Name:___________________________________________Date:___________

Sources of Harmony and Conflict

Living in a multicultural community was never easy. There are many aspects
that keep people closer like language, race, culture, religion or myths; the same
aspects, however, can be sources of conflict when extremism, antagonism or
even beliefs are at stake. What brings people together may also lead to extreme
situations of conflict, war or hate.

In modern societies, be it in Europe or America, full integration becomes

extremely difficult - especially when people suffer discrimination for religious,
racist, cultural or sexist reasons. All too often in the name of integration
minorities are required to deny their entire way of life and conform to the
majority culture. They are told to fit into a society that may be openly hostile to
them. If we are to talk of integration we must recognize that the problem is
created and maintained by the privileged. The challenge then is to make the
effort to understand how it affects people across the divides of colour, culture,
language and religion.

Every society has its tradition, beliefs and myths; those who defy the old system
are often treated as outsiders. American Indians were gradually chased and
slaughtered as white men went west. Finally they were forced to live in
reservations where they could hardly survive. Black people have suffered the
stigmas of colour and they have often expressed their anger through crime,
hate or prejudice; Jews have been persecuted for religious reasons and theirs
has been a constant struggle to retain their own culture and religion. Mexicans
have had difficulty in integrating into American society although they are now
one of the most colourful ethnical group there.

In the American system competition and conflict among ethnic groups has
never been eradicated. Intergroup frictions have existed from the beginning. In
politics, housing, religion, education, unionism and business, ethnic groups in
the past have struggled to obtain more power or to preserve the power they had
- and they still do today.

Reading comprehension:

1) Read and say if the sentences are true or false

a) Living in a multicultural society is easy as a pie. _____

b) Language, race, culture, religion or myths can create conflicts. _____

c)People that dont defy the old system are treated as outsiders. ___
d) Jews have been persecuted for colour reasons. ______

e) In America conflicts among different cultural groups have always

existed.____

2) Answer the following questions choosing the correct options:

What factors may lead societies to extreme situations of conflict?
a) Language, race, culture, religion and myths
b) Religion
c) Race and religion

Why is so difficult to be fully integrated in Europe or America?

a)Because foreigners are difficult people

b) Because people suffer discrimination in different forms and are
required to deny their identity
c) Because its impossible to feel integrated in any country that isnt ours.

Give examples of race and religious discrimination.

a) American Indians were chased

b) Black people suffered the stigmas of colour and jews were
persecuted
c) Jews were persecuted

Vocabulary:
3) Choose the correct options
What is prejudice?
a) thinking all people from a group is the same
b) Judging and acting in a negative way on the basis of what they
look like or what group they belong to
c) Cultural diversity
What is stereotype?
a) cultural diversity
b) thinking all people who belong to a certain group are the same
and labeling them.
c) Judging someone on the basis of his/her religion

4) Look at the pictures and tell which the prejudice is related to

both pictures

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Grammar:
1st conditional
5) Complete the following superstitious sentences with the verbs in
the right tense.
Example: If it rains I ________(take) an umbrella.
If it rains I will take an umbrella.

1. If a cat ______________ (wash) behind its ears, it

______________ (rain).
2. If the bride ___________ (make) her own dress,
it_________________ (bring) bad luck.
3. You ______________ (catch) a cold if a cat _____________
(sneeze) three times.
4. If you ____________ (open) an umbrella indoors, it ____________
(bring) bad luck.
5. Something bad _________________ (happen) to you if you
____________ (walk) under the ladder.
6. If you ________ (take) the last piece of bread on the plate, you
____________ (be) unlucky.
7. If you ___________ (have) an itchy nose, you ______________
(have) an argument with someone soon.

6) CIRCLE THE RIGHT OPTION

Example: If I went/ goes to the cinema, I will/would watch an

interesting film.
Answer: If I went to the cinema, I would watch an interesting film.

1- IF I KNEW/WOULD KNOW THE ANSWER I WOULD TELL YOU

2- IF MARY HAD HIS CELL PHONE NUMBER, SHE WOULD

PHONE/ PHONED HIM.

3- IF HE WOULDNT BE/ WASNT SO SHY, HE WOULD GO TO

PARTIES.

4- IF I WERE RICH, I WOULD TRAVEL/ TRAVELLED AROUND THE

WORLD.

5- SHE WOULD GET THE JOB IF THE WOULD SPEAK/ SPOKE

ENGISH.

Writing exercise:
7) Write a short essay of opinion on the topic: Is multiculturalism
in Portugal an advantage?
Dont forget to:
Introduce the problem in the question
 List the pro and cons
Present your own opinion
Make a conclusion

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