Not fair

I get ₤ 1.50 a week pocket money, but most of my friends get much more. When I ask my Mum and Dad for more, they say I can have more if I help in the house, but I don’t see why I should. Mum’s home all day, and it’s her job to look after the house, not mine. What do you think?

Sharon, 14

Problems with lessons

I’m very worried because the lessons at school are too difficult for me. I don’t understand them, but the others in the class know what the teachers are talking about. Who should I talk to? We have exams soon, and I know I’m going to fail them. My parents will be furious, because they think I’m OK.

Simon, 13

Ex. 2. Choose one of the letters and write a letter in reply. Try to express sympathy and give some explanation as well as practical advice.

Ex. 3. Do you consider the problems mentioned in the letters to be similar in our country? Think of the possible problems between parents and children in our country and write a letter containing one of them.

Ex. 4. Comment on the following statements. Agree or disagree with them.

1. There’s never a problem child, there are only problem parents.

2. Under dictatorial control adolescents work submissively and show little initiative.

3. Children are not supposed to have opinions, but if they do, adults ignore them.

4. The difference between a child and an adult amounts to achieving a state of independence.

5. The most painful time is adolescence with intense feelings, lack of confidence and rebellion against authority.

Ex. 5. Test your relations with your parents using the test “Are Parents Friends or Enemies?” (see Appendix, Unit 6).

Writing an Essay

Ex.1. Study the following information about writing an essay.

Essays providing solutions to problems are pieces of writing in which you discuss a problem and it causes as well as the expected results or consequences of your suggestions.

Structure:

0. Introduction includes the statement of the problem and the causes.

1. Main body comprises two or more paragraphs presenting suggestions and their results or consequences. You should start a new paragraph for each suggestion and its results.

2. Conclusion is a paragraph in which you summarise your opinion.

Points to remember while writing an essay:

1. Make a list of problems and their solutions before you start to write.

2. Start each paragraph with a key sentence which summarizes what the paragraph is about.

3. Essays providing solutions to problems are normally written in a formal or semi-formal style, depending on who is going to read them and where they are published. They are usually found in newspaper and magazines.

Ex. 2. Write an essay on any of the following subjects using 180-200 words.

0. Parents disapprove fashion style of young people.

1. Adults disapprove modern music.

2. Adults don’t understand life style of the youth.

Unit 7. Divorce

Vocabulary Practice

Ex. 1. Give English equivalents of the following Russian words and word combinations.

развод, развестись, обратиться в суд для получения развода, получить развод, бракоразводный процесс, причины для развода, супружеская измена, непоправимый разрыв, раздельное проживание супругов, назначить алименты, разведённый(ая) (о супругах), бывшая жена/муж (после развода), ревновать (к кому-л.), ссориться, ругаться

Ex. 2. Give definitions for the following English words.

divorce, divorcee, adultery, separation, alimony

Ex. 3. Make up a dialogue with the new vocabulary.

Ex. 4. Translate into English.

1. Супруги решили развестись, так как жена узнала о том, что её муж влюбился в другую женщину.

2. Возрастающее число разводов привело к увеличению количества неполных семей.

3. Ему стоило больших усилий завоевать сердце девушки, но после свадьбы они стали часто ругаться и вскоре подали заявление на развод.

4. Причиной развода чаще всего является супружеская измена.

5. Они казались такой идеальной парой, что никто не верил в их развод.

6. При разводе больше всего страдают дети.

7. В некоторых странах развод запрещен.

8. После двух лет раздельного проживания супруги развелись.

9. Ему стоили больших усилий получить развод, так как бывшая жена не хотела разводиться.

10. У моей подруги очень ревнивый муж. Он ревнует её к любому мужчине.