2
1.27 Complete the poem with words from
exercise 1. Then listen and check.
THE ZEBRA
QUESTION
BY SHEL SILVERSTEIN
I asked the zebra,
Are you black with white stripes?
Or white with black stripes?
And the zebra asked me,
Are you good with bad habits?
Or are you bad with habits?
Are you noisy with 2... times?
Or are you quiet with ... times?
Are you happy with ... days?
Or are you sad with 5... days?
Are you neat with some 6... ways?
Or are you sloppy with some ways?
And on and on and on and on
And on and on he went.
I'll never ask a zebra
About stripes
Again​

When Mr Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, 1(decided/had decided) to buy Canterville Chase, everyone 2(told) him that it 3(was) a foolish thing to do. There 4(was) ho doubt that a ghost 5(lived) in the house. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself 6( mentioned) the fear to Mr Otis when they 7...(were discussing) the sale. We 8(have not lived) in the place ourselves, 9(said) Lord Canterville, since the day when my grand-aunt 10(was frightened) by the gost. It 11(happened) many years ago. My grand-aunt 12(was getting dressed) for dinner when she suddenly 13(felt) two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders. The fright 14(made) he very ill and she never really recorved. I 15 (do not belive) in ghosts 16(said) Mr.Otis.

Nowadays we are often told that young generation is absolutely impolite and disorganized. As for me, I partially agree with this opinion as there are various facts that support it.

To begin with, teenagers are reluctant to listen to their parents` advices because teens are absolutely convinced that they are always right and consequently do not need any help. They feel like looking independent and confident but, of course, in fact they can neither live on their own nor manage with all difficulties themselves. Moreover, teenagers are often very selfish and self-absorbed. They think, they are much better than other people. They do not understand thatthe way you treat people - you will be treated by them. In addition, I strongly believe that teenagers` behavior is influenced by mass media. Today most of young people have TV-sets as well as computers with permanent Internet connection in their bedrooms. Therefore, despite the fact that a lot of TV programmes are inappropriate for teens they watch them because few parents actually check up what their children watch. So, programmes containing offensive language, scenes of violence and loud screeches influence teens badly. It is really difficult for children to determine the difference between the reality and the fantasy. Hence, they start imitating the violent behaviour they see in their favourite programmes.

However, there are people who oppose this view. They suppose that teens seem to be rude and selfish due to their age. Their character is changing, they are growing up and have to take responsibilities and responsibility for their actions. It is very difficult for them to cope with these problems, that is why they become aggressive.

In conclusion, I firmly believe that a lot depends on parents and the way a child is bringing up. If a teenager has the common sense, then he or she will be able to solve any problem and improve his or her behavior.