A moment that changed me: I donated my kidney to a stranger – and felt like a failure

This is a list of key vocabulary and expressions from the article in order of how useful they are. The student must choose 6 items from the list to study in the lesson.

To struggle (with something/ to do something)

Beyond

Therefore

Due to (something)

A lack (of something)/ To lack (something)

To be overwhelmed

To be willing (to do something)

Miserable

To sink

To heal

To overcome (something)

A burden

I had just donated

I wish I had

It’s fair to say

To assure (someone)

Gorgeous

Bizarre

To come up

To be puzzled

To push (something) back

A flaw

To wear off

To chicken out

To sob

15 conversation-provoking questions related to the article.

1.       What did Penny do, and why?

2.       What does Penny say about the story of the Good Samaritan and Christianity?

3.       What difficulties did she have throughout the experience?

4.       What did she say about the recipient of her kidney, and how does she view her act now?

5.       Can you understand why she didn’t want to make contact with the recipient of her kidney?

6.       If your partner/ someone close to you wanted to anonymously donate a kidney, would you try and talk them out of it?

7.       Should it be legal to buy and sell kidneys?

8.       Do you think people are generally selfish or generally unselfish?

9.       Do you think Christianity motivates people to do good deeds?

10.     When was the last time you did something generous?

11.     Do you think children are more kind-hearted than adults?

12.     Do you think that today, people are more selfish than ever before?

13.     Do you donate blood?

14.     Is it fair to accept a kidney from someone who is suffering from mental health problems, like Penny was?

15.     Do you know a story of extreme generosity (either fictional or non-fictional)?

Previous
Previous

I feel bereft since my daughters moved abroad. How can we be close again?

Next
Next

A moment that changed me: I had a drunken idea to start a music festival – so I sold my house