Language functions: discussing issues; reporting opinions; distancing oneself from information

Grammar focus: passive voice; verbs reporting opinions

Topic: bribery and corruption

CULTURE
STUDENT WORKSHEET

focus on vocabulary
ACTIVITY 1
Here’s the list of words and expressions connected with the topic of corruption. Try
to explain their meanings.

bribe-taker ……………………………………………………………………
bribe-payer ……………………………………………………………………
transparency ……………………………………………………………………
to prove corruption ……………………………………………………………………
to be plagued by corruption ……………………………………………………………………
to curtail/curb/ root out corruption ……………………………………………………………………
accusations/ allegations of corruption ……………………………………………………………………
to offer/accept a bribe ……………………………………………………………………
to grease somebody’s palm ……………………………………………………………………
to bribe one’s way ……………………………………………………………………

www.english-4U.com: JANUARY 2007 1

focus on discussion
ACTIVITY 2
Discuss the following questions.

According to Britannica, BRIBERY is a crime of giving a benefit (e.g., money) in order to

influence the judgment or conduct of a person in a position of trust (e.g., an official or witness).
Accepting a bribe also constitutes a crime.

• Do you agree that offering and accepting a bribe is an equally serious offence?
• How would you tell a difference between a bribe and a gift expressing
gratitude?

Bribery exists in all cultures, it affects both the rich and the poor. When people have power and
discretion they feel tempted to enrich themselves in a dishonest way. As a result, it can hold back
a country’s development, increase the cost of running a business, and make the lives of ordinary
people difficult.

• Apart from power and discretion

what other factors contribute to
the problem of bribery and
corruption?
• Would you say that the problem
of bribery and corruption is
more or less serious in your
country than in the rest of the
world?
• Which professions are most
often accused of bribery?
• What negative effects of bribery
and corruption can you list?

It seems that both bribe-takers and bribe-payers always dress up a bribe as some kind of
legitimate exchange. One manifestation of this is linguistic. Few people say: “You are going to
have to pay me if you want to get that done.” Instead, they use a wide variety of euphemisms: “an
expediting fee”, “speed money”, “a favour”, “a little something for the weekend” – (Nigerian
policemen), ”money for a soft drink” – (Mexican police), “good coffee” – (Iraq), “brown
envelopes”, etc.

www.english-4U.com: JANUARY 2007 2

 • Are any of the euphemisms listed above used in your country? Are there any
other words or expressions used to conceal the nature of a bribe in your
language?
• Why do bribe-takers and bribe-payers use such euphemisms?

According to the author of article: “How to grease a palm” (The Economist, Dec 19th 2006),
“there is no single cultural factor that inclines a society towards corruption but economic factors
play a big part. Most clearly, poverty and bribery go together.” However, “a corrupt country is
nevertheless capable of rapid growth. Countries may be corrupt because they are poor, and not
the other way round.”

• Why, in your opinion, is there a strong correlation between poverty and

bribery?

focus on grammar: passive voice – reporting people’s opinions

Passive voice is often used to avoid mentioning a subject , and to give a generalized opinion. One
construction is especially popular among journalists who can distance themselves from the information they
present. Take a look at this example:

Big companies are believed to bribe politicians.

We neither say who exactly believes that big companies bribe politicians, nor do we claim that this is our
opinion. Other verbs that can be used in this way: KNOW, SAY, THINK, CONSIDER

with present reference: present infinitive / continuous infinitive

The judge is said to take bribes. = People say that the judge takes bribes.
to be taking bribes. = People say that the judge is taking bribes.

The judge was said to take bribes. = People said that the judge took bribes.
to be taking bribes. = People said that the judge was taking bribes.

with past reference: perfect infinitive

The judge is said to have taken a bribe. = People say that the judge took a bribe.
The judge was said to have taken a bribe. = People said that the judge had taken a bribe.

www.english-4U.com: JANUARY 2007 3

ACTIVITY 3
Rewrite these sentences using passive voice.

1. People say that the police are looking into this allegation.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
2. People thought that the witness had been bribed.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
3. People believe that the whole city is plagued by corruption.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
4. People say that Mr Harrison bribed his way onto the plane.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
5. Everybody knew that he used a false name to avoid detection.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
6. People think that he is too decent to accept a bribe.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
7. We all know that corruption is holding back our country’s development.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
8. People believed that the police had found a brown envelope stuffed with cash in his pocket.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
9. Everybody thinks that the government is corrupt.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
10. Everybody says that the local policeman is a co-conspirator in a bribery case.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

focus on discussion
ACTIVITY 4
Discuss the following question.

1. What should be done to curtail bribery?

2. Why are some regions of the world more affected by corruptions than others?
3. Can taking or giving a bribe be justified in any situation?

www.english-4U.com: JANUARY 2007 4