English 11 | Unit 1: Family Life and Friendship | Lesson 1: Getting Started

I. FAMILY: (TEN-YEAR SYLLABUS)

Ann lives in an extended family (gia đình nhiều thế hệ) of three generations. There are generation gaps (khoảng cách thế hệ) among the members. Each generation has their own beliefs (có niềm tin riêng) and expects other family members to have similar manners and behaviors (giữ phong cách và hành xử tương tự). Elderly people who tend to be conservative (có xu hướng bảo thủ) impose their opinions and decisions on (áp đặt ý riêng và quyết định lên) younger people, whereas younger members, being more liberal and open-minded, (có tư tưởng tự do phóng khoáng hơn) want to have their own ways, (có cách của riêng mình) make new changes and create something different. Very often problems come up and conflicts result from (xuất phát từ) generation gaps. What should be done about these conflicting gaps (những cách biệt gây mâu thuẫn)?

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II. FRIENDS: (SEVEN-YEAR SYLLABUS)

A FRIEND IN NEED IS A FRIEND INDEED!

That guy is just an acquaintance (chỉ là người quen thôi), not a friend of mine. But that girl is both a friend and a neighbor. What are the qualities (phẩm chất) of a true friend? There are at least four top qualities of a true friend. A true friendship should be close and lasting, constant and loyal, unselfish and respectful, enthusiastic and sympathetic (thân tình và bền lâu, kiên định và trung thành, không ích kỷ mà biết tôn trọng, nhiệt tình và đồng cảm). A good friend can keep a secret. Good friends have mutual trust in each other. Besides they should be concerned with each other. Friendship is never one-way; it must be a two-sided affair and observe the ‘give and take’ rule. A true friend is neither easily influenced by gossips nor readily believes in rumors.

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III. FAMILY CONFLICTS:

1. THE GENERATION GAP (Khoảng cách thế hệ):

Where do conflicts come from?

From the parents or teenage children? Their differences? The generation gaps?

They have a difference of opinion (khác biệt về quan điểm nhận thức).

They have different tastes in music (khác biệt về thị hiếu âm nhạc).                      

Young people express strong opinions about something (thể hiện tư tưởng không khoan nhượng về…).

Adults object to the way teenagers spend their free time (phản đối cách… ).

Elderly people expect respectful behavior. (Người cao niên mong ngỡ được kính trọng).

Most parents hold strong views about education. (Phụ huynh giữ quan điểm dứt khoát về giáo dục).     

Youngsters have different beliefs about friendship. (Đám trẻ có niềm tin khác biệt về tình bạn.)

2. WORDS IN CONTEXT – DEFINITIONS:

conflicts (n): situations in which people are involved in a serious disagreement or argument

norms (n): standards of behavior that are typical or accepted within a particular group

brand name (n): name given to a product by the company that produces it

can afford it (v): have enough money to do or buy something

impose (v): make somebody accept the same opinions as you

3. WORDS IN PARTNERSHIP – COLLOCATIONS:

conflicts between parents and children: những xung đột giữa cha mẹ và con cái 

no matter how old you are: cho dù bạn bao nhiêu tuổi

treat you like small kids: đối xử với bạn như trẻ con

strongly believe that … xác tín rằng, tin chắc rằng…

have one’s own opinions: có suy nghĩ riêng biệt

make one’s own decisions: tự quyết cho mình

feel comfortable when … cảm thấy dễ chịu mỗi khi…       

one common area of conflicts: Một nơi thường có mâu thuẫn

break the rules and norms of society: vi phạm luật lệ hay luân thường xã hội

put / place a burden on someone: đặt gánh nặng lên vai ai đó

cannot afford the high prices: không thể chi trả cho giá cao quá

another source of conflicts: một nguồn gây xung đột khác nữa là

see things the way your parents do: cách nhìn vấn đề giống như bố mẹ

conflicts also arise from … xung đột còn xuất phát từ…

impose your choice on other people: áp đặt cách chọn lựa của bạn lên người khác

regardless of their preferences: bất kể, bất chấp sở thích ưu tiên của họ

create mutual trust and understanding: tạo ra niềm tin và thông hiểu lẫn nhau

come into conflict with someone: tình cờ va chạm xung đột với ai đó

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IV. DESCRIBING PEOPLE’S APPEARANCE AND PERSONALITY:

How does she look? What does she look like?

She is pretty tall and she has a heart-shaped face and long straight hair.

She’s pretty tall with a heart-shaped face and long straight hair.

How would you describe her character traits? What do you think of her personality?

She’s generous. She always tries her best to help the poor.

*Vocabulary:

medium height: chiều cao trung bình           

oval face: mặt trái xoan

crooked nose: mũi quặp

grey hair: tóc muối tiêu

broad forehead: trán rộng

caring (adj): có lòng nhân ái, biết chăm sóc bảo bọc

modest (adj): khiêm tốn

pleasant (adj): thân thiện, dễ chịu

helpful (adj): chu đáo, ân cần

generous (adj): hào phóng

sincere (adj): chân thành

understanding (adj): cảm thông tha thứ

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V. WRITING: Describing a friend, an acquaintance or a relative

Xuan / best friend / the same age / live, my neighborhood / first met when / grade 6

Xuan / medium height / long straight hair / clear black eyes / oval face / smartly dressed / look fashionable / lively

Xuan / a kind of person / like at first sight / cheerful & sociable / pleasant and friendly / make friends easily / rarely talk about herself / helpful / care for other people

The best thing I like about her is that / sincere / tell the truth / tactful / know how to avoid hurting your feeling / pleasant to be with her.

*Vocabulary:

keep up with fashion: theo kịp thời trang

be trendy and fashion-conscious: hợp thời trang

be smartly dressed: ăn mặc đẹp

be casually dressed: ăn mặc xuề xòa

be fashionably dressed (adj) trang phục hợp thời

lively (adj): sinh động, sống động

cheerful (adj): tươi vui, vui vẻ

hurt someone’s feeling: làm phật ý ai

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VI. COMMON COMPLAINTS FROM BOTH SIDES:

1. COMPLAINTS ABOUT TEENAGERS:

My teenage children have strange friends. They watch too much TV and waste time on games.

Every so often they refuse to listen to us or hardly ever take our advice.

have strange friends

watch too much TV

spend so much time on games

waste time on silly social networks

never listen to them

hardly ever take their advice

eat too much junk food

rarely help with the housework

make the bed

keep my room clean and tidy

2. COMPLAINTS ABOUT PARENTS:

All too often my parents keep comparing us with other ‘well-behaved’ children.

I can’t stand it when Mum does not respect my privacy. I do not have much freedom.

keep comparing them with other children

not respect one’s privacy

not have much freedom

put pressure on someone

keep someone under control

hardly ever let someone do what they want

pass judgements: xét đoán

give advice and make suggestions

impose on someone: áp đặt

be too conservative to adapt to new life