V. Supplementary Reading.

A

1. Translate into Russian using a dictionary:

The traditional image of the family in both Britain and the USA is of a stable family unit consisting of a married couple and two or more children. As a result of the social changes and changes in legislation in recent years, the majority of families no longer conform to this image. Family size is decreasing and the aver­age number of children per family is less than two. Many couples cohabit without being married, and the stigma that used to be associ­ated with illegitimacy is disappearing. The trend towards early marriage that was evident in the 1960s has been reversed. In Britain the average age for people marrying for the first time is 26 for men and 24 for women. Changes in legislation have made it easier to obtain a divorce. About one in three marriages in Brit­ain and one in two in the USA end in divorce. Many people marry again after divorce so that a high proportion of children live with a step­parent. The proportion of families led by a single parent, normally the mother, has also increased.

People often move to different parts of the country to work, so that many children have little contact with their grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins except at family reunions, held traditionally at Christmas. Students often leave home when they go to university and people may leave home to find work from the age of 16. People may marry at 16 with their parents' consent and at 18 without it. It is usual for young people to move away from home once they are adult, and many young single people live alone, as do many retired people.

Most parents encourage their children to become independent and the relationship between parents and children is more relaxed than in the past. Fathers often play a greater part in the care and upbringing of children, reflecting the changes in the respective roles of both parents as more mothers work outside the home.

 

2. Match English and Russian equivalents:

1) as a result of; 2) married couple; 3) the majority of; 4) the average age for; 5) to end in divorce; 6) to have little contact with; 7) the proportion of families; 8) to encourage.

a) поддерживать; b) большинство; c) средний возраст для; d) заканчиваться разводом; e) мало общаться с; f) в результате; g) количество семей; h) супружеская пара. 

3. Mark the statements that are true:

1) In Britain the average age for people marrying for the first time is 28 for men and 26 for women.

2) Family size is increasing and the aver­age number of children per family is more than two.

3) Changes in legislation have made it easier to obtain a divorce.

4) Many people marry again after divorce so that a high proportion of children live with a step­parent.

5) The proportion of families led by a single parent, normally the mother, has decreased.

6) People may marry at 16 with their parents' consent and at 18 without it.      

7) Fathers often play a smaller part in the care and upbringing of children.

 

4. Answer the questions on the text:

1. The traditional image of the family in both Britain and the USA is of a stable family unit consisting of a married couple and two or more children, isn’t it?

2. Has the trend towards early marriage been reversed?

3. Have changes in legislation made it easier to obtain a divorce?

4. Why do many children have little contact with their grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins?

5. Why is the relationship between parents and children more relaxed than in the past?

 

5.Make a short summary of the text. Do it according to the following plan:

1. The title of the text is...

2. The text is devoted to ...

3. It consists of ...

4. The first passage deals with ...

5. The second (third, forth, etc.) passage deals with ...

6. The main idea of the text is ...

B

1. Translate into Russian using a dictionary:

The United States has many differ­ent types of families. While most Ameri­can families are traditional, comprising a father, mother and one or more children, 22 percent of all American families in 1988 were headed by one parent, usually a woman. In a few families in the United States, there are no children. These child­less couples may believe that they would not make good parents; they may want freedom from the responsibilities of child-rearing; or, perhaps they are not physically able to have children. Other families in the United States have one adult who is a stepparent. A stepmother or stepfather is a person who joins a family by marrying a father or mother.

Americans tolerate and accept these different types of families. In the United States, people have the right to privacy and Americans do not believe in telling other Americans what type of family group they must belong to. They respect each other's choices regarding family groups.

Families are very important to Ame­ricans. One sign that this is true is that Ame­ricans show great concern about the family as an institution. Many Americans believe there are too many divorces. They worry that teenagers are not obeying their parents. They are concerned about whether working women can properly care for their children. They also worry that too many families live in poverty.

Four out of five people in the United States live as members of families and they value their families highly. In one poll, 92 percent of the people who were questioned said their family was very im­portant to them.

Families give us a sense of tradition. Families give us strength and purpose. Our families show us who we are. As one American expert who studies families says, "The things we need most deeply in our lives – love, communication, respect and good relationships – have their begin­nings in the family."

Families serve many functions. They provide a setting in which children can be born and reared. Families help edu­cate their members. Parents teach their children values – what they think is im­portant. They teach their children daily skills, such as how to ride a bicycle. They also teach them common practices and customs, such as respect for elders and celebrating holidays. Some families pro­vide each member a place to earn money. In the United States, however, most people earn money outside the home. The most important job for a family is to give emo­tional support and security.

At 18 years of age, young people in the United States can take on most of the rights and responsibilities of adulthood. Before this occurs, however, the American teenager (a common name for a young per­son between the ages of 13 and 19), goes through this period of adolescence. Psychologists say that most young people experience conflict during this period of their lives. They are hanging rapidly, both physically and emotionally and they are searching for self-identity. As they are growing up and becoming more independent, teenagers sometimes develop different values from those held by their parents. American teenagers begin to be influenced by the values expressed by their friends, the media (newspapers, television, magazines, etc.) and teachers. During this period of their lives, young people also begin to participate in social activities such as sporting events and church group projects, as well to do more things in the company of members of the opposite sex and fewer things in the company of their families.

While the teenage years for most American young people are nearly free of serious conflict, all youths face a certain number of problems. Some young people have difficulties in their relationships with their parents or problems at school which may lead to use of alcohol or drugs, the refusal to attend school or even to running away from home. In extreme cases, some might turn to crime and become lawbreakers.

However, for every teenager expe­riencing such problems many more are making positive, important contributions to their communities, schools and society. Millions of young people in the United States are preparing for the future in ex­citing ways. Many teenagers are studying for college entrance exams or working at part-time jobs after school and on the weekends. Others are volunteering at hos­pitals, helping the handicapped or pro­gramming computers, etc.

 

⇐ Предыдущая45678910111213Следующая ⇒

Поделиться: