أهداف الدرس
- I can identify the arguments for and against more litigation.
- I can match each paragraph with its purpose.
- I can explain the writer’s conclusion and give a supported opinion.
الشرح خطوة بخطوة
الموضع محفوظ على هذا الجهاز.
المقطع 1 من 1Reading: Legal disputes3:08
مقاطع الدرس
0 من 1 مكتملReading: Legal disputes(ص 19)
- a What are the arguments for more court cases?
- b What are the arguments against?
- c What is meant by a ‘culture of blame’?
The amount of litigation brought against everyday people has increased dramatically in recent years. A key example is the case of a man in Yorkshire who is suing his neighbour after falling on his pathway. He contends that his neighbour was responsible for maintaining the path. The neighbour claims that the man would have fallen regardless. They are now locked in a bitter court case that looks set to drag-on for months and cost them both substantial amounts of money.(ص 19)
The main argument against such cases is that they are a reflection of an emerging ‘culture of blame.’ People search for someone to blame for accidents that, in the past, they would have simply taken responsibility for themselves. Indeed, ordinary people suing each other has become so commonplace that countless firms of lawyers have sprung up specifically to deal with these cases. These petty grievances clog up the courts and prevent prosecutions against ‘real’ criminals.(ص 19)
However, supporters of litigation argue that the increase in court cases actually shows our courts are working. As Mark Shields, spokesperson for a pro-litigation group, states, ‘The increase in legal cases reflects a growing desire in society to protect everyone from the effects of criminal neglect.’ For them, the opportunity for people to hold others accountable for their own everyday grievances is a key feature of any good society.(ص 19)
Ultimately, I believe we must take care to ensure that minor issues, which could normally be resolved without the assistance of the courts, do not prevent our legal system from operating efficiently. For everyday grievances, the courts should be the very last resort, rather than the first port of call.(ص 19)
- a The views of the writer
- b The arguments for more litigation
- c The arguments against more litigation
- d Background information
- Paragraph 1: d Background information
- Paragraph 2: c The arguments against more litigation
- Paragraph 3: b The arguments for more litigation
- Paragraph 4: a The views of the writer
- Discuss the following questions.
- a What conclusions does the writer reach? Do you agree?
- b Do you think people should solve minor issues in court? Why or why not? How else could people solve such disagreements?
- c Which, if either, do you think is more important: ensuring everyone has equal rights or prosecuting violent and dangerous criminals?
الملخص
- The essay presents background, arguments against, arguments for, and the writer’s view.
- Opponents connect petty cases with a culture of blame and crowded courts.
- Supporters emphasise protection from criminal neglect and accountability.
- The writer wants courts to be a last resort for everyday grievances.
الأفكار الرئيسية
- Separate each reported viewpoint from the writer’s conclusion.
- Support agreement or disagreement with a reason from the essay.
الأسئلة المهمة
What are the arguments for more court cases?
Supporters say more cases show courts are working, protect people from criminal neglect, and let people hold others accountable.
الكتاب صفحة 19
What are the arguments against?
They reflect a culture of blame; petty grievances clog up courts and prevent prosecutions against real criminals.
الكتاب صفحة 19
What is meant by a culture of blame?
People search for someone to blame for accidents instead of taking responsibility themselves.
الكتاب صفحة 19
What is the writer’s conclusion?
Minor issues should not hinder the legal system; courts should be the last resort for everyday grievances.
الكتاب صفحة 19
What purpose does the Yorkshire example serve?
It supplies background and illustrates a dispute that may take months and cost both neighbours money.
الكتاب صفحة 19
اختبار الدرس
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الواجب
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مصطلحات الدرس
- litigation
- Taking legal disputes to court. The essay discusses an increase in litigation.
- culture of blame
- Looking for someone else to blame for accidents. The essay contrasts it with taking responsibility.
- last resort
- An option used after other possibilities. The writer wants courts to be the last resort for everyday grievances.
تمارين الكتاب كاملة
كل سؤال ونشاط وتمرين ورد في صفحات هذا الدرس، بنصه وإجابته النموذجية. 3 تمرينًا.
1Read the following essay and discuss these questions. a What are the arguments for more court cases? b What are the arguments against? c What is meant by a ‘culture of blame’? The amount of litigation brought against everyday people has increased dramatically in recent years. A key example is the case of a man in Yorkshire who is suing his neighbour after falling on his pathway. He contends that his neighbour was responsible for maintaining the path. The neighbour claims that the man would have fallen regardless. They are now locked in a bitter court case that looks set to drag-on for months and cost them both substantial amounts of money. The main argument against such cases is that they are a reflection of an emerging ‘culture of blame.’ People search for someone to blame for accidents that, in the past, they would have simply taken responsibility for themselves. Indeed, ordinary people suing each other has become so commonplace that countless firms of lawyers have sprung up specifically to deal with these cases. These petty grievances clog up the courts and prevent prosecutions against ‘real’ criminals. However, supporters of litigation argue that the increase in court cases actually shows our courts are working. As Mark Shields, spokesperson for a pro-litigation group, states, ‘The increase in legal cases reflects a growing desire in society to protect everyone from the effects of criminal neglect.’ For them, the opportunity for people to hold others accountable for their own everyday grievances is a key feature of any good society. Ultimately, I believe we must take care to ensure that minor issues, which could normally be resolved without the assistance of the courts, do not prevent our legal system from operating efficiently. For everyday grievances, the courts should be the very last resort, rather than the first port of call.(ص 19)
a More cases can show courts are working, protect everyone from criminal neglect, and allow accountability for grievances. b Such cases can reflect a culture of blame, clog up courts and prevent prosecutions against real criminals. c A culture in which people seek someone else to blame for accidents rather than taking responsibility themselves.
2Read the essay again. Match each paragraph with one of these headings. a The views of the writer b The arguments for more litigation c The arguments against more litigation d Background information(ص 19)
Paragraph 1: d Background information. Paragraph 2: c The arguments against more litigation. Paragraph 3: b The arguments for more litigation. Paragraph 4: a The views of the writer.
3Discuss the following questions. a What conclusions does the writer reach? Do you agree? b Do you think people should solve minor issues in court? Why or why not? How else could people solve such disagreements? c Which, if either, do you think is more important: ensuring everyone has equal rights or prosecuting violent and dangerous criminals?(ص 19)
a The writer concludes that minor issues should not hinder efficient operation and that courts should be the last resort for everyday grievances. State whether you agree and give a reason. b The text favours resolving minor issues without courts when possible. Give your own supported opinion; the essay does not print a specific alternative procedure, so a personal suggestion should be identified as your own. c The question invites a reasoned judgement. Explain the importance you assign to equal rights and to prosecuting violent and dangerous criminals; the book prints no single preferred answer.
صفحات الكتاب
صفحات هذا الدرس من كتاب الطالب الرسمي كما هي، صفحات 19 إلى 19.
