4. Dialogue.

1) Practice reading the following dialogue in pairs, working at your pronunciation and expression. Learn it by heart and perform it with a partner in front of the class.

A: - Idle again? Is there any activity you ever turn to with unfailing eagerness?

B: - Why should I? I know other means of attaining happiness.

A: - Like what? Domestic affections, perhaps?

B: - Very funny. Is humour the only satisfaction you get out of life?

A: - I’ve had my share of woes, haven’t I? Nothing will ever urge me to be grim again There is time for everything.

B: - Right. The same with my inaction. Active functioning can not last forever. One needs recuperation.

A: - Not you. When have there been the last burst of activity?

B: - Why such an insatiable interest in me?

A: - Because you delight me as a very peculiar specimen.

B: - No wonder, because just before you came I finished drawing your portrait.

A: - You did what? My word! I didn’t even know you could draw!

B: - It’s been determined by heredity. My father was a painter.

A: - Do you mean to say that in what you did there was little conscious volition?

B: - Exactly. Though I’ve enjoyed an immense satisfaction in the process I did it not to profit you or the rest of humanity, but to satisfy myself.

A: -Why have I ever married you?

B: - You had no choice. It has been ordained by the inscrutable fates.

A: - Oh, you stupid, villainous, impossible, darling!..

2) The expressions below are useful for giving opinions. Working with 2 partners act out a conversation to discuss any issue from the article by H.L. Mencken. Use the topical vocabulary and the following expressions as largely as you can.

To my mind / To my way of thinking, …

It is my (firm) belief/opinion/view/conviction (that) …

In my opinion/view …

I (firmly) believe …

I am (not) convinced that …

I (do not) agree that/with …

It strikes me that …

My opinion is that,

I (definitely) feel/think that …

I am inclined to believe that …

It seems/appears to me …

As far as I am concerned, …

5. Read two texts below and discuss with a partner arguments that reveal the author’s ideas on the meaning of life.

The Meaning of Life (without superstition) By Mitchell Kahle

What is the meaning of life? Why are we here? What is our purpose?

These questions are commonly said to be exclusive to the domain of theologians. They are not questions addressed by science, to be sure, but is religion necessary for meaning?

Some Christians assert that "A life without God is a life without meaning." But the statement is false. As an explicit atheist, one who openly rejects religion and notions of "God," I can tell you about a life full of meaning.

Why am I here? Because my parents mated, my mother conceived, and I was born - kicking and screaming -- on March 30th, 1962.

I am my mother's first-born son. For her, I most certainly have a purpose in life. She brings meaning to my life and so does my father. I give meaning to their lives. My siblings, three older sisters and one younger brother, are each meaningful to me in their own way. Our family fulfills a purpose in sustaining the family lineage and perpetuating the human species.

My relationship with Holly (my partner for more than 14 years) also brings significant meaning to my life. We honor and cherish each other. We support and encourage each other. We are together on this journey of life. Our relationship is built on mutual affection, care, love, trust, and understanding. We love our pet cats and share concern for the humane treatment of all animals.

Beyond my immediate family and friends, I serve my community by engaging in business, commerce, politics, volunteerism, and other social interactions. I serve Nature by acting responsibly to protect the ecology and environment.

My business has a function in the local economy. My leisure activities, hobbies, and creative endeavors have meaning for me and for those with whom I share. As a civil rights activist, my political actions affect the lives of thousands of people.

My family, friends, colleagues, associates, and others make up a relationship network which spreads around the world. You only need to know a handful of people to form a potential unbroken link with every living person on Earth.

Some Christians claim that "Jesus" is required for "Salvation" and "God" is necessary to discern good from evil. Again, this is a claim without justification or support of evidence.

I strive to maintain high ethical standards, based on a reasonable understanding or experience of the consequences of actions. I do not deliberately cheat, steal, endanger, injure, kill, or otherwise deprive others of their life, rights, or property. I believe myself to be an honest and trustworthy citizen who actively contributes to society. All without any religious belief or theology.

My personal code of ethics is embodied in the Silver Rule, which teaches: "Do not do unto others as you would not have them do unto you." This unassailable ethical standard is attributed to Confucius (who was not a religious cleric, but a civil servant).

Secular ethics and philosophy provide moral guidance and give meaning to life without superstition. Religion is not required for intelligence, knowledge, artistry, creativity, confidence, curiosity, health, happiness, friendship, love, marriage, sex, parenthood, or any other attribute of merit.

I will put my secular code of ethics up against any religious moral code anytime and thus refute the ridiculous claim that "A life without God is a life without meaning." My life and the lives of millions of atheists and secular humanists provide irrefutable proof that "God" is superfluous.