Task 1. Read the texts The Generation Gap
Every week at the Daily Messanger we invite two experts to debate an issue. Today, we have psychologist Marie Denham and Lisa Armitage, TV presenter and mother of four.
MARIE
Marie: The phrase 'generation gap' we use since the 60's to describe the differences in views of young people and their parents. Personally, I don't think it's a useful idea. Some young people have traditional opinions and some older people don't. We need to look at individuals, not generations.
LISA
Lisa: I agree that it's important to consider people as individuals. On the other hand, I know from my own experience that the generation gap is real. My kids definitely see the world in a diffrent way to me. They expect to get everything they want, and they expect to work less for it.
Marie: But your parents probably said exactly the same about you, Lisa! I think part of the problem is that generation thinks it's so different from the others. We think our children are less respectful of older people, for example. But our parents, and their parents before them, thought exactly the same thing! And so will our children! Every generation faces the same problems but just doesn't realise it.
Lisa: I think we have to agree or disagree, Marie! With my children, I complain about the same things that my parents did with me, but there's also a big difference in values between my children's generation and mine. The world has changed, and people have changed with it. For example, I think technology has made people lazier. Hard work and family are important to me, and I worry that my kids don't share those values.
Task 2. Write each person's name next to their ideas. Then look back at the online debate to check your answers
1) People of different generations have very different opinions.
2) Not all young people think the same way.
3) This new generation is completely different from the one before.
4) Our parents and grandparents felt just like we do.
5) People are changing and it creates problems.
1)Lisa
2)Marie
3)Lisa
4)Marie
5)Lisa