Your friend just got married.

Support your friend during his/her first year of marriage.

IN THIS LESSON, YOU WILL

1. Read an email that your friend sent after his/her honeymoon.
2. Talk with your friend about his/her new spouse’s job.
3. Discuss your friend’s concerns about the future.

PRACTICE

STEP A EXERCISE

The underlined expressions are close but not quite correct. Correct them.

  1. My sister and I are very different. I like to hang out with my friends, but my sister is an aloner.
  2. I changed my name when I got married, but to be honest, I prefer my maid name.
  3. Japan’s life expecting is one of the highest in the world.
  4. Tomohiro’s new boss breathes on his neck about everything.
  5. My real name is Rebecca, but I go with Becky at work.

STEP B EXERCISE

Rephrase the sentences using the expressions in the box. The form of some expressions may need to be changed.

withdraw from something/someone
cap something at something
take someone’s name
turnover rate
snap
  1. My company’s new policy limits overtime to 30 hours a month.
  2. After years of working under a very stressful boss, Annie was finally pushed to her limit and quit.
  3. Samantha didn’t have to change her last name to Endo when she got married because the law doesn’t apply to international marriages.
  4. After losing his job, Takahiro stopped going out with his friends and just stayed in his bedroom all day.
  5. A lot of people quit that department.

MISSION

Challenge 1

Read an email from your friend who just got married.

Remember?

  • go by something
  • maiden name
  • take someone’s name

Hello from Honolulu!

Kaoru and I are waiting at the gate to board our plane. To be honest, I still can’t believe we’re finally married!

Thank you so much for your letter. It was really nice. I wish you could’ve seen the ceremony! We exchanged rings on the beach, and the weather was just perfect.

After a week of snorkeling, scuba diving, and hiking, I can’t say I’m excited to get back to Japan. Next Monday I have to start the long process of changing my name on all of my cards and accounts.

You know how Kaoru was thinking about possibly taking my name? Well, we decided that it would be better for me to take Kaoru’s name instead. I’m still going to go by Suzuki at work, though, because I don’t want to have the same problems that Mami had when she stopped using her maiden name.

Anyway, we’re about to board the plane, so I’ve got to wrap this up. Check out the photo from our honeymoon that I attached!

 

honeymoon.jpg

Challenge 2

It’s been a few months since your friend got married, and he’s/she’s a little concerned about Kaoru’s job. Discuss your friend’s concerns and give him/her some advice.

Remember?

  • cap something at something
  • turnover rate
  • breathe down someone’s neck
  • withdraw from something/someone
  • a loner
  • snap

Don't forget to speak your mind!

  • That's not the way I see it.
  • To be honest, …
  • It's no wonder that…
  • On one hand, …, but on the other hand, …

Challenge 3

Your friend’s spouse quit his/her job, but now he’s/she’s having trouble finding a new job. Talk with your friend about his/her concerns for the future.

Remember?

  • snap
  • one's pension
  • life expectancy
  • a ticking time bomb

Don't forget to speak your mind!

  • That's not the way I see it.
  • To be honest, …
  • It's no wonder that…
  • On one hand, …, but on the other hand, …

FEEDBACK

Support your friend during his/her first year of marriage.

MISSION ACHIEVEMENT

  • 4
    Very Good

    Could complete the task with ease

  • 3
    Good

    Could complete the task with some clarifications

  • 2
    Fair

    Could complete the task with additional instructions

  • 1
    Poor

    Could somehow complete the task with difficulty

PERSONALIZED FEEDBACK