IELTS Speaking Part-3 Parents

In a typical family, who plays the leading role?

The stereotype is that the father is the breadwinner of the family, making decisions and taking responsibility for everyone. This stems from the traditional view where the father holds a high position in society while the mother is a housewife or involved in trivial work like cleaning or babysitting. However, this is not as common in modern society, where freedom and equality are highly valued. Women are just as successful as men and no longer restricted to monotonous household chores as they were in the past.

In your country, what kinds of family members usually live together?

Despite the increasing popularity of nuclear families, extended families still exist in our society. Typically, both parents and one to three children live together under the same roof. In some cases, a grandmother or grandfather joins them to take care of the small children while the parents are at work. Less commonly, multiple generations reside in the same house, usually a multi-story house, including uncles, aunts, and their families. Such arrangements can lead to problems when many members live in a single place.

Do young and middle-aged people live with old people?

Unlike in Western countries, where it is common to send older grandparents to nursing homes, people in my country feel bound by duty to care for their parents. As a result, younger and middle-aged people often share a house with older family members. This arrangement benefits everyone, as small children receive special care from their grandparents and gain invaluable hands-on experience, developing a good code of conduct.

What would children do to make their parents proud?

Children can make their parents proud by performing well at school and behaving well towards teachers and elders. Parents take great pride when their children achieve good grades or when others praise them for being nice. Additionally, helping with mundane tasks around the house, like sweeping the floor or washing dishes, is a way for children to make their parents proud.

Should teenagers have freedom?

Teenagers should be given freedom to a certain extent. During this impressionable age, they can undergo a tough time in their personality growth and often rebel against their parents. Parents should allow them to pursue their interests instead of imposing certain behaviors. However, parents should also monitor and advise their children, intervening if they make mistakes or engage in unacceptable behavior.

Do you like to spend time on your own or with your family/friends?

I prefer to spend time with my family. Since my parents are always pied up with work, we rarely find time for each other. We try to make the most of our time by having dinner together at restaurants on weekends or watching movies if time permits. For me, it's better to build a close-knit family and strengthen our bonds.

What are parents' responsibilities for their children?

Parents are primarily responsible for the safety and upbringing of their children. This includes feeding them, comforting them, and ensuring their well-being under all circumstances. Parents must make sure their children have everything they need, opportunities to learn, and grow up to be well-mannered individuals.

What are children’s responsibilities for parents when they reach old age?

When children grow up, it’s common for them to take care of their parents and even grandparents. This care is similar to looking after children, ensuring their safety and meeting their needs. Whether living with the family or in a special care home, elderly parents need to feel safe, secure, and valued. In my family, both my grandparents lived with us when they were very old, and we all helped take care of them. It's also important to make them feel loved and important despite their age and frailty.

What’s the influence of parents on their children?

Parents’ behaviors greatly influence their children. Polite, generous, and kind parents tend to raise children with similar traits. Parents also influence their children in making important decisions, offering guidance to help them choose wisely. Additionally, parents’ attitudes towards work, marriage, and life can shape their children's perspectives. For instance, frequent parental quarrels can lead to children losing confidence in love and marriage.

Vocabulary:

• Breadwinner: The primary earner in a family.

• Trivial work: Minor or less important tasks.

• Freedom and equality: The state of being free and having equal rights.

• Monotonous household chores: Repetitive and unvaried tasks around the house.

• Nuclear families: A family consisting of parents and their children only.

• Extended families: A family that extends beyond the nuclear family, including relatives such as grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

• Multi-story house: A house with multiple levels or floors.

• Problems: Issues or difficulties.

• Bound by duty: Obligated to fulfill a responsibility.

• Nursing homes: Facilities that provide care for the elderly.

• Invaluable hands-on experience: Extremely useful practical knowledge or skills gained through direct involvement.

• Code of conduct: A set of rules outlining proper behavior.

• Mundane tasks: Ordinary and routine activities.

• Impressionable age: A time in life when a person is easily influenced.

• Personality growth: The development of one's character and personality.

• Monitor and advise: To observe and provide guidance.

• Pied up: Very busy or overwhelmed with work (more commonly phrased as "piled up").

• Build a close-knit family: To create a family with strong, supportive relationships.

• Strengthen our bonds: To enhance the connections and relationships among family members.

• Safety and upbringing: The protection and nurturing of children.

• Special care home: A facility that provides specialized care for those who need it.

• Valued: Considered important and appreciated.

• Polite: Having good manners and showing respect.

• Generous: Willing to give more than is necessary or expected.

• Kind: Having a friendly, generous, and considerate nature.

• Guidance: Advice or information aimed at resolving a problem or difficulty.

• Perspectives: A particular attitude or way of viewing something.