Interview with a 17-year-old son David

Interviewer: How do you get on with your parents?

David: I look up to them because (1) ... .

Interviewer: How strict are your parents?

David: They can be very strict at times. I told my Dad I wanted a motorbike, but he said it was out of the question – (2) ... . My mother is strict about keeping things tidy. I can’t get out of doing the washing up and things like that, unless I’m very busy.

Interviewer: How do you get on with your sister?

David: (3) ... , so we are always arguing. We’ve never been very close, but I get on all right with her. I think I’m much closer to my mother.

1. a) I’m afraid to be punished if I do anything wrong.

b) I know they’ve worked hard to bring us properly.

c) I can’t do what I like.

2. a) it wasn’t expensive enough

b) I can’t ride it very fast

c) it was too dangerous

3. a) I’ve always been very kind to her

b) I never agree with what she says

c) We always see eye to eye on many things

Make a small talk about people’s character and appearance.

1. You will like him if you get to know him better as he is ...

2. He is the kind of man you go for at once ... .

3. He’s got a bunch of bad habits ... .

4. She/he is everything I (dis)like in a woman(man) ... .

5. His brother looks a bit stern but ... .

6. He is not the kind of person you will like at first sight but ... .

7. When you meet her, the first thing you notice is ... .

8. The girl is a little unbalanced but ... .

18. Expand the following dialogues.

1. A: John, could you do me a favour?

B: Sure. Go ahead.

A: I need to send a couple of books to a friend of mine in London. I’ve heard you’re going there tomorrow. If you could take the books with you, he would meet you at the airport.

B: No problem. But how can I recognize him?

A: ... .

2. A: Who is the young man in the picture?

B: Oh, this is Frank Howard, William’s son?

A:I don’t think he took after his father.

B: No, he didn’t. He is a replica of his mother. Have you met her?

A: ... .

3. A:Bob, what do you think of Mary’s brother?

B: He has got a good sense of humour. It’s a lot of fun to be with him.

A: But he is a very ambitious guy.

B: Do you consider ambition to be a good trait?

A:… .

4. A: It’s not necessary to be beautiful to be liked by people.

B: That’s true. Look at film stars. Some of them are not good-looking at all, but they are so charming that everybody adores them. For example...

19. Work in groups.

Do you think that the proverb “Appearances are deceptive” is correct? Ask your partner’s opinion. Let him/her explain why he/she thinks so.

20. Give your own ideas on the following problems.

1.”The situation of our youth is not mysterious. Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them. They must, they have no other models.” (James Baldwin)

2. Children should be allowed to make decisions about their lives. If they make mistakes, they can learn from them.

3. Give a child his will and he will turn ill.

4. Parents should show love and affection towards their children.

5. Children should always be told why they are being asked to do anything.

6. “Every generation revolts against its fathers and makes friends with its grandfathers.” (Lewis Mumford)

21. Comment on the following statements:

1. In any nation, the same variety of character types is represented.

2. There’s no such thing as ‘national character’.

3. Face is a letter of recommendation.

4. A beauty lives an easier life.

5. “It is a wise father that knows his own child.” (W.Shakespeare)

Look at the network of the topic and tell your groupmates about yourself and your family supplying the necessary information.