B1 – Intermediate
For most people, friends are just as important to them as their families while others can easily choose one over the other.
A study shows that one between these two types of relationships is a better predictor of health and happiness, so which one do you think is it?
Let’s find out:
https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/health-lifestyle-friends-or-family/3952739.html
Let’s talk:
- What do you think of the study?
- Do you feel that “blood is thicker than water”? (Family comes first.)
Or do you feel that friends are more important? Or do you think both are equally valuable? - How do members of a family support each other? / How do friends support each other?
- Do you prefer to have many friends or just a few close ones?
- What are the benefits of having just a few close friends? How about the benefits of having many friends? Are there disadvantages for both too?
- How close are you to your family? How about your extended family? (cousins, aunts, great uncles etc.)
Try explaining these statements:
- “If a friendship has survived the test of time, you know it must be a good one.”
- “You can choose your friends, but you can’t choose your family.”
- “Treat your family like friends and your friends like family.”
** Share any quotes about friendship and family.
2 replies on “Are Friends Better Than Family?”
What do you think of the study?
I’m surprised about the results of the study.
Do you feel that “blood is thicker than water”? (Family comes first.) Or do you feel that friends are more important? Or do you think both are equally valuable?
I agree that you can choose your friends but not your family, but I think that as you get older the relationships with your friends change. You can have very good friends but they are not always in your day a day life. If you get along with your family they are more likely to support you unconditionally.
How do members of a family support each other? / How do friends support each other?
The members of my family are always worried about and try to help each other. I have some very good friends who I think that I could count with if I needed, however, they are focused in their own lives and not pay the same attention to me that my family do.
Do you prefer to have many friends or just a few close ones? What are the benefits of having just a few close friends? How about the benefits of having many friends? Are there disadvantages for both too?
I think that having a few of very close friends is very important, but having other friends just for spending good time is also beneficial. Close friends are people that will support you and who you can talk about your joys and worries. Having other not so close friends may give you company or fun in lots of moments.
How close are you to your family? How about your extended family? (cousins, aunts, great uncles etc.)
I have a very close relationship with my parents and siblings. However, I barely have relationship with my extended family.
You did a very good job writing your responses to this lesson’s discussion questions.
Take a look at how this sentence can be written better:
Keep doing this writing exercise to consistently practice.