1. Grown – ups and children are said not to understand each other.

We call this problem a

generation gap. Can you think of anything your parents complain about? Complete the
word web.

studyin Parents
g complain about

fashion

2. How to cope with parents?

a) Look at the table. It will help you to express your opinion.
b) Every student in our group has his or her own point of view on the problem.
Let’s work in mini-groups and listen to your classmates. The following scheme will
help you:

I usually have problems with parents about …

My parents often complain about…
Personally I think, …
In my opinion, …
My parents always …
I often …
To solve the problem we should …
Then, …
What else, …
You can’t but agree…

c) Now present your group ideas to the rest of the class.

3. What problems worry young people in the UK?

a) Jane Moor, a 16- year-old girl has written a letter to ADVICE SPECIAL about some problems
she has with her parents.
 Look at the photos and try to predict what kind of problem does Jane have?
 Now, fill in the gaps with the words from the box.

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become cross, problem, order, develop, point out, keep silence, provoke, arguments, argue (2),
be irritable with parents, make up, refuse to talk, moan, worry about, bug, strict and firm, begin
to demand, break the rules, let me meet my friends, feel offended.

Dear ADVICE SPECIAL,

The _________ with my parents started when I was sixteen. I
wanted a Saturday job but my parents ___________ me to stay at
home and study for my exams. Whenever I ___________ that all my
friends had Saturday jobs, they always replied, “We don’t care what
they do, it’s you we’re worried about”.
This made me angry that I did whatever I could to __________
them. I dyed my hair dark blue and covered my face in _________
before I went to school. Of course, this didn’t help.
It was a rule that in the evening I was only allowed out once
during the week and on Saturday till 10 p.m. Every time I went out,
my parents started to _____. They ________ me asking who I was
going with and where we were going. It never crossed my mind that
they were probably just _____________ me.
Once I asked to go to a party on a Saturday night. They agreed, but
on condition that Dad came to pick me up at 10 p.m. I did ________
and ________ about it but in the end I had to agree. I knew I was
going to be really embarrassed when my father came to pick me up, so
I spent the whole party worrying. When we came home, my parents
_______________ a report about the party, what we did and whether
we drank beer. I ___________ and the folks became______________,
They didn’t ___________________. I didn’t speak to my parents for
three days after that. My mother tried to explain how they both felt,
but I ______________ and didn’t want to listen. It was then that I
decided to _______________. So instead of coming home at 10 p.m. ,
I would arrive back at 11.30 p.m. and then_________________. I
hoped they would decide I was old enough to look after myself, and
leave me alone. However, the parents continued to give
______________ and they just got worse and worse, and finally, one
Saturday night I didn’t come home till 2 a.m. My father wanted to
know why I was so late. I _____________________. My father
______________ and said that I _______________ bad habits. Then
we had a big argument which ended with me getting a taxi to my
sister’s house. What’s was wrong?

4. What recommendation would you give the girl?

Imagine you are a psychologist giving a piece of advice for readers of a teen magazine.
Write your recommendations for Jane.
You know, your parents… On the one hand, your parents… The thing is …
They have no one who … But on the other hand, they… To cope with the
That’s why they … To improve the situation you should… problem you …
You should …. It’s also necessary … First, …
Besides, try to …. Then … Second,
It’s necessary for you … What else … Third, …
So, you’d better… You can’t but agree… Why not to…?
Otherwise…

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5. Some teenagers try to talk things over with their parents. This song is a conversation between
a father and his son.
a) Look at these phrases from the song. Which phrases do you think are said by the
father and which by the son? Why?

Settle down

How can I try to explain

It’s not time

I know it’s not easy

I’m old but I’m happy

I was ordered to listen

I know that I have to go away

Keeping all the things I knew inside

b) Fill in the gaps in the song with these phrases.

Father (chorus) Son

(1)_______________ to make a change, (5) ________________, when I do he turns
Just relax, take it easy, away again.
You’re still young, that’s your fault, It’s always been the same, same old story,
There’s so much you have to know. From the moment I could talk (6)
Find a girl, (2)_______________, _________________.
If you want you can marry. Now there’s a way and I know that I have to go
Look at me, (3) ______________. away
I know I have to go.
I was once like you are now, and (4) (Chorus)
_________________ All the times that I cried, (7)
To be calm when you’ve found something _________________,
going on. It’s hard, but it’s harder to ignore it
But take your time, think a lot, If they were right, I’d agree, but it’s them you
Why, think of everything you’ve got. know not me
For you will still be here tomorrow, but you Now there’s a way and (8)
Dreams may not. __________________
I know I have to go.

c) Listen to the song and check your answers.

d) Answer these questions individually before sharing your answers with the class.
 What do you think the son wants to do? Prove it with the sentences from the song.
 Does the son explain the reason? What is his reaction?
 What does his father want him to do? How do you know?
 What are the father’s feelings? Why do you think so?
 Who do you think is right? Why?
 Is there a way out in this conversation? What should father and his son realize?
 Is this conversation a no-win situation? Explain your ideas.