Task 13. Read the text. Fill in the gaps with the appropriate form of the verb
| A "stereotype" __ a generalization about a person or group of persons. We develop stereotypes when we ______ unable or unwilling to ______ all of the information we would need _____ fair judgments about people or situations. In the absence of the "total picture," stereotypes in many cases allow us to "___ in the blanks." Our society often innocently _____ and _______ stereotypes, but these stereotypes often lead to unfair discrimination and persecution when the stereotype_____unfavorable. For example, if we are walking through a park late at night and encounter three senior citizens ______ fur coats and _______ with canes, we may not feel as _______as if we _______ by three high school-aged boys wearing leather jackets. Why is this so? We ______ a generalization in each case. These generalizations have their roots in experiences we__ _______ ourselves, ________about in books and magazines, _____ in movies or television, or have had______ to us by friends and family. In many cases, these stereotypical generalizations____reasonably accurate. Yet, in virtually every case, we are resorting ________ by _______ characteristics about a person ______ on a stereotype, without knowledge of the total facts. By _______ , we assume that a person or group _____ certain characteristics. Quite often, we have stereotypes about persons who are members of groups with which we _______ firsthand contact. Television, books, comic strips, and movies are all abundant sources of stereotyped characters. For much of its history, the movie industry ______ African-Americans as ______ unintelligent, lazy, or violence-prone. As a result of ______ these stereotyped pictures of African-Americans, for example, prejudice against African-Americans _______. Stereotypes also evolve out of fear of persons from minority groups. For example, many people have the view of a person with mental illness as someone who____violence-prone. This _______ with statistical data, which ______ that persons with mental illness tend ______ no more prone to violence than the general population. Perhaps the few, but well-publicized, isolated cases of mentally ill persons_____ on rampages_______ the seed of this myth about these persons. This may be how some stereotypes _________ in the first place; a series of isolated behaviors by a member of a group which _____unfairly______ to _______as a character of all members of that group. | be be/obtain make fill/create perpetuate be wear/walk threaten/be met make have/read see/relate be prejudice ascribe/base stereotype have not have portray/be view be encouraged be/conflict indicate/be go plant develop generalize view |
Task 14. Rewrite the following sentences using an infinitive construction.
1. It is known that he blames scapegoats in order to feel more comfortable.
2. It seems that sociologists have found the sources of prejudice.
3. It appeared that his attitude exerted a healthy influence on the students.
4. It was reported that a child learns a good deal by direct imitation of his parents.
5. It happened that he was treated harshly, authoritatively and unfairly.
6. It is believed that people make quick judgments in order not to be caught unaware.
7. It proved that prejudice is slight or absent among children in the first and second grades.
Task 15. Combine the two sentences using an infinitive construction.
1. The general problems of racial prejudice still exist. This has recently been shown.
2. This approach to reduce prejudices is much better. This was proved at the last meeting.
3. Parental behavior promotes prejudice in the children. This has been thought until recently.
4. Unprejudiced teachers can instruct children to be more tolerant. This has been expected.
5. A prejudiced person usually turns the blame on others. This was reported two years ago.
6. College students are trying to become less prejudiced. This is known now.
7. Quick judgments are a facet of prejudiced thinking. This has been recently supposed.