Richard MacAndrew, Ron Martinez-Taboos and Issues_ Photocopiable Lessons on Controversial Topics (LTP instant lessons)-Heinle ELT (2001)

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True or false? Read the text again <strong>and</strong> mark the following statements true (T) or false (F): l.Jennifer got suspicious because Simon started coming home late. 2. Jenr-rifer discovered Simon's internet affair by accident. 3. Psychologists agree that an internet affair is damaging to any relationship. 4. Jennifer <strong>and</strong> Simon are divorcing. 5.Jennifer knows what Simon <strong>and</strong> his lover'said'to each other. Did Simon cheat on Jennifer? Discuss this question in small groups. Then take a class vote. Language ln English we often use expressions to describe serious or taboo matters in an indirect way. These expressions are called 'euphemisms.'ln the text below, underline the five euphemisms that really mean to have sex with someone. "l've always been more or less faithful to my girlfriend. OK, OK, once I had a one-night st<strong>and</strong> with a girl at the office. But we were both drunk. I'm not the kind of guy to sleep around. I mean, kissing another person is one thing, but actually going to bed with them is another story. I don't know how I could look myself in the mirror knowing I had been intimate with another woman. The same goes for my girlfriend. If I knew she had been with another man, I couldn't let the relationship go on. A very important trust would have been broken." lf you are a man, do you have a similar view to the man above? lf you are a woman, would you be happy to have this man as your partner or not? Give your reasons. Discussion You <strong>and</strong> your partner, Chris, live together. One night you come home <strong>and</strong> find the following accidentally left on the computer: I really love chatting with you. Me too. When are you going to send me your picture? I'll have to scan one. I'm not very photogenic. It doesn't matter. I like you for you. You make me feel special. Yeah, you make me feel special, too. I had a dream about you last night. You did? What about? Hmmm. I think I'd better not say. What would you do next? a. sit down at the computer <strong>and</strong> see if there are more e-mails like this? b. confront your partner straightaway? c. give them 'the silent treatment' until they ask what is wrong? d. pack your bags <strong>and</strong> leave? e. have a good laugh about it <strong>and</strong> tell your partner to grow up? Or would you do something else? Does this e-mail interaction tell you anything about the state of your relationship with Chris? What about the state of this internet relationship? (How serious is it? How long has it probably been going on?) <strong>Taboos</strong> <strong>and</strong> /ssues Cheating on your paftner 23
Are you happy with your body? Discussion You bump into a woman friend in town. You knew she was thinking of having breast implants <strong>and</strong> you can see that she has obviously had the operation. What do you say to her? rl. Nothing. It's too embarrassing. b. "\7ow. Those look great! How much did they cost?" c. "Wow. I'n"r surprised you can st<strong>and</strong> up straight!" d. Something else. ls plastic surgery popular in your country? ls it expensive? Do you think people who have plastic surgery are too concerned about their looks? Reading Read through the article <strong>and</strong> answer this question: Is there tt similar trend in your country? YOUNGER PLASTIC SURGERY PATIENTS Surgeons at clinics specialising in plastic surgery are reporting increasingly younger patients, according to a report released recently by the National Association of Plastic Surgery in the United States. "They want to look like the people they see in films or the models they see in magazines. It's becoming an obsession," said one doctor in a beauty clinic in California. "Last week we had a woman in here who, at 30, said she was looking too old <strong>and</strong> wanted a facelift. I told her to come back <strong>and</strong> see me in 15 years." The average age for patients undergoing plastic surgery over the last year was 32, down from 34 just the year before. In Engl<strong>and</strong> recently, a 15- year-old girl was in the news for announcing that her parents were going to pay for breast enlargements as her 16th birthday present. Her mother said, "If it makes her happy <strong>and</strong> gives her more chance of success in life, then what is the problem?" Though women still dominate the plastic surgery scene, men are growing increasingly concerned with their physical appearance <strong>and</strong> are doing something about it. According to the report, men now make tp 39Va of all surgeries performed - that's an increase of nearly 20Vo from last year. One man, who wished to remain anonymous, said he got his liposuction - removal of excess fat - after pressure from his wife. "She's a very athletic woman <strong>and</strong>, well,I enjoy a good steak." Liposuction tops the list of plastic surgery performed on men, followed by hair implants <strong>and</strong> breast reduction. For women the top order is still breast enlargement, followed by liposuction <strong>and</strong> facelifts. Read through the article again <strong>and</strong> answer these questions: l. Why arc younger people turning to plastic surgery? 2. Why did the cloctor refuse plastic surgery to one patienr? 3. Why is plastic surgery now more popular with men? 4. Whv c-lid thc man have liposuction? Discussion Do you think the number of men who want plastic surgery will eventually equal, or even surpass, the number of women? Read again what the mother of the 1S-year-old girl said. Do you agree with her? 24 Are you happy with your body? <strong>Taboos</strong> <strong>and</strong> /ssues
Page 3 and 4: IT E E h ts = - fl = f5 f- - l- l-
Page 5 and 6: Contents 1. Death Talking dhout dea
Page 7 and 8: Introduction Do you find this conve
Page 9 and 10: I I a I Nudity I I I Vocabulary Nud
Page 11 and 12: Reading The authors would like to m
Page 13 and 14: Ir i= Language i- Mark the expressi
Page 15 and 16: Language Use the correct form of th
Page 17 and 18: Sex for sale Discussion 1. Match th
Page 19 and 20: Swearing Discussion "When angry, co
Page 21 and 22: Torture Discussion Work in pairs. W
Page 23 and 24: Sexual harassment Discussion Discus
Page 25 and 26: L - Bribery and co
Page 27 and 28: Designer babies Discussion lmagine
Page 29 and 30: v- Children who kill Discussion 1.I
Page 31 and 32: Gays and jobs Disc
Page 33 and 34: t h Animal rights F J fr = Discussi
Page 35 and 36: E Discussion Marriage - for better
Page 37 and 38: Nobody needs a gun Discussion In Br
Page 39 and 40: The sale of humanorgans t I { I I D
Page 41 and 42: I I I I Discussion Work in pairs. A
Page 43 and 44: a I Discussion Telling lies Work in
Page 45 and 46: Abortion / Ic I E I Language <stron
Page 47 and 48: - National stereotypes Discussion "
Page 49: Cheating on your partner Discussion
Page 53 and 54: lmmigration and ra
Page 55 and 56: Changing sex Language and</
Page 57 and 58: ls this news? i ! I I I Discussion
Page 59 and 60: Discussion Reading The right to die
Page 61 and 62: Old enough to be her grand<
Page 63 and 64: Big Brotherls watching! Discussion
Page 65 and 66: i Discussion Anxiety and</s
Page 67 and 68: I a Gay families Discussion What le
Page 69 and 70: Begging Discussion Do you give mone
Page 71 and 72: Compensation culture Discussion l '
Page 73 and 74: Sport and money Di
Page 75 and 76: - Vanity Discussion In your experie
Page 77 and 78: Legatising drugs Discussion l. Makc
Page 79 and 80: Read through the first part of this
Page 81 and 82: The death penalty Discussion Work i
Page 83 and 84: Addictions Discussion work in pairs
Page 85 and 86: F 1 Death Bc aware that a discussio
Page 87 and 88: lT Discussion It is very diificulr
Page 89 and 90: Reading (clockw.ise fronr top left,
Page 91 and 92: F Fof low-up Ask stuclents to write
Page 93 and 94: f- Irs lr clrtss itncl see whr; wou
Page 95: ? I Follow-up Stuclents could use a

Richard MacAndrew, Ron Martinez-Taboos and Issues_ Photocopiable Lessons on Controversial Topics (LTP instant lessons)-Heinle ELT (2001)

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