22. Прокомментируйте следующие высказывания:

1. We never know the love of the parents till we become parents ourselves.

(Henry Word Beecher 1813-1887)

2. The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother.

(Anonymous)

3. The best way to make children good is to make them happy.

(Oscar Wilde 1854-1900)

4. A man who gives his children habits of industry provides for them better than by giving them a fortune.

(Richard Whately 1787-1863)

5. When children are doing nothing, they are doing mischief.

(Fielding)

6.1.42 Опишите ситуацию или разыграйте диалог с сокурсником, используя выражения из предыдущего упражнения.

Раздел 6.2

6.2.1 Отработайте произношение слов, уточнив транскрипцию по словарю:

familiar adj - знакомый, узнаваемый

to link v - соединять, связывать

inextricably adv - неразрывно

to lead to v - вести

mutual adj - взаимный

disagreement n - несогласие

moreover adv - кроме того

juvenile delinquent - малолетний преступник

ridiculous adj - смешной, нелепый

appallingly adv - ужасающе, кошмарно

caring adj - внимательный, заботливый

preoccupation n - озабоченность

entertainment n - развлечение

transformation n - превращение

chrysalis n - куколка насекомых

to confuse v - смущать, сбить с толку

approach n - подход

to resolve v - решать

to talk over v - обсудить

2. Прочитайте текст и скажите, почему переходный возраст считается проблемным.

Generation Gap

One question that always comes up is: “Are teenagers a problem in your country?” Actually there are two questions. The second one is: “Do teenagers have problems in your country?” With both these questions we have the familiar linking of the words “teenager” and “problems”. Why are the two words so inextricably linked? Why should teenagers be more of a problem than, say, middle-aged people or babies? And why should they have the prerogative on having problems? Let’s see if we can come up with some answers and best way to do that is to ask questions.

“Teenagers” are people who are in the stage of their life when they are developing from children into adults. Sometimes teenagers develop interests and values different from those of their parents. That sets a conflict between two generations, which leads to a gap in mutual understanding. Traditional disagreements are: the time to come home at night, doing work about the house and the friends to spend time with. It’s important to point out that teens themselves face a number of problems: drinking alcohol or using drugs. Moreover, some children run away from homes. Most of them return after a few days or weeks, but some turn to crime and become juvenile delinquents.

According to “the older generation” teenagers are lazy, they wear ridiculous clothes and are appallingly rude to their betters and elders; they find it impossible to be polite, helpful, constructive, caring or hard-working. What’s more, they spend all their time listening to awful music (“It isn’t music, it’s just a collection of terrible noises!”) and gawping at unsuitable films. And all they ever think about is parties, drugs and sex.

Actually, it is quite the opposite of the truth. Teenagers spend a lot of time thinking about their work (studies), their families and friends, and their hobbies. Sure, there are certain preoccupations such as clothes, money, how to behave in a certain situation, their bodies. Most young people take jobs while they are studying. They work at movie theatres, fast-food restaurants, gas stations, and stores to pay for their clothes and entertainment.

Adolescence is a difficult time because it is a period of transformation. It isn’t quite as bad as a chrysalis changing into a butterfly but it may seem like it – or even the other way round! It isn’t easy to grow up and the physical and emotional changes are often confusing and worrying. It is exactly at that age when young people need a piece of advice or help. Parents should help their children and find the right approach to them so as to make everything clear. Being able to view the problems more rationally, they should try to do their best to resolve them. We need to learn to talk our problems over in our family. If we are able to do it, everything will be all right.