UNIT 1: SPEED DATING-PERSONALITY The perfect partner. As far as I am concerned, opposites attract.

Dani, my husband, is the kind of person who everyone would like to have close. The more I know him, the more I learn about human values. Primarily, He is honest, assertive, concientious and very loyal. No doubt he has a heart of gold. But, ethics aside, he tends to be quite cheerful, funny and his sense of humor has managed to get a smile out of me many times. On the contrary, I have always been distrustful, pessimistic, insecure and reserved. So he has helped me to be more selfconfident and to increase my self-esteem. Even so, I feel that I have good character traits as well, such as being multifaceted and chamaleonlike. I might adapt to all types of circumstances and revive like the Phoenix to overcome those complicated moments in which Dani goes down, for instance illness. ( he is a bit of a hypochondriac) To cut a long story short, I believe that we complement each other. YOUNG PEOPLE.Young people tend to be impulsive, emotionally unstable, moody and almost inflexible. The more one tries to hold a conversation, the more stubborn and verbally aggressive they become. Furthermore, they are rather impatient, I mean, they want to get everything on the spot. On the contrary, they have many positive character traits, such as being creative, ambitious, practical and sociable. As far as I am concerned, it is a question of age. Youth is a period of life in which people believe that they are in possession of the truth and are always right. That makes them seem arrogant, vain and inconsiderate. Speed datingAs far as I am concerned having just 2 or 3 minutes to get to know your Mr. Right seems to be a question of luck. Primarily, it is an unnatural and forced situation. So, everyone can pretend to be someone else. But theater aside, I still believe in human relationships and the delight of a courtship. I fail to understand how that quick-fire matchmaking surrounded by deafening music, scorecards and badges can encourage people to

pair off. Even so, I agree with the idea that speed dating is a good option for people who havent got social skills or for those who are very busy. Well, I suppose it is a question of priorities. Q AND A Despite being from Seville, I am neither cheerful nor the life and soul of the party. In fact I am not keen at all on April's Fair. I 'd rather relax reading a book in silence, at the countryside with the smell of nature around me. During my childhood I lived in Seville. But as I grew older I began to feel stressed, insecure, pessimistic and nervous in such a big city. Therefore as soon as I could I moved to a village. Nowadays my pace of life is one of my treasured possessions together with my family. I have managed to be cheerful, self-confident and assertive. ILLNESS AND TREATMENT My elder daughter has got a temperature. She has headache and a bad cough. I think she has caught the flu. Oh, let's see. Let's start with the chest. Does she have difficulty breathing? No, just a severe cough. But not asthma. Does it hurt when she swallows food? Not particularly, no. Have you felt dizzy ? Yes, when I got up this morning everything was spinning around. I thought I was going to faint Diarrhoea? Yes I have been to the toilet five times this morning Take this prescription to the chemist. / a course with antibiotic Wound- have stitches Have an X-ray, put into body an injection, have a bandage put on. FIRST AID A year ago I witnessed the most distressing situation of my life. We were all having dinner at home on Maundy Thursday. My mother had just swallowed an olive when she found that she couldnt breathe. I am choking- mum shouted. She was extremely agitated and started panicking. Fortunately, in those days I was attending a first aid course and had already learnt how to practice the Heimlich maneuver. Therefore,

after a moment of hesitation, I rushed over to try to help. I stood behind her, put my arms around her waist and pulled hard inwards and upwards. Finally, it was just a fright. But I think learning first aid is something that should be taught in schools. It is so important. TRADITIONAL MEDICINE Since the beginning of time, human beings have tried to stay healthy and prevent disease in several ways. Although traditional medicine is the most commonly used in the world, it must be said that so many people trust and believe in an alternative way of healing. Alternative medicine is based on the properties of elements such as plants, water and some types of food. In addition to that, followers believe in the power of the mind. As far as I am concerned, both options can complement each other. Depending on the seriousness of the illness, I d have lemon or a pill. I mean, if I caught a cold or I had a bad cough, probably I would have honey with lemon or medicinal herbs. But in case of a chronic illness, heart attacks, strokes or burns, I have no doubt that I would choose antibiotics, painkillers or whatever drugs I have access to. PRIVATE VS.PUBLIC MEDICINE Everyone needs health insurance, after all, at some point or another everyone will need medical attention. Nowadays, everybody is eligible for free treatment, but in some cases public health leaves a lot to be desired and people have to pay for private medicine. However, and although both options have its pros and cons, I would choose the public one. The main advantage of the public health service is that we do not have to pay for it. Besides this we pay about 50% less for medicines, which are prescribed by the doctor. On the other hand, there are disadvantages too, for example we must wait four or even five months to get to the public out-patient specialist clinic. ( for example asthmas, allergies or sprained ankles). Even so,it is absolutely proven that in cases of high-level care or chronic illnesses or even in accident and emergency, the private option doesnt have enough quality or resources. But, to be honest, Id rather not have to be in a hospital at

all, as I am a strong believer in alternative medicine in all situations. Alternative medicine is based on the properties of elements such as plants, water and some types of food. In addition to that, followers believe in the power of the mind. ( Even so, this private health care system presents some drawbacks such as costs and quality I think that is the main reason why health-concious citizens make up their mind to pay for private services. In addition, you have the opportunity of choosing the doctor. Doctors will spend more time with you.) Euthanasia Nowadays, one of the biggest moral controversies is Euthanasia. And, as in all moral dilemmas, reason and emotion get involved in such a way that it is almost impossible to reach a consensus and pass a fair law. In my opinion, and although it is a thought-provoking question, I would take the side of those in favour. Firstly, because I think everyone should have the right to decide whether they want to live or die in such bad situations as terminal illnesses are. We must consider that Death is a private matter and if there is no harm to others, the state and other people have no right to interfere .This society is a cruel society forcing people to endure a long slow lingering death. There is something wrong with our society if we do not allow animals to suffer as some people do. Secondly, it is heart-wrenching to see the state of people with drawn out and painful illnesses. They must be tired of trying to get out of bed in an effort to keep their decency. Their families dont deserve to gather around heartbroken taking care of them as babies with nappies. In addition, it is obvious that Euthanasia should have proper regulation: This argument goes that since euthanasia will continue to take place, even though it's illegal, it would surely be better to make it legal and regulated.Paradoxically, Euthanasia didnt pose a problem in ancient civilization, where It was allowed to help others die. Hence, Voluntary euthanasia was approved in these ancient societies. In conclusion, as far as I am concerned Euthanasia should become legal, however it must be properly regulated. Well, I suppose it is one of those situations in which you do not know what to believe until it happens to you.