Understanding Family Relationships and Using Verb ‘To Be’

Posted on Jan 29, 2025 in Translation

Talking About Family Members

Family: son, brother, daughter, sister, parents, father (husband), mother (wife), grandparents (grandfather, grandmother). Relatives: uncle, aunt, cousins.

• Who’s Jack? He’s Angela’s husband.
• Who’s Angela? She’s Jack’s wife.
• Who’s Carlos? He’s Erica and David’s father.

Telling the Age

How old? (La edad – age)

Question words: what (objects), where (places), who (persons), how old (age).

Example: How old are you? I’m twenty-seven years old.

Using Verb ‘To Be’ in Information Questions

ARE – IS – AM

• How are you? I’m fine, thanks.
• How old are you? I’m twenty-seven years old.
• How old is your sister? She’s … years old.
• How old is your brother? He’s … years old.

Where are you from? I’m from Valdivia.

Question word + are, is, am + subject + complement?

How, what, where

Building Language

Akemi: So, who’s this?

Erica: My grandma. And this is my grandpa. He’s a nice man. He’s seventy-eight now.

Akemi: Really? And how old is your grandmother?

Erica: She’s seventy-two.

Akemi: She’s very pretty. What’s her name?

Erica: Angela.

Akemi: That’s a nice name. So, where are your grandparents from originally?

Erica: They’re from Texas.

Possessive adjectives: ‘S, HER, HIS, MY, THEIR

1. Where are your parents from originally? They’re from Talcahuano.
2. How old is your father? He’s fifty-two years old.
3. What are your grandparents’ names? Their names are Maria and John.

Information Questions with ‘To Be’

• How are you? I’m fine.
• Who’s this? It’s my grandmother.
• How are your parents? They’re fine, thanks.
• Where are you from? I’m from Florida.
• Where’s she from? She’s from Texas.
• Where are they today? They’re at home.
• How old are you? Twenty-three.
• What’s she like? She’s very smart.
• What are their names? …

Write at least six questions to ask your classmates about their families.

What…? Where…? How…?

• What’s your mother’s name?
• Where’s Lucas from?
• How are you?
• What’s your email address?
• Where’s the book?
• How are your parents?
• What’s your cellphone number?
• Where is your mother?
• How old are you?
• What’s this?
• Where are the students now?
• How old is Alicia?

Conversation Strategy

Mark: This is a great photo. Who is it?

Eve: It’s a friend of mine – Natasha.

Mark: Oh? Where’s she from?

Eve: She’s from London, but she’s here in Miami now.

Mark: London? Wow. Is she a student here?

Eve: No, she’s an artist – a painter. She’s an amazing woman.

Mark: A painter? Really? What are her paintings like?

Eve: They’re wonderful. Look.

Mark: Oh. Interesting… um, what is it?

Complete the responses. Then practice with a partner.

1. My friend Gemma is a singer. A singer? Is she in a band?
2. My best friend’s name is Vlad. Really? Where’s he from?
3. My friends Joshua and Pat are actors. They’re actors? Are they famous?

Listen and Speaking: Friends

1. Amy is a friend of mine from the neighborhood. She’s about 45 years old. Olivia is her daughter. She’s the same age as my son.
2. Anton’s a friend of mine. He’s my best friend. He’s around my age. He’s a nice guy – a fun guy.
3. Gary is a friend from college. He’s very smart. His wife’s name is Gloria.

Write about a best friend

Example 1:

1. Cristian is my best friend.
2. He is very smart and nice.
3. He is from Lanco.
4. He’s about thirty years old.
5. His favorite singer is Kymani Marley.

Example 2:

1. Daniela is my best friend.
2. She is very smart and beautiful.
3. She is from Valdivia.
4. She’s about twenty-two years old.
5. Her favorite singer is Shakira.

Can you complete this conversation?

Angel: Hi, Carla. How are you?

Carla: I’m fine, thanks. Is this your car?

Angel: No, it’s my brother’s car. He’s on vacation.

Carla: Cool. So, where is your brother?

Angel: He and his wife are in Miami, with her parents. Her family is from Miami, you know.

Carla: Oh, right. So, are their children in Miami, too?

Angel: No, they’re with my parents and me. Our house is crazy. We’re all so busy with the kids.

Carla: I bet you’re tired.

Angel: Yeah, I really am… Uh-oh, I’m late!

Carla: Ok. See you later.

Angel: Wait! Where are my car keys? I mean, where are my brother’s car keys?

Carla: Are these his keys? Under the car? Here you go.

Angel: Oh, thanks, Carla. You’re wonderful!

Yes/No questions with ‘To Be’: Am, Is, Are + subject + complement?

Information questions (with question words):

Question word = what, where, who, how old + am, is, are + subject + complement?

1. What is our teacher’s full name?
2. What’s the school’s phone number?
3. Is our English class hard? Yes, it is.
4. Are the students in this class smart? Yes, they are.
5. Who’s not in class today?
6. Where are your books?

Complete the conversation with expressions from the box. Then practice with a partner.

Anna: Oh, no! Where’s my pen? Excuse me. Can I borrow your pen?

Michel: Sure. Here you go.

Anna: Thank you.

Michel: You’re welcome.

Anna: Hmmm. How do you spell ‘neighbor’?

Michel: Neighbor? I’m sorry. I don’t know.

Anna: Ok, thanks anyway.

Michel: Wait. Here’s my dictionary.

Anna: Oh, thanks.

Michel: You’re welcome.

Anna: Oh, this is a French-English dictionary.

Michel: Yes. I’m from France.

Anna: France? Really? Uh-oh! My coffee! I’m sorry.

Michel: That’s ok.

Anna: By the way, I’m Anna.

Michel: I’m Michel. Nice to meet you.

Anna: Oh, no, I’m late for work. Sorry. Bye. Have a good day.

Michel: Thanks. You too. Uh-oh. Where’s my pen? And my dictionary?

• How old are your parents?
• Where is your family from originally?
• What’s your best friend like?
• What’s your best friend’s name?
• What’s your favorite singer?
• Who’s your favorite TV show?

Unit 4: Talking About Habitual Activities

1. Greg checks his email.
2. Jennifer’s sister watches TV.
3. Amanda’s husband doesn’t have breakfast.
4. Alex and his wife don’t talk a lot.