3. Work in small groups. Discuss the questions. Share your ideas in class.

These people have all adopted foreign children. Who are they and what do you know about the adoptions? Why do you think some people object to international adoptions? What potential problems and benefits are there for the children of famous people?

Listening Birth Order

4. Look at the picture and read the sayings about sibling. Say whether you share the same opinion.

 

A sister is your both your mirror and your opposite. A brother is a little bit of childhood that can never be lost.

Pre-listening

Task 1. Complete the sentence:

Having a brother or a sister means…..

Being an only child means…..

Task 2. Explain the meaning:

Grown-ups

First-borns

Later-borns

Older/younger siblings

Task 3. Match phrases with their synonyms:

1. rebellious streak	lots of attention
2. loads of attention	discontented trait
3. to mimic parents	does things parents approve
4.goody two-shoes	to copy parents
5. to pin hopes on smbd	bad-tempered
6. stroppy	to hope that smth will happen
7. to rock the boat	to act the fool
8. to clown around	to cause problems
9. to be laid back	to end an argument because you want to stay friends
10. to patch things up	relaxed

While-listening

Task 1. Choose the correct alternative to complete the sentence:

1. Rob read that many first born children are more intelligent than their siblings /copy their parents’ behavior /spend too much time with their parents.

2. In her late teens Christina was unhappy about her parents high expectations / her relationship with her brother / her choice of subject at the university.

3. Ann is not entirely convinced that she is a very good artist / the article is based on fact / she fits the description in the article.

4. Christina’s brother developed a career as an actor / accounting skills / strategies to attract attention.

5. Ann says that her sister is often ill / worries unnecessary / is a light sleeper.

6. Rob says he enjoys receiving attention / helping to solve problems / having arguments.

7. Birth order is thought to influence people’s chances of becoming famous / banking procedures / consumers buying habits.

Task 2. Fill in the table:

First-borns	Later-borns	The only child

Cristina	Rob	Ann

Post-listening

Task 1. Tell your partner the traits of first-borns/ later-borns/ the only child.

Task 2. Tell your partner about three different people who have different birth rank.

Task 3. Dwell on the advantages and disadvantages of first-borns/ later-borns/ the only child.

Task 4. How important do you think the following are in determining a personality? To what extent do you feel that birth order has affected your personality?