Speaker 2 Last night I dreamt that I was at school when a fire broke out. Students and teachers were screaming and running everywhere. I was in the bathroom with my friend and by the time we got out, the whole school was on fire. We tried to run, but couldn’ t move. I woke up shaking and screaming. Speaker 3 In my dream, my grandfather from Spain had sent me a letter describing his new summer house and inviting me to spend the summer with him and my grandmother. Well, I woke up this morning and my mum told me that my grandfather had sent her an email telling her he had bought a new house! Speaker 4 When I was young, I always had the same dream. I was living in a magical forest filled with monsters and fairies. Every night was a different adventure. A few years ago I decided to turn my dream into a film. Now children all over the world can be a part of my dream world. Speaker 5 I woke up this morning all excited because I dreamt that my best friend Lisa and I had won the local talent competition. I rushed to school to tell her about my dream, only to find out that she had had exactly the same dream as me!
Computers
Speaker 1 My little brother and sister always use my computer, and I don’ t like it at all! I don’ t mind them using it for homework, but it really gets on my nerves when they download music and games from unknown sites and my computer ends up with all sorts of viruses. I told them that from now on they can only use my PC if I’ m there to see what they’ re doing. Speaker 2 I know that many people believe computers are here to make life easier, but I do not agree. Last week, I was typing up my history project. I had typed four pages and I was on the last one, when my computer crashed. All that work gone! I know I should have saved it as I was typing, but I didn’ t. All I know is that I had to write everything all over again! Speaker 3 I can’ t imagine my life without my computer. I use my laptop for hours every day: chatting with friends, downloading music and surfing the Net. I find it’ s the best way to stay informed and communicate with my friends. I don’ t know how people managed before the invention of the Internet! Speaker 4 You really have to be careful about viruses when downloading music from the Internet. Last Saturday I was downloading a song from a new site I had discovered, when my computer crashed. I tried to reboot, but nothing. I called my cousin who is good with computers and he came over and fixed it. He even installed new anti-virus software to protect my computer. Speaker 5 I really think more schools should start teaching students all about computers. Some people think that computers are taking over our lives, but I disagree. Computers make life easier. With just a click of the mouse you can find information about everything, explore different countries and keep in touch with family and friends.
Video games
A: As I see it, children copy things they see, so in the case of violent games, this could be dangerous for both themselves and others. B: Yes, but don’ t you think that video games are a good outlet for aggression in the safety of one’ s own home. Banning them might mean children let off steam by actually taking violent behaviour out on the streets. A: On the contrary, I feel violent computer games teach children to lose respect for human life. They should be banned because they lower social and moral values. B: But to ban video games would be to deny people their basic freedom of choice. Doesn’ t everybody have the right to play the game of their choosing? Not everyone who plays games becomes violent.
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