Everyday English
1
Read the messages and think about the relationships in the family. What problems do they have? What are they interested in? How do they talk to each other?
Gra nd pa Patter
son’s wise w ord
s
B rush your te et da y or they’ll alh three times a D on’t eat appl l fall out. e will grow in yo pips or a tree E at up your cr ur stomach . will go curl y. usts so that your hair D on’t sing at th a crazy per son . e ta ble or you’ll mar ry I t’s bad lu ck D on’t tell a lito put a hat on a bed. e or your nose will grow.
microw a frozen ve chips Brussel s sprou crisps ts pizzas
e don’t Mum, pleas y m put meat in y n a s e h sandwic come e b e more. I’v n– a vegetaria remember? Amy
No, Mel, U can’t go to Katie’s party. It’s 2 L8 and UR only 13! I don’t care what your friends say. Mum
Sorry Jake, I want to split up. We’ll never get on. You’re already 16 but you behave like a 6-year-old. Miriam.
I have to shar e a room with my twin sister and it’s drivin g me crazy. She’ s selfish and she never tid ies up, and sh e ‘borrows’ my make-up. Mel, Essex
shop Have gone to DIY elves. to get wood for sh Back soon. Dad.
4 Why do I fight with my parents so much? a) Read Amy’s letter. Think of other reasons teenagers and their parents can fight over. Make a list. Think which reason is the most serious. Why? How dare you tell me what to do? Nobody asks me what I want. I’m busy. I’ll do it later. I want these posters on my walls! You don’t understand me! It’s stupid. I’m not doing it! That’s my favorite !
I don’t like that cereal anymore! Hi Jill, I need your help! It’s getting worse with every day. I am so angry. It looks like my parents want to control everything: the clothes I wear, the food I eat, the color of my bedroom walls, where I go and how I get there, the people I hang with, the party I go to, what time I go to bed. Where is respect? You are so lucky that your parents understand you. Bye, Amy
NO! I’m not grounded! I’m going! Hi Amy, Sorry to hear that. I feel sorry for you and for your parents. I think I understand your problem. You don’t like being told to, do you? Rules are not always good, are they? Limits hurt, don’t they? I know… I have been through it, too. I would like you to stop blaming your parents. You are upset and your parents are upset too. Think how you and NOT your parents can change the situation. Learn how to talk to your parents. Teach yourself to ask them “WHY” if your parents don’t allow you to do something… Don’t be in a hurry to throw a fit. I hope it will help you Bye, Jill
b) What should Amy do if she wants to follow Jill’s advice? What shouldn’t she do? Example: Amy should stop blaming her parents. – Amy shouldn’t …
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