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III. Answer the questions and express your opinion on the following.
1. What advice would you give to a friend of yours if he or she had to deal with the problem of
distraction?
2. What tactics do you personally choose to get yourself organised and sit down to work?
3. Discuss in class the problem of getting oneself organised and concentrated when doing one's
homework.
Exercise 29
The passages below are the beginnings of different stories. Finish the stories, using the vocabulary from
the text and the topical vocabulary.
'Finally, the summer ended and college began. Carol dressed in jeans and a sweatshirt, slung her book bag
over her shoulder and set out for her first class ...'
'Thomas is sitting in the dining-room looking at the mess strewn around. He calls this his office. The table
is covered with an assortment of books, pens, and papers. Hanging on the back of a chair is his black leather
book bag. He is finally a college student ...'
'The term is coming to a close. I look upon it with sadness. I will miss my teachers and the friendships I
have made ...'
'I am looking forward to the next term, but I also get nervous thinking about my new classes. Each term
the classes will get a little harder and more challenging. I hope I am up to all those new challenges. I love to
learn, but I still have a little fear of failing...'
Exercise 30
Read and translate the passage. Answer the questions below.
Most people who have trouble with schoolwork don't lack intelligence — instead. Rather, they are
trapped by their own attitudes towards the work. One attitude that gets in many students' way is the "I can't
do it" syndrome. Instead of making an honest effort to do the work, the "I can't do it" type give up before
they begin. Then there's the "I'm too tired" excuse. Students with this problem give in to the temptation to
nap whenever there is work to be done. Another common excuse for low achievement is "the instructor is
boring". These students expect every course to be highly entertaining and claim they can't be expected to
learn anything otherwise.
1. What do you think of the "I can't do it" type?
2. What do you think of the "I'm too tired" type?
3. What do you think of the "I'm too bored" type?
4. Are there people of any of these types among your friends or classmates?
5. What type are you? Why?
6. What would you say about your attitude towards studies?
7. Can you think of some more types?
8. What are common excuses for low achievements in this country?
9. Can you imagine an exemplary student? Speak about exemplary students and ordinary ones.
Exercise 31
People like to learn differently. Some people learn better by listening, white others need to see the
information. Your answers to the questions below may give you some idea of how you prefer to learn. When
you have finished, compare your answers with those of other people in your class.
1. Do you prefer to learn by listening to the teacher's lecture? (Yes or No)
2. Do you prefer to learn by reading and studying your textbooks? (Yes or No)
3. Do you prefer to learn by studying or working with other people? (Yes or No)
4.
Do you prefer to study by yourself? (Yes or No)
5.
Do you like to ask the teacher questions? (Yes or No)
6.
When you study for a test, you read your notes, don't you?
7.
When you study for a test, you read your notes aloud, don't you?
8.
When you study for a test, you rewrite your notes, don't
you?
9.
Do you like to memorize facts? (Yes or No)
10. Do you like to think about ideas? (Yes or No)
Exercise 32
Respond to the statements. Work in pairs.
1. Teachers prefer dull students to bright ones. They are easier to manage.
2. You know what students are like nowadays! They are getting less and less intelligent every day.