Page 17 - Passages 3rd Edition (demo)
P. 17

GRAMMAR
                   Noun cla uses after be
                   A noun clause is a part of a sentence with a subject and a predicate that functions as a noun.
                   That is optional in noun clauses after be. Also notice the prepositions followed by gerunds in
                   the first part of the sentences.
                   The only trouble with being a two-income family is (that) we don't spend as much time together.
                   The big advantage of having Grandma at home is (that) she can babysit more often.
                                                                                GRAMMAR PLUS see page  107

                   A  Look at the Starting Point on page 6 again. Can you find the noun clause in the
                     last paragraph? Which preposition is used in the first part of the sentence?

                   B  Combine the sentences. Then compare answers with a partner.
                      1.  I'm the youngest in the family. The nice thing is I get a lot of attention.
                        The nice thing about being the youngest in the family is that I get a lot
                        of attention.
                     2.  I have a younger sister. The trouble is she always wants to borrow my clothes.
                     3.  I'm away at college. The bad part is that I miss my family.
                     4.  I work at night. The worst thing is I can't have dinner with my family.
                      5.  I'm the oldest in the family. One bad thing is that I always have to babysit.

                   C  Complete the sentences with your own ideas.
                     Then compare answers with a partner.

                      1.  An advantage of being a twin is ...
                        that you always have someone to hang out with.
                      2.  A problem with being an only child is ...
                      ~- One benefit of being the oldest is ...
                      4.  A big disadvantage of having an older sibling is ...
                      5.  The best thing about having a big family is ...



             1if~]_D_l_S_C_U_S_S_IO_N~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~­
             \;J Family matters

                   A  Choose at least three questions you'd like to talk about with your group.

                       D  What's the best thing about spending time with your family? What's  the worst thing?
                       D  What's  one advantage of havin g  a close family?
                       D  What are some rules that people have to follow in your family?
                       D  What's  a  benefit of having strict parents?
                       D  Are you  most likely to confide in  a parent, a  sibling, or a  friend?
                       0  Do you believe mothers and fathers should do the same chores?
                       D  What are the advantages and disadvantages of having a  two-income family?


                    B  Group work  Discuss the questions you chose in part A. Ask follow-up
                      questions and make sure everyone in your group participates.




                                                                              d$.i--{1]¢':f  Every  family  is  d ifferent.  7
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