Vocabulary Notes:

1. nothing of the kind ничего подобного

2. to be out of the question исключаться; не может быть и речи

3. to fall on smb.'s shoulders взвалить (бремя, ответственность) на чьи-то плечи

В. Answer the questions:

1. What is Nick going to do?

2. Why does his mother object to his decision?

3. Is the situation familiar to you?

Texts for Extra Reading

Ex 23. Read and translate the text. Prepare it in writing.

Japanese Family

Work plays a very important role in Japan. A Japanese says "I belong to my company", not "I work for my company". Because work is so important, a child, especially a boy, must work hard indeed. He begins to study seriously as soon as he starts going to school, because if he doesn’t pass all his exams he can’t go to a good university- and so he can’t get the good job that he needs! A Japanese mother usually helps her children so that they will pass their school exams. Because of this system Japanese children don’t have as much time to play as children in many other countries.

A lot of Japanese parents "arrange" marriages for their children. This is because they feel that marriage does not only affect the young couple, but that it affects the whole family. They believe that it is important that the young couple has the same interests and that they come from the same social background. Sometimes parents go to a "matchmaker". A matchmaker’s job is to find two similar young people and arrange for them to meet. If they like each other, a marriage is arranged for them.

Vocabulary Notes:

1. to arrange договариваться, улаживать, устраивать,

2. to affect влиять

3. the same social background одинаковый социальный уровень (происхождение)

4. matchmaker сваха

Ex. 24. Agree or disagree. Use the phrases: "Yes, I think so" or "No, I don't think so".

1. Work is not very important for Japanese that is why he says, "I belong to my family".

2. If a Japanese does not work and study hard he can't get the good job that he needs.

3. Japanese parents think that marriage affects not only the young couple but it affects the whole family.

4. A matchmaker arranges business affairs of a young Japanese couple.

Ex. 25. Answer the questions:

1. Does work play a very important role in Japan?

2. Why must a Japanese child study and work hard?

3. Why do many Japanese parents "arrange" marriages for their children?

4. What is a matchmaker's job?

Ex. 26. Retell the text.

Use the introductory phrase "This text is about ...", "The text deals with ..."

Ex. 27. Read the text.

American Family

The United States has many different types of families. While most American families are traditional, comprising a father, a mother and one or more children, many families are headed by one parent, usually a woman. In a few families there are no children. These childless couples may believe that they would not make good parents; they may want freedom from the responsibilities of child rearing; or, perhaps they are not physically able to have children. Other families in the United States have one adult who is a stepparent. A stepmother or a stepfather is a person who joins a family by marrying a father or a mother.

Americans tolerate and accept these different types of families. In the United States people have the right to privacy and Americans do not believe in telling other Americans what type of family group they must belong to. They respect each other's choices regarding family groups. Families are very important to Americans. One sign this is true is that Americans show great concern about the family as an institution. Many Americans believe there are too many divorces. They worry that teenagers are not obeying their parents. They are concerned about whether working women can properly care for their children.

Families give Americans a sense of belonging and a sense of tradition. Families give Americans strength and purpose.

Families serve many functions. They provide a setting in which children can be born and reared. Families help educate their members. Parents teach their children values - what they think is important. They teach their children daily skills, such as how to ride a bicycle. They also teach common practices and customs, such as respect for elders and celebrating holidays. The most important job for a family is to give emotional support and security.

Ex.28. Give English equivalents to the following word-combinations:

бездетные пары; типичная американская семья; воспитание ребенка; освободиться от ответственности; отчим; стать хорошими родителями; мачеха; право на личную жизнь; повиноваться родителям; выполнять много функций; уважение к старшим; моральная поддержка; забота.

Ex. 29. Give Russian equivalents to the following word-combinations:

family patterns; childless couples; responsibility of child-rearing; stepparent; the right to privacy; a sense of tradition; to earn money; emotional support and security; family groups; to obey the parents; daily skills; good relationship; to teach daily skills; respect for elders; concern about the family as an institution.

Ex. 30. Answer the following questions:

1. What types of families exist there in the USA?

2. What is the attitude of Americans to the types of family groups?

3. Why is a family important to Americans?

4. Why do some couples prefer to be childless?

5. What sense do families give to Americans?

6. What functions do families serve?

7. What is the most important job for a family?

Ex. 31. Read the text