Topic 1: Family life

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks.

Families can function well if everyone is able to communicate their needs and wants to communicate with each other in a respectful way. This can be hard if you are feeling frustrated, angry, hurt or sad. Sometimes it can be better to wait until intense feelings have (1)_____ , so that you can more calmly communicate what is going on for you and what you need and want. You may not always get what you want straight away and you might have to be patient and/ or learn the (2)______ of negotiation and compromise. Learning to negotiate is a great way to (3)_____ things out so everyone come out winning. For example, you might agree to help with chores around the house so you can go to the movies. It’s important to stick to your side of the agreement - this builds trust and respect. Talking things (4)_______ can be really helpful, particularly if you are worried about your family relationships. It’s important to identify someone in your family who you feel is understanding and supportive. This could be a parent, brother, sister, cousin, aunty, uncle, a grandparent or a (5) ______ family friend.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions.

WHO WORKS? WHO STAYS HOME?

Most Americans agree that the workplace and the home are very different from the way they were thirty years ago. The world of work is no longer a man’s world. Between 1970 and 1995, the percentage of women who worked outside the home went from 50 percent to 76 percent: In the year 2000, of the more than 5.5 million married couples in the United States, 10.5 million women were making more money than their husbands, and 2 million men were stay-at-home dads.

Author, husband, and father Mark Wertman writes about being a stay-at-home dad in his book True Confessions of a Real Mr. Mom. His story will help others who are learning how to live with the changing gender, roles in our society.

Mark and his wife, Georgenes, were a two-income couple, but things changed when their first baby was born. Georgenes wanted to continue her work as a lawyer, but someone needed to stay home to take care of the baby. Georgenes had the higher paying job, so she became the provider. Mark stayed home to raise the children. In his book he tells many stories about his role in the family.

At first, it was difficult to change roles. The Wertman kids often went to Mark first to talk about their problems. Georgenes was jealous of the time the children spent with their father. Mark had some hard times too. People often asked him, ‘When are you going to get a real job?’. Even in the 21st century, society respects the role of provider more than the role of child raiser. Mark found out all about this.

Mark and Georgenes learned that it is very important to talk about their problems. In the beginning, Mark thought Georgenes had the easy job, and Georgenes thought that Mark had it easy. Later they talked it over and discovered that both jobs were difficult and rewarding. Georgenes and Mark agree that talking things over and making decisions together helps their relationship.

The Wertmans are happy with the results of their decision. Their children are ready for a world where men and women can choose their roles. Wertman’s book is entertaining and educational, especially for couples who want to switch roles. As Mark Wertman says "We are society. We make the changes one by one. People have to decide on what’s best for them and their families.”

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions.

WHO WORKS? WHO STAYS HOME?

Most Americans agree that the workplace and the home are very different from the way they were thirty years ago. The world of work is no longer a man’s world. Between 1970 and 1995, the percentage of women who worked outside the home went from 50 percent to 76 percent: In the year 2000, of the more than 5.5 million married couples in the United States, 10.5 million women were making more money than their husbands, and 2 million men were stay-at-home dads.

Author, husband, and father Mark Wertman writes about being a stay-at-home dad in his book True Confessions of a Real Mr. Mom. His story will help others who are learning how to live with the changing gender, roles in our society.

Mark and his wife, Georgenes, were a two-income couple, but things changed when their first baby was born. Georgenes wanted to continue her work as a lawyer, but someone needed to stay home to take care of the baby. Georgenes had the higher paying job, so she became the provider. Mark stayed home to raise the children. In his book he tells many stories about his role in the family.

At first, it was difficult to change roles. The Wertman kids often went to Mark first to talk about their problems. Georgenes was jealous of the time the children spent with their father. Mark had some hard times too. People often asked him, ‘When are you going to get a real job?’. Even in the 21st century, society respects the role of provider more than the role of child raiser. Mark found out all about this.

Mark and Georgenes learned that it is very important to talk about their problems. In the beginning, Mark thought Georgenes had the easy job, and Georgenes thought that Mark had it easy. Later they talked it over and discovered that both jobs were difficult and rewarding. Georgenes and Mark agree that talking things over and making decisions together helps their relationship.

The Wertmans are happy with the results of their decision. Their children are ready for a world where men and women can choose their roles. Wertman’s book is entertaining and educational, especially for couples who want to switch roles. As Mark Wertman says "We are society. We make the changes one by one. People have to decide on what’s best for them and their families.”

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks.

All families face challenges and hurdles as a normal part of life and getting through these times requires respectful communication and care for each other. However, some families face significant (1) _______ like not having a place to live, a parent going to court, a parent having a long-term illness, or parents having to work (2) ________ from home or for long hours.

Some families seem to fight and argue a lot, which can be really scary and stressful. Sometimes, family relationships can be so stressful that you feel unsafe and scared. These types of things make relationships (3) _________ and negative and it can make it difficult to feel like talking things through.

As a teenager you are going through a lot of changes within yourself physically, mentally, emotionally and socially. Often these changes (4) _________ at different rates and at different times. It is important for you to be aware of what is going on and how this may affect you at school, home and/or around family and friends having an understanding of adolescent development can be very (5) _______.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks.

All families face challenges and hurdles as a normal part of life and getting through these times requires respectful communication and care for each other. However, some families face significant (1) _______ like not having a place to live, a parent going to court, a parent having a long-term illness, or parents having to work (2) ________ from home or for long hours.

Some families seem to fight and argue a lot, which can be really scary and stressful. Sometimes, family relationships can be so stressful that you feel unsafe and scared. These types of things make relationships (3) _________ and negative and it can make it difficult to feel like talking things through.

As a teenager you are going through a lot of changes within yourself physically, mentally, emotionally and socially. Often these changes (4) _________ at different rates and at different times. It is important for you to be aware of what is going on and how this may affect you at school, home and/or around family and friends having an understanding of adolescent development can be very (5) _______.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks.

Families can function well if everyone is able to communicate their needs and wants to communicate with each other in a respectful way. This can be hard if you are feeling frustrated, angry, hurt or sad. Sometimes it can be better to wait until intense feelings have (1)_____ , so that you can more calmly communicate what is going on for you and what you need and want. You may not always get what you want straight away and you might have to be patient and/ or learn the (2)______ of negotiation and compromise. Learning to negotiate is a great way to (3)_____ things out so everyone come out winning. For example, you might agree to help with chores around the house so you can go to the movies. It’s important to stick to your side of the agreement - this builds trust and respect. Talking things (4)_______ can be really helpful, particularly if you are worried about your family relationships. It’s important to identify someone in your family who you feel is understanding and supportive. This could be a parent, brother, sister, cousin, aunty, uncle, a grandparent or a (5) ______ family friend.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks.

All families face challenges and hurdles as a normal part of life and getting through these times requires respectful communication and care for each other. However, some families face significant (1) _______ like not having a place to live, a parent going to court, a parent having a long-term illness, or parents having to work (2) ________ from home or for long hours.

Some families seem to fight and argue a lot, which can be really scary and stressful. Sometimes, family relationships can be so stressful that you feel unsafe and scared. These types of things make relationships (3) _________ and negative and it can make it difficult to feel like talking things through.

As a teenager you are going through a lot of changes within yourself physically, mentally, emotionally and socially. Often these changes (4) _________ at different rates and at different times. It is important for you to be aware of what is going on and how this may affect you at school, home and/or around family and friends having an understanding of adolescent development can be very (5) _______.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions.

WHO WORKS? WHO STAYS HOME?

Most Americans agree that the workplace and the home are very different from the way they were thirty years ago. The world of work is no longer a man’s world. Between 1970 and 1995, the percentage of women who worked outside the home went from 50 percent to 76 percent: In the year 2000, of the more than 5.5 million married couples in the United States, 10.5 million women were making more money than their husbands, and 2 million men were stay-at-home dads.

Author, husband, and father Mark Wertman writes about being a stay-at-home dad in his book True Confessions of a Real Mr. Mom. His story will help others who are learning how to live with the changing gender, roles in our society.

Mark and his wife, Georgenes, were a two-income couple, but things changed when their first baby was born. Georgenes wanted to continue her work as a lawyer, but someone needed to stay home to take care of the baby. Georgenes had the higher paying job, so she became the provider. Mark stayed home to raise the children. In his book he tells many stories about his role in the family.

At first, it was difficult to change roles. The Wertman kids often went to Mark first to talk about their problems. Georgenes was jealous of the time the children spent with their father. Mark had some hard times too. People often asked him, ‘When are you going to get a real job?’. Even in the 21st century, society respects the role of provider more than the role of child raiser. Mark found out all about this.

Mark and Georgenes learned that it is very important to talk about their problems. In the beginning, Mark thought Georgenes had the easy job, and Georgenes thought that Mark had it easy. Later they talked it over and discovered that both jobs were difficult and rewarding. Georgenes and Mark agree that talking things over and making decisions together helps their relationship.

The Wertmans are happy with the results of their decision. Their children are ready for a world where men and women can choose their roles. Wertman’s book is entertaining and educational, especially for couples who want to switch roles. As Mark Wertman says "We are society. We make the changes one by one. People have to decide on what’s best for them and their families.”

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D to indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks.

The majority of Americans can live comfortable lives on the salaries they earn, without the support of a universal public-welfare system. These so-called middle-class Americans generally own their own homes and cars, spend some time each year on vacation, and can pay – at least in part - for a college education for their children. Most Americans set (1) _______ money in savings accounts to help pay major expenses; many invest in the stock market in hopes of earning a healthy return on their investments.

Most buy insurance, especially life and medical insurance, frequently with contributions (2) _____ the companies for which they work. Many companies also have retirement plans which they and their employees put aside money for their retirement pensions. When added to Social Security payments, pensions (3) _______ many tired Americans to live comfortably. On the other hand, for older Americans who require long-term care outside of a hospital, a nursing home can be very expensive.

In 1993, a family of four with a yearly income of $14,763 or less was considered poor by American standards; 15.1 percent of American families fell into this category. In addition to the benefits discussed above, many families below the (4) ________line receive welfare payments, sums of money provided by the government each month to those whose income is too low to obtain such necessities as food, clothing and shelter. The most common form of welfare payment has been through a program called Aid to Families With Dependent Children (AFDC). Originally (5) _______to help children whose fathers had died, AFDC evolved into the main source of regular income for millions of poor American families.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks.

Families can function well if everyone is able to communicate their needs and wants to communicate with each other in a respectful way. This can be hard if you are feeling frustrated, angry, hurt or sad. Sometimes it can be better to wait until intense feelings have (1)_____ , so that you can more calmly communicate what is going on for you and what you need and want. You may not always get what you want straight away and you might have to be patient and/ or learn the (2)______ of negotiation and compromise. Learning to negotiate is a great way to (3)_____ things out so everyone come out winning. For example, you might agree to help with chores around the house so you can go to the movies. It’s important to stick to your side of the agreement - this builds trust and respect. Talking things (4)_______ can be really helpful, particularly if you are worried about your family relationships. It’s important to identify someone in your family who you feel is understanding and supportive. This could be a parent, brother, sister, cousin, aunty, uncle, a grandparent or a (5) ______ family friend.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions.

WHO WORKS? WHO STAYS HOME?

Most Americans agree that the workplace and the home are very different from the way they were thirty years ago. The world of work is no longer a man’s world. Between 1970 and 1995, the percentage of women who worked outside the home went from 50 percent to 76 percent: In the year 2000, of the more than 5.5 million married couples in the United States, 10.5 million women were making more money than their husbands, and 2 million men were stay-at-home dads.

Author, husband, and father Mark Wertman writes about being a stay-at-home dad in his book True Confessions of a Real Mr. Mom. His story will help others who are learning how to live with the changing gender, roles in our society.

Mark and his wife, Georgenes, were a two-income couple, but things changed when their first baby was born. Georgenes wanted to continue her work as a lawyer, but someone needed to stay home to take care of the baby. Georgenes had the higher paying job, so she became the provider. Mark stayed home to raise the children. In his book he tells many stories about his role in the family.

At first, it was difficult to change roles. The Wertman kids often went to Mark first to talk about their problems. Georgenes was jealous of the time the children spent with their father. Mark had some hard times too. People often asked him, ‘When are you going to get a real job?’. Even in the 21st century, society respects the role of provider more than the role of child raiser. Mark found out all about this.

Mark and Georgenes learned that it is very important to talk about their problems. In the beginning, Mark thought Georgenes had the easy job, and Georgenes thought that Mark had it easy. Later they talked it over and discovered that both jobs were difficult and rewarding. Georgenes and Mark agree that talking things over and making decisions together helps their relationship.

The Wertmans are happy with the results of their decision. Their children are ready for a world where men and women can choose their roles. Wertman’s book is entertaining and educational, especially for couples who want to switch roles. As Mark Wertman says "We are society. We make the changes one by one. People have to decide on what’s best for them and their families.”