Text I Family values
The family is the basic and fundamental group unit of society. Families come in all shapes and sizes, but the cohesion and stability they provide are fundamental to the fabric of society. Children are best cared for and controlled in families where they learn to distinguish right from wrong.
Real families are committed to each other, and grow to maturity through that commitment. The family is the place where love, fidelity and compassion become real and part of who we are. A good family is one in which any problems or difficulties can be coped with. In an ideal family children are put at the heart of all decisions so that whether families stay together or split, they always think of the children first.
Family values need to be extended beyond the immediate family. They should embrace friends, neighbours and the community.
(The Independent on Sunday, January, 1994)
Ex.13. Match the words on the left with their definitions on the right:
1. Cohesion [[kəu'hiʒ(ə)n] 2. to distinguish 3. commitment 4. fidelity 5. maturity 6. beyond |
a) promise; agreement to do something b) the act or state of sticking together tightly c) faithfulness d) to make a difference (between two things) e) on or to the further side of f) the state or time of being mature |
Ex.14. Explain in your own words the meaning of the following word combinations:
The fundamental group of unit of society At the heart of all decisions To distinguish right from wrong |
The fabric of society The ideal family The immediate family |
Ex.15. Work individually. Identify some family values that you think are important. Why are these values important to you? Place them in a value hierarchy:
a. love, fidelity and compassion; b. valuing one another; c. sharing responsibilities; d. welfare and development; e. equality, mutual respect; f. effective communication between spouses; g. cohesion and stability; h. taking care of a home; i. childrearing j. family peace and harmony; k. lifelong commitment between spouses.
Ex.16. Be prepared to explain to the class two or three values that are important to you. Use examples to explain these values.
Section III Text II Wedding Ceremonies and Customs
Ex.1. Read the text and choose the appropriate words from the list below to fill in the gaps.
Engaged, agreement, ancient, engagement token, veils, date, engagement ring, eternity, customs, bridal.
Before people marry, they … . They spend a lot of time together learning to know the other person. After they have dated over a period of time, they may find that they love each other and decide to become … . In many cases, the man gives the woman an … … as a token of their agreement to marry. The use of a ring as an … … comes from the ancient custom of using a ring to seal an important … .
Some time later after the engagement period is over, people marry. Many wedding … have been popular since … times. For example, Roman brides probably wore … more than 2000 years ago. … veils became popular in Great Britain and the New World during the late 1700s. The custom of giving a wedding ring dates back to the ancient Romans. The roundness of the ring probably represents …, and the presentation of wedding rings symbolizes that the man and woman are united forever.
Ex.2. Translate from Russian into English:
Они встречались 2 года до того, как решили пожениться.
Жених обычно дарит невесте кольцо в день помолвки. Кольцо – символ обручения.
Период помолвки длится некоторое время, пока идет подготовка к свадьбе.
Обручальное кольцо и фата – неотъемлемые атрибуты свадебной церемонии.
Обычай дарить обручальное кольцо в день помолвки восходит к древним римлянам.
Кольцо символизирует вечную жизнь влюбленных людей, поэтому оно круглое.
Кольцо – это символ согласия двух людей соединить навсегда свои судьбы.
Ex.3. Answer the questions:
1) What do people usually do before they get married?
2) What does an engagement ring represent? Why is it round?
3) When did wedding rings and veils become popular among brides?
Ex.4. Retell the text.
Ex.5. What words would you use to describe happiness? Explain your answer.