Why your ‘weak-tie’ friendships may mean more than you think

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 take part (in something)

To run out (of something)

To assume

Demanding

Brief

Barely

To grab (something)

To ban (something)/ (someone from doing something)

To cope (with something)

To bump into someone 

To shrink

A great deal of something

Regardless of

To stroll/ To go for a stroll

Amateur

A burden

Stakes

A rehearsal

To do someone good

Odd

A choir

To oversee (something)

An acquaintance

Out and about

To reap

15 conversation-provoking questions related to the article.

1. What does Granovetter say about ‘weak ties’? 

2. What does Sandstrom say about ‘weak ties’? 

3. What strong and weak ties do you have in your life?

4. Do you value your ‘weak ties’?

5. What could you do to have more ‘weak ties’ in your life?

6. Would you like to join a choir?

7. ‘Everyone should join some type of musical group because music is the best way of bringing us together’. Do you agree?

8. ‘Bumping into people you know in the street is always an awful experience’. Do you agree?

9. ‘It’s impossible to get a good job without good connections’. Do you agree?

10. ‘Working from home is much better than working in the office, because you don’t have to interact with your colleagues as much.’ Do you agree?

11. ‘Rude waiters are bad people and don’t deserve to be tipped’. Do you agree?

12. ‘If you spend 50 hours with someone, you’re guaranteed to become their friend’. Do you agree?

13. ‘British people love making friends with foreigners’. Do you agree?

14. ‘If you want to get to know someone better, it’s better to go to a pub than a café.’ Do you agree?

15. ‘All work related parties are unbearable’. Do you agree?