The p with the yoneses !S unique to American society: Tes oe eon are and com ete with our neighbours and friends 'S as ie ae cr 7 sebal Most find this secret competitiveness atamen eet e Pie ar ous, while others find it weird. Other people look at it 7 hioned consumerism with i at it means, the fact is that Keeping uP jnatever your personal opinion of wi ct eae asy trap for hildren an’ parents: Jason across the street te Joneses A ake em) — why can't 17" It may be said that has the newest sneakers (oF iPad oF - i it is especially difficult for parents who grew UP with less not to provide their children with the nicer things they could not have. However, the important thing is to find a alance between “need” and “want”. Unquestionably, in our society you have to play to your inner Joneses. ‘Whatever influence it may be, whether neighbours. commercials, or other, there is always an outside influence telling society what is. cool and important. Yet it can be argued that you may choose to ignore the hype: however, generally you are susceptible to it whether you know it OF not. Therefore, the competition is on. Everyone is looking for the trendiest phone, the cable provider with the most channels and the television with the biggest screen. Add in desktop computers and high-speed Internet access and you have created a list of America’s growing “necessities”. These technologies are superfluous luxuries. Nevertheless. it is believed that they help improve people’s lives. ‘What is more, even huge sport utility vehicles are NOW being justified under the guise of safety. There are now so many of the behemoths on the road, it feels tike the only way to be safe in a crash is to make sure you are driving one too. Oddly enough aed of lee driving around the suburbs in their huge cars are deeply in debt u ask them how they are doing, they wi j : eae ig, they will tell you that they are just barely gettin be claimed that safet; i i y justifies ever is i r way to match the standards set by their neighbours. a on ns Allin all, whether we admil , it to it or not, const ‘i . mi o lives. In the past decades, consumerism has ——— ets enn a pal only affe j yy affects us but also negatively affects our a of behaviour that . Thus, it is abo! started escaping from this consumer culture. ut time ® http:rostwolves. blog .gspot.pt/201 5/06/consumerism-keeping-up-with: -up-with-joneses-and.ht (ade hype (|. 15) ~ publicity oe Wwe a) b) o a) ira) b) a Iw a) b) tu a) b) ° a) ie b) Q Watch the film trailer and take notes on the following: 1. main characters and relationship between them. 2. main themes dealt with in the film. ; 3. Now watch the film and study ‘Extensive Viewing”. READING LISTENING TASK Read/Listen to the text. What does the idiomatic ex; the Joneses mean? Circle the best answer, Stive fo match one’s neighbours in spending and social standing Complain about the standards set by one" Want to have the surname Pression keeping up with Jones to Impress your neighbours. Answer the following questions about the text. What is the main idea the writer is arguing about? Do you agree that Keeping up with the Joneses is uniquely American? Find the paragraph in the text where you can find these Ideas People getting into debt Competition among neighbours Desire to have the trendiest technologies Outside pressure on people's decisions Complete the table with the viewpoints and opposing arguments used by the writer to discuss the topic. It may be difficult for parents not to give their children the things they did not have There is always an outside influence telling society what is cool and important. These technologies are superfluous luxuries. It may be claimed that safety justifies everything. Which of the following functions does the conclusion (last para.) serve? Check (/) as many as apply. It gives a final comment on the topic. ob It summarises the arguments. o It recommends a course of action. obgen Ae HE seen GAN SH ANE NHNE NEATESETTS EE PAR AAT SES NETS = St SE ae co : Aasanye ADA We NINE DORAL R NNT me Nonte wey CRP x _ / TIVAANH Sealy AY NS Ree WASNT cor mtn IAN NN EMEA Fre RRR OE RRA co tS AR RAH] Yee mr ane ew IETS RT . a RRR ERT MN HNN INN . BSE TAR ee ALES HES SR NAETOES SST TOES SHAT HT] Pea EYEE IN PRE RIPROER PES OS Spo ANWHE SH un UNIS SW ORE TNS ROMS PE ase SS HET Qe rane Rank Se rama na + NEST mak Lene The SEIOERTS ENING TRE SEND AISNE I RES. Tre ORS URE SOT CHI HERTS HET SPA? 2 Sore ene ar ee RES eer Mag TRA MOR S TREN Fal gui, Wan cao’ ATT Serene PET pe PRR eT ae B laurent satin an Tee SF EAN RTF MME S AES TSS SNS PRGARR OST 4 Sore mee we HF ORS Some reune An Tue eg now INE TORU EXWORE where my Sd RSE a QUE TAT MUTA ZANE CUNES Dele’ TR GORI Cutt MES RT een DIRT CTS NAS NT EY Sane Res OT TUT aM MORES TUE TRA ee Da SER GAS BR chit ee are ee NT Day SooeS NETRA oe gor ars a8 y PAN ABLES BE SUS POSS 0 [ te eenial . ke bake | CONTRAST ‘When we want to m rrveither, there are a number of different words and °xP may choose to ignore re susceptible to it -_-— | ake two points, and emphasise that one of them contrasts with ressions that we can use. | Yer it can be argued that you | i v But+ clause Yet + clause | tng hype but generally you a | Although/Though the Minister wants to increase ‘Although/though | taxes, his party disagrees. (informal) + clause | The Minister wants to increase taxes although’ (Though can come at the end though his party disagrees. - ofa sentence) +) || ‘Strange place, isn't it?” “Yes. Very interesting, i < | though.” Even though + clause he’s almost ninety, he’s keen on nei (The word even stresses that pee dg ea new what follows is surprising) « a In spite of/Despite + noun! In spite of/Despite their wealth, they don’t buy pronoun or -ing form superfluous things. Inspite of/Despite + the fact In spite of/Despite the fact that they are rich, that + clause they don’t buy superfluous things Jess, it is believed that all +dlause However/Neverthel | (Nevertheless is more formal.) these technologies that consumerism has lots of help improve people's lives. i Some people say | While/Whereas + clause | drawbacks while/whereas others say that it has | le | many advantages. fee Te al ‘ i f i ; oan on nd Pat ay ft on tetera. | “onthe other hand + clause ron quality of life; on the other hand, It \ ie m He creates a throwaway society. PRACTICE Join the sentences, using the word/expression in brackets. { 1. Some people are broke, They purchase huge sport utility vehicles. (even though) 2. It has been said that money is the root of all evil. Mai . Many people actually believe th: y would be happier if they were wealthier. (although) ‘ ee 3, Consumerism is often portrayed as a negati -gative aspect of people’: advantages. (nevertheless) . as BE 4 Some say at we now live in ‘consumer societies’ where money and possessions much importance. Others believe thi role in improving our lives. (whereas) ee ae 5. Some teens don’t earn any mone) *y, but they are bij 6. Jim and Jane are both bi ae aeenaaa cen aby boomers, but they differ greatly i i greatly in values and lifestyles. (howClass discussion AW What are the pros and cons of a consumer a society? Discuss the question in class. _« ©alot of products on offer he « better standard of living Add as many ideas to the lists as you can. * waste of natural resources * development of a throw-away culture Discursive essay The text you have read on page 30 is a discursive essay. In this type of essay, the writer focuses on various aspects of the topic in turn, Each viewpoint is supported by examples or quotations. Opposing arguments should be mentioned as well. Discursive essays are formal in style. In about 150 words, write a discursive essay on the followin; Many people believe that consumer culture has played a vital role in improving our lives. Do you agree? Before you start writing, take notes of the points you are going to discuss. Follow these guidelines. . = i | Introduction Paragraph 3 ‘ i State the topic Second viewpoint and ‘ | Main body opposing argument H ‘ t ‘ (two or more paragraphs) came : ‘ Paragraph 2 ‘Summarise the topic, making if First viewpoint and general comments and/or giving i , opposing argument your opinion ‘ ; Same line of thought firstly, secondly, etc., furthermore, likewise, in addition, similarly, | moreover. Definite statement without question/doubt, unquestionably... Conclusion/summary .| Contrasting ideas Allin all, to sum up, on balance, in my See examples on the opposite page. | opinion, to my mind.et LINKING WORDS A ITER AE TIRE oo Choose the correct connector to fill the blank. sant 1. My parents lent me the money. . [cout = have afforded the trip. a) Therefore \ b) Otherwise ) Because 2. That flat isn’t big enough for us. and, a) thus b) nevertheless ¢ furthermore 3. He didn’t earn enough money. —_—_—- his wife decided to get a job. a) Therefore b) Moreover too expensive. ae ¢) Besides 4. lenjoy reading this news magazine. — __, it always has a lot of good articles about cinema. a} However b) Moreover Asa result 5. You must buy the tickets; — a) otherwise b) therefore dalso 6. The kids didn't study. a) Nonetheless b) Asa result So we won't be able to see that play. _______. they passed the course. Choose one of the conjunctions to fill each gap. ‘although *but *before *if *since *where «while 1. I quite like Linkin Park, ________| don’t like Madonna, 2. Ihad a cup of tea__ I went to bed. 3. I'ldo it tomorrow ___ you give me the money. 4. Iwent to the town centre,__________1 bought some new clothes. 5. We haven't been able to afford it __ we lost the mot , ° ° - ney. 6. She was out Med afriend | was watching television. 7. He went out without acoat, it was cold.