4 Answer the following questions referring to the text above:

1. What problems can people come across while donating money for some charitable purpose? Why is it necessary to evaluate the organizations people donate money to?

2. What kind of information should ‘a good relief appeal’ contain?

3. What is the function of charity watchdog groups in controlling the process of donating money to the cause being promoted?

4. What information should be presented in the so-called Form 990? Is it obligatory for all organizations to have such a document?

5 Can you explain the meaning of the following words and word combinations mentioned in the passage? Make up sentences with these words and word combinations.

altruism

non-profits

charity watchdog groups

Form 990

hard-earned cash

fund-raising

contributions

6 Fill in the correct word from the words in the box below. Use each word only once.

goodwill large-scale fee newly-created administrative hard-earned organizations intentions charity special substantial

1. ……… need or service

2. old-fashioned ………

3. ……… portion

4. ……… cash

5. a ……… organization

6. a “reasonable” copying ………

7. a sign of good ………

8. charitable ………

9. the purposes promoted by the ………

10. ……… expenses

11. a ……… tragedy

7 Discuss the following questions in pairs or groups:

8 Role-play the following situation with your partner:

Imagine that one of you is a charity fund manager and the other is a very curious person who is going to donate a large sum of money for charitable purposes. What is going to win: curiosity or professionalism?

9 Answer the following questions and share your ideas with your group mates:

1. What social group of people would you donate or give money to?

2. Have you given money to anybody in the street recently? If not, do you ever give money?

3. Is begging prohibited in your country?

4. Do you often see people asking for money in the streets in your town or in other towns in your country?

10 Look through the opinions of different people who were asked to express their views on whether they help people asking for money in the streets or not. Analyze their actions and motives and make your comments.

1. “I don’t think it’s a good idea to give money because I’d be really worried that somebody would spend it on alcohol rather than something nourishing… What I think I might do is to buy a sandwich or hot drink or give them something in winter: may be find some old clothes.”

b) “I usually put a couple of coins in a donation box if I’m not in a hurry and if it’s easy to get at the change. I don’t believe in giving money to beggars.”

c) “I never give money to anybody. As far as I’m concerned it just encourages them. I pay my taxes so the state will look after these people. I think it’s sheer laziness. I think they could get up off their bums and get a job if they really wanted to. It’s just that they don’t want to work.”

d) “Well, I don’t mind giving a few pennies to people who are doing something to earn them. I’d rather they actually did something…street artists or someone who is actually playing music; it puts people in a good mood on the way to work.”

e) “I never give money on the street any more. I do give money through my bank to charities that I’m particularly concerned about. Once a month they get money from my bank. And that way I know where it’s going and it also means that you’re giving extra money because of tax relief.”

f) “It really annoys me... these people with their squeezes. I don’t see why I should give money for cleaning my windscreen. I haven’t asked them. I think it’s high time the government did something about it because it really is annoying.”

11 Summarize the ideas discussed above and express your opinion on the question suggested. Use about 120-180 words.

What do you think is the best way to help people who ask for money in the streets?

• What things do people do to raise money for charity?

• What kinds of events raise most money?

• Have you ever done anything to raise money for charity?

12 Look at the headline of the article ‘A Weekend of Charity, Hope and Redemption (The Selfless Side of NBA All-Star Hoopla)’ and say what you think the article is going to be about. Read the first paragraph to find out if you are right.

13 Read the article quickly to find out some specific information and answer the questions below:

a) Who are the main characters in the article?

b) What cause is Dikembe Mutombo raising money for?

c) What country was Dikembe Mutombo born in?

d) What sum of money is Alonzo Mourning planning to raise on the whole?

14 Now read the article more carefully to be ready to speak on the questions suggested after it.