W 23 - Int 2

Intermediate 2 - Week 23 – White Lies

I)            Reading

1)   Which of the following 'white lies' did you hear when you were a child?

a) If you write to Father Christmas, he'll bring you presents.

b) If you put your tooth under your pillow, the tooth fairy will take it.

c) If you eat your crusts, your hair will curl.

d) If you eat carrots, you'll be able to see in the dark.

e) If the wind changes, the expression on your face will stay forever.

£) If you tell a lie, your nose will grow.

g) If you sit too near the television, you'll get square eyes.

2)   2 Which of these two statements do you agree with?

a) It's wrong to tell children a lie under any circumstances. They won't trust you later in life.

b) It's OK to tell children a white lie if it protects their innocence or stimulates their imagination.

3)   Read the article

Lies, white lies and psychologists

I Lie to my four-year-old child, and not just about Father Christmas and the tooth fairy. I started when he was about two years old, and now I can't help myself. If he wants to watch television, and I think he's already watched enough for one day, I tell him that he'll get square eyes. I tell him that, unless he eats his carrots, he'll have to wear glasses, and that if he eats his crusts, he'll have lovely curly hair.

Most parents tell their children lies, and they're usually the same lies that their parents told them. But is there anything wrong with it?

Yes, say a group of parents who feel that unless you're 100% truthful with your children, you can't expect the same in return. They think that it's better to try to make a child understand the real reasons why it's bad for him or her to watch another hour of television or eat too many sweets than to take the easy route and tell a lie.

No, say busy parents who think it's ridiculous to explain the detrimental effects of too much television or the Lack of nutritious value of a sweet to a four-year-old.

It depends, say psychologists. White Lies that protect a child's innocence or stimulate their imagination are good for them.

Psychologists believe that many of these white lies may actually benefit children by stimulating their brains, helping them develop Language skills and making them more

creative. The story of the tooth fairy, for example, aims to make the word a more magical place for children, and to help them through a stage in their Life. Father Christmas comes into the same category: he's part of the magic of Christmas, and parents enjoy the fun and excitement he brings to their children.

Other white Lies originate from the need to encourage children to eat properly. If a child thinks that carrots will improve their eyesight, they're more likely to eat up their

vegetables. Crusts may not have anything to do with the curls in their hair, but if the story helps to get a child to finish their Lunch, then the white Lie is worth telling.

Some myths were created to improve children's behaviour. They warn them to stop pulling stupid faces or stop telling lies. Others are designed to avoid unpleasant or

awkward truths, such as where babies come from and why great grandma doesn't come to Lunch any more.

So should parents feel guilty for not being 100% truthful with their children? In my opinion, no, because most white lies are fun or educational.

But make sure you know the difference between a serious lie and a white Lie - you don't want your nose to grow in front of your children!

4)   Find out which statement the psychologists agree with.

5)   According to the article what are the potential benefits of telling white lies? Match a verb from box A with a noun from box B and write sentences to explain the benefits.

A: avoid          protect          develop           eat up            stimulate

B: awkward truths       language skills         imagination        innocence      vegetables

What common white lies are children told? What things did your parents use to say to you?

II)         Grammar: Real conditionals

Real conditional sentences – sometimes called ‘first conditional’ sentences – consist of an if-clause and a main clause. They are used to talk about present or future situations that are real or possible. These include promises, warnings and threats.

Tenses	If-clause	Main clause
Present simple	If you arrive early,	wait for me in the station café.
Present continuous	If you’re spending any time in London	I can recommend a great hotel.
Present perfect	If you haven’t finished by ten,	you’ll miss the post.
Going to	If you’re going to talk to me like that,	I’m leaving!
Modal auxiliary	If you can do it,	ask Tom for help.

Exercise: Read the following sentences said by a parent to a child and

discuss the meanings. Underline the correct alternatives.

a) If you're / you'll be very good, I might buy you an ice cream.

b) If you fall off / you'll fall off that wall, don't come crying to me.

c) If you'll phone / you're phoning your friends this evening, don't stay on the line too long.

d) If / Unless you hurry up, you'll be late for school.

e) If you haven't finished / you've finished your homework, you can't watch TV.

£) If you've finished / you are finishing your dinner, you can leave the table.

g) If / Unless you're going to stay out late, take a front door key.

h) If you're going to play / you'll play that awful music, shut your bedroom door.

What age (0-18) do you think the child would be if a parent was saying these things?

III)       Homework:

Correct the statements (a-f).

a) If the boss will be away, nobody will do any work.

b) If you will get something easily, you won't be sorry to lose it.

c) Unless you will consider something carefully, you might fail.

d) Unless you will concentrate, you won't succeed.

e) If you will fail the first time, you might not want to try again.

f) Unless you will make an effort, you won't succeed.

Match each statement (a-f) to a common English proverb (1-6).

1 You snooze, you lose.

2 No pain, no gain.

3 Once bitten, twice shy.

4 Easy come, easy go.

S Look before you leap.

6 When the cat's away, the mice will play.