[Getting Started]: Household Chores

1. UNIT 1 - GETTING STARTED

1.2. Read the dialogue

Read the dialogue. Pay attention to the highlighted phrases.

Nam: Hello?
Mr.Long: Hello, Nam? This is Uncle Long. Is your dad there? I’d like to ask him out for a game of tennis.
Nam: Well, I’m afraid he can’t go out with you now. He’s preparing dinner.
Mr. Long: Is he? Where’s your mum? Doesn’t she cook?
Nam: Oh, yes. My mum usually does the cooking, but she’s working late today.
Mr. Long: How about your sister and you? Do you help with the housework?
Nam: Yes, we do. In my family, everybody shares the household duties. Today my sister can’t help with the cooking. She’s studying for exams.
Mr. Long: I see. So how do you divide household chores in your family?
Nam: Well, both my parents work, so we split the chores equally - my mother cooks and shops for groceries, my father cleans the house and does the heavy lifting, my sister does all the laundry, and I do the washing up and take out the rubbish.
Mr. Long: Really? It’s different in my family. My wife handles most of the chores around the house and I’m responsible for the household finances. She’s the homemaker and I’m the breadwinner. Anyway, I have to go now. Tell your dad I called. Bye.
Nam: Oh yes, I will. Bye, Uncle Long.