A life in the day of ….

Mary McArthur wrote to Mizz describing her day.

Mary McArthur, seventeen, lives in Glasgow where she studies in Jordanhill College. Mary hopes to pass the first year exams successfully.

At roughly 7.30 a.m. my radio alarm buzzes. As it is actually on my bed it literally blasts me into awareness of the morning. This is due to the loudness I need to wake me. I lie for a while deciding whether to pretend to be fatally ill. This trick usually doesn’t work, but I try anyway. My mother never believes me. So I finally crawl out of bed. By this time it is 8 a.m. - the time I leave the house for college. I convinced my father that it would benefit my health and welfare to receive another hour in bed and be taken to school at 8.40 a.m. by car. He agreed.

As I work in a shop that sells jeans on Saturday, I only have a lie-in on Sundays – and what a lie-in. I have my Sunday breakfast at about 3 p.m., followed by lunch at 5.30 p.m. My mother doesn’t approve, and my father thinks it is a big joke. I think it is neither disastrous nor funny – it’s crucial.

I usually enjoy studying if I’m up-to-date with my lessons. I hate the feeling of being left behind with anything. I enjoy college mainly because of the number of friends I have there. I also hate being alone. Another good reason for coming to college is to see my boy-friend, Tim, who I meet every lunchtime. However, I don’t let this interfere with my studies. I believe that if I centre my full attention on either one or the other I will lose out somewhere. And finally, I hope to get Bachelor’s degree and continue the postgraduate course in Childhood and Primary Studies.

At lunchtime I either go on a binge or starve myself. I usually starve for two reasons: either to make up for the binge which took place the previous day or to save money.

After lessons I either have basketball practice for the college team, or I go home to get myself ready to go out with Tim. I see Tim almost every evening. He says he doesn’t mind what I look like but I like to feel as though I’ve made an effort. I either do my homework before I see him, during the time I see him, or when he leaves for the bus at 11 p.m. – which would explain why I get up so late. Either way my homework gets done.

When I go to bed I often think about possible careers and dream of becoming rich and famous due to an outstanding talent that no one has discovered yet (just like they do in the movies). Then I allow myself to worry about anything and everything. I worry about studies, money, my future, the next day, what I look like, what people think about me and what I could do to change the way people think about me. I usually fall asleep at about 1a.m. when I’ve worried myself silly.

I really enjoy looking after young children. They are so interesting. It was my ambition to be a nanny or a nursery nurse and to start babysitting until I have children of my own, but efforts to make me change my mind eventually succeeded. ”You’re too bright.” “There’s no money in it.” “You’d get bored.” “You’d be able to get a far better job if you get a proper education.” I’m looking forward very much to having children, but I’m not keen on the idea of being a stereotypical mother/housewife. I also want a career, and a good one. My father continuously asks whether I’ve made up my mind yet. I think I know what I want to be. Now I’m concentrating on getting good exam results so that I’ll have a solid base to move in any direction – preferably upwards.

4. Look through the article again and …

1. … note any similarities between Mary’s life and yours.

2. … list five ways in which her life is quite different from yours.

3. … make up the main questions answered in each paragraph.

e. g.: Paragraph 1 – What time do you get up? Do you like getting up? Do you find it easy?

Ex.11 Talking points.

Work in groups and discuss these questions:

1. Do you think Mary will manage to get good marks in her exams? Why?/Why not?

2. Do you think she gets on well with her parents? Why?/Why not?

3. Do you think her family should have stopped her wanting to become a nanny?

Support your answers by referring to the article.

Ex.12 Complete the sentences so that they are true for you:

1. When I get up in the morning I hate……..

2. I……. going to the Academy because………

3. At lunchtime I …….(either ………or…….)

4. After lessons I either…….or……….

5. In the evening we speak about……….

6. My mother always tells me………

7. I do my homework………

8. I’m not keen on……..

9. I really enjoy…….because……….

10. I’m looking forward to……….

11. Now I’m concentrating on………so that……..

Ex.13 Write an essay answering these questions:

How does Mary’s life compare with yours?

Do you think it is easier or more difficult? Why?

Would you like to be her?

Some useful phrases to be used:

Let me start with similarities. One important similarity between us is…

Both Mary and I …

Furthermore… / In addition…. / What’s more…..

That is where the similarities end.

There’s a world of difference between us.

In contrast to…/ In comparison with …./ Unlike Mary I……

….whereas/but….

Ex.14 Listening

1. Look at the pictures and say what feelings these people may have. What makes them feel so? Which of them looks the most relaxed person?

2. What do you think the book with the title “The Little Book of Calm” is about?

3. According to “The Little Book of Calm” if you want to be a relaxed person you should: spend time alone, have a short nap during the day, go for a walk in the country or in the park, do some physical exercise, go running, float in water, have a leisurely hot bath, take a different route to college, drink hot water, have a massage, do dancing, drink milk, change the routine. Which advice do you agree with?

4. The four people in the photos read The Little Book of Calm. Do you think they liked it? Why? Why not?

5. Listen to each speaker. Were you right? What activities from task c) did each one mention?

Ex.15 Talking points

1. Are you a relaxed or a stressed out person? What makes you feel stressed out?

2. If you feel tired after a hard working day what helps you to relax? Discuss the following activities and choose the ones both of you find the most relaxing: having a short nap, going for a walk in the park, working out in the gym, floating in the water, drinking hot milk with honey, having a massage, going out to karaoke club, doing the cooking, entertaining guests at home, shopping, watching television, painting, surfing the Internet, playing cards, chatting on the phone.

F riendship is one of the most mysterious things. Nobody can tell us about the origin of friendship, nobody knows how it appears and when it disappears. The relationships between friends are very complicated and it is very difficult to tell what relations friends should have. All people have their own understanding of friendship, their own feelings and their own relations. And there is no standard of real friendship. What are the qualities of a true friend? This question is also very complicated because every person has his/her own requirements to friends. The usual qualities that people want their true friend to have are loyalty, kindness, honesty and respect. But it is beyond any doubt that friendship is one of your personal values and you can’t imagine your life without it.

Ex.16 Study the list of adjectives describing personality and distribute them into two columns according to their positive and negative meanings. Compare the results with your partner.

Adaptable, aggressive, arrogant, bad-tempered, bossy, calm, cheerful, communicative, competitive, considerate, credulous, determined, difficult, down-to-earth, easygoing, enthusiastic, faithful, flexible, frank, generous, helpful, independent, insensitive, intelligent, lively, loyal, miserable, modest, open-minded, (over-)sensitive, reliable, responsible, self-centred, self-confident, selfish, sincere, serious, sociable, stingy, stressed out, stubborn, sympathetic, tolerant, two-faced, witty.

Ex.17 Write the correct adjective for each question below. The first one has been done for you.

1. Are you usually calm and relaxed? - easygoing

2. Are you sure of your own abilities?

3. Are you usually faithful to your friends?

4. Are you able to change to suit new conditions or situations?

5. Do you always try to achieve your goals?

6. Do you like being with other people?

7. Do you often give people presents?

8. Do you often lose your temper?

9. Do you have a practical approach to life?

10. Do you usually understand how people are feeling?

11. Do you always believe people?

12. Do you want to be better than other people?

13. Do you keep your word?

14. Do you think that other people are less important than you?

15. Do people think you are annoying when you tell them what to do?

Ex.18 Find out about another student's personality. Ask a partner some of the questions in Ex. 17. Answer your partner's questions and give examples.

e. g. A Do you have a practical approach to life?

В Yеs, I think so. I think I'm quite down-to-earth. I like to make sure things are organised and I don't usually forget things.

Ex.19 Brain-teaser. Find words in this word search grid for describing personality and then use them to complete the sentences on the next page. You will need to use hyphens (-)with three of the adjectives.

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1. I wish Marise wasn't so … I'm tired of her telling us all what to do.

2. Bessie is so … . She always wants to do better than everyone else.

3. Cristina has always been a very …friend to me. I can always rely on her.

4. Nadia's parents are very … . They don't really mind what Nadia and her brother do.

5. I've never met such a … person as Sandy. She loves going out and meeting new people.

6. I find Carlo a bit …. He is always behaving as if he were really important.

7. My sister is very … . She always thinks first about the practical side of life.

8. You really have been too … . I certainly never expected such a lovely gift.

9. Iota is the most...person I know. She really understands how other people feel.

10. Ela is a very … person. She is always sure that she can do things very well.

Ex.20 Decide which answer A, B, C or D best fits each space.

Ann Jonson has worked at this college for three years. She is a (1)… teacher, and (2)… on well with the other members of the department. We have all found her to be an excellent (3) … . She has always been (4)… for her lessons, and is an extremely (5)… member of staff who is able to work independently. I can always (6)… on her to organize the end of term play, and she has put on some extremely (7)… productions. Her students often tell me how (8)… she is, always ready with a smile, and she has been very (9)… to many of them. In (10)… she is not very talkative and seems rather (11)… at first, and might not show her true (12)… in an interview. Her work is excellent and she is (13)… to succeed. She is also quite (14)…, and has applied for two other positions as Director of Studies. I think that you can depend (15)… Ann to make your school a success, and I recommend her for the post of Director.

1. A) conscientious 2. A) goes 3. A) colleague 4. A) timed 5. A) bossy 6. A) request 7. A) imaginary 8. A) serious 9. A) kind 10. A) first 11. A) sociable 12. A) person 13. A) used 14. A) obedient 15. A) on

B) conscience B) carries B) friend B) late B) responsible B) influence B) imagination B) cheerful B) lively B) times B) shy B) behaviour B) determined B) strict B) at

C) consciousness C) gets C) neighbour C) obligatory C) credulous C) concentrate C) imaginative C) frank C) polite C) periods C) broad-minded C) character C) wanted C) grateful C) for

D) conscious D) likes D) fellow D) punctual D) stubborn D) rely D) imagined D) modest D) witty D) private D) alone D) appearance D) had D) ambitious D) in

Ex.21 Complete this dialogue using words from the previous exercises.

Alex: How's school going?

Jana: Good. I've made some new friends already.

Alex: I knew you would, you're very (1) … .

Jana: Do you think so? I think of myself as rather (2) … .

Alex: Not at all! You're one of the most (3)… people I know! You never seem to feel anxious. So ... what are your teachers like?

Jana: Well, most of them seem pretty (4) … actually. People arrive late for class and they don't say anything at all. It's incredible.

Alex: That must be a big contrast after Mr. Cox. He was so (5) …, wasn't he? One minute late and he'd be angry. What are the other students like?

Jana: Some of them are OK but they all seem very (6) … . Everyone wants to get the best marks. And there's one boy I don't like at all.

Alex: Why not?

Jana: He's really (7) … . He behaves as if he knows more than the teacher and he's always telling everyone how brilliant he is.

Ex.22 How would you describe a person who…

… gives away lots of money?

… is faithful to his friends?

… never buys you a drink?

… easily becomes angry with others?

… believes in his physical and mental abilities?

… never loses his temper?

… understands the feelings of others?

… is easily offended or upset?

… only thinks about himself?

… is always happy?

… believes whatever you tell him?

… is able to say or write clever, amusing things?

… enjoys spending time with other people?

… can be trusted to do sth well, always keeps his word?

… never boasts?

… able to accept what other people say or do even if he disagrees with it? -

… has a strong wish to get what he wants?

… says exactly what he thinks?

… always tells other people what to do?

… is sensible and practical, in a way that is helpful and friendly?

…is able to change to suit new conditions or situations?

… tries very hard to be better than others?

… forgets things because he is thinking about something else?

… is relaxed and happy to accept things without worrying or getting angry?

… thinks about the needs of others and helps them?

… is not sincere, says different things to different people about a particular subject?

… behaves in a proud, unpleasant way, shows little thought for other people?

… is too anxious, always unhappy?

… is not easy to please, is not helpful?

Ex.23 Read the text, use the words given in capitals at the end of each line to form a word that fits in space in the same line.

The Perfect Friend

Because … is one of the few kinds of relationship we have control over, it is an … area of research for sociologists. Although we can’t usually choose our … , bosses or … , we can choose our friends. But how do we choose them, and why is it that we find some people’s … more … than others? We are all looking for similar qualities in our friends, such as … , a good sense of humour and …. . However, what each of us means by “a good sense of humour", for example, is …. . We are all unique, and so the perfect friend for one person may seem a little … to someone else.

FRIEND INTEREST RELATE TEACH PERSON ATTRACT HONEST KIND DIFFER BORE

Ex 24 What qualities does your friend possess? Who do you consider a friend? Give your own definition of a friend.

e. g. A friend is someone who you trust a lot. A friend is someone who trusts you.

Ex.25 Read the following sayings and comment on them giving examples from your own experience.

Bronwyn Polson: "Whoever says “Friendship is easy” has obviously never had a true friend!"

Charles Caleb Colton: ‘True friendship is like health; the value of it is seldom known until it is lost”.

Czech proverb: “Do not protect yourself by a fence, but rather by your friends”.

Ex.26 Look at the pictures. Which of these people are friends? Why do you think that? How would you call the other people in the pictures?

1. colleagues?

2. acquaintances?

3. friends?

4. family members?

5. strangers?

6. neighbours?

Ex.27 Reading

Tina and Will met when they were both studying at the same university. Twenty years later, a student magazine contacted them and asked them to take part in a survey to find out how many people had stayed friends.

1. L ook at the photographs of Tina and Will. Do you think the following statements are true or false?

1. Tina and Will had similar interests when they were at university.

2. They chose similar careers when they finished their studies.

3. They have similar lifestyles now.

2. Read what they both say about their friendship and find out if you were right.

Tina. I first met Will when I was looking for someone to share the house I was renting. I put an advertisement in the local student newspaper and he was the one of the people who answered it. When we met, we hit it off straightaway and I told him he could move in.

Living with Will was fun. We soon found out that we had a lot in common and quickly became close friends. We always had really good discussions about everything that was important to us at the time: politics, the environment, literature and other less important things like cooking. We also liked the same music, that’s important when you’re sharing a house. We fell out a couple of times about the housework. Will thinks I’m untidy but I think life’s too short to worry about things like that.

W hen we graduated, we went our separate ways and since then our lives have been very different. I went back to my home town and got a job as a production assistant for art exhibitions. I like my job because I’m helping young people to get involved in the arts. I’m not earning very much. Will thinks I’m crazy because money is very important to him now, but I get a lot of personal satisfaction from my job. He’s earning a lot of money, but he doesn’t have time to spend with his family and his friends. I don’t see him very often now. When he comes down for the weekend we have a laugh, but our lifestyles are so different now that we don’t have very much to talk about.

W ill. Tina and I got on very well together at university. When we first met, we clicked straightaway and we ended up sharing a house for nearly three years. We had the same attitude to the important things in the life and the only thing we argued about was the housework. I’m a Virgo so I’m very tidy whereas Tina’s the opposite. I don’t think she ever found where we kept the vacuum cleaner! When I left university I moved to London and got a job in a finance company. I have to work long hours and I don’t really enjoy what I’m doing but I earn a very good salary. I’m very ambitious and I want to get to the top of my profession. I enjoy spending money on CDs, clothes, a nice car and going out to good restaurants. Tina’s working really hard as well, but she’s not earning much. I don’t understand why she’s doing it. I think she’s having a holiday – it seems very idealistic to me. Anyway, it means that our lifestyles are very different now so we drifted apart. We haven’t fallen out or anything. We still talk on the phone and when I go down to visit her, we have a laugh. I know she’ll always be there for me.

3. Tina and Will use several expressions to talk about their friendship. Complete as many of these expressions as you can from memory.

1. Two expressions that mean “we liked one another immediately”

We clicked….. We hit it ….

2. An expression that means “we had similar interests”. We had …

3. An expression that means “we enjoyed one another’s company”. We…

4. An expression that means “we argued”. We…

5. Two expressions that mean “we became more distant from one another”

We went …….. We……..

6. An expression that means “I know I can count on her when I need a friend” She’ll be…

4. The following is the summary of Tina and Will’s friendship. Put the lines of the summary in the correct order:

( ) met. They became close

( ) separate ways and they drifted

( ) friends and got on

( ) Tina and Will hit it

( ) in common. Now they’ve gone their

( ) off immediately when they first

( ) out and they say that they are still

( ) there for one another

( ) apart. They haven’t fallen

( ) well together. They had a lot

Ex.28 Reading

a) Five people are talking about their best friends and how they first met them. Read the passages and find out how they met.

A I was playing in the club when I heard of this new talented musician. In my break I walked over to the place where he was performing. I think he was wearing a dark, three-button Italian suit with a black tie. I knocked on the dressing room door to say hello. I was immediately impressed by his open, down-to-earth manner. After that we saw a lot of each other. We both loved sport as well as music. We both came from the north so we had a lot in common. But I think it was his sense of humour that I appreciated most of all.

B He’s more than just a good friend! We first met at a party when I was studying. Ours was an unlikely friendship at first. He was a dreamer and he liked solitary things like reading and cooking. I was much active and sociable and I liked team sports. He was considerate and whenever I got into trouble he was always there for me. He is married with a family but it hasn’t changed our relationship.

C I met her for the first time when I was hiking in Scotland. She was the guide and I was very impressed by her patience and self-confidence when things got difficult. Our friendship grew as we got to know each other better and I came to admire her determination. At the end of the week I invited her to stay at my parents’ home. We have very different personalities: she is a born optimist and extrovert. But that is probably why we got on so well. I haven’t seen her for nearly a year because I live in Spain, but she writes at least once a week.

D That night I was playing very badly and wasn’t feeling very happy. Somebody said he was at the club and wanted to meet me. I was excited because he was quite famous. I remember he was wearing a fashionable black overcoat with a velvet collar when he came into the dressing room. We had a drink together the next day. Later, we even did concerts around the country together. We played golf most mornings, table tennis in the afternoons and music in the evenings. With us it’s like speaking the same language.

E She was a member of a group I was taking in the mountains for a week. I immediately felt she would be a good friend. At that time I was working away from home and was very lonely. She was very kind and we had very similar tastes. I came to rely on her and turn to her for advice. I was often away working and it was marvelous to have a real friend to write to. She was naturally quite shy, so I helped her to meet other people. We don’t see much of each other nowadays because she lives abroad but that has not affected our friendship.

b) Four parts can be paired and one is an odd one. Which one?

c) Paraphrase the underlined parts of the sentences using the words from the text:

1. I often go to her for advice.

2. What I liked most of all was his sense of humour.

3. We completely understand each other.

4. I admired his down-to-earth manner of speaking.

5. We started to meet very often playing either golf or tennis in the mornings and music in the evenings.

6. Though we live in different countries and go our separate ways it didn’t influence on our friendship.

7. We didn’t expect our relations to become friendship.

8. The relationship between us became stronger and stronger.

d) Make the summaries of the friendships.

Ex.29 Talking points

1. Have you made new friends since you entered the faculty of foreign languages?

2. Do you have much in common?

3. Do your friends sometimes annoy you?

4. Are the new friends better than the friends from childhood?

5. Do you think you’ll stay friends for ever?

Ex .30 Reading

1. Read the text about friends and choose the best title for it:

   1. A friend in need is a friend indeed.

   2. The best friend is a friend from childhood.

   3. A small circle of good friends is better than one best friend.

   4. E-mail friends are always there for you.

2. Look at the types of friends in each heading (A-D). Can you predict what characteristics each kind of friend might have?

Example: The party partner might be a lively person who likes going out a lot.

A. The Party Partner

There is a time in most children's lives when they have just one 'best friend'. This is the only person they are interested in and the only person they need. But as we get older, most people realise that it's actually much healthier to have a small circle of good friends with different personality types. Firstly, a 'party partner' is essential. You need at least one wild friend who encourages you to do spontaneous things like go to a late night party or buy something really expensive. This kind of friend will put interest back in your life. He or she will make you feel more energetic and relieve a lot of stress.

B. The Workmate

Secondly, you also need a 'workmate'. This friend helps you with your school work or your career. He or she advises you and discusses your progress. If you have a friend like this, you're in luck. This is someone who will help push you, support you and encourage you to do your best. It's a good idea to find someone who is at a similar life stage or a bit older. But don't choose someone who is too competitive. You need someone self-confident and generous for this kind of friend.

C. The Hobby Sharer

Thirdly, one kind of friend who is fun to have is the 'hobby sharer'. This is someone who you have absolutely nothing in common with, except that at the moment you share the same interest or hobby. If you start a new hobby, like going to the gym, it is much more motivating to have someone to go with. This friendship could collapse at any time but is very nice while it lasts. The great thing about this kind of friend is that you can start all sorts of new things with different 'hobby sharer" friends. He or she can help you move on to a new stage in your life.

D. The ‘Tell-anything’ Friend

Finally, almost the opposite of the 'hobby sharer' is the kind of friend known as the 'tell-anything' friend. He or she could also be known as your ‘three-in-the-morning'’ friend. You might never have to wake this friend up because you're in a panic about something, but you know you could. This is perhaps the only friend who you show your worst side to and with whom you can truly be yourself. The key to being a 'tell-anything' friend is that even though you may not agree with your friend, you are always loyal and always on their side. This, after all is what a true friend should be.

3. Which of these friends ...

   1. …likes to do unplanned things?

   2. … is the best for helping with homework?

   3. … would help you in a desperate situation?

   4. … is generally very different from you?

   5. … is usually a lively and active person?

   6. … may suddenly stop being your friend?

   7. … is someone you probably wouldn't mind crying with?

   8. … shouldn't be a very ambitious person?

   9. … is usually a faithful and reliable person?

3. Find the words and word combinations in the text that have the same meaning, underline them and use in the sentences of your own:

completely necessary, to be lucky, to behave naturally, to give sb support, to support and agree with sb, to make life interesting again, loyal friend, to start doing or discussing sth new, reduce unpleasant feelings, not planned but done because you suddenly want to do it, to have a feeling of great fear that cannot be controlled and prevents you from thinking clearly, to persuade sb to do sth that they may not want to do, to have the same as sb else, very enthusiastic about sth.

Ex.31 Talking points

1. Think about yourself. Which type or types of friend from the text do you think you are? Tell another student, giving reasons.

2. Do you agree that a small circle of good friends is better than one best friend? Discuss with a partner, giving your reasons.

Ex.32 Listening

1. You’ll hear four people describing their friends. Match the number of the speaker with the type of friend they are describing. One type of friend is extra.

1. childhood friend

2. problem-sharing -with friend

3. having- fun -with friend

4. telling- the-truth friend

5. problem-solving friend

2. Listen to the text again and choose the letter corresponding to the right answer.

1) Speaker 1 knows his friend very well.

a) True b) False c) Not stated

2) Speaker 1 likes her birthday presents most of all.

a) True b) False c) Not stated

3) Speaker 2 is very sorry for miserable people.

a) True b) False c) Not stated

4) Speaker 2 likes his friend Frank saying really funny things.

a) True b) False c) Not stated

5) Speaker 3 has been married for three years.

a) True b) False c) Not stated

6) Speaker 3’s friend Jack never gets upset or angry.

a) True b) False c) Not stated

7) Speaker 4 admires her neighbour because she is very clever.

a) True b) False c) Not stated

8) Speaker 4’s neighbour works as a babysitter.

a) True b) False c) Not stated

3. Choose two adjectives from the list each speaker could use describing their friends. There are some extra adjectives.

Cheerful, self-confident, tolerant, ambitious, arrogant, frank, optimistic, helpful, reliable, easy-going, miserable, considerate.

Ex.33 Home-reading

Read the text and do the task below. Retell the text.