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Exercise 1
Useful Expressions
Direction: Read the useful expressions with your tutor.
How are your kids doing?
They’re growing up so fast!
Parenting keeps me on my toes.
It’s never a dull moment with little ones.
Exercise 2
Vocabulary
Direction: Listen and repeat after your teacher
On your toes
/ɒn jɔːr toʊz/
Meaning:
Alert and ready for anything
- Parenting keeps me on my toes all day long.
The apple of one’s eye
/ði ˈæp.əl əv wʌnz aɪ/
Meaning:
Someone cherished very much
- My daughter is the apple of my eye.
Runs in the family
/rʌnz ɪn ðə ˈfæm.ə.li/
Meaning:
A characteristic shared by family members
- Musical talent runs in our family.
Like two peas in a pod
/laɪk tuː piːz ɪn ə pɒd/
Meaning:
Very similar, especially siblings
- My twins are like two peas in a pod.
Exercise 3
Practice
Read each sentence and choose the word or phrase that means the same (synonym)
Parenting keeps me on my toes all day long.
bored
alert
relaxed
tired
My daughter is the apple of my eye.
a stranger
someone special
a friend
someone annoying
Musical talent runs in the family.
is difficult
is common in the family
is rare in the family
is hidden
My twins are like two peas in a pod.
sometimes alike
not related
very similar
completely different
Exercise 4
Business Dialogue
Direction: Read the conversation aloud with your teacher and fill in the blanks.
Word Bank:
Like two peas in a pod
The apple of one’s eye
Runs in the family
On your toes
Situation: Two parents talk about their children.
Anna
Word Bank: kids, growing, similar, talent, toes, apple, family, peas.
How are your ________ doing?
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Ben
Word Bank: kids, growing, similar, talent, toes, apple, family, peas.
They’re great! They’re growing fast and full of energy.
Anna
Word Bank: kids, growing, similar, talent, toes, apple, family, peas.
That’s wonderful. My youngest is definitely the ________ of my eye.
Ben
Word Bank: kids, growing, similar, talent, toes, apple, family, peas.
I know what you mean! Parenting really keeps me on my ________.
Anna
Word Bank: kids, growing, similar, talent, toes, apple, family, peas.
Do your children have any special ________?
Ben
Word Bank: kids, growing, similar, talent, toes, apple, family, peas.
Yes, musical ability runs in the ________.
Anna
Word Bank: kids, growing, similar, talent, toes, apple, family, peas.
My twins are like two ________ in a pod—they do everything together.
Ben
Word Bank: kids, growing, similar, talent, toes, apple, family, peas.
Siblings like that are lucky to have each other.
Exercise 5
Study Guide
Direction: Read the study manual aloud
How to Talk About Family and Children
1. Ask Polite Questions
Begin with warm, respectful questions like “How are your kids doing?” or “Do you have any fun plans with your family this weekend?” to show interest and encourage sharing.
2. Share Your Experiences
Use idioms to make your stories more relatable, for example, “Parenting really keeps me on my toes” or “My kids are the apple of my eye.”
3. Practice Speaking Aloud
Say these idioms and expressions out loud to become more comfortable and natural when talking about family topics.
4. Listen to Real Conversations
Watch interviews, podcasts, or casual talks where people discuss family life to hear how idioms and expressions are used naturally.
Listening Practice
Two friends discuss their children.
1. What does “on your toes” mean?
A. Alert and ready
B. Relaxed
C. Tired
D. Busy
2. Who is “the apple of one’s eye”?
A. Someone very special or loved
B. A fruit
C. A pet
D. A friend
3. What does “runs in the family” mean?
A. A trait shared by family members
B. Playing a sport
C. A hobby
D. A race
4. What does “like two peas in a pod” describe?
A. Siblings who are very similar
B. Twins who look different
C. Friends who argue a lot
D. People who live far apart
Exercise 6
Discussion
Discuss these questions to practice speaking and share experiences.
1. How’s your family doing these days?
2. What kind of activities did you enjoy most as a child?
3. Life gets busy! How do you stay connected with loved ones?
4. Do you think talents or hobbies can be passed down in a family?
5. Do you and your siblings (or close family) have similar personalities or total opposites?
6. What do you think is the most rewarding part of caring for someone ?
7. When was the last time you had real, quality time with people you love? What did you do?
8. What’s a hilarious or unforgettable moment from your childhood or family gatherings?
