Writing

23. Write an essay (about 250 words): “To marry or not to marry, that is the question”.

Follow the procedure suggested in Unit 1, p. ... . Try to build your essay in such a way so that different verb forms (Continuous, Perfect) are appropriate.

Discourse Markers

24. Discourse markers are words used in conversation or written language to provide connection between ideas or express the speaker’s attitude to what he is saying.

Discourse markers can:

1. show that something is your personal opinion (honestly, frankly, ideally, basically, naturally, personally);

2. point out that you are not certain about something (apparently, presumably, admittedly);

3. stress that what is being said is a generally accepted idea or is quite evident in the given situation (obviously, surely, generally speaking);

4. introduce something new or change the subject (by the way, anyway, besides, however, nevertheless, strictly speaking);

5. introduce an argument in favour or against something (as a matter of fact, after all, actually).

Read the following letter and insert suitable discourse markers in the numbered gaps. Naturally, there are many different options.

Dear Father,

I know you don’t want me to accept this new job and move to New York, but (1) _______________ I think I’m old enough to make my own decisions, (2) ______________ I’m nearly thirty. (3) ___________________ it’s going to be a good opportunity to raise money for a downpayment for my own apartment since my salary will be nearly doubled. (4) __________________ if I cope with the task I’m entrusted with, it will boost my career enormously. (5) __________________ it would be foolish to reject such a wonderful offer. (6) _______________ Mark is moving to New York, too, and (7) ______________ we are going to be married soon. (8) __________________ the decision is taken, and that’s all there is to it.

Love, Jane

25. Role play

Prepare a radio interview in the following situation. The ideas of the reporter are given in italics. While answering the questions, introduce your ideas with appropriate discourse markers.

Example: A Monet painting is missing from the Art Gallery. (Stolen?)

Reporter: A Monet painting is missing from the Art Gallery. Was it stolen?

Employee: Well, presumably, it was, but nobody can be quite sure, actually.

A theft was discovered at the Art Gallery in the city this morning. A Monet painting was stolen. (Perhaps something else is missing? Not checked yet?) When the Gallery was closed at 8 p.m., the painting was in its place. It isn’t clear when it was taken. (At night? Early in the morning?) The alarm system didn’t go off. (It hasn’t been checked for a long time? It was an inside job?) When the Gallery was opened in the morning the night guards were found sleeping in their room. (They were drugged?) The police examined the scene of the crime. (They found a clue? They are holding something back?) The security service chief was questioned. (He gave some important information? He will have to resign?)

Role 1. You are Mel/Melanie Belroy, a radio reporter. Interview the gallery employees and find out their opinion about the crime.

Role 2 (3, 4 …). You are employees of the Gallery. You don’t have any definite information about the theft. You can only guess what happened, so your opinions are different.