FAMILY BOND

EXAMPLE

The video was created in the 1950s, when divorce was uncommon because married people were supposed to stay married. Today, however, it is perfectly normal for spouses to divorce.

The family in the video is a nuclear family, but I live in a single-parent family.

Unlike the family in the video who are very formal, my family behave very informally at dinner.

In the video, the father serves the food, whereas in my family we take it ourselves.

In the video, the men don´t seem to cook or prepare meals, as opposed to my family where my father and brothers cook, and are also very good at it.

ACTIVITY IDEA

In small groups, prepare a script for a modern version of this video. Think of an interesting title, decide how many family members will play, and what each of them will say and do. Keep in mind that you want your video to reflect today’s family dinner routine. You can play out the script or even record a video with your phone or camera.

VOCABULARY

Here are some of the words from the video that you may not understand. They are in alphabetical order. Pick at least 10 and look them up in a dictionary. Copy the definitions in your notebook. 

afterall = (adv.)
allowance = (n.)
anxious = (adj.)
argue = (v.)
argument = (n.)
atmosphere = (n.)
await = (v.)
butler = (n.)
catch up on something = (v.)
centrepiece = (n.)
ceremony = (n.)
charm = (n.)
charming = (adj.)
circle = (n.)
comb = (v.)
compliment = (n.)
content = (adj.)
contract = (n.)
contribution = (n.)
conversational = (adj.)
converse = (v.)
cordiality = (n.)
course = (n.)
custom = (n.)
delay = (v.)
desire = (v.)
dessert = (n.)
destroy = (v.)
digestion = (n.)
disagreeable = (adj.)
discontent = (n.)
distress = (n.)
festive = (adj.)
gentleness = (n.)
genuinely = (adv.)
good sense = (n.)
graciousness = (n.)
gross = (adj.)
gruesome = (adj.)
harsh = (adj.)
hostess = (n.)
insult = (v.)
interfere with = (v.)
junior = (n.)
keynote = (n.)
lap = (n.)
maid = (n.)
manners = (n.)
memorable = (adj.)
monopolize = (v.)
napkin = (n.)
observe = (v.)
occasion = (n.)
occurrence = (n.)
offensive = (adj.)
particularly = (adv.)
postpone = (v.)
punctuality = (n.)
raise = (n.)
realize = (v.)
relaxation = (n.)
remark = (n.)
removal = (n.)
rested = (adj.)
reverence = (n.)
room = (n.)
say grace = (v.)
scrub = (v.)
serve = (v.)
stand of living = (n.)
stiff = (adj.)
stress = (v.)
take for granted =
talk over = (v.)
tension = (n.)
thoroughly = (adv.)
to take upon oneself = (v.)
treasured = (adj.)
treat = (v.)
trend = (n.)
understatement = (n.)
warmth = (n.)