Track 11

Unit 1b. Archaeology.

What causes a society to collapse?

Page 16.

Talk about the topic, part A and B.

So are you ready to talk about the lecture?

Yeah, so um, I have a question or maybe it’s just a command.

Go ahead, what is it?

You know how the speaker was asking us to think about problems in the world today?

Yeah what kind of problems are you thinking about?

Well, personally I think maybe cultural conflict will be the cause of the next societal collapse.

You think so? Cultural conflict?

Yeah, with all the fighting in the wars going on, like between people of the different cultures.

Well, I agree that there is a lot of conflict in the world today.

Exactly.

But, I don’t really believe that any society is going to totally disappear, do you?

Yeah, I think it’s possible, I means just turn on the TV news.

Well, in my opinion I say environment is our most serious problem.

If we’re not careful, a lot of societies could disappear.

That’s a good point, I hear what you’re saying. But don’t you think that we’re working to make the environment better?

Well, I agree that we’re trying, yeah you’re right, people are becoming more and more agree I guess.

And healthier.

Great. Well how about diseases as a cause of society collapsing?

Can you see that happening?

Now, not with modern medicine you?

I agree. I can’t really see disease is causing a society to die out.

Still, I say then we always have to remember the lessons of history.

Yeah I agree.