dating usually begins in the early teens, and in the late teens a pattern of steady dating develops.

There is a great possibility that one goes to a dance with one person, to a football game with

another, and to a picnic with a third. Sometimes two couples go out together. This is known as

“double dating.” Group dating is also popular among young people. Large groups of boys and

girls may go around together. Young people may go out together for a long time, which is, in

effect, a public statement of their intention to marry. Men and women go out together a great deal,

especially those in cities. This is “adult dating.” They ski together, dine together, either at

restaurants or in each other s homes. The American dating system is a rather casual one. Often

young Americans who hardly know each other go out on dates. It is also acceptable for them to

arrange a “blind date”, that is, a date between two young people who have not met before.

Dating Description

Causal dating Early teens

Steady dating Late teens

Many partners e.g. a dance, a game, a picnic

Double dating Two couples

Group dating Large groups

Go out for a long period Intention to marry

Adult dating Men and women.e.g.ski, work, dine together

Casual dating system Those who hardly know each other

Blind dating Those who have never met before

VI. Furthering Listening and Speaking

Task 1: Finding the Right Type of Girl

Keith: Hey, Peter! You ve been in the room all night. Get out and dance with someone like that

babe over there.

Peter: No way, Keith! She s the intellectual type. My pickup line just won t work with her.

Keith: Oh, come on, man! What kind of girl do you like?

Peter: I want a girl that gentle and mild, and that babe is not the right type.

Keith: Times are changing, and you ll never find a woman that will shine your shoes and fill your

beer mug all the time. Wake up.

Peter: Oh really? I still prefer women that stay home, cook, clean, and take care of the kids.

Keith: Okay, then what will you do after you get home from work?

Peter: Hmm. Eat, watch TV, and throw our the trash.

Keith: Wit, wait, wait. I can t believe my ears. You ll never find a wife.

1.B 2.D 3.C 4.A

Task 2: He thinks I m God.

A young woman brings home her fiancé to meet her parents. After dinner, her mother tells her

father to find out about the young man s plans. The father invites the fiancé to his study for a

drink.

“So what are your plans?” the father asks the young man.

“I am a Bible student,” he replies.

“A Bible student. Hmm.” The father says. “Good, but what will you do to provide my daughter

with a nice house such as she s accustomed to?”

“I will study,”: the young man replies, “and God will provide for us.”

“And how will you buy her a beautiful engagement ring such as she deserves?” asks the father.