Breaking News English ESL Lesson Plan on Household Chores

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Most divorces due to household chores (23rd November, 2012)

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20 ONLINE QUIZZES & ACTIVITIES

DICTATION

* 26-page lesson
* 2-page MINI lesson

LISTEN

* MP3 (UK male)

* MP3 (Canada -lady)

* MP3 (20 questions)

READING

Conversely, a study in Norway suggests that couples who share household chores are more likely to split up. Thomas Hansen, co-author of the report 'Equality in the Home,' said the divorce rate among couples who shared housework equally was 50 per cent higher than for those where women did all the work. Mr Hansen said that in Norway women did most of the housework in 70 per cent of marriages, and were "largely happy" to do so. An adverse side effect of marital discord is that many families are now "too poor to split up". The U.K. charity Relate said that in many middle-income families, couples stay together because they can't afford to divorce. Relate says this results in a "toxic" home environment.

Sources:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/9691280/Most-marriages-break-down-over-mundane-household-chores.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2236237/Middle-income-families-creating-toxic-environment-children-afford-divorce.html#ixzz2Cwehv9Qn

WARM-UPS

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1. HOUSEHOLD CHORES: Walk around the class and talk to other students about household chores. Change partners often and share your findings.

2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, decide which of these topics or words from the article are most interesting and which are most boring.

most people / grounds for divorce / infidelity / household chores / tidying / marriage / split up / equality in the home / side effect / middle income / toxic home environment

Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.

3. DIVORCE: How do we stop it? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners and share what you wrote. Change and share again.

Grounds	Why this happens	How to tackle this problem
infidelity
money
children
housework
boredom
violence

4. FOREVER: Students A strongly believe marriage should be forever; Students B strongly believe otherwise. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

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5. HOUSEWORK: What's your most hated chore? Rank these and share your rankings with your partner. Put the most hated at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

cooking
ironing
vacuuming
washing the dishes

tidying
food shopping
dusting
hanging the washing out

6. INFIDELITY: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word 'infidelity'. Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.

BEFORE READING / LISTENING

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if a-h below are true (T) or false (F).

a.	350 UK marriages ended in divorce over who did what household tasks.	T / F
b.	Around one in five UK divorces are because of infidelity.	T / F
c.	A law firm says the age of women doing all the housework is over.	T / F
d.	The firm said disaster could happen when cooking with bad recipes.	T / F
e.	In Norway, couples who share housework are likelier to divorce.	T / F
f.	The Norway study said most women weren't happy to do housework.	T / F
g.	A UK charity said divorce was a side effect of family life.	T / F
h.	In the UK, middle income families cannot afford to get divorced.	T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

1.	grounds	a.	differently
2.	infidelity	b.	harmful
3.	otherwise	c.	friction
4.	chores	d.	fairness
5.	recipe	e.	reasons
6.	split up	f.	formula
7.	equality	g.	poisonous
8.	adverse	h.	adultery
9.	discord	i.	separate (verb)
10.	toxic	j.	tasks

3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)

1.	the biggest grounds	a.	to unfaithfulness
2.	disputes over who does	b.	discord
3.	Twenty per cent of divorces are due	c.	be a recipe for disaster
4.	walking down	d.	who shared housework
5.	going into a marriage blind could	e.	the aisle
6.	couples who share household chores	f.	effect
7.	the divorce rate among couples	g.	what household chores
8.	An adverse side	h.	home environment
9.	marital	i.	for divorce
10.	this results in a "toxic"	j.	are more likely to split up

WHILE READING / LISTENING

GAP FILL: Put the words into the gaps in the text.

Most people believe that the biggest (1) ____________ for divorce are either infidelity or arguments over money. However, a new report from British law firm Gateley suggests (2) ____________. According to its analysis of 350 divorce cases, seven out of ten divorces (3) ____________ because of disputes over who does what household chores. Twenty per cent of divorces are (4) ____________ to unfaithfulness. Gateley says gone are the days when the wife did all the cooking and cleaning. Dual income marriages now mean (5) ____________ responsibilities for vacuuming, doing the dishes and (6) ____________. Gateley advised couples to discuss who does what before walking down the (7) ____________. A spokeswoman said that, "going into a marriage blind could be a (8) ____________ for disaster".

due
aisle
occur
recipe
grounds
split
otherwise
tidying

Conversely, a study in Norway suggests that couples who share household chores are more (9) ____________ to split up. Thomas Hansen, co-author of the report 'Equality in the Home,' said the divorce (10) ____________ among couples who shared housework (11) ____________ was 50 per cent higher than for those where women did all the work. Mr Hansen said that in Norway women did most of the housework in 70 per cent of marriages, and were (12) "____________ happy" to do so. An adverse side effect of marital (13) ____________ is that many families are now "too poor to split up". The U.K. charity Relate said that in many (14) ____________-income families, couples stay together because they can't (15) ____________ to divorce. Relate says this results in a (16) "____________ " home environment.

discord
toxic
largely
rate
middle
likely
afford
equally

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)	Most people believe that the biggest grounds for divorce are either …
	a. age differences or differing political views. b. boredom or having nothing in common. c. infidelity or arguments over money. d. arguments over children or arguments over the future.
2)	Twenty per cent of divorces are due to ….
	a. adultery b. infidelity c. extramarital sex d. unfaithfulness
3)	Dual income marriages now mean split responsibilities for …
	a. vacuuming, doing the dishes and tidying. b. vacuuming the dishes and tidying. c. vacuums, dishes and tidying. d. doing the vacuuming and dishes, and tidying.
4)	…discuss who does what …
	a. instead of walking down the aisle b. as you walk down the aisle c. after walking down the aisle d. before walking down the aisle.
5)	A spokeswoman said that, "going into ______ a recipe for disaster"
	a. a blind marriage could be b. a marriage blind could be c. a blind could be marriage d. marriage could be a blind
6)	a study in Norway suggests that couples who share household chores ….
	a. are less likely to split up b. are so likely to split up c. are more likely to split up d. are unlikely to split up
7)	…the divorce rate among couples ____ was 50 per cent higher
	a. equally who shared housework b. shared housework who equally c. shared who housework equally d. who shared housework equally
8)	An adverse ______ of marital discord
	a. side affect b. side effect c. affected side d. effect side
9)	… many middle-income families, couples stay together because they …
	a. can't afford to divorce. b. want to give it one last go. c. feel sorry for the kids. d. follow their religion that says "marriage is forever".
10)	Relate says this results in …
	a. toxic homes and environments. b. a "toxic" environment in the home. c. a "toxicity" home environment. d. a "toxic" home environment.

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

Most people believe that (1) ___________________ divorce are either infidelity or arguments over money. However, a new report from British law firm Gateley suggests otherwise. According (2) ___________________ 350 divorce cases, seven out of ten divorces occur (3) ___________________ who does what household chores. Twenty per cent of divorces are due to unfaithfulness. Gateley says (4) ___________________ when the wife did all the cooking and cleaning. Dual income marriages now mean split responsibilities for vacuuming, doing (5) ___________________. Gateley advised couples to discuss who does what before walking down the aisle. A spokeswoman said that, "going (6) ___________________ could be a recipe for disaster".

Conversely, a study in Norway suggests that couples who share household chores are (7) ___________________ up. Thomas Hansen, co-author of the report 'Equality in the Home,' said the divorce rate among couples who shared housework equally was 50 per cent higher (8) __________________ women did all the work. Mr Hansen said that in Norway women did most of the housework in 70 per cent of marriages, (9) ___________________ to do so. An adverse side (10) ___________________ is that many families are now "(11) ___________________ ". The U.K. charity Relate said that in many middle-income families, couples stay together because they can't afford to divorce. Relate says this (12) ___________________ home environment.

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.	What do most people believe are the biggest reasons for divorce?
2.	What proportion of U.K. divorces are due to household chores?
3.	What are 20% of U.K. divorces due to?
4.	What now means split responsibilities?
5.	What could be "a recipe for disaster"?
6.	What does a Norwegian study suggest?
7.	What percentage of Norwegian marriages did women do most chores?
8.	What is an adverse side effect of marital discord?
9.	What kind of families stay together because of financial preoblems?
10.	What kind of home environment does Relate describe?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.	Most people think the biggest reasons for divorce are money and…	6.	Which Norwegian couples are more likely to divorce?
	a) boredom b) children c) infidelity d) the future		a) Those who do no household chores. b) Those who share household chores. c) Those who hate household chores. d) Those who do not share household chores.
2.	How many divorce cases did a law firm look at?	7.	What's the name of the report Thomas Hansen co-authored?
	a) 350 b) 315,000 c) 3,500 d) 315		a) 'Housework – A Recipe For Success' b) 'Home Equality' c) 'Dividing Household Chores' d) 'Equality in the Home'
3.	How many divorces are because of household chores?	8.	What is "an adverse side effect of marital discord"?
	a) 70,000 b) seven out of ten c) 17% d) seventeen hundred		a) Many families are now not talking. b) Many families are now "too poor to split up". c) Domestic violence is on the increase. d) There has been a surge in adultery.
4.	What does dual income marriage now mean?	9.	What kind of families stay together because of financial difficulties?
	a) extra burdens on children b) joint bank accounts c) extramarital affairs d) split responsibilities		a) families with huge loans b) middle-income families c) poorer families d) families where one partner is unemployed
5.	What kind of recipe does the article describe?	10.	What does a U.K. charity say is "toxic"?
	a) One for financial planning. b) One for chicken curry. c) One for disaster. d) One for sharing household chores.		a) a home environment b) divorce c) washing detergents d) the words used in arguments

ROLE PLAY

Role A – Partner A

You spend 40 hours a week at work and come home and do most of the housework. You think this is unfair. Tell your partner three reasons why. You have a bad back and find it difficult to bend down. You think you should do the cooking, washing and ironing only. You want a divorce.

Role B – Partner B

You spend 50 hours at work and earn double the money your partner gets. You think you should do little housework. Tell your partner 3 reasons why. You have no time for housework, what with work, training for and running marathons and going out regularly with friends. You love cooking.

Role C – Counsellor

You believe modern marriages are a 50-50 relationship. All household chores must be shared. Tell the others 3 reasons why. Anyone who does not do their share does not love their partner. Tell Partner B this. Solution – Partner B does the cooking, cleaning and dusting. Partner A does the rest.

Role D – Partner A's mother

You are shocked at how much work your son / daughter has to do. A full-time job and 99% of the housework. Marriage is forever, so divorce is not an option. Tell Partner A three reasons why. Tell Partner B not to be so lazy. Marriage and togetherness is more important than friends and running.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionary / computer to find collocates, other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words 'household' and 'chores'.

household

chores

Share your findings with your partners.

Make questions using the words you found.
Ask your partner / group your questions.

2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS: Look back at the article and write down some questions you would like to ask the class about the text.

Share your questions with other classmates / groups.
Ask your partner / group your questions.

3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise. Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new, interesting, worth learning…?

4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.

5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try to recall how they were used in the text:

grounds
otherwise
seven
gone
dual
disaster

likely
rate
largely
poor
middle
toxic

HOUSEHOLD CHORES SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about household chores in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper.

When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

	STUDENT 1 _____________	STUDENT 2 _____________	STUDENT 3 _____________
Q.1.
Q.2.
Q.3.
Q.4.
Q.5.

Now return to your original partner and share and talk about what you found out. Change partners often.

Make mini-presentations to other groups on your findings.

HOUSEHOLD CHORES DISCUSSION

STUDENT A's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

a)	What did you think when you read the headline?
b)	What springs to mind when you hear the word 'housework'?
c)	How could housework be made more exciting?
d)	What do you think of household chores being a big factor in divorces?
e)	Do you do your fair share of household chores?
f)	Who do you know who is lazy when it comes to household chores? What do you say to them?
g)	Who should do the chores if both partners work?
h)	Should the sharing of household chores and who does what be agreed upon before marriage?
i)	What is your most hated household chore, and why?
j)	Is not discussing household chores "a recipe for disaster"?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

STUDENT B's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

a)	Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
b)	What do you think of housework?
c)	Men are generally physically stronger, so should they do more of the housework?
d)	What do you think of the Norwegian study that says shared housework leads to more divorce?
e)	What do you think of 70% of Norwegian women being "largely happy" to do most of the housework?
f)	What happens when families are "too poor to split up"?
g)	Is the issue of household chores becoming a bigger problem?
h)	Are men generally lazy around the house?
i)	What's the best "system" to split up the housework?
j)	What questions would you like to ask a divorce expert?

DISCUSSION (Write your own questions)

STUDENT A's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)
1.	________________________________________________________
2.	________________________________________________________
3.	________________________________________________________
4.	________________________________________________________
5.	________________________________________________________
6.	________________________________________________________

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

STUDENT B's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)
1.	________________________________________________________
2.	________________________________________________________
3.	________________________________________________________
4.	________________________________________________________
5.	________________________________________________________
6.	________________________________________________________

MULTIPLE CHOICE - LANGUAGE

Most people believe that the biggest (1) ____ for divorce are either infidelity or arguments over money. However, a new report from British law firm Gateley suggests (2) ____. According to its analysis of 350 divorce cases, seven out of ten divorces occur because of disputes (3) ____ who does what household chores. Twenty per cent of divorces are due to unfaithfulness. Gateley says (4) ____ are the days when the wife did all the cooking and cleaning. Dual income marriages now mean (5) ____ responsibilities for vacuuming, doing the dishes and tidying. Gateley advised couples to discuss who does what before walking down the (6) ____. A spokeswoman said that, "going into a marriage blind could be a recipe for disaster".

Conversely, a study in Norway suggests that couples who share household chores are more (7) ____ to split up. Thomas Hansen, co-author of the report 'Equality in the Home,' said the divorce rate among couples who shared housework (8) ____ was 50 per cent higher than for those where women did all the work. Mr Hansen said that in Norway women did most of the housework in 70 per cent of marriages, and were "(9) ____ happy" to do so. An adverse side effect of marital (10) ____ is that many families are now "too poor to split up". The U.K. charity Relate said that in many (11) ____-income families, couples stay together because they can't afford to divorce. Relate says this results in a "(12) ____ " home environment.

Put the correct words from the table below in the above article.

1.	(a)	grounds	(b)	grounded	(c)	grounding	(d)	grind
2.	(a)	wisely	(b)	other	(c)	otherwise	(d)	other than
3.	(a)	round	(b)	due	(c)	over	(d)	because
4.	(a)	vanish	(b)	history	(c)	finish	(d)	gone
5.	(a)	split	(b)	splits	(c)	split up	(d)	split ends
6.	(a)	gangway	(b)	aisle	(c)	corridor	(d)	path
7.	(a)	likes	(b)	liking	(c)	liked	(d)	likely
8.	(a)	equal	(b)	equally	(c)	equalise	(d)	equality
9.	(a)	largest	(b)	large	(c)	largely	(d)	larger
10.	(a)	harmony	(b)	discord	(c)	vocal chords	(d)	discern
11.	(a)	mean	(b)	richer	(c)	top	(d)	middle
12.	(a)	poison	(b)	toxic	(c)	vaccine	(d)	antidote

SPELLING

Paragraph 1
1.	the biggest orndgus for divorce
2.	either nfdeiitlyi or arguments over money
3.	dtspsieu over who does what household chores
4.	divorces are due to hslfntsuafneiu
5.	ncvugiaum, doing the dishes and tidying
6.	… could be a epceir for disaster
Paragraph 2
7.	voyesrlnec, a study in Norway suggests…
8.	yituelqa in the home
9.	An svareed side effect of marital discord
10.	The U.K. thraicy Relate
11.	they can't rfaodf to divorce
12.	a "toxic" home eonnvtnmeri

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

( )	poor to split up". The U.K. charity Relate said that in many middle-income families, couples stay together because
( )	Norway women did most of the housework in 70 per cent of marriages, and were "largely
( )	the wife did all the cooking and cleaning. Dual income marriages now mean split responsibilities for
( )	housework equally was 50 per cent higher than for those where women did all the work. Mr Hansen said that in
( )	happy" to do so. An adverse side effect of marital discord is that many families are now "too
( )	they can't afford to divorce. Relate says this results in a "toxic" home environment.
( )	Conversely, a study in Norway suggests that couples who share household chores are more likely to
( )	of 350 divorce cases, seven out of ten divorces occur because of disputes over who does what household
( )	chores. Twenty per cent of divorces are due to unfaithfulness. Gateley says gone are the days when
( )	over money. However, a new report from British law firm Gateley suggests otherwise. According to its analysis
( )	split up. Thomas Hansen, co-author of the report 'Equality in the Home,' said the divorce rate among couples who shared
( )	down the aisle. A spokeswoman said that, "going into a marriage blind could be a recipe for disaster".
( 1 )	Most people believe that the biggest grounds for divorce are either infidelity or arguments
( )	vacuuming, doing the dishes and tidying. Gateley advised couples to discuss who does what before walking

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.	of According 350 to divorce its cases analysis.
2.	does who over Disputes chores household what.
3.	marriages income Dual responsibilities split mean now.
4.	does walking aisle who before the Discuss what down.
5.	disaster for recipe a be could blind marriage a into Going.
6.	shared rate housework among couples The who divorce.
7.	women of , most housework Norway did the In.
8.	of effect side adverse An discord marital.
9.	together can't divorce stay they to Couples because afford.
10.	environment home "toxic" a in results this says Relate.

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

Most people believe that the biggest ground / grounds for divorce are either infidelity or arguments over / because money. However, a new report from British law firm Gateley suggests otherwise. According to its analyze / analysis of 350 divorce cases, seven out of ten divorces occur because of disputes over who does what household chores. Twenty per cent of divorces are due / because to unfaithfulness. Gateley says went / gone are the days when the wife did all the cooking and cleaning. Dual / Duality income marriages now mean split up / split responsibilities for vacuuming, doing the dishes and tidying. Gateley advised couples to discuss who does when / what before walking down the corridor / aisle. A spokeswoman said that, "going into a marriage blind could be a recipe for success / disaster".

Conversely, a study in Norway suggests / suggest that couples who share household chores are more likelihood / likely to split up. Thomas Hansen, co-author of the report 'Equality in the Home,' said the divorce rate among couples who shared housework equally / equal was 50 per cent higher than for them / those where women did all the work. Mr Hansen said that in Norway women did most of the housework in / at 70 per cent of marriages, and were "larger / largely happy" to do so. An adverse front / side effect of marital / marrying discord is that many families are now "too poor to split up". The U.K. charity Relate said that in many middle-income families, couples stay apart / together because they can't afford to divorce. Relate says this results in a "toxic" / "poison" home environment.

Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct.

INSERT THE VOWELS (a, e, i, o, u)

M_st p__pl_ b_l__v_ th_t th_ b_gg_st gr__nds f_r d_v_rc_ _r_ __th_r _nf_d_l_ty _r _rg_m_nts _v_r m_n_y. H_w_v_r, _ n_w r_p_rt fr_m Br_t_sh l_w f_rm G_t_l_y s_gg_sts _th_rw_s_. _cc_rd_ng t_ _ts _n_lys_s _f 350 d_v_rc_ c_s_s, s_v_n __t _f t_n d_v_rc_s _cc_r b_c__s_ _f d_sp_t_s _v_r wh_ d__s wh_t h__s_h_ld ch_r_s. Tw_nty p_r c_nt _f d_v_rc_s _r_ d__ t_ _nf__thf_ln_ss. G_t_l_y s_ys g_n_ _r_ th_ d_ys wh_n th_ w_f_ d_d _ll th_ c__k_ng _nd cl__n_ng. D__l _nc_m_ m_rr__g_s n_w m__n spl_t r_sp_ns_b_l_t__s f_r v_c__m_ng, d__ng th_ d_sh_s _nd t_dy_ng. G_t_l_y _dv_s_d c__pl_s t_ d_sc_ss wh_ d__s wh_t b_f_r_ w_lk_ng d_wn th_ __sl_. _ sp_k_sw_m_n s__d th_t, "g__ng _nt_ _ m_rr__g_ bl_nd c__ld b_ _ r_c_p_ f_r d_s_st_r".

C_nv_rs_ly, _ st_dy _n N_rw_y s_gg_sts th_t c__pl_s wh_ sh_r_ h__s_h_ld ch_r_s _r_ m_r_ l_k_ly t_ spl_t _p. Th_m_s H_ns_n, c_-__th_r _f th_ r_p_rt '_q__l_ty _n th_ H_m_,' s__d th_ d_v_rc_ r_t_ _m_ng c__pl_s wh_ sh_r_d h__s_w_rk _q__lly w_s 50 p_r c_nt h_gh_r th_n f_r th_s_ wh_r_ w_m_n d_d _ll th_ w_rk. Mr H_ns_n s__d th_t _n N_rw_y w_m_n d_d m_st _f th_ h__s_w_rk _n 70 p_r c_nt _f m_rr__g_s, _nd w_r_ "l_rg_ly h_ppy" t_ d_ s_. _n _dv_rs_ s_d_ _ff_ct _f m_r_t_l d_sc_rd _s th_t m_ny f_m_l__s _r_ n_w "t__ p__r t_ spl_t _p". Th_ _.K. ch_r_ty R_l_t_ s__d th_t _n m_ny m_ddl_-_nc_m_ f_m_l__s, c__pl_s st_y t_g_th_r b_c__s_ th_y c_n't _ff_rd t_ d_v_rc_. R_l_t_ s_ys th_s r_s_lts _n _ "t_x_c" h_m_ _nv_r_nm_nt.

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

most people believe that the biggest grounds for divorce are either infidelity or arguments over money however a new report from british law firm gateley suggests otherwise according to its analysis of 350 divorce cases seven out of ten divorces occur because of disputes over who does what household chores twenty per cent of divorces are due to unfaithfulness gateley says gone are the days when the wife did all the cooking and cleaning dual income marriages now mean split responsibilities for vacuuming doing the dishes and tidying gateley advised couples to discuss who does what before walking down the aisle a spokeswoman said that "going into a marriage blind could be a recipe for disaster"

conversely a study in norway suggests that couples who share household chores are more likely to split up thomas hansen co-author of the report 'equality in the home' said the divorce rate among couples who shared housework equally was 50 per cent higher than for those where women did all the work mr hansen said that in norway women did most of the housework in 70 per cent of marriages and were "largely happy" to do so an adverse side effect of marital discord is that many families are now "too poor to split up" the uk charity relate said that in many middle-income families couples stay together because they can't afford to divorce relate says this results in a "toxic" home environment

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

Mostpeoplebelievethatthebiggestgroundsfordivorceareeitherinfidelityor
argumentsovermoney.However,anewreportfromBritishlawfirmGateleysuggests
otherwise.Accordingtoitsanalysisof350divorcecases,sevenoutoftendivorcesoccur
becauseofdisputesoverwhodoeswhathouseholdchores.Twentypercentofdivorces
areduetounfaithfulness.Gateleysaysgonearethedayswhenthewifedidallthe
cookingandcleaning.Dualincomemarriagesnowmeansplitresponsibilitiesfor
vacuuming,doingthedishesandtidying.Gateleyadvisedcouplestodiscusswhodoes
whatbeforewalkingdowntheaisle.Aspokeswomansaidthat,"goingintoamarriage
blindcouldbearecipefordisaster".Conversely,astudyinNorwaysuggeststhatcouple
swhosharehouseholdchoresaremorelikelytosplitup.ThomasHansen,co-author
ofthereport'EqualityintheHome,'saidthedivorcerateamongcoupleswhoshared
houseworkequallywas50percenthigherthanforthosewherewomendidallthework.
MrHansensaidthatinNorwaywomendidmostofthehouseworkin70percentof
marriages,andwere"largelyhappy"todoso.Anadversesideeffectofmaritaldiscord
isthatmanyfamiliesarenow"toopoortosplitup".TheU.K.charityRelatesaidthatin
manymiddle-incomefamilies,couplesstaytogetherbecausetheycan'taffordto
divorce.Relatesaysthisresultsina"toxic"homeenvironment.

FREE WRITING

Write about household chores for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner's paper.

_____________________________________________________________________________

ACADEMIC WRITING

Married couples should sign a legal contract that states who does what household chores. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this.

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HOMEWORK

1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google's search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.

2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about reasons for divorce in different countries. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. HOUSEHOLD CHORES: Make a poster about household chores. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. 50-50: Write a magazine article about married couples sharing household chores. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against it.

Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).

5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.

6. LETTER: Write a letter to a marriage expert. Ask him/her three questions about marriage and household chores. Give him/her three of your opinions on what married couples should do. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.	grounds	a.	reasons
2.	infidelity	b.	adultery
3.	otherwise	c.	differently
4.	chores	d.	tasks
5.	recipe	e.	formula
6.	split up	f.	separate (verb)
7.	equality	g.	fairness
8.	adverse	h.	harmful
9.	discord	i.	friction
10.	toxic	j.	poisonous

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.	Infidelity or arguments over money.
2.	Seven out of ten.
3.	Unfaithfulness.
4.	Dual income marriages.
5.	Going into a marriage blind.
6.	Couples who share household chores are more likely to split up.
7.	70%.
8.	Many families are now "too poor to split up".
9.	Middle-income families.
10.	A toxic one.

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

10.

ALL OTHER EXERCISES

Please check for yourself by looking at the Article on page 2.
(It's good for your English ;-)

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Breaking News English

Most divorces due to household chores (23rd November, 2012)

* 26-page lesson * 2-page MINI lesson

LISTEN

* MP3 (UK male)

* MP3 (Canada -lady)

* MP3 (20 questions)

* Text Jumble

* Missing words

* No letters

* Grammar gap-fill

* Articles gap-fill

* Prepositions

* Consonants

* Vowels

* Missing letters

* Initials only

* Text jumble 15

* Text jumble 24

* No spaces

* Gap-fill

* 10 sentences

* Spelling