Express personal ideas, feelings, opinions, views and emotions on a variety of issues
Express these ideas clearly in different contexts
Use appropriate language to share thoughts and emotions effectively
This chapter focuses on the skill of expressing oneself – saying what you think, feel and believe in a clear, respectful and confident way.
English has more than 170,000 words in current use, yet the average person actively uses only about 20,000–35,000. The real power of the language lies not in knowing every word, but in choosing the right ones to express exactly what you mean.
Activity 1 – Reading Passage
Read the passage below carefully and then answer the questions that follow.
CHILDREN’S RIGHTS
The main problem of smoking primarily concerns children. We adults must make up our minds. Often we start smoking due to ignorance but now we have knowledge about the dangers of smoking. We must not fail to use that knowledge to help the younger generation. Those who are often in contact with children must make an effort not to smoke or at least to explain the effects of smoking to their children. Children today are subjected to environments where smoking is taken for granted.
Clearly, parents who smoke are at a disadvantage in trying to prevent their children from smoking. However, the smoking habit of older people can be linked to some specific period of strain or difficulty which can be explained to the children instead of leaving them to think that smoking is as inevitable as eating and drinking.
Considering that it is not easy to convince children about the disadvantages of smoking especially if they are used to seeing their parents with cigarettes, seeing them relax while smoking a pipe and experience the air of irritation when an adult gives up smoking. Parents are often seen as role models; where does questioning their habits fall into this belief?
It would be helpful if parents explained their addiction to their children. Parents can also try not to leave boxes of cigarettes lying around as well as avoid handing cigarettes to visitors around children, because this gives them the impression that it is okay to pass on such unhealthy habits to others.
Tip: When reading a passage, first identify the main idea of each paragraph. This helps you understand the writer’s message and answer questions accurately.
Comprehension Questions
Click each question to reveal a model answer.
1. According to the passage, who is most affected by the problem of smoking?
Answer: Children are the ones primarily concerned / most affected by the problem of smoking.
2. Why do many adults start smoking, according to the writer?
Answer: Many adults start smoking due to ignorance (lack of knowledge about the dangers).
3. Why are parents who smoke at a disadvantage when trying to stop their children from smoking?
Answer: Because children see their parents as role models. If parents smoke, it is difficult to convince children that smoking is harmful.
4. What advice does the writer give to parents who smoke?
Answer: Parents should explain their addiction to their children, avoid leaving cigarette boxes lying around, and avoid offering cigarettes to visitors in front of children.
5. What does the writer mean by saying smoking is often “taken for granted”?
Answer: It means that smoking is accepted as normal or ordinary; people do not question it or see it as a problem.
The phrase “taken for granted” is a beautiful example of how English can express complex ideas simply. When something is “taken for granted,” it is accepted without thought or appreciation – a powerful way to describe everyday attitudes.
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Give the meaning of the following words as used in (or related to) the passage and general English use.
1. Strain
A period of difficulty, pressure or stress. (In the passage: a difficult time that may have caused older people to start smoking.)
2. Addiction
A strong and harmful need to regularly have something (here, cigarettes) that is very difficult to stop.
3. Outcast
A person who is rejected or excluded by society or a group. (Although not directly in the short extract, it is a common related vocabulary item in discussions about social habits and exclusion.)
4. Granted (as in “taken for granted”)
Accepted as true or normal without questioning or appreciating it.
5. Scorned
Treated with contempt or strong disapproval; looked down upon.
Practice: Use “addiction” and “taken for granted” in your own sentences.
Possible answers:
• Many young people develop an addiction to social media without realising the harm it can cause.
• Clean air and safe drinking water should never be taken for granted.
English loves precise nouns for feelings and states. Words like strain, addiction, scorn and irritation allow us to name emotions and conditions accurately – one reason English is so effective for expressing personal feelings.
Expressing Personal Ideas, Feelings and Opinions
Being able to express yourself clearly is an important life skill. Here are useful ways to introduce your thoughts and feelings in English:
Useful Expressions
Giving an opinion: In my opinion… / I believe that… / From my point of view… / It seems to me that…
Expressing feelings: I feel that… / I am concerned about… / It worries me that… / I am delighted that…
Agreeing: I completely agree… / You are right… / That is a good point…
Disagreeing politely: I see your point, but… / I’m not sure I agree… / On the other hand…
Giving reasons: This is because… / The reason is that… / One important factor is…
Task: Express your own opinion about smoking in front of children. Use at least two of the expressions above.
Model answer:
In my opinion, adults should never smoke in front of children. I feel that children copy the behaviour of the people they admire. It worries me that many young people start smoking because they see it as normal. Parents and teachers must set a good example.
A famous English proverb says: “Actions speak louder than words.” This is especially true when we talk about expressing values to children. What we do often teaches more powerfully than what we say.
Suggested Answers
Comprehension
Children are the main group affected by the problem of smoking.
Adults often start smoking because of ignorance.
Parents who smoke are role models; children find it hard to accept that smoking is bad when they see their parents doing it.
Explain their addiction, do not leave cigarette boxes around, and avoid offering cigarettes to visitors in front of children.
“Taken for granted” means accepted as normal without question or concern.
Vocabulary
Strain – a period of difficulty, pressure or stress
Addiction – a strong, harmful need that is difficult to stop
Outcast – a person rejected or excluded by others
Granted (taken for granted) – accepted as normal without appreciation or question
Scorned – treated with contempt or strong disapproval
Expressing Yourself (Sample)
In my opinion, smoking in the presence of children is harmful. I feel that adults have a responsibility to protect the younger generation. It worries me that many children grow up thinking smoking is normal. We must use our knowledge to set a better example.
Ready for Topic 2: Listen for Information?
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