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1. Explain the meaning of the following words either defining them.

Relations /relatives/ kin Adopted child/foster child /orphan
Wife /bride /better half Marry/ get engaged /get married
Husband /groom /spouse Wedding /marriage /matrimony
Brother/cousin /siblings Ancestors /descendants/ heirs /offspring
Divorce/ separate/ break up To be in love /to fall in love /to fall out of love
2. Make up as many sentences with the following expressions as you can:
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Love in a cottage; Love-in-Idleness; Love apple;
Love me love my dog; Love-seat; Love birds;
Love child; All ages are to love Lovers of peace;
To give one’s love to submissive; Love at first sight;
somebody; Make love to smb; Lovelock; Platonic love;
For the love of; Love affair; Love is blind
3. Match the English idioms with their Ukrainian equivalents
1. A maiden name a) Матусин синок
2. Extremes meet b) Бути чиїм підніжком, бути під закаблуком
3. A mother’s boy c) Як з очей, так і з думки
4. To get out of hand d) Пускати бісики, стріляти очима
5. To be under smb’s thumb e) Блудний син
6. Out of sight, out of mind f) Плоть і кров
7. To make eyes at smb g) Жити як кішка з собакою
8. The prodigal son h) Відбитися від рук
9. One’s own flesh and blood i) Дівоче прізвище
10. To lead a cat and a dog life j) Протилежності збігаються
4. Discuss the following problems:
1. Teenage marriage.2. Leadership in the family.3. Marriage contracts and romantic love.4. Divorce
and one-parent family.5. A white wedding or no wedding.
5. Make your own presentation on one of the following topics: 1. Families with many
children versus families with one child.2. The effect of divorce on children.3. Grandparents. A
Blessing or a Burden?4. How to bridge the generation gap.5. The ideal family of the future.
6. Read and express your own point of view concerning a happy family.
When people discuss family problems, I always think about my brother, his wife and children.
My brother’s forty three now and me sister-in-law’s forty two. And they’ve already have two
children and a little two-year – old granddaughter and are very happy about it. My brother met his
wife at college when they were both freshmen. He was nineteen and she was eighteen.
When they got married, their life wasn’t easy of course. Their first child was born when they
were still at college. It was so difficult for them to look after the baby and be good students at the
same time! They did all their jobs in turn: one of them went to college, the other stayed with the
baby. Their parents couldn’t help them much, because they both went out to work. But isn’t it funny
– when their son was only two years old, they decided to have another baby! Now their elder son’s
already married and has a little daughter. Their daughter is finishing school this year and wants to
be a teacher. They are a really happy family!
Which of these things can make a family happy: love, mutual understanding, money, children,
respect, good relationships, support? Prove your point of view, using the tips: as far as I know, I
consider, I think, I agree but, I fully agree, as for me, to my mind, in my opinion. Continue the list
by your own ideas.
7. Analyze the situation: A Romanian woman demanded a divorce in 2005 because she
couldn't stand having lunch with her mother-in-law every day. The 22-year-old woman had been
married for only 10 months when she claimed her life turned into a nightmare because of her
mother-in-law. Elena T. from Focsani, in Vrancea county, said to a judge that the presence of her
mother-in-law at the most important meal of the day with her teasing remarks had ruined her
marriage. Elena tried to avoid meeting her mother-in-law so often and had lunch somewhere out,
not at home. Some months later she noticed that her husband changed and preferred to spend free
time apart. Moreover, if they had problems he discussed them with his mother, not Elena. Some
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time later he suggested living separately. What did Elena and her husband do wrong? How could
they save the family?
8. Read the following articles and give your ideas how to solve the problem:
Question 1. My parents had a huge fight and now my mom isn't talking to my dad, and using me to
send messages to my dad. I always feel like I am caught in the middle of my parents' fight! What
should I do? This is like chess for me!
Question 2. I was the only child for ten years, then my mother and my step-dad had my baby sister,
who is now almost a year old. My mom doesn't give me attention because she's too busy with my
little sister. My parents are planning to have one more. I love my baby sister, but I'm scared that if
my mom has one more she'll forget about me, and that I'll always be alone. What should I do?
Question 3. Help! I have no privacy! My parents always check my emails and texts! If I delete
something from someone I don't know, they yell at me. My sister reads all of my private notebooks
that she knows she is not supposed to touch! I feel like I can't trust anyone in my family!
9. Role-playing
Situation 1: A famous singer is getting married to an ordinary man, a manager of a small
building company. The woman has already got a son, a student of a very prestigious college. To be
sure of a future husband’s feelings she wants to draw up a marriage contract. Think over the items
which should be included in the contract by the parties.
Situation 2: A 16 – year – old Ann is pregnant. Her boyfriend, a 19– year – old Daniel, is
ready to marry her. Can he get arrested for corruption of minors? Do they need to get permission
from Ann’s parents (a valid parental consent)? Prove your opinion.
Situation 3: A very rich 65 – year – old businessman made a will in which he left all his
property to his young wife Felicia. They had been married only for 10 months. After his death his
son, who is 5 years older than Felicia, decided to challenge the will in the court. What will be the
verdict? Give your arguments.
Listening comprehension
1. The reporter’s name is: a) Adam b) Martin c) Michael
2. The woman interviewed is: a) married b) divorced c) single
3. Eric’s family consists of:
a) his wife and a daughter b) his wife and a son c) his wife and two children
4. Eric’s parents-in-law:
a) live with him and his wife b) are not alive c) live in the town
5. Eric has: a) no siblings b) brothers and sisters c) brothers only
6. Liza’s sister:
a) lives in Texas b) is married c) lives with Eric and his family
7. She is: a) a housewife b) in the business c) in the army
8. Eric has: a) a small family b) no family c) a large family
9. Eric’s mother:
a) lives in California with her daughter b) lives in California with her son c) is not alive
10. Eric’s sister is: a) a model b) a housewife c) a photographer