Communication

A. What do you know about each life transition in the box? Tell a partner what you think happens or what you have experienced. Listen carefully while your partner speaks. Ask questions to get more information.

(Bạn biết gì về mỗi lần chuyển đổi cuộc sống trong hộp? Nói với đối tác những gì bạn nghĩ sẽ xảy ra hoặc những gì bạn đã trải qua. Lắng nghe cẩn thận trong khi đối tác của bạn nói. Đặt câu hỏi để có thêm thông tin)

from child to teenager from teenager to adult from single to married

from studying to working from non-parent to parent from middle age to old age

Answer:

1. From child to teenager: This transition typically occurs around the ages of 12-13 and marks the onset of puberty. Teenagers experience physical, emotional, and social changes as they move towards independence and seek to establish their own identity.

2. From teenager to adult: This transition usually occurs between the ages of 18-25 and marks the transition to greater independence and responsibility. Young adults often complete their education, start their careers, and establish their own households during this time.

3. From single to married: This transition involves the decision to form a committed partnership with another person, typically through a legal or religious ceremony. Marriage involves sharing a life with another person and making joint decisions about finances, household responsibilities, and other aspects of daily life.

4. From studying to working: This transition involves leaving the academic world behind and entering the workforce. It typically occurs around the age of 22-25 and involves finding a job or starting a career that is aligned with one's interests, skills, and values.

5. From non-parent to parent: This transition involves the birth or adoption of a child, marking a significant change in lifestyle and priorities. New parents must adjust to the demands of caring for a dependent child, including feeding, diapering, and providing emotional support.

6. From middle age to old age: This transition marks the onset of physical and cognitive decline and typically occurs around the age of 65 or older. Older adults may experience health issues, retirement, and the loss of loved ones, but may also find new meaning and purpose in life through volunteering, hobbies, and relationships with family and friends.

Some questions you could ask your partner to get more information about their experiences or thoughts regarding a specific life transition:

1. From child to teenager:

• Can you tell me more about your experience of going through puberty?

• What were some of the biggest challenges you faced during your teenage years?

• How did you navigate the process of forming your own identity and establishing independence from your parents?

2. From teenager to adult:

• What were some of the biggest changes you experienced when you moved out of your parents' house?

• How did you go about choosing a career or field of study?

• What do you think is the most challenging aspect of being an adult?

3. From single to married:

• What were some of the biggest adjustments you had to make when you first got married?

• How did you and your partner go about making joint decisions about household responsibilities and finances?

• What do you think are some of the key ingredients for a successful marriage?

4. From studying to working:

• Can you tell me about your first job after graduation?

• What do you find most fulfilling about your current job/career?

• How did you go about finding work that aligned with your interests and values?

5. From non-parent to parent:

• What were some of the biggest surprises you encountered when you first became a parent?

• How did you and your partner divide up responsibilities for caring for your child/children?

• What have you found to be the most rewarding aspect of being a parent?

6. From middle age to old age:

• What do you think are some of the biggest challenges of growing older?

• How have your priorities and goals changed as you've aged?

• What do you think are some of the keys to staying active and engaged in life as you get older?

B. Discuss the questions in pairs.

(Thảo luận các câu hỏi theo cặp)

1. Who does the cleaning and other chores at your house?

2. How often do you do your own laundry?

3. When was the last time you bought groceries?

4. Are you old enough to vote?

Answer:

An example conversation based on these questions:

Person A: Hey, can I ask you some questions about household chores and responsibilities?

Person B: Sure, go ahead.

Person A: Who does the cleaning and other chores at your house?

Person B: We share the responsibilities pretty equally at my house. I do most of the cooking, but my partner does the dishes and we take turns cleaning the bathroom.

Person B: How about you?

Person A: Yeah, we also try to split the chores fairly evenly. I usually do the laundry and clean the kitchen, while my roommate takes care of the living room and bathroom.

Person B: How often do you do your own laundry?

Person A: About once a week. What about you?

Person B: I usually do it twice a week, but it depends on how much I've worn my clothes.

Person B: When was the last time you bought groceries?

Person A: Yesterday, actually. I usually go once a week to stock up on food.

Person A: Are you old enough to vote?

Person B: Yeah, I am. I've voted in every election since I turned 18. How about you?

Person A: Same here. I think it's really important to exercise our right to vote and have a say in how our country is run.

C. Read the sample paragraph and discuss the questions below with a partner.

(Đọc đoạn văn mẫu và thảo luận các câu hỏi dưới đây với một đối tác)

1. What is the topic sentence in this paragraph?

2. What two examples support the topic sentence?

3. How did the writer feel about this transition in his or her life?

4. How do the bolded expressions help you understand the writer's meaning?

When I finished middle school and started high school, my parents began to give me more responsibilities. I had already started to wash some of my own clothes when I had no homework to do, but that summer it became my responsibility to do laundry for the whole family. My other chore was buying groceries for my elderly grandmother, who lived a few blocks away from my neighborhood. I went to visit her twice a week, and I asked her what she needed from the grocery store. She gave me the shopping list and some money, and | returned with her food, soap, and other necessities. It wasn't hard to do at all. In fact, it was fun and I really enjoyed spending time with her that way. I also began to feel good about doing my family’s laundry each week. It felt like I was learning to take responsibility and moving from childhood toward adulthood.

Answer:

1. The topic sentence in this paragraph is "When I finished middle school and started high school, my parents began to give me more responsibilities."

2. The two examples that support the topic sentence are: (1) doing laundry for the whole family, and (2) buying groceries for the writer's elderly grandmother.

3. The writer seemed to feel positive about the transition in his or her life. The writer found doing laundry and buying groceries fun and enjoyable, and also felt good about taking responsibility for these tasks.

4. The bolded expressions help to emphasize the writer's experiences and the timeline of events. "Already" shows that the writer had begun to take on some responsibilities before the transition to high school. "That summer" indicates when the new responsibility for doing laundry for the family started. "Twice a week" emphasizes the frequency of the writer's visits to their grandmother.

D. Complete the questionnaire. Write answers in your notebook.

(Hoàn thành bảng câu hỏi. Viết câu trả lời vào sổ ghi chép của bạn)

QUESTIONNAIRE

1. Where do you live now?

2. How many times have you moved in your life?

3. As a child, what did you dream of being or doing when you got older?

4. What do you dream of being or doing now?

5. When did you meet your best friend or friends?

6. What are some of the most important personal relationships in your life?

7. What event in your life do you think changed you the most?

Answer:

1. I currently live in Los Angeles, California.

2. I have moved several times in my life, but I would say I have moved about five times in total.

3. When I was a child, I dreamed of becoming a veterinarian. I loved animals and wanted to help take care of them.

4. Currently, I dream of becoming a published author. I love to write and it has always been a passion of mine.

5. I met my best friend in college, we were roommates during our freshman year and have been close ever since.

6. Some of the most important personal relationships in my life include my family, my partner, and my close friends. They have been there for me through thick and thin and I am grateful for their love and support.

7. The event in my life that changed me the most was when I lost my grandmother. She was very dear to me and her passing made me realize the importance of cherishing the time we have with our loved ones. It also made me appreciate life more and not take things for granted.

Goal check

1. Read your answers to the questionnaire—especially to question 7. Write a well-organized paragraph (150-180 words) about a life transition and make sure it includes the following:

* a good topic sentence * time expressions to show when things happened

* plenty of interesting details

2. Take turns. Tell your partner about the life transition you described in your paragraph. Was it easy or difficult for you to write about?

Answer:

As I transitioned from middle school to high school, I had to adjust to many changes in my life. It was a significant moment for me, as it marked the end of my childhood and the beginning of a new journey. During that summer, I remember feeling both nervous and excited about what was to come. On my first day of high school, I woke up earlier than usual and put on my brand new uniform. I walked to school with my friends, who were also starting high school, and we talked about our hopes and fears for the future. As the weeks went by, I had to adjust to the new academic workload and increased expectations. But with the help of my teachers and classmates, I started to find my place in this new environment. I joined clubs and extracurricular activities, which allowed me to make new friends and develop new skills. Looking back, I realize how much I have grown since that first day of high school. It was a life-changing transition that has helped me become the person I am today.