1. Before listening to the text “An Arranged Marriage” study the following vocabulary.

arrange v	организовывать
family background	происхождение, семейное положение
chaperon n	компаньонка, спутница, сопровождающая молодую девушку
integrate v	объединять, вливаться, интегрировать
persuade v	убедить
private tuition	частное (домашнее) обучение

2. While listening to the text find the answers to the following questions.

1. At what age did the speaker get married?

2. What were the advantages and disadvantages of the two men the speaker’s father saw?

3. Why was the second young man badly dressed when he came to the house of his future wife?

4. What preceded the marriage?

5. How are the parents planning the future of their two sons?

6. What is the speaker’s opinion about the system of arranged marriages in India?

3. Discuss in groups.

1. Would you like to be chosen for your husband by his relatives?

2. Would you like your parents to choose a husband for you? Why/why not?

3. Do you agree that arranged marriages are a success because the partners “do not expect too much”?

General discussion

1. Give arguments for and against the following statements. Discuss them. For further ideas and information read the supplementary texts at the end of the Unit.

• A lot of careers and job opportunities are still heavily based on gender.

• A mother’s place is in the home.

• The main “killer” of marriage is the development of personality.

• The majority of love marriages end up in failures.

• It is a good wife who makes a good husband.

• The high rate of divorce reflects the true level of marital breakdown and women’s independence.

• It is time to tighten the divorce law.

• Women are really second-rate citizens and should be treated as such.

• An arranged marriage is the key to family happiness.

• Men need liberation too.

2. Role-play.

1. Imagine that you are a member of the organising committee of an international Women’s conference. Write down the problems to be raised and discussed at the conference. Exchange your opinions with the other members of the group.

2. Role-play this conference, electing the chairperson and the spokespeople in the problems you are going to discuss.

Writing

1. Write a report to be made at an international conference about the status of women in your country.

2. Make up a list of arguments and counter-arguments to be used in a talk-show “Gender equality: myth or reality?”

3. Write a letter to the editor of the magazine that published the article “The qualities to look for in a wife”. Support the author’s viewpoint or criticize him and the editor for publishing this article.

4. Imagine you are a social worker. Write a newspaper article under the heading “Women and Work” in which you outline your reasons why women with babies should/should not be in the workforce.