Family Members – B1 Speaking and Reading Handout

FAMILY MEMBERS

Topic: Family relationships

PART 1. KEY VOCABULARY

A. Basic vocabulary

B. Advanced vocabulary

PART 2. VOCABULARY PRACTICE

Exercise 1. Match the words with their meanings.

1. sibling

2. spouse

3. cousin

4. breadwinner

5. upbringing

A. the person who earns most of the money for a family

B. a brother or sister

C. the way a child is cared for and taught while growing up

D. a person’s husband or wife

E. a child of your aunt or uncle

Exercise 2. Complete the sentences with the words in the box.

immediate family – relative – grandparents – get along with – household chores.

1. My __________ includes my mother, father, and younger sister.

2. I usually visit my __________ in the countryside at weekends.

3. Nam and his brother __________ each other very well.

4. Everyone should share __________ at home.

5. I have a close __________ who lives in Australia.

Exercise 3. Choose the best answer.

1. A family that includes grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins is called a/an ______ family.

A. immediate

B. extended

C. dependent

D. nuclear

2. A person who depends on another person financially is a ______.

A. spouse

B. breadwinner

C. dependent

D. sibling

3. A disagreement between younger and older family members may be caused by the ______.

A. family bond

B. generation gap

C. family gathering

D. upbringing

4. If two people reconcile, they ______.

A. become strangers

B. stop speaking permanently

C. make peace after a disagreement

D. move to another country

5. A family-oriented person usually ______.

A. avoids all family activities

B. values time with family members

C. lives without relatives

D. refuses to help at home

Exercise 4. Complete the sentences with the correct form of the words in brackets.

1. Their regular family __________ has become an important tradition. (gather)

2. Good communication can strengthen family __________. (bond)

3. My sister is financially __________ on our parents while she is at university. (depend)

4. The couple decided to share the __________ equally. (chore)

5. His parents gave him a supportive __________. (bring up)

Exercise 5. Rewrite the sentences using the word in brackets.

1. I have a good relationship with my colleagues. (get along)

2. She looks after her father every evening. (takes care of)

3. The disagreement created distance between the two sisters. (family bond)

4. Their different attitudes are partly caused by differences between age groups. (generation gap)

5. The brothers made peace after several months. (reconciled)

Exercise 6. Decide whether the statements are true (T) or false (F).

Write T or F next to each statement. Pay attention to the meaning of the words and phrases in bold.

1. An extended family includes relatives such as grandparents, aunts, and uncles, as well as parents and children. ______
2. A breadwinner is the person whose main role in a family is to prepare meals rather than earn money. ______
3. A generation gap refers to differences in opinions and attitudes between younger and older people. ______
4. Household chores are leisure activities that family members do to relax after work. ______
5. Sibling rivalry means competition between parents and their children. ______
6. In a close-knit family, members have strong relationships and support one another. ______
7. To look up to a family member means to have a similar physical appearance to that person. ______
8. Having a good work-life balance means managing work responsibilities while also making time for personal and family life. ______

PART 3. SPEAKING

Discuss the questions with a partner. Begin with the basic questions and continue to the more challenging ones.

1. How many people are there in your immediate family?

Hints: There are ... people in my immediate family.

2. Who are you closest to in your family? Why?

Hints: I’m closest to my ... because ...

3. How often do you visit or contact your relatives?

Hints: I ... my relatives ...

4. What activities do you usually do with your family on weekends?

Hints: On weekends, my family and I usually ...

5. How do family members share household chores in your home?

Hints: In my home, we share chores by ...

6. What qualities make someone a good parent, spouse, or sibling?

Hints: A good ... should be ...

7. Do you think families today spend enough time together? Why or why not?

Hints: busy schedules; work commitments; family meals; quality time. Start: I think families ... because ...

8. What problems can the generation gap create in a family?

Hints: different opinions; misunderstandings; lifestyle choices; arguments. Start: The generation gap can cause ...

9. How can working adults balance their careers and family responsibilities?

Hints: set priorities; manage time; share chores; care for parents. Start: Working adults can balance ... by ...

10. In your opinion, what is more important for a strong family bond: spending time together, communication, or financial support? Explain your answer.

Hints: quality time; honest conversations; financial support; trust; family bond. Start: I think ... is most important because ...

PART 4. READING

Reading 1. A Busy Family Routine

Mai works in a bank, and her husband, Nam, works for a technology company. They have two children, Minh and Lan. On weekdays, the family is very busy. Mai prepares breakfast, while Nam takes the children to school. In the afternoon, the children come home with their grandmother. She helps them with their homework until their parents finish work.

In the evening, the family tries to have dinner together. They talk about their day and make plans for the next day. At weekends, they usually go shopping, visit relatives, or stay at home and watch a film. Although everyone has a busy schedule, they believe that regular communication helps them stay close.

Glossary

Questions

1. Where does Mai work?

2. Who takes the children to school?

3. Who helps the children with their homework?

4. What does the family often do in the evening?

5. Why does the family try to communicate regularly?

Reading 2. Sharing Responsibilities

In the past, many families expected women to do most of the housework. Today, this situation is changing. In many households, husbands and wives both work full-time, so they need to share household chores. Sharing responsibilities can make family life less stressful and more balanced.

For example, one person may cook dinner while the other washes the dishes. They can also divide tasks like cleaning, shopping, and caring for children. The important point is not that every task must be divided exactly equally every day. Instead, family members should discuss their needs and help one another when necessary. Fair cooperation can prevent arguments and improve relationships.

Glossary

Questions

1. What did many families expect women to do in the past?

2. Why do modern couples need to share household chores?

3. Give two examples of household tasks mentioned in the passage.

4. Does sharing responsibilities mean dividing every task exactly equally every day?

5. How can fair cooperation improve family life?

Reading 3. The Generation Gap at Home

The generation gap appears in many modern families. Older parents may prefer traditional ways of communicating, while their adult children may use messaging applications and social media. Parents may also value job security, whereas younger people may want flexible work, travel, or a career change.

These differences do not always lead to serious conflict. Problems usually become worse when family members refuse to listen to one another. A useful solution is to discuss differences calmly and look for shared values. For example, parents and children may have different opinions about work, but both may want financial stability and personal happiness. Respectful communication helps family members understand that different choices do not necessarily mean a lack of love or respect.

Glossary

Questions

1. What communication methods may older parents prefer?

2. What kinds of choices may younger people want?

3. When do differences become more serious?

4. What solution does the passage suggest?

5. Why can different choices exist without showing a lack of love?

Reading 4. Caring for Ageing Parents

As people live longer, many working adults face the responsibility of caring for ageing parents. This responsibility may include arranging medical appointments, helping with daily activities, or providing financial support. It can be rewarding, but it may also create emotional and practical pressure, especially when adult children have demanding jobs or live far away.

A realistic care plan can help families manage this situation. Family members should discuss the older person’s preferences, health needs, and financial situation. They may also divide responsibilities among siblings instead of expecting one person to do everything. Professional services, community groups, and technology can provide additional support. For example, video calls can reduce loneliness, while online medical services can make appointments easier.

Caring for ageing parents should not be viewed only as a duty. It can also be an opportunity to express gratitude and strengthen family relationships. However, caregivers need to protect their own health as well. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness; it is often a necessary part of responsible caregiving.

Glossary

Questions

1. What responsibilities may working adults have when caring for ageing parents?

2. Why can this responsibility create pressure?

3. What should family members discuss when making a care plan?

4. How can technology support older people?

5. Why is asking for help not a sign of weakness?

TEACHER’S ANSWER KEY

PART 2. VOCABULARY PRACTICE

Exercise 1

1. B

2. D

3. E

4. A

5. C

Exercise 2

1. immediate family

2. grandparents

3. get along with

4. household chores

5. relative

Exercise 3

1. B

2. C

3. B

4. C

5. B

Exercise 4

1. gathering

2. bonds

3. dependent

4. chores

5. upbringing

Exercise 5

1. I get along well with my colleagues.

2. She takes care of her father every evening.

3. The disagreement weakened the family bond between the two sisters.

4. Their different attitudes are partly caused by the generation gap.

5. The brothers reconciled after several months.

PART 4. READING ANSWERS

Reading 1

1. She works in a bank.

2. Nam takes the children to school.

3. Their grandmother helps them with their homework.

4. They have dinner together and talk about their day.

5. Regular communication helps them stay close.

Reading 2

1. They expected women to do most of the housework.

2. Because both husbands and wives often work full-time.

3. Possible answers: cooking, washing the dishes, cleaning, shopping, and taking care of children.

4. No. The passage says that tasks do not have to be divided exactly equally every day.

5. It can reduce stress, prevent arguments, and improve relationships.

Reading 3

1. They may prefer traditional ways of communicating.

2. They may want flexible work, travel, or a career change.

3. They become more serious when family members refuse to listen to one another.

4. The passage suggests discussing differences calmly and looking for shared values.

5. Because family members may have different opinions but still want happiness and may still love and respect one another.

Reading 4

1. They may arrange medical appointments, help with daily activities, and provide financial support.

2. It can create pressure because adult children may have demanding jobs or live far away.

3. They should discuss the older person’s preferences, health needs, and financial situation.

4. Video calls can reduce loneliness, and online medical services can make appointments easier.

5. Because getting support is often necessary for providing responsible care.

SPEAKING NOTES FOR TEACHERS

Accept varied answers. Encourage learners to give reasons, examples, and personal experiences. For Questions 7–10, assess the learner’s ability to express an opinion, explain reasons, compare ideas, and respond appropriately to follow-up questions.