Task 2
Monologue
Task instructions:
Read the text. Then in your own words:
1) define briefly what the main issue/problem is;
2) say what you think about the issue raised in the text;
3) provide arguments and examples to support your opinion;
4) come to a conclusion;
5) answer one additional question which the examiner will ask you at the end of your monologue.
You have 2 minutes to prepare.
1) define briefly what the main issue/problem is;
2) say what you think about the issue raised in the text;
3) provide arguments and examples to support your opinion;
4) come to a conclusion;
5) answer one additional question which the examiner will ask you at the end of your monologue.
You have 2 minutes to prepare.
Speaking time: 5 minutes.
TEXT 1: CULTURE SHOCK
When you move to another country, you may often feel disoriented, vulnerable and anxious in unfamiliar surroundings. It is important to think positively as these challenges are also opportunities for you to develop a set of life skills which can help you to overcome future problems. It can be beneficial to join different social, sporting and cultural activities, which provide opportunities to socialise, enjoy and develop language skills.
When you move to another country, you may often feel disoriented, vulnerable and anxious in unfamiliar surroundings. It is important to think positively as these challenges are also opportunities for you to develop a set of life skills which can help you to overcome future problems. It can be beneficial to join different social, sporting and cultural activities, which provide opportunities to socialise, enjoy and develop language skills.
www.visionpsychology.com
Additional questions:
• Is globalization creating a single world culture? Why/Why not?
• How should you prepare for a foreign trip in order to make the most of it?
• How should you prepare for a foreign trip in order to make the most of it?
TEXT 2: MULTITASKING
Good focus is supposed to be like a laser beam, steadily trained on a single target. For many of us, it is more like a broken disco ball spinning out-of-control. Researchers found that the brain cannot actually process multiple tasks in parallel but switches rapidly between tasks. Psychologists estimate that, beyond the simplest of activities, task-switching can decrease our efficiency by up to 40%. When we attempt to do many things at the same time instead of a series of things one-at-a-time, we get less done.
Good focus is supposed to be like a laser beam, steadily trained on a single target. For many of us, it is more like a broken disco ball spinning out-of-control. Researchers found that the brain cannot actually process multiple tasks in parallel but switches rapidly between tasks. Psychologists estimate that, beyond the simplest of activities, task-switching can decrease our efficiency by up to 40%. When we attempt to do many things at the same time instead of a series of things one-at-a-time, we get less done.
www.cbc.ca
Additional questions:
• Is there an activity on which you can spend hours? Please explain.
• Does multitasking still remain a necessary skill? Please explain.
• Does multitasking still remain a necessary skill? Please explain.
TEXT 3: PERFECTIONISM
Many of us believe perfectionism is a positive quality. Thomas Curran, PhD and Andrew Hill, PhD define perfectionism as “an irrational desire for achievement along with being overly critical of oneself and others.” They explain that today’s generation has “the strong need” to achieve “increasingly unrealistic educational and professional expectations”. Resisting perfectionism does not mean giving up your quest to do well, or that you have to give up ambition, but overdoing it can have negative consequences.
Many of us believe perfectionism is a positive quality. Thomas Curran, PhD and Andrew Hill, PhD define perfectionism as “an irrational desire for achievement along with being overly critical of oneself and others.” They explain that today’s generation has “the strong need” to achieve “increasingly unrealistic educational and professional expectations”. Resisting perfectionism does not mean giving up your quest to do well, or that you have to give up ambition, but overdoing it can have negative consequences.
www.psychologytoday.com
Additional questions:
• Which is more important for success – competition or cooperation? Why?
• What is the role of social media in creating unrealistic expectations?
• What is the role of social media in creating unrealistic expectations?
TEXT 4: ARMCHAIR TRAVEL
In today’s world the term ‘armchair travel’ has gained broad popularity. With people travelling less for a variety of reasons, many are seeking ways to have worldly experiences through other means. Armchair travel is all about discovering the world without actually going anywhere. Whether that is through virtual experiences, planning a future trip or bringing the world into your home, there are many ways to do it, such as reading, watching films or travel podcasts.
In today’s world the term ‘armchair travel’ has gained broad popularity. With people travelling less for a variety of reasons, many are seeking ways to have worldly experiences through other means. Armchair travel is all about discovering the world without actually going anywhere. Whether that is through virtual experiences, planning a future trip or bringing the world into your home, there are many ways to do it, such as reading, watching films or travel podcasts.
www.careergappers.com
Additional questions:
• What thing do you usually notice when you visit somewhere for the first time?
• Why do people like to travel?
• Why do people like to travel?
TEXT 5: FITNESS AND LEARNING
According to Dr. John J. Ratey, an associate clinical professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, exercise improves learning on three levels: “First, it optimizes your mind-set to improve alertness, attention, and motivation; second, it prepares nerve cells for logging in new information; and third, it activates the development of new nerve cells.” In short, not only does exercise help the brain get ready to learn but it actually makes retaining information easier.
According to Dr. John J. Ratey, an associate clinical professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, exercise improves learning on three levels: “First, it optimizes your mind-set to improve alertness, attention, and motivation; second, it prepares nerve cells for logging in new information; and third, it activates the development of new nerve cells.” In short, not only does exercise help the brain get ready to learn but it actually makes retaining information easier.
www.wgu.edu
Additional questions:
• What skills and personal qualities can team sports teach us?
• How important is it for physical education to be taught in schools?
• How important is it for physical education to be taught in schools?
TEXT 6: MONEY MANAGEMENT
At high school, every teenager can have a part time job, earn their own money, and open a bank account. It is interesting how teens’ spending habits change when it is their own, rather than their parents’ money. They also take better care of clothes and other items that they buy on their own. Having a good part time job is also good for learning time management skills, developing confidence, learning about the world of work, and building a resume.
At high school, every teenager can have a part time job, earn their own money, and open a bank account. It is interesting how teens’ spending habits change when it is their own, rather than their parents’ money. They also take better care of clothes and other items that they buy on their own. Having a good part time job is also good for learning time management skills, developing confidence, learning about the world of work, and building a resume.
www.psychologytoday.com
Additional questions:
• Why do students often choose to have a part time job?
• What advice would you give to someone who would like to improve their money management skills?
• What advice would you give to someone who would like to improve their money management skills?