Cerone EXAM-FRIGHT KILLER 50 Advanced Topics Izabella SzilvasProofread by Geoff HARDCASTLE Cover art by Istvan MOHOS: ISBN 963 460 038 4 © Siitvas tzabelta 2005 Printed im Gécsej Nyomda Kft. ZalaegerszegAcknowledgements Foreword Abortion Advertising aios, Alcoholism Alternative Medicine art Banks and Capital Punishment Cloning & Genetic Engineering inking Disasters Divorce Drug Abuse & Drug Dependence Drugs in Sports E-Learning Education Employment Energy ‘The European Union Euthanasia Extrome Sports Familial Issues CONTENTS 42 15 18 2 25 29 32 35 a a7 58 Yz3IBB 87 98 104 115 120 122 124 Genetically Modified Food tot Warming Globalisation Homo Edueation ‘The Ozone Hole Paranormal Phenomena ‘Smoking Space Exploration Sports and Exercise Stock Market Terrorism ‘The Tourist industry ‘Trade Unions Unemployment Urbanisation Vivisection Wedding Welfare Sources of Information a7 434 134 140 144 148 450 159 162 164 470 474 «77 484 405 494 197 200 205 208 240 213 219 224 229Exam-Fright Killer ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS My primary debt is to all students of mine, whose industry, enthusiasm and thirst for knowledge have inspired me, for over two decades, to find additional information about hot issues and to serve the result in a digestible form. In fact, first-hand experience of co-operating with learners of English in preparation for exams has driven me to set electronic pen to electronic paper and publish this book. Thanks to you all, “Manékim”. Tam very grateful to my former colleague, Peter Sabath, for his expert guidance. Reading through the first topics, he offered professional advice on the style and format of the book. The points that he made about vocabulary and organisation, during the early stages of drafting, have brought consistency to the final manuscript. Towe a great deal to Zoltén Basti, a best friend and great student, who made helpful suggestions about what topics to include and how to explore them. I would also like to thank him for his unfailing support throughout the Preparation of this book, and for his close perusal: hopefully, only the bare minimum of printing errors has eseaped his eyes. Very special thanks are due to Istvan Mohos for his invaluable contributions to the book. His wise counsel and his tactfully witty remarks have significantly improved all attributes of Exam-Fright Killer, from content to Proper use of punctuation niarks. About the latter, however, I must make a confession. As regards commas, I am stubborn as a mule. So, if you spot a superfluous comma, or feel uncomfortable with the apparent lack of one, the fault lies with me, exclusively. Istvan must also take full credit for the stunning design of the front and back covers of the book. I am deeply indebted to Geoff Hardcastle, whose constructive comments on the text are reflected in the finished work. This book has benefited greatly from his valuable suggestions, and it would have been impossible without his generous and expert advice. Finally, my thanks also to my good friends Gizella Beke, Kiva Harkdny and Katalin Bésze, and to my family; for all the support, encouragement and love that I have received from you over the years.Exam-Fright Killer ul FOREWORD WHAT IS THIS BOOK ABOUT? Exam-Fright Killer consists of fifty topics that advanced students of English are likely to encounter when taking language exams. In choosing the topies I have tried to select issues of general interest which may be set as discussion topics and as reading or writing tasks, both at the ‘Hungarian advanced level national examination and at the international examinations popular with Hungarian candidates: ECL, ELC, Pitman, and Trinity. ‘When selecting what to include, I have also attempted to focus on issues that are not covered in detail in coursebooks commonly used in Hungary. 1am fully aware that you may rightly feel dissatisfied with my present choices because scores of important topics, such as fashion, shopping, design, elections or mobile phones, have been ignored. In the revised edition I will try to make up for this limited selection. My aim with this book is to provide basic, general, background information on a range of subjects frequently discussed in the papers and on radio and television programmes. “Basic” is a key word here: rather than analysing issues in-depth, I strive to provide short-cut, “in a nutshell” discussions of matters of concern. “General” must also be underlined. Although I make frequent references to British and American institutions, laws, customs and habits, this book is not a cultural reader, but a rough outline of the general aspects of everyday issues. Another essential goal of this book is to help learners with the target vocabulary necessary to understand, speak or write about these topics. I have paid particular attention to commonly cited arguments for and against issues that are surrounded by considerable controversy. Both sides of such cases are presented, summarising frequently expressed bodies of opinion, in table form. As this book is a kind of schoolbook for instruction and practice, containing a Jot of essential advanced vocabulary of the topics covered, it can be put to a variety of uses. The information can be utilised when students are asked to give a short talk, debate an issue, perform a reading comprehension task, or write an argumentative essay. The topics can contribute to a broadening of students’ general knowledge and to improving their command of English.Exam-Fright Killer HOW TO USE THIS BOOK? 3% “Exam-Fright Killer” is designed to be user-friendly. > To help you see the organisation of a topic at a glance and to aid with learning and revising vocabulary, have provided a variety of visual clues — a number of typeface styles and sizes. Three symbols ate used to indicate th i to help you get a quick overview, or (0 obtain information in more detail. = The symbol % introduces headings, topics or related issues, which are also emphasized by Jarger, underlined, italicised letters in bold type. = The symbol > indicates explanations and lists, printed in bold underlined font, claborating on the points raised in the headings. = The symbol m is used to introduce further details. ‘= Useful words and expressions are set in boldface italics. > This book is best read on an individual, self-study basis. You can choose to read it all to get the gist of the subject matter, or you can pick particular topics to learn. 1 would like to encourage you to mull over the information contained in this book: agree or disagree with the arguments and think of further imports; look for news, stories and suitable websites to widen your understanding of the topic; compare this ‘material with your personal experience; augment topics that you read with interest, with relevant Hungarian detail. WHO IS THIS BOOK FOR? Exam-Fright Killer was written for learners of “English as a forcign language”, for students who are preparing for language exams, and whose command of English is at levels from intermediate upwards. I do hope, however, that a wider range of people will find this book worth reading: advanced users who wish to read brief summaries of everyday topics. AUTHOR'S NOTE 1 hope that you enjoy reading this book and that you find it helpful. 1 look forward to hearing about what you think of the format and content of these fifty advanced topics. I welcome your remarks, suggestions and (moderate amounts of) criticism via electronic mail, at “examfrightS0@yahoo.com”. Orders for purchasing Exam-Fright Killer can be placed at the same e-mail address. Izabella SzilvasExam-Fright KillerAbortion ABORTION Introduction % Abortion usually means induced abortion, which is intentionally brought on to Regulation on Abortion terminate @ pregnaney. Depending on the age of the foetus, it is performed using drugs or surgery. In case of Spontaneous abortion (miscarriage), medical intervention is not the cause of ending the life of the foetus. a Facts > Approximately 46 millon abortions are performed worldwide each year. > An estimated 20 million abortions sre performed under unsafe conditions in Countries where abortion is restricted or prohibited. > Bvery year, illegal abortions account for an estimated 78,000 preananey-elated due to infection, hacmorshage. uterus injury and the toxic effects of agents taken to induce abortion. > Viability, the embryo's ability to live outside the mother’s womb, is accepted at ‘about 24 weeks’ gestation. % Legal background > not sidered illegal until the Lit was banned in ‘Several couniries after Pope Pius IX declared that “ensoulment” occurred at conception. The methods uscd in illegal abortions were extremely dangerous; for ‘example, knitting needles, or ingesting lead solutions. > tions relaxed or legalised their aborti century. Liberalised abortion regulations became widespread in the late 1960s. Legalisation was an answer to pressures of the feminist moveraent, to changes in women’s equality and rights, and to high death rates caused by illegal abortions. > At present, ie types of reaul st in different the world. = Abortion is banned and illegal abortion is penalised. = The necessity of abortion is accepted in certain situations: a doctor must certify that the woman’s life or health is in jeopardy; pregnancies caused by rape or incest can be terminated: the husband’s consent is needed, = Abortion is performed at the woman’s request. +* Religious background > In the Roman Catholic Church abortion is absolutely unacceptable. > feligions, such as the Church of England, the Church of Scotland, Iudaism and Islam, permit abortion in extreme circumstances: it is usually acceptable if carrying the pregnancy to full term puts the mother’s life at risk.