1. Adults often complain that young people do not show proper respect for the laws and rules. While teenagers complain that they are treated like babies and the rules are not fair sometimes.
1) Which things are these teenagers complaining about? (listening/reading for the main idea)
+ going to school
+ being young
+ joining the army
+ having a younger brother
+ getting a job
+ dealing with parents
+ buying transport tickets
+ having not enough money
+ watching violent films
— Well Ken, if you ask me, there is too much to complain about being young. It can really be hard sometimes, especially when your parents hardly ever leave you alone.
— You're telling me! I quite like my Mom and Dad, but they're always ready to criticize me. "Don't do this! You can't do that!" It's often really hard to put up with.
— Oh, it's really that bad. Frankly, I'm having a big argument with my parents at the moment. I ask them to buy me a motorbike, but they say I can't ride one. They say, "It's against the law. Wait till you are 17. You are not an adult yet."
— Although, sometimes it's just the opposite. See, I'm 17. And I can join the army, right? But I'm not allowed to see war films, because they say they are too violent.
— That's really unfair. Actually, when we go on a train or bus, we are adults. I have to pay full price for the ticket.
— I can understand how you feel, Gary. I sure am lucky I can have a part- time job and get some money. My younger brother is only 12. And he can hardly ever afford a new CD.
— Hey, don't talk about money. I don't even have enough to cover my daily expenses. I can't wait till I leave school and get a full-time job.
— Oh, no. That would really come as a shock for my parents, they want me to study further. Honestly, I have to obey them. I remember, when I was 11, I couldn't even buy a dog without their permission.
— That sounds really bad.
2) Ken and Gary are exchanging their complaints about what they are not allowed to do.
Which of them has the following complaints? (reading for specific information)
* Parents want Ken to continue his education after finishing school.
* Gary does not have enough money to buy what he wants.
* Parents don't permit Gary to have a motorbike.
* Parents did not let Ken buy a pet six years ago.
* The law does not allow Ken to see war films.
* Parents always criticize Ken.
З) How do the teenagers explain their complaints? What language do they use? (reading for specific information)
Neutral
• I'm sorry, I'm afraid ...
• It can really be hard ...
• It's really bad ...
• There's too much to complain about ...
• I quite like, but ...
• I'm sorry to say this, but ...
Formal
• I'm not completely satisfied with ...
• I wish to complain about ...
• I'm not the person who usually complains, but...
Informal
• I'm sick and tired of ..."
• I'm fed up with ...!
• I can hardly ever ...!
• That's really unfair ...!
• It just won't do!
• I've just about had enough (of ...)!
• ... even ...
1) Which things are these teenagers complaining about? (listening/reading for the main idea)
+ going to school
+ being young
+ joining the army
+ having a younger brother
+ getting a job
+ dealing with parents
+ buying transport tickets
+ having not enough money
+ watching violent films
— Well Ken, if you ask me, there is too much to complain about being young. It can really be hard sometimes, especially when your parents hardly ever leave you alone.
— You're telling me! I quite like my Mom and Dad, but they're always ready to criticize me. "Don't do this! You can't do that!" It's often really hard to put up with.
— Oh, it's really that bad. Frankly, I'm having a big argument with my parents at the moment. I ask them to buy me a motorbike, but they say I can't ride one. They say, "It's against the law. Wait till you are 17. You are not an adult yet."
— Although, sometimes it's just the opposite. See, I'm 17. And I can join the army, right? But I'm not allowed to see war films, because they say they are too violent.
— That's really unfair. Actually, when we go on a train or bus, we are adults. I have to pay full price for the ticket.
— I can understand how you feel, Gary. I sure am lucky I can have a part- time job and get some money. My younger brother is only 12. And he can hardly ever afford a new CD.
— Hey, don't talk about money. I don't even have enough to cover my daily expenses. I can't wait till I leave school and get a full-time job.
— Oh, no. That would really come as a shock for my parents, they want me to study further. Honestly, I have to obey them. I remember, when I was 11, I couldn't even buy a dog without their permission.
— That sounds really bad.
2) Ken and Gary are exchanging their complaints about what they are not allowed to do.
Which of them has the following complaints? (reading for specific information)
* Parents want Ken to continue his education after finishing school.
* Gary does not have enough money to buy what he wants.
* Parents don't permit Gary to have a motorbike.
* Parents did not let Ken buy a pet six years ago.
* The law does not allow Ken to see war films.
* Parents always criticize Ken.
З) How do the teenagers explain their complaints? What language do they use? (reading for specific information)
Neutral
• I'm sorry, I'm afraid ...
• It can really be hard ...
• It's really bad ...
• There's too much to complain about ...
• I quite like, but ...
• I'm sorry to say this, but ...
Formal
• I'm not completely satisfied with ...
• I wish to complain about ...
• I'm not the person who usually complains, but...
Informal
• I'm sick and tired of ..."
• I'm fed up with ...!
• I can hardly ever ...!
• That's really unfair ...!
• It just won't do!
• I've just about had enough (of ...)!
• ... even ...