07. Look at the following phrases and decide if they mean I think it's (very) important (write I) or I don't think it's (very) important (write N).

1. It's not a matter of life or death.

2. It's pretty inconsequential.

3. It's an absolute necessity.

4. It's neither here nor there.

5. It's a must.

6. It's far from being essential.

7. It is absolutely crucial/vital.

08. Complete the answers to the Part 3 style questions using your own ideas, reasons and/or examples to expand your answer.

1. How important is it to stay out of debt?
For me, it's a must. . . .
For an increasing number of people these days, it's not a matter of life or death. . . .

2. Why are so many people today concerned with owning the newest versions or updates of technology?
I'm not sure. It's pretty inconsequential to my life, but...
Perhaps they just think that it's an absolute necessity, and ...

3. Why do you think that many people place so much value on money and wealth?
It's hard to say. Personally, I don't really think it matters, but ...
For some people, it's absolutely essential because ...

Sample answers

1. For me, it's a must. Too many people spend more than they can afford and go into debt as a result. They spend their lives paying even more money on interest payments and can become trapped in debt their whole lives.

For an increasing number of people these days, it's not a matter of life or death. After all, most people can't afford to buy a house and so they take on a mortgage and buy their house gradually. Most people use credit cards to buy essential things they don't have the money for at that moment, but knowing they can pay the money back.

2. I'm not sure. It's pretty inconsequential to my life, but I know I'm in the minority. Society is obsessed with having the latest versions of smartphones or tablets and it can be argued that buying new products is good for the economy.

Perhaps they just think that it's an absolute necessity, and that if they don't have the most up-to-date products, they'll be left behind. So many people depend on technology for their everyday lives and feel that having it will improve their quality of life.

3. It's hard to say. Personally, I don't really think it matters, but the world we live in seems to be built on the idea of accumulating wealth. Perhaps it's just human nature to want to have more than the next person.

For some people, it's absolutely essential because they or perhaps their society lacks the resources that other societies have and, as a result, they prioritise money and wealth in order to look after themselves and their families.

09. Match sentences 1-5 with the discourse markers in the box. Use all the discourse markers.

1. This may be true, I read/heard it somewhere.

2. I am sure this is true (objectively).

3. I can't say for definite, but in some way it may be true.

4. As a general rule it is true.

5. This is my personal opinion.

10. Read the statements and make notes on how you would respond to them, using words and phrases from exercise 9. Then, with a partner, take turns to respond.

1. Some people believe that it is far better to be self-employed, as anyone who works for a company is doing nothing more than earning money for somebody else.

A. Arguably that is true, but at the same time, not everybody wants to be self employed. I think that, by and large, people are happy to work for companies.
B. Undoubtedly the part of the statement about earning money for somebody else is true, but an employee is also earning a salary and often has job security from working with a company, so I'm not sure I agree with the statement.

2. Banks should not be allowed to issue credit cards to anyone under the age of 21.

3. Technology has made it easier to pay for everything. However, without paper money, people don't realise how much they are spending and this is creating more debt.

4. If you want to become a successful businessperson, you absolutely have to take Business Studies at university.

5. The world would be a better place if it was run by business people rather than politicians.

6. In life, it is more important to save than to spend.

Sample answers

2. I can understand why some people might think this. Supposedly young people are highly irresponsible with money, and so having the ability to spend money they don't have is risky.

3. Arguably this is the case for many people, but from where I stand, people need to take responsibility for their own debt and not blame technology.

4. By and large, having a degree in Business Studies would benefit a businessperson, but clearly it is not absolutely necessary. Many of the most successful business people in my country don't have higher qualifications in this subject.

5. Clearly this is a ridiculous idea. Businesses are about profits, not about human beings. Politicians may not be perfect, but they have a far better understanding of the importance of society and community than business people.

6. Conceivably people would manage their finances better if they saved more and didn't get into debt. But as far as I'm concerned, I don't think it really matters. It's an individual choice.