка из-за плохой успеваемости в школе, что, в свою очередь, является результатом неблагоприятных условий для занятия дома или недостаточного внимания родителей. На самооценке ребенка могут пагубно отразиться как насмешки сверстников, так и чрезмерная критика со стороны взрослых. Личностные проблемы, неумение вести себя в определенных ситуациях, равно как и недостаток житейских навыков, также формируют у человека нелестное мнение о себе. Никогда не думайте и не говорите о себе плохо. От людей, лишенных самоуважения, часто можно услышать негативные высказывания о самих себе. Избавьтесь от этой привычки. Неужели в вас нет ничего хорошего? Подумайте, что вам нравится в себе и ежедневно в течение 10—15 минут произносите только позитивные утверждения в свой адрес. Продолжайте такую практику до тех пор, пока вы не приобретете способность легко и без смущения говорить о себе в позитивном ключе с посторонними людьми. 7. Speak on the following topics: Beautiful people versus ordinary ones and their problems. Unit 4
Text A
Pre-text activity 1: 1. What factors influence our life? Is it possible to live a long life? How long? 2. Do you agree that in stressful situations we become strong and healthy? Why? 1. Read and translate the text:
IS THERE A SECRET OF LONG LIFE?
Mankind has been seeking to unravel the mystery of long life for more than a millenium, with hundreds of hypotheses and theories being suggested. It has become evident that long life comes from a whole set of factors, such as purely genetic, but also biological factors and, of course successful social adaptation. Whereas until quite recently long life in the scientific community was the subject of close attention for gerontologists only, in recent years, biologists, ethnographers, ecologists, psychologists and sociologists have also joined in with the research. The distinctive feature of their approach is that rather than examining individual centenarians, the scientists today study entire populations, i.e., large groups, among whom many people have lived long lives, and what is most essential, long lives in these groups have become a regular occurrence in the course of history. Today’s centenarians are people who were as a rule born and lived in one place, without going anywhere, without changing either habits, occupations or diets. Moreover, it has been discovered that the studies played down the role of the psychological factor. We call it «a psychic health factor». It deserves special attention and can prove to be one of the main reasons for longevity as a regular occurrence. What is it? In the first place, this is what we describe as the gerontophile atmosphere, a socio-psychological milieu of marked respect for the old people. This undoubtedly has a favourable effect on the tonus and optimistic mood among the elderly and maintains their interest in life and longevity as a whole. Secondly, and this is even more important, there are anti-stress attitudes incorporated in society. These are mutual relations which are designed to relieve stress both among individuals and whole groups. The strong family and kinship have a strong positive effect, especially in dramatic situations following death or illness. In other words, we must live without stresses. So anti-stress behaviour is perhaps the most important thing. With time this will enable the geneticists to extend the natural life span. However, we should not really pin our hopes on this. A comprehensive study of longevity can help scientists not so much to increase the time that any human being spends here on Earth, as to prolong his active life which is worth living as much as possible. 2. Answer the following questions: 1. What scientists are interested in the problem of long life? 2. How do they organize their research? 3. What people comprise today's centenarians? 4. What factor plays a leading role in longevity? 5. What is this factor called? 6. What is meant by the gerontophile atmosphere? 7. What attitude should be incorporated in society? 8. What is the aim of geneticists? Text B
Pre-text activity 2: 1. Do women live longer than men? Why? 2. Are those who live long always happy? 1. Read and translate the text:
MYSTERIES OF SEX? OR WHY WOMEN LIVE LONGER?
We rarely stop and think why Nature has created living beings of two different sexes, such as men and women. Nevertheless, if we understand this, we can explain why women live longer than men. A higher mortality rate is peculiar not only to people, but also to animals and plants. Any living system does not exist in isolation, but in a certain environment which constantly changes. In order to survive, therefore, it should grasp these changes and quickly adapt to them. There is a contradiction between the environment and a living organism in the mutual relations. To achieve a better state of preservation, a living system must be as «remote» from the environment as possible. On the other hand, to be aware of the changes, it should be «closer» to the environment. How can we eliminate this conflict? Solution one. The living system must stay at the most favourable distance from the environment. Solution two. The system must be devided into two subsystems connected with each other. One of the subsystems must be moved closer to the environment in order to obtain the necessary information, and the other must stay at a distance so as to be able to preserve the information. It is the male's job to be aware of these changes or of the information obtained from the environment, and the female has to preserve and pass on the genetic information. Men are are more sensitive than women and less tolerant to distress, heat, cold, hunger and unpleasant situation at work. As a rule, men are the first to die in extreme situations. The female organism is more flexible, and can adapt to the changing environment better. It is known for certain, that a woman's body can adjust itself to a cold climate better than a man's. More women than men survive extreme or stress-type situations. Because of their greater vulnerability, men develop more often such diseases as heart attacks, cancer, and mental diseases. The pioneering spirit and the need for risk have been built into the male subsystem by Nature. It has been proved by the experiment with rats. They were placed in a separate room and had enough food and water. In one of the walls a narrow slit was left leading to another room where there was a cat. The she-rats didn't venture into the slit which led to an unfamiliar place. Some males, however, were curious and went through, only to be caught by the cat. Having lost their lives, they warned the rest about the cat and saved their lives. Being in the «vanguard» of the population, men are exposed more to the environment. If its fatal influence is removed and the best possible conditions are provided, men will live longer. Yet, there are more centenarians men than women. Text С
Pre-text activity 3: |
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