Page 37 - Grasp English B1+ (Student Book)
P. 37
Quick-Tempered 3
Saïd, 18 (Qatar)
My dad and I used to argue a lot when I was
in high school. I had quite an easy-going
attitude towards school and studying
Sofía, 17 (Mexico)
because I was getting good grades, and
I couldn’t really be bothered to push
I used to get really annoyed at my myself to do more. But my parents had
stepdad when he asked me to tidy my ambitious dreams for me – they wanted
room, and I think I was determined to play me to study at a top university and be
the “You’re not my real dad” card without really successful. I can see now that they
ever actually saying that to his face. At wanted me to do better in life than they
the time, I used to complain to my friends did, but at the time, I just thought they
about how mean he was, but looking were being really strict. I remember they
back now, I can appreciate how patient wouldn’t let me go out on a school night,
he was with me. It must have been hard and they made me keep my phone in the
for him to come into a relationship where kitchen, so I couldn’t chat to friends while
there was a stubborn 13-year-old. We get I was studying. I guess they did something
on much better now, and perhaps one right though, as I got a place at a really
day I’ll apologise to him and my mum for good university!
being such a brat!
D. What do you think these phrases from the text E. Talk to your partner. Use the words in exercise B on
mean? page 33 to describe your family and friends.
a. …who can blame us, with all the pressures of
school, friends and family? F. Discuss with a partner.
b. …cautious to the extreme. 1. How well do you get on with your parents?
c. I was determined to play the “You’re not my 2. Do you have similar problems with your parents
real dad” card... as the teens in the text?
d. I’ll apologise for being such a brat! 3. What annoys you about your parents?
e. I couldn’t be bothered to push myself 4. What are the good things your parents do for you?
f. go out on a school night
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