As there has been a serious case of bullying in one of the military units and the problem of violence in the military hit the headlines you have been tasked with writing a general report about hazing. In your writing (1) describe the incident and its background (2) speculate how it could have been avoided, (3) explain the reasons for military hazing in general, (4) speculate about the consequences of hazing for the military (5) make proposals as what to do about the problem bearing in mind their advantages and disadvantages (6) recommend the most viable solution and (7) outline how it might help to solve the problem.

A high degree of accuracy and appropriacy and good organisation within paragraphs is expected at Level 4.

You have 70 minutes to produce a text of about 500-600 words. Below are some prompts to help you, but remember not to copy them literally.

BEATEN UP SOLDIER

DIES IN HOSPITAL - The Independent

Talk with a soldier- off the record.

`The less efficient the army becomes,

the more vulnerable our country is.' - a military expert

`So, what is hazing then?'

`Well, hazing is a part of military soldier tradition. It's an initiation ceremony, shouting at conscripts, cleaning toilets, push ups, that sort of thing. But you're right, sometimes they go too far.'

Hazing and ceremonies create a strong bond between recruits. And anyhow they have to be prepared for the harsh reality of combat. The army is not a place for the weak and ill.

- Extract from a press article

Problems in the military

SOLUTIONS

psychiatric examination ? expensive

commanders - training in psychology

cheaper

punishment? (dishonourable discharge?)

`Officers? They don't care or they turn a blind eye to it.'

- Anonymous soldier

`I am going mad or I am about to kill myself. HELP me get out of here.'

- Extract from the victim's letter

recruits	primary education	secondary education
		61%	39%

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