Task 1 Maximizing and minimizing language:

Underline words that make the sentences sound more definite (certain) or less definite (not
certain).


But of course, there’s more to it than that.

Indeed, most of the effects are negative.

There appears to be evidence to suggest that many of the effects are negative.

And potentially, they can lead to antisocial attitudes.

Admittedly, this can be a difficult point to prove.

This may be a widely held opinion but it needs more evidence to be convincing.

Connectivity can have a significant effect on economic performance.

I think we have to be careful here.


Task 2 Identifying main arguments and supporting evidence

https://www.ted.com/talks/parag_khanna_how_megacities_are_changing_the_map_of_the_world

You will watch a TED talk How megacities are changing the map of the world?

Work out the main idea of the speaker’s arguments and any evidence which supports the argument.













Task 3 Note down examples of phrases that make the speech more  / less emphatic (důrazný):

extract 17.23 -19.18

China and Japan have an even longer history of rivalry and have been deploying their air forces and
navies to show their strength in island disputes. But in recent years, Japan has been making its
largest foreign investments in China. Japanese cars are selling in record numbers there. And guess
where the largest number of foreigners residing in Japan today comes from? You guessed it: China.

China and India have fought a major war and have three outstanding border disputes, but today India
is the second largest shareholder in the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. They're building a
trade corridor stretching from Northeast India through Myanmar and Bangladesh to Southern
China. Their trade volume has grown from 20 billion dollars a decade ago to 80 billion dollars
today.

Nuclear-armed India and Pakistan have fought three wars and continue to dispute Kashmir, but
they're also negotiating a most-favored-nation trade agreement and want to complete a pipeline
stretching from Iran through Pakistan to India.

And let's talk about Iran. Wasn't it just two years ago that war with Iran seemed inevitable? Then
why is every single major power rushing to do business there today?

Ladies and gentlemen, I cannot guarantee that World War III will not break out. But we can
definitely see why it hasn't happened yet. Even though Asia is home to the world's fastest growing
militaries, these same countries are also investing billions of dollars in each other's
infrastructure and supply chains. They are more interested in each other's functional
geography than in their political geography. And that is why their leaders think twice, step back
from the brink, and decide to focus on economic ties over territorial tensions.


Task 4 Working out benefits and risks of an issue: Connectivity

Connectivity  http://www.thefreedictionary.com

1. The quality or condition of being connected or connective

2. The ability to make and maintain a connection between two or more points in a telecommunications
 system

·         What do you think - are there positive and also negative effects of connectivity? Give
examples.



·         You will get texts A and B about global integration. In pairs, discuss and note down your
ideas under the sections below:


                                         positive effects









                                                         negative effects

                                                                                                                      uncertain





Task 5 Using emphatic language

Summarize your conclusion about the benefits and risks of connectivity. Use some phrases which
maximize or minimize your statements. Add any more examples that you can hear in the discussion.

                                                       MAXIMIZING


                                                                 MINIMIZING

           Definitely

                                                                 It appears to be

           Of course

                                                                 Evidence suggests that

           The only way is

                                                                 I believe that

           Certainly

                                                                 It may seem

           We mustn’t

                                                                 is likely to be

           There’s no doubt

                                                                 Admittedly, there are