1. Make the following into questions and statements asking for and giving clarification.

E x a m p l e:

a) I/afraid/not clear/mean/saying I should work at my marriage.

b) Well, what/trying/say/I think you should try to save it.

– I am afraid, I am not clear what you mean by saying, I should work at my marriage.

– Well, what I am trying to say is that I think you should try to save it.

1. I/afraid/not/clear/mean/saying that.

Well/mean/that household chores should be shared.

2. I don’t understand your argument. What/you/at?

Well/point/I/make/if we attempt to destroy old stereotypes about women, we’ll have more chances of success.

3. I/sorry/could/explain/mean/gender equality?

Well, what/trying/say/women should be equal with men.

2. Ask for and give clarification in the following situations.

E x a m p l e:

– I think love marriages often end up in failures

• What exactly do you mean?

• Well, people are often blinded by love.

1. Boss – I am afraid I’ll have to dismiss you because you are going to have a baby.

Employee –

2. Colleague – Women employees can never be trusted.

Colleague –

3. Friend – I think marriage is old-fashioned.

Friend –

1. Expressing Agreement and Disagreement

Expressing Agreement

Stronger F	I couldn’t agree more! That’s absolutely true! Absolutely! I take your point. I’d go along with you		on that. there.
Inf	I’mwith you	on that. there.
F Weaker Inf	Well, you’ve got a point there. There’s something in that, I suppose. I guess you could be right. Well, possibly.

Expressing Disagreement

F Stronger	I disagree entirely. I wouldn’t go along with you	on that there..
Inf	You can't be serious. You must be joking. How on earth can you say such a thing?
F Weaker Inf	I’m not really sure if I would go along with you I'm inclined to disagree with that I'mnot sure you're right there. That's a little far-fetched, isn't it?		on that. there.

1. Make the following into statements of agreement and disagreement using the language in the boxes above.

E x a m p l e:

(Agree) I/not/more

(Disagree) You/joking

It’s high time men ceased to regard women as second-rate citizens.

• I couldn’t agree more!

• You must be joking.

1. In my opinion, women won equality long ago.

There/something/suppose, along/you there.

I/not/go along/you there.

2. A loose woman is a disagreeable acquaintance.

I/your point.

I/inclined to/with that.

3. Divorce should be banned as it destroys the family.

I/go along/you/ on that.

How/earth/say/thing?

4. Women are likely to exaggerate their problems.

That/absolutely true!

That/little far-fetched, isn't it?

5. Women’s Liberation Movement has raised the esteem for women.

Well/you/point there.

I/not sure/right there.

UNIT III. Mass Media within the Context of National Culture

Section 1. Censorship: a Curse or a Blessing

Starter activity

When at school, were you allowed to watch TV, read books or browse the Internet indiscriminately or were you restricted to particular programs/books/sites? If so, who placed restrictions on you and did you benefit from such selective viewing/reading/browsing?