Practical English: Real Life Communication

2. Family and Relationships

Family Members

· husband – муж

· wife – жена

· parents – родители

· father – отец

· mother – мать

· dad – папа

· mom – мама

· child – ребенок

· children – дети

· baby – грудной ребенок

· son – сын

· daughter – дочь

· grandfather – дедушка

· grandmother – бабушка

· granny, grandma – бабушка (informal)

· grandson – внук

· granddaughter – внучка

· brother – брат

· sister – сестра

· older brother – старший брат

· younger brother – младший брат

· older sister – старшая сестра

· younger sister – младшая сестра

· sibling – брат или сестра

· cousin – двоюродный брат/сестра

· nephew – племянник

· niece – племянница

· a family of two/three/four/five, etc. people – семья из двух, трех… пяти человек

· wedding – свадьба

· fiancé – жених (male)

· fiancée – невеста (female) (The accent is important)

· ex-husband – бывший муж

· ex-wife – бывшая жена

Relationships & Actions

· to fall in love with someone – влюбиться в кого-л.

· to meet a man / a woman – встретить мужчину / женщину

· to date a guy / a girl – встречаться с парнем/девушкой

· to get married – жениться, выйти замуж

· to live together – жить вместе

· to move in together – съехаться

· to quarrel, to argue (is more common in spoken English) – ссориться

· to reconcile with with someone, to make up with someone – помириться с кем-л.

· to make peace – помириться

· to break up – расстаться

· to divorce – развестись

· to stay/to remain friends – остаться друзьями

Friendship & Relationship Expressions

· to reach out to someone – обратиться к кому-то

· to forgive and forget – простить и забыть

· to make amends – загладить вину

· to be open-minded – быть открытым к новым идеям

· to offer support – предложить поддержку

· to express gratitude – выразить благодарность

· to build a friendship – строить дружбу

· to resolve conflicts – разрешать конфликты

· to strengthen a relationship – укреплять отношения

· to show appreciation – проявлять признательность

· to spend quality time – проводить время с пользой

· to offer advice – предложить совет

· to celebrate milestones – отмечать важные события

· to support each other – поддерживать друг друга

· to communicate openly – открыто общаться

· to express feelings – выражать чувства

1. I come from a small family; I am an only child.…

2. He fell in love with a girl who is a year older than him.…

3. He met the woman of his dreams when he was 40 years old.…

4. They have been dating for a long time and are planning to get married soon.…

5. He married a beautiful woman.…

6. She married an intelligent man.…

7. They had a secret wedding.…

8. They live together and have a strong understanding of each other, but they don’t wish to get married.…

9. Many couples argue from time to time, but they usually make up quickly.

10. They are considering breaking up due to frequent conflicts.…

11. My friend and her husband are getting a divorce because they can’t live together; they struggle to understand each other.…

12. After their divorce, they remained friends.…

1

1. How would you describe the size of the family in the picture?

2. Are there any relatives or grandparents present in addition to parents and children?

3. Which family member appears to be the oldest child, and which seems to be the youngest? How can you tell?

4. What specific activities are the family members doing? Are they all involved in the same activity, or are some doing something different?

5. Can you describe the setting of the scene? What clues in the picture tell you where they are?

6. From what you see, do the family members seem to enjoy spending time together? What details in the picture support your answer?

7. Are there any signs in the picture that suggest how well the family members understand or communicate with each other?

8. What can you tell about the relationships between family members? Are there any visible signs of affection or care?

9. Do you notice any tension or disagreement among the family members in the picture? What makes you think so?

10. After looking at the picture, would you prefer to have a big or small family? Explain your reasons using details from the image.

2

1. Can you tell me who the people in the picture are?

2. Do you know when they got married? Was it a long time ago or recently?

3. How long were they together before they got married?

4. Are they thinking about having children in the future?

5. From what you see, do they seem to have a good relationship with each other?

3

1. Do you know when they got married? Was it a recent event or some time ago?

2. Do you think they seem happy together? What in the picture makes you feel that way?

3. Do they have any children, or are they planning to have kids?

4. How well do they get along, in your opinion? Can you see any signs of their relationship in the picture?

5. When they argue, do you think one of them usually starts the fight? Who might it be, and why do you think so?

6. Do you believe they will stay together for a long time, or could they separate in the future? What makes you think so?

1. I’m her ……..……/……………, she is my mother.

2. Mother of my mother is my ………………………

3. Father of my father is my ………………………….

4. I’m his …………..…/….…….….., he is my grandfather.

5. My mother’s child is my …………..…………………….

6. We got married, we are …………………. and ……………………

7. We want to get married ………………….…………………………

1. They are divorcing.

2. They are quarrelling.

3. They are dating.

4. They are getting married.

5. They put up.

6. They live together.

7. They are breaking up.

8. They love each other.

9. They stay friends.

1. Excuse me, ma’am, are you married?

2. Why did you break up with your girlfriend?

3. Do you have any siblings?

4. Why do you still call your ex-husband?

5. When is your wedding?

6. Can I come to your wedding ceremony?

7. Do you live together?

8. As an only child, don’t you get bored?

– Oh, I’m sorry, but we are having a private ceremony, so it will be a small gathering.

– Not at all! I have a lot of friends, and we often spend time together.

– Our wedding is scheduled for next month.

– Yes, we live together and enjoy sharing our lives.

– Yes, I have a younger brother.

– We decided to part ways because we realized we didn’t understand each other anymore.

– No, I’m not married, and to be honest, I don’t have any plans to get married in the near future.

– We stayed friends after our divorce, and we still communicate occasionally.

1. We often spend ……………………………… together: we go to the movie theatre or a shopping mall every weekend. 2. They divorced, but after the ……………………….. they …………………………. friends. 3. She gets ………………………….. with her boyfriend. 4. They quarrel all the time, they don’t …………………………………… each other. 5. They divorced, but her ……………………………………. sometimes calls her. 6. They never quarrel, they …………………………………………. each other. 6. After the divorce his …………………………………….. got back to her parents 7. They have a big family, they have 3 children. This is ………………………………… (how many people).

Maria: What are you going to do for Christmas holidays?

Amanda: I think I’m just going to stay home and take it easy. What about you?

Maria: I’m going to my hometown and spend the holidays with my family.

Amanda: That sounds nice. What’s your hometown?

Maria: Vladivostok. My family still lives there.

Amanda: Do you have any siblings?

Maria: I have an elder brother and an elder sister.

Amanda: So, you’re the baby of the family?

Maria: Yeah. How many people are there in your family?

Amanda: I’m the only child. I don’t have any brothers or sisters. Do you get along well with your brother and sister?

Maria: We used to fight a lot when we were young. Now we get along well.

Amanda: What did you fight about?

Maria: My brother was such a mama’s boy. He always got more toys than me and I used to take them from him.

Amanda: Really? In the States the baby of the family is always spoiled.

Maria: Wow! How lucky. I wish it were the same here!

Amanda: Anyway, I hope you have a great time at home!

Maria: Thanks. You too.

Take it easy – relax. This can also be used when saying good-bye to someone. «Bye John. Take it easy.»

Baby of the family – the youngest brother or sister in a family.

Get along with – to have a good relationship or be friendly with someone.

Fight – to quarrel, to argue.

Spoiled – a child who always gets what he or she wants from parents.

Mama’s boy – a boy whose mother takes too much care of him.

Daddy’s girl – a girl whose father takes too much care of her.

Tomboy – a girl who behaves like a boy.

Bully – an aggressive child, a child who picks everyone on, who finds fault with other kids.

1. What are Maria and Amanda going to do for the holidays?

2. How many brothers and sisters does Maria have?

3. How big is Amanda’s family?

4. Does Maria get along well with her brother?

5. Is Maria the baby of the family? Is she spoiled?

Example:

• Tom and Helen are dating. They have been dating for a year. – They understand each other and they want to get married. They are college students. Tom is about to graduate and Helen is a fourth-year student. They are planning their wedding after the graduation.

• James and Christina are husband and wife. They quarrel every day. ………

• John and Nina are fiancés. They love each other. ……

• Pete and Kate are married. They have two children. ……

• Lee and Lisa are dating. They live together, but they want to break up ………

• Mike fell in love with Stacey, but she doesn’t want to get married. ……

Questions:

1. How many people are there in your family?

2. What is your family like? Can you describe your family?

3. Do you get along with your siblings? If not, why?

4. Would you like to get married in the future?

5. Do you want to have children? If so, how many?

6. Is it possible to have a family while pursuing a career?

7. Is it acceptable to marry someone who: a) doesn’t work; b) earns less than you?

8. In your opinion, does «family» represent happiness, joy, partnership, or does it involve hard work, problems, and conflicts?

9. Why do you think people get divorced?

10. How do people in your country view divorce?

11. In your opinion, is it acceptable to move in together before marriage?

12. Do you agree or disagree with the idea that love fades after marriage?

13. Would you prefer to have a spouse or a pet?

14. What were your dreams as a child? Did you want to:

– get married

– have children

– pass the examination for your school-leaving certificate

– get a driver’s license

– leave your parents and start your own life

– have the right to vote

Answers:

• There are many women who start their own businesses after getting married and having their first child.

• I believe it can mean both happiness and conflicts. Both partners need to work on their relationship.

• I would prefer to get a pet first; a husband is next on my wish list!

• I fight a lot with my sister. We always want to use the bathroom at the same time, and she often borrows my clothes without asking.

• I’ve never really thought about it. I guess I could see myself having one or two children, just like most people!

• In my family, there are five people: my parents, my brother, my sister, and me.

• I would never marry someone who is unemployed. I might consider dating someone with a lower income, but I wouldn’t take it too seriously.

• It’s possible now, but it used to be considered indecent to live together before official marriage.

• I wouldn’t like to get married just yet. I want to graduate first, find a decent job, and maybe get a cat.

• I disagree with the idea that love disappears after marriage. My parents are happily married and have been together all their lives.

• My family is quite lively. My brother often teases our sister, which makes her run to our mom in tears, and then he gets punished. So, I don’t need a TV; there’s always some drama at home! 😄

• People generally don’t care if you’re divorced, single, or in a relationship.

In the modern world, the phrase «a husband earns money, a wife raises children» is no longer as relevant. Women want to serve in the army, participate in powerlifting, and repair cars. Meanwhile, men dream of raising children, cooking, and working in design. Over the past ten years, the distinction between male and female occupations has become less pronounced. The world is changing, and people are changing too. Most men now believe that a father should actively participate in raising his children. Women don’t want to stay at home either. It’s better to raise a child together, as this allows the child to receive love and care from both mom and dad.

1. List three activities that women are interested in doing, according to the text.

2. What are some things that men dream of doing?

3. How has the distinction between male and female occupations changed over the past ten years?

4. What do most men now believe about a father’s role in the family?

5. Do women want to stay at home?

6. Why is it considered better for both parents to raise a child together?

7. Would you like to raise your children together with your husband or wife?

Annie’s Mailbox

Daughters on dad’s side

Dear Annie: Ten years ago, just before our 20th anniversary, my husband said he wanted to «separate for a while.» Actually, he wanted a divorce and wasn’t interested in doing anything to save our marriage. Then he lost his job, so we were stuck together for another two years. Finally, I moved out. Now I think I shouldn’t have left the house, because it looked like I initiated the divorce. I thought our teenage daughters would feel welcome in both homes, but it didn’t work out that way. They stayed with Dad. I remarried three years ago, and my daughters did not attend the wedding.

My girls are now grown adults, and their birthdays are next week. Their father has invited me to join them for a birthday dinner, but my husband was not invited. Part of me thinks my children should come first, but the other part says they’re old enough to accept my husband and allow us to celebrate together. Every holiday, I’ve been torn between my husband and my daughters. What should I do? – Mom and Wife

Dear Mom and Wife: Of course your daughters are old enough to know better, but they are still little children when it comes to their parents. Please do what you can to maintain a relationship with them. Go to a birthday dinner or any other holiday without your husband. And be sure to let your husband know how much you appreciate his cooperation and understanding.

1. What did her husband ask for?

2. Did he want to save the marriage?

3. Why did they stay together for two years?

4. Who left the house first?

5. Did they explain everything to their daughters?

6. Who did they choose to stay with?

7. Did she get married again?

8. Did the daughters accept their mother’s new husband?

9. What advice did Annie give her?

Example: anniversary – This year we celebrate our wedding anniversary. On their tenth wedding anniversary they threw a huge party. My parents celebrated their golden anniversary.

To separate…

To be interested in doing smth – …

To attend -…

To accept – …

To maintain -…

1. Translate to your native language. Переведите на родной язык.

1. I come from a small family; I am an only child.

2. He fell in love with a girl who is a year older than him.

3. He met the woman of his dreams when he was 40 years old.

4. They have been dating for a long time and are planning to get married soon.

5. He married a beautiful woman.

6. She married an intelligent man.

7. They had a secret wedding.

8. They live together and have a strong understanding of each other, but they don’t wish to get married.

9. Many couples argue from time to time, but they usually make up quickly.

10. They are considering breaking up due to frequent conflicts.

11. My friend and her husband are getting a divorce because they can’t live together; they struggle to understand each other.

12. After their divorce, they remained friends.

2. Restore the English variant using the sentences you’ve translated. Восстановите английский вариант, используя переведенные вами предложения.

3. My day

1. to wake up – просыпаться

2. to get up – вставать

3. to sleep late – спать допоздна

4. to oversleep – проспать

5. to go jogging – пойти на пробежку

6. to do morning exercises – делать зарядку

7. to take a shower – принимать душ

8. to take a bath – принимать ванну

9. to brush one’s teeth – чистить зубы

10. toothbrush – зубная щетка

11. toothpaste – зубная паста

12. sponge – мочалка

13. to wash one’s hands with soap – мыть руки с мылом

14. to wash one’s hair with shampoo – мыть голову шампунем

15. to shave – бриться

16. razor – бритва

17. to dry oneself with a towel – вытираться полотенцем

18. to blow-dry one’s hair – сушить волосы феном

19. hairdryer – фен

20. to comb one’s hair – расчесывать волосы

21. to brush one’s hair – расчесывать волосы

(«to brush one’s hair» means расчесывать волосы, not укладывать волосы. «To style one’s hair» = укладывать волосы)

22. comb – расческа

23. to put on make-up – делать макияж

24. to put on one’s clothes / to get dressed – одеваться

25. to get ready – собираться

26. to be in a hurry – спешить

27. to be late – опаздывать

28. to arrive on time – приходить вовремя

29. to go to work / to go to school – идти на работу / на занятия

30. to leave for work – уходить на работу

31. to catch a 7 o’clock bus/train – сесть на 7-часовой автобус / поезд

32. to come back / to return – возвращаться

– home from work – с работы домой

– home from school – с занятий домой

– home from university – из университета домой

33. to relax / to rest – отдыхать

34. to do homework – делать домашнее задание

35. to go for a walk – гулять

36. to go to the gym – идти в спортзал

37. to work out – заниматься спортом

38. to walk the dog – гулять с собакой

39. to watch TV – смотреть телевизор

40. to listen to music – слушать музыку

41. to read a book/magazine – читать книгу/журнал

42. to play computer games – играть в компьютерные игры