a symbol of rich life;

served in the morning;

a symbol of everlasting life.

11. On "Kalyady" Belarusians

never celebrate weddings because of the superstitions;

like to entertain themselves and celebrate weddings;

like to stay at home and cook "Kuttzya" every evening.

12. The pagan holiday of "Kalyady " coincided later with

Curiosity ample affect

To disobey, abundant, interest, young, difficult, to disdain, to leave, enquiry, grown-up, influence.

VII. Match the words and their definitions:

To drop out, barbiturate, overdose, deprived, unemployed, anorexia, bulimia, peer, adult, to affect, pregnancy.

1. A powerful drug that makes you feel calm and relaxed or puts you to sleep.

2. Too much of a drug taken at one time.

3. To leave school, college without finishing your studies.

4. Without a job although able to work.

5. An emotional disorder leading to dangerous weight loss.

6. Without enough food, education and all the things that are necessary for people to live a happy and comfortable life.

7. An emotional disorder in which a person repeatedly eats too much and then forces himself/herself to vomit.

8. A person who is the same age as you.

9. To produce a change in smb. /smth.

10. A fully grown person who is legally responsible for their actions.

11. The state of being pregnant.

VIII. Insert the words in the gaps:

Drop out of, unemployed, adult, overwhelming, citizen, ample, rebel, adoption, overdose

1. Children must be accompanied by an______________.

2. She is Italian by birth but now an Australian_________________.

3. There was_________time to get to the airport.

4. She put the baby up for_________________.

5. Most teenagers find something___________against.

6. She had the________desire to tell him the truth.

7. How long have you been_________?

8. He died from an________________ of barbiturate.

9. She started an engineering degree but__________ out of after only a year.

IX. Read the text and say what youth problems were not mentioned in it, according to your point of view.

YOUTH PROBLEMS

All adolescents have problems from time to time. However, most young people pass through this stage of development without serious difficulty. These young people make new friends, join clubs, and take part in sports and social activities. For these young people, the teen-age years are generally happy and exciting.

Most of the problems that adolescents have are related to schoolwork, finances, peer group and family relationships. The majority of such problems are minor, at least from an adult's point of view. However, a problem that appears unimportant to an adult may seem overwhelming to an adolescent. This difference in viewpoints may itself cause problems if it leads to a breakdown in communications between parents and their teen-agers. Most personal problems of adolescents do not affect society as a whole. But certain problems are so serious and widespread that they are considered social problems. These problems include attitudes toward schooling, the use of drugs, early pregnancies, food disorders and delinquency.

Attitudes towards schooling. Education is increasingly important in today's complex industrial societies. More and more jobs in these societies require a high degree of specialized knowledge of technical skill. In addition, democratic societies have traditionally relied on the schools to help produce well-informed, responsible citizens. Nearly every state of the United States requires young people to attend school until they are at least 16 years old or until they graduate from high school.

Many teen-agers who drop out of school or neglect their studies come from homes where learning is not encouraged. But many students do not fully develop their abilities even though they receive ample encouragement at home. In some cases, parents may need to reevaluate the goals they have set for their children. Even able students may rebel if they feel that too much is demanded of them.

The use of drugs. Surveys of the U.S. teen-agers indicate that the great majority have at least experimented with such drugs as alcohol, barbiturates, cocaine, LSD, or marijuana. Some have experimented with heroin, morphine or other drugs. Many of these drugs are physically harmful if taken regularly. A single overdose of some drugs, such as heroin or barbiturate, can result in a coma or death.

Adolescents can take drugs for various reasons, including peer group pressure, the desire to appear grown-up, the example of parents, and curiosity. Most teen-agers pass through the experimentation stage without developing a drug abuse problem. Others are not so fortunate. Alcohol is one of the most frequently abused drugs among teen-agers, as it is among adults. About 15 per cent of the U.S. high school students may have serious drinking problems.

Early pregnancies. The UK has the highest proportion of teenage pregnancies in Western Europe. Each year in England 90000 girls get pregnant. 2200 of these are under 14, and 7700 are under 16 years old. The British figure for the first, younger group is ten times higher than in Japan, and eight times higher than in Sweden and the Netherlands, where attitudes to sex are more open. According to the United Nations, the dramatic situation with teenage pregnancies in the UK is largely due to the lack of general education and appropriate family support, as most teenage mothers come from poorly educated and deprived families.

Being a teenage mother is not easy. Some pregnant teenage girls decide to have an abortion or give their babies up for adoption. However, some decide to go all the way. Quite often, keeping the baby means never continuing education and ending up unemployed, living on scarce benefits from the state. It seems obvious that prevention of teenage pregnancies lies in better and more open sex education, as demonstrated by Sweden and the Netherlands.

Food disorders. It's common for kids - particularly teens - to be concerned about how they look and to feel self-conscious about their weight. During puberty, kids' bodies are changing dramatically and they are facing new social pressures, like attraction to the opposite sex. Unfortunately, for a growing proportion of kids and teens, that concern grows into an obsession that causes dramatic weight fluctuation, interferes with normal daily life, and damages vital body functions. Up to 10 million teens develop eating disorders, abnormal attitudes and behaviors with foods, which include anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa. For most kids, eating disorders begin when they are 11 to 13 years old. While they are more common among girls, boys can experience eating disorders too. Unfortunately, many kids and teens successfully hide these disorders from their families for months or years.

Anorexia may affect a child's growth, bone mass, cause puberty delays, an irregular heartbeat and blood pressure problems, and gastrointestinal problems. Behavioral problems, such as sexual promiscuity, crime (often shoplifting), and drug and alcohol abuse are more common in teens with bulimia.

In anorexia, these signs include: significant weight loss (15% below the normal weight for height), continual dieting (although thin), feelings of fatness, even after weight loss, fear of weight gain, preoccupation with food, calories, nutrition, and/or cooking, preference to eat in isolation, compulsive exercise, binge eating and purging, insomnia, brittle hair or nails, depression with social withdrawal.

The warning signs of bulimia include: uncontrollable eating (binge eating), purging by strict dieting, fasting, vigorous exercise, and/or vomiting, abuse of laxatives or diuretics ("water pills") to lose weight, frequent use of the bathroom after meals, reddened finger(s) (from inducing vomiting), swollen cheeks or glands (from induced vomiting), preoccupation with body weight, depression or mood swings, dental problems, such as tooth decay, heartburn and/or bloating, problems with drugs, alcohol, sexual activity, or crime.

X. Agree or disagree with the following statements:

1. Most of the problems that adolescents have are related to finances and family relationships.

2. Most personal problems of adolescents do not affect society as a whole.

3. A lot of teenagers who neglect their studies receive ample encouragement at home.

4. Surveys of the U.S. teenagers show that they have never experimented with drugs.

5. Adolescents can take drugs for various reasons, including parents' pressure, the desire to appear grown-up and curiosity.

6. Being a teenage mother is quite easy.

7. Quite often, keeping the baby means that the girl will continue education and get a profitable (well-paid) job.

8. Up to 20 million teens develop eating disorders, abnormal attitudes and behaviors with food, which include bulimia.

9. Eating disorders begin when they are 20-23 years old.

10. Many juvenile offences are rather serious.

11. Some juvenile offenders have strong antisocial tendencies and deep-seated psychological problems.

XI. Answer the following questions:

1. What youth problems can you name?

2. What are the reasons for taking drugs by adolescents?

3. Why do teenagers usually drop out of schools?

4. Why does England have the highest proportion of teenage pregnancies in Western Europe?

5. How is it possible to prevent teenage pregnancies?

6. What is the difference between these two maladies?

7. What are the signs of anorexia?

8. What are the signs of bulimia?

XII. Work in groups:

1. Discuss youth problems in our country.

2. Find out what can decrease the number of teenage pregnancies, alcohol and drugs consumption.

3. What should the youth and adult organizations do to bring up the generation of young people?

Youth Organizations in Belarus

I. Pay attention to the following words. Pick out sentences with these words from the text and translate them into Russian:

the Belarusian Republican Pioneer Organization - Белорусская республиканская пионерская организация;

the Association of Belarusian Scouts - Объединение белорусских скаутов;

the Belarusian Organizations of Falcons - Белорусская организация соколов;

the Belarusian National Scout Organization - Всебелорусская национальная скаутская организация;

the Association of Belarusian Guides - Ассоциация белорусских гайдов;

the State Committee on the Affairs of Youth - Государственный комитет по делам молодежи;

The Belarusian Patriotic Union of Youth (BPUY) - Белорусский патриотический союз молодежи (БПСМ);

The Belarusian Union of Youth (BUY) - Белорусский союз молодёжи (БСМ);

set of rules - устав; moral and spiritual values - ду-ховно-нравственные ценности;

the uniting congress - объединительный съезд.

II. Read out the following words and memorize their meaning:

III. Read these international words and try to guess their meaning:

association, assist, educational programme, initiative, international cooperation, congress, organising committee, conference, regional centre.

IV. Read out these phrases several times till you remember their meaning:

in conformity with - в соответствии с; who have attained to the age of - которые достигли шестнадцатилетнего возраста; to submit for consideration - представлять на рассмот-рение; at one's own free will - по собственному желанию; to consolidate into a single organization - объединяться в единую организацию; to draft set of rules - проект устава; to pass on experience - передавать опыт.

V. Match the English words and their Russian equivalents:

1. moral and spiritual а. объединять(ся)

2. consolidate b. противоречить

3. accomplish с. совпадать

4. contradict d. духовно-нравственный

5. self-perfection e. разрабатывать

6. world outlook f. осуществлять

7. elaborate g. самосовершенствование

8. legislation h. избирать

9. elect i. законодательство

10. coincide j. мировоззрение

VI. Make sure you know all the words in the box. Then read their definitions and match the words with them:

elaborate, world outlook, legislation, render, prolongation,

devotion, coincide, consolidate, accomplish, employment, objective, goal

?make longer; ?provide, supply, give; ?giving up (oneself» one's time, energy, etc.) to; ?work out, describe in detail; ?perform, succeed in doing; ?purpose; ?person's way of looking on life; ? (of ideas, etc.) be in harmony or agreement; ?the laws made; ? (fig,) object of efforts or ambition; ?one's regular work or occupation; ?combine into one.

VII. Match the words with the help of the preposition of:

1. the status a. the organization

2. the Constitution b. social justice and progress

3. at the age c. young people

4. a society d. the Republic of Belarus

5. the draft set e. society

6. all-round development f. the BPUY

7. every member g. 16

8. the defence h. their motherland

9. integrated members i. rules

10. the main objectives j. a public union

VIII. Read the text and get ready to speak about youth organisations in Belarus:

YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS IN BELARUS

In conformity with Article 36 of the Constitution of Belarus youth public associations may be organized by citizens of the Republic who have attained to the age of 16. Public associations may found unions of public associations.

There are a lot of youth organizations in Belarus. The most authoritative of them are: the Belarusian Patriotic Union of Youth (BPUY), the Belarusian Union of Youth (BUY), Belarusian Republican Pioneer Organization, the Association of Belarusian Scouts, the Belarusian Organizations of Falcons, the Belarusian Patriotic Union of Youth, the Belarusian National Scout Organization, the Association of Belarusian Guides, etc. The mentioned organizations take an active part in the formation of the basis and implementation of the state policy in respect of youth, these activities are managed and directed by the State Committee on the Affairs of Youth.

The most numerous youth organizations are the Belarusian Patriotic Union of Youth and the Belarusian Union of Youth.

The BPUY was formed in 1997. It has the status of a public union. This organization works in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus. It should be mentioned that in conformity with Article 9 of the Law of the republic of Belarus "On Public Associations" membership in public organizations is allowed for children at the age of 16, So every young person at the age of 16 can join the BPUY.

The main goal of the BPUY is to unite patriotically thinking young people for active participation in the construction of a society of social justice and progress. The main objectives of the organization are as follows:

- to express, defend and realize the rights and legal interests of its members;

- to form the world outlook, based on moral and spiritual, as well as Christian, values;

- to foster patriotism as the main spiritual and social value;

- to express devotion to the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus, to the country, its people and its state symbols;

- to give assistance to every member of the organization in his spiritual, intellectual and physical development and in realization of his abilities and creative potential;

- to take part in preparation of young people for the defence of their motherland.

The Belarusian Patriotic Union of Youth and its members accomplish their goals and objectives in the following activities:

- they participate in formation of youth policy and put it into practice;

- they support the initiatives of the youth, directed at self-perfection and all-round development of their individual abilities;

- they help young people to become integrated members of society;

- they elaborate and accomplish different educational, social and other youth programmes which do not contradict the present legislation of the republic of Belarus;

- they render assistance in finding employment;

- they promote international youth co-operation;

- they attract the attention of the mass media and the bodies of state power to the problems and initiatives of the youth;

- they organize conferences, meetings, lectures, exhibitions, concerts for young people; etc.

Members of the BPUY have certain rights and duties and they can leave the organization at their own free will.

The goals and objectives of another mass youth organization - the Belarusian Union of Youth - coincide with those of the BPUY. That's why they have decided to consolidate into a single organization. On September, 5, 2002 the Congresses of the BPUY and BUY took place, and on September, 6, 2002 the uniting congress of these two organizations was held at the concert hall "Minsk". The working group of the organising committee submitted for consideration of the delegates 3 main documents; the draft set of rules of the new organization, the conception of its development and the appeal to the youth of the Republic of Belarus. In the draft set of rules they propose to prolongate membership in the new organization from 14 to 31, which will help to pass on experience from generation to generation. On July, 19, 2002 the organising committee announced a competition for the best name of the new organization and its symbols.

No wonder that the process of uniting was widely supported by the youth. Its aim is quite noble: to create conditions for all-round development of young people and to contribute to creation of a civil society in Belarus.

IX. Answer the questions:

1. Are there many youth organizations in Belarus? 2. When was the Belarusian Patriotic Union of Youth organized? 3. What is the goal of the organization? 4. What are the main objectives of the BPUY? 5. How does the BPUY accomplish its goals and objectives? 6. Does the BPUY help young people to become intergrated members of society? 7. Do the members of the BPUY have rights and duties? 8. Why have the BPUY and the BUY decided to consolidate into a single organization? 9. When and where did the uniting congress take place? 10. What documents were submitted for consideration? 11. What is the name of the new organization? 12. Does it have any symbols?

X. Fill in the table:

The Belarusian Patriotic Union of Youth

XI. Work in groups. Find out from your partners:

- what youth organizations they know in Belarus;

- whether they belong/belonged to any of them;

- if it is necessary to have such organizations;

- what they think about the process of uniting of the BPUY and the BUY;

- whether they can suggest a name and symbols for the new youth organization;

- whether they would like to join this organization and why.

XII. Comment on:

- the objectives of the BPUY;

- the activities of the BPUY;

- the project to unite the BPUY and the BUY.

XIII. Imagine that:

- you are elected a delegate of the uniting congress. Role-play your speech;

- your English pen-friend knows nothing about youth organizations in Belarus. What are you going to write to him?

- you've just returned from the uniting congress of the BPUY and the BUY. Share your impressions with your classmates.

XIV. Render from Russian into English

Общественное объединение «Белорусский республиканский союз молодежи» (БРСМ) создано путем слияния Общественного объединения «Белорусский патриотический союз молодежи» и общественного объединения «Белорусский союз молодежи». Характер и предмет деятельности - молодежный ОО «БРСМ» имеет статус республиканского общественного объединения, деятельность которого распространяется на всю территорию Республики Беларусь.

Цель БРСМ - создание условий для всестороннего развитии молодежи, раскрытия ее творческого потенциала, содействие развитию в Республике Беларусь гражданского общества, основанного на патриотических и духовно-нравственных ценностях белорусского народа.

Задачи БРСМ:

· содействие разработке в установленном порядке юридических и социально-экономических гарантий прав молодежи, уравнивающих ее возможности с другими социальными группами;

· поддержка инициатив, направленных на интеллектуальное, духовное, физическое развитие молодежи, а также на создание условий для развития предпринимательской деятельности;

· участие в установленном порядке в разработке молодежных программ.

Членом БРСМ может быть любой гражданин Республики Беларусь, лицо без гражданства, а также иностранные граждане, постоянно проживающие в Республике Беларусь, в возрасте, как правило, от 14 до 31 года, признающие Устав и программные документы БРСМ.

Vocabulary

I. Match the synonyms:

a) To predict, erratic, harmful, goal, gradually, to decrease, to cease, upbringing, tension

b) Destructive, to forecast, unpredictable, slowly, aim, to diminish, to stop, strain, rearing.

II. Match the words and their definitions:

To skyrocket, to predict, to cease, maturation, gradually, to prevent, disposed, sturdy, tension, abuse, erratic, nurture.

1. The process of becoming adult.

2. To say that smth. will happen in the future.

3. Willing or prepared to do smth.

4. To stop happening or existing.

5. To rise quickly to a very high level.

6. To stop smb. from doing smth.

7. Slowly, over a long period of time.

8. Unfair, cruel or violent treatment of smb.

9. Care and encouragement given to smb. or smth. while they are growing.

10. Not happening at a regular time.

11. Physically strong and healthy.

12. A situation in which people don't trust each other.

III. Make your own sentences using the following word combinations:

Juvenile delinquency, maturation process, juvenile correction institutions, to delay the satisfaction of desires, erratic discipline patterns.

IV. Read the text.

JUVENILE DELINQUENCY

Childhood is a time of joy and innocence for most people: for others, life turns violent and so do they. Criminal acts of young persons are referred to broadly as juvenile delinquency. In some countries delinquency includes conduct that is antisocial, dangerous, or harmful to the goals of society. The general tendency is to limit the term to activities that if carried out by an adult would be called crimes, but in the United States since the 1980s juvenile delinquents are often referred to as "youthful offenders". The age at which juveniles legally become adults varies from country to country, but it generally ranges from 15 to 18. Clearly the problem has skyrocketed: for example, in 1990 rates of arrest in California for burglary, theft, car theft, arson and robbery are higher among juveniles than among adults.

Sociological research has established such bases for predicting delinquent behaviour as the nature of a child's home environment, the quality of the child's neighbourhood, and behaviour in school. It has never been conclusively proved; however, that delinquency can be either predicted or prevented. It is far likelier that delinquency is an integral part of society and probably part of the maturation process that some children go through.

Causes and effects

For the majority of young offenders, delinquency seems to be a phase passed through on the way to adulthood. Delinquent acts begin at about age of 10 or 11, though there has been a substantial increase in even younger offenders in recent years. The most serious activities peak at 14 or 15 years of age and then begin to decline for the next several years. The exceptions to this generalization are some older youths who get involved in car theft, robbery, burglary, and even murder. They may well become adult criminals. For the majority, delinquent activities gradually decrease and may cease altogether as young people enter their 20s and face the prospect of full-time work and marriage. It does seem to be true, however, that the earlier in life delinquent activities are begun, the likelier it is that the pattern will persist -- particularly in offenders who are convicted and sentenced to juvenile correction institutions.

Nature-nature controversy

Nature versus nature. There has been much controversy among psychologists and sociologists in the late 20th century concerning whether some people are genetically disposed to crime or whether illegal acts have their origin in one's upbringing and environment. There is evidence to support both views. Those who believe that there is a genetic disposition to crime have noted certain physical and personality differences between delinquents and non-delinquents. Delinquents have been found to have sturdier bodies and to act in a more aggressive way than non-delinquents. In their personality traits, delinquents are more extroverted, narcissistic, and impulsive, and less able to delay the satisfaction of desires. Some psychologists believe that there is an inherited flaw in the genetic makeup of a criminal that leads to rejection of society's standards. Others note that many violent prisoners have higher than normal levels of the male sex hormone testosterone.

The contrary opinion tends to view delinquents as not substantially different from the remainder of the population. Not all sturdily built individuals, for instance, become criminals; many make their living as athletes or in a variety of professions. Studies in Great Britain have shown that delinquents tend to come from families where there is tension and much difficulty in interpersonal relationships. Family breakdown is also found to be a significant factor. The United States Bureau of Justice Statistics reports that in the late 1980s, about 70 per cent of the juveniles in state reform institutions grew up in single parent (usually with the mother as head of household) or no-parent families.

Many delinquents come from homes where the parents abuse alcohol or drugs or are themselves criminals. Poverty, physical and verbal abuse, parents with little respect for themselves, and erratic discipline patterns emerge as contributing factors in such research. Beatings by parents or others can cause injuries to the brain, which in turn frequently cause neurological problems, paranoia, hallucinations or violent behaviour.

V. Answer the questions:

1. What is juvenile delinquency?

2. Why has the problem of juvenile delinquency skyrocketed?

3. At what age do delinquent acts begin and end?

4. What are the reasons of the illegal acts?

5. Are people genetically disposed to crime?

6. What are the personality traits of delinquents?

7. How do upbringing and environment influence delinquents?

8. Is juvenile delinquency a vital topic in your country?

VI. Agree or disagree with the following statements:

1. Childhood is a time of joy and innocence for all people.

2. Juvenile delinquency includes conduct that is useful to the goals of society.

3. In 1990 rates of arrest in California for burglary, theft, arson and robbery are higher among adults that among juveniles.

4. Delinquency is an integral part of society and part of the maturation process that some adults go through.

5. Delinquent acts begin at about age of 20-21.

6. The most serious activities peak at 17-18 years of age and then begin to decline for the next several years.

7. Psychologists think that some people are generally disposed to crime.

8. There are no personality differences between delinquents and non-delinquents.

Studies in Great Britain have shown that delinquents tend to come from homes when the parents are criminals themselves.

Vocabulary

Match the synonyms:

a) Low esteem, cutting classes, theft, compensation, affluence, assault, to draw by, havoc

b)Reward, to attract, disregard, robbery, damage, wealth, truancy, attack

I. Read the text.

Social factors

In the United States, Europe, and Japan, most delinquents are boys, though since the early 1980s the number of delinquents who are girls has risen dramatically. Most of these in the United States come from the lower middle class and the poorest segments of society. One reason for this is the low esteem in which education is often held in these groups. Schooling seems boring and unchallenging, and the delinquent rebels against it by cutting classes or disrupting them and eventually may drop out altogether - as more than one quarter of teens did by the early 1990s. Such youths find in each other's company a compensation for their educational failure by rejecting the social values to which they are supposed to adhere. To make up for this failure, and finding their job market limited, they live dangerously and show contempt for authority.

Many parents, educators, and others blame the violence found in many movies and television shows, rap music and heavy-metal rock lyrics, and comic books, as well as the economic aspirations and goals of society itself. The signs of affluence that children in the poor and working classes see about them -- money, power, and a large array of consumer goods -- make them desperately want some of these things even though they may feel they will never be able to afford them.