Exam. Family Traditions

Family Traditions 

1. Let’s talk about family. What role does it play in each person’s life?

Every person needs a place where he can feel happy and secure. It’s important to have people with whom you can speak freely about your problems, share your joys and sorrows.  Such place and such people are your family.

Firstly, my family means the world to me. I would do anything in the world for them because they mean that much to me.  My parents are the two most important people in the world. I know lots of times I can seem pretty ungrateful but I appreciate everything they have done for me. The number one thing that I really appreciate the most is how they both brought me into this world. The number two thing is how every time I get in trouble or do something stupid, like I always do, they are always on my side, no matter if I’m right or wrong, they always have my back to the fullest.

Secondly, I get along really well with all the members of my family. It’s so important for me to know that if I have problems I will always have a shoulder to cry on. Every time I communicate with my family, I try to be polite and treat them with respect and appreciation. Of course, we quarrel sometimes, but I do my best to make up with my family as soon as possible.

Moreover, I love being with my family. My parents are my real friends. We spend a lot of time together, we play together, and we watch TV together. We are a close-knit family and we would do anything for each other. I think it’s nice to have someone you can rely on and share your experiences with. After all, without a family you have nothing-that’s my opinion.

To sum it up, my family may not be perfect and neither am I, but I am 100% sure, that you will never find another family quite like mine!

2. Do you have your own family traditions?

Family is an integral part of every person’s life. It is the most important social unit. A sense of stability and tradition, that family provides, can’t be replaced by anything or anyone. Perhaps, every family follows some special traditions that have been passed to them by former generations. My family is not an exception.

To begin with, it is habitual for our family to dine together. Every evening, when my parents come home from work, we have a nourishing family dinner. First of all, it lets us feel as a close unit. Secondly, we get to discuss the important events of the day. The same tradition can be seen in my grandparents’ house.

Other than that, we are used to share the household chores. Everyone has his/her own duties. For example, my mum is responsible for cooking, while my dad always does the shopping. I’m responsible for the pets and plants, while my elder sister is responsible for washing the dishes and vacuum-cleaning. In my opinion, we are a close-knit and friendly family.

Moreover, each time there is an official holiday we invite the friends and arrange a posh feast. We especially like celebrating New Year and Christmas. The traditional New Year dishes in our home are a roast chicken, a couple of Russian salads and my mum’s specialty - a vanilla cake. We always prepare postcards and presents for everyone who visits us and for our family members. The presents are usually placed under the Christmas tree.

One more family tradition is going out on Friday nights. Every Friday we go out for a dinner. After that, we either come back home to watch a good movie, or we go to the cinema. There are lots of other traditions in my family, but these seem to be the most important ones.

In conclusion, I’m sure that it′s very important to have family traditions because they unite people and make them feel close, safe and helpful. When I have my own family, I′ll continue to follow all these traditions with my children.

3. What will you ask your British friend about his/her family?

1) Is your family large?

2) Do you like to spend time together with your parents?

3) Do you have your own family traditions?

4) How do people in your country observe family traditions?

5) What is your favourite family tradition?

4. What can you advise people who want to have a close and happy family?

Family life can be difficult at times. You can’t choose your family, yet they are with you for life so it’s important to find a way to work through your problems. If you want to have a close-knit family, follow my advice.

Firstly, you need to think about what you do or say. You need to be on your best behavior so that you do not offend family members.

Secondly, respect your parents. Listen to what they say and do your best to make them happy.

What is more, when you are talking or discussing a problem with a family member, you need to fully listen and understand what they are saying. Don’t interrupt them, don’t blame the person directly for the conflict. Instead what you need to do is make sure you use a normal tone of voice and talk to them in a loving and respectful way.

When dealing with family members you need to remember that you want to treat them the same way that you want to be treated. Make sure that you do not offend family members. Always be polite!

Lastly, don’t forget to communicate! Take part in family activities, such as birthdays or visiting elderly relatives. Eat together. Doing things together makes relationships stronger.

5. Why are there many one-parent families? How does the state help such families?

A single parent is a person who doesn’t live with a spouse or partner and brings up the child on his/her own.

Nowadays, many marriages end in divorce. Besides, one parent may die. In both cases a child is brought up by one parent only.

A mother or a father has to keep working and he/she hardly has enough time and neglects their children’s upbringing. So most of the time the child has to spend on his own. Unfortunately, he can be involved in bad companies or even commit violence.

Although the parent works, he doesn’t have enough money to maintain the family. Fortunately, we have the state that helps single-parent families providing them with financial support.

References:

• Family Traditions

• Your English Exam Support: Подготовка к экзамену по английскому языку: пособие для учащихся учреждений общего среднего образования / [сост. Н.А. Сергиенко]. – Мозырь: Белый Ветер, 2015. – 97, [3] с.

• Английский язык: учебное пособие для 9 класса общеобразовательных учреждений с русским языком обучения

• Single parenting and today′s family