Understanding:Read the Comments, Why Did They Post?, True or False
Language:Words That Go Together, Everyday Expressions
Use It:Reply Builder, Discussion Questions
Answers
He Wasn’t Always Like This
Can small everyday habits affect a relationship? What kinds of habits?
How long have I been wearing this shirt?
Vocab List
attracted(adj.) — Interested in someone in a romantic or physical way.
move past(phr. v.) — To accept a difficult feeling or experience and continue with your life.
embarrassed(adj.) — Feeling uncomfortable or ashamed because of a situation.
beer belly(n.) — A large, round stomach, especially on someone who drinks a lot of beer.
pull away(phr. v.) — To move your body away from another person.
shallow(adj.) — Caring too much about appearance and not enough about more important qualities.
deeply(adv.) — Very much or very strongly.
torn(adj.) — Having two different feelings and not knowing what to do.
Reading
He Wasn’t Always Like This
My boyfriend and I are both in our late twenties. When we got together, I was very attracted to him, but lately he has really let himself go. His car is a mess, his room is dirty, and he rarely brushes his hair or shaves. He also drinks alcohol every day and has developed a large beer belly.
I’ve brought it up many times, but nothing has changed. Now I feel embarrassed when we go out together, and I sometimes pull away when he touches me. I feel awful even writing this because I don’t want to sound shallow. I’m really torn because I still love him deeply. He is my best friend, makes me laugh, and cares for me in every other way.
I want to stay in love with him, but I’m worried that I won’t be able to move past these feelings. How can I bring this up without hurting him? I accept him for who he is, but I also need to be honest about how this is affecting me. I am afraid things will only get worse.
Warm-up → Read the text first, then check your understanding. After that, listen and notice how the written language sounds in speech. or Listen for the main idea first without reading. Listen again if it feels unclear. Check your understanding, then read the text to confirm what you heard and connect sound to meaning. → Check Understanding → Language → Use It
Can small everyday habits affect a relationship? What kinds of habits?
attracted(adj.)
— Interested in someone in a romantic or physical way.
embarrassed(adj.)
— Feeling uncomfortable or ashamed because of a situation.
pull away(phr. v.)
— To move your body away from another person.
deeply(adv.)
— Very much or very strongly.
move past(phr. v.)
— To accept a difficult feeling or experience and continue with your life.
beer belly(n.)
— A large, round stomach, especially on someone who drinks a lot of beer.
shallow(adj.)
— Caring too much about appearance and not enough about more important qualities.
torn(adj.)
— Having two different feelings and not knowing what to do.
How long have I been wearing this shirt?
Poster
Amanda
My boyfriend and I are both in our late twenties. When we got together, I was very attracted to him, but lately he has really let himself go. His car is a mess, his room is dirty, and he rarely brushes his hair or shaves. He also drinks alcohol every day and has developed a large beer belly.
I’ve brought it up many times, but nothing has changed. Now I feel embarrassed when we go out together, and I sometimes pull away when he touches me. I feel awful even writing this because I don’t want to sound shallow. I’m really torn because I still love him deeply. He is my best friend, makes me laugh, and cares for me in every other way.
I want to stay in love with him, but I’m worried that I won’t be able to move past these feelings. How can I bring this up without hurting him? I accept him for who he is, but I also need to be honest about how this is affecting me. I am afraid things will only get worse.
Read the Comments
Read the Comments
EmilyR
You are not a bad person for feeling this way. Talk to him honestly, but focus on his drinking and how he cares for himself, not only his appearance.
This comment
b. Focuses on his habits, not only his appearance
DanielK
Drinking every day and not caring for himself may be signs that something is wrong. Ask him if he has been feeling unhappy or stressed.
This comment
c. Suggests there may be a deeper problem
Mia87
You cannot make yourself feel attracted to someone. If he will not discuss the problem or try to change, you may need to think about ending the relationship.
Choose one answer, then click CHECK to see your result.
Understanding
Why Did They Post?
Choose one:
→She wants advice on how to talk to her boyfriend without hurting him.Correct answer
→She wants to know if she should break up with him.
→She wants to know if her boyfriend might be depressed.
True or False
Answer each question by selecting True or False, then click CHECK to see your results.
Explanation
True or False
1. The poster and her boyfriend are both in their late twenties.
TRUEFALSETrue
2. Her boyfriend recently started taking better care of himself.
TRUEFALSEFalse
3. The poster is only concerned about her boyfriend’s appearance.
TRUEFALSEFalse
4. She has already spoken to her boyfriend about the problem.
TRUEFALSETrue
5. She no longer cares about her boyfriend.
TRUEFALSEFalse
6. She is afraid the situation will get worse.
TRUEFALSETrue
Words That Go Together
Drag each word to its match below, or select a word and then select its match:
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Language
Words That Go Together
Match each word with the words it goes with:
1. Bef) attracted to someone
2. Sounde) shallow
3. Feeld) torn
4. Lovec) someone deeply
5. Developb) a beer belly
6. Affecta) a relationship
a)a relationship
b)a beer belly
c)someone deeply
d)torn
e)shallow
f)attracted to someone
Everyday Expressions
Choose the meaning that fits the sentence.
Everyday Expressions
Choose the correct meaning.
If someone lets himself go, hea)pays more attention to his appearance or health.b)stops taking care of his appearance or health.pays more attention to his appearance or health. or stops taking care of his appearance or health.
If someone brings it up, theya)start talking about it.b)avoid mentioning it.start talking about it. or avoid mentioning it.
If someone pulls away, theya)move closer to another person.b)move back from another person.move closer to another person. or move back from another person.
If someone moves past these feelings, theya)stop being affected by them.b)begin experiencing them.stop being affected by them. or begin experiencing them.
Reply Builder
Show that you understand her feelings.
I understand why you feel because
I understand why you feel worried because his habits are affecting your relationship.
Say what may be happening with her boyfriend.
He may be , which could explain why
He may be unhappy or stressed, which could explain why he doesn't shave.
Suggest how she could begin the conversation.
You could start by saying, “
You could start by saying, “I’m worried about you and want to know if something is wrong.”
Give your final advice.
I think you should before
I think you should have an honest conversation before making a decision about the relationship.
Use It
Reply Builder
Show that you understand her feelings.
I understand why you feel because
Say what may be happening with her boyfriend.
He may be , which could explain why
Suggest how she could begin the conversation.
You could start by saying, “
Give your final advice.
I think you should before
Discussion Questions
How messy or tidy are you?
Is it important not to “let yourself go”? Why?
Do you think attraction naturally fades in all relationships?
How important is physical attraction in a relationship?
Does the poster’s boyfriend seem okay? Could he be depressed?
Which of his habits would bother you the most?
Do you think the poster is being shallow?
Is honesty always best, even when it might hurt someone?
Discussion Questions
How messy or tidy are you?
Is it important not to “let yourself go”? Why?
Do you think attraction naturally fades in all relationships?
How important is physical attraction in a relationship?
Does the poster’s boyfriend seem okay? Could he be depressed?
Which of his habits would bother you the most?
Do you think the poster is being shallow?
Is honesty always best, even when it might hurt someone?
Answers·He Wasn’t Always Like This / Level 3
Read the Comments:
EmilyR: b. Focuses on his habits, not only his appearance
DanielK: c. Suggests there may be a deeper problem
Mia87: a. Explains when leaving may be reasonable
Why Did They Post?: She wants advice on how to talk to her boyfriend without hurting him.
True or False:
True. She begins by saying that they are both in their late twenties.
False. She says that lately he has stopped taking care of himself.
False. She is also concerned about his dirty car and room, his drinking, and how little care he takes over his appearance.
True. She says that she has brought it up many times, but nothing has changed.
False. She says that she still loves him deeply and describes him as her best friend.
True. She ends by saying that she is afraid things will only get worse.
Vocabulary:
Be: attracted to someone
Sound: shallow
Feel: torn
Love: someone deeply
Develop: a beer belly
Affect: a relationship
Everyday Expressions: 1. b; 2. a; 3. b; 4. a
Reply Builder examples:
I understand why you feel worried because his habits are affecting your relationship.
He may be unhappy or stressed, which could explain why he doesn't shave.
You could start by saying, “I’m worried about you and want to know if something is wrong.”
I think you should have an honest conversation before making a decision about the relationship.
Read the Comments