CLC2_SPEAKING HANDOUT 1

TOPIC: GENDERS AND RELATIONSHIP

I. VOCABULARY
INPUT
Doubt hustle and bustle handful shared
thick and thin shoulder

Fill in the blank with the correct words in the above table to make meaningful
collocations
Have a…handful…of friends
A …shoulder…..to cry on (N)
Without a …doubt…
Through …thick and thin…..
Get away from the…hustle
bustle….of the city
Spend time on the…shared ...hobby
Hang out
Have a few friends
Someone who is willing to listen to your
problems and give you emotional support
Certainly
Under all circumstances, no matter how
difficult
and Escape from busy and noisy place
Spend time on the same hobby
Spend a lot of time in a place or with someone

II. EXAM FOCUS

INPUT
Part 1: Social Interaction (3’)
Let’s talk about friends

- Do you have many close friends?

Well, I guess it depends how you define a close friend. For me a close friend is someone I
can talk to about anything, whether it’s a huge personal problem or just a shared joke. So with
this is mind I’d say I just have a handful of very close friends.  

- Do you think friendship is important?

Of course, friendship is essential. Sometimes, we all need a shoulder to cry on, and someone

to laugh with after a stressful day. Good friends can always be relied upon to be there through
thick and thin. So friendship is without a doubt one of the most important aspects of our
lives. 

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- What do you usually do with your friends at the weekend?

Sometimes we will travel somewhere together to get away from the hustle and bustle of the
city. Other times, we’ll play sport together or spend time on another shared hobby. Often
we’ll just hang out and chat in a coffee shop or a bar.

Part 2: Solution Discussion (3’)

Situation: You and your best friend will have been friends for 10 years next month and you
want to make something special for this anniversary. There are three options: having a photo
album together, going on a short holiday and going to the cinema. Which option do you think is
the best choice?
(Work in pairs and add one more idea for and against each option)

Option 1 Option 2 Option 3

- Suggested reason 1: keep
beautiful memories forever
…………………………
- ………………..
- Suggested reason 1: - Suggested reason 1: easily
having a memorable arrange time together.
once-in-a-life time -
together ……………………………….
- …………………

Part 3: Topic Development (4’)

Topic: Coed schools (schools where both male and female students are accepted) have a lot of
advantages

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a balanced
enviroment

mutual Coed your own

understanding ideas
schools

reduced
discrimination

- A balanced environment: help some children overcome a fear of the opposite

gender=>  shape children’s  behavior and create positive relationships in the
future
- Mutual understanding: long-term exposure to the opposite sex=> better understanding
between two genders’ strengths and weaknesses=> higher level of social and
communication skills=> better preparation  for a diverse world where both men
and women play an important role
- Reduced discrimination: co-educational system help boys and girl recognize the
importance of the opposite gender=> increased respect for opposite-sex peers=> reduce
gender discrimination in the society’’’’

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ANSWER KEY

VOCABULARY INPUT
1. Have a handful of friends
2. A shoulder to cry on
3. Without a doubt
4. Through thick and thin
5. Get away from the hustle and bustle of the city
6. Spend time on the shared hobby