1. The text has no heading. Below you will find three possible versions. Choose the one that suits best the information given in the text. Explain your choice.

1. Anti-smoking campaigns.

2. Dreadful consequences of smoking.

3. Smoking! Is it really harmful?

(If none of the variants is good enough, in your opinion, suggest your own heading.)

2. Choose the synonyms to the words given in italics according to the context.

evil a) badness b) wickedness c) sin d) harm

commodity a) thing b) convenience c) product d) purchase

to take up a) to begin b) to raise up c) to have d) to develop

welfare a) well-being b) prosperity c) security d) happiness

3. Match questions with the paragraphs of the text. One question is unnecessary.

1. In which paragraph does the author

1. argue that medical costs of lung cancer increase?

2. give examples of the erroneous belief that one’s wishes are in accordance with reality?

3. state that cigarette advertising does harm unseen and secretly?

4. prove that the population is not ready to inform young people of dreadful consequences of smoking?

2. In which paragraph is the author of the opinion that governments should conduct tough, courageous and fair anti-smoking policy?

4. Complete the following sentences. Your answers must be related to the ideas contained in the text.

1. There is a definite link … .

2. Governments of most countries see … .

3. Only a few governments take … for example, … .

4. Why the reaction of authorities is so lukewarm … .

5. Authorities agree that smoking … but … .

6. People are not ready for … .

7. The tobacco industry spends a lot … .

8. But people are never shown … on the contrary … .

9. Among possible measures that governments can take are … .

5. Put the jumbled sentences in the logical order to sum up the information given in the text.

1. Only, a few governments have taken some measures aimed at decreasing the number of smokers.

2. Tobacco brings a lot of money.

3. Smoking usually results in bronchial troubles, heart disease and lung cancer.

4. Nevertheless, a number of measures should be taken.

5. It can easily be explained.

6. For a start governments should ban all cigarette advertising, then smoking should be banned in public places and young people should be informed about harmful effects of smoking.

7. Instead of banning smoking altogether authorities discreetly point out that smoking may be harmful.

8. Governments of most countries do not see, smell or hear any evil.

9. In most countries cigarette advertising is allowed.

6. Use the following outline and key words and expressions to speak about the problem raised in the text.

1. Consequences of smoking (bronchial troubles, heart disease, lung cancer).

2. Governments’ reaction to smoking (to take timid measures, to see no evil, lukewarm).

3. A wonderful commodity (tobacco, to tax, short-sighted policy, to spend money on research, to cure people, to ban smoking altogether).

4. Measures to be taken (to ban, cigarette advertising/smoking, public places, to warn about, dire consequences of smoking).