006_Family

Useful Expressions

Beginner

1. What’s your first / middle / last / nick name?
2. My first / middle / last / nick name is David / Michael / Smith / Dave.
3. How many people are in your family?
4. There are seven people in my family.
5. How many children do you have?
6. I have five children. / I don’t have any children.
7. How many brothers / sisters / cousins / nephews / nieces do you have?
8. I have one brother / three sisters / 30 cousins / two nephews / one niece.
9. I love my family very much.

Intermediate

1. How long have been married?
2. I’ve been married for two years.
3. I’ve been married since 2002.
4. Do you have a good marriage?
5. I have an excellent marriage.
6. Do you get along with your in-laws?
7. I get along with my in-laws very well.
8. I have a very close family.

Advanced

1. If I’m ever in trouble, I know I can count on my family to help me.
2. We’re not planning to start a family yet.
3. What do you think about divorce / single-parent families / retirement homes?
4. I think that as divorce becomes more common, it will become more and more accepted in society.
5. Children / Mothers are the glue that keeps a family together.

Dialogues

Beginner

A: Who is Cindy’s husband?
B: Cindy’s husband is Ron.
A: How many children do Cindy and Ron have?
B: They have two children – one son and one daughter – as well as one daughter-in-law and one son-in-law.
A: Do they have any grandchildren.
B: Yes, they have three grandchildren – one girl and two boys.
A: Does their daughter get along well with her in-laws?
B: Yes, she gets along with them quite well.
A: Do they have a large family?
B: Their family is very similar to Cindy and Ron’s family.

Intermediate

A: How many people are there in your family?
B: As you know, China has a single-child policy. Therefore, there’s just my husband, my daughter and I. What about in your family?
A: I have one daughter and one son. Then there’s my husband and I. What about your parents? Do they live with your family?
B: Not anymore. They live with my brother now. And yours?
A: My parents live by themselves now. When they get older, they’ll probably go to a retirement home. Do you just have one brother?
B: No, I have two older brothers and one younger sister. What about you?
A: I also grew up in a big family. I have one older brother and three younger sisters.
B: How long have you been married?
A: About seven years now. And you?
B: I’ve been married for about five years. What do you think about divorce?
A: It’s becoming more and more common. However, I don’t ever want to get divorced myself! What about you?
B: If my husband cheated on me or treated me badly, I would get a divorce.
A: If that happens, maybe you could marry my brother and we could become in-laws!
B: (ha ha) I’ll keep that in mind, but don’t tell my husband!
A: Of course not!