1 In pairs, ask and answer the questions.
1- Look at the photos. What are the benefits of being from a small/large family?
2- What do you think are the good and bad things about being an only child?
Students’ own answers
2 THINK BACK Look at the phrases describing ways of behaving towards other people. Are these positive or negative things to do? Can you add any other phrases?
| empathise with somebody fall out with somebody give somebody a compliment let somebody down lose your temper make fun of somebody/something make up with somebody put up with somebody/something talk behind somebody’s back |
Positive: empathise with somebody, give somebody a compliment, make up with somebody
Negative: fall out with somebody, let somebody down, lose your temper, make fun of somebody/something, put up with somebody/something, talk behind somebody’s back.
3 Match the definitions 1–9 with the phrases for ways of behaving from the box.
| be the peacemaker blow things out of proportion burst into tears have a go at somebody make a fuss of somebody mess about show off tell somebody off wind somebody up |
1 to say things in order to annoy somebody wind somebody up
2 to react as if what has happened is much worse than it is blow things out of proportion
3 to try and impress somebody show off
4 to suddenly start crying burst into tears
5 to behave in a silly way mess about
6 to criticise someone have a go at somebody
7 to give someone a lot of attention make a fuss of somebody
8 to help other people resolve an argument be the peacemaker
9 to speak to somebody angrily about something wrong that they have done tell somebody of
4 SPEAKING In pairs, talk about how you get on with members of your family. Do you think being the oldest, youngest or middle child, or an only child, affects your personality?
Students’ own answers
| A When I was little, my parents were forever telling me off about the things I’d done. I was quite naughty and I used to mess about from time to time, sure. I mean, there was one time when I dressed up in my dad’s clothes and went down the High Street pretending to be him! It was hilarious, but my parents didn’t get the joke. They took it way too seriously and blew it completely out of proportion. I really wasn’t that bad as a child! |
| B My brother is always showing off. I’m not sure he even realises he’s doing it. He’ll go on and on about how great he’s doing at school, and everyone always makes a big fuss of him. It really winds me up, but if I say anything, my parents tell me I’m being jealous. It’s not fair |
| C My brother gets attention for being great at school, and my sister is the clown of the family. Me? I’m not really sure what my role is. I’m certainly the peacemaker when my brother and sister argue. They’re really loud and emotional, whereas I tend to keep my emotions to myself, really. I don’t burst into tears easily or start shouting. |
5 Read the short texts. Which one describes an only or oldest child, a middle child, and a youngest child? Go to page 95 to check your ideas.
Text A describes a typical youngest child – they are usually rebellious and a bit naughty.
Text B describes a typical older child (or only child) – they are high achievers and want to please their parents.
Text C describes a typical middle child – they don’t have such clear typical characteristics, but tend to be quieter and more inward-looking than their siblings; they are often good at negotiating.
► Past and present habits
6 Look at the examples showing two forms which can be used to talk about past and present habits. Find more examples of such forms in the texts in Exercise 5.
Habits in the present
My brother is always showing off.
Habits in the past
When I was little, my parents were forever telling me off.
Habits in the present: realises he’s doing it, he’s doing at school, I’m being jealous
Habits in the past: I was quite naughty, I really wasn’t that bad
7 PRONUNCIATION Listen to sentences about present and past habits. Does each speaker sound neutral (N) or annoyed (A)? How does the intonation change?
1 A 5 N
2 N 6 A
3 N 7 A
8 Look at sentences a–d and complete rules 1–3 with used to or would.
a As a child, I used to spend my weekends playing with my friends. We would play all day together.
b I was an only child and I used to feel bored at home on my own.
c On Saturdays, I would go swimming with my dad.
d I used to get up early when I was younger, but I nearly always have a lie-in now.
1 We often use 1 used to set the scene, and then, when the time reference is clear, we can use 2 would for other examples of past habitual behaviour.
2 We DON’T use 3 would to describe a past state.
3 We use 4 used to to talk about a past state or a situation that doesn’t happen any longer.
9 Complete the short text with used to or would. Sometimes both are possible.
When he was younger, Hamzah 1 used to play basketball. (setting the scene and a habit) He 2 used to (state) be quite tall for his age, but then all the other boys caught up. In fact, his younger brother, who 3 used to (state) be tiny, is now quite a bit taller than him. Hamzah 4 used to (state) be the best player in the basketball team, but now he prefers football!
10 VALUES Why is it important not to make fun of people? Discuss in pairs.
It is not kind or funny. We are all different and that should not be important.