My Family

Family is central to the life of all people, I believe. It is the most precious thing for me, because this is where 1 find love and understanding, and support.

Our family is quite large by modern standards. It consists of four people - my parents, my younger sister and me. My parents are quite young, about 40, and my sister is two years younger than me. My father is a computer programmer. He spends most of his time at work, so the time when he is home in the evening is something special for my sister and me. He always has something interesting to tell us, we share our problems and secrets with him, and he often gives very good advice. My mother is a children's doctor, and she has more time to spare than my father. There's often a lot to do about the house, but we are always willing to help with the chores, and everything is done quickly and efficiently. The only thing that mother likes to do herself is cooking, though even here we help by peeling potatoes, cutting vegetables, and so on.

Most of all I like our late dinners or early suppers, when we all gather round the table, and the light of the kitchen lamp creates a relaxed and cozy atmosphere. We talk, and joke, and have fun, because we are all friends. Of course, sometimes we have our problems, but they are easily solved by joint efforts.

Sundays are also very nice, if the weather is fine, we go skiing in the park in winter, or to our 'dacha' in summer. In fact, it's just a small cottage on a small plot of land, but v/e like it a lot, and like to work in the garden, planting, digging, gathering strawberries and tomatoes.

That’s about all. I am happy to have such a loving and friendly family, and when I have a family of my own, I will try to make it work on the same lines.

Grammar Focus

A verb + -ing

Ex.1 Complete the sentences with a verb + ing. Mind the spelling.

Model: to take – taking

to stop – stopping

to travel – travelling

to lie – lying

Chat, wash up (2), put, leave, help, go shopping (2), read, sing

My Family's Likes and Dislikes

My busy Dad likes (1)_____his books and papers everywhere. Mum hates (2)_____them away in the right places. But what Mum really hates is (3)_____after meals. My sister Kate likes (4)_____Mum about the house. She doesn't mind (5)_____. Kate likes (6)_____ when she helps about the house. Kate hates (7)_____ in bad weather. She enjoys (8)_____ fairy tales. I like (9)_____whether the weather is bad or whether the weather is fine. We all like (10)_____about daily events before going to bed.

Text 4

The Family

The family is the most basic and ancient institutions, and it remains the fundamental social unit in every society.

There are many different views on family life. Some people could not do without the support and love of their families. Others say it is the source of most our problems.

Sociologists divide families into two general types: the nuclear family and the extended family, which may include three or more generations living together.

There are people who say that the family unit is in crisis, that traditional family life is the thing of the past, and the family is in decline. The number of one-parent families increases; the current divorce rate is high; there is a lack of discipline within the family. Some politicians blame social problems, such as drug taking and juvenile crime.

There is no definition of a “normal” family. Broadly speaking, the family is a group of people related by blood or law, living together or associating with one another for a common purpose. That purpose is usually to provide shelter and food, and to bring up children. Now there are a number of types of family that exist in a society at any one time.

What characteristics are common to all family forms?

First, the family consists of a group of people who are in some way related to one another. Second, its members live together for long periods. Third, the adults in the group assume responsibility for the children. And forth, the members of the family form an economic unit – often for producing and for consuming goods and services. We may say, then, that the family is a relatively permanent group of people related by ancestry, marriage, or adoption, who live together, form an economic unit, and take care of their young.

Text 5