Introductory text Responding to the text 1 Read the opinions of some people participating in an online discussion on the opposite page. For each person (1-9) write:
• pro if you think they are generally in favour of prisons; • anti if you think they are against the idea; • 5 0 / 5 0 if you think they are in two minds about whether prison works or not. Example: 1 pro
Building your bank of words and phrases 2 Find words or phrases in the text which match these phrases.
1 something which we know is not good but that we still need (person 1)
a necessary evil 2 people who are thinking about committing a crime in the future (person 1) 3 less serious offences (e.g. vandalism, theft) (person 2) 4 not basic needs (person 2) 5 another choice (person 2) 6 a way of (person 3) 7 have caused pain or suffering (person 4) 8 spending time together in the same situation (person 5) 9 commit crimes again (person 6) 10 set free (person 6) 11 prisoners (person 7) 12 most (crimes) (person 8) 13 not succeed (person 8) 3 Read the text again carefully and look at how each word/phrase you found in Exercise 2 is used. Is it a noun/verb/adjective? Which do you most w an t to learn? 4 These phrases are important to learn for expressing your opinion in a Task 2 essay. Mark each number w here you think it should go on the scale below.
1 I completely agree with this point of view. 2 I totally disagree with this idea. 3 I agree to some extent with this opinion. 4 I agree strongly with this viewpoint. 5 I can see both sides of this argument. agree
disagree
5 Choose one of the opinions from the discussion forum on the opposite page and w rite tw o or three sentences about whether you agree or disagree with it in your own words. Use one of the expressions in Exercise 4 to start.
Example: 6 X completely agree v^HVi -this point o f Viev^. x believe V^e need \o find another al+erna'tive -to prison a s a Cleans o f punishment. ih e other options "Hna+ have been -tested, such a s coyy\yy\lAn’rty service, a re \oo so ft.