B2 – Upper Intermediate
To outsiders, the Amish life is both fascinating and shocking. Their way of living does not seem to fit in the modern world we currently live in. However, much of the knowledge we have about this group is not entirely accurate because of the sense of privacy this group upholds. In the USA, several Amish people are straying from their traditional norms and practices.
Let’s read the article and know more as to why some Amish are forced to change their way of living.
https://www.english-online.at/news-articles/people/amish-forced-to-change-lifestyle.htm
Vocabulary Questions:
- Define the adjective “scarce“. “However, as their traditional farmland is getting scarcer more and more of them are forced to change the way they live and adopt to a new lifestyle.” Give 2 synonyms and use ‘scarce’ in your own sentence.
- What is the meaning of “far cry” in this context? “Some have even started internet-based shops, a far cry from the typical Amish traditions.” Use it in a sentence and give two synonyms.
- What is the meaning of the word “breach“? “Normally this means more income for the family, but it also represents a breach of culture and traditions.” Use it in your own sentence.
Discussion Questions:
- What do you know about the Amish? What misconceptions have you heard about them?
- What are your thoughts on their way of life?
- What do you think this change in their lifestyle imply?
- Is there a group in your country that is similar to the Amish? If yes, how are they similar?
- What factors contribute to the change of lifestyle of the Amish in the USA?
6 replies on “Amish Forced to Change Their Lifestyle”
Discussion Questions:
1. What do you know about the Amish? What misconceptions have you heard about them?
I’ve read some articles and seen some scenes in films. I don’t really have enough knowledge about them to think that part of what I know are misconceptions. I assume that some Amish groups have evolved and now they use the new technologies a bit more in order to survive in this world.
2. What do you think about their way of life?
I respect every group although I think they should be very strick and insist in avoiding contact with the rest of the society in order not to lose their identity. That could need an excessive control on their children
3. Is there a group in your country that is similar to the Amish? If yes, how are they similar?
Maybe some extremist catholic groups but I think they are very rare over here.
4. What factors contribute to the change of lifestyle of the Amish in the USA?
According to the article farmland is getting scarcer in the states they have been living traditionally, so they need to expand the range of economic activities and jobs from furniture to internet business.
You wrote your answers rather well. Keep it up.
Here are just a few minor changes you can impose in the following sentences:
Nice work!
1- The little I know about the Amish is what I have seen in movies, and I suppose that not everything will be truth. They are defined as people who live in settlements away from the rest of the world. Their lifestyle is different since they do not usually use technology, their way of wearing is simpler than the rest of people and they try to avoid any relationship with other people different from them as much as possible.
2.- We have to respect the way of life of everyone. But I think that life is changing over the years. It is difficult to understand for me that electricity, for example, which has made us our lives easier can not be in their thoughts.
3.- In general, depending on the changes they intend to perform, they will find it positive or not. If some are to improve their economy or ease their way of life, then they will definitively approve these changes, but if they have a negative impact, they will look for the way not to adopt them.
4.- I do not know of any group as radical as the Amish. There are some religious communities as “Jehovah’s Witnesses” who have some rules regarding the way of dressing or their behavior.
5.- I suppose that the main reason for the Amish in the USA to change of lifestyle is that they are increasing their group and they are having supply problems to keep the community and there are more active people to work than jobs.
Well done sharing your thoughts about this topic.
Here is a sentence you can write in a bit more concise manner:
Practicing regularly is a way for you to have consistent progress in improving your skills.
Discussion Questions:
1. What do you know about the Amish? What misconceptions have you heard about them?
Well, my first contact with the Amish World was trough the Peter Weir & Harrison Ford’s Film: “Witness”, that describe pretty well their customs, tradition and way of life. After that I read some articles in the BBC about them.
I don’t know if I have misconceptions about them because I don’t really know how they live. I didn’t know anything about their engagement with the new technology and the widespread use of internet, etc…
2. What do you think about their way of life?
I respect them, but I disagree with their ultra conservative mentality, for instant: the gender discrimination, etc, and also, I think they don’t allow their children to choose other different ways to life. They indoctrinate them to perpetuate this culture and tradition. There is not freedom for them.
3. Is there a group in your country that is similar to the Amish? If yes, how are they similar?
I suppose there are similar groups, in the radical interpretation of the Catholicism, Muslim faith, Jewish faith, and so forth, and of course the are some cults that live their own life completely out of our way of life.
4. What factors contribute to the change of lifestyle of the Amish in the USA?
Main and foremost the introduction of internet and technology on their daily basis, and also, according to the article their traditional farmland is getting scarcer… so they have to make a living in a different way.
You did a good job writing your responses.
Look at how you can write this sentence better:
Until the next one!