Halaman
Let’s Discuss Some Issues
Chapter
3
47
Source
:
http://www.senatordavidnorris.com
In This Chapter
Listening:
• Responding to expression for curiosity and showing
attitudes
•
Responding to expressions for discussing possibilities
•
Responding to discussion texts
Speaking:
•
Saying you are curious
•
Expressing possibilities and showing attitudes
•
Performing a monologue of a discussion text
Reading:
•
Reading discussion texts
•
Reading short functional texts: posters and graphs
Writing:
•
Writing a discussion text
•
Writing a short functional text: sign or poster
48
Developing English Competencies
for Grade XII of Language Programme
Listening
In this section, you will learn how to:
•
respond to expression for curiosity and attitudes;
•
respond to expressions for discussing possibilities;
•
respond to discussion texts.
Listen to the dialogue and answer the questions.
1. "I’d be very interested to know your opinion on
abortion."
2. "What I’d really like to
À
nd out are the facts about
cases of abortion in Indonesia."
3. "I think it's possible that our government will have a
policy on abortion."
Listen to the dialogue again. Complete it while you are
listening. Compare your answers with your friend’s.
Nadia :
1
what is your opinion on abortion.
Adi :
2
I oppose it. for many reasons.
Nadia : So, is that why you voted for a president
candidate who campaigned pro-life?
Adi : Yeah.
3
the government won’t pass a
law legalizing abortion.
Nadia : But I heard the House is discussing a bill to
legalize abortion for medical reasons.
Adi : Really?
4
the law won’t be misused by
some irresponsible people.
Listen and repeat these expressions. When and where
would you
À
nd these expressions?
1. What are Nadia and Adi talking about?
2. What does Nadia want to know?
3. What is Adi’s opinion about the issue?
4. What phrase does he use to express it?
5. What does Adi hope for the government?
Activity
1
Activity
2
Activity
3
49
Let’s Discuss Some Issues
Work in pairs. Listen to another dialogue. Complete
the text with the expressions you hear.
Deni : Hey,
Randi have you ever been mountain
climbing?
Randi : Yeah. I went a couple of times a few years ago.
Why do you ask?
1
?
Deni :
2
on maybe this weekend.
Randi : Really? Where? With whom?
Deni
: With Budiman and
Heri
3
going to
Mount Pangrango.
Randi : Humh.
Well, be careful! It’s been raining day.
You’ve never climbed before, have you?
Deni
: No. I don’t know the
À
rst thing about it. Budiman
and Heri are quite experienced, though, I guess.
4
get to the top safely. After all,
5
the weather will be better this weekend.
Randi : Well,
6
.
7
. Yet, if the weather
gets worse,
8
of changing the plan?
Maybe you can go camping.
Deni : Hmm.
9
.
You are going to listen to two short dialogues. Note
about the responses to the expressions you hear.
Then practise them with your friends.
Source:
www.moran-mountain.co
Activity
4
Activity
5
Englishclub.com
Listening, speaking,
reading and writing
are the main (macro)
skills you need to
communicate in any
language. Being very
good at only one of
these skills will not help
you to communicate.
Learn how to master the
four language skills at
www.englishclub.com.
50
Developing English Competencies
for Grade XII of Language Programme
Answer these questions based on your own knowledge.
Paragraph
Information
1. Genetic engineering has important uses, but many
people are worried by it.
2. Food distribution is the biggest problem.
3. The effects of transgenic plants on the environment
are being investigated.
4. The use of recombinant technology outside of secure
laboratory environments carries unacceptable risks
for the future.
5. Certain types of genetically engineered crops will
further reduce biodiversity in cropland.
6. There is hope that golden rice may alleviate vitamin
A de
À
ciency.
7. The increasing use of genetic modi
À
cation in major
crops has caused a power shift in agriculture towards
biotechnology companies.
8. Genetic engineers may come up with some very
tempting ideas.
Sometimes scientists change plants in the laboratory.
These changes make them grow differently from normal
plants. We call these plants genetically modi
À
ed.
1. What do you know about genetic engineering?
2. Does it have any advantages?
3. Do you like the idea of eating foods that have been
genetically modi
À
ed?
4. Are you a proponent or an opponent of genetic
engineering?
Source
:
Cloning: Frontiers of Genetic
Engineering
, 2002
Activity
6
Activity
7
Work in pairs and listen to a text about genetic
engineering. Then put the number of the paragraph
next to the description on the left.
51
Let’s Discuss Some Issues
Listen again and take notes based on what you hear in
the following table.
Listen to the radio ad. Fill in the missing information
in the printed ad.
Issue
Argument For
Argument Against
Conclusion
Information
Just Say No to GMO
"I believe that GM technology isn't needed to feed the world, as
1
, organic farming methods can provide plenty without the
2
use of
chemicals. Using sustainable and organic farming methods will allow us to
3
the damage done by industrial farming, reducing the excessive use of
fertiliser,
4
and other man-made chemicals, and making GM crops
5
. The simple truth is, we don't need GM technology."
If you want a future
6
from GM food, help us make sure that
companies and governments around the world get the
7
.
This public
8
ad is presented by Friends of the Earth.
Adapted from
www.greenpeace.org.uk; Foodwatch
, 2001
Activity
8
Activity
9
52
Developing English Competencies
for Grade XII of Language Programme
Answer these questions.
Work in pairs. Read and practise the dialogue aloud.
Pay attention to the italicised expressions.
1. Do you have a mobile phone? Is it useful?
2. Do you think that sometimes your mobile phone is
annoying? When?
3. What would you say to express your curiosity about
the disadvantages of mobile phones?
4. What do you say if you think that mobile phones are
very useful?
5. You think that mobile phones will not exist someday
in the future. What do you say to express the
possibilities?
Speaking
In this section, you will learn how to:
• express curiosity;
•
express possibilities and showing attitudes;
•
perform a monologue of a discussion text.
Dani :
I'd like to know why the principal bans the use of
mobile phones in school
.
Lisa
: He said mobile phones will disturb our lessons.
Dani
: So do you approve of the ban?
Lisa : Not really.
I think it's a wise policy
. But sometimes
mobile phones are really useful in emergency
situations.
Dani : You m
ean you're not sure whether you approve
of the ban or not?
Lisa :
Well, I approve in some cases
. Some of our friends
have pornographic materials on their mobiles.
I feel it's annoying.
Dani :
Well, I don't agree with you
. Don't you think it's
their right to store whatever they want on their
mobiles?
Activity
1
Activity
2
53
Let’s Discuss Some Issues
Read another dialogue and identify the expressions
of curiosity, giving opinion and expressing possibility.
Then practise them with your partner.
Dian :
Hi, Adi. I wonder if you could answer a
question for me.
Adi
: That depends. What's it for?
Dian
: My class is doing a school survey on g
enetically
modi
À
ed organisms.
Adi
: Is it just the same as transgenic animals or
plants, huh? OK, what's the question?
Dian
: Do you approve of g
enetically modified
organisms?
Adi
: Well, that depends.
Dian
: What do you mean? You can say "yes", "no",
or "not sure".
Adi
: Yes, I'm sure. It depends on the use of the
transgenic plants. If a country suffers from a
famine, we can make good use of geneticaly
modi
À
ed food to help the country.
Dian
: OK, thanks. You say "yes".
Adi
: Yes, I approve in some cases.
Tania :
Well, I don't agree with him. I believe there may
be unknown dangers with genetically changed
crops.
Didu
: So your answer is "no"?
Tania : That's right. I'm against it. I wish to campaign
against GMO. Do you think there is any
possibility of a government policy concerning
this issue?
Didu
: Yes, I think that would be a possibility.
Didu
: OK. Thank you both. I appreciate your opinions.
Tania : No problem.
Adi
: Good luck with your survey.
New Horizon
GM crops are very
expensive to develop;
consequently, the
industry has focused
on high volume crops,
such as soybeans, corn,
cotton, and canola.
Globally 50 percent of all
soybeans and 20 percent
of all cotton is GM. In
the United States, almost
all soybeans (90 percent)
and corn (75 percent),
and almost half of the
cotton is GM.
Taken from
Biotechnology
Demisti
À
ed, 2007; Megatech
Cloning,
1999
Lisa
: That's right. But it's a school and it has its own
rules.
Dani
: All right.
I hope the principal will reconsider the ban
.
Activity
3
54
Developing English Competencies
for Grade XII of Language Programme
Now, make some short dialogues using expressions of
curiosity, showing attitude and expressing possibility
and their responses.
Example:
A : I wish I knew how to operate the programme on this
new mobile phone.
B : Why don't you
À
nd it on the web? I think there's a
possibility you can download the programme.
What to Say
Saying You Are Curious
•
What I’d really like to
À
nd out is ....
•
I’d be very interested to know ....
•
I’ve been meaning to ask you.
•
I’d like to know ....
•
I wish I knew ....
•
I’d love to know ....
•
What’s on your mind?
•
I wonder ...?
Expressions for Discussing Possibilities
•
Would there any possibility of ...?
•
Do you think we are capable of ...?
•
Would it be possible for (somebody) to ...?
•
I think that would be possible ....
•
Is it possible to ...?
•
Yes, there is a possibility ....
Expressions for Giving Opinion
• I'd just like to say ....
•
From my point of view, ....
•
As far as I'm concerned ....
• Well, I must say ....
• I think ....
• I believe ....
• I feel ....
More Formal
Less Formal
More Formal
Less Formal
More Formal
Less Formal
Activity
4
55
Let’s Discuss Some Issues
Answer the following questions.
1. Do you think that the practice of capital punishment
is controversial?
2. Is it an effective punishment that deters crime?
3. Is it inhuman?
4. Do you agree if the government abolishes the death
penalty?
5. Is the death penalty harder than a life sentence?
Work in groups and have a discussion based on the
issue of capital punishment.
Work in groups of three. Create a dialogue on another
controversial issue. Act it out in front of the class.
Examples of the Issue:
• Abortion
• Birth Control
• Alternative Medicines
• Animal Experimentation
• Cloning
• Reality TV Shows
Use the phrases you have studied in Activity 4 for saying
you are curious.
First, the speaker introduces the topic:
• Today, I’m going to talk about the pros and cons of
the death penalty.
There may be more than one idea about each topic. The
phrases below introduce new ideas about each topic.
• One (idea) ...
• Another (idea) ...
• The third (idea) ...
• The
À
nal (idea) ...
• The most important (idea) ...
Your Project
You will work with
a partner. You and
your partner make a
dialogue that discuss
a controversial issue.
Sometimes you will
have to be agree
with the issue and
sometimes you will
have to be against
the issue. Use the
expressions you have
learned.
Activity
5
Activity
6
Activity
7
56
Developing English Competencies
for Grade XII of Language Programme
Read the text aloud.
Mobile Phones: Good or Bad?
Everywhere you go nowadays, you
see people using mobile phones. From
school children to retired people, you
see them talking in the supermarket, on
trains, in the street, everywhere!
So what are the advantages of
mobile phones?
First of all, they are very convenient
because you can phone from nearly
anywhere. Another advantage is that
they are really useful in emergency
situations.
For example, if you are alone in
your car and it breaks down, you can
get help quickly. In addition, you
can also use your mobile to text your
friends or connect to the Net.
However, there are disadvantages
such as the cost. Mobile phone calls cost
more than normal calls. Furthermore, it
can be annoying if you are on a train or
a bus and you have to listen to someone
else's boring conversation. Finally,
people can contact you anywhere, at
any time, unless you switch your phone
off!
In conclusion, there are both advan-
tages and disadvantages. Personally,
I feel mobile phones are a good thing
because they give us more freedom and
make communication easier.
Taken from
Language to Go,
2002
Reread the text in Activity 8. Then
À
ll in the following
table based on the text.
Source
:
Pilar Magazine,
2001
To p i c :
Article
Advantages :
1.
2.
Disadvantages:
1.
2.
Conclusion :
Activity
8
Activity
9
57
Let’s Discuss Some Issues
Read the text in Activity 8 again. Then
À
ll in the
following table.
To p i c :
Advantages :
1.
2.
3.
Disadvantages:
1.
2.
3.
Conclusion :
Retell the text in Activity 8 by using your own words.
You can start your monologue with the following:
Well, today I'm going to talk about mobile phones.
Nowadays, everywhere you go, you see people using
mobile phones. But is it good or bad? Of course there are
advantages and disadvantages of mobile phones ....
Look at the following signs and answer the questions.
1. What do the notices mean?
2. Where do you usually
À
nd such notices?
Source
www.static
Á
ickr.com
Source
www.sxc.hu
Activity
10
Activity
11
Activity
12
58
Developing English Competencies
for Grade XII of Language Programme
Reading
In this section, you will learn how to:
•
read a discussion text;
•
read short functional texts: posters and graphs.
Look at the picture and answer the questions orally.
Before you read the text, learn these words. Match
them with their meanings.
1. What is happening in the picture?
2. What issue is raised by the people in the picture?
3. Do you agree with them?
Words
1. abortion
2. controversial
3. circumstance
4. unborn
5. opponent
6. conservative
7. defect
8. incest
9. distinguish
10. abuse
Meanings
a. not liking changes or new ideas
b. not yet born
c. someone who disagrees with a plan, idea, etc
d. causing a lot of disagreement
e. the conditions that affect a situation, action, event,
etc.
f. cruel or violent treatment
g. to be able to recognise and understand the difference
between two similar things or people
h. the ending of pregnancy before birth
i.
illegal sex between people who are closely related
j.
a fault or a lack of something
Source
:
Sociology in Our Times
, 2001
Activity
1
Activity
2
59
Let’s Discuss Some Issues
Complete these sentences with the words in the left
column of Activity 2.
1. Contraception is still a
issue in this part of
the world.
2. The
of abortion argues that laws legalising
it will increase irresponsible pregnancies.
3. The
of the helpless child made us bitter.
4. Some people argue that women should not have
to bear unwanted children resulting from rape
or
.
5. People who believe that a woman should have the
right to have an
may refer to themselves
as “pro-choice.”
6. Abortion is recommended when there is danger
that the child will be born with a serious mental or
physical
.
7. Many people approve of abortion under certain
.
8. Opponents of abortion believe that an abortion is the
unjusti
À
ed killing of an
child.
9. Pro-choice supporters
between human life
and quality of life.
10.
branches of major religions are chief
opponents of abortion.
Pronunciation
Practice
Pronounce these words after your teacher.
1. abortion
/əˈbɔrʃn/
2. opponent
/əˈpoʊnənt/
3. proponent
/prəˈpoʊnənt/
4. pregnancy
/ˈprɛgnənsi/
5. controversial
/̗kɑntrəˈvərʃɪ/
6. irresponsible
/̗ɪrɪˈspɑnsəbɪ/
7. recommend
/̗rɛkəˈmɛnd/
8. justi
À
ed
/ˈdʒʌstəfaɪd/
Englishclub.com
You will usually
encounter new words
when you read. If there
are too many new
words for you, then
the level is too high
and you should read
something simpler.
(
www.englishclub.com
)
Activity
3
60
Developing English Competencies
for Grade XII of Language Programme
Read the following text aloud.
For years, abortion has been an
extremely controversial subject. One
important aspect of the controversy is
whether a woman should be permitted
by law to have an abortion and, if so,
under what circumstances. Another
is whether, and to what extent laws
should protect the unborn. People who
wish to legally limit or forbid abortions
describe themselves as pro–life. Those
who believe that a woman should have
the right to have an abortion may refer
to themselves as pro–choice.
Arguments against abortion are
based on the belief that an abortion
is the unjusti
À
ed killing of an unborn
child. Most people who oppose abortion
believe that human life begins when
a sperm fertilises an egg. Another
argument against abortion is that laws
allowing it on demand will increase
irresponsible pregnancies and lead to
disrespect for human life. The Roman
Catholic Church is a chief opponent
of abortion. Conservative branches of
other religions also oppose abortion.
Many people approve of abortion
under certain circumstance. Some
approve of abortion if a woman’s life or
health is endangered by her pregnancy.
Others recommend abortion when
there is danger that the child will be
born with a serious mental or physical
defect. They also approve of abortion
when pregnancy has resulted from rape
or incest.
Many people who think that a
woman should have the right to choose
to have an abortion distinguish between
human life and person hood. They
argue that person hood implies both
the capacity for self-conscious thought
and acceptance as a member of a social
community. These people believe a fetus
is not a person and is thus not entitled to
rights normally given to a person. Such
pro–choice supporters agree with the
view that birth represents the beginning
of personhood.
Another pro–choice argument is
that legalising abortions has eliminated
many illegal abortions performed by
unskilled practitioners under unsanitary
conditions. These abortions often cause
deaths and permanent reproductive
Abortion: A Controversial Issue
Source
:
Sociology in Our Times
, 2001
Activity
4
61
Let’s Discuss Some Issues
injuries. Abortion on demand also
prevents many unwanted births and
may thus be a factor in lowering infant
and child abuse, neglect, and death
rates. Also some argue that women
should not have to bear unwanted
children in a world with a growing
population and diminishing natural
resources.
As a result of this controversy,
abortion laws vary from country to
country. In Russia, where abortion has
been legal since 1920, it is allowed up to
about the fourth month of pregnancy,
purely on request, and is commonly
used as a method of birth control. In
some countries, such as the Philippines,
Indonesia, and Bangladesh, abortion
is only allowed when pregnancy
threatens the mother’s life. South Africa,
New Zealand, and Hong Kong allow
abortion when the fetus is severely
damaged. In the Republic of Ireland,
the operation may only be performed
when either the mother’s or baby’s life
is in danger.
Taken from
The World Book Encyclopedia
, 2007
Work in pairs. Copy the following table and then
À
ll it
out based on the text in Activity 4.
Controversial issue:
Reasons against:
Reasons for:
Conclusion:
Activity
5
62
Developing English Competencies
for Grade XII of Language Programme
Study the following table and chart. Then answer the
questions.
NORTH CAROLINA RESIDENT
INDUCED ABORTIONS 2006
Induced Abortion in Unmarried Women
Age
10–14
15–19
20–24
25–29
30–34
35–39
40–44
45 and up
To t a l
240
5443
9359
6560
3669
1995
571
27
New Horizon
Debate is about change.
We are constantly
engaged in a struggle
to make our lives, our
community, our country,
our world, our future,
a better one. We should
never be satis
À
ed with
the way things are now–
surely there is something
in our lives that could be
improved.
Taken from
www.wikipedia.org
10–14 15–19 20–24 25–29 30–34
35–39
40–44
Source:
http://www.ncrtl.org/statistics.htm
45 and up
Age
5000
10,000
Activity
6
63
Let’s Discuss Some Issues
Age
10–14
15–19
20–24
25–29
30–34
35–39
40–44
45 and up
To t a l
350
5213
9579
6480
3556
1879
681
37
To t a l
27775
Draw a chart of the data in the table.
NORTH CAROLINA RESIDENT
INDUCED ABORTIONS 2007
Induced Abortions in Unmarried Women
Activity
7
1. a. In what age range did women in North Carolina
have abortions the most?
b. In what age range did women in North Carolina
have abortions the least?
2. What is the total number of unmarried women having
induced abortions?
3. What is the percentage of women aged 10–14 having
induced abortions?
4. What do you think of the findings? Give your
opinion.
Even though, Although, and Though
Study the following sentences.
1.
Even though
birth control has gained in acceptance,
opposition to the practice continues.
2.
Although
birth control has gained in acceptance,
opposition to the practice continues.
3.
Though
birth control has gained in acceptance,
opposition to the practice continues.
Grammar
Review
64
Developing English Competencies
for Grade XII of Language Programme
In informal speech,
though
is more common.
In spoken English we often use
though
at the end of a
sentence.
•
The house isn't very nice. I like the garden
though.
(= but I like the garden)
Even though
is a stroger form of although. We use
even though
to emphaisise a contrast.
•
Even though
I was really tired, I couldn't sleep.
Combine the sentences in each number. Use
even
though, although
or
though
. Number one has been
done for you.
1. Most people agree with family limitation.
Many religious groups consider birth control
immoral.
•
Although
many religious groups consider birth control
immoral, most people agree with family limitation.
2. Some religious groups oppose all artificial birth
control.
They consider natural family planning acceptable.
3. Family spacing is desirable for the good of the family
and society.
Individuals and groups differ sharply on the
methods of birth control that they consider moral and
acceptable.
4. In many countries the government campaigns for
birth control.
Some people fear that birth control encourages sexual
relations outside marriage.
5. Birth control usually refers to arti
À
cial methods.
Nature itself has built-in control for limiting and
spacing births.
6. Many countries allow abortion. Abortion laws vary
from country to country.
7. Abortion is legal in the Republic of Ireland. The
operation may only be performed when either the
mother’s or baby’s life is in danger.
UN Shot
living alone
can be difficult; many
single people prefer to
live with their family.
a. However
b. Moreover
c. Otherwise
d. Therefore
e. Although
(UN 2003/2004)
Activity
8
65
Let’s Discuss Some Issues
Writing
In this section, you will learn how to:
•
write discussion texts;
•
write a short functional text: sign or poster.
Look at the picture and answer the questions.
Source
:
CD Image
Write ten sentences related to helpful and harmful
effects of technology.
1. What things are in the picture?
2. What can you do with them?
3. Are they helpful?
4. Does technology have helpful or harmful effects?
5. Can you give your opinion about the technology?
Activity
1
Activity
2
Harmful
1. Pollution is one of
the most harmful
effects of modern
technology.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Helpful
1. Technology has
helped people in
many different ways.
2.
3.
4.
5.
66
Developing English Competencies
for Grade XII of Language Programme
Mobile Phones: Good or Bad?
Everywhere you go nowadays, you
see people using mobile phones. From
school children to retired people, you see
them talking in the supermarket, on trains,
in the street, everywhere!
So what are the advantages of mobile
phones?
First of all
, they are very convenient
because you can phone from nearly
anywhere. Another advantage is that they
are really useful in emergency situations.
For example, if you are alone in your car
and it breaks down, you can get help
quickly. In addition, you can also use your
mobile to text your friends or connect to
the Net.
However
, there are also disadvantages
such as the cost. Mobile phone calls cost
more than normal calls. Furthermore, it
can be annoying if you are on a train or
a bus and you have to listen to someone
else’s boring conversation. Finally, people
can contact you anywhere, at any time,
unless you switch your phone off!
In conclusion
, there are both advantages
and disadvantages. Personally, I feel
mobile phones are a good thing because
they give us more freedom and make
communication easier.
Taken from
Language to Go
, 2002
Study the following direction for writing a discussion
text.
Write the subject
of the essay/
discussion.
First, write
a general
introduction to
the subject of
the discussion.
Use words like
However
to
introduce a
contrast and
In conclusion
to
introduce the
summary.
Use linking
words like
First
of all
to present
the advantages/
disadvantages.
In the last
paragraph,
give a short
summary,
along with your
opinion and
reasons.
In the second and
third paragraphs,
introduce and
present the
advantages and
disadvantages.
Try to give
examples.
Activity
3
67
Let’s Discuss Some Issues
The Structure:
• General Introduction to the Subject
• The Advantages
• The Disadvantages
• Summary
Helpful and Harmful Effects of Technology
1. Technology has helped people in many different
ways. First of all, it allows them to make more things
now than they did in the past. For example, 150 years
ago, people and animals did most of the work on
farms in the United States. Today, machines do most
of the work on U.S. farms.
2. Another way technology has helped people is by
giving them more time to relax. Because machines
can do so much work, people today do not have to
work as hard as people in the past. Technology has
also made work easier and safer.
3. Today, technology helps people meet goals that
would have been impossible a hundred years ago.
But it also presents great challenges, or issues to
think about. One challenge is
À
nding ways to end
the harmful effects of technology. Another is how
to make sure the same problems won’t happen with
new technologies.
4. Another problem with technology is that it lets people
produce more powerful weapons. Such weapons
make the world a more dangerous place.
5. The technology that helped bring about our modern
society began about 200 years ago. At that time, more
and more factories were built. These factories began
using machines powered by steam. The machines
could make things faster and often cheaper than
people could make them by hand. This kind of
The following paragraphs are jumbled. Rearrange them
based on the structure.
Your Project
Conduct a survey of
your class' attitude on
helpful and harmful
effects of technology.
Ask whether they are
for or against the issue.
What is the reason?
Arrange the information
in a chart. Report the
result in front of the
class.
Activity
4
68
Developing English Competencies
for Grade XII of Language Programme
technology affected people’s lives more and more.
It has had both helpful and harmful effects on the
world.
6. Computers and other machines have replaced people
in the work place. It’s often hard for these people to
À
nd new jobs.
7. Pollution is one of the most harmful effects of modern
technology. Many countries face air, water, soil, and
noise pollution. Our technology also uses up many
natural resources, such as oil, wood, and coal. Many
of these resources cannot be replaced after they are
used.
1. Computer games are great! They’re better than TV.
On TV you can watch a space ship, but in a computer
game you can
Á
y a space ship!
2. Computers are bad for our health. In the past children
ran around and played sports. Now they just sit at
home.
3. A lot of children spend too much time with computers.
They start playing and then they can’t stop. They
don’t talk to anyone, they just sit and look at the
computer for hours and hours.
4. When children play with computers, they learn to
understand them. Computers are going to be very
important in the future. So children should play with
them and learn about them.
5. The Internet is very useful. There is more information
on the Internet than in the world’s biggest library.
6. A lot of computer games are very bad. There is a lot
of shooting and killing. These games are worse than
TV. You can see bad things on TV, but in computer
games you do bad things. It can’t be good for you.
Work in pairs. Classify the statements. Which are for
computers at home and which are against it. Do it in
your workbook.
Activity
5
69
Let’s Discuss Some Issues
7. I don’t think children learn much from computers.
They can’t learn about life from a computer. And
they can’t do their homework if they play computer
games all the time.
8. I’ve got friends all over the world. I’ve never seen
any of them but I know them all well because we send
mails to each other. My computer is the door to the
world!
Advantages
Disadvantages
Organise your piece of writing as the following.
Issue
- Statement
- Preview
Arguments for and against
statements of differing points
- Point
- Elaboration
Conclusion or
Recommendation
Introduction
Body
Conclusion
Write a discussion text based on the different statements
in Activity 5.
Make a sign or a poster about the advantages or
disadvantages of technology. State your argument and
put in some pictures if necessary. Discuss it with your
friend and consult your teacher.
Activity
6
Activity
7
70
Developing English Competencies
for Grade XII of Language Programme
1. Language Functions
a. Express curiosity and giving opinion
•
I'd like to know about your vision.
•
Why don't you take an English course?
b. Expressions for discussing possibilities
•
Would it be possible for us to cut the global warming?
2. Genre
Discussion
Social function
: to present (at least) two points of view about an issue
Generic structure :
•
Issue
: introduces the statement and previews issue
•
Arguments : states differing points of view (arguments for and against the
issue)
•
Conclusion : states the recommendation of the issue
Chapter Summary
After learning the lesson in this chapter, you are expected to be able to:
1. respond to expressions of curiosity and giving opinion;
2. respond to a discussion text;
3. use expressions for discussing possibilities;
4. perform a monologue of a discussion text;
5. read and write discussion texts;
6. identify advertisements, posters, and pamphlets.
Now, answer the questions:
1. What expressions do you use to express your curiosity and give your opinion ?
2. What do you say if you want to talk about possibility?
3.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of technology? Is it helpful or harmful?
Give your argument for or against the issue.
If you
À
nd some dif
À
culties, consult you teacher or discuss with your friend.
Learning Re
Á
ection