Lesson number 33

Tuesday, 29th January 2008

Summary:

• "The Homeless".


• Reading, matching and true/false exercises.

The Homeless

Many people dream about living in a urban utopia, a place with pollution or traffic, and safer streets. But there are some people who would just like a house, anywhere. These people are the homeless – people we try not to see when we are in the city. They live under the bridges and in shop doorways. The British charity “Crisis” says that there are about 380000 homeless people in Britain. This is almost the population of Manchester. It is also estimated that the number of homeless people might be one million by the year 2020. Most homeless are young and single because the government only has to find houses for families with children. About 33% of the homeless have health problems but don’t receive any medical treatment. Many also have problems with alcohol and drug abuse. People who live on the streets have an average life expectancy of only 42 years. Life on the streets is very hard. So why do people become homeless? And how can there be so many homeless is one of the world’s richest countries? The answer is very complicated. The main reasons are family problems, the death of someone close or being unemployed. Every homeless person has a sad story to tell. Their lives are made more difficult because they are ignored by us.

Read the next. True (T) or False(F)?

1. Homeless people are dificult to see. -----------------------------> F
2. Most of the population of Manchester is homeless.---------------> F
3. The number of homeless people will probably increase.----------> T

4. Most homeless people are middle-aged with children.------------> F

5. Homeless people receive medical treatment. --------------------->F

6. They live shorter lives than most other people.------------------->T

7. Family problems and losing a job can cause someone to become homeless.------>T

8. In general, society does not care about the homeless.----------> T