7. Think of some advice you could give to

a) the daughter; b) the mother; c) the grandmother.

8. Fill in the right preposition or adverb.

1. She already knew it was no use appealing … her parents … mercy. 2. We are ... odds ... my daughter ... her future. 3. You were very rude … your mother yesterday. 4. They stood glaring … each other, waiting ... somebody to break the uncomfortable silence. 5. Though she was furious she tried to speak … her coldest tone. 6. He finds it hard to focus his thoughts … one thing longer than five minutes. 7. Audra had no chance to comment ... those accusations. 8. The girl cares … her parents enormously, despite what she says ... her friends. 9. There is no point ... continuing this conversation. 10. The woman who had been nervous and jumpy all that time suddenly burst … laughter.

(about; about; at; at; for; for; in; in; into; on; on; to; to; to; with)

9. Change the following sentences according to the model.

Model: Audra smiled at her wanly. - Audra gave her a wan smile.

1. She glanced at him fleetingly as she left. 2. The boy kicked the dog viciously. 3. She cried out as she tripped and felt herself falling. 4. She kissed him tenderly. 5. They pushed a car to get it started. 6. He laughed apologetically. 7. The news shocked us. 8. Ride me on your horse, please.

10. Translate from Russian into English using the vocabulary from the text.

1. Мой сын совсем отбился от рук, я уже не могу с ним справиться. 2. В один прекрасный день ты станешь преемником своего отца. Ты же единственный наследник или у него ещё есть дети? 3. Никто первым не решался прервать затянувшееся молчание. 4. При одном только упоминании имени моего сводного брата отец выходил из себя. 5. Не смей грубо мне отвечать и разговаривать таким дерзким тоном! 6. Никто не заставит меня пойти на попятную и помириться с родителями. 7. Когда у меня разногласия с родителями, старший брат всегда выступает в роли посредника. У него, определенно, есть дар убеждения. 8. Когда правда об этом деле раскрылась, родители были в ярости. 9. Не в первый раз мать и дочь вступили в противоречия. 10. То, как они были одеты, лишь подчеркивало их внутренние противоречия.

SPEAK UP

1. Speak about the conflict described in the text ‘Mother versus Daughter’

a) in the name of Kyle. Explain and defend her actions and beliefs. Start with the following ‘I didn’t mean to be rude or hurt anyone. I just lost my _head’

b) in the name of Christina. Explain and defend her actions and beliefs. Start with the following ‘I’d been working so hard to start this business that's why I was so emotional about it.’

c) in the name of the grandmother. Start with the following ‘I was forced to travel half-way around the world just because Christina and my son–in-law had discovered they couldn’t handle their daughter Kyle any more.’

2. Discuss the following questions.

1. Can we say that Russia is a country where traditional family values are strong? 2. What kind of relationship do you have with your parents? Are you often at odds with each other? Would you like the same relationship with your children? 3. As a child were you difficult to handle? 4. At what age do you think children should separate from their parents? 5. People often talk about “the ever increasing generation gap” - the gap between parents and children. What do you think has changed since your parents / grandparents were children? 6. How does being an only child in the family affect him / her? 7. What style of parenting do your parents use in dealing with you? 8. What are the pros and cons of having a family? 9. Why do you think some couples decide not to have children? 10. Can parenthood be rewarding? Why or why not? 11. Do you think family traditions are strong in Russia? 12. Has the average number of children in Russian families changed in recent years?