Lesson 84 - Brazil and more Adjectives to compare

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TEACHER HELTON'S EXCEPTIONALLY FINE ENGLISH CLASS Lesson 84 
A) Text (read and understand) 
Some things before moving to Brazil 
1. Life is cheaper, but watch out 
Brazil is generally cheaper to live in than the UK – but there are cultural differences even in the way the 
country prices goods and services. If you’re after new jeans, shoes, or a car, you may end up spending 
considerably more than you would in the UK. But when it comes to everything else, from rent to groceries, 
you’ll be much better off in Brazil – particularly if you’re not living in the two most ffaammoouuss, populated cities, 
São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. There are cheaper places all over the country, from Fortaleza in the north to 
Porto Alegre in the south, and they’re all ffaasscciinnaattiinngg, enjoyable places to live. 
2. Get ready for an expressive culture 
Brazil isn’t all Carnival and samba, but there is a hint of truth in the stereotype. There’s a reason, for 
instance, that the country has produced so many eexxpprreessssiivvee footballers, from Garrincha to Pelé to 
Ronaldinho: expressiveness is encouraged. So, get prepared for people to gesticulate while talking, quickly 
and easily get ppaassssiioonnaattee, and greet you enthusiastically. You’ll be hugged, have your private space 
constantly invaded, and probably receive some cheek kisses when it’s time to say goodbye. If this sounds 
strange and potentially uunnccoommffoorrttaabbllee to you, just remember the undeniable upside: being expressive and 
familiar with each other is part of Brazil’s ssttrroonngg collectivist culture – all for one, and one for all. That 
means that once you’ve made some friends and become part of the community, you’ll have a whole new 
found family to rely on. 
3. Health is a universal right – but going private is better 
Brazil enshrined healthcare as a universal right in its 1988 constitution, following two ddaammaaggiinngg decades 
under military dictatorship that resulted in a tteerrrriibbllee health system, among other things. Around 70% of 
people in Brazil benefit from public healthcare, and it’ll be available to you too, as a foreign resident. 
However, as with many healthcare systems, it’s chronically underfunded. This often leads to lleennggtthhyy 
waiting lists, a lack of staff, and a limited number of facilities with specialized equipment. Like most things in 
Brazil, private healthcare is cheaper than you’ll probably be used to, and generally offers a better level of 
service than its public counterpart. 
 
B) Questions (answer the questions about the text) 
Is it generally cheaper to live in Brazil compared to the UK? 
_____________________________________________________________________________________. 
Which cities in Brazil might be more expensive to live in? 
_____________________________________________________________________________________. 
How do Brazilians express themselves when they talk? 
_____________________________________________________________________________________. 
What is one positive aspect of Brazil's collectivist culture? 
_____________________________________________________________________________________. 
What is the healthcare system like in Brazil? Is it available to foreign residents? 
_____________________________________________________________________________________. 
 
C) Dictation (write down the sentences the teacher will dictate in class)