Signs of Addiction

The most obvious sign of an addiction is the need to have a particular drug or substance. However, many other signs can suggest a possible addiction, such as changes in mood or weight loss or gain. (These also are signs of other conditions, too, though, such as depression or eating disorders.)Signs that you or someone you know may have a drug or alcohol addiction include:

Psychological signals:

ü use of drugs or alcohol as a way to forget problems or to relax;

ü withdrawal or keeping secrets from family and friends;

ü loss of interest in activities that used to be important;

ü problems with schoolwork, such as slipping grades or absences;

ü changes in friendships, such as hanging out only with friends who use drugs;

ü spending a lot of time figuring out how to get drugs;

ü stealing or selling belongings to be able to afford drugs;

ü failed attempts to stop taking drugs or drinking;

ü anxiety, anger, or depression;

ü mood swings.

Physical signals:

ü changes in sleeping habits;

ü feeling shaky or sick when trying to stop;

ü needing to take more of the substance to get the same effect;

ü changes in eating habits, including weight loss or gain.

UNIT 8

AIDS

Washington's HIV / Aids problem is getting worse, not better. There's been a 20% increase in cases in the past two years. The city's department of health says that 3% of its residents over the age of twelve are now living with HIV / Aids. That's a rate that officials say is on a par with Uganda and parts of Kenya. The United Nations’ definition of an epidemic is when it affects more than 1% of the population.

In Washington the majority of those infected are African American. Men aged between 40 and 50 have been the hardest hit.

The city is discussing ways of tackling the problem with an emphasis on more testing. But Washington's Mayor Adrian Fenty says that so far the message appears to be going in one ear and out the other.

Three ways of transmission appear to be fuelling the spread of the virus: men having sex with men, heterosexual sex and infection through drug use.

UNIT 9

Sports

John Cleef’s father play for a Dutch football club when he was a young man. When the Cleefs left Holland and moved to London, John began school as a six-year-old. No one in the famoly was surprised when he started to take a great interest in footbaal. The school he went to played football four afternoons a week (exept in the summer, whrn they all played cricket).

John’s abilities were obvious and when he was 12, a talented scout from one of the big football clubs spoke to his paremts about him. Mr. Cllef said he was too young to think about football as a career. But two years later, John took part in a special shoolboy’s football match arranged by the club. John scored three goals, and he was certain that his future lay in football. Two years later he sighned a contract with the club.

John has been lucky, because it is a good club. It makes sure that all the new young players - apprentice players, as thye are called - keep up their schooling. Everyone knows that oit of ten apprentices, perhaps only one will have a career in football.

It is a hard day for John and other apprentices. The day starts at the football ground at ten o;clock with a meeting, followed by an hopur and a half’s training. After lunch the apprentices clean boots, sweep out the stadium, and wash out the changing rooms.

The young footballers are expected to be in a peak physical condition which means, says John, no late nights, no drinking, and a rather limited socail life. “Not all the girls understand this, but I have two years to try and make my mark. That means that the girls will have to wait. I watch football every evening I can – and I dream of becoming a star!”

John is supported 100% by his parents. His father is proud of him, and perhaps sees John fulfilling his own dream of becoming a football star. “For me it would be marvelous to have a Cleef playing for England”, he says with a smile, “even if it should mean that they beat Holland ten-nil!”.

UNIT 10

Exam Stress

Emma: Hi Tim, are you ok?

Tim: Er, no. Not really. I’m in a bit of a state actually.

E: Why? What’s the matter?

T: I’ve got my French oral exam on Thursday and I’m really worried about it.

E: Why? You’re really good at French.

T: I don’t mind written exams but with orals... I get nervous. How do you manage? You had your German oral last week, didn’t you?

E: Yes. It was fine. I enjoyed it.

T: Enjoyed it?! Here I am trying to survive an oral exam and you are telling me that you actually enjoyed one!

E: Come and sit down. Let me give you some advice.

T: Thanks Emma - that would be great.

E: Ok, what exactly are you worried about? Your marks in French are usually good, aren’t they?

T: Yes. It’s one of my best subjects. I got 70% in the last exam.

E: And you know what the oral exam consists of, don’t you?

T: Well, not exactly. I think we have to compare and contrast two pictures and they ask us about our hobbies the usual sort of thing.

E: Well, to start you ought to make sure you know what to expect. The more information you have, the better you’ll feel. You get nervous when you don’t know what to expect.

T: That’s true.

E: So find out! Find out exactly what every stage of the exam consists of.

T: How can I do that?

E: Well, you should ask the teacher to explain exactly what happens. Ask her if you can do a mock oral in class.

T: A mock oral?

E: Yes, a practice. A trial run.

T: That’s a good idea. I hadn’t thought of that. What if she says no?

E: I’m sure she won’t. But if she does, you should organise a mock oral with some friends. Two of you can practise while another person listens and takes the role of the examiner.

T: Ok. That sounds like good advice.

E: What else is worrying you?

T: I keep imagining myself in the exam and being unable to say a word.

E: Have you ever been unable to say a word?

T: No. I usually manage.

E: Then you ought to remember that! You shouldn’t waste time worrying about something that can’t happen. You know enough French to have a conversation and so you won’t freeze up. You ought to believe in yourself.

T: The trouble with a speaking exam is that you can’t really revise before it..

E: Yes, you can! Why don’t you read something in French, listen to some French music, watch a French film –it’ll all help to get you into a French mood!

T: I hadn’t thought of that.

E: Listening to the radio is a good idea too.

T: French radio?

E: Yes: You can listen on the internet – or download a French podcast – find something that you are interested in.

T: Good idea. I could listen to a film programme.

E: Yes. And did you say you have to compare and contrast two pictures?

T: Yes. The worst thing is that you have no idea what the pictures will show.

E: But you can practise.

T: How?

E: Just use any two pictures – and look for things that are the same and things that are different.

T: For example?

E: Well – look at this menu... both of these pictures show sandwiches, but the first picture shows a ham sandwich and the other one....

T:....shows a cheese sandwich – yes. I get the idea.

UNIT 11

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