English Recordings

Topic: Nowadays, sports stars can earn a great deal of money from advertising expensive sporting goods and other products. What problems might this cause? Do you think this is a positive or negative development?

Model answer:

Sports and advertising are now very closely linked. Thus, when we think of famous sports stars, we often inevitably think of the brand of clothing they wear. This can cause problems but also has a positive effect.

Once they reach a certain level, sports stars or teams are offered generous sponsorship deals. This means that they receive large sums of money in return for advertising different companies. They are given these contracts because of their fans, many of whom are very young and want to copy them. As the products they endorse tend to be luxury goods, or expensive sports equipment, this puts pressure on families to spend money they may not have. Moreover, the most popular sports are now associated with advertisements for betting and gambling, and many people are concerned about the impact this has on young sports fans. Thus, the problems connected to such advertising should not be overlooked.

On the other hand, there are several positive effects. Firstly, without advertising, it is unlikely that we would have the level of sport that exists today. Sponsorships allow modern-day sportsmen and women to focus on their sport instead of juggling practice with a more traditional job. This is turn encourages more young people to play sport, and gives those who are talented enough a chance to turn their passion into a lucrative career. In fact, there have been several cases in football where children from very poor areas have transformed their lives thanks to sport. Therefore, there are clear benefits for sport and sports professionals.

In conclusion, advertising sponsorships allow sports people and sport itself to thrive. Although the type of products that can be advertised do need regulation, on the whole, I believe this is a positive development.

Topic: Some people believe that children of all ages should have extra responsibilities (for example, helping at home or at work). Others believe that, outside of school, children should be free to enjoy life. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Model answer:

Children are constantly learning and developing. Some people believe this should include learning how to work and be responsible, while others disagree. There are pros and cons to both views.

Some children have no responsibilities within the home when their school day is over. These children learn how to relax from an early age. As a result, they are more like to develop into adults who are also very relaxed about life. However, although this may seem ideal, it is also possible that, as children, they will become bored and lack self-discipline. Although some might enjoy spending time outside with their friends, how many would simply sit watching TV, or playing computer games? Consequently, as adults, they may be unmotivated or even irresponsible. This level of freedom would certainly affect a child’s development.

In contrast, children who are given responsibility from an early age would develop in a very different way. Even young children can be given simple daily chores. In this way, they learn to be responsible for themselves and not expect others to do things for them. Those who help their parents at work, for example in a family restaurant or shop, would also surely learn a great deal about life. Nevertheless, this idea can be taken too far. Children who are forced to work from a very young age can miss out on education because of this, and experience many of the stresses of adult life. Therefore, sensible limits on this type of work are needed.

In my view, there are benefits to both approaches. It is important for all children to know how to relax and enjoy life, but also balance this by being responsible when necessary. In this way, they are more likely to grow into well-rounded adults with a healthy work-life balance.

Topic: Some young people like to copy the behaviour and clothes of famous people. Why might this be the case? What problems might it cause?

Model answer:

Each generation has its own stars and fashion icons. The young often look up to these people and like to copy their style. This essay will consider the reasons for this and the problems it may cause.

There are several reasons why young people aspire to be like the popular stars of their day. Firstly, this tends to happen when children are developing into young adults, and becoming more aware of their identity. Some have an innate sense of their own style but it takes most young people years to develop this same confidence. Until then, the need to fit in is very strong, and so it is not surprising that they should copy the stars that they, and all of their friends, look up to. It is also possible that teenagers want to be different to their parents. Therefore, copying the famous may be a way for young people to conform as well as to rebel.

Nevertheless, this phenomenon can create problems. The famous like to stand out, and their fashion choices can be unorthodox. Attempting to copy this could cause conflict in the home, especially if the young people concerned come from a very conservative background. In addition, the famous now tend to be very active on social media and many document their daily life and activities. If these celebrities make poor choices, this may mean that young people are encouraged to copy unhealthy behavior, such as smoking, or following extreme diet. Thus, the celebrities in question may not be the best of role models.

In conclusion, wanting to be like their heroes is a normal part of development, and may help teens establish their own identity. Although, it can sometimes cause conflict, thankfully it is something that they eventually grow out of.

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"No, sir," the Ossete answered; "but there are a great many threatening to fall—a great many."
Owing to the lack of a travellers' room in the Station, we were assigned a night's lodging in a smoky hut. I invited my fellow-traveller to drink a tumbler of tea with me, as I had brought my cast-iron teapot—my only solace during my travels in the Caucasus.
One side of the hut was stuck against the cliff, and three wet and slippery steps led up to the door. I groped my way in and stumbled up against a cow (with these people the cow-house supplies the place of a servant's room). I did not know which way to turn—sheep were bleating on the one hand and a dog growling on the other. Fortunately, however, I perceived on one side a faint glimmer of light, and by its aid I was able to find another opening by way of a door. And here a by no means uninteresting picture was revealed. The wide hut, the roof of which rested on two smoke-grimed pillars, was full of people. In the centre of the floor a small fire was crackling, and the smoke, driven back by the wind from an opening in the roof, was spreading around in so thick a shroud that for a long time I was unable to see about me. Seated by the fire were two old women, a number of children and a lank Georgian—all of them in tatters. There was no help for it! We took refuge by the fire and lighted our pipes; and soon the teapot was singing invitingly.
"Wretched people, these!" I said to the staff-captain, indicating our dirty hosts, who were silently gazing at us in a kind of torpor.
"And an utterly stupid people too!" he replied. "Would you believe it, they are absolutely ignorant and incapable of the slightest civilisation! Why even our Kabardians or Chechenes, robbers and ragamuffins though they be, are regular dare-devils for all that. Whereas these others have no liking for arms, and you'll never see a decent dagger on one of them! Ossetes all over!"
"You have been a long time in the Chechenes' country?"
"Yes, I was quartered there for about ten years along with my company in a fortress, near Kamennyi Brod.[5] Do you know the place?"
"I have heard the name."
"I can tell you, my boy, we had quite enough of those dare-devil Chechenes. At the present time, thank goodness, things are quieter; but in the old days you had only to put a hundred paces between you and the rampart and wherever you went you would be sure to find a shaggy devil lurking in wait for you. You had just to let your thoughts wander and at any moment a lasso would be round your neck or a bullet in the back of your head! Brave fellows, though!"...
"You used to have many an adventure, I dare say?" I said, spurred by curiosity.
"Of course! Many a one."...
Hereupon he began to tug at his left moustache, let his head sink on to his breast, and became lost in thought. I had a very great mind to extract some little anecdote out of him—a desire natural to all who travel and make notes.

(a) There is a parking lot around.
(b) Turn off your mobile phone.
(c) Please be quiet.
(d) Keep off the grass.
(e) You are near a restaurant.
(f ) Do not swim here.

--Already recorded, thanks!--