UNIT 5. 5B, page 40
Exercise 1
1 F
2 T
3 F
Exercise 2
1 plague
2 friction between
3 vie for
4 loves, bits
5 into conflict
6 sibling
LISTENING 10
On the whole, I don’t argue too much with my older sister, Tilly. I think it’s got a lot to do with my temperament – I hate confrontation and avoid it like the plague. Having said that, there did use to be a little bit of friction between us.
When she was younger she begged and begged our mum for a baby sister to play with but when I came along she found it quite hard because she suddenly had to vie for our parents’ attention. To be quite frank, I think she wished I hadn’t been born! But she eventually got used to me being around and clearly loves me to bits now. She still has major rows with our parents sometimes, and I think the fact that I rarely get into conflict with them still makes her a little jealous of our relationship sometimes. But that’s sibling rivalry for you – it’s very hard to avoid!
Exercise 3
1 constructive
2 upsetting
3 destructive
4 endless
5 animated
6 heated
7 slammed
8 raised
9 Oddly
10 draining
11 disrespectful
12 strengthen
Exercise 4
1 It’s time for them to start being honest with each other.
2 It’s essential for you to stand your ground in an argument.
3 My parents are very keen for me to be a good role model for my brother.
4 It would be a miracle for them to manage a day without arguing.
5 It’s crucial for you to apologise for your rudeness.
6 It’d be better for me not to get into a row with Tamsin – she hates conflict.