Pytania na egzamin z konwersacji 2010
2. Is ambition wrong?
achieve goal by any means
possible
motivation
competition
6. Do young people have too much freedom nowadays?
working parents
internet
fewer household chores
7. Are books a thing of the past?
entertainment
loss of tactical sensation
internet
9. Does money have too much importance in the modern world?
status
materialism
security
10. What role can old people play in society today?
the family
the workplace
public life
11. How are young people's lives changing?
learning methods
opportunities
expectations
13. What changes have resulted from the introduction of technology into
the home?
work
free time
communication
15. Which is a better way of escaping boredom, watching television or
reading a book?
time
subject
imagination
17. What is the point of learning a foreign language?
work
travel
cultural reasons
18. How important is it to go away on holiday?
relaxation
learning
variety
Answers
2. Is ambition wrong?
achieve goal by any means possible
motivation
competition
There are people who are under-, over- or simply ambitious. In my opinion it depends on whether the ambition serves attaining good or evil goals. Ambition is very useful when you want to achieve something better in your life - for example: good education, higher qualifications, healthy lifestyle, recognition in work or good atmosphere and satisfaction in family life. Ambition is a trait which gives you necessary motivation to improving yourself, climbing a ladder of success or becoming wealthy or famous.
An ambition person is more competitive in our dog-eat-dog world. Owing to ambition you may get more chances in your life, simply become winner not loser in our society.
One thing is very important. In order to fulfill your ambition you mustn't hurt other people - members of your family, relatives, colleagues or acquaints.
It is nice to earn a lot of money. But not important. I think that if we have money for livelihood and some pleasures it is enough. Money don't give us happiness. We can have a lot of dresses and jewelers , but what for if we don't have friends and don't have occasions to wear them.
Should we be a very hard workers? It is important to work with great energy, to have a great sense of responsibility and to be efficient. Bosses like such workers. A lot of people dream about being a chief. They are overambitious. They have love for power. But if we think for a moment we will see, that being a boss is very hard work. Usually bosses work not eight but twelve hours a day.
6. Do young people have too much freedom nowadays?
working parents
internet
fewer household chores
In present dog-eat-dog world parents are usually overworked and stressed. They mostly work overtime and don't have enough time to look properly after their children. This is especially important when the kids become teenagers and need more parental attention. The parents are often unable to care properly about their kids. They have to much freedom and don't always use it for good purposes. The kids have much more spare time because they don't need to work with their parents (as they did in past centuries). They have fewer or no household chores. Often the only thing they are obliged to do is to put rubbish out. They could clean their rooms, help their parents in the kitchen and in the garden
Owing to this they have more possibilities of entertainment at home and outdoors. Indoors they can use internet for hours on end. It is possible to talk with others without informing who you are. Kids can always choose someone who has similar interests or with whom they can share their intimate problems, someone whom they never meet in real world (not face-to-face contact). But, the young people have to be very careful in that case. They never know who is on the other side. Above all, there are beneficial and bad websites. Regrettably, many young people browse websites that are forbidden for them - for example sites which shows sex scenes. Many kids spend their time only playing online computer games and not paying attention to external world. They don't take up sport activities and are physically very weak. They don't read books, rarely meet their friends (if they have any) and aren't interested in anything.
The older the kids are the more problems with them. Young people aren't interested in starting a family because they are very convenient. They don't want to strike out on their own because they are accustomed to living in comfort.
Young people are often liable to bad habits - smoking, drinking or drug taking.
Drugs are very popular among young people. Most of them can realize how drugs can ruin their life but nevertheless they still want to take them.
So since they know how drugs may be dangerous, then why do they take them? At first it's of course a curiosity. Youth is interested what it is like to be “high”. They want to try it just once, but they don't realize that this one try can be a first step into a habit.
This problem doesn't concern only the poor pathological families. It also happens to kids from very rich families. Sometimes their parents don't have time for them, because they have a lot of work, so they may feel lonely. That kids also get a lot of money from their rich parents and they don't know what to spend it on because they always get more and more so they decide to spend them on drugs. They want to attract attention of their parents and that's another reason why they take drugs.
7. Are books a thing of the past?
entertainment
loss of tactical sensation
internet
Nowadays more and more people prefer watching television or going to the party to reading books. It is very widespread phenomenon. There are very few people who can discuss the literature issues with. The surveys show that only a bare handful of people read more than one book a year. What is more, it is not a 'high literature'. People love reading books like Harlequins, which cannot offer them any interesting problems to consider. What are the reasons of this burning issue and how can we fight with it? In my opinion there are many ways out of this situation.
Firstly, when we are going to school we have to read lots of obligatory books which are also boring. Pupils hate this activity. Kids don't like when they are made to do something imposed. Reading books should be a pleasure, not an unwanted duty.
Many of them admit that they will read only when books l include interesting contents. I think, the good solution of this problem may be a little change in curriculum. They will truly get interested in literature when books for them are more gripping.
Many people spend nowadays their free time online browsing websites. These sites are more interesting for them than books. But this activity can cause eye-strain. But there is way out of this. You can download any interesting e-book which is difficult to get or too expensive, then print it at home and read.
Secondly, there are many popular movies which are adapted from interesting books.
In my opinion well known actors or politicians should propagate reading these books especially among youth. When people have an example they always willingly copy it, so I suppose that this solution has a chance to succeed.
And finally, people do not read as many books as twenty or thirty years ago because books are too expensive. Many of us can't afford to buy books - it is a sizeable expense. I think that bookseller ought to reduce the prices and then the book readers will be encourage to read again.
9. Does money have too much importance in the modern world?
status
materialism
security
Money is the power, power is the money ..... We all know that people of our century are trying to get more and more money ..... Money became people's aim in life. Most people spend their lives on making money .
We live in a materialistic society. Money became the most important symbol of human status. People want to possess as much as possible and only have the best. If we buy a TV-set, our neighbour immediately will buy a better one. If we buy a car, the neighbour immediately will decide to buy a more expensive and luxurious one (in some countries even two cars: one for himself and another one for a member of our family. If we buy a cottage over the lake, our friends look for the same . This is commonly known in England as “Keeping up with the Jones's” .And so the frantic race goes on . We want to choose better things than our friends, send our children to better schools and give them everything better. Our children must have the same as our neighbours' in order to get the best education and better jobs (meaning better paid).
There are not only affluent societies which are obsessed with the chase for money. The money is spent on consumer goods, such as cars, sophisticated household appliances, fashionable clothes, expensive cosmetics, computers, food, etc. People don't have time to enjoy these things because they are now and again thinking about their replacement with better models . They completely lose their sense of value. They think that if they possess more, their wellness is raised . When they get ill or older they often regret they have to leave all these valuable things, and it is hard for them to die .We cannot buy happiness and health. Money doesn't solve all of our problems. In fact, everybody dreams about having a lot of money, but doesn't think about implications. Many rich people are divorced or addicted to drugs, alcohol, gambling. What's more, rich people are never sure if all the friends around them are real ones.
In my opinion we need money to get more security in our life too. Therefore everybody should put aside as much as possible - as a young person to rent a flat, to buy a car (maybe second-hand one) to provide kids with better education and prospects in their life. A nice little nest-egg is a good thing in everyday life - you can enjoy your life without worries. Money is much more important when you get in trouble - for example get down with an illness.
Personally I think, money doesn't make life happier, but life without money is much harder.
10. What role can old people play in society today?
the family
the workplace
public life
Everybody wants to feel that he is useful to the world around him. A retired person living on pension usually has some financial means. They don't have to depend on other people, are healthy and want to achieve something more in their further life. They are often able to support their children. They usually have much free time and want to help others. They don't believe that they become a burden to other people. Some elderly people move to their children to help them with the kids. They usually have more time to spend with their family and close friends. With the passage of time life brings confidence and wisdom. Members of their families can get much from them.
Elderly people are not able to work full time job anymore but many of them can get a part time job. Retirement may become very flexible for some people who still want to do their job. They may also lose their work friends and routine when they retire. Retired person may get depressed because they do not have their place and work to do. They start to think about death and they don't see reasons to further life. Thus society should help those people. They mustn't be left alone.
Pensioners have more time for their own hobbies and interesting things like collecting something or traveling. For some people it is a good time to enjoy peacefully life and spend more time with friends, family and relatives. These people can be very useful for society in general. These people are often well educated and open-minded. They can serve communities as consultant about many vital issues - for example protecting wildlife.
11. How are young people's lives changing?
learning methods
opportunities
expectations
Young people's lives are constantly changing at present. They can use better learning methods at school. Every day they use computers to make their homework, search for information from all over the world. At school they get to know complicated computer programs which can be very useful in their future work and life. Using Internet they can download necessary stuff for their studies - pictures, sounds, tunes, movies, interesting websites, ready-made solutions to their questions. The kids can do their homework better and faster than it was twenty years ago.
Nowadays they have much more opportunities than earlier. They live in a world full of possibilities. They not only have an easier life then their parents and grandparents had, but this life is also much safer and easier. In their parents' youth teenagers didn't have so many things that they have now. They have better food and good medical care. They don't have to work every day as young people did earlier. That's why nowadays young people are supposed to live longer and be more cheerful.
They may go away to study or work in different towns or cities and stick out on their own starting new life. Leaving home means a big change in their life, both emotional as well as social. They can quickly get independent. They can show their families how responsible and resourceful they may be in their own life.
Young people don't simply want to get a job and get married. They want to be happy as soon as possible. Some of them are living together without marriage, because they want to proof whether they are ready for this change in their lives. At office or at factory they expect good work conditions and a high income. They don't want to take inferior jobs, because they are ambitious and usually have higher qualifications. When they get a job they aren't so much attached to it - if a headhunter proposes much more higher wages they immediately decide to change their job. Now they have a bigger chance of keeping their bodies in good shape and take advantage of balanced and varied diet. In almost every grocery they can buy fresh fruit and low-fat products. In fact, a healthy lifestyle has become fashionable among them. They only want to wear fashionable top-class clothes. They want to enjoy their lives - have much more free time and travel abroad on holiday.
They have so many opportunities which other generations couldn't even dream about.
13. What changes have resulted from the introduction of technology into
the home?
work
free time
communication
Nowadays the number of new inventions and useful gadgets is increasing at breathtaking speed. We can't imagine our life without as a simple thing as a washing machine or a computer.
Technology makes our life more and more easy. Preparing dishes makes no problem any longer and we do not have to worry about dishes or clothes. The main housework is easily than by different machines and appliances. Our homes are completely filled with washing machines, microwaves, dishwashers, driers, vacuum cleaners and so on. At present housework is not so difficult and time consuming as it was in the past. Above all, the whole house can be computerized and always prepared for our comeback from work, for example the lights switch on automatically when we get home. Shortly, the fridge will order necessary food online if it is running low.
However, there are some drawbacks too. Having permanently our work done by machines can lead to laziness and inability to handling without them.
At present we spend most of our free time with the families at home. The most important media is television. It is justified member of our family. We sit for hours on end glued to the tiny screen. People spend most of their free time watching TV programs. Television is the main source of daily information, knowledge and entertainment from all over the world. There are plenty of channels with different subjects of their programs. Television provides us with different and more or less interesting movies, documentaries, science programs, cartoons and so on. Watching breaking-up news helps you to be always up-to-date. We can know, what is happening all over the world or in our country. Also, we can know what weather will be tomorrow. Television is like a drug, everybody can become addicted to it.
Thanks to mobile phones we can keep in touch with our friends or family. In addition, safety matters cannot be passed over. Alarms and complex security systems makes our houses unfriendly for burglars, so we can sleep calm.
Computers has made a great change in our live. Computer games and Internet are present at almost every home. Computers addicted are nothing unusual nowadays, but it's less harmful than taking alcohol or drugs.
However, excess of electronic devices in our houses can have damaging impact on human health. Appliances like TV set or microwave emit some kinds of waves, which are dangerous for human body.
All these things considered, it seems that technology is inseparable part of our life, and the matter if we would use it properly, depends only on us.
15. Which is a better way of escaping boredom, watching television or
reading a book?
time
subject
imagination
In Poland television has been broadcasted since 1956 . From that time a lot of things has changed. Nowadays, television set rules in almost every house. In many houses there are more than one set. People spend most of their free time watching TV programs. It has become a major part of their lifestyle. It is hard to say whether the television is good or bad because there are lots of advantages and disadvantages of using it.
Without doubt television let us get away from boredom many times. Personally, I think that in this respect watching TV is much better than reading books. Television is the main source of daily information, knowledge and entertainment from all over the world. There are plenty of channels with different subjects of their programs. Television provides us with different and more or less interesting movies, documentaries, science programs, cartoons and so on. Watching breaking-up news helps you to be always up-to-date. We can know, what is happening all over the world or in our country. Also, we can know what weather will be tomorrow. Besides, from documentary programs we can learn a lot about other people and other countries. Watching television can also be a great way of spending free time. There are some really interesting programs for example about different hobbies. Watching television is very easy and comfortable - you need only to press a button of a remote control to get into another world. Television is like a drug, everybody can become addicted to it.
But television has its cons too. It may be very boring and destructive because many programs are too monotonous and primitive. There are too many stupid programs on TV such as programs based on formats, soap operas, never ending TV serials or banal shows. There is too much violence on TV too. Lots of young people watch cartoons and movies full of brutality and violence. Some movies for them are very brutal and full of blood. In addition to this, every TV station broadcasts many irritating commercials, the movies are also being interrupted by them and we are watching many commercials for minutes on end. For me adverts are simply rubbish that disturbs me to watch really interesting stuff although many of them give us useful information about new products.
Reading books is a little more difficult than watching TV, but it gives some people more pleasure. It can also be a good way of resting and having fun.
But books are not everywhere available, they can also be expensive. Books are more needed for kids because reading them improves children's imagination, thinking and let them get deeper knowledge of human feelings and worries. Owing to books kids are able to get into fabulous and marvelous worlds. They can reduce their stress level and become more quiet and obedient. Personally, I think for kids reading books is more important than watching TV. For adults who usually are stressed and overworked watching TV is a easier and more comfortable way of resting and having a good time.
17. What is the point of learning a foreign language?
work
travel
cultural reasons
There are many languages in the world and there are many reasons for learning them. Nowadays the knowledge of foreign language is very important and useful. We are Poles and our native language is in use only in Poland. When you are abroad you can't speak Polish - so every Pole should be at least bilingual.
Nowadays more and more people all over the world are learning other languages. A person, who speaks only one language, has slim chances for success in the 21st century job market. But I think that the main reason for learning foreign languages is the opportunity to find a well - paid job. You can work for big business companies, you can be a diplomat, an ambassador or a tour guide. You may also go abroad and work as a press correspondent. Especially English is very useful and necessary in international tourism, trade and industry. Many firms in our country still look for people, who can work as an interpreter, an agent, a manager or a computer operator so you have better chance if you know any foreign language. Knowing Latin is very useful for doctors, pharmacists, biologists - many names of medicines, parts of our body, illnesses and species of animals are in this language. Although learning a language is often very hard, it makes our life easier in nowadays world full of computers, business, diplomacy, modern technique and international organizations.
We should learn other languages to be able to go abroad and easily talk to foreigners. It's very interesting to meet new people and to get to know different cultures. The next advantage of learning other language is that you can go abroad and study in a foreign country. When people travel around the world it is better for them to communicate in local language because they can find out more about the place they visit and the culture of the country they are in. It is human nature to broaden horizons and to explore new things - that why people study foreign languages.
The next advantage of of speaking foreign languages is that people often live in countries divided into regions (for example in Switzerland or Canada) where different languages are spoken could understand one another,.
I think that foreign languages are worth learning because you never know what will happen. For instance: when somebody emigrates it is good to know the local language because it helps to adopt - meet friends, get a job and so on.
Learning other languages could be also a good pastime. You can learn them if you want to impress somebody or if you want to read foreign press, prose or poetry in original version.
The most popular foreign language chosen by many people around the world is English. In our time this is an international language and is used as a means o communication between people from many countries. As a result the influences of the English language are wider than ever before.
18. How important is it to go away on holiday?
relaxation
learning
variety
Holiday is the most perfect time of the year. It's a time of big change in our rhythm of everyday life. Not having to go to work for about a month makes holiday time so great. Holiday spent in other places or abroad is the perfect way of relaxation. Holiday is necessary for improving your physical and mental well-being. After a year of hard trying work we all need some time free of duties, stress and overworking. We can get away from everyday problems and responsibilities. At least one in a year we are able to be in another place. Some people can afford to go on holiday abroad. Then they can see exotic landscapes, meet and get to know people of different cultures.
Relaxation on holiday can be achieved when we take up together some activities such as playing sport games, strolling in the countryside or along a seashore, climbing in the mountains or just making tours.
But some people prefer learning foreign languages on summer camps, working at some places in different countries in order to earn some money and to get better knowledge of the language. Learning abroad gives the opportunity to use the language in all kinds of everyday situation, improves the pronunciation, vocabulary and understanding. Undoubtedly, the most effective way of mastering a new language is using it in the country where it is spoken.
There are many different ways of spending holidays. Some people prefer holiday with family, others like it with a school party, or on a campsite. I think people who prefer spending holiday with family get on well with them. In spite of generation gap they can be together, talk, play without stressful atmosphere. It is only possible when parents are tolerant, understand their kids and trust them. On the other hand most teenagers prefer holidays without parents. They like holiday spent with their friends. They know that without parents they are more independent and they do what they want. One of the most important things about holiday is the weather. When the sun shines all the time, people can sunbathe, swim in the see or lake and take long walks in the evening. Rain and cold can ruin this beautiful time! On the other hand, if you have a good company, even terrible weather would not be so bad.
We shouldn't forget about one important thing - the money. Lots of money! There is nothing to do without it - no matter where you are. With non-limited budget you can do what you like, see what you want and eat or drink as many regional dishes and drinks as you wish. Honestly, no matter what people say, money is very important for having a good holiday time.
11