1 In small groups, look at memes A–D about different generations. What characteristics are they joking about? Are the jokes fair?
Suggested answers
A They are suggesting Baby boomers have an easy time.
B They are suggesting Gen X are old-fashioned.
C They are suggesting Millenials are indecisive. D They are suggesting Gen Z are too sensitive. Students’ own answers.
2 Listen to a radio phone-in programme about three diff erent generations and make notes.
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Baby boomers (born 1946–1964 |
Generation X (born 1965– 1980) |
Millennials (born 1981– 2000) |
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Events which influenced them |
Born not long after World War 2 |
Fall of the Berlin Wall |
The health pandemic |
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Attitude towards work |
Work harder than any other generation |
Work hard, but also want a good work-life balance |
Work the hardest – less holiday, longer hours |
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Personality characteristics |
Determined and resourceful |
Value freedom, very independent |
People say they are selfish and entitled |
3 Study the Speaking box. Then listen again and tick the phrases you hear.
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SPEAKING| Generalising |
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Talking about what is generally true ü On the whole, … □In general, … □In some/many/most cases, … □Broadly speaking, … ü By and large, … □ More often than not, … ü Nine times out of ten, … □90 percent of the time, … □To some/a great extent, … □ … tend to think/say/believe … □There’s a tendency for … to … Acknowledging that you are generalising ü This is a bit of a sweeping statement, but … □I may be overgeneralising, but … □ You might think this is an overgeneralisation, but |
4 Rewrite the sentences as generalisations using the words in brackets.
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Generation Z (or Gen Z): people born from 2001 onwards (1) Generation Z spend a lot of time online. (general) |
1 In general, Generation Z spend a lot of time online.
2 On the whole, they know how to make the best of social media.
3 They tend to take offence very easily.
4 Nine times out of ten, they have an entrepreneurial spirit.
5 In some/many/most cases, they like getting a bargain.
6 To a great/some extent, they are into experiences rather than material possessions.
5 In pairs, discuss the questions and prepare a short presentation about your generation.
1 Do you feel you belong to Generation Z?
2 Do you agree with the generalisations about Generation Z in Exercise 4? Say why.
3 Can you think of any generalisations that people make about other generations?
Students’ own answer
6 REFLECT | Society How can society overcome generation gaps?
Students’ own answers