Pre-Listening Exercise

What things can parents do to strengthen the relationship with their children? Some people go
hiking or do outdoor activities; other people watch movies or go to amusement parks. Discuss
your ideas. 

Idioms
“get ahead” = become successful in your business or career
“Often, people give up time with their families to get ahead in life.”

“control/hold the purse strings” = control the money in a family

“My wife is much better at managing our finances, so she controls the purse strings.”

Vocabulary and Sample Sentences

 make something of oneself (idiom): become successful in a career 
– My dad never thought I would make something of myself because I didn’t
graduate from a prestigious university, but I proved him wrong.

 get ahead (phrasal verb): become successful in the business world 
– If you want to get ahead in life, you have to set clear goals.

 realize (verb): understand the importance of something 
– Many young married couples don’t realize how challenging raising children
can be until they have children of their own.

 recall (verb): remember something from the past
– I can’t recall a time when my parents argued in front of me and my brothers.

 focus on (verb): pay careful and direct attention to a particular person or thing
– When people focus too much on their careers, they sometimes neglect their
family’s needs.

 distraction (noun): something that takes your attention away from another
activity
– Watching too much TV can be a big distraction from building a good
relationship with children.

 off the top of your head (idiom): think of something immediately without
preparation
– I felt really embarrassed when I couldn’t remember her name off the top of
my head.
Listening Exercise
Listening audio link:
https://www.esl-lab.com/intermediate/hiking-adventures/

A. Listen to the recording and answer the questions.

1. Where did Randall grow up?

A. in Utah
B. in Venezuela
C. in Indiana
2. What was his undergraduate major?
A. Spanish
B. Japanese
C. English
3. How many children does he have?
A. four
B. two
C. three

4. Randall __......._ when he goes on hikes with his children.

A. tells them stories
B. points out the wildlife
C. teaches them survival skills
 5. Randall suggests that parents _____.
A. help children solve problems
B. be consistent in their discipline
C. enroll their children early into schools

Post-Listening Exercise
Are there outdoor activities like hiking, biking, or camping that you

enjoy doing with your family? What things can families do together to

strengthen the family relationship? Discuss these topics with a partner

and see if your families do similar activities.