SOCIAL TRENDS

1. Discussion
To what extent are you affected by trends in the following?
clothes diet
styles of music
language use
In what area do you follow developments most closely?

information technology

2. Vocabulary
Use the words in the box to complete the sentences below, putting the verbs into the correct
tense. Note that sometimes more than one answer is possible.
rise

decrease

lower

decline

fall

raise

deteriorate

reduction

boom

drop

reduce

go down

improve

go up increase

double

1 We welcome the recent ________ in taxes announced in the Chancellor`s speech.

2 The ________ in drug-related crime is very disturbing.
3 To the relief of the government, unemployment _________last month by 90 000.
4 Relations between the two countries have __________ since the refugee crisis started.
5 The number of divorces has nearly ________ from 10 000 to 19 000.
6 An ________ of 20% in the number of people claiming pensions over last ten years has left
governments wondering what they can do.
7 Most people admit that there has been a worrying _______ in broadcasting standards.
8 The government is thinking of _______ the school leaving stage by one year to seventeen.
9 In spite of higher import duties, the demand for foreign luxury goods is still _________ after three
years of recession.
10 Bike thefts are on the _________ despite police warnings.

3. Language development

Unfinished sentences

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

The funniest thing I ever saw was ..

If I had 24 hours to live ..
On Saturdays I usually ...
I feel best when people ...
I`d like to spend a long holiday in .....
I wish politicians would ....
I have never .
Parents should always .

9. My children will .
10. This world would be a better place if .
11. The thing that worries me most is ..
12. I never worry about ...
13. Some day I am going to ....
14. I like people who
15. I get very angry if .....
16. I find difficult to ...
17. I`d like to be more .. and less
18. I am not interested in
19. Studying is .
20. If I could be somewhere else now, I `d ....

Add the missing letter(s) to complete the words in the sentences.

1. Crossing the Atlantic in a canoe would be virtually imposs_ble.
2. To ski down Everest is a remark_ble thing to attempt.
3. The government minister was embar_a_sed by the stories in the press.
4. You should not exc_ _ d the speed limit.
5. If you wish to take up the place, you will have to write a letter of accept_nce.
6. Some of the excuses James came out with were unbeliev_ble.
7. It is incred_ble that he managed to survive at sea for so long
8. After the earthquake, I wanted to help, so I volunt_ _ red my services as a driver.

4. Speaking
Choose two or three of the subjects
below and, using the language box to
help you, describe the trend in your
country.
political views
eating habits
how people spend their leisure time
holidays
industry
family life and the roles of men and
women