Lesson 9: Extended Family
DIALOGUE
In this lesson, your tutor will help you go over this topic: Extended Family. First,
read the following dialogue out loud with your tutor, then switch roles and try
again.
Dorothy and Kevin are talking about their relatives.
Kevin: Do you have any plans for this long holiday?
Dorothy: I’ll be at a family reunion at my grandfather’s house. He
usually invites all of us.
Kevin: Oh! That’s nice. Where does he live?
Dorothy: He has a ranch in the countryside of southern California.
Everyone loves visiting his house because he has four horses, and
we can go horseback riding.
Kevin: Wow, your grandfather sounds like an awesome person! How
many relatives are coming to the reunion?
Dorothy: Let’s see… my family, including Toro, and my uncle’s family,
my aunt’s family, and all of my cousins’ family as well will be
attending. That’s more than 20 people. I can’t wait to see
my newborn niece, Lily!
Kevin: That’s a big reunion!
Dorothy: Well, my grandfather is a very family-oriented man.
Kevin: He sure is!
Dorothy: And I’m glad he is. Because of his efforts, I have so many good
memories with my extended family.
VOCABULARY
Go over the following vocabulary and expressions with your tutor. Read the
word/expression and definition out loud, and your tutor will go over anything you
do not understand. Practice creating a sentence or two to make sure you know
how to use the word/expression properly.
Vocabulary/ Expressions
Expression Definition Example
extended a family that She bought a big house to live with
family extends beyond the her extended family.
nuclear family;
includes aunts,
uncles, and cousins.
long holiday holidays that I plan to go to the Bahamas during
are three days or the long holiday.
longer
family a family gathering My relatives will have a family
reunion reunion in August.
grandfather a parent of your My grandfather and grandmother are
grandmother mother or father very friendly.
grandparents
ranch a large farm Dorothy’s grandfather lives on a
especially in the big ranch.
U.S. where animals
(such as cattle,
horses, and sheep)
are raised
relative a person related by Most of my relatives live in my hometown.
blood or marriage
immediate (or a family that Most Americans spend the New Year with
nuclear) includes a person’s their immediate families.
family parents, spouses,
siblings, and
children
newborn recently born The newborn baby was so small.
niece/nephew a daughter/son of My niece has so much energy that I’m
your brother or always ready for a nap after seeing her.
sister
family- consider family as I’m so lucky to have such family-
oriented a top priority orientedparents.
EXERCISE
Practice answering the following questions with your tutors. You can use the
sample answers to come up with your own answer.
1. Does your family have family reunions?
1. We usually get together on New Year’s Day.
2. The last family reunion was on my grandfather’s birthday.
3. Your answer:_______________________________
2. Do you see your extended family often?
1. I see my extended family once or twice a year.
2. I live very close to my relatives, so we see each other often.
3. Your answer:_______________________________
3. Are you close with your grandparents?
1. Yes, I call my grandma every weekend.
2. No, they passed away when I was very young.
3. Your answer:_______________________________
4. Where do your relatives live?
1. Most of my cousins moved away from my hometown, but aunts and uncles live near my
grandpa’s place.
2. My relatives live all over the world.
3. Your answer:_______________________________
5. What do you do during your family reunion?
1. We normally have dinner together and play board games.
2. My family usually goes on trips for family reunions.
3. Your answer:_______________________________
CONVERSATION
Use the following questions as a guideline to form an interesting conversation
with your tutor. Feel free to diverge from these suggestions if anything interesting
comes up.
1. Who are you closest with in your extended family?
2. Describe your memories with your grandparents.
3. Who’s the oldest relative you remember? What do you remember about him or her?
4. Do you think having regular family reunions is important?
5. Are you a family-oriented person?
