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Conversational / EVERYDAY ENGLISH
Lesson 09
Comparing Only Children and Those With Siblings
Learning Objectives
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
1. Use vocabulary to compare family types and experiences.
2. Discuss advantages and challenges of being an only child or having siblings.
3. Express opinions and share personal experiences about family dynamics.
Exercise 1
Vocabulary
Direction: Listen and repeat after your teacher
noun
Only child
Similar:
similarvocab1.1
similarvocab1.2
similarvocab1.3
similarvocab1.4
/ˈoʊnli tʃaɪld/
Meaning:
A child without brothers or sisters
- Being an only child, I spent a lot of time reading alone.
Real Life Tip:
In American culture, being an only child is common, and people often discuss social skills or independence.
adjective
Independent
Similar:
free
autonomous
individual
mugwump
/ˌɪndɪˈpɛndənt/
Meaning:
Able to do things on your own
- Only children often become very independent.
Real Life Tip:
Independence is a quality commonly attributed to both only children and older siblings in American culture.
Look after
phrasal verb
Similar:
similarvocab3.1
similarvocab3.2
similarvocab3.3
similarvocab3.4
/lʊk ˈæftər/
Meaning:
Take care of someone
- Older siblings often look after their younger brothers or sisters.
Real Life Tip:
Taking care of younger siblings is seen as a normal responsibility in many U.S. families.
Grow up
phrasal verb
Similar:
similarvocab4.1
similarvocab4.2
similarvocab4.3
similarvocab4.4
/ɡroʊ ʌp/
Meaning:
Develop from a child to an adult
- I grew up with three siblings, so I learned teamwork early.
Real Life Tip:
Growing up in a family with siblings often emphasises teamwork and sharing in American culture.
Exercise 2
Conversation
Direction: First, read the conversation aloud. Then, practice by role-playing it with your tutor.
Situation: Two friends are discussing their childhood and family experiences in a café.
Hey, Emily! Did you grow up with siblings?
Jake
No, I’m an only child. What about you?
Emily
I have two younger brothers. Growing up, I learned to look after them.
Jake
That sounds like a lot of responsibility! I had to be independent since I was alone at home.
Emily
True, but having siblings can be fun too. We always played games together.
Jake
I guess only children have more quiet time and personal space.
Emily
Definitely. Each has advantages.
Jake
Yeah, both experiences shape us differently.
Emily
Exercise 2.1
Questions.
1. Is Emily an only child or does she have siblings?
2. What responsibility did Jake have with his siblings?
3. What is one advantage Emily mentions about being an only child?
Exercise 3
Practice Time
Direction: Complete the exercise by choosing the correct answer.
1. only / child / I / an / am
a) I am an only child
b) Am I only an child
c) I only am an child
2. look / after / often / siblings / older / their / do
a) Older siblings often look after their younger siblings
b) Siblings older their look often after do
c) After their younger siblings older look often
3. grew / up / with / I / three / siblings
a) I grew up with three siblings
b) Up I grew with three siblings
c) I with three siblings grew up
4. advantages / only / children / have / can
a) Only children can have advantages
b) Can only children have advantages
c) Only children have advantages
5. quiet / more / children / only / time / have
a) Only children have more quiet time
b) Children only have quiet more time
c) Only have more children quiet time
Exercise 4
Ask Your Tutor
Direction: Ask your tutor these questions. Listen carefully and learn
1. Do you think only children are more independent than children with siblings? Why or why not?
2. What responsibilities do older siblings usually have in a family?
3. How do you think having siblings affects personality and social skills?
Exercise 5
Discussion
Direction: Use the new words and expression you learnt in this lesson to have a conversation with your tutor.
1. Are you an only child or do you have siblings?
2. What is better, being an only child or having siblings? Why?
3. Did you ever want a brother or sister growing up?
4. How do siblings usually help each other?
5. What challenges do only children face?
6. Who is the most responsible in your family?
7. Did siblings ever fight in your family?
8. What fun activities do siblings do together?
9. How does being an only child affect social life?
10. Would you want your children to have siblings or be only children?
