UNIT 6

Traditions and Language

VOCABULARY

Task 1

1.Answer the questions

How can you associate the title of the text?

What do think about marriage?

What wedding traditions do you know in your country?

2. Match the words with the definitions

READING

"Learning to love"

Task 1

Read the text

“Learning to love”

How would you feel if your parents choose your partner?

In some cultures, parents choose a future husband or wife for their children and then organize a wedding. The reasons for these arranged marriages are complicated, but they’re usually connected with status, traditions and money. This affects some young people in Britain, but they don’t all agree with the practice.

Imran, aged 16. There’s a girl I like. I’ve known her since August, when we met on holiday. I’m not thinking of telling my parents yet because it’s nothing serious, but I’m not sure that they will understand if I bring a girlfriend home. I think that may be a problem in the future. My parents come from a country where families choose a partner for their sons and daughters. They introduced me to a girl “from a good family” recently. I hadn’t met her before, so she came to our house with her mother and father. It was a very formal occasion because they all think that this girl will be my future wife, but we didn’t have anything in common. I’m sixteen and I don’t want to get married to anyone at the moment. I want to wait until the time is right and choose my future partner myself. It’s difficult because I respect my parents and I don’t want to upset them.”

Samina, aged 17 “I used to think that “love” marriages were better than arranged marriages, but I’ve changed my mind recently. I’ve met people who are happy in arranged marriages. Maybe they weren’t in love when they got married, but with time they’ve learned to love and respect their partners. On the other hand, some people who are in “love” marriages split up. They’ve been with their partners for years, but they fall out and their marriages end in failure. I think a relationship needs commitment. Love isn’t enough on its own. The couple must be understanding and patient and build up their relationship over time. People can’t just fall in love, get married and hope that everything will be perfect forever. That only happens in films.”

3.Read the text and write true (T) or false (F). Correct the false sentences.

a. Customs and wealth play an important role in choosing a partner for an arranged marriage. T/F

b. Imran doesn"t introduce his girlfriend to his parents because he is not ready for a serious relationship. T/F

c. Imran did not find common topics for conversation with a girl “from a good family”. T/F

d. Samina is sure that love marriages are more reliable than arranged marriages. T/F

e. Samina believes that there should be understanding and patience in marriage besides love. T/F

4.Put the sentences a-h in the correct group