EDUCATION.

Private or state schools? Why?. Your experience at school (primary, secondary) or at University. Do you have any regrets about your education?. Whose responsibility is it to provide children and teenagers with a good education? What is your opinion about bilingual education?. What would you change about the present education system?. Education in the past and at present. Differences.

Generally speaking, Education is a fundamental issue in our society, specially for children and their families. Nowaday is a controversial o trendy topic.

From my point of view I prefer state school than private school, in my opinion state teachers’ are more qualificated than other teachers in private school.

I also work as psychologist at a state school as well I recomend studying in state schools because in Spain it is free and quality until the age of 16. For instance, in my personal experience I have had a good education and my teachers were really implicated in helping me with my personal studies.

On the other hand, i believe that school and family there are equally responsible for children’s education.

Changing the subject, nowaday bilingual education is an essential aim in the school, so in the near future bilingual speakers will be highly demanded by compañies.

I’m totally against the current government, because it is performing several cuts in this field, mainly at state school, in fact this situacion is unsustenible and many teachers are on strike.

To conclude I would like to talk about Education and political changes, Education should be saved from the changes in the political system or there should be an agreement among political parties.

2. TRADITIONS.

What traditions from your country do you find interesting?. Give details. What local traditions or customs do you think a foreigner would find unusual?. Is there any tradition you would like to bring back? Explain. What would you change about traditions in your country/area/family?. Imported traditions: for or against? (e.g. Halloween, Santa Claus…). Local celebrations, family celebrations. Bullfighting: pros and cons.

The best known or popular Spanish’s folkloristic traditions are certainly FLAMENCO AND BULLFIGHTS. You will find bullfights rings in every Spanish town. The most popular bullfighting tradition is perhaps “The Runing of the Bulls” during the San Fermin Festival in Pamplona.

On the other hand, Flamenco is the musical tradition in the south of the country, in particular in Andalucia. In April the festival “Feria de Abril” takes a place during a week, in that week there is singing, dancing, drinking white wine and eating a typical snacks “tapas” while wearing typical

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clothes too. Another important event is “Semana Santa” on Easter holiday, where we can see the world wide famous tradition of the processions.

In Valencia, people celebrate “Las Fallas”, in March, where the entire town become a stage for famous firework and enormous cartoon statues that people set on fire on the night of 19th of March.

From my point of view, i think special imported Festival from other countries, for instance, Exotic Carnival, Halloween, Christmast where children enjoy it a lot and enrich or improve our culture.In Spain there are other important Festivals such as Music, Cinema, etc.

In brief I’m totaly against bullfighting, for me it is inhuman to kill an animal for entertainment and i really hate this kind of events or any similar parties where animals are being abused.

3. ROAD SAFETY.

Are Spanish people good or bad drivers?. Why?. What do you think about the new traffic regulations?. Talk about fines, losing points off

your driving license and police road checks. Would you change anything about Spanish road safety? What? Are there cycle lanes?

Do many people use them?. Spanish people use public transport less tan other European citizens. Why do you think

this is so?. How easy is it parking in the cities near you?. Mobile phones, alcohol and driving. Have you ever been fined for speeding or parking illegally?.

The topic to be dealt with is ROAD SAFETY, in my opinion the most important mean of transportations in Spain is the car. Everyone has a car and uses it to drive everywhere. Car is used far more than other means of transport.

Generally speaking, most Spanish drivers are bad drivers, one reason is that many make careless mistakes when driving or they don’t obey the traffic rules. For instance, some people are quite rude and aggressive when they are driving. Morover they drive too fast and very close to the vehicle in front of them.

In addition to this, normally, people hardly ever stop at Pedestrian passage; also there are many drivers who use their mobile phone while driving. In fact, this can causes many accidents because they don´t concentrate on the road and therefore they aren’t in full control of the vehicle.

In all likelihood, people should use public transportation more than their own cars, in the big cities like Alicante there is a lot of traffic jams and it is really difficult to park in the centre of city. Furthermore I belive if more people use public transportation it would help to reduce pollution and to improve the environment.

According to some researches, most roads in Spain they generally aren’t well maintained and because of this many of them are in bad condiction and they are considered dangerous “black spots”.

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From my point of view, Spanish people use public transportation less than other European countries because the roads aren’t well connected and public transportation is very expensive. Another point is about cycle lanes.

In conclusion, government should improve roads and even public transportation to connect the main roads in Spain and not only put speed cameras but also improve means of transporttion.

4. NEW TECHNOLOGIES.

Advantages and disadvantages of new technologies: mobile phones, PCs, i-pods, e-books, mp3, mp4, etc.

Do you think new technologies are making our lives better?. Young people are addicted to new technologies. Do you agree?. What would you change about their use?.

The topic to be dealt with is New Technologies, advantages y disadvantages of modern technology.

Generally speaking technology can be defined as science applied to practical uses, for instance I will talk about Tv, personal computer, mobile phone, tablet, internet, etc...

Nowadays we can notice the impressive fast development in research. Neverthless some people argue that science can be destroy humanity. It is also obvious we are close on an era where technology is limited only by our imagination. We can argue that meodern technology makes life easier and more dignified for most of people. Firstly, the main advantage is that medical science is very progressive and vastly avaible. In addition to this, it saves many innocent lives.

Secondly, the advanced technology imporves industry by making it more effective and friendlier to the environment.

On the other hand, weapons development is inseparable from the new technologies; in fact the main problem is the proper use of this knowledge.

Maybe the modern technology should stop or prevent social disproportions, DO NEW TECHNOLOGIES MAKE US HAPPIER? It isn’t easy question and each person should considerer,

Obviously we need to take into account that young people are addicted to new technology, especially mobiles, internet and social network side. Education is a an essential instrument to teach teenagers good use of modern technology.

In my oppinion, for me is a personal and work tool, because in my dially rutine i need modern technology, for instant I have a mobile with internet, laptop, gps in my car, ebook .... I also use modern technology when I go shopping, go to hospital, etc...I reckon for me New technology makes my life easier than it would be without technology, and I belive is so useful ... even to keep in touch with my friends and family, share photos, comments....

In conclusion i think new technology should be used for common goodness of society as a whole.

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5. HOLIDAYS.

Your holiday habits: frequency, preferred places, type of holiday, etc. Your happiest holiday memory. Where would you go on a dream holiday?. Why?. Who?. with?. Your opinion about new types of holiday: special interest holidays, work camps,

environmental tourism, “volun tourism”, home swaps, etc.?.

Holidays for me are especial period of time when I have a rest and I mainly use that time to travel and enjoy leisure time.

Normally I prefer travelling abroad, I like to know new countries and new places, especially to learn about other cultures.

My happiest holiday memory is my trip to London, I went to London three years ago at Christmast. I traveled with my sister and one friend and It was a particular moment in my life. I love especially this city even I would like to work there in the future. I’m going back to London in this summer holiday if everything goes well.

On the other hand another important trip for me was my visit to New York, this was my dream holiday since I was young, the city than never sleeps, i Liked it so much. In this city I had the opportunity to see an awesome skycrapes, museam and parks.

Last summer I was in Ibiza for one week. It is a special island, it is very known abroad. There are discos, great restaurants on the beach, big ships and charming beaches in middle of the nature. I met famous people on the beach and in discos. I love electro-music and there young people can enjoy their time dancing on the beach, eating while sunbathing.

From my point of view I think holiday depends on your personal situation, money, friends, family and season, for instance i like to go skiing in Winter, my favourite place is Granada, well definitely i love travelling. In conclusion i don’t know that much about the new types of holidays, but I always prefer to travel with friends but I don’t give up another special place or holiday??????? I consider myself adventurous and i like challeges.

6: THE ENVIRONMENT.

The most crucial environmental issues at present (i.e. climate change and global warming, loss of biodiversity, destruction of rainforests).

What could be done to improve the situation?. Do you think new generations are doing better or worse than the previous generations?.

Why?. Has people’s attitude toward the environment improved?. Ways to improve the environment in your region/country.

Nowadays evironmental problems are too important to be managed by individual person or individual conuntries. In other words, it is an internatinal problem.

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Fistly, an essential problem of the 21st century is global pollution. Currently the environment is so much contaminated that urgent measures should be taken. In addition to this, it is vital that environmental issues be treated internationally.

Lately, many presentations, conferences and international summits have been holed regarding waste treatment, recycling, soil and water contamintation.

For sure joint efforts and consolidation can only help in the mutual war against the environmental disasters, which are going on now. For instance governments should offer suport to companies and organizations involved in manufacturing, industry or agriculture in order to find environment friendly aproaches. These could be a special law regulations, recycling programs.

On the other hand, we contribute every day to the preservation of nature and environment.

For example,, i always remember to save energy by switching off lights, computers and every things that we don’t use. I also use energy saving light bulbs. Our obligation is to separate waste and to save water too. Driving vehicles can also be environment friendly. It is possible to save energy simply by opening the windows, not to use air conditions. Another way to look after environment is simply by not using plastic bags, to have your house doble-glazed, when you buy a product you should recicle the packanging, you should use public transportation and solar energy if you can among other green actiones. In general people have to reduce ther carbon footprint.

To sum up, enviromental problems should be handled by local an international authorites also. Every simple person should take care of environment and we also have to bring up our children to be conscious about presser planet to assure world’s future.

7: IDOLS / ICONS.

Your favourite famous person, dead or alive, why?. Do you read about famous people in popular magazines? What is your opinion about this

phenomenon?. Describe someone you really respect. If you could go back in time, who would you like to meet?. If you were famous and powerful, what would you do to make the world a better place?.

Generally speaking idol or icon is a celebrity who is widely idolize especially by teenagers. Some tean idols began their carrer as child actors. The idol’s popularity may be limited to teens, or maybe extend to all age, many teen idols are targeted for adults for nostalgia purposes.

There were teen idols before and there were in teen magazine but idols have always been a permanent feature in magazines. With the advent of television, teen idols were also promoted throught programas, for instance Justin Bieber, Selena....

In my early years I dolized a young famous teenagers who made series of television as “ Sensación de Vivir”, then when iwas teenager i like so much particulary musicians or groups as “Spice Girls” Depech Mode, Take that, Rem, The Cure, Dido, Madonna, Cramberies....

When I was at university I like rebeld political and social people and l listened more personal music, less famous as Enya, Ismael Serrano, ...and others who written political and social songs.

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Now in my asdult ages, I like some actors a n actress and basically some writers. I like fashion and I admire fashion designers and artist.

Well, Jonh Lenon is a idol in the world, a lot of generations admire this person even after years death. If I could go back in time i would like to meet him. I don’t have to describe this person because everybody knows.

Currently, in this especial moment in this especial moment in the world we need to change too many wars and problems in our society. Now powerful people only think about money and power, forgetting to help the poorest people and especially children.

In conclusion we need people like that Madre Teresa de Calcuta, Gandhy, Mandela, Luther kind, etc.

8: THE MEDIA.

How important is it for you to keep up with the news?. Your preference: TV, the Internet, newspapers, radio. Are they too powerful? Are they objective, reliable, sensationalist?. Your opinion on the programmes on Spanish TV/radio. Would you change anything about

them?. What?. Advertising on TV. For or against. Should there be more government control of advertising?.

Nowadays, we have differents ways to know what happen in the world. News can arrive through television, internet, newspaper, radio and social network...

From my point of view it is fundamental to keep up with the news for several reasons. Fistly important political and socially changes are happening around the world, and those changes affect our lives directly or indirectly in the present or the near future. In fact, it is essential to know these changes, to make decisions and to be prepared, for instance economic issues like world crisis, policital choises in countries like Egyp, Libia....

On the other hand in your dailly routine you keep in touch with your friends or family using internet or mobile phone and other social network this way you stay in contact with people who live in other place. Of course there is news for all tastes, politics, sport, military, leisure, weather...Some news are powerfull and they are reaching many people at the same time.

News should be objectives but some news are too sensationalist, they look for capturing the maxim attention of the public.

In my opinion, the programmes in Spain aren’t my cup of tea, especially gossip programmes, I often prefer to watch Tv series or films. Normally i keep up with the what is happening in the world by watching Tv or surfing the internet, also sometimes I read headlines of newspapers and the important current news.

Advertising on TV, generally is boring, in fact i often use to take this to have a rest, for example I go to bathroom, kitchen...but I reckon this important to pay programmes on tv, radio or internet.

To sum up the government must control advertisment on Tv, mainly in the children’s programmes. We need to keep up but also to control news and advertisment.

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THE ADVANTAGES AN DISADVANTAGES OF MODER TECHNOLOGY.

It’s easy to see the advantadges of disadvanges of modern technology in our everyday lives. Technology has given us mobile phones, computers, televisions and many other useful things. However, there are also disadvantages for modern technology.

One of the main advatadges of modern technology can be seen in medical science. The discoveries of antibiotics and vaccines have saved millions of lives around the world. In addiction to that, modern technology has made industry more efficient.

On the other hand, moder technology is responsible for the development of weapons, which have caused a lot of destruction. Another disadvantage of modern technology is than it makes people lazy. Nowadays too many people spend their lives sitting in front of computer screens and this is certainly not a good thing.

In my opinion, modern technology is a good thing. In general, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. However, it’s important to remember that technology itself is not the problem. The problem is that people use technology for their own benefit and do not think about the harmful consequences.

9. JOBS.

Your job. A typical day. Responsibilities, working hours, salary. A dream job. Qualities you need in order to do a job like that. Overpaid jobs. Why?. If you could change anything about your present job/studies/qualifications, what would it

be?.

The topic to be dealt with is jobs or the topic I’m going to discuss is jobs.

I work as psichologist in a Primary School in San Vicente del Raspeig. I also work in a High School where there are 8 children with special handicaps, like autism, mental ando motoric disabilities.

Basically, my job is about the best form to review children who have behaviour problems and other kind of problem and normally advice families and teachers about their education and their personal development.

I’m very satisfied with my work, although at the beginning I had to study hard to pass my exams, but now I have my wage and I love my job, it is good with decent salay.

On the main disadvantages are some problems I face daily in my line of work, for instance, parents complain alot, nowadays with the current crisis my salary is being cut and i need to work more hours. This caused me dissatisfaction.

In addition to this, I can say that we have lost fundamental rights, we have lowered the salary and we have to work more and less holidays. The worst thing is about government will get rid of collegues next year.

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On the other hand, i know overpaid jobs, of course and i don’t agree with them, for instance some sport men, bankers, politicians, journalists, actors or actress, models.... why??? Well is simple.... succesful people.

To sum up my motto is work to live and no live to work.

10. PHYSICAL APPEANCE.

Importance of physical appearance. Reasons. Are attractive people more successful?. Obsessing about diets and physical appearance. Influence of advertising. Cosmetic surgery. Pros and cons. Would you change anything about your physical appearance? Why/Why not?.

How physical appereance impacts our daily life??.

Feeling good about your appereance is about more than being good-looking in the conventional sense. After all, how many people are there who just about anybody wold say look great, but who hate the way they look? Many attractive people have no self-confident and resort to eating disorder, depression, drugs addiction and other destructive behaviour.

Nowadays it is very important issue the physical appereance, many people relate personal and professional success to the beauty and the attractive physical appearing. Although this concept has changed greatly along the history. Firstly healthy people were with curves and a bit overweigh.

Currently there are bad examples to teenagers with extremely thin models, one of the biggest problem is the illness teenagers can suffer like anorexia and bulimia result of the negative images of models in society normally you can see in magazines, tv, internet...in all kind of advertisment.

On the other hand famous people can be a bad example because they use inappropriate cosmetic surgeries and I think over use and negative use is dangerous and not necessary, in my opinion only i like this if you have an accident or other illness and you need to reconstruccion.

To sum up i agree with my physical appereance and if I want to change something the best way is to practice sports, cut down my diet or improve it...

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11. A SELF PORTRAIT.

What were you like when you were a child?. How have you changed physically and/or in character?.

What would you change about your past?. What would you change about your personality?. How do you see yourself in ten years’ time?.

Would you prefer to be a member of the opposite sex? Why (not)?.

Talking about my self is difficult but i try to do the best.

I was born in a village in Murcia, I can prodly say i have had a great chilhood. When i was a child i lived with my parents and my sister, she is two years younger than me. She is my best friend. i had a lot of friends and classmates in my neighbourhood who i used to play in the street with.

I have good memories about my life, physically i considered myself a normal girl and always cheerful, a happy child, my hobbies were playing basketball, I used to go out with my friends and play with my sister, althoug we did not have a lot of money to buy expensive toys we didn’t need especial things only bike or ball.

About my personality, I have alway been a bit impulsive, a bit stubborn, responsible and hard-working. My parents taught me that hard work can get you everything, and help you fulfil your dreams.

In the next ten years i would like to work and live abroad, to have husband, two children and my pet. I always dream about living in the UK.

Of course I would never considered being a boy, I’m happy with myself at the moment.

12. FAMILY MATTERS.

Changes in the traditional family model. New types of families. Is family important to you?. Why?. Your concept of the ideal family. Children are too spoilt. They get too much attention and too many toys”. Do you agree?. What would you change about families?. Work and family.

Currently is a trendy topic. Nowadays it has been a substancial change in the traditional family concept.

In the past there was a traditional model of families which usually consisted in nuclear family, biological parents and natural born children inside the marriage.

Nowadays nuclear family has changed, mainly due to the incorporation of women at work and the fundamentally changes in their rights, especially after the divorce and the possibility of same sex marriage.

In addition to this, we can find new types of family, for instance singles parents, new marriages with mix children result divorce parents, same sex parents....

In my opinion, family is very important to children and a fundamental support to assure good development for them. In my case i have had a traditional and nuclear family. I have one sister

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and my parents. I have been educated with the best model of parents, with respect, tolerance,hard- work, effort to achive a decent life.

I have also a great extend family, a lot of cousines, uncles, aunts, and my grand- parents have died but i know them and they look after me when i was child. I take after my father, I look like him, in my personality and my physical appearance. My parents frequently told me about my roots and family history. They weren’t famous people but respectable people.

On the other hand, nowadays i reckon children are too spoilt, they get to many attention and demand many expensives toys.

To sum up, family is changing because today with the current economic crisis affecting young people and they need to live with their parents sometimes until they are thirties years old or more there for dependent, unemployment and expensive mortatge don’t help in this situation.

13. FAVOURITE PROGRAMMES.

Your favourite TV programmes. The programmes you hate. Why?. Favourite TV presenter. Why?. Your favourite programmes when you were a child. Why?. Time spent watching TV now / as a child.

My favourite programmes are related culture, fashion, music decord and password. Nowadays dute to the currently global crisis I also watch debats about politics issues.

My favourite program is called REDES, broadcasting at 9.30 on Sunday evening. The presenter or host is “Eduardo Punset” and the programme is about psychology behaviour, brain and human being evolution. This presenter has written books about scient issues.

The same day there is a book programme in second channel about books, I usually present the best in books and invite writters.

Now, such as I’m studying English I am listening English programmes like CCN and BBC channes, where I wach news and docummentaries.

Durind the week I don`t have much time to watch TV and I normally watch news or quiz shows while I am eating. I don’t waste time watching TV because e isn’t my cup of tea, gossip programmes and similar. Currently TV is plenty of boring programmes, althoug I have a lot of channels and I can choose good programmes. If I have to choose somethinig interesting, I recommend watching films, TV series, comedy or thriller like CSI, BONES….

I really hate soap operas, when I was teenager I was addicted to TV SERIES like “sensacion de vivir”, related to issues about adolescence.

To sum up I could tell you I don’t watch TV a lot but I prefer culture programmes. Obviously, our tastes are changing with our interest over time.

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14. SMOKING.

The new regulations banning smoking in public places. Pros and cons. Consequences for bars and restaurants. Effects on smokers and non-smokers?. Do you have any anecdotes?.

Currently somoking is banned in open air children’s playgrounds, parks and acces points to schools and hospitals. Showing brands on television programmes is also banned and show presenters or guest aren’t allowed to somoke on there. In addition to this, the smoking areas at airports, bars and restaurants disappear with th new law.

However, this legislation allows to set up smoking areas in prisions, mental hospitals and centres for the elderly and allows hotel owners to reserve 30 per cent of their rooms for smokers.

So if you are smoker you can only somoke in the street, terrace bars, smoking club and inside your house. And if you simoke where you musn’t do it you will be fined from 30 to 600 euros.

When the government announced to change in the smoking legislation last year several opinion quickly appeared about this law. Most of bars and restaurant owners didn’t agree with it because the considered that the number of customers would decrease if the weren’t allowed to smoke inside locals.

On the other hand the main target according to the government was to protect people from consequences of smoking. That is, lower mortality from smoking-related causes both smokers and non-smokers. Nowadays, medical professional know there are a lot of diseases due to smoking. For example, some kinds of cncer, like lung and larynx cancer, bronchitis, heart disease, diabetes and many more.

To sum up since law came into effect last year, people have adapted to the smoker free place. Although some people have decided to give up smoking, especially between teenagers. In my opinion, I prefer place where people don’t smoke, for instace on the beach, restaurants, etc. it is disgusting.

15. RELAXING.

Is your lifestyle stressful? Why? Why not? Describe what you do to relax. If you had more time/money, what would you change

about the ways you relax?. Do you know anyone who relaxes in a very strange / uncommon way? What is it? Why?. If you could choose somewhere special, where would you go to relax? Explain your

ideas.

I think currently, everyone lives in a world surrounded by stress and anxiety. It is the most common disease in the XXI century, particularly because of the demands of society working, family needs, doing many things at once. Everybody today works against the clock.

Unfortunately I also suffer this problem, I am stressed all the time and I am always doing thousand things at the same time, there were times when I was overworking, and had a lot of concerns and personal problems I even had to go to the doctor. I had to try to solve this problem.

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Normally after an intensive day of work I usually relax when i get home, I take a shower, I have a cup cappuccino and I play with my puppy. Sometimes I like to read on my terrace, watching movies or going out with friends. Depends on how I’m feeling I look for one way or another to relax, sometimes just sleeping or reading in the bed is enough.

In my opinion what helps me to disconnect from daily routine and stress is traveling during the holidays, for me this is the best medicine, and if I can’t travel then I go to the beach and relax that comforts me a lot. If I have to choose a place to relax, I would chose the same, i have often chosen to go to the gym and then to spa, have a home dinner, a good book or watch a movie, It is the best way to relax.

There are other ways to relax such as listening to music, do yoga, and go to the park ... a massage or just laughing which can be the best therapy.

To sum up if I need to choose a place to relax I would like to travel Thailand to a hotel in middle of sea…. It would be mi fulfilling my dreams.

16. FILMS.

Favourite film. Why? What is it about? Who stars in it?. Cinema / DVD / TV. Downloading?. If you had the opportunity to interview a famous actor/actress, whou would it be? What

would you ask him/her?. Describe the last film you saw or a film you have heard of and would like to watch.

I consider myself a great fan of movies, I see almost every movie, but if I have to choose my favorites these will be the classic movies especially the ones set in NEW YORK, I don’t have especial favorite film but I have some examples of my taste in films, this are for instance “breakfast at Tiffany's" “ Little Women”, Memories of Africa, "gone with the wind" “life is beautiful”, well you can get an idea about my tastes in movies.

A director who never disappoints me is Woody Allen, I love his movies and his vision on interpersonal problems, especially that is set in Mahantan.

I usually see almost everything but I always prefer historical films, a good psychological thriller, and docudrama such as the "sixth sense". In my view, I always prefer to go to the cinema to see big premiere, if I am at home I watch classic films on television or on the Internet.

The last movie I saw was "Snow White and the legend of the hunter," the latest version of the classic tale and I loved it, very good script, music, scenes and is well made, I liked the actors.

I have to admit that the Spanish movies I don’t like, except two or three movies, and I'm a fan of American cinema. If i could interview an actor I would choose Woody Allen or Robert de Niro ... mmm

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17. LIFESTYLES

What do you think about lifestyles at present? Do we live healthily? Why / Why not?. What sports facilities are near your home?. Changes in Spanish eating habits. Do people get enough exercise?. Do children have a different attitude towards physical activity nowadays?. What would you change about your lifestyle?. Are you a healthy person? Are you addicted to anything?.

Today it is necessary to keep a healthy lifestyle, that means eating healthy, doing some physical exercise or doing sport against sedentary lifestyle and certain addictions such as drugs and other bad habits.

We can see some diseases associated to an unhealthy lifestyle, such as heart attacks, cancer, obesity, diabetes, cholesterol, etc..

In my city, there are many gyms and sports centers around, particularly football clubs where adults and children enjoy the sport. It is also common to see people doing outdoor sports, especially in Alicante on the beach and on streets due to the good weather.

Using bike is very comon in my town; it is cheap and healthy mean of transportation, especially for young people and college students.

Lately there has been an increase of good and health habits, such as physical activity and body worship???. People invest more money and free time in having a good lifestyle, particularly thanks to the improvement of the education and the awareness of the importance of preventing disease and have a good fitness.

I think the Mediterranean diet is one of the healthiest diets that I know , I belive habits are changed in children, mainly due to the concerns of families and involvement of the school in these matters .

For my healthy habits and lifestyle, I reckon that lately i´m felling like i need to do more exercice and eat more healthy, especially now in summer I'll have more free time.

18. EATING HABITS

The eating habits of Spanish people have changed over the last few years. Explain how. Most experts agree that the Mediterranean diet is particularly beneficial. What are its

main characteristics?. Going on a diet: pros and cons. Doctors are especially worried about what children and teenagers eat. What can be done

to solve this problem?. Do you eat out often? Do you think you have to pay a lot to eat well?.

The eating habits of Spanish people have changed over the last few years, mostly due to the awareness of having a healthy diet in the prevention of certain diseases.

Most people have changed their eating habits as introducing more fruit and vegetables to their diet, avoiding fast food and prepared food, avoiding eating too many sweets and especially when we can choose local products of organic area.

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About my eating habits, during the week I eat at home, i cook for myself, mainly something with meat, fish, eggs and vegetables. For dessert I eat fruit or yogurt. For breakfast I drink milk tea with some toast.

At the weekends I like eating out in a restaurants, especially restaurants from other countries, I love oriental food, I usually go to a restaurant in san juan beach it is not very expensive and I can enjoy this kind of food.

On the other hand think it's important when to go on a diet but it should be controlled by the physician, as it is very common among the younger population, diseases like anorexia and bulimia.

The biggest problem is when go on a diet without medical control and eliminates basic foods for our body, we can weaken the body and suffer malnutrition and sickness. Another major problem in our society is obesity, so it is important that schools and families balance the menus, it should be rich and varied.

19. THE INTERNET.

Has the Internet changed our lives? How?. What problems has the Internet created? What problems has it solved?. Should authorities be allowed to control people’s activity on the web?. Do you think it will be possible to put an end to Internet piracy?. The development of the Internet has been very fast. What do you think the next step will

be?.

With the development of technology one useful tool was born that gave everyone the opportunity to comunicate with each other quickly and simply, and that was the Internet.

Internet is one of the most important invents in the late years and there are several reasons to think that.

The first one you can keep in touch with old friends and make new friends with social networks. The second one is the “information”, because it’s probably the biggest advantages that Internet offer us. On the Internet there is a huge amount of information about a lots of subjects like market information, new ideas, technical support, and so on; you can find all of then through search engines like Google, yahoo, msn, etc.

From my point of view, Internet saves us the time and the money, one example is email. Email is an essential communication tool, especially in business. With email we can send and receive instant electronic messages; our message is instantly delivered to people anywhere in the world, unlike traditional mail that takes a lot of time. Also, email is free and faster compared to the telephone.

Another advantage is that on the Internet you can find many online stores where you can buy anything. You also can freely download software like apps, games, music, ...I mean that the Internet is the means to get unlimited fun. Furthermore, it provides us with many services like net banking, job searching, book hotels,...and so on.

On the other hand Internet has a lot of disadvantages, the first one is the use of personal information, other example is addictionn on the Internet, i can talk about especial disorder, and a very dangerous aspect of the internet is children and Internet, family and governments should control sites on Internet such as sex sites and other dangerous sites.

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And finally other negative aspect is the copyright infringement or illegal download of music, book, films....

In brief I think the Internet makes our life easier, but we must make a responsible use of it.

20. SHOPPING

What can traditional or “high street” shops do to survive the competition of big shopping malls?.

Where do you do most of your shopping?. What products would you never buy on the Internet? Why?. Name some advantages of: traditional markets, shopping centres and catalogue

shopping.

Shopping is my favorite hobby and therefore a typical issue in my daily routine.

In my town you can find many small shops, shopping centres and department stores. It is a tourist city and because it receives all year people from other countries and cities which makes a very good trade in Alicante.

Once a week there are small markets located in Alicante and the rest of the towns. The people of the village or near the market will buy there because things are usually cheaper, there is big variety and above all it is very personal because of the relationship with the seller.

In shopping centers, often have many deparment stores, to buy almost anything, the difference with the markets is that it is much more expensive and less personal treatment.

I love shopping and I used for therapy and relaxing on my free time. I buy almost everything that I like. I admit I love street markets, especially the one near on the beach, I also like to buy special little handmade things. When I need to buy basic things usually go to malls because I'm sure there will find what I need.

I have also tried buying online, I usually buy books and stuff for my pet, I recommend not buying clothes online because you need to try the clothes on and online it is not possible. Although this isn’t my cup of tea, i buy online and I believe it is a useful tool.

Another interesting aspect is the sales, now with the actual crisis and the competitive prices you can find very exciting things on sale, but I recognize that I buy more than i need and i have to be careful not to waste money.

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21. THE EDERLY IN OUR SOCIETY.

People live longer nowadays and some think that retirement age should be 70 or even 75 in some jobs. Do you agree?.

Elderly people nowadays have a more interesting life than in the past. Do you agree with this statement?.

Some people prefer living on their own to living with their families or in old people’s homes. What do you think? What would you like for yourself?.

Some scientists predict that soon it will be normal to live up to 120 or even longer. Is this as positive as it sounds? Can you think of any drawbacks?.

I think it’s the best I can develop and expose to you.The current life expectancy in Spain is around 80 years old, being female sex the oldest.Since the retirement income system (Social Security) depends on the population, it seems logical that if people die later and later, more than ever we should extend our period of work activity. It’s a fact that the world population is aging, and this is a serious risk to the pension systems.

The statement of this topic indicates that the retirement age should be between 70 and 75 years. I think this is an excessive figure????, because although we live longer and longer, our health isn’t always maintained in good conditions after 60 years. It seems a difficult matter to make a decision, and I think it’s necessary to analyze many factors to take it into consideration.

With time we are living longer and better comparing to our previous generations, but we must also think that early retirement may trigger serious problems for elder persons problems like depression or the feeling of being useless. In many families, people make the decision to intern their elders in homes for the elderly, but I think this isn’t always a good decision. It saddens me to hear about people who claim that their ancestors are a burden for them. When they were young, did their parents leave them aside? I don’t think so ... I think a home for the elderly should be the last option, and provided that the elderly agree, or when they need special care (because they were sick, or they aren’t able to help themselves). I wouldn’t want to end my days within four walls without having my family around. But this is just my opinion.

Some scientists predict that soon it will be normal to live up to 120 years, even longer. It’s certainly a joy to see the coming generations may have a longer life, since they may enjoy and learn much more than we do. However, it scares me to think that these differences in life expectancy aren’t attached by medical advances that guarantee a minimum quality of life up to the maximum possible age.

From my position, life expectancy, and the indexes that exist on births and deaths, which are dealt with in demographics, should be valued and heard by the people who don’t know about this. The quality of life in the future depends on decisions we make today. I don’t think that any of us want our children to finish their days in misery, poverty and/or alone. So, I would ask you for some awareness about this kind of things.

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22. HOBBIES.

What do you like doing in your free time?. Do you play any sports?. What do you watch on TV?. Do you have a computer? How do you use it?. Do you collect anything?. What do you usually do at the weekend? And during holidays?. Do you belong to any group or association?. Is there something you would like to do but havenot done yet?. What do you think is the right amount of free time we should have? Explain.

I have tipical hobbies, normally in my free time i like to practice sport, go for a walk, read a good book, and especially go shopping and going out with my friends on the beach

In addition to this, i like to practice water sport and risk sports, like scuba diving, bungee jumping and parachuting, i reckon they are dangerous sports but i love challenges.

Watching TV isn't my cup of tea but i prefer go to the cinema, furthermore i love comedy, thri llers and classic films. I really hate soaip opera and quiz shows.

I would like to take up practice latin dance and in the near futuro i will do in my gym.

For me studying, reading and going out they are my normal hobbies, ando sometimes i prefer other things especials but it is could be travelling.

Normally durind the week I don't have much time only to work, study and gym, i used to go a twice a week. At the week i have others activities like hobbies, frecuently i prefer going out, to the cinema, on the beach or simply to see my family who live in Murcia.

If i have holidays i catch my car and i like so much driving and exploring beach to fish or sail.

In all likelihood I colect shoes and bags, because i like fashion and read magazine and i enjoy buying everithing. Other especial pleasure in my case is doing for a walk with my pet.

In conclusion i like a lot of things but it depends on my personal situacion and if i can to waste money in this pleasure but if i can choose one hobby it is would be travelling.

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