B1 Dialog #39 Talking about liberty
Today we are going to talk about liberty. As always you can read the text in PDF, which you can find in the description. Follow our podcasts on iTunes and Yandex Music. For more new dialogs subscribe to our channel.
How to work with the dialog?
- Listen to the dialogue and read the PDF transcript. Turn on subtitles if necessary.
- Listen to the dialogue again, repeating the questions and answers aloud (!!!).
- Come up with your own answers to the questions. Use PDF vocabulary if needed.
- Listen to the questions and answer them aloud (!!!), with a correct intonation, pronunciation and rhythm.
- Go back to the video from time to time and repeat the exercise.
Talking about liberty
(1) What springs to mind when you hear the word ‘liberty’?
It’s about freedom I think. All people want to be free in their rights, speech, actions and so on.
(2) What is the difference between freedom and liberty?
Yeah, it’s a good question. I think that freedom has a more literal meaning. Liberty has a political connotation.
(3) What do you value most – life, liberty or the pursuit of happiness?
All of them are valuable. The problem of liberty is that sometimes it’s difficult to define what is liberty and what is not.
(4) Do you feel you have a lack of liberty?
No, I don’t. I live a plain life, don’t break the law. Nobody treats me badly. So everything is OK. For now.
(5) Which world country do you think most values liberty?
The one with the Statue of Liberty. The USA of course. They like talking about it.
(6) Which world country do you think least values liberty?
As I said liberty is a relative thing. North Korea is considered as a least liberal country, but billions of people live there and I am sure that most of them like their country. Their values are different. That’s it.
(7) What are civil liberties and how important are they to you?
It’s a liberty in our rights. It’s important of course, but there should be a balance. Some people have a wrong understanding of civil liberties and their values are wrong. Europe likes liberty for example, but I can’t say I like everything that’s going on with Europe now. In Russia we have another problem. Our values are more sensible I’d say, but our courts might be less fair sometimes and pretty much dependenting on politics. It’s not right as well.
(8) Would you fight or riot to protect your liberty?
I don’t know. It depends on the concrete situation.
(9) Is there religious liberty in your country?
Yes there is. People of many different nationalities live in Russia. So a religious liberty is important for our country of course.
(10) Have you been to countries where there is very little liberty for the people? What did you think?
No I haven’t. What does it mean “very little liberty for the people”? What kind of liberty? As I said it’s a very relative thing.
Rinat —–>Anya
(1) What does liberty mean in your country?
The Constitution of Russia guarantees different kinds of liberty. Am I right?
(2) What do you think of New York’s Statue of Liberty?
I think it’s one of the most famous symbols of America. Do you know what the full name of this statue is? “Liberty Enlightening the World”.
(3) How would you feel if your liberty was taken away?
I can’t imagine that. It would be awful. But I would definitely fight against the system which takes away my liberty.
(4) Do children have the same liberties as adults?
I think they don’t. Adults limit the liberty of children. And I think this is a good way to bring them up.
(5) What extra liberties would you like?
I would like to travel around the world without any restrictions. Now it’s very important for many people.
(6) How would you define liberty?
The liberty of one ends with the liberty of the other.
(7) What do you know about the Liberty Bell?
The Liberty Bell is an important and famous symbol of American independence. Bells were ringing when the Declaration of Independence was signed on July 8, 1776.
(8) Do you think you’ll enjoy more or fewer liberties in the future?
I hope I’ll enjoy more liberties in the future.
(9) What questions about liberty would you like answers to?
Does real liberty exist?