Unit 11
Speaking and listening: present an argument 1 Make notes as you listen to your teacher read a radio news item. 1 How many schools took part in the study? 2 Whose reading level improved more using e-books? 3 Give one argument for and one against each form of book. 2 Work in a group. Discuss this statement: ‘We no longer need printed books in school now that we have electronic devices’. 3 Think of as many arguments as you can for and against . Make notes in a chart like the one below. For (Why we don’t need printed books) Against (Why we still need them)
4 Study your notes and decide if you agree with the statement or not. Prepare a presentation arguing in favour of what you think.
When you are presenting an argument: 1 explain your opinion and support it with facts 2 show that you understand the opposite point of view by including one or more arguments against 3 sum up.
Language: active and passive voice
Many verbs can be either in the active voice or in the passive voice : The school bought the books many years ago. (active voice) The books were bought many years ago by the school. (passive voice) The first sentence describes what the subject (the school) did. The second sentence tells us what happened to the subject (the books). The phrase by the school tells us what or who did the buying.
• Speaking and listening: Read aloud the Listening text on page 179. • Extension: With students, study the Sample composition on page 173. Ask them to write an argumentative composition based on the notes they make in Speaking and listening. • Hold a debate : Split the class into two groups. Group one argues for the proposal. When they have finished putting their points, Group two argues against it. Then the class votes. The spokespeople for each group should use persuasive language.
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