Page 59 - In Focus (demo)

UNIT 2

5 Critical thinking

A Fact or opinion?

There are many different points of view on the topic of birthrates and population.
Work with a partner and decide if the following statements are fact (F) or opinion (O).
1 Raising children is too expensive.
2 If the birthrate is 2.0, the population will decline without immigration.
3 Older people don’t pay enough tax.
4 In 2010, white Americans were a majority of the population.
5 The United States is a country with a relatively high birthrate.

B Categorizing

1 Which of the following statements sound positive, neutral, or negative. Put checks
(✔) in the boxes. Underline any words in the sentences that support your choice.

Positive Neutral Negative

1 An open immigration policy helps countries solve
many of the problems caused by a low birthrate.

2 The unreasonably high cost of real estate means
that living space is very limited.

3 As women gain equality and independence,
they are free to pursue careers and postpone
childbirth.
4 Economic decline will occur when there are too
few workers to support the economic activity.
5 The US government forecasts that white
Americans will be a minority by 2042.

2 Compare your answers with a partner and explain your reasons.

C Writing

Look back at the statements in A and B above. Write a short paragraph about the
positive and negative results of population changes in your country. Use the model
below.

There have been some important changes in the population of my country in
the last 20 years. For example . . .
Some positive results of these changes include . . .
On the other hand, there are serious concerns. One is . . .

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