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53. Write an essay (about 300 words). You may choose the topic you like:

1.There are more and more pressures on young people to drink alcohol and they are worried that if they don't, people will think there is something wrong with them.

2.There is a blurring between illegal drugs such as cannabis and legal ones such as alcohol or tobacco in youth culture.

3.Youth crime is a huge problem.

54. Read the text and circle the words that mean:

3) the activity of playing games of chance for money; 4) the activity of going to stores and buying things; 5) a way of communicating information to people;

6) possibility of something happeningАthat will injure, harm or kill somebody, or damage or destroy something;

For years, researchersибhave been trying to make sense of the biology and psychologyСof addiction – its causes and its cures. In the past, addictions were viewed primarily as addictions to substances such as drugs, alcohol, and nicotine. Recently, however, many researchers have begun to think that people can also be addicted to activities such as gambling, sex, shopping, and even travel.

7) a fact or an event in nature or society, especially one that is not fully understood.

One activity that has become increasingly common throughout world especially among young people is computer use, specifically on-line computer communication through a medium called the Internet. Although many people are discovering what a powerful communication tool the Internet is, others are also realizing its dangers. Many young people have begun overusing this new tool and are spending hours and hours on-line. In fact, some psychologists have even labeled this overuse phenomenon as Internet addiction.

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55. Read the statements that follow. Write A (agree), D (disagree) or “?” (don’t know) next to each statement. Compare your answers with those of a partner, and discuss your opinions. Use the following expressions to challenge arguments:

*I’m sorry, but I’m afraid you’re missing the point.

*No, I believe that’s really not true.

*So what exactly are you talking about?

*In the case…, this is simply not so.

*I find this really hard to believe.

1. A person who spends 15 to 20 hours a day using a computer could be called an addict.

3. Communicating with friends and family via a computer is cold and im-

4. People become dependent on their computer to avoid work and social activities.

56. Read the passage. Then lookАat the list of expressions that follow. Find the word in the passageбthat is similar in meaning, and write the number in the blank.

Bill, a student atиthe University of Maryland, says, “I have been using the Internet for about a year. Now I spend most of the day on-line. I am trying to cut myСhours, but I simply don’t have the strength to. I’m like an alcoholic who can’t control his habit.” For years, people have been addicted to things like nicotine, gambling, or alcohol. However, now a new (1) high-tech addiction called Internet addiction is rapidly becoming the latest problem of the computer age.

College and university students, businesspeople, and homemakers are just some of the people who are spending hours and hours in front of their computer screens. They are sending (2) e-mail, playing computer games, or entering (3) chat rooms where they can communicate with strangers all over the world on their computer.

At first, these individuals went on-line for work, study, or pleasure and spent one or two hours a day on their computer. However, the hours gradually increased. They begun to (4) surf the Net for longer and longer periods of time.

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Bill’s (5) compulsiveness, his inability to stop thinking about his online activity, turned into a serious psychological problem. He gave up his friends. Stopped playing basketball, and neglected his schoolwork. Instead he found (6) fulfillment by communicating electronically with strangers.

Psychologists have become concerned about this growing problem. They feel that Internet addicts are avoiding the (7) intimacy that comes from live, nonelectronic communication. Counselors worry that students will not go through the normal social (8) developmental stages. As a result, at many colleges, counseling centers are now offering (9) support groups, a special form of (10) therapy that is helping these students control their on-line habit.

____e) inability to control certain behavior

____f) an electronic way for individuals to send messages via the computer

____g) electronic discussion groups in which several people exchange

57. Read the survey. It is used to diagnose Internet addiction. Test yourself or your friend.

Hooked on the net? Let’s find out

Take this quiz to see if your passion for the “Net” has become an allconsuming addiction. Check the answers. Remember, be honest!

1.Do you check your e-mail more than six times a day?

2.Do you lose track of the time because you are on the computer all night?

3.Do you dream about surfing the Net?

4.Have you ever missed class or called in sick to work because you were too busy on-line?

5.Do you introduce yourself by immediately giving out your e-mail address?

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6.Do you neglect your pets because you are on-line and forget to feed and walk them?

7.Does your family constantly complain that you are spending too much in front of the computer?

8.Have you forgotten to do your usual chores around the house?

9.Do you talk more to your friends around the world via e-mail than you do to your neighbors?

10.Do you feel uncomfortable at the thought of going on vacation without your computer?

SCORING

strategize

support

symptom

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59. Read the following paragraphs and fill in the blanks with the correct form of the words from the chart (ex. 58).

For many years now, Patty, age 27, liked to shop. Stylish and savvy, a vice-president at a large public relations firm, she enjoyed expensive food, jewelry, and clothes. However, for years she battled periods of sadness and endured sudden (1) ________________ attacks. Her (2)

________________ worsened when her longtime boyfriend suddenly left her for another woman. She felt lonely and isolated. Needing to feel satisfied and (3) _______________ in some way, Patty started to spend money like there was no tomorrow.

Every day, in an effort to fight her (4) _______________ she begun to hang out in shopping malls during her lunch hour and after work. At

first she bought only small items like cosmetics or inexpensive jewelry. But soon she was charging huge sums of moneyИon her credit cards, buying

designer clothing, shoes, and handbags. Feeling totally out of control, she

hundreds of dollars on unnecessary items purchased on the cable television shopping channel or from mail-order catalogs. She was so (6)

had a (5) ______________ need to buyДwhenever she could. She spent

_____________ that she couldn’t resist buying from the local street vendors. Her friends and family refused to (8) ____________ her financially and help her out of her debt. Nothing could stop her spending – not fear,

Patty was one year of intensiveбgroup (11) _____________. And finally,

one year later, Patty is out of debt and in control: a recovered shopaholic.

60. Write a paragraph describing a person you know who has an addiction. Use at least 20 words from the chart (ex. 58).

61. Read the text about another form of addiction. Use some phrases in the list to answer the question in the title.