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GENETICS

BEFORE YOU READ


A 1. How much do you know about genetics? Write T (True)
or F (False) for each statement. see Teachers Notes

C Match the words in color in the following


sentences to their meanings below.

F 1. You get 90% of your DNA from your mother


......
and 10% from your father.

1. Freedom of speech and religion are examples of civil

T 2. One of the best sources of DNA for analysis


......
is a sample of hair.

2. The prime suspect is male and blond, and he has a scar

T 3. A DNA molecule contains enough genetic


......
information to fill a 300-page book.

3. Having stolen 17 cars already, the boy is clearly a

T 4. Your genetic profile is the detailed analysis of


......
your DNA.

4. The perpetrator of these robberies has been arrested.

liberties.
on his left cheek.
habitual offender.
5. This new law will infringe on our freedom of speech.

F 5. Eye color is not a hereditary characteristic.


......

6. The boy was acquitted of the shoplifting charge, much

F 6. Tests to screen babies for genetic defects


......
before birth are rarely used today.

7. An innocent man was wrongly convicted of robbery

T 7. A gene pool is the total set of genes in a


......
species or population.

8. Evidence provided by forensic science helped to

F 8. The human body is made up of exactly one


......
million cells.

9. The police eliminated him as a suspect because he had

to his parents relief.


and spent five years in jail.

T 9. There are four types of tissue: skin, muscle,


......
nerve, and tendon.

identify the murderer.


an alibi.
10. Peter is an advocate of civil liberties and has

2. Genetics is the study of how traits are passed down from

campaigned for freedom of speech.

one generation to another. What traits do you think you have


inherited from your parents? Height? Hair color? Ability in
math? A sense of humor?

3 a. someone who has committed many crimes


......
8 b. the use of laboratory tests to solve crimes
......
6 c. found innocent
......
4 d. criminal responsible for
......
7 e. found guilty
......

B Answer the following questions.

10 f. supporter
......

1. Is a fluid substance solid or liquid?


2. If DNA in bones remains intact over many years,

9 g. decided he was not responsible for a crime


......
1 h. certain legal rights and freedoms
......

is it damaged or undamaged?
3. Does a surrogate mother carry her own or another

5 i. restrict
......
2 j. the person believed to be guilty of a crime
......

womans baby during pregnancy?


4. Will an imminent event happen very soon or much later?
5. If something is implanted, is it placed in or removed

D Use the words in color to complete the sentences.

from the body?


6. If there is a proliferation of juvenile crimes, is there

a decrease or increase?
7. If a baby is born with a genetic defect, is the problem

inherited or does it develop at birth?


8. If a woman suffers from infertility, can she become

pregnant naturally or not?

1. specimens / specifications

a. The new Encyclopedia of Life will describe the exact


specifications of every species.
.................................

specimens
b. Forensic scientists collect .................................
of
skin or hair at a crime scene.
2. database / template

the DNA
double
helix

a. You will find all the information you need in the new
database
.................................
.

template
b. A .................................
is something that is used as a
pattern or example for something else.

29

Unit 3

READING

deep-freeze
container
for DNA

Read the texts and answer the questions.

1. What does the author say about DNA profiling?

DNA PROFILING
Forensic science plays a major role in criminal

5 investigation thanks to a technique for identifying DNA


known as DNA profiling. This procedure identifies
distinctive patterns of DNA in an individual. A DNA
5 profile is the detailed analysis of the genetic material
found in minuscule samples of body tissue or fluid,
and DNA profiles from crime scenes are kept on
record in a national database. Initially, a sample can be
obtained from biological evidence, such as bloodstains
10 or strands of hair found at the scene of the crime. Then,
should a sample be required from a suspect, police
usually ask for saliva. Following analysis, if a DNA
sample matches an existing profile in the database,
it can confirm the identity of the perpetrator, since
15 the likelihood of one profile matching two unrelated
individuals is one in a billion. However, if no exact
match emerges, but a profile on the database is similar
to one found at a crime scene, it could belong to a
close relative of the offender. Criminals have been
20 tracked down via blood relations whose profiles closely
resemble their own.
DNA profiling was developed in the 1980s by
geneticist Alec Jeffreys, who had intended it as a
3 means of screening people for hereditary diseases and
25 genetic defects. Realizing the crime-solving potential
of DNA profiling, the police requested his help in a
murder case. Not only did it identify the perpetrator, it
also eliminated a man as the prime suspect who might
otherwise have been wrongly convicted. Soon after,
30 DNA profiling was being used by police everywhere,
and now many countries maintain national DNA
databases. The largest, funded by the United States
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), contains profiles
of over six million habitual offenders. To date it has
35 assisted in more than 70,000 investigations.
The concept of a DNA database is not without
its critics, however. Some governments retain DNA
samples taken from people who were arrested but
4 subsequently acquitted or released without charge.
40 Civil rights advocates argue that this infringes on
civil liberties and that only the profiles of convicted
criminals should be kept on record.

30

1. Why does the author call DNA a treasure trove, near

a. It can produce the same profile for people who are


closely related.
b. It was first used as an investigative tool in the US.
c. It is a highly accurate means of proving a criminals
identity.
d. It is used primarily to eliminate innocent suspects.

the end of the first paragraph?


a. It can be preserved for a long period of time.
b. It provides a vast amount of valuable data.
c. The process of deep-freezing DNA is very costly.
d. It is far more complex than previously thought.
2. What is one benefit of creating the Frozen Ark?

2. Why does the author mention bloodstains and strands

of hair? As examples of
a. forms that body fluid and tissue can take.
b. samples taken from suspects by the police.
c. two distinctive kinds of DNA patterns.
d. typical sources of genetic material.
3. Why was DNA profiling first developed?

a. to test for genetically related medical conditions


b. to help cure genetic diseases and defects
c. to help the police identify a murderer
d. to free a wrongly convicted murderer
4. What aspect of DNA profiling has caused concern?

a. If a suspect is found innocent, their profile


is destroyed.
b. The profiles of proven criminals are not always
retained.
c. Governments cant agree on whose profiles
should be kept.
d. The profiles of innocent people remain on some
databases.
See Teachers
5. What is the main purpose of the passage? Notes, page A15.
a. to explain why DNA profiling is a controversial
technique
b. to illustrate the application of genetics in
solving crimes
c. to compare DNA profiling with traditional
methods of investigation
d. to demonstrate the influence of genes on criminal
behavior

A FROZEN NOAHS ARK?


The biblical story of Noahs Ark tells of a large
sailing vessel built to save the worlds species from
a massive flood. Today too, thousands of mammal
and bird species face imminent extinction due to
5 human proliferation, urban expansion, and the rampant
destruction of ecosystems. In response to this crisis,
a project called The Frozen Ark is underway, with
the aim of deep-freezing the DNA of all endangered
animals. DNA is a template containing the complete
10 specifications of an organism and is thus a treasure
1 trove of knowledge about the organism and the species
as a whole.
Until the Frozen Arks creation, a major problem
facing zoologists was that when a species became
15 extinct, the knowledge of its genetic code was lost.
However, specimens of skin tissue, embryos, sperm,
and eggs are now being collected from animals on the
most-endangered list, meaning important information
about each animals biology, behavior, ecology, and
20 evolution can now be preserved. At low temperatures,
DNA can remain intact indefinitely; once frozen,
molecules and cells can be safeguarded for centuries 2
to come. Scientists can therefore continue studying a
species, even after extinction.
25
Furthermore, as a species declines, the fewer
specimens there are. Consequently, the gene pool
3 becomes more limited, which has an adverse effect
on its genetic diversity. Freezing cells may enable
biologists to reverse the dangerous loss of genetic
30 variation that causes infertility and early death in such
species. In addition, the cells of certain animals are
proving effective in the treatment of some diseases.
Should these animals die out, the benefits provided
by their cells can be maintained. And when extinction
35 does occur, if an animals reproductive cells have been
stored, it could theoretically be recreated by implanting
the cells in a surrogate mother of a different species. 4
One day, albeit not in the foreseeable future, it may
even be possible to reconstruct an extinct animal from
40 its DNA alone.
However, time is of the essence. Of the approximately 5
16,000 animal species facing extinction within the next
50 years, samples from only a small proportion have
been collected to date.

a. It is large enough to hold the DNA of most


endangered species.
b. Genetic data about long-extinct species can be
retrieved.
c. Research into animals that die out can continue.
d. It can preserve mainly reproductive cells and
molecules.
3. According to the text, if a species declines in number,

a. its ability to reproduce becomes limited.


b. most of the genetic information about it is lost.
c. its cells become less effective in treating disease.
d. it is more difficult to collect DNA samples from it.
4. What does the author say about the cells in the

Frozen Ark?
a. Only a small proportion of them are from species
facing extinction.
b. The variety of cells being stored should be as broad
as possible.
c. They are proving useful in finding cures for certain
animal diseases.
d. They may eventually be used to artificially reproduce
an extinct species.
5. What conclusion does the author reach about the

Frozen Ark? See Teachers Notes, page 15.


a. Its success depends on how fast the project can be
accomplished.
b. It can prevent the extinction of only a few species.
c. Collection of samples should have begun 50
years ago.
d. It will take half a century to complete the
collection process.

31

Unit 3
D Word-building: Adjective suffixes (-ive, -al, -ic, -able, -ary) and prefixes (in-, un-)

VOCABULARY

1. Complete each sentence with an adjective formed from the word in color and the correct suffix.
defective
1. If someone has a genetic defect, one or more of their genes is ....................................
.

A Match each phrase from the texts to its meaning.


Text 1 1. plays a major role in (line 1)

5 a. are likely to die out


......

acidic
2. Citrus fruit like the lemon, which contains a lot of acid, tastes ....................................
.
controversial
3. Theres a great deal of controversy surrounding this proposal; its a ....................................
issue.

2. kept on record (lines 7-8)

7 b. are turning out to be beneficial


......

3. closely resemble (lines 20-21)

2 c. stored
......

4. is not without its critics (lines 36-37)

6 d. is currently in progress
......

dimensional
6. There are three dimensions to this image; its three- ....................................
.

8 e. is of the greatest importance


......

negotiable
7. Im expected to negotiate the pay Ill receive; the salary is ....................................
.

Text 2 5. face extinction (line 4)

evolutionary
4. These findings can be explained by evolution by what is known as ....................................
theory.
disposable
5. You can dispose of these plates once theyve been used; theyre ....................................
.

6. is underway (line 7)

3 f. be very similar to
......

7. are proving effective (lines 31-32)

1 g. is an important part of
......

8. is of the essence (line 41)

4 h. is opposed by some people


......

supplementary income.
8. She supplements her salary by giving piano lessons; she earns a ....................................
specific
9. He didnt specify exactly what I should do; his instructions werent very ....................................
.
structural
10. The structure of the house was affected by the earthquake; there was ....................................
damage.
minimal
11. Expenses will be kept to a minimum; any costs involved will be ....................................
.

B Replace the words in bold in the text below with the words that have a similar meaning.

2. Complete each sentence with an adjective formed from the word in color and one of the suffixes above. Add a prefix to make
the meaning negative.

bloodstains confirmed crime scenes maintained material obtain


perpetrator procedure released retained strands tracked down

ineffective
1. The drugs had no effect on her headache; they were totally ....................................
.

unethical
2. Some have questioned the ethics of gene therapy; they fear it is ....................................
.
unresponsive
3. The patient has not responded to treatment; he has been ....................................
.

JILL THE RIPPER?

unattainable
4. It was a goal impossible to attain; it was an ....................................
goal.
inconclusive
5. Nothing could be concluded from the study; the research was ....................................
.
inconceivable
6. The size of the universe is hard to conceive; its almost ....................................
.
E Time-related expressions Circle the correct words.
1. The most extensive climate study to / this / in date has measured

rates of global warming.


coming / that come / to come.

3. The situation is unlikely to change in the foreseeable / foreseeing the / foreseen future.
4. Plants of this kind, more / quite / very often than not, survive the winter months.
5. The sophisticated culture of the ancient Cretans was out / ahead / beyond of its time.
6. The landscape had changed dramatically with the passage / variation / changing of time.
7. Temperatures tend to be warm in this region every / most / all year round.
8. Students were tested several times over the average / course / part of a semester.
9. Scientists believe its only a matter of time before / the matter of time then /

a matter of time if another serious hurricane hits the area.

Mary
Pearcey

F Collocations
1. Cross out the noun in each group that does NOT form a
1. genetic variation / make-up / disorder / decoration /

C Circle the correct words.


1. The port area is being developed because it has great commercial concept / potential.
2. Seeds of the worlds food crops are safeguarded / reconstructed in a seed bank in Norway.
3. The destruction of ecosystems is unrelated / rampant in the Amazon rainforest.
4. Wearing a helmet reduces the expansion / likelihood of serious head injury in an accident.
6. The number of birds in this area has declined / emerged in the last four years.
7. Certain dry foods, such as rice and pasta, can be stored subsequently / indefinitely.

Expressions related to time are often tested


in the grammar and cloze sections of the
exam. Learn them as whole phrases.

2. The leaning tower of Pisa has been declared safe for centuries

collocation with the word in color.

5. A massive / miniscule earthquake has caused widespread damage in China.

TIP

One of the most famous unsolved murder cases involved Jack the Ripper,
the London serial killer who brutally murdered several women in 1888.
According to forensic scientist Dr. Ian Findlay, the Ripper may not have been
a Jack at all, but a Jill.
obtain
Dr. Findlay managed to (1) get evidence from the Ripper case, which
retained
had been (2) kept by the police at Scotland Yard. It had been very carefully
maintained
(3) preserved for over a century. This evidence consisted of letters possibly
bloodstains
written by the Ripper to the police, and some (4) spots of blood which may
crime scenes
be connected to the (5) locations of the crimes. Conventional DNA-profiling
material
techniques require around 200 cells of genetic (6) matter in order to identify
perpetrator
a (7) person guilty of a crime. However, Dr. Findlay has developed a new
procedure
profiling (8) method that can extract DNA from just a few cells or even
strands
(9) individual pieces of hair up to 160 years old.
Having focused on the saliva on the stamps and the glue on the envelopes, Dr.
Findlay managed to produce a partial profile. Although the identity of the Ripper
confirmed
cannot be (10) firmly established, the results suggest the Ripper could have been
tracked down
a woman. In 1888, police (11) searched for and found several male suspects,
released
all of whom were subsequently (12) set free without being charged. But later
investigations pointed to Mary Pearcey, who was convicted and hanged for two
brutal murders in 1890. Could Jack the Ripper actually have been Jill the Ripper?

predisposition / diversity
2. blood relation / vessel / spring / transfusion / pressure /

supply
3. criminal investigation / accomplishment / charges /

record / offense / justice


4. close relative / range / call / collaboration / contact /

influence

2. Complete the collocations with nouns from Exercise F1.


1. Someone with a genetic predisposition
...................... to a disease has a
higher chance of getting it because of their genetic
make-up .
......................

vessel
2. A blood clot can block a blood ......................
like an artery
supply
to the lungs, causing
and cut off the blood ......................
difficulty in breathing.
3. If someone is arrested for committing a criminal

offense , criminal ......................


charges will be filed against
......................
them in a court of law.
range
4. The man was shot at close ......................
. He survived
call .
thanks to emergency surgery, but it was a close ................

8. This research into hereditary diseases is assisted / funded partly by donations.

32

33

Unit 3

EXAM QUESTIONS

GRAMMAR

Review of the Passive; Modals (all forms)

CLOZE
Read the passage about commercial DNA testing. Then select the word or phrase that fills the blank in both meaning and grammar.

This science program ...... at teenagers as well as adults.


a. is aiming
b. is aimed
c. aimed
d. aims

We ought to ...... this sample to the lab weeks ago.


a. send
b. had sent
c. have sent
d. sent

Can a program aim itself? Should active or passive be used?

What form of the verb can follow ought to? What time is
referred to?

no

passive

bare infinitive
past

See the Grammar Appendix, page 139.

A Passive Complete the text with the correct passive form of the verbs in brackets.

Do You Have the Generosity Gene?


may be programmed (may program) genetically to be particularly
According to research, some of us (1) ..........................................
were given
generous. In an online study, 203 people (2) ..........................................
(give) a task after a sample of their
had been taken /
DNA (3) ..........................................
(take). In this task, they could choose to keep or give away money.
was taken
were analyzed
was found
The DNA samples (4) ..........................................
(analyze) and interestingly, it (5) ..........................................
(find)
that people who had certain variants of a gene called AVPR1a gave on average almost 50% more money than
has been provided / (provide) by this study indicates
those without the genetic variant. Evidence that (6) ..........................................
is provided
that generosity is an inherited trait. The gene AVPR1a plays a major role in allowing a hormone
has been strongly linked (strongly link) to
called vasopressin to act on brain cells. Recently, vasopressin (7) ..........................................
could be argued
social bonding. Therefore, it (8) ..........................................
(can argue) that generosity is a survival strategy.
is based on
This (9) ..........................................
(base on) the idea that if you do a person a favor, it is likely
to be returned
(10) ..........................................
(to return). Thus, carrying genes that promote generosity and social bonding
makes evolutionary sense.

B Modals Circle the correct answers.


1. You may not / neednt / wouldnt clear the table.

I will do it.
2. Peter ought not to / should not / couldnt have gone

home because his car is still outside.


3. Can you / Were you able to / Would you get all the

ingredients you needed?


4. Its almost midnight and the phones ringing. Who

will / can / must it be?


5. Have you seen Sheilas new sports car? It has to /

should / must have cost a fortune!


6. We will have taken / could take / could have taken

the bus but Tim wanted to drive.


7. I didnt have to / had to not / mustnt work last

Friday. I was given the day off.


8. When she wants to, Sarah might / could / can be very

helpful.

C Complete the following mini-dialogues with suitable


modal expressions from the Useful Phrases box.
1. Oh no! Bob has cancelled the meeting again.

I...................................................................................
might have known.
2. Letting kids use the Internet freely is crazy, in my

opinion.
I couldnt agree more.
...................................................................................
3. When is the next train due?

It shouldnt be long now.


...................................................................................
4. The company has agreed to refund my travel

expenses.
I...................................................................................
should hope so!
5. I suppose your children help with the housework.

Thatll
be the day!
...................................................................................
6. I brought you a small gift for your birthday.

Oh, you shouldnt have!


...................................................................................
7. That bus is never going to come! Lets walk!

Yes, we might as well.


...................................................................................

In the past, studies of human genetics (1) conducted


by scientists as part of expensive research programs.
(2) , only a few people had their complete genetic
code revealed, and this was mainly thanks to (3) from
governments for medical research. But with the rapid
(4) of new technologies, the cost of genetic analysis is
(5) . As a result, a new industry is (6) , one where
commercial companies offer the public a personal DNA test
for a fee. Commercial DNA tests can indicate a persons
inherited traits, such as having a good memory, as well as
their (7) to a wide range of conditions, from baldness to
obesity.
Anyone wishing to undergo such a test must provide
genetic (8) for analysis, usually in the form of a saliva
(9) . The DNA test results indicate health risks an
individual (10) face; therefore, they can play a
(11) role in preventative medicine. For example, if
someone discovers their chances of getting cancer are
high, they can be (12) regularly for the disease. And if
doctors have access to a patients genetic (13) , they can
recommend specific changes in lifestyle, such as eating
certain foods to improve their future health.
Commercial DNA testing is not without (14) critics.
Because such testing is (15) of its time, some doctors
are concerned that the complex data it provides (16) be
misunderstood by ordinary people. Other concerns have
been raised over data protection. In this respect, commercial
DNA testing has proven (17) . How easy will it be for
insurance companies and employers to (18) a persons test
results? Would they refuse to employ people or give them
health insurance on the basis of such results? While these
concerns are valid, most experts believe it is only a (19) of
time before knowledge of ones own DNA becomes easily
(20) .

USEFUL WORDS See Question 3.


Thanks to (+ noun / pronoun) is used
to say something or someone was
helpful, useful, or responsible for
something happening. Contrary to is
used to show that an idea, opinion,
or action is completely different
from something else.

1. a. had

b. were
2. a. Nevertheless

b. Although
3. a. funding

b. donation
4. a. proceedings

b. reconstruction
5. a. depleting

b. declining
6. a. underway

b. proposed
7. a. likelihood

b. potential
8. a. make-up

b. essence
9. a. strand

b. stain
10. a. does

b. is
11. a. peak

b. major
12. a. immunized

b. maintained
13. a. defects

b. specimens
14. a. its

b. many
15. a. before

b. ahead
16. a. should

b. able to
17. a. unethical

b. inconclusive
18. a. attain

b. maintain
19. a. course

b. matter
20. a. available

b. imminent

c. being
d. only
c. Therefore
d. Because
c. contribution
d. collaboration
c. proliferation
d. investigation
c. reducing
d. eliminating
c. constructed
d. emerging
c. possibility
d. predisposition
c. material
d. molecules
c. sample
d. tissue
c. may
d. to
c. massive
d. maximum
c. screened
d. matched
c. template
d. profile
c. those
d. the
c. beyond
d. advance
c. could
d. has to
c. defective
d. controversial
c. obtain
d. preserve
c. degree
d. passing
c. contemporary
d. familiar

What future lies


in your genes?

USEFUL PHRASES See Teachers Notes, page A16.


These phrases, containing modals, are commonly used in conversation. You may encounter them in Parts 1 and 2 of the Listening
Test. Explain their meanings.
Thatll be the day!
I might have known.
It shouldnt be long now.
I couldnt agree more.
I should hope so!
Yes, we might as well.
Oh, you shouldnt have!

34

35

Unit 3

EXAM QUESTIONS

LISTENING

C Part 3 sometimes focuses on a research study. The


In Part 3 of the Listening Test, you hear three short
segments from radio programs on different topics. You hear
each segment only once. Each segment is followed by five
multiple choice questions. Reading the questions and the
answers helps you predict the topic of the segment and
some of the information you will hear.

A Read the questions. What is the overall topic of the radio


program? What else can you guess about the topic? genes
and gang violence / men are more violent than women
1. What was the purpose of the study?

a. to examine reasons for the increase in gang violence


b. to investigate biological explanations for gang
behavior
c. to compare violence among male and female gang
members
2. What did this study show about gang violence?

a. It is due to a high level of certain chemicals.


b. It will become widespread in the US.
c. It may be caused by hereditary factors.

c
......
b
......

= increase
= decrease

= male
= female

= aim
soc = social
= cause prob = problem

Now listen to a segment from a radio program and


answer the questions in Exercise A. Take brief notes as you
listen.

Dont simply reject your partners point of view. Respond


to your partners comments.
1. Read the following exchanges and underline expressions
that show how candidates related to their partners comments.
I think most students would enjoy a trip to a forest,
dont you? Its a complete break from routine.
Youve got a point there, but a day trip to
a space center is also a break and wed
be seeing things like a simulated launch.

Candidate 1 Information Sheet

Our findings indicate / suggest that


What this research shows / suggests is
This study / theory explains

Field Trip to a Forest


One day and one night
Sleep in log cabins
Study native plant / animal species
Visit animal sanctuary
Set up habitat conservation project
$40 per student
Basic facilities only students must cook for themselves

I see what you mean. Youre right. Itll be something


completely different from anything weve ever
experienced. But on the other hand, its only a day trip.
And sleeping in a log cabin will be fun, dont you think?

2.

Now listen to two candidates discussing the trips and


answer the questions.
1. Which expressions do the candidates use? Check ()

the phrases in the Useful Language box.


Candidate 2 Information Sheet
Proposed Science Trip for High School Class

2. What did the study actually measure? procedure

a. the length of time that infants looked at different


pictures
b. differences in the way infants responded to flowers
and spiders
c. signs of fear and disgust in infants in response to
spider images
3. What was the main finding of the study? b findings

a. Phobias are mostly genetic in origin.


b. We have a built-in response to spiders.
c. Fear of spiders is nonexistent in infants.
4. Why might arachnophobia be more common in women? b

a. They were more likely to see dangerous spiders. findings


b. They were less likely to survive a spiders bite.
c. They have always been more instinctively cautious.

5. What could further research in this area clarify? c

implications

a. why people inherit some phobias but not others


b. why fear of spiders does not decrease with age
c. why peoples fears vary throughout their lifetimes

2.

B Comparing, contrasting and presenting


counterarguments

Proposed Science Trip for High School Class

a. We fear things that we find ugly.


b. We copy the behavior of others. background
c. We believe they are harmful.

5. What is one implication of this study?

lt is easy to forget the information you hear, so as you


listen, take notes. There isnt time to write full words or
sentences, so use abbreviations where you can. Here are
some examples, but you can write your own.

The results of the study relate to


This has important implications for

1. What did the original research on fear of spiders indicate?

a. Males are naturally more aggressive.


b. Males lack a second copy of the gene.
c. Females have high-activity MAOA genes.

In Stage 3, the candidates compare and contrast the


options they chose in Stage 2 from their own information
sheets. They discuss the advantages and disadvantages of
both options, offering counter arguments to support their
opinions. Then they agree on one option.
Read the task and information sheets below. These
information sheets give details of the two options the
candidates chose in Stage 2.
You are class representatives and you have been
asked to select the best science trip for your class.

spiders inherited?

4. Why are males more prone to gang violence?

a. Sociological factors do not explain gang violence.


b. Police should focus on male gang members.
c. Medication may help to control aggression.

Recent research sheds new light on


We set out to find / examine
The aim of the study was to

D 1. Read the following questions and try to predict the topic.


Which aspect of the study does each question focus on? Is fear of

3. What is the significance of a low-activity MAOA gene?

a. It can predict the gangs most violent members.


b. It can identify the numbers in future gangs.
c. It can indicate the moods of gang members.

A The task

questions usually focus on aspects such as:


a. the purpose of the study
b. one or two findings of the study
c. an implication of the study
When speakers move from one aspect of the study to
another, they often use certain phrases.
Which aspects (a-c) of a study might the following phrases
introduce?

a
......

TIP

SPEAKING Stage 3: Consensus Reaching

Part 3: Short Segments from a Radio Program

Now listen to a segment from a radio program and


answer the questions in Exercise D1. As you listen, pay
attention to the phrases that introduce aspects of the study and
remember to take brief notes.

Visit to the Space Center


Day trip
Guided tour of space center
View replica of International Space Station
Question and answer session with astronaut
Realistic simulation of shuttle launch
$20 per student
2 hour bus ride

2. Did the candidates summarize the points for each

option? no
3. Did the candidates discuss each option carefully and

develop the discussion? yes

C Reaching a consensus
You are not expected to persuade your partner that your
option is the better one. You are supposed to reach an
agreement.
1. In pairs, practice Stage 3. Use the information sheets in
Exercise A. Come to a consensus and decide on the best
option. The Useful Language box can help you.

2.
Now listen to the end of the candidates discussion.
Was their final choice the same as yours?

USEFUL LANGUAGE
PRESENTING COUNTERARGUMENTS
You may be right, but lets not forget that
One problem with that option is
I agree thats the downside, but
REACHING A CONSENSUS

Youre right. I hadnt thought about that.


Thats a good point. / Youve got a point there.
Yes, thats definitely an advantage.
SUMMARIZING YOUR DECISION
So which one do we feel is best: or ?
So have we decided that ?

36

37

Unit 3

WRITING
A Analyzing the task Read the task and underline what you have to discuss and what kind of examples you should give.
personal examples
Some child psychologists believe that the environment in which a child grows up plays a determining role in the
development of their talents and abilities. Do you think talents and abilities are learned? Which of your talents and
abilities do you believe are a product of the environment in which you were raised? Discuss, mentioning personal
examples.

C Opening paragraphs
In your introduction you should indicate that the issue you will be exploring is complex.
Complete the expressions in the sentences below with the following words.

answer debate explanation issue question say


say
1. It is difficult to ......................
whether abilities can be learned or whether they are innate.
explanation for why some people are more ambitious than others.
2. There is no simple ......................
question of whether heredity determines our personality.
3. There is no clear-cut answer to the ......................
answer .
4. To what extent parents can influence their childrens personality is a difficult question to ......................
debate
5. The question of whether nature or nurture plays a greater role is open to ......................
.
issue
6. The ......................
of how personality develops as we mature is a complex one.

B Analyzing a model Read the model essay and answer the questions in the plan below.
Childhood is often referred to as our formative years,
suggesting that who we become is determined by our early
experiences. Many parents enroll their children in music,
sports or foreign language lessons from an early age in the
belief that they will later excel in these areas. However, it is
difficult to say how much these abilities can be learned and
how much they depend on innate talent.
In my case, my aptitude for sport may be a result of taking part in various
sports from a young age. My parents took me to swimming lessons when I
was just four years old and I soon became a confident swimmer, winning medals
in competitions. I now play water polo for a local team, but without this early
training I doubt I would have reached such a high standard. If a child has innate
talent, it will not become evident without the proper encouragement and training,
except perhaps in the case of a child prodigy. Even highly talented people have to
work hard and learn skills in order to achieve anything.
Another activity that I was encouraged to pursue was music. Classical music was
often played at home and I took piano lessons for nearly two years. Despite the best
efforts of my teacher and perseverance on my part, I never really mastered the
instrument or managed to make sense of musical theory. My teacher eventually
concluded that I did not have a musical ear and I happily gave up lessons. This experience
leads me to conclude that abilities cannot be taught if you do not have the potential, no
matter how much effort is put into developing them.
All in all, I believe that success in most activities is a product of both the environment a child
grows up in and his or her innate talents. Only when young children are given the opportunity to
explore and develop their abilities can they develop their talents to their full potential.

D Using the passive


The passive voice is often used in essays to make the register more formal and to vary sentence structure.

1. Find six examples of the passive in the model essay on page 38.
2. Rewrite the following sentences using the passive.
1. These experiences have affected me greatly.

have been greatly affected by these experiences.


I ...........................................................................................................................................................................................
2. My parents brought me up to tell the truth at all times.

was brought up to tell the truth at all times.


I ...........................................................................................................................................................................................
3. Many people believe that we inherit our personality.

believed that we inherit our personality / personality is inherited.


It is generally .......................................................................................................................................................................
4. You can overcome shyness.

can be overcome.
Shyness ................................................................................................................................................................................
5. I must have inherited my self-confidence from my mother.

must have been inherited from my mother.


My self-confidence ..............................................................................................................................................................
6. Nobody ever taught me how to paint, but I found it easy to learn.

having been taught how to paint, I found it easy to learn.


Despite never .......................................................................................................................................................................

E Analyzing your task Read the task and say what you have to discuss and what examples you should give.
Some scientists believe that genes determine character traits such as shyness or generosity. Do you think this is true?
Which elements of your personality do you believe you have inherited? Discuss, mentioning specific examples.

F Brainstorming ideas Complete the chart. Then compare notes with your partner.
Paragraph 1 (Introduction) Restate the topic in your own words, offering general comments. Indicate that it is a complex issue
with no clear-cut answer.

a character trait of yours

Who do you take


after in this?

an incident that illustrates


this trait

What makes you believe


this trait is / is not inherited?

1. How does the writer introduce the topic? Childhood is often referred to as our formative years, suggesting
2. How does the writer indicate that there is no clear-cut answer? it is difficult to say
3. What two aspects of the issue is he going to discuss? how much abilities can be learned / how much depends on innate talent

Paragraph 2 Give your first personal example and use it to discuss one aspect of the topic (aptitude for sport).
4. Does the writer believe that his aptitude for sports was learned or not? learned - without this early training, I doubt I would
have reached
5. How does the writer broaden the discussion to explain why his experience is relevant? talented people have to work hard
Paragraph 3 Give your second personal example and use it to discuss another aspect of the topic (musical ability).
6. What details does the writer give about his experience of being taught music? worked hard but not successful
7. Does the writer believe his musical ability was learned or not? no, he says he had no innate ability, so he couldnt learn
Paragraph 4 (Conclusion) State your opinion, acknowledging that it is a complex issue.
8. What answer does the writer give to the question posed? success is a product of environment and innate talent

38

39

G Getting more ideas Read the following texts and answer the questions with your partner.
Then add any new ideas to your notes in Exercise F.
A

Parenting is said to be the toughest job, for which we receive the


least training. But good parenting can successfully shape your
childrens behavior. Here are my Ten Golden Rules:
1. Dont blame your children for making mistakes. Why make them

feel ashamed and guilty for being themselves?


2. Dont be unfair by showing favoritism. The siblings will develop

a strong sense of injustice.


3. Dont constantly find fault with your children. Theyll resent you

for it later.
4. Dont let your children belittle each other. Theyll grow into

insecure, self-conscious adults.


5. Never allow your children to hit one another. They can argue all

they want, but never with their fists.

The empirical evidence we


have studied suggests that
genetics plays a more significant
role than upbringing in determining
a range of personality traits. We
studied children unrelated
biologically who were raised
together from birth or early
infancy. Our research indicates
that they have less in common
than biological siblings born
several years apart.
Patricia Harris,
professor of psychology

6. Teach your children how to be good friends. Maintaining

friendships is a life skill.


7. Be tolerant of your childrens moods and theyll learn to have
5. What comparison does this

patience with yours.

professor make? genetics versus upbringing

8. Praise your childrens efforts and encourage them so they can

appreciate the efforts of others.


9. Accept your children for who they are. In this way, theyll learn
to like themselves.
10. Love your children and teach them how to give and receive love
in return.

6. What does her research show

about nature vs. nurture? nature is more


significant than nurture in determining
personality

Helen Mason, child psychologist and parenting coach


1. When you were young, were you treated in any of the ways

mentioned in the Rules? What effect has this had on you?


2. What impact might constant blame, feelings of guilt, or criticism

have on a child? make them ashamed, lead children to resent parents


3. According to the child psychologist, how does being encouraged

and praised affect a child? child will appreciate efforts of others


4. Does the psychologist suggest that personality is determined by

H Planning and writing your essay Read your notes


again and choose two character traits to discuss. Then
complete the plan and write your essay in 250-300 words. The
Useful Language box can help you.

TIP

our genetic makeup or by our upbringing? upbringing

In the ECPE examination, credit is given to essays


that acknowledge the complexity of the topic.
Avoid writing an answer that is too straightforward
or simplistic.

Paragraph 1 (Introduction) Restate the topic and make


general comments about it. Indicate that it is a complex issue
with no clear-cut answer.
................................................................................................

Paragraph 2 Give your first personal example and use it to


discuss one aspect of the topic.
................................................................................................

Paragraph 3 Give your second personal example and use it to


discuss another aspect of the topic.
................................................................................................

Paragraph 4 (Conclusion) State your opinion, acknowledging


that it is a complex issue.
................................................................................................

40

USEFUL LANGUAGE
INDICATING COMPLEXITY
It is difficult to say whether
There is no simple explanation for
There is no clear-cut answer to the question of
is a difficult question to answer.
The question of is open to debate.
The issue of is a complex one.

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