24.1 Kinds of explanation
Presentation and practice
A One of the reasons why so many children start smoking is that they see adults smoking: they think that it’s a ‘grown-up’ thing to do. They smoke in order to impress their friends, and also because they don’t really believe that cigarettes will do them any harm. Quite reasonably, they are not impressed when adults warn them about the dangers of smoking: if smoking is so dangerous, why do so many adults do it? |
С Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) exists in order to make the public more aware of the dangers of smoking. It tries to make people give up the habit by organising anti- smoking campaigns, and it is especially concerned with limiting cigarette advertising. So far, it has succeeded in persuading the Government to ban cigarette advertising on television. |
В Smoking can cause cancer, bronchitis and heart disease. The nicotine inhaled from cigarettes makes the heart beat faster, and makes the arteries contract: this can lead to blockages in the arteries, particularly in the legs. Cancer and bronchitis are caused by the tar and carbon monoxide taken into the lungs. Although these harmful effects are well known, people continue to smoke. Some people carry on even after having a heart attack or a leg amputated. |
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In three sentences, say what each paragraph explains.
According to paragraph A , why do children start smoking?
According to paragraph g, what diseases can smoking cause? What is each disease caused by?
What is the purpose of ASH? What particular things does it do?
Practice
Work in groups. Discuss the following:
Do you agree with the reasons given in paragraph i ? What other reasons do you think there might be?
Why do you think people carry on smoking although they know the harmful effects of smoking?
What else can anti-smoking campaigns do to discourage people from smoking?
24.2 Giving reasons Practice
Example Peter sold his car and bought a motorcycle ...
... in order to save money.
... so that he could park in the city centre.
... because he didn’t want to get stuck in traffic jams.
... because petrol had become so expensive.
Why do you think these people did what they did ?
Angela sold her house in the country 3 Joanna started learning English, and bought a flat in London. 4 Colin decided to retire early, at 55.
Frank decided to take up karate. 5 Pauline stopped smoking.
Work in groups. What are the three most important decisions you ever made? Tell the others exactly what you did, and explain why.