Focus on Words

KEY TO LISTENING
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Every Cloud Has Its Silver Lining
1. What is your opinion concerning all this?
2. It is very beneficial for the countries they emigrate to, but harmful for the countries they leave. Don’t
you agree?
3. I’d live to ask one more question.
4. What do you think about these tendencies as an expert? It tells on home economics of many countries,
doesn’t it?
5. Is the state of things really changing? Do you see opposing tendencies?
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Celebrating Diversity
Look around and you will see that our society is very diverse. Diversity enriches our lives. Cultural
diversity brings together the resources and talents of many people for the shared benefit of all. Sadly, the
differences among us have historically formed the basis of fear, bigotry, and even violence.
Yet consider how dull life would be if we all looked alike, thought alike, and acted alike! By learning
to recognize our similarities and appreciate our differences, together we can overcome prejudice and
intolerance and work towards a more peaceful and productive world.
People may fear diversity simply because they are accustomed to the way things used to be and
change makes them uncomfortable. Others may somehow feel threatened because they see increased
participation by underrepresented groups in the workplace. This process seems a challenge to their own
power. However, these fears can often be countered through education.
Unlike assimilation - where everyone’s differences are lost in a giant melting pot - multiculturalism
suggests the idea that maintaining our different cultural identities can enrich us and our communities.
Multiculturalism celebrates diversity by allowing us to value our individual heritages and beliefs
while respecting those of others. Respect for each others’ cultural values and belief systems is an intrinsic
part of cultural diversity. Lack of respect is often based on ignorance or misinformation. If you do not
understand another’s values, lifestyle, or beliefs, it is much easier to belittle them. And this is the beginning
of prejudice and intolerance.
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The arguments about climate change
Climate change is happening. At the moment scientists agree that the world’s climate has become
warmer over the past 50years, but they disagree about the causes.
Some believe that human activities have caused climate change. They argue that for 1, 000 or 2, 000
years before 1850 when records began, the temperature was more or less stable. Short warm or cold
periods occurred during that time, but the climate always returned to the same level. However since the
industrial Revolution, human beings have burned more and more fossil fuels, such as coal and oil. In 1800
the atmosphere contained around 280 parts per million of carbon dioxide (CO2).Since then there has been
an increase of about 31%. This extra carbon dioxide has the raised the world’s temperature because of the
greenhouse effect.
Other scientists disagree that human activities over the past 50 years have caused global warming.
They point out that volcanoes and other natural process have always released CO2 into the atmosphere,
and that human activity has contributed a rise in CO2 of only three per cent.
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