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The Changing Family

What kinds of problems do parents have in your country?

American families are changing. One important change is that most married women now work outside the home. What happens when both parents work? Read about the Morales family.

Judy and Steve Morales have three children: Josh, 12; Ben, 9; Emily, 6. Steve is a computer programmer. This year, Judy is working again as a hospital administrator. The family needs the money, and Judy likes her job. Everything is going well, but there are also some problems.
Now that Judy is working, Steve has to help her more with the housework. He doesn't enjoy it, however.
Judy loves her work, but she feels tired and too busy. She also worries about the children. Judy has to work on Saturdays, so Steve and Judy don't have a lot of free time together.
Emily is having a great time in her after-school program. When Judy comes to pick her up, she doesn't want to leave.
Unfortunately, Ben's school doesn't have an after-school program. Right now, he's spending most afternoons by himself in front of the TV.
Josh is enjoying his new freedom after school. He's playing his music louder and spending more time on the phone. He's also doing a few household chores.

(New Interchange - Book 1)

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Shop Till You Drop

What kind of shopping can you do in your contry?

Catalog Shopping
People in the United States often shop from catalogs. There are special catalogs for almost every need - including clothing, furniture, health and beauty products, and things for the kitchen. People also order about 40% of their music from music club catalogs. Customers say that music stores are too noisy.

Television Shopping
Television shopping began in 1986. About 5% to 8% of the American public now shops by television. Some popular shopping channels are the Home Shopping Network and QVC. Customers say that television shopping is easier than shopping in a store. How do they buy things? They make a phone call and charge the item to their credit card. And TV shopping channels are on late at night, so people can "go shopping" anytime.

Computer Shopping
Is computer shopping the way of the future? About 37% of American households now have personal computers. And shopping by computer (or "shopping on-line") is interesting to more people every day. Already, shoppers can use their computers to order many different products, such as computer products, flowers, food, T-shirts, and posters. And new online shopping services appear every day. Soon people may be able to shop for anything, anytime, anywhere in the world.

(New Interchange - Book 1)

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Meeting and Greeting Customs

There are many different greeting customs around the world. Here are some.

Chile
People usually shake hands when they meet for the first time. When two women first meet, they sometimes give one kiss on the cheek. (They actually "kiss the air".) Women also greet both male and female friends with a kiss. Chilean men give their friends warm abrazos (hugs) or sometimes kiss women on the cheek.

Finland
Finns greet each other with a firm handshake. Hugs and kisses are only for close friends and family.

The Philippines
The everyday greeting for friends is a handshake for both men and women. Men sometimes pat each other on the back.

Korea
Men bow slightly and shake hands to greet each other. Women do not usually shake hands. To address someone with his or her full name, the family name comes first, then the first name.

The United States
People shake hands when they are first introduced. Friends and family members often hug or kiss on the cheek when they see each other. In these situations, men often kiss women but not other men.

(New Interchange - Book 1)

My sister

She's young and good-looking. She has straight medium length brown hair. She's fairly short.

My neighborhood

I live in a house on X. Q. A. Street. There are ten rooms. There are a few restaurants and gyms in my neighborhood. There's a lot of noise because my neighbor listen to music all day. Also there's a lot of pollution because there's one avenue near my house.

How much and how many

Uncountable nouns

How much crime is there?

There's a lot.
There's a little.
There isn't much.
There isn't any.
There's none.

Countable nouns

How many restaurants are there?

There are a lot.
There are a few.
There aren't many.
There aren't any.
There are none.

Prepositions

on - sobre
next to - ao lado
across from / opposite - do outro lado
in front of - em frente
in back of / behind - atrás
near / close to - perto / próximo
between - entre
on the corner of - na esquina