1. Positive adjectives

2. Negative adjectives

Ridiculous	Selfish	polite
Caring	hard-working	thoughtful
Horrendous	Greedy	friendly
Rude	Lazy	sociable
Open	Interested	impertinent
easy-going	Tactless	devoted
Generous	Honest	broad-minded
Helpful	Impolite	constructive

Task 5. Read and translate the text below.

Teenagers’ Problems (by Jeremy Gastle)

Parents and grandparents always seem to start from the premise that teenagers are in a special category when it comes to defining the human race. According to “the older generation” teenagers are lazy, they wear ridiculous clothes and are appallingly rude to their betters and elders; they find it impossible to be polite, helpful, constructive, caring or hard-working. What’s more, they spend all their time listening to awful music (“It isn’t music, it’s just a collection of horrendous noises!”) and gawking at unsuitable films. And all they ever think about is parties, drugs and sex. Well, that’s how the story goes! But is it anywhere near the truth?

Actually it seems tome to be quite the opposite of the truth. Teenagers spend a lot of time thinking about their work (studies), their families and friends and their hobbies. Sure, there are certain preoccupations such as clothes, money, how to behave in a certain situation, their bodies.

But isn’t it the same for most people? So what about the myth that all teenagers are rude, selfish, lazy and greedy? As far as I’m concerned, it’s nonsense. The vast majority of young people I meet are polite, friendly, open, interested and hard-working.

It’s true, of course, that sometimes teenagers have special problems. It is a difficult time because it is a period of transformation. It isn’t quite as bad as a chrysalis changing into a butterfly but it may seem like it – or even the other way round! It isn’t easy to grow up and physical and emotional changes are often confusing and worrying. But it’s my impression that most young people cope rather well.

Task 6. Answer the following questions using the words from task 3.

1. Are teenagers a problem?

2. Do teenagers have problem?

3. What do you think about your age-mates?

Task 7. Comment on the mottoes to live by.

• Your life is what you make of it.

• God helps those who help themselves.

• Miracles happen to those who believe.

• If you want to be on top, don’t let education stop.

• If you judge people, you have no time to love them.

• To make the world a friendly place, one must show it a friendly face.

Task 8. Take this one-minute quiz to find out how satisfied you are with your life. Rate each statement according to the scale.

In most way, my life is close to my ideal. The conditions of my life are excellent. I am satisfied with my life. So far, I’ve got the important things I want in life. If I could live my life over, I would change almost nothing.

Scale Add your score to see if you are:

Strongly agree 6 35-31 – extremely satisfied

Agree 5 26-30 – satisfied

Slightly agree 4 21-25 – slightly satisfied

Neither agree nor disagree 3 20-16 – neutral

Slightly disagree 2 15-19 – slightly dissatisfied

Disagree 1 10-14 – dissatisfied

Strongly disagree 0 5-9 – extremely dissatisfied

Task 9. Explain and expand on the following.

1. The young are always questioning the assumptions of the adults, though the latters don’t want their values to be doubted.

2. It’s impossible that a generation gap can ever be bridged, but some concessions on both sides are possible.

3. It is true that tolerance is the pledge of friendship.

4. The development of positive self-image, the influence and support of parents, teachers, age-mates and other people help the young to gain a state of personal identity.

Unit Y