I’m fit and intelligent, but can’t get a date. Should I give up?
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 put effort into (doing) something
A lack (of something)/ To lack (something)
To put someone off ((doing) something)
(To have) a get-together/ To get together
To write (someone/ something) off
15 conversation-provoking questions related to the article.
1. What do you know about the man in the article, and what is his problem?
2. What is Philippa’s advice for him?
3. ‘The man in the article seems lovely, I can’t understand why he can’t find a partner!’ Is this true for you?
4. ‘I have a single friend who is looking for a partner. I think that the man from the article would be a perfect match for my friend!’ Is this true for you?
Below are some typical ‘advice column’ questions. Please feel free to add more of your own in the comments section!
5. ‘When my friend lost his job, I told him that he could sleep in my spare room (rent-free) until he found a new job. 4 months have passed now, and he still hasn’t found a job. I don’t like living with him, but I feel bad kicking him out because I do have a spare room. What should I do?’
6. ‘My two best friends and I are about to go on a massive 3-month holiday through South-East Asia together – we’ve been looking forward to it for ages. Recently, another friend, called Jessica, has told us that she wants to join us. She’s not a bad person, but the truth is that I don’t want her to come. What should I do?’
7. ‘My daughter is a terrible actress, but she absolutely loves acting. When she goes to university, I want her to study a degree that will get her a good job, like Medicine or Law, but she recently told me that she’s decided she’s going to apply to study Acting. What should I do?’
8. ‘I’m 26 years old, I was educated at the University of Oxford and have quite a well-paid job. My boyfriend is 24 years old and he still lives with his parents – he doesn’t have a job and doesn’t even pay any rent in his parents’ house. I like spending time with him, but my friends and family say that he’s not good for me. What should I do?’
9. ‘I recently persuaded my elderly father to retire from the family bakery business that has been run by our family for more than 5 generations. I promised him that I would keep the business going and pass it on to the next generation, but now I’ve realised that I hate running the bakery and I want a career change. What should I do?’
10. ‘My boyfriend loses about £200 a week gambling on horses, dogs and football. He says he enjoys it, but I think it’s a stupid waste of money, especially when we could be spending this money on decorating our flat. What should I do?’
11. ‘My girlfriend keeps on getting more and more tattoos that I absolutely hate. I want her to stop, but I feel like I can’t say anything to her because I have to respect that it’s her body. What should I do?’
12. ‘My girlfriend and I spend a lot of time with another couple, they’re called James and Mary. I recently found out that James is cheating on Mary. What should I do?’
13. ‘I am a devout Christian, but my pregnant wife is an atheist. I am 100% determined that our child will be raised as a Christian, but my wife is 100% determined that the child will be raised as an atheist. What should I do?’
14. ‘Both of my parents voted for Brexit and it makes my wife, who is an EU passport holder, feel very uncomfortable. I love my parents, but I’m furious that they voted for Brexit. Every time we are all together, I feel very angry and argumentative. What should I do?’
15. ‘In order to persuade my daughter to go to university, I promised her that, after she graduated, I would pay for her to go on holiday wherever in the world she wanted. She graduated a few weeks ago and she recently told me that she wants to go to a country that, in my opinion, is far too dangerous. Should I still pay for her to go on this trip?’