Crazy things that parents say to their kids
READING
1 Read the webchats. Then match the names with the pictures.
Crazy things that parents say to their kids
Arlene
Now I’m eighteen, I can look back at all those happy days when I was a kid at home! And I remember the things that my mum and dad said to me again and again. For example: when my sister and I were making a noise, my father always said, ‘If I have to come over there, you won’t be happy to see me!’ lol. Did your parents ever say things like that to you?
Pete
Oh of course! My little brother and me, we loved TV and we sat and watched it for hours every day. And my mum always looked at us and said, ‘If you watch TV all the time, you’ll get square eyes.’ Well, we watched a lot of TV and our eyes are still normal. haha!
Susie
You reminded me, Pete. My dad always said, ‘If you sit too close to the TV, you’ll go blind.’ But he had another favourite too (I think he was always worried about our eyes, for some reason) – he said, ‘If you eat all your carrots, you’ll see in the dark.’ I really like carrots – I ate them when I was a kid and I eat them now – but I still can’t see in the dark!
Julia
I always liked doing dangerous things – you know, climbing trees and things. And my dad said, ‘If you fall, you’ll break your leg.’ And he always added, ‘And when you break your leg, don’t come running to me for help!’ I didn’t understand the joke for years!
Mike
Nice one, Julia! OK here’s another one, and I think every child in the world hears this. If I was angry or upset, I always made a face, and my mum said, ‘If you go on making that face, the wind will change and your face will stay like that forever!’ That’s the only one I remember – but as soon as I think of others, I’ll send them to you!
2 Read the webchats again. Who talks about these things? Choose the names.
3 SPEAKING Do you know any more ‘crazy’ things that adults say to children? Tell the class.
GRAMMAR
First conditional
1 Match the parts of the sentences. Check your answers in the webchats. Then complete the rule and the table. Choose the correct words.
2 Put the words in order to make sentences.
3 Complete the first conditional sentences with the correct form of the verbs.
ROLE PLAY Work in pairs. Student A: flip the left card. Student B: flip the right card. Ask and answer the questions.
Student A
1 What will you do if it rains this weekend?
2 What will you do if the weather is nice?
3 How will you feel if your teacher gives you a lot of homework today?
4 What will you wear if you go out to a party this evening?
5 What film will you see if you go to the cinema this week?
6 What programme will you watch if you watch TV this evening?
Student B
1 What will you do if you stay at home this weekend?
2 What will you study if you go to university?
3 What will you buy if you go shopping this weekend?
4 How will you feel if your parents ask you to do a lot of housework this evening?
5 What video game will you play if you decide to play video games this evening?
6 Where will you go if you meet your friends tonight?
GRAMMAR
Time clauses with when / as soon as
4 Read the two sentences and answer the questions. Then complete the rule with will and present simple.
When we get to school, I’ll take you to see the nurse.
As soon as I think of other examples, I’ll tell you.
1 What is the difference between when and as soon as?
As soon as indicates more immediate action.
2 Do get and think refer to the present or future?
The future.
5 Complete the sentences. Use the verbs in the list.
VOCABULARY
when and if
1 Match sentences 1 and 2 with the explanations.
2 Complete the sentences with if or when.
LISTENING AND WRITING
A phone message
1 Which of these things do you NOT need to write down if you take a phone message?
2 Listen to a telephone conversation. Complete the message.