IELTS Speaking Part 3 - Family Life and Parenting IELTS Speaking Part 3 Masterclass High-Frequency Topic 14: Family life and parenting 1. Study Material (Lý thuyết) 2. Practice Exercises (Bài tập) Q1: How have families in China changed in the past few decades? [Point 1] One change in recent times is that some married couples choose not to have children to have a better life. [Extension] They view raising kids as a financial burden, especially if the wife must leave work for the children. The drawback, however, is that family lines may not be continued. [Point 2] Another difference is that many professionals must now seek employment elsewhere to support their families, as extended relatives often live at home. [Extension] The rising costs plus the many mouths to feed may require people to go to another city or country for work. More perspectives: International —the young generations go abroad to study and decide to stay, fragmenting the family Retirement homes —older relatives' preference, refuse to live with their children Vacations —more families are embarking on international vacations, experiencing different cultures Q2: Has modern mass media had an effect on family life? Yes, modern mass media certainly has had a powerful effect on family life, both negative and positive. [Point 1] The negative is the rift that it has created between family members. [Extension] Children mindlessly watch videos on their tablets while the parents are scrolling endlessly on their smartphones, neither interacting with the other. Although family connections cannot be made electronically, families do receive benefits from modern mass media. [Point 2] They are able to access a ton of information with ease. [Extension] As a result, they are able to make informed decisions about their family's health, finance, and education. More perspectives: Entertainment —various types of recreational activities to enjoy for all ages Encourage discussion —updates of news, share thoughts and opinions Education —information is packaged differently to accommodate different age groups Q3: What are the qualities of a good parent? [Point 1] A few characteristics distinguish a good parent from a bad one, the primary being patience. [Extension] Children are not robots that we can control. Instead, they are independent beings with their own thoughts and behaviours. At times, those behaviours are upsetting to us. Instead of yelling at them, the parent should guide the child with love and compassion. [Point 2] Being equipped with proper etiquette is a hallmark of a good parent. [Extension] By imitating their parents, children will learn how to treat other people with respect. More perspectives: Empathy —must be able to put themselves in their children's shoes and understand their limited...