FAMILIES AND RELATIONSHIPS

What is the difference in meaning between the following?

• Parents and relatives

• Nephews and nieces

• Stepsisters and sisters-in-law

• Godfathers and great-uncles

• A close relative and a distant relative

Read the passage below. Sally is describing her relationship with people in her family. Match the underlined phrase with the best definition below.

1. I look like my dad

2. I take after my mum

3. I get on (really) well with my cousin, Jake.

4. I'm very close to my twin sister, Karen

5. I have a lot in common with my brother, Will

6. I'm (a bit) like my aunt Gillian

1. I have a similar personality

2. I have inherited some of her characteristics

3. I have a very good relationship

4. We share similar interests

5. I have a similar appearance

6. I have a deep, strong relationship

Now use the underlined phrases in the exercise above to best describe the following relationships.

1. John and Rob really enjoy each other's company, because they both love playing football, talking about cars, and going out.

John and Bob have a lot in common

2. Claire has lots of friends, but if she has a problem to solve or a secret to share she always tells her cousin, Sue, first. They grew up together, and can trust each other completely.

3. My aunt Rose has the same long nose and high cheeckbones as my mum. People often mistake her for her sister.

4. My nephews, Paul and Colin, are both very talkative and outgoing.

5. My mum tells me that I get my fiery temper and stubborn nature from my granny

There are many idiomatic expressions in English to describe family relationships. Divide the phrases into two groups: people are similar, and people are different.

We're as different as chalk and cheese

We're like two peas in a pod

We get on like a house on fire

She's the spitting image of her mother

I have little to do with her

You just can't tell them apart

Prepare to discuss the questions below

• Are friends more important than family? What do you think?

• Are you married?

• Are you the oldest among your brothers and sisters?

• Are your parents strict?

• Did you ever meet any of your great grandparents?

• Do you get on well with your family?

• Do you get along well with your in-laws?

• Do you have any brothers or sisters? If so, how old are they?

• Do you have any children? If so, what are their names and ages?

• Do you live with your parents?

• Do you look more like your mother or your father?

• Do you often argue with your mother or father? What about?

• Do you often visit your grandparents?

• How big is your family?

• How many cousins do you have?

• How many aunts and uncles do you have?

• How often do you see your cousins?

• How often do you see your grandparents?

• What are your parents like?

• What do you and your family like to do together?

• What do your parents do in their free time?

• What are the occupations of your family members?

• What does your father do? What's his job?

• What does your mother do?

• What is the best memory you have of your family doing something together?

• Who is the black sheep (odd ball) in your family?

• Who does the housework, your father or your mother or both of them?

• What's the best thing about your mom?

• If you could have a different number of siblings, what would it be?

• What is the perfect number of children to have?

• What's the best thing about your grandparents?

• What's the best thing about your dad?

• Describe the perfect family.

Project work

Collect information on one of your ancestors by interviewing relatives and prepare a short presentation. Details could include:

1. where the person was born

2. the names and occupations of his or her parents

3. childhood and early family experiences

4. the person's educational background

5. his or her work history

6. the person's hobbies and interests

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