Listening Script:
Audio 1: J. Cook
The education system. When I was young, we were brought up to have respect for others and self-discipline. All the problems that our society faces stem from the fact that our young people have no direction in life.
I've seen it so often during my life- drugs, crime, and joyriding. The education system has to offer them an alternative. Otherwise, things are just going to get worse and worse.
Audio 2: A. Baker
I think a major reason for people's unhappiness is television. It gives them an unreal sense of what life should be about. No wonder people feel so dissatisfied with their lives. In my day, it was all about hard work and making your way in the world. Nowadays, all people seem to want is instant satisfaction. They'd be much happier if they just switched the thing off.
Audio 3: J. Kennedy
We're doing so much harm to the environment and most people don't even notice it. You can talk about drugs and crime and all you want, but if this generation doesn't start to do something now, there won't be anything for our children to worry about- because there will be nothing left. Everyone has to do their own little bit. I bet if we all worked together to save the planet, people would forget the differences between us.
Audio 4: P. Stasiar
Intolerance. It's amazing to me how in this day and age, people can still believe some of the things they do. When I think about all that happened in the 20th century, I can't believe that the 21st is going to be the exact same. It may not be different races anymore, but people will always find someone to blame. Maybe in time, people will change- but I'm not holding my breath.
Audio 5: N. Farhate
I think poverty is the cause of most of our social problems. If you look around, you see poor people everywhere. Some of our children live in the streets; they're subject to bad habits and commit crimes. Some people still live in bad conditions without water or electricity. More and more social problems are found in poor areas and districts. Help the poor and our society will develop for the best.
Vocabulary:
bring up: to care for a child until it is an adult.
Examples: 
An aunt brought him up. He was brought up on jazz (= experienced it a lot as a child). stem from: to develop or come from something. Examples: These practices stem from traditional Chinese medicine. All the problems that our society faces stem from the fact that our young people have no direction in life. alternative: something that is different, esp. from what is usual; a choice. Examples: I have no alternative but to ask you to leave. People stay because they don’t have alternative opportunities. blame: to say or think that someone or something did something wrong or is responsible for something bad happening. Examples: Don't blame me (= it is not my fault) if you miss the bus! Hugh blames his mother for his lack of confidence.Hugh blames his lack of confidence on his mother. hold your breath: to wait for something to happen, often feeling anxious. Examples: Fans held their breath waiting for the final whistle. We held our breaths, quite correctly in the circumstances, and were passed fit to continue with our journey. be subject to something: likely to experience or suffer from something. Examples: The bay is subject to heavy fog in summer. If the plants are growing well, they'll be less subject to pests. district: an area of a country or town that has fixed borders that are used for official purposes, or that has a particular feature that makes it different from surrounding areas. Examples: Villaverde is one of the high-rise districts that encircle Madrid. The capital of the USA is Washington DC= District of Columbia.