Writing about family rules
Unit 1: Home Life
D. WRITING
Task 1: Work in groups. What rules do you have in your family? Discuss these topics and add others. Use the following verbs and expressions:
Some useful structures
1. let s.o + V-bare: để, cho
-My parents only let me talk on the phone about my study.
2. allow/permit s.o + to-inf: cho phép
-They don’t allow me to come home later than 9.30 p.m.
3. have to + V-bare: phải
-They have to do the household chores.
4. be allowed/ permitted to + V-bare: được phép
-I am allowed to watch TV after I’ve finished my homework.




Some useful Expressions:
- doing household chores:
- coming home late:
- preparing meals:
- watching TV:
- talking on the phone:
- using the family motorbike:
- going out with friends:
- cleaning the floor:
- washing the dishes:
- going to sleep:
- getting up:
- …
làm việc nhà
về nhà trễ
chuẩn bị bữa ăn
xem TV
tán gẫu qua điện thoại
chạy xe máy
đi chơi với bạn bè
lau nhà
rửa chén
đi ngủ
thức dậy
Some suggested sentences
let, allow, be allowed to, have to, permit, ect.
My parents don’t let me come home late after 9 p.m.
My father permits me to use the family motorbike.
I have to do the household chores.
I am not allowed to talk on the phone with friends for more than three minutes.
In my family, everybody has to share household chores.
My parents don’t allow me to go out with friends at night.
I have to prepare meals when my mother is out.
I have to scrub the toilet three times a week.
I am not permitted to listen to loud music after 9 p.m.
Task 2: Use the ideas you have discussed above to write a letter to a pen pal about your family rules.
Useful Outline:
I. Address.
II. Heading: greetings (Dear…..,)
III. Body:
- general information about your family rules.
- details of the rules, give examples.
IV. Closing: your feelings about these rules.
V. Signature:



SUGGESTED LETTER
Dear Lan,
Every family has its own rules. Mine has a few. And each member in my family is happy to follow them.
First of all, everyone in my family has to share the household chores; for examples: my mother goes shopping and prepares the meals, my dad has to water the plants, and I have to wash the dishes. Secondly, everyone has to go to sleep before 11 p.m and get up before 6 a.m on weekdays; on Sunday, I can sleep until 8 a.m. Thirdly, my mother asks everyone to eat dinner at home together, except Sunday, we can go out for dinner with friends or relatives.



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At first, I don’t feel comfortable with these rules because I like to be free with my schedule. But after my parents’ explanation, I recognize that these rules will help us close-knit and supportive of one another.
What about your family’s rules? Tell me some next time you write to me.

Your sincerely,
Lam



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Homework:
Review the verbs and expressions about family rule.
Complete your writing about your family rules.
Prepare part E: Language Focus
+ The pronunciation of the end “s”
+ Review: past simple, past progressive and present perfect tenses.