Giáo trình Speaking 4 Phần 2

UNIT 4: PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS

I. WARM-UP

- Look at the pictures in your book.

Can you guess the relationship between the two people in each picture?

What are they doing?

Look at the gestures they make. How close are they?

- Are friends important in your life? Why?

Do you have many close friends? Do you have different “circles of friends”?

Is it difficult to keep friendship?

II. READING

Some main ideas:

- The dictionary defines the word “friend” as “one attached to another by affection or

esteem”

- Americans use the word “friend” freely. It is difficult to formulate a precise definition of

this word as it is used in the United States.

Circle of Friends

- It is common for Americans to have different “circles of friends” such as church friends,

work friends or sports friends.

- “Best friends” are usually two people of the same sex who have known each other for a

long time. People usually have more casual friends than close or best friends.

Mobility and Friendship

- Americans are geographically mobile and learn to develop friendships easily and

quickly.

- Relationships based on a common activity may fade or end when the activity ends. In

these friendships, shared daily experiences form the foundation for the relationship.

Enduring friendships develop when individuals have similar interests and a common

outlook on life. The high rate of mobility in the United States can explain a great deal

about transient (short) friendships.

Instant Friendships

- Instant friendships may appear to be deep and personal but are really superficial.

Friendship and friendliness are not synonymous. Friendliness characterizes much of

American daily interaction but is not always an indication of friendship. Strangers may

share life histories without any intention of pursuing a relationship. Characterizing instant

friendships is the appearance of two people becoming close but, in reality, there is no

17

strong bond between them. Brief encounters do not always imply desire for further

contact.

Male- Female Relationships

- In the United States men and women socialize relatively freely and develop a variety of

relationships.

Single people of opposite sexes may be close friends and share personal problems with

each other without being romantically involved. There are no fixed rules for romantic or

intimate relationships but there are restraints.

Men and women interact in varying degrees of intensity. Dating may be serious or casual.

The commitment and obligations of people who are dating depend principally on the

couple’s attitude.

- Married men and women sometimes consider each other best friends as well as spouses.

They also associate with members of the opposite sex either as couples or independently.

This does not mean that there are no constraints on the married men and women. The

limitations of these relationships are not always visible but they do exist. Most, but not

all, married American couples practice monogamous relationships.

Intercultural Friendships

- With foreign visitors, Americans may not always be the first ones to begin friendships.

However, it is important to know that Americans are receptive to developing friendships

with international visitors. It is advisable to approach Americans first to initiate

friendships.

- A characteristic of American personal relationship is the absence of fixed rules

governing them. Therefore, a variety of friendships are possible in the United States.

III. COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

Answers:

1. a 2. a 3. c 4. b 5. a

6. c 7. a 8. b 9. b 10. c

IV. VOCABULARY

Some new words:

- Esteem (n): respect

- Formulate (v): to express or reduce to a formula; to express in a systematic way

- Precise (a): clearly expressed; definite; exact

- Console (v): comfort

- Segregation (n): separation; isolation from a group

- Mobile (a): moving, able to be moved, easily and quickly from place to place; easily and

often changing

18

- Relocate (v): establish, become established, in a new place or area

- Fade (v): go slowly out of view, hearing or the memory; disappear slowly

- Enduring (a): lasting

- Transient (a): lasting for a short time only; brief

- Superficial (a): of or on the surface only; not thorough or profound

- Pursue (v): follow

- Encounter (n): meeting

- Terminate (v): end, cease

- Spouse (n): wife or husband

- Monogamous (a): having one wife or husband or lover at a time

- Isolation (n): the state of being apart or alone

Vocabulary Exercises

A. Definitions

1. partner 2. precision 3. acquaintances 4. companion

5. formulate 6. consoled 7. segregate 8. esteem

B. Multiple Choice

1. d 2. c 3.d 4.a 5. c

6. d 7. a 8. b 9. d 10. c

11. d 12. a 13. a

C. Words in Sentences

1. Being faithful to one’s spouse is one precious characteristic needed to be preserved.

2. Monogamous relationships are always important in the society.

3. It is so terrible to live in isolation from other people.

4. To be a successful language learner, you should not be passive in the classroom.

5. This city has a great tourism potential.

6. Overcoming one’ own bad habits is the greatest challenge to each person.

D. Word Forms

1. a. references b. reference c. refer

2. a. mobility b. mobile

3. a. superficial b. superficiality c. superficially

4. a. desirable b. desire c. desire d. desirous

5. a. socially b. sociable c. socialize d. social

6. a. intensity b. intense c. intensely d. intensified

7. a. alternate b. alternates c. Alternatively d. alternatives

V. CONVERSATIONAL ACTIVITIES

Some guide for understanding the quotations and proverbs:

19

- “Friendship is the inexpressible ... nor measure words” : When you have a real friend

beside you, you feel very comfortable and safe, you can say many things without

worrying about choosing the words you use.

- “Don’t walk in front of me... And just be my friend.” : Friends are equal.

- “Everyone’s friend is no one’s friend.” : It’s difficult to get on well with every person

around us, so when a person can make friend with everyone, this kind of friendship is

usually superficial and therefore is not lasting.

- “Cooked at one stirring makes friends too easily”: Easy come, easy go.

- “In trade and commerce friendship ceases.”: In trade and commerce where money and

benefits come first, friendship cannot exist.

- “Friends are made in wine and proved in tears.” : A friend in need is a friend indeed.

Only through difficulties that you can find who is your real friend.

- “When you require nothing, go to your friends.”: Don’t think of what your friends can

give you.

- “If your friend be honey, do not eat him.”: Don’t take advantage of your friends.

- “Don’t wash the cup of friendship with vinegar.”: Don’t behave badly with your friends.

- ”There is no better mirror than an old friend.”: You can understand you easily thanks to

your old friends.

- “Among soldiers and friends, compliments are superfluous.” : Compliments are

unnecessary among friends and soldiers.

- “It is ret to take trouble for a friend.”: We are willing to take trouble for our friends.

- “One is never a friend by force.”: Friendship cannot be formed by force.

Etc.

Discuss: These quotations and proverbs imply that friendship is so precious and delicate.

Friendship can only be formed based on true emotions, be kept by the efforts from each

person. The longer friendship you have, the more precious it is.

B.

C. Case Studies

Situation 1 - A Date with Mona

Maybe in Mona’s culture, there are certain strict rules governing male-female

relationships. Going to a man’s house for dinner and cooking for a man are beyond what a

girl is allowed to do. Moreover, this is perhaps the first time she hears a man say that, so

she feels hurt and angry.

- In Mona’s family, men and women do not eat at the same room, and women usually do

not join in the talk with male guests. The girl - Mona can only talk, for the first time, with

John in her parents’ presence.

20