Describing daily routine

To be up-to-date with, to be keen on sth, to be late for, to be left behind, to be on a binge, to catch up on sth, to concentrate on sth, to centre one’s attention on sth, to crawl out, crucial, an early riser, either way, eventually, to fight the urge to do sth, to find excuses, to have a hasty bite, to have a lie-in, to interfere with, to keep sb busy, to keep late hours, to keep oneself fit, lifestyle, to look forward to doing sth, to make an effort, to organize one’s time wisely, to oversleep, pleasure, to put sth off, to put in the right mood, the reason for smth/doing sth, to rush, to set off, to starve oneself, solid base to do sth, to surf the Internet, well-organised, to wind an alarm-clock, to worry oneself silly (sick).

Describing personality

Adaptable, aggressive, arrogant, bad-tempered, bossy, calm, communicative, competitive, considerate, credulous, determined, difficult, down-to-earth, easygoing, faithful, flexible, frank, generous, helpful, independent, insensitive, intelligent, lively, loyal, modest, open-minded, (over-)sensitive, reliable, responsible, self-centred, self-confident, selfish, sincere, serious, sociable, stingy, stubborn, sympathetic, tolerant, two-faced, witty.

 

Describing friendship

To affect sth, to appreciate, to be in luck, to be on one’s side, to be there for sb, to click straightaway, to collapse, to depend on sb, to drift apart, to encourage sb to do sth, to fall out, to get miserable, to go one’s separate way, to have a lot in common, to have sb in stitches, to hit off straightaway (immediately), to move on to.., to put interest back, to relieve a lot of stress, to see a lot of each other, to share, to speak the same language, spontaneous, to turn to sb for…, unlikely.

Unit 2 FAMILY LIFE

 

What is “a family”? Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary defines it as a group consisting of one or two parents and their children. But family is more than a group of people. For most of us it’s a unit of loyal supporters, sharing things like dreams, hopes, memories, joy and sorrow. Nobody cares more about us than the members of our families. Nobody can love us more selflessly than our own mother or father. Nobody can treat us better than our own brother or sister who shared so many experiences with us. Nobody can help us learn our family history more completely and understand our present more clearly than our grandparents and our eldest living relatives. We need a family and that family needs us. When we support our families we find ourselves supported.

 

Ex.1 These are the most important relatives (= members of your family, relations)

	male	female
Your parents’ parents	Grandfather	Grandmother
Your parents’ brother and sister	Uncle	Aunt
Your aunt’s / uncle’s child	Cousin	Cousin
The father and mother of the person you marry	Father-in-law	Mother-in-law
The brother and sister of the person you marry	Brother-in-law	Sister- in -law
Your brother’s/ sister’s child	Nephew	Niece
Your mother or father remarries, so you have a …	Step-father	Step-mother

What other relatives do you know? Add 5 words to each column.

Ex.2 Fill in suitable words

1. His aunt’s son is his … .

2. Your father’s grandfather is your … .

3. My sister’s son is my … .

4. My sister’s daughter is my … .

5. Your mother’s sister is your … .

6. Your grandfather’s sister is your … .

7. Your brother’s wife is your … .

8. Your mother’s brother is your … .

9. Your sister’s husband is your … .

10. The child of your mother’s cousin is your … .

Ex.3 Give definitions of the following words:

Parents, grandparents, sister-in-law, nephew, cousin, second cousin, aunt, great aunt, step-mother, stepsister, half-sister.

 

When you are born, your family gives you a first name, e.g. Kate, Sarah and Alex are common first names in Britain. Your family name (= surname) is the one that all the family share e.g. Smith, Brown, Jones, and O’Neil are common surnames in Britain. A girl can change her maiden name when she gets married and takes her husband’s family name. Some parents give their children a middle name, but you do not usually say this name. It is not related to the family name and can be taken from anywhere: it can be the name or the surname of any person honoured in the family. The middle name may also be any word, even the combination of sounds which appealed to the parents. Your full name is all the names you have, e.g, Sarah Jane Smith, Henry George Washington Clinton, William Makepeace Thackeray.

 

Ex.4 Talking points

a) What are the traditions of using names in Russia?

b) What are the most popular Russian names?

c) Do you know the origin of your name?

d) Who were you named after?

Ex.5What’s the point of family history?

a)Complete the text by choosing the correct option (A, B, C, D) to fill each gap.

Most people don’t know much about their family (1)…. However, after the death of an elderly relative, they feel sorry that they have missed a good opportunity to learn more about their (2)… and start (3)… their family tree.

Family history is referred to as (4)… . It is one of the world’s most popular pastimes, and millions of people around the planet investigate their (5)… . From complete beginners to experienced genealogists, the attraction of (6)… out more about the past through your own family is hard to resist. Once you have set out on the research road, the work can become absolutely fascinating. There are many reasons (7)… .

As you start the journey to the past, you’ll develop new skills, which you can use in many ways. You’ll also enjoy the excitement of the detective process. The investigation of your family’s past often leads to a greater understanding of history in general. This is fun, a rewarding hobby, not to mention a service to your entire family. You can discover your (8)… and find long lost relatives. It’s also a social pastime, and will bring you into the contact with many new and like-minded people. But remember, you should start (9) … back your family history as soon as possible while your elderly relatives are still alive and can help you to discover the customs, practices and traditions of your family.

1. A story B life C history D legend

2. A relations B generations C experiences D antiquarians

3. A building B growing C creating D painting

4. A geometry B geography C geology D genealogy

5. A beginnings B starts C origins D births

6. A finding B meeting C learning D knowing

7. A because B since C why D so

8. A generations B households C treasure D ancestors

9. A looking for B tracing C writing D bringing

b) Have you ever created your family tree? How many generations do you know about?

Ex.6 Look at the picture and say if you know anything about this extended family. Try to create the Royal Family Tree. You may use http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/questions/royaltree.htm or http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_royalty

Ex.7 Brain teaser

Each of the fourteen people below is married toone of the others. From the information you are given, find out who is married to whom. Note there are three generations here.

 

Alan is Caroline’s nephew and Larry’s cousin.

Barbara is Larry’s mother and Maggie’s sister-in-law.

Caroline is Edward’s daughter and Maggie’s sister-in-law.

David is Gordon’s brother-in-law and Alan’s uncle.

Edward is Ingrid’s grandfather and Maggie’s father-in-law.

Fanny is Caroline’s motherand Alan’s grandmother.

Gordon is Helen’s son-in-law and Nigel’s brother-in-law.

Helen is Barbara’s mother-in-law and Larry’s grandmother.

Ingrid is Gordon’s niece and David’s daughter-in-law.

John is David’s father and Gordon’s father-in-law.

Karen is Gordon’s daughter-in-lawand Maggie’s daughter-in-law.

Larry is John’s grandson and David’s son.

Maggie is Larry’s aunt and Fanny’s daughter-in-law.

Nigel is Ingrid’s father and Fanny’s son-in-law.

 

Ex.8 Choose the most suitable word or phrase to complete the sentences below.

1. Edward was named after one of his father’s distant …

a) family b) brothers c) members d) relations

2. Twins often seem to … a generation.

a) hop b) skip c) jump d) run

3. Is Brenda married or …? I don’t like to ask her.

a) spinster b) alone c) bachelor d) single

4. There’s a 1)… of twins in our family – on my father’s 2)… .

1) a) story b) geography c) history

2) d) tree e) side f) line

5. I was … child. Some people think I’m a bit spoilt.

a) an only b) a missing c) a single d) one

6. All the members of our football team are related … marriage.

a) by b) to c) on d) with

7. When Mother remarried, her second husband, my …, gave me a new bicycle.

a) forefather b) stepfather c) grandfather d) godfather

8. My … originated from a tribe of Red Indians.

a) ancestors b) ancients c) antiques d) eldest

9. Not many of my own … relatives are still alive.

a) blood b) skin c) heart d) flesh

10. My …-grandfather fought at the battle of Waterloo.

a) grand-grand-grand b) great-grand-grand c) great-great-great d) grand-great-great

11. I was left $50 and a cat by 1)… relative; I believe it was a 2)… cousin – or perhaps it was a 3)…- aunt.

1) a) a distant

2) a) grand

3) a) a long-distance

b) double

b) second

b) great

c) an unclear

c) close

c) grand

12. Peter is an orphan; he was … at the age of two.

a) adjusted b) adapted c) adopted d) afforded

13. Mary was from a single-parent family; now she’s looked after by her … .

a) keeper b) warden c) guardian d) nurse

14. I’m off to have Sunday lunch with my … now.

a) out-laws b) by-laws c) in-laws d) on-laws

15. After my uncle’s death, my aunt remained a/an…..for only a few months before remarrying.

a) in-law b) widow c) single d) bride

16. I can’t tell Peter and Paul apart, they are ….twins.

a) similar b) alike c) resemblance d) identical

17. How far back can you trace your family …

a) tree b) story c) album d) case

18. She … most of her attention on her youngest son.
a) puts b) lavishes c) drops d) gives

Ex.9 Fill in prepositions if necessary.

1. Betty’s sister is married … Doctor Sandford. She married …him five years ago.

2. My married sister lives … her mother –in-law and they get … well.

3. I’m not related …this person … blood. He’s my namesake.

4. My distant relative was widowed … the age … 35. Just imagine what she can feel looking … her son, who has taken … his father … appearance and character.

5. A nuclear family consists … husband, wife and children.

6. The boy’s parents died in a car accident and he is looked … … his aunt who is his guardian.

7. I don’t know any relatives …my father’s side.

8. My husband was brought … … a large family, so I have a lot of relatives … marriage.

9. I’m related … my half-brother only … my father.

10. Blood relatives are people related …birth rather than … marriage.

11. My younger sister is my junior …three years. So I’m three years … her senior.

12. Do most people you know get … … their in-laws?

13. My father was very strict and I had to obey … him without questions.

Ex.10 Listening

a) Listen to the sentences that contain the following phrasal verbs and make a note of what you think each verb means:

to grow up, to bring ир, to look after, to get on (with someone), to look up to (someone), to take after (someone), to get up to (something), to tell someone off.

b) Use as many of these verbs as possible in a short story describing yourself.

Belonging to a family is one bond almost everyone in the world shares but the pattern of the family is changing as time goes by.

 

Ex.11 Reading

a) Read the text “The Family Pattern” and find out the changes in the nature of a typical modern family.

Not long ago a “typical” family, called a nuclear family, used to consist of mother, father and two children living together in a separate household without other relatives, but in recent years there have been some changes in the structure of a typical family. Some of these are the result of changes in the society. The financial situations within families have an influence on the size of the families, people tend to have fewer children.

Since the law made it easier to get a divorce, the number of divorces has increased. Modern society is also more tolerant of women having children without being married. As a result there are a lot of one-parent families (=single-parent families). Divorce has also led to more complicated families – blended families, when parents who are divorced then remarry and take the responsibility for a second family. They bring up children from their own relationship and from the previous ones.

Another change in family life is connected with the life expectancy. If a husband or wife outlives his (her) partner he (she) lives alone following the death of his (her) partner. As a result of these changes in the pattern of people’s lives, there are many households which consist of only one person or one adult and children.

Families where there are no children is another tendency. The childless couples may believe that they would not make good parents; they may want freedom from responsibilities of bringing up children; or perhaps, they are not physically able to have children.

Extended families, including not only parents and children but also uncles, aunts, cousins, grandparents all living together in one household were common in former times. Now each generation is keen to become independent of parents in establishing its own family unit. More young people are moving away from home and leaving their family roots, and so the family becomes scattered. Modern society is quite tolerant of different types of families. It accepts and respects the choices regarding a family pattern.

b) Answer the questions:

1. Are there any changes in the family pattern?

2. What are the causes of one-parent families?

3. Do people tend to stay divorced or remarry?

4. Young generations want to be independent, don’t they?

5. Why do the families become scattered?

 

Ex.12 Read this short article about British and American families. Choose the best phrase from A-K to fill in gaps 1-10 to complete the text. There is one phrase that you won’t need to use.

When British and American people use the word family 1_____ the mother, father and their children. In a general social context, “the family” is usually 2____ mean this nuclear family.

Society in Britain and the US 3_____ a nuclear family living in the same house and 4_____ each other’s lives. Fifty years ago, the typical family was a husband and a wife, and two or three children. The father spent all day at work and 5______ decisions about how the money he earned was spent. The mother stayed at home to manage the house and look after the children. Children were 6_______ their parents.

Many modern families live rather differently, and because of this some people think that the family unit is dying and society 7_____ . Many couples still get married, but others live together without 8_____ . A few years ago, couples living together usually got married when 9____ a family, but this happens less now. Another trend is 10____ married later in life and to have fewer children, so the size of the average family is shrinking.

 

A taken to

B closely involved in

C getting married

D they often mean only

E is being weakened

F for people to get

G made most of the

H which normally consist of

I they wanted to start

J expected to obey

K is traditionally based on

 

The value of having many children is a very interesting and diverse phenomenon. The main advantages of large families are mutual support, a strong sense of security, fun and solidarity despite all possible difficulties, connected mainly with material hardships. Large families favour the development of collective responsibility for each other, they teach their members to sympathize with each other and help each other. Large families think that they will manage to cope with all possible difficulties by joint efforts.

Ex.13 What are the advantages and disadvantages of living in a large family (with many children)? Discuss in pairs and fill in the table. E.g.:

 

advantages	disadvantages
never boring	expensive

Ex.14 Read the text and add the information from the text to your table

Richard and Janet Aston have eight children. Janet puts the reason for her large family down to the fact that she was an only child: 'Life was so lonely and dull for me I knew I wanted lots of children.' But there are difficulties. If they go anywhere as a family they need two cars. And big families have big appetites. The Astons consume ten pints of milk and two loaves of bread a day. They also produce a lot of washing - four loads a day.

Richard is an accountant and budgets carefully for everything. The phone is his main worry - the children spend too long on it. Nor can they afford to go abroad on holiday. The eldest children work and Janet works part-time in a doctor's surgery.

Another problem is that you get no privacy or space. Janet and Richard share their room with the two youngest Astons, and Emily and Elizabeth sleep in the same bed so that Christopher and Sarah can have rooms of their own. 'That doesn't mean that you get left alone though,' complained Sarah. 'My room is on the ground floor, and if I bring a friend home, I get five faces at the window.'

Although Richard and Janet are great believers in fairness, it often doesn't work out in practice. Christopher claims that his parents were stricter with the older children, and that Victoria never does any work. Although the children may complain about each other and say that they won't have large families themselves, there is a general understanding that being part of a large family is something special. 'My friends love listening to all the stories about us,' said Sarah. 'Most people have such boring lives compared to ours.'

Ex.15 Describe each member of the family in the cartoon. How do you think they get on with each other?

 

 

 

 

Ex.16

a) How close are you to the various members of your family?

b) Use the adjectives to describe the different members of your family to a partner.

hard-working

generous

stubborn

self-confident

reliable

loyal

strict

easy-going

arrogant

adaptable

thoughtful

naughty

attractive

sensitive

modest

ambitious

competitive

down-to-earth

lazy

open-minded

Ex.17 Read the text and then fill in the gaps with an appropriate form of the word in capitals at the end of each line.

Although my two sisters and I have (0) different mothers, we are definitely (1) ……… . This is not just a matter of (2) ………, though we are all small with curly hair and a (3) ……… to (4) ……… and put on weight. The resemblance goes much further than that. Throughout our (5) ……… we were brought up to be very (6) ……… and our ability to accept change is another (7) ……… we share. Another would be (8) ……… . We all hate parties where you can see (9) ……… strange faces. (10) …, we are all interested in wearing (11) ……… clothes. We often share our clothes. (12) ……… this causes arguments. We really should come to some (13) ……… about who can borrow what from whom- and when.

DIFFER LIKE APPEAR TEND EAT CHILD ADAPT CHARACTER SHY NUMBER WAY FASHON FORTUNATE AGREE

 

Ex.18 Talking points

1. Have you got any sisters or brothers? Are you their senior or junior?

2. Do you have much in common? Where does the resemblance go?

3. Do you get on with them? Does anything cause arguments?

4. Which of you takes more after your parents?

5. Do your parents treat you equally?

6. Are you satisfied with the position you’ve got in your family?

 

Ex.19 Listening

a) You are going to hear four people talking about how they were affected by their order of birth. First of all tick (√ ) your personal situation

1) an only child

2) the eldest child

3) the youngest child

4) the middle child

b) Look at the following comments. Which of the people (1 to 4) do you think is likely to have made them:

A) I always had to look after my brothers and sisters.

B) You don’t get spoilt like the youngest or get all your parents’ attention like the eldest.

C) I was allowed to do more or less what I liked.

D) I was the centre of attention for my parents which have both positive and negative sides.

c) Listen to the speakers and match each of them with the order of birth in activity a).

Speaker 1………….

Speaker 2………….

Speaker 3…………

Speaker 4……….

d) Write down one advantage and one disadvantage of the birth order mentioned by each of the speakers.

Ex.20 Talking points.

a) Can the position of the child in the family affect its personality? What adjectives would you choose to describe each position in the family?

b) Agree or disagree with the following statements:

1. I wouldn’t like to be / have been an only child. They all tend to be a bit selfish.

2. The youngest child in the family can do/have everything he wants. He is always spoilt.

3. The eldest child is a sort of link between the parents and the younger children in the family. They are very sociable and responsible.

4. The position of the middle child is the worst. They are a bit overshadowed by his younger and elder sisters and brothers.

 

Family microclimate is a specific atmosphere of relations among family members. Such notions as "problem-free family" and "problem family" characterize relations, which are established in these families and which determine their everyday life. Family microclimate is created by all family members, such as parents and children, grandmothers and grandfathers, even distant relatives can also make their contribution to the atmosphere of the family. The main difficulty in family relations is the fact that each family member must learn to get along with their closest relatives. Those families, where people fail to understand one another, where reproaches and humiliation predominate, are uncomfortable for all their members. The main values for a happy family are mutual respect, understanding and responsibility.

Ex.21 Listening.

a) Listen to five people speaking about their parents and match each speaker with a suitable statement. Two statements are extra.

Speaker 1 Speaker 2 Speaker 3 Speaker 4 Speaker 5	A	The speaker can’t organize the time wisely.
B	These are ideal family relations.
C	The speaker wants to be closer to his/her parents.
D	They fall out because the speaker comes home late.
E	They have different ideas about a future career.
F	The speaker wants more freedom in everyday life.
G	The parents want their son /daughter to be an ideal student.

a) Listen once more and decide whether the statement is true(T) or false(F) or there’s no information(NI)

1. Speaker 1 tells his parents everything.

2. Speaker 1’s parents know all about his/her friends.

3. Speaker 2 wants to go into the family business.

4. Speaker 2 hasn’t made up his mind yet what profession to choose.

5. Speaker 3 thinks that the parents should be more easy-going.

6. From time to time speaker 3 doesn’t obey the parents.

7. Speaker 4 doesn’t want to discuss problems with the parents.

8. Speaker 4 is glad when the parents go on a business trip.

9. Speaker 5’s parents want their child to get better education than they did.

10.Speaker 5 is usually punished for bad marks at school.

Ex.22 Talking points

a) Can you figure out who the lines below belong to: you, your parents, grandparents, sisters/brothers, friends and in what situations you use / hear these phrases?

1. What are you so tired about? You don’t do anything!

2. I promise I’ll do it tomorrow.

3. No, you are too young to do that.

4. I certainly don’t want to be like you when I’m your age.

5. How can you listen to that garbage?

6. You’ll thank me some day.

7. Nooo, of course not! You can never be wrong!

8. You should break up with him/her. You will find better than him/her.

9. What new did you learn today?

10. How hard can it be to remember a few chores? You remember to eat, don’t you?

b) Make up a list of three things that you do which make the adults in your house really angry. Share your answers in small groups. What do your lists have in common? Which situation is the most common?

 

Ex.23 Reading

a) Read the article “Some Teenagers Do Have Them”. Which of the situations is familiar to you?

 

One minute they are being all friendly, the next minute they’re shouting and screaming loudly enough for the whole street to hear. So what is it that turns a normal happy parent into a raging beast? You, probably!

If I have to tell you to pick those up one more time…

Is your room untidy? Do you leave things on the floor? You may find it hard enough to keep one room tidy, so imagine what it’s like for your mum and dad trying to keep a whole house in order. As they are the ones who do the house work, they are entitled to moan if the other members of the family aren’t doing their bit.

Get into the habit of hanging your clothes up when you take them off, putting dirty washing in the laundry basket, taking glasses and plates down to the kitchen. It doesn’t take that much effort, and before too long you’ll be doing it without thinking.

 

No way can you have another pair of jeans. Do you think I am made of money?

Even though you may not realize it, your parents are probably quite sympathetic that you haven’t had any new clothes for ages, while it seems that your friends are splashing out right, left and centre. But they are not buying themselves new things every week, are they? The simple truth is that there are more important things to spend money on, like the electricity bill and food.

No, you can’t stay at Lena’s party on Saturday night till 11 p.m. You have to come home at 10 p.m.

Though you are a grown up person you still remain a child for your parents. Try to understand that they worry about you because it is dangerous to walk at night. If you start shouting insisting on your right to have freedom it won’t make your parents change their minds. Tell them about the friends you are going to meet with and the place you are visiting, leave the phone number of your best friend, agree to give them a call. If they are sure that you are safe they’ll probably let you stay longer with your friends.

What do you mean you are not hungry? It’s taken me two hours to cook it, so you can sit there till you’ve eaten it.

Despite the fact that the food is the furthest thing from your mind, think of it from the cook’s point of view. If you cook two meals a day, it means 730 meals a year. Can you imagine how boring this can get? Although the cook may be fed up with it, she/he makes an effort. Imagine how the cook feels when you pull a face and say you don’t fancy it, or you’re not really hungry. Not only that, your parents are probably anxious to see that you have a properly balanced diet. Then, of course, there’s a sheer waste of money aspect. See why they get mad!

Eat fewer snacks and leave room for your meals. Finally, offer to do the cooking every now and then. Your offer may not be accepted, but the cook will be delighted to receive a bit of appreciation.

 

b) The writer describes four situations that make parents angry. What are these situations? For each situation, summarize in your own words:

1) the nature of the problem

2) why such behaviour makes them angry

3) the advice the writer gives in each case.

 

c) Look at the list of three things you think make the adults in your house angry. Do you know why the adults get angry about the things on the list? Can you come up with any solutions?

 

Ex.24 Reading

a) Read what six teenagers say answering the question ‘Do Teens Have Power?’

Find the right place in the text for the following phrases:

1) when we are middle-aged

2) what is right

3) who live in the other countries

4) who set their minds to achieving sth

5) what we’ll do with our lives

6) what goes on

7) what I wear

8) who we hang out with

 

No, because…

…my mom and my dad do everything for me. The only power I have is the power to get out of bed. We always have adults telling us we’re too young or immature.

(1) … and they are old geezers, are they still going to be pushing us still around?

… in my family, my opinions are rarely heard. In most households, parents have all the power, and teenagers have almost no say in (2)… .

Yes, because…

… we get to choose (3)… and (4)… when we get older. We have a lot more power than most kids of our age (5)… . I have power at my house because I get to choose (6) … and what to do.

…we have the power to think, to express our opinions to do (7)… .

…we are No.1 consumers in the world! And teenagers (8)… have power.

…the greatest power is choice – and we teenagers have that power. I choose to do well in school, stay out of trouble and stay off drugs.

b) Write your own answer to this question.

 

Dogs, cats, birds, goldfish, even bunny rabbits, can be good pets and real family members that give either love or affection or relaxation or companionship for both youth and adults. Growing up with pets can be both a wonderful experience for you and can develop important qualities and life skills such as commitment, responsibility, care and nurturing values. Having a pet, though, is a shared responsibility and should not fall onto any one family member - everyone is a participant and is co-responsible. Can you consider a pet a member of your family?

Ex.25 Reading

a) Read the text and answer the question - Do you agree with the pieces of advice given in the text? Would you like to add anything else?

Too often people buy a pet on impulse. They see a puppy farm or pet exhibition and have an overwhelming feeling to adopt that adorable cute animal without understanding the true level of commitment it carries. Such a spontaneous decision may often mean leaving a pet by oneself and even worse increasing the number of homeless animals. Having a pet means an additional expense that someone may be unable or unwilling to make. It means additional work to clean, care for, and train the animal. It means additional patience as animals do not follow the same rules, behaviors and expectations of humans.

If you are going to take a pet follow our advice on how to choose a pet.

Choosing the right pet is often a time consuming process. Everyone has to think twice before getting a pet: are you ready to treat him as a member of your family, are you ready to make such a commitment? Think over all possible pros and cons connected with keeping a pet. Never make impulsive decisions.

Try to involve the whole family in the decision about if, when, and which pet you will take on. Vote on your choice.

Having a pet is a shared responsibility and should not fall onto any one family member. You should decide what the major responsibilities for the pet actually are - buying pet supplies, feeding, cleaning, pet grooming, etc. and distribute them among the members of the family.

Assuming that the family decided that they are willing to accept the responsibility, try to learn about your pet.You may purchase a book on that specific species, check the internet for information, talk to pet shop owners or veterinarians. The owners of the pets can be a good source of information on particular animals.

Do research into the nature of the pet. Most domesticated animals can make good family pets but there are exceptions to every rule. Even some pure-bred dogs can be either aggressive or out of control and should be avoided. As a general rule, wild animals should not be taken home or treated as pets. Checking pet guides or discussions with a veterinarian can help identify family-friendly pets, and can help avoid the problems that might make pet ownership a stressful venture.

Do research into the needs of the pet including types of food, housing (a tank, a cage, a box, or outside shelter like a dog house), special equipment (a lead, a collar, bowl, litter tray), and activity needed. Remember that many animals may be naturally feisty or destructive especially in the early stages, and one may need an animal-proof house or have special concern if babies are present.

Be sure it will become a new member of your family and change your lifestyle.

 

b) Talking points

1) Have you got a pet at home? How did you get it? Whose decision was it to take a pet?

2) Who has the major responsibility for your pet?

3) What are the most essential items of equipment to care properly after your pet?

4) Are there any pet-keeping rules in your family?

 

Ex.26 Listening

Man's best friend

a) Listen to part of a radio programme about pets. Decide which of the situations in the pictures above is not mentioned.

b) Listen to the interview and fill in the missing words.

1. Well, the first thing I’d tell them is …! Dogs and cats can … or more and they don’t stay … for very long.

2. If you’re thinking of getting a pet … that everyone in the family is willing to … .

3. You need to mare sure that your home is … .

4. Well, puppies are very good … so you need to make sure that they can’t get out and onto the road where they inevitably will … .

5. Leaving him unsupervised for even a few minutes can lead to a mishap or a serious … .

6. Make sure everyone in the family agrees on what the rules are and train your puppy … rules.

7. Small, cuddly puppies that were once ‘lap dogs’ may still climb … when they are fully grown and this can be a rather uncomfortable experience with … .

8. Puppies and dogs have a lot of energy and they need plenty of daily … for lots of play.

9. … should dog owners expect?

10. Well, basically dogs get more expensive the … .

c) Listen again and decide if the vet Jane Herriot would agree with the following statements. Write 'Yes' or 'No' next to each statement and be ready to explain your answers. Do you agree with Jane Herriot's advice?

1) Pet owners have to be prepared to look after their pets for up to twenty years. _______

2) If your home is ‘puppy-proof’ you can relax and let the puppy play on its own. _______

3) You shouldn't let your puppy chew everything he wants to chew.______

4) Puppies need to be disciplined in the same way by everyone in the family. _______

5) You should gently smack a puppy for doing something wrong. ____

6) You can keep a puppy in a small space provided you take it for walks. ______

7) Puppies are often naughty because they don't have anything to do. ___

Ex.27 These photographs and slogans aim to make people think about pets and their rights. Which would be most effective in our country?

Ex.28 Home reading

Read the text and answer the questions below. Retell the text.

The Breakout(by Joyce Cary)

Tom Sponson, at fifty three was a thoroughly successful man. He had worked up to a first-class business, married a charming wife, and built himself a good house in a London suburb. He had good taste. His son, Bob, nineteen, was doing well at Oxford. His daughter, April, aged sixteen, who was at a good school, had no wish to use make-up, to wear short frocks or to flirt. Yet, she was affectionate, and thoroughly enjoyed life. All the same, Tom had been aware that he was working very hard for very little. His wife, Louie, gave him a kiss when he left for the office and, if she was not at a party, a kiss in the evening when he came home. And it was quite obvious that her life was completely filled with the children, with her clothes, with keeping her figure slim, with keeping the house clean and tidy, with her charities, with her bridge, her tennis, her friends and her parties.

The children were even busier – the boy centered his full attention on his own work and his own friends, the girl - on hers. They were polite to Tom, but if he came into the room when they were entertaining a friend, there was at once a feeling of confusion. Even if they were alone together, he saw that when he came upon them they were slightly embarrassed, and changed the subject of their conversation, whatever it was. Yet they didn’t seem to do it with their mother.

He said to himself, “It isn’t only that they don’t need me, but I’m a nuisance to them.” He felt left out.

One morning he felt that he couldn’t stand this existence any more, it was nonsense, became unbearable. It was not as though his wife and children were depending any more on his business, he could sell it tomorrow, and it would support all of them in comfort.

As he came within the last few hundred yards from his office, he told himself that he couldn’t go on. So, instead of turning down the Strand, he drove straight on to a West End garage. An hour later he was on a train for Westford, a seaside place, where he had once spent a summer holiday before his marriage. On the luggage rack was a new suitcase containing new pajamas, shoes, a new kit, as for a holiday by the sea – even new paperbacks for a wet day.

It was late, but when he reached Westford he was surprised to find out that in the little hall the clerk was waiting for him with the register. On impulse that he didn’t understand and didn’t examine, he wrote down the name Charles Stone and gave a false address. He was surprised at himself – he detested such trickery – but it was only twenty minutes later that, lying upstairs on his bed with his book, he realized how necessary it had been, how wisely he had followed his impulse. “In the first excitement”, he said to himself, “they might well ask the B.B.C. or the newspapers to start a hunt, the last thing I want is any publicity. I’ll write to Louie at once and get things settled in a sensible manner”.

“Darling Louie”, he began but stopped immediately. He crossed it out and wrote, “My dear Louie. I dare say you wonder where I am, but it doesn’t really matter. As far as you and children are concerned, I haven’t excited anywhere for a long time. I am not blaming anyone for this state of affairs. The children are practically grown up and don’t need us any more; they certainly have not needed me for years past, and your life is entirely full of your own private interests. For a long time I have been aware that I was only in the way…”

It was a good letter; he was surprised how good it was. He realized that it expressed for him feelings that had been present for years. It was a good letter but he didn’t send it that evening. He had neither notepaper nor envelopes with him.

Next day he rewrote the letter. It was not till Thursday, three days after his flight, that he went out in the town to buy some notepaper and envelopes. But now he was in no hurry to write his letter. Why, Louie knew he was all right. He had phoned the office to tell them that he had to go away for a while and he had asked them to inform his wife.

A letter from or to Louie would start all sorts of trouble, and meanwhile he was only just beginning to enjoy his new life. The sea breeze was unequalled for giving one appetite. He was sniffing the smell of chops in the hall when a large dark figure stepped out and said, “Mr. Sponson?”

Tom without thought, answered, “My name is Stone”, and then, indignant to see a policeman before his eyes, went on, “What do you want here? Why should I answer your questions? I don’t intend to answer any.”

“That’s all right, sir,” said the policemen. “No offence, I hope”. And he went out.

Tom went upstairs to his room in a rage and began to pack. He must get away at once. What made him furious was that he had been followed, spied upon. Louie must have gone to the police. What right had they to pursue him like this? He had done no wrong; in fact he was trying to the right thing, the sensible thing.

That night he was in Liverpool. His plan was to go abroad. And on the next day, as he came from the hotel, Louie stepped out of a taxi that had been waiting at the sidewalk. She threw her arms round his neck and broke into tears. She said nothing after that warm embrace, she only stood gazing at him with an anxious and embarrassed smile. Louie’s smile through her tears struck Tom as especially artificial and disgusting.

Another person had now descended from the taxi – Tom’s family doctor.

That was six weeks ago. Tom is now back at work, back with his family. For nearly a fortnight his life has already been exactly the same as before. Louie no longer lavishes her attention on him with anxious affection; the children no longer come into the room on tiptoe and try to talk sympathetically about his long day at the office. And suddenly, at the club, talking to an old friend, he hears himself say, “Yes, I’ve been lucky, it’s been a wonderful marriage. Well, you know, Louie, and the children stay so nice, so caring. After all family life is everything, and mine has been a marvelous success.” He stops, startled by some echo from that holiday, now almost forgotten.

Answer the questions:

1. How large was Mr. Sponson’s family? What do you think about the relations between the members of the family?

2. What troubled Tom about his family life?

3. Was Tom’s decision to leave his family sudden?

4. Why did he choose Westford for his flight?

5. What made Mr.Sponson give a false name and address?

6. Why didn’t he send the letter he had been in a hurry to write?

7. What made Tom leave the hotel? Why did he feel furious?

8. What was Tom’s reaction when he saw his wife?

9. Why do you think Louie took so much trouble to find Tom and why she brought the family doctor with her?

10. Did Tom’s life change in any way after his return? Do you think Tom is sincere when he says that his family life has been “a marvelous success”?

11. How can you comment on the title of the story?

12. Have you met families with relations similar to those in Mr. Sponson’s family?

13. Do you think it is possible to prevent such relationship in family life?

Ex.29 Listening.

Before listening to the text ‘The oval portrait’ by Edgar Allan Poe try to predict what the story could be about and write down your predictions. Now listen to the story. Were you right? What family value did the painter forget about?

Ex.30 Give the English equivalents for the following Russian phrases:

1. строгий опекун

2. старший брат (2 варианта)

3. дальний родственник

4. проблема отцов и детей

5. слушаться взрослых

6. унаследовать внешность и характер

7. повлиять на личность

8. неизбежный результат

9. осыпать внука любовью

10. через поколение

11. привлекать внимание

12. взаимоуважение и ответственность

13. современные семьи разбросаны

14. устанавливать правила

15. воспитывать детей

16. чувствовать себя брошенным

17. знать историю своей семьи

18. неполные семьи

19. не зависеть от родителей

20. жить вместе вне брака

21. быть предоставленным самому себе

22. обратиться за советом

23. разделить радость и горе

24. любить бескорыстно

25. обращаться друг с другом

26. по линии матери

27. быть названным в честь кого-то

28. упустить хорошую возможность

29. составить семейное древо

30. узнать о своих предках

31. быть кровными родственниками

32. злая мачеха

33. настоящая свекровь

34. перемены в структуре среднестатистической семьи

35. количество разводов

36. быть терпимым к

37. предыдущие отношения

38. бездетные пары

39. материальные трудности

40. общими усилиями

41. иметь возможность уединиться

42. жаловаться друг на друга

43. быть похожими

44. В чём сходство?

45. быть в центре внимания

46. ладить друг с другом

47. ухаживать за пожилыми членами семьи

48. почитать своих родителей

49. порода собаки

50. оставлять без присмотра

Ex.31 Translate the sentences:

1. Современные семьи разбросаны по всей стране: кто уезжает на работу, кто – на учебу, но семейные традиционные праздники - хороший повод для совместных встреч.

2. Моя младшая сестренка избалована. Она эгоистичная и самоуверенная. Все внимание родителей достается ей.

3. Сама суть семьи меняется, все больше и больше детей рождаются вне брака.

4. Как правило, женщины живут дольше, и после смерти супруга остаются одни.

5. Многие мне завидуют, потому что я могу делиться своими проблемами и переживаниями со своим старшим братом.

6. Большинство разведенных вновь вступают в брак и вместе воспитывают детей.

7. Старший ребенок в семье пользуется бόльшей свободой. Но в тоже время ему приходится много помогать родителям по дому.

8. Когда моя младшая сестра появилась на свет, я чувствовал себя брошенным и очень завидовал ей. Я пытался привлечь к себе внимание, делая глупые вещи, например, щипал сестру.

9. Неполные семьи довольно-таки часто встречаются в наши дни. Многие родители, в основном женщины, воспитывают детей одни, без супруга.

10. Хорошо, что ты знаешь историю своей семьи. А я, к сожалению, ничего не знаю о своих предках. – Попробуй построить «семейное дерево», и ты узнаешь о своем происхождении и обо всех родственниках со стороны мамы и папы.

11. Если ты единственный ребенок в семье, то контроль со стороны родителей неизбежен. Ты все время будешь с ними ссориться из-за того, во сколько тебе приходить домой, что одеть, отправляясь на прогулку, что нужно есть на завтрак.

12. Каждое поколение стремится к независимости от своих родителей. Большие семьи не популярны в наши дни.

13. Современное общество стало более терпимо и к молодым людям, живущим вместе вне брака, и к женщинам, рожающим детей без мужа.

14. Положение моего старшего брата в семье можно назвать привилегированным, потому что он устанавливал правила для младших братьев и сестер.

15. Родители работали допоздна, и он был предоставлен сам себе.

16. В соответствии с последними исследованиями, хозяйства, объединяющие три поколения, уходят в прошлое.

17. Чем старше становятся дети, тем больше они похожи на своих родителей внешне, но тем больше отличаются их интересы. – Я полностью согласна с тобой. Проблема отцов и детей – неизбежна.

18. Не всем детям достается внимание, забота и любовь родителей. В наши дни очень много сирот.

19. Близнецы обычно рождаются через поколение, не так ли? – Мои друзья – близняшки. А у их бабушки есть сестра-близнец.

20. Чтобы привлечь внимание родителей, маленькие дети очень часто плачут.

21. Тинэйджерам всегда кажется, что родители обращаются с ними, как с детьми.

22. Она невероятно болтлива. Меня достали ее бесконечные рассказы о бесчисленных кузинах, племянниках, племянницах, двоюродных бабушках и золовках.

23. Держать дома животное – большая ответственность. Нужно быть готовым к тому, что щенок будет грызть ножки стола, а котенок – царапать обои и мягкую мебель.

24. Когда родилась моя сестра, отношение родителей ко мне изменилось. Во всяком случае, мне так казалось.

25. Существует огромное количество чистокровных пород собак, но многие люди с радостью держат дворняжек, которых считают очень умными и преданными.

26. За кошками легче ухаживать. Их не надо выгуливать, их можно научить пользоваться кошачьим туалетом. И все-таки, подумайте дважды, прежде чем завести котенка.

27. Я завидую своему старшему брату. Он лидер, и мне приходится во всем подчиняться ему.

28. У вас большая семья? – Нет, нас всего трое: папа, мама и я. Нет, четверо. Хотя я единственный ребенок в семье, но Рекса тоже можно считать членом семьи. У нас четыре члена семьи.

29. Когда в семье, наконец, появляется первый ребенок, родители, дедушки и бабушки обрушивают всю любовь и ласку на него. Результат неизбежен - ребенок будет избалован.

30. Во многих больших семьях подростки не имеют права голоса. Родители решают все: планируют и семейный бюджет, и режим дня подростка.

31. Хочу я или нет, но мне приходится донашивать вещи за моими старшими братьями. Родители очень редко покупают мне новые вещи. Это несправедливо.

32. Когда я была подростком, бабушкины советы меня всегда раздражали. Но теперь я поняла, они помогли мне избежать многих неприятностей.

33. Выработайте в себе привычку не разбрасывать книжки по комнате, вешать одежду в шкаф, класть грязные вещи в корзину для белья, убирать кружки и тарелки на кухню, и мама не будет сердиться на вас.

34. Старшие дети несут ответственность за младших братьев и сестер. Младшие должны уважать старших и во всем их слушаться.

35. Проблема отцов и детей неизбежна. Родители не могут понять нас. Нам хочется повисеть где-нибудь в кафе с друзьями, потратить деньги на дискотеку или модные джинсы, а родителей интересует только, что нового мы узнали в институте.

 

Ex.32 Talking points

1. Describe a typical Russian family. Are there any changes in the structure of the family?

2. Discuss advantages and disadvantages of living in an extended family.

3. Tell your partner about three most important relatives in your life. Do you take after them in appearance and character?

4. How close are you to the members of your family?

5. What in your opinion is an ideal family?

6. What is your position in the family? How does it affect your personality?

7. Do teenage years always lead to misunderstanding between children and parents? Who are to blame?

8. Have you got a pet? Whose responsibility is it? What things should one consider before getting a pet?

9. You are going to a birthday party of your groupmate. Discuss the possibility to present him with a dog or a parrot.

10. What is your earliest memory of your family life?

 

VOCABULARY

Family relationships: relatives/to be related by blood/by marriage/by birth, close/distant relatives, ancestor, (great-)grandparents, grandson/daughter, great- aunt/uncle, niece, nephew, (second) cousin, wife/husband, godfather/mother, half brother/sister, stepmother/father/sister/brother, son/daughter…, (identical) twins, to skip a generation, on someone’s side, in-laws: sister/ mother/ daughter…- in-law

Describing family: single, married, widow, widower, bachelor, spinster, orphan, guardian, to adopt, to be married to sb, to be named after sb, to bring up, (blended, extended, nuclear, single-parent) family, to find out about sth, to get on, to grow up, household, to outlive, to scatter, to take after sb in sth, to take the responsibility, to trace back, be … years sb’s junior/senior | be sb’s junior/senior (by … years)

Describing the position of a child:to affect the personality, to feel left out, to be spoilt, naughty, lazy, ambitious, to get one’s full (special) attention, to attract (draw) one’s attention, to lavish one’s time (care, love etc) on sb, inevitable, to hand down, to treat sb like…, to live up to one’s expectations, to be overshadowed, to take responsibility for sth, to be independent, to get (win) back one’s attention

 

Family microclimate: to be tolerant of, strict, thoughtful, to advise sb about sth, appreciation, to get into the habit, to hang out with sb, to have sb doing sth, to have power to do sth, to have (no) say in …, (im)mature, to make a contribution, mutual, to push sb around, to set one’s mind to doing sth, to splash out, to stay out of trouble, to stay off drugs

Pets:companionship, commitment, adorable, cute, homeless, on spontaneous decision, additional expense/patience, follow pet-keeping rules, feeding, veterinarian, pure-bred, to think twice, to accept responsibility, animal-proof, leave unsupervised, sit on the lap

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