India: 'I have been rejected by dozens of men over dowry'
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 reject (something/ someone)
To stare (at someone/ something)
15 conversation-provoking questions related to the article.
1. What is a dowry, and why is it illegal in India?
2. What do you know about Gunjan and her most recent experience of being rejected over a dowry?
3. Why are some women put at risk because of dowries, and why are there less women than men in India?
4. Who is Mr Mishra, and what did he say?
5. What situation is Gunjan in now?
6. ‘Gunjan needs to drop her anti-dowry stance, it’s harming her life chances.’ Do you agree?
7. ‘Gunjan’s parents are bad parents. They should let her follow her heart.’ Do you agree?
8. ‘The existence of dowries is bad, but they shouldn’t be illegal. People can do what they want with their money.’ Do you agree?
9. How do you think Gunjan feels during these meetings with other families?
10. Do you think less people will choose to get married in the future?
11. Do you think it’s a bad idea to marry someone after only having been together for a short period of time?
12. Do you agree with Mr Mishra’s strategy for tackling dowry culture?
13. ‘These family meetings must be just as bad for the prospective groom as for the prospective bride.’ Do you agree?
14. ‘It’s impossible to say that this type of marriage is better or worse, it’s just different.’ Do you agree?
15. ‘In my native country, we have dowries and men and women have very different roles in a marriage.’ Is this true for you?