Families have a great-great future

Twenty years ago, the typical 1) … was “wide”. It usually consisted of two or three generations, with many children in each “nuclear family”. People had lots of aunts and uncles but often didn’t know their 2) ... . However according to a new study by the British research group Mintel, the family is changing shape. The family groups of the future will be “long and thin”, with three or four small generations.

Here are some of their predictions:

1. 
   Most children will know their great-grandparents, and even 3) … , because people are living longer.
   
2. 
   Very few children will have brothers or sisters, and it will be common to be an 4) … . As a result, future generations will not have many 5) … either.
   
3. 
   Many children will grow up isolated from other children and young adults. This will make them more selfish and introverted.
   
4. 
   More 6) … will divorce and re-marry, some more than once. They may have children with their new partners, so more children will have a 7) … or stepfather and 8) … or sisters.
   
5. 
   There will be many “boomerang children”. These are children who leave home to get married, but then divorce and return to live with their parents.
   
6. 
   There will be more 9) … .
   
7. 
   Because houses are now so expensive, different generations will decide to live together, so parents, grandparents and adult children may co-own their houses, and many couples will have to live with their 10) … .
   

b. Match the words in the box from ex. 3. a. with the definitions.

a. your grandparents’ parents

b. a child who doesn’t have any brothers or sisters

c. families where the mother or father is bringing up the children on his / her own

d. your uncle’s or aunt’s children

e. the family of your husband / wife

f. all your relatives including aunts, grandparents, etc.

g. your grandparents’ grandparents

h. boys who have (for example) the same father with you but a different mother

i. the new wife of your father

j. people who are having a relationship

c. In pairs, or small groups, answer the 3 questions for each prediction. Prove your answers.

1. Is this already happening in your country?

2. Do you think it will happen in the future?

3. Do you think it will be a good thing or a bad thing?
Ex. 4. a. Who do you think knows you better, your family or your friends? Why?

Read the introduction to the article and answer the questions.

1. Who is Richard?

2. Who is Danny?

3. What do Richard’s mum and Danny try to do?

4. What does Richard have to do?

Who knows you better, your family or your friends?

In our weekly ‘test’ single people who are looking for a partner ask their mother and their best friend to help. Their mother chooses one partner and their best friend chooses another. The test is to see who can choose the best partner!

This week’s single man is Richard Taylor, a 26-year-old musician from Southampton. His mother Meg chooses one girl, and his best friend Danny chooses another. Then Richard goes on a date with each girl. Which girl does he prefer? Who knows him better, his mother or his best friend? Who chooses the right girl for him?

b. Now read what Richard says. Identify the following statements as T (true) or F (false) and correct the false ones. Prove your ideas.

1. He sometimes travels with his job.

2. He’s friendly and extrovert.

3. He likes music and parties.

4. He prefers women who talk a lot.

5. He doesn’t talk to his family about girls.

6. His mother doesn’t think he’s good at choosing girlfriends.

‘I usually work in England but sometimes I work abroad too. When I’m not working, I like going to the cinema and eating in nice restaurants. I’m not very sporty and I don’t do any exercise, but at least I don’t smoke.

I think I’m open and friendly – I get on well with most people – but I’m sometimes quite shy too. For example, I don’t like going to parties. I prefer to meet friends individually or in small groups.

I like intelligent, funny women who make me laugh, and ideally who love music. Physically I prefer women with dark hair who are not taller than me. And I like women who are good listeners.

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I’m sure that my friend Danny knows me better than my family because we often talk about girlfriends and the problems we have. I don’t usually talk to my family about that kind of thing. My mum always says that I look for the wrong kind of girl but that’s what mothers always say!’

c. Cover the text. In pairs, try to remember five things about Richard.

d. Look at the photos of Claire and Nina.

Who do you think is more Richard’s type? Why?

Track 2. e. Listen to Richard talking about what happened when he met Claire and Nina. Does he like them? What are the problems?

f. Now listen again and write down any adjectives or expressions that Richard uses to describe Claire and Nina.

g. Who knows Richard better, his mum or Danny? Are you surprised?

Track 3. Ex. 5. “What shall we do with Grandad?”

a. Think of the advantages and disadvantages of living with elderly relatives. Tell your ideas to your partner / group mates / teacher.

b. Listen to a man called James talking about an argument that he had with his sister, Kate. Find six actual errors.

James’ father became ill twelve years ago. He was 75 years old, and living alone at the time. One February James visited to find his father lying on the kitchen floor. His father had had a stroke, and spent two weeks in hospital to recover. James couldn’t look after his father as he was out at work all day. His sister Kate wouldn’t look after him. So when he came out he went into a nursing home. James visited his father at weekends, but Kate visited about once a month. Their father died of a heart attack five months later.

c. Listen to Kate’s side of the story. Find three reasons why Kate didn’t want to look after her father.

d. Work in pairs / groups. One student / group lists all the arguments for putting old people who are sick into nursing homes, the other student / group lists all the reasons why children should care for their sick parents.

Ex. 6. Describe your friend’s family.

You should say:

• 
  how many members there are in it and what they are;
  
• 
  how old they are and what they do for a living;
  
• 
  what the relations between them are.
  

Explain why family is important for people.

VI. APPEARANCE AND PERSONALITY

Ex. 1. a. Read the text, point out words and phrases that describe the members of the family.

My father’s a tall, muscular, attractive man. He has large hands and his feet are size 45. He has short, dark, curly hair and a small beard. His arms, legs and chest are hairy. He's a cheerful person and when he laughs, you can see even white teeth. He wears spectacles (glasses) and you can't see his eyes, but I know they are steel grey. He’s in his late forties. He usually wears jeans and checked shirts or sweaters. But for work he wears a suit and a tie and looks every inch a teacher.

My mother’s a very different person. She's in her mid-forties. She is short and plumpish. She has small hands and feet. She has long, straight, fair hair. She has dimples and rosy cheeks. She has long eyelashes which she darkens with mascara. She likes pink nail-varnish, high-heeled shoes and fashionable clothes.

---

My 20-year old sister likes to be well-dressed. She is incredibly beautiful. She uses lots of make-up, is always going to the hairdresser's and has fantastic hairstyles. She's tall and slim, with slender arms and elegant legs. Her full lips are always red. She is married and has a baby.

My baby nephew is still just a toddler; he can't speak yet, but he's very selfish and bores me.

My uncle is rather short and stout. His hair is grey and thin and he's bald on top. He's clean-shaven. He has a double chin. He's always immaculately dressed: a white shirt, a dark well-creased suit with a matching tie and black leather shoes.

Ex. 2. When we use more than one adjective before a noun, the order is:

quality / opinion	size	shape	colour	other adjectives	noun
beautiful	long		dark		hair
	big	square			glasses
a pretty				young	woman

---

a. Correct the word order where necessary.

1. 
   Sue's little daughter's got blue big eyes and blonde long hair.
   
2. 
   Kerry wore a very elegant, long, black dress to the theatre.
   
3. 
   Harry's got a grey short beard and a moustache.
   
4. 
   I saw some silver gorgeous earrings when I was shopping today.
   
5. 
   You know John - he's got short dark hair and he wears small round glasses.
   
6. 
   I always wear old casual clothes at home.
   
7. 
   Cindy’s tall, and she’s got pale beautiful skin.
   
8. 
   We saw a strange-looking old man waiting at the bus stop.
   

b. Put these descriptions in the correct order.

1. He’s a … man with … hair. (short, tall, fair, good-looking)

2. She’s a … woman with … hair. (tall, long, thin)

3. I’ve got … hair and I’m tall and very … . (thin, straight, black)

4. She’s very … with a … tan and … hair. (blonde, lovely, good-looking, long)

5. I wouldn’t describe my husband as … and … ! Short, overweight, and going thin on top is more accurate. (handsome, tall)
Ex. 3. Find 12 adjectives for describing appearance in the grid. And use them in the sentences below.

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10. s _ _ _

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12. t _ _ _ _ _

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1. Jane’s new boyfriend looks like a model. He is very … .

2. If you are going for an interview, you’d better make sure you look … .

3. I’m a bit … . I need to go on a diet.

4. I’m … , so I try to keep out of the sun completely.

5. Oh look! She is so … . How many months old is she?

6. She isn’t beautiful, but she isn’t ugly either. She’s just … .

7. You still have to be careful in the sun even if you’re … .

8. He looks really … in his designer clothes.

9. I always look so … . I really need to buy some new clothes.

10. Penny has got a lovely face and beautiful hair. She is very … .

11. I want to be … , but I just don’t seem to be able to lose weight.

12. I’m so short. I could never look … .
Ex. 4. Let one of the students give a very short description of the appearance of a person, male or female, you all know very well. Try to find out who that person is by asking questions as in the example. All those present are to take part in the game. You are allowed to ask any questions about appearance, hobbies, habits, interests, but the name and occupation.

e.g.: A: How old is she?

B: She's young, tall and slim.

A: Is her complexion rosy?

B: No, rather pale, I'd say.

A: She is blue-eyed, isn't she?

B: No, her eyes are dark.

A: And what about her nose?

B: She has a very nice turned-up nose.

A: Is her hair (does she wear her hair) long or short?

B: Her hair is short and straight.

A: Is she dark-haired?

B: Red.

A: It's Ann, isn't it?

B: No, it's not. You are mistaken. (That's right. You've guessed).
Ex. 5. a. Read the dialogue in pairs.

Phil: Did you watch that film last night on channel 4?

Rob: Which one? The one about a train hijacking?

P: Yeah, it had that bloke in it – you know, John what’s his name.

R: No. John who? What does he look like?

P: He is really tall and muscular – he looks a bit like a body-builder. He’s got a shaved head and a huge scar on his left cheek – you must know who I mean!

R: No, I don’t. Oh, hang on! Was he the one with the bushy eyebrows?

P: No, that was his friend. The guy I’m talking about has a crooked nose – it was probably broken in a fight. He’s got cauliflower ears, too – like a rugby player.

R: How old would he be?

P: About thirty, I suppose.

R: Did he have a beard?

P: Not exactly. More of a ‘five o’clock shadow’.

R: Oh, yeah, I know the one! He rescued that gorgeous blonde at the end.

P: I wouldn’t have minded being in his shoes, that’s for sure!

b. Find in the dialogue all the words / phrases used for describing a person.

c. Working in pairs make up a dialogue for the imaginary situation.

Your sister got married. Describe her new husband to your aunt who couldn’t be present at the wedding.
Ex. 6. a. Answer the pre-text questions.

1. Do you think our perception of the ideal face and figure has changes with the centuries? What makes you think so?

2. Do you think people’s idea of beauty is different in different cultures?

3. What sort of person do you find attractive?

4. Do you think the idea of beauty will be different in 2500?

b. Each heading below summarizes one of the paragraphs in the text. Read the text and match the headings to the correct paragraphs.

• 
  Ideas of beauty 200-300 years ago
  
• 
  The bigger the better
  
• 
  Pale is beautiful!
  
• 
  The importance of a long neck
  
• 
  The perfect modern woman
  
• 
  Showing your emotions
  
• 
  The world’s most handsome men
  

1. For many people, German-born supermodel Claudia Schiffer is the perfect beauty: tall and slim, blue-eyed, tanned and athletic-looking with long, blond hair. No wonder people have described her as 'The most beautiful woman in the world'.

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