top of page

Part 1

1. How do bonds between family members differ from bonds between friends? Which type of bond do you find stronger and why?


2. Childcare can be a challenging responsibility. What are some ways societies can better support parents in managing their childcare duties?


3. Are you part of a close-knit family? What advantages do you think a close-knit family has in comparison to a more distant one?


4. Companionship is an important aspect of relationships. Can you think of a person or a pet that has provided you with significant companionship?


5. In some cultures, the concept of extended family is prominent. Do you have a large extended family, and do you find it beneficial to have such a network of relatives?


6. What are some of the core family values that you were raised with? How have these values influenced your life decisions?


7. Who is someone you have in your life that provides you with support and/ or companionship?


8. Did you have someone  in your family who you looked up to when you were growing up? What qualities did they possess that you admired?

Part 2

9. How do you view the differences between a nuclear family and an extended family? Is the nuclear family much more important?


10. Do you have family members on your mother's or father's side that you're particularly close to? How often do you communicate with them?


11. How do you believe parents should provide for their children's needs? Is it solely financial, or does it extend to emotional and educational support as well?


12. Quality time is crucial for building strong family relationships. What activities provide a good way to spend quality time with your family?


13. What are some of the reasons why rifts occur in families? What can we do to stop them from occurring?


14. Sibling rivalry is a common occurrence in families. Can you share a personal experience related to sibling rivalry or competition?


15. Did you have a role model while growing up who helped shape your values and aspirations? How did they set a good example for you?


16. Do you think it’s important to have supportive siblings? Is it harder to be an only child?


17. Unconditional love is often associated with family relationships. Do you think you should always forgive family members, whatever they do?


18. Who do you take after in your family?

 VOCABULARY 

Topic Vocabulary:


bond (noun [c]):

Definition: A connection, relationship, or emotional tie between people.

Example: Strong family bonds are built through shared experiences and communication.


childcare (noun [u]):

Definition: The care and supervision of children, typically provided by someone other than their parents.

Example: Finding affordable and reliable childcare can be a challenge for working parents.


close-knit (adjective):

Definition: Having strong relationships, connections, and bonds between members of a group.

Example: My family is very close-knit, we always help each other out.


companionship (noun [u]):

Definition: The enjoyment of spending time with others, especially friends or family.

Example: Having a pet can provide us with companionship and love.


extended family (noun [u]):

Definition: Relatives like grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins who are not part of the nuclear family.

Example: My grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins are all part of my extended family.


family values (noun [pl]):

Definition: Valuing the traditional family situation where a mother, father and children all live together.

Example: Traditional family values are disappearing as single parent families become more widespread.


have [sb.] in your life (phrase):

Definition: To have someone present or involved in your life.

Example: Having my close friends in my life makes a big difference.


look up to (phrasal verb):

Definition: To have respect or admiration for someone.

Example: I really look up to my older brother, because he's always been so successful.


nuclear family (noun):

Definition: A family unit consisting of parents and their children.

Example: My nuclear family consists of my parents, my younger sister, and me.


on my mother's/ father's side(idiom):

Definition: Refers to relatives or family members related through either the mother or, alternatively, the father.

Example: All my relatives on my mother's side have dark hair.


provide for (phrasal verb):

Definition: To take care of someone's needs and wants.

Example: He provides for his wife and two kids.


quality time (noun [u]):

Definition: Spending special time with loved ones where you can make the relationship stronger.

Example: He makes time every evening to spend some quality time with his daughter.


rift (noun [c]):

Definition: A serious disagreement between individuals that causes a break in their relationship.

Example: A rift occurred in the family because of arguments over an inheritance.


rivalry (noun [c]):

Definition: Competition between siblings for attention, recognition, or affection.

Example: My brother and I are both competitive and there was some sibling rivalry when we were kids.


role model (noun [c]):

Definition: Someone who serves as an example to others, often in a positive way.

Example: My grandmother is my role model. She's had a tough life but always manages to stay positive.


set a good example (phrase):

Definition: To behave in a way that shows others the correct way to behave. 

Example: I want to lead a meaningful life and set a good example for my children.


sibling (noun [c]):

Definition: A brother or sister.

Example: My sister and I have been best friends since we were kids, we're very close siblings.


supportive (adjective):

Definition: Providing help and encouragement to others.

Example: I was lucky to have supportive parents who helped me to get a very good education.


take after (phrasal verb):

Definition: To resemble or have similar characteristics to someone, often a parent or relative.

Example: I take after my aunt. She's creative and artistic, just like me.


unconditional love (noun phrase):

Definition: When you love someone completely and without any conditions or expectations.

Example: A mother's love for her child is often said to be an example of unconditional love.

Exercise 1: Gap-fill Exercise

Fill in the blanks with the appropriate word or phrase from the list provided.


1. Growing up, I always admired my older sister. She was a ___________ for me and I wanted to be just like her.

2. Our family is very ___________, and we always make time to spend together.

3. My grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins all make up our ___________, and we have a big reunion every year.

4. It's important to ___________ and be there for them no matter what.

5. I don't have any ___________, I am an only child.

6. My parents taught me the importance of ___________.

7. Despite the efforts of the family to bring them closer, there was a deep ___________ between the two siblings.

8. My mother's ___________ of the family is from Italy, so I have a lot of relatives there.


extended family

side

siblings

close-knit

role mode

have somebody in your life

family values

rift


Exercise 2: Matching Exercise

Match the vocabulary with its corresponding definition.


1. Bonds

2. Childcare

3.  Close-knit

4. Extended family

5. Family values

6. Look up to

7. Provide for

8. Sibling

9. Supportive

10. Unconditional love


a. The care and supervision of children, typically provided by someone other than their parents.

b. A brother or sister.

c. A connection, relationship, or emotional tie between people.

d. To have respect or admiration for someone.

e. Valuing the traditional family situation where a mother, father and children all live together.

f. Providing help and encouragement to others.

g. Loving someone completely and without any conditions or expectations.

h. Relatives like grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins who are not part of the nuclear family.

i. Having strong relationships, connections, and bonds between members of a group.

j. To take care of someone's needs and wants.


Exercise 3: Multiple-Choice Exercise

Choose the best vocabulary word to complete each sentence.


1. My grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins make up my ___________.

a) nuclear family

b) extended family

c) close-knit


2. It's important to spend ___________ with your loved ones to build strong relationships.

a) quality time

b) money

c) effort


3. My parents have always been ___________ of me and encouraged me to pursue my dreams.

a) take after

b) supportive

c) look up to


4. Having a pet can provide us with ___________ and love.

a) companionship

b) rift

c) role model


5. She always tries to ___________ to her kids by being responsible and kind.

a) provide

b) take after

c) set a good example


6. The company provides free ___________ for employees with young children.

a) companionship

b) childcare

c) supportive


7. He has his father's sense of humour and has definitely ___________ him.

a) looked up to

b) taken after

c) supported


8. These days many ____________ families are made up of a couple with one child.

a) close-knit

b) extended

c) nuclear

Vocabulary Answer Key:

Exercise 1: 1. role model, 2. close-knit, 3. extended family, 4. have [sb.] in your life, 5. siblings, 6. family values, 7. rift, 8. side

Exercise 2: 1c, 2a, 3i, 4h, 5e, 6d, 7j, 8b, 9f, 10g

Exercise 3: 1b, 2a, 3b, 4a, 5c, 6b, 7b, 8c


Comments
Couldn’t Load Comments
It looks like there was a technical problem. Try reconnecting or refreshing the page.

Advanced Discussion Questions

 

3. Family

 SPEAKING 

bottom of page