Guns and Weapons

Why guns should be legal:

In some countries, people are allowed to own firearms

Individuals have the right to protect themselves

People can use guns in self defence

This deters criminals

Why gun ownership should be illegal:

There is a risk of accidents with guns

The number of violent crimes increases when guns are available

Criminals may be armed

The police then need to use guns

Suicide rates have been shown to rise when guns are available

Guns create violent societies with high murder rates

Why polices should use guns

Many criminals use weapons

The threat of a gun can deter criminals

Police officers can forces a criminal to surrender

It is easier to arrest someone and avoid physical violence

The police may shoot violent criminals in self defence

They can protect the public

They can shoot an escaping criminal who poses a serious danger to the public

Why police should not carry guns

There is a risk of accidents and mistakes

The police might shoot an unarmed criminal or an innocent person

Accidents can happen in public places

There are several alternatives to guns (e.g tear gas, sprays and electric shock weapons)

Only special police units should use guns

Arm Trade: Positives

The export of arms, or weapons, is an extremely controversial issue

Governments of rich, industrialized countries sell arms to each other

This industry creates jobs and wealth

The trade of weapons may improve relationships between governments

Arms Trade: Negatives

Weapons may be used in conflicts and wars

The supply of arms could be responsible for deaths

Governments are promoting war in order to make a profit

Rich countries can influence the politics of other nations

Nuclear weapons

Nuclear weapons are capable of destroying whole cities

A nuclear war between two countries would destroy both countries

Nuclear weapons are used as a deterrent

They prevent wars from starting

Nuclear weapons: Opinion

Nuclear weapons should be prohibited

Governments should limit the production of nuclear weapons

There is a danger of nuclear weapons being obtained by terrorists

Nuclear weapons cannot be used against terrorist organizations

Armed Forces: Positives

Armed forces provide security and protection

They deter military attack by another country

They can also be sued to maintain peace within countries

They can be sued to give the police extra support

Soldiers are also used to help in emergency situations, such as after a natural disaster

Armed forces: negatives

Armies require a lot of funding from governments

Too much money is spent on weapons and military technology

This money could be spent on schools, hospitals and other public services

Health

Diet

The human body requires a balanced diet

An unhealthy diet can cause various health problems

Obesity, diabetes and heart disease are on the increase

Many people nowadays rely on fast food or pre-prepared meals

These foods often contain too much fat, salt and sugar

They are cheap to buy and very easy to prepare

Many young people have grown up on a diet of convenience foods

Populations in developed countries are increasingly overweight

Exercise

Regular exercise is essential in maintaining a healthy body

Exercise burns calories and helps to build healthy bones and muscles

Doctors advise exercising at least three times a week for 20 minutes

Most people nowadays lead a sedentary lifestyle

We tend to walk less and do desk jobs

Most adults relax by watching television

Children play video games rather than doing outdoor sports

In the past, people were more active in their jobs and at home

Government’s Role

Governments have a significant role to play in reducing obesity

More and more people, including young children are seriously overweight

They are at risk of heart disease and diabetes

This situation will increase the burden on hospitals and taxpayers

Hospitals rely on the government for money and resources

Governments should promote a healthy diet and regular exercise

There should be more time for sports on school timetables

Unhealthy junk food should be banned from school menus

People need information about what foods contain

Food packaging must show the food’s nutritional content

The British Government recommends eating five portions of fruit and vegetables per day

State Health system: advantages

Good healthcare should be available to everyone for free

State healthcare is paid by the government using money from taxes

Everyone has access to the same quality of care and treatment

Private healthcare is unfair because only wealthy people can afford it

The National Health Service in the UK provides free healthcare for every resident

Private Healthcare: advantages

State hospitals are often very large and difficult to run

Private hospitals have shorter waiting lists for operations and appointments

Patients can benefit from faster treatment

Many people prefer to pay for more a personal service

Patients have their own room and more comfortable facilities

Alternative medicine: Positives

People are increasingly using alternative medicines to treat illnesses.

For example, acupuncture can be used to treat backache

Herbal medicines can be used to treat allergies or viruses

Many patients report positive experiences with these treatments

Some traditional cures have been used for hundreds of years

Alternative medicine: Negatives

Many alternative medicines have not been tested scientifically

They may have no beneficial effect at all

They may cause unknown side effects

People should trust the opinions of qualified doctors

An illness could get worse without treatment from a doctor

Stress

Modern lifestyles are increasingly stressful

People work long hours with strict deadlines

Our busy lifestyles mean we have less time to relax

Unemployment is a major cause of stress

Children may be affected by their parents’ relationship problems

Tests and exams can also cause stress

How to reduce stress

Stress can be reduced by taking regular exercise and eating a healthy diet

It is also important to get sufficient sleep and make leisure time a priority

People should work less overtime and take regular holidays

Schools have started to employ psychologists

They can offer emotional support to students

They can help students to cope with exam stress

14. Housing and Architecture

State/council housing

In some countries the government provides state or council housing

This helps people who cannot afford to buy their own house

It can be argued that state housing creates dependence on the government

People should be rely on the government to look after them

People have no incentive to earn money and buy their own home

Council properties are often made with cheap, poor-quality materials.

Old Buildings

Historic buildings are part of a country’s heritage

They should be protected

Old buildings are often considered to be works or art

They give character to cities and attract tourists

They show us how people lived in the past

We identify countries by architectural symbols like the pyramids in Egypt

Governments should spend money on looking after historic buildings

They need regular repairs and maintenance

New buildings should be designed to complement them

Modern/green buildings

Modern buildings should be designed to be environmentally friendly

They should use less energy and produce less waste

Modern insulation can make houses more energy-efficient

Solar and wind power can be used to generate electricity

Rainwater and waste water can be recycled and used to flush toilets.

Modern glass buildings take advantage if natural light

Date: 2015-04-20; view: 817