GUIDED PRACTICE 1
The Value of Friendship
Recent research into the world of teenagers has suggested that they value friendship above everything
else. Children aged between 12 and 15 were asked what was important to them. Their answers included
possessions such as money and computer gadgets but also relationships with other people. The teenagers
questioned said that their friends were the most important to them, more even than family or boyfriends
and girlfriends.
We wanted to find out more about the results of this research so we asked our readers what they thought
about the value of friendship. Here are some examples of what they said about their friends.
Ben, 15:
“Every time I have a fight with my parents, I need some time on my own. But after that, the first thing I
do is meet up with my friends. After playing football for a while, or skateboarding, I usually feel much
happier again.”
Rory, 13:
“When I moved to a village in the countryside, I thought that it would be the end of my friendships. But
my old friends have kept in touch and they come and visit me on holidays. There’s a lake nearby, so we
often go sailing, waterskiing or windsurfing. And I have made some new friends here too, at school, since
I joined the rugby club.”
Carlos, 11:
“Last year, I broke my arm on a skiing holiday. Unfortunately, it was my left arm and I am left-handed.
My school friends all helped me and copied their notes for me.”
Questions
(1) To teenagers, money is …
a. not important
b. as important as computer gadgets
c. as important as relationships with people
(2) Why are Ben, Rory, and Carlos mentioned in the article?
a. they know why teenagers value friendship
b. they gave information about themselves
c. they read magazines
d. they are teenage boys
(3) Which of the following best describes Ben?
, a. He often has fights.
b. He likes being alone.
c. He is happier than his friends.
d. He likes some sports.
(4) What do we know about the lake that Rory visits?
a. It is near the school.
b. It is near his home.
c. It is used by a lot of people who do water sports.
d. It is in a village.
(5) Carlos mentions that he is left-handed because …
a. it makes skiing harder.
b. it makes it worse that he broke the arm he uses most.
c. it is an interesting fact about himself and he was talking about his left arm.
d. it is very unfortunate when you break your left arm.
GUIDED PRACTICE 2
Making Friends
Are you someone who wants to make friends? Yes? Well, read on!
A
There are new people to meet everywhere – the person who is next to you in a class or someone who is in
front of you in the lunch line. There are different ways to start a conversation with someone new. It’s a
good idea to smile and make eye contact with someone first. Then try saying hello and ask questions like
“Where are you from?” or “What do you like doing?”. The weather is always a good topic for
conversation. You could say something like, “What a nice day, isn’t it?” It’s important to keep the
conversation balanced – perhaps 30% talking and 70% listening.
B
The Internet can be a great way to get to know people and make friends. It is not necessary for friends to
have common interests. Some good friends spend a lot of time online with people who are very different
from each other. However, it is also good to meet friends face-to-face. Some people think that a friend is
a friend and then find there’s no chance to meet them because of time and distance.
C
Sports clubs are great places to keep healthy and make friends at the same time. They are not just for
people who are good at playing them – they are for everyone. The important thing is to enjoy yourself. A
sports team isn’t the only way to a good social life. If you play a musical instrument or sing, there are
bands or choirs you can join too.
The Value of Friendship
Recent research into the world of teenagers has suggested that they value friendship above everything
else. Children aged between 12 and 15 were asked what was important to them. Their answers included
possessions such as money and computer gadgets but also relationships with other people. The teenagers
questioned said that their friends were the most important to them, more even than family or boyfriends
and girlfriends.
We wanted to find out more about the results of this research so we asked our readers what they thought
about the value of friendship. Here are some examples of what they said about their friends.
Ben, 15:
“Every time I have a fight with my parents, I need some time on my own. But after that, the first thing I
do is meet up with my friends. After playing football for a while, or skateboarding, I usually feel much
happier again.”
Rory, 13:
“When I moved to a village in the countryside, I thought that it would be the end of my friendships. But
my old friends have kept in touch and they come and visit me on holidays. There’s a lake nearby, so we
often go sailing, waterskiing or windsurfing. And I have made some new friends here too, at school, since
I joined the rugby club.”
Carlos, 11:
“Last year, I broke my arm on a skiing holiday. Unfortunately, it was my left arm and I am left-handed.
My school friends all helped me and copied their notes for me.”
Questions
(1) To teenagers, money is …
a. not important
b. as important as computer gadgets
c. as important as relationships with people
(2) Why are Ben, Rory, and Carlos mentioned in the article?
a. they know why teenagers value friendship
b. they gave information about themselves
c. they read magazines
d. they are teenage boys
(3) Which of the following best describes Ben?
, a. He often has fights.
b. He likes being alone.
c. He is happier than his friends.
d. He likes some sports.
(4) What do we know about the lake that Rory visits?
a. It is near the school.
b. It is near his home.
c. It is used by a lot of people who do water sports.
d. It is in a village.
(5) Carlos mentions that he is left-handed because …
a. it makes skiing harder.
b. it makes it worse that he broke the arm he uses most.
c. it is an interesting fact about himself and he was talking about his left arm.
d. it is very unfortunate when you break your left arm.
GUIDED PRACTICE 2
Making Friends
Are you someone who wants to make friends? Yes? Well, read on!
A
There are new people to meet everywhere – the person who is next to you in a class or someone who is in
front of you in the lunch line. There are different ways to start a conversation with someone new. It’s a
good idea to smile and make eye contact with someone first. Then try saying hello and ask questions like
“Where are you from?” or “What do you like doing?”. The weather is always a good topic for
conversation. You could say something like, “What a nice day, isn’t it?” It’s important to keep the
conversation balanced – perhaps 30% talking and 70% listening.
B
The Internet can be a great way to get to know people and make friends. It is not necessary for friends to
have common interests. Some good friends spend a lot of time online with people who are very different
from each other. However, it is also good to meet friends face-to-face. Some people think that a friend is
a friend and then find there’s no chance to meet them because of time and distance.
C
Sports clubs are great places to keep healthy and make friends at the same time. They are not just for
people who are good at playing them – they are for everyone. The important thing is to enjoy yourself. A
sports team isn’t the only way to a good social life. If you play a musical instrument or sing, there are
bands or choirs you can join too.
