Hygiene

Every culture and every family within that culture have its own customs regarding personal hygiene and cleanliness. It is up to you to learn and observe the habits of your host family, and adapt yourself accordingly.

In general, the people of the United States are fanatics when it comes to keeping their bodies clean. It is customary in most families to take a shower or bath daily. We keep our hair “squeaky clean” and use deodorizers under our arms, in our mouths, and on our feet. Any body odor is generally considered offensive, and despite numerous television and magazine advertisements, it is a “taboo” subject for person-to-person discussion. If you are used to bathing only once a week, and if you are not used to washing your hair very often, you should change your habits so that you are not offensive to your new friends and family.

On the other hand, Americans are also conservation-minded. If you take several showers a day, or stay in the shower until the water runs cold, your host parents will most likely ask you to curtail your showers. You will have to keep clean and free of odors while using a moderate amount of water. Observation and imitation of your host family’s personal habits should be your guide.

2.Go back to Ex. I 3. and see if you were right.

3.In the text find derivatives from these words: mature, assist, homesick, resent (two words).

4.Complete the sentences with the necessary prepositions.

a)Exchange students are often confronted ­__ a problem.

b)Exchange students might be bothered __ something when staying with a host family.

c)If you have any problems, ask your area representative __ help.

d)The children in your host family might be jealous __ you.

e)I can’t bear their resentment __ me.

f)Don’t compete with other children __ attention.

g)Try to avoid living __ borrowed funds.

5.In the text the word ’homesickness’ is used. It’s an example of a compound word. How many compounds can you make by combining a word on the left with a word on the right?

6. Fill in the gaps with a compound from the chart below.

a)-Aah! He’s gorgeous! Look at those big, golden paws. When did you get him?

-Yesterday. It’s a she actually.

-Oh, right. What kind is she?

-A Labrador.

-She’s so cute. Is she __ yet?

-No, of course not. She’s only seven weeks old.

b)-Do you think you could possibly water my __ for me? I’m away on business for two weeks.

-No problem. I’ll be glad to. I’ll keep an eye on your whole flat if you like.

-That would be great.

-Don’t worry, I know how __ you are. I’ll make sure everything stays clean and tidy.

-I’ll do the same for you any time, you know.

-Thanks.

c)-Julie, have you heard? Anna’s just been made managing director of the UK branch of her firm, so she’s coming back from the States!

-Oh, Mum, that’s wonderful news. Let’s give her a spectacular __ party when she gets back. Hmmm. She’s certainly the career girl of the family.

-My love, you don’t envy her, do you?

-Not me. I’m the original happy __, remember? Four kids, __ cakes, __ vegetables!

-And how are my fabulous grandchildren?

d)-We’re having a __ party on the 12th. Can you come?

-Yes, you bet. We’d love to! But I didn’t know you’d moved.

-Yeah, two weeks ago. It’s much bigger than the old one. A huge kitchen and three big bedrooms.

-It sounds wonderful.

-Yeah. Mind you, there’s much more __ to do!

-That’s a drag!

e)-Mum? Mum, I want to come home. I don’t like it here.

-Oh, Simon. Come on now. You were so looking forward to scout camp.

-But…but…oh, Mum, I hate it here. Why won’t you and Dad come and get me?

-Simon, we can’t. I never thought you’d be so __, and you’ll be home in two days.

-Two more days! Oh, no!

7.Read the second paragraph of the text (“Homesickness”) once again and find words that are inadequately used. Replace them with more suitable words.

8.In the text you have read there is no concluding paragraph. Write a short paragraph to finish the text and think of a suitable sub-heading for it.

9.The text you have read is a guide for exchange students. If this text were written as a newspaper article about the problems exchange students face, would the vocabulary, grammar and the composition of the text be different?

III 1.You are an exchange student living with a family in the USA. Write a letter to your parents complaining of the problems you have. Ask your parents for advice.

2.Make up a dialogue between an exchange student and his/her representative. Discuss the problems and possible ways out.

3.Speak of the importance of observing ’strange customs’ if you are an exchange student. Refer to the following aphoristic poem: