You are going to read about some advantages of living in an extended family (i.e. not just parents and children living together). Which of the following advantages do you think are the most important?
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1. Older people are fun to live with.
2. Older people are patient and experienced.
3. You can save money by living together.
4. Grandparents are not as busy as parents.
5. Children get plenty of love and attention.
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Read the text quickly and check which are mentioned. Ignore the highlighted words.
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| Don't worry If you don't know a word in the text. You can often guess the meaning by reading the other words in the sentence. And you may not need to know the meaning to answer the questions. |
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A. Blood is thicker than water. This means that family is more important than anyone else. Many young people, though, spend more time with their friends than with their family. They their friends’ opinions more and enjoy their company. When it's time to visit grandma or go to a cousin’s wedding, teenagers often prefer to be left at home. But are they missing out?
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B. In Asia, the Middle East, South America and Sub-Saharan Africa over 40% of children live in families with other adults such as aunts, uncles and grandparents in addition to their parents. In South Africa, it is almost 70%. On the other hand, in Europe,Australia and North America, less than 25% of children live in extended families. Is the lack of close contact with relatives putting some children at a disadvantage?
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C. The people they live with have a great
on the way children grow up. Those who live with
their extended family have many advantages.
They usually get lots of love and attention.
Grandparents often have more time to read to
children and play with them. As they are often
retired, they are not always busy and as
many parents are. They have learnt to be patient
and they have already most of the
problems children and young people face.
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D. it is good for children to grow up to understand
the needs of older people: they may become
more caring and less if they spend time
helping their grandparents. Children learn about
the past from grandparents' stories. Sometimes
they feel closer to their grandparents than to
their parents.
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E. Young adults often feel that living alone will be
exciting, but they forget that it can also be lonely.
By remaining with the family during this stage of
their lives, they can avoid this. They can also
save money for their education and future.
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 F. Young people whose grandparents live far away can some of
these advantages by keeping in close contact by phone, email, letters
and visits. It is nice to know there is someone you can go to if you have
a problem. As the Italian says, ’Se non sta andan do bene chiamare la nonna.'- ‘If things aren’t going well, call your
grand mother.
G. Friends are important to young people, but friends come and go. Your
family is always on your side. Grandparents won’t be there forever.
Appreciate them while you can. |
