During a
conversation class, Mr Diab, a teacher of English, raised the following question
for oral discussion: "What will your future career be?" The teacher then divided
the class into four groups, and asked each group to express their viewpoints. He
gave them a period of ten minutes for silent discussion before they could speak
out. Each group was supposed to choose one student to speak on their behalf Here
is how the
discussion went on.
Mr. Diab: The ten- minute period is over now. Let's see what each group has to say. Let's begin with group A ' It seems that Ahmad will speak on behalf of the group. You may begin, Ahmad
Ahmed: My friends and I believe that a future career, any future career, must be based on a university degree. This is the first condition. Second, a future career should not only help a person just to make a living, it should also make him / her a wealthy person in a relatively short period
of time. Third and last, a future career should make a person occupy a respectable position in society. In the light of these three points or conditions, we think that medicine and engineering suit us best.
Mr.Diab: Thank you Ahmad, Now what about you, Nader?
Nader:
I'm afraid that what Ahmad considers a must is subject to discussion. We believe
- as group B - that having a university degree sounds good,and becoming rich in
a short period of time sounds even better. After all, who would refuse to be
rich? Besides, being a respectable person in one's community is no less
attractive. But if everyone became an engineer or a doctor, who would then drive
buses and collect taxes? Who would clean the streets and deliver mail? Who would
milk cows and sell vegetables? We need bus
drivers as much as engineers; we need :tax collectors, street cleaners,
milkmen and greengrocer, as much as doctors. Frankly, I'd say we are in need of
technicians more than of doctors and engineers. We need blue-collar workers more
than white- collar ones.
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Mr.Diab: That's good. What about you, Leila? Now we'll see what girls have to say on this subject? Leila: I think there's much truth in what Ahmad and Nader have just said. We do need doctors and engineers; we do need technicians, too. But we, members of group C, believe that what really counts is not the future career itself but what one feels about it. In other words, if a person is happy because S he is honest and straightforward, and able to make a decent living, it doesn't matter then whether he is a doctor or a nurse, a manager or an office boy, a business man or a clerk ............. |
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Mr. Diab: It's good to hear that from you, Leila. Now we come to group D. it seems that Dana is going to speak on behalf of the last group. You may begin, Dana. Dana: Thank you Mr.Diab. Well, 1 feel I agree with Leila more than with Ahmad and |
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Male student: Women's solidarity at its best! Mr. Diab: Will you stop it Samer! Go on Dana, and please disregard what Samer has said. Dana: All right. Although I agree to what Leila has just said, I still find it rather selfish to speak of what each one of us needs or |
likes, wishes or prefers . No man is an island, so to speak, and we all belong to a certain community which deserves our attention and care. We should think of a future career according to the needs of our community. In other words, we, members of group D, will be taking into consideration the needs and interests of our community before making up our minds as to what our future careers will be.
That is quite reasonable, Dana you've made your point clear enough. All right, this is enough for today. Next week, we'll give the subject a second thought and see how we can reach a final decision.
A-Refer to the passage, and give complete answers.
1. What question did Mr. Diab raise?
2. In Ahmad's opinion, what is the first condition essential to a future career?
3. What careers does Group A consider suitable?
4. What does Nader think of Ahmad's views?
5 In Nader's opinion, what is society in need of?
6. Why does Dana believe that Ahmad's and Nader's opinions reflect selfishness?
1- Ahmad speaks ............... of Group A.
a. as the representative.
b. highly.
c. in favor
2- Group A's ............ in life is to attain the highest post in society.
a. minor interest.
b. main goal.
c. possible plan.
3- "Subject to argument'" means "................-........ "•
a. questionable.
b. not open for discussion.
c. difficult to deal with.
4- Nader .......... some of Ahmad's ideas.
a. understands
b. mocks
c. approves of
5- Nader states that people are in need of ......... more than of............. .
a. doctors blue-collar workers.
b, white-collar workers technicians.
c. technicians , doctors.
6- To Leila, what ......... is how a person feels
towards this or that career.
a. counts.
b. surprises.
c. is interesting.
7- "Inclined to agree" means ..............
a. hesitant to disagree.
b. completely against the idea.
c. would like to say "yes''*.
8- The teacher promises to give the subject .................
a. a second thought.
b. a special title.
c. a good outline.
A- Match the words in column A with their meanings in column B:
A B
a. community
1- complete unity
b respectable 2- as
a representative of
c. straightforward 3- honest; frank
d. on behalf of 4- having
a good social position
e. solidarity
5- a group of people living together
f. reasonable
6- practical
- act or speak for
- take up a job or position.
- a dustman
- one who sells vegetables and) fruit.
- not pay attention to.
1 - seems better.
2- as attractive as.
3- what really mailers.
4-to reconsider.
5- to earn enough money to live on.
6- performs Ills duties.
7- speaking for the last group.
8-to clarify your viewpoint.
1-I take care of the sick
a. journalist
2-I raise crops and animals on a farm.
b. judge
3-I take care of sheep.
c. mechanic
4-I write articles for newspapers.
d. nurse
5- I hear and decide cases in a law court.
e. farmer
6- I discover who has committed a crime.
f, hairdresser
7- I cut and take care of people's hair.
g. musician
I'm skilled in music.
n shepherd
9- I give lessons
i. readier
10- I repair machinery
J. detective
