2.2 Answer the questions:

• What is good and bad about being a lottery winner?

• Would you like to be a lottery winner yourself?

3.1 Read the article “A National Lottery: is it good for us?” Put these sentences in the correct order to make a logical argument, then, group the sentences together in paragraphs in your notebook.

A National Lottery: is it good for us?

........ In addition to this, it encourages people to pin all their hopes on their dream of 'a big win', instead of dealing with the day-to-day problems of real life.

........ Another key point is the huge amount of enjoyment that thousands of 'hopefuls' get from participating.

........ One of the strongest arguments for having a national lottery is that large sums of money can be given to good causes, such as sports facilities for the handicapped.

………Many people have mixed feelings about having a national lottery in their country

........ In conclusion, I think it is difficult to see a clear-cut answer to this question because there are so many factors to take into account, and it probably depends on your age, experience, and beliefs.

........ Furthermore, money can be used for the arts, for example by building new museums or redecorating theatres.

....... Thirty years ago in the United Kingdom the Government were against the idea, whereas nowadays people win millions of pounds every week.

....... One other important consideration is the enormous profits that the lottery companies make, in relation to the money they give away

....... On the other hand, many people are concerned about the possible negative effects of the lottery

....... What's more, these are often the kind of charitable projects which other wise would not receive much funding from the Government.

3.2 Choose the correct alternative in these sentences.

1 I'm in favour of the pay rise although / despite it'll cost the company a lot of money.

2 If you're single, you have a lot of independence. On the other hand / What's more, you can get lonely.

3 Banning cars in city centres would certainly reduce pollution. Whereas / Furthermore, people might get more exercise.

4 In conclusion / Another key point is the danger of people relying on machines to think for them.

5 Politicians face a lot of criticism. In addition to this / However, they can have a significant influence on people's lives.

6 One of the strongest arguments for / People have very strong views on the death penalty is that it discourages serious crime.

3.3 Analyze the information you have read. Has your point of view on lottery changed?

4. Read 2 articles by Jennifer White and Kenny Graham and share your views about whether fame and fortune go hand in hand with happiness, success. Is it all about the money? What would you want to have beyond success?

JENIFER WHITE A BETTER WAY

During the last two years, I've had a handful of clients who have shown up looking for some coaching who you and I would consider incredibly successful. They seem to have it all--the money, the position, the prestige and the power.

Take John for example. He spent more than 15 years building an amazing business. For years, he worked day and night to build his team, drive profitability and master his craft. John is the type of business owner who is always taking new training so he can be an innovator in his field. He reads all the right books, does all the right things and he puts all the great ideas into action. If you were going to build an extremely profitable service business, you'd definitely want to copy what he's done.

But when John showed up in my life, he wasn't very happy. Yes, he was exercising, going to church and spending time with his family. But he was bored. Very, very bored. On the one hand, he knew he had to change. On the other hand, he didn't want to give up all that he had built.

I know, there's a part of you that can't really feel that sorry for John. He had everything he wanted and still wasn't satisfied.

That's because our society is addicted to fame and fortune. You believe that having money and prestige will make you happy. You become obsessed with the 30-year-old entrepreneurs who are making a killing in Silicon Valley. You watch rags to riches stories and wonder why you're not making more money so you too can travel the world on a yacht. You then give up your life to work one more hour to become even more successful.

I remember a time in my life not so long ago when I truly did believe money would bring me something I was missing. I put in the long hours for one reason: I thought if I worked harder, I'd make more money. And most of my clients did, too.

What John was really seeking is what I call "Beyond Success." He had all the success in the world--defined by what society believes success is in terms of money, prestige and power. But his life needed something else. John needed to find the meaning behind the money.

Every client I work with who's at this place tells me the same thing: There has to be more to life than this. You know what? There is more to life--and to business--than the money. No, that doesn't mean I tell my clients to give their money away and rush to the woods to live a simple life. What it does mean is I coach them to redesign their lives to feel passionate and fulfilled again. What may surprise you is most of them stay in the same career, they just learn to live a new way.

Some find meaning in spiritual endeavours. Others find meaning in the family and friends they lost touch with on their way to success. Many clients find the answers they want by turning their attention away from themselves and into other people. The solution is different for every client, but they all learn to unhook themselves from believing that money equals happiness.

I want this column to be a wake-up call. It's time for you to give up your addiction to fame and fortune. Having money or being famous will not make you happy. Once the initial buzz goes away, you'll still be left looking at yourself in the mirror and wondering, "Is this all there is?"

KENNY GRAHAM FAME AND FORTUNE

It must be a traumatic experience to be blasted from a £l5–per–week factory job into the orbit of £100–plus stardom and then splash down again into the factory after only a few months. Similarly, it must also be a terrific strain on the human ego to discover that, not only has one been blasted into a stardom orbit, but that one is going to remain there for some years.

To find oneself in the position to retire young and also with time and loot to go up and own the whole gamut of diabolical kicks must also have its drawbacks. Like the Devil, the entertainment biz also claims forfeits. To obtain a fortune ones must take a chunk of fame. Having got this little lot you find that somewhere along the line you have forfeited your freedom. Going down the pub, getting on a bus, going shopping, seeing a movie and eating out, all become hazardous sorties. True, you can afford your bodyguards to ward off besiegers of your luxury apartment: you can also afford all the drink you require, to ride about in a chauffeur–driven Rolls, to have wide–screen movies, and the best food in the world. Is this a fair exchange? I think not.

The realisation that one has gained fame and fortune only to lose freedom does peculiar things to a guy and helps to explain some of the strange things that our 20^th century stars get up to. They lose touch with the real world outside. They only see and talk to their buddies and/or sycophants and read Press reports. Soon reality and fiction become confused and they begin to believe their own publicity. “Without a doubt,” they tell one another, “we have a severe attack of the dreaded genius! Even when we defecate it is a work of art! Let’s make a movie! Let’s write a book! Let’s write poetry! Let’s paint a picture!” In fact, let’s do anything rather than attempt to master the thing we are making our money out of—music.

Just how much of this extraneous rubbish would we be subjected to if these unfortunates were not in the enviable position of being able to finance their own whims and fancies? Precious little is my guess. Don’t be too hard on them, though: remember that they are deprived of their freedom. So the next time you come face to face with one of these self–indulgences and the headlines waver between “Outrage!” and “Genius!“ just try to imagine yourself in their position. Think of it. No pub! Gawd–enough to make a fella make a horror film!

5.1 Would you like to be someone rich and famous? Work in groups, think of as many arguments as you can for and against.

5.2 Read the extract. How many of the same topics did you mention? What do you think would be the worst aspect of fame? Has the article changed your attitude to being rich and famous?