The strangest rules in the world — and why they exist

Answer and give a real example for each one.

1. What is a rule at home or at work that you think is silly?
2. Have you ever got a fine? What for?
3. Are you a rule-follower or a rule-breaker?
4. What rule would you introduce in your city tomorrow?
5. What were the strictest rules at your school?
6. Which law in your country do you think is very good?

For each word or phrase, say one true sentence about rules in your life or country.

Choose the word or phrase that fits.

1. There's a against using your phone while driving.
2. Selling alcohol to teenagers is .
3. Smoking has been in all restaurants.
4. I parked in the wrong place and got a .
5. If you drive at 150 km/h, you .
6. You're not swim here — it's dangerous.
7. You're turn off your phone in the cinema.
8. Not running near the pool is just .

Choose the right answer, then press Check answers.

1. legal ↔
   illegalunlegaldislegal
2. to obey the law ↔ to
   breakfineenforce
   the law
3. to forbid officially = to
   banfineenforce
4. a gap in a law = a
   loopholefineregulation
5. not to be punished = to get
   away withoff without of
   it
6. to make sure a law is obeyed = to
   enforceallowobey

Use each phrase to talk about rules and laws.

• In my country, you're (not) allowed to...У моїй країні (не) дозволено...In my country, you're not allowed to drink alcohol in the street.
• You're supposed to..., but most people...Мають..., але більшість людей...You're supposed to wait at red lights, but some people don't.
• There should be a law against...Має бути закон проти...There should be a law against loud music after 11 p.m.
• It makes sense because...Це має сенс, бо...The rule makes sense because it protects children.
• It's a bit over the top.Це трохи занадто.A €500 fine for chewing gum? It's a bit over the top.
• Rules are rules.Правила є правила.I know it's silly, but rules are rules.
• If it were up to me, I'd...Якби це залежало від мене, я б...If it were up to me, I'd ban cars from the centre.
• It's just common sense.Це просто здоровий глузд.Not texting while driving is just common sense.

Read the article. Hover over the dotted words for help.

1. Singapore banned the sale of chewing gum in 1992.
   TrueFalse
2. Today you can buy any chewing gum in Singapore supermarkets.
   TrueFalse
3. Feeding pigeons in St Mark's Square in Venice is not allowed.
   TrueFalse
4. In Germany, most shops are open on Sundays.
   TrueFalse
5. France's 2017 law is about emails and messages outside working hours.
   TrueFalse

1. Which of these laws would you like to have in Ukraine?
2. Which seems silliest to you? Why?
3. What law in Ukraine might seem strange to foreigners?
4. Should there be a right to disconnect in every country?

Past forms: was / were allowed to, couldn't, had to, was supposed to. At school, we weren't allowed to use phones. I was supposed to call you, but I forgot. Careful: ✗ I'm not allow to... ✗ We don't allowed to... Also let (Lesson 22): My parents let me stay out late.

1. You're not
   allowed toallow to
   smoke in restaurants.
2. At my school, we
   weren't allowed todidn't allowed to
   wear jeans.
3. You're
   supposed tosuppose to
   wear a seatbelt.
4. You
   mustn'tdon't have to
   text while driving.
5. I
   was supposed tosupposed
   send the report yesterday, but I forgot.
6. Are we allowed toDo we allowed to
   take photos here?
7. Rules
   should be followedshould followed
   by everyone.
8. Feeding pigeons
   is bannedbans
   in this square.

Each sentence has one mistake. Type the correct words.

1. We don't allowed to use phones. →
2. You are suppose to wear a helmet. →
3. I wasn't allow to go out. →
4. You mustn't to park here. →
5. Is it allowed to swim here? →
6. Chewing gum banned in Singapore. →

Answer in detail. Use allowed to, supposed to, mustn't and the passive.

1. What weren't you allowed to do as a child that you can do now?
2. What are you supposed to do at work that you don't always do?
3. What are tourists not allowed to do in your city?
4. Which rule at work or school do you think should be changed? How?
5. Talk about a time you broke a small rule. Did you get away with it?
6. What new law would you introduce, and what would be banned?

For each proposal: is it a good idea? Who would be happy, and who would be angry? Could it be enforced? Would you vote for it?

This is the final speaking task of Block 8. Your teacher will time you.

1. Plan for one minute, then speak for two minutes without stopping.
2. Part 1: where you would like to live and why (so / such, comparatives).
3. Part 2: one environmental or social problem and what will happen if we don't act (First Conditional, unless).
4. Part 3: one rule or law you would introduce and why (should be, allowed to).

1. What rules did you have at home as a teenager?
2. Do you always follow traffic rules?
3. Have you ever been fined?
4. What rules do you have in your home now?
5. Is there a rule you always break?
6. What rule are you happy exists?
7. Would you report a neighbour who breaks a rule?
8. Which country has rules you admire?

1. Are people in Ukraine good at following rules?
2. Should parents be fined if their children skip school?
3. Should the police be stricter or more relaxed?
4. Should fines depend on how much people earn?
5. Are some rules different for rich and poor people?
6. Which rules do tourists break most often?

1. Is it ever right to break the law?
2. Do too many rules make people less free?
3. Should some drugs be legal?
4. Should the voting age be 16?
5. Is it better to have strict laws or educate people?
6. Who should decide what is "common sense"?

"It is sometimes right to break the law."

Round 1: give your real opinion for 1–2 minutes. Round 2: defend the opposite side for 1 minute. Use: You're supposed to..., but... · Rules should be... · If it were up to me... · All things considered...