CHAPTER 2 - Firsts in Life

Reading Comprehension - Check Your Understanding

A. Choose the best answer for the following questions.

1. Which of the following did Miguel NOT do with a car?
A) He visited his girlfriend more often.
B) He visited other cities on weekends.
C) He drove his dad around in the summer.

2. Where did Marta go on her first date?
A) the cinema
B) the high school dance
C) her best friend's house

3. What first does Soo-Jin talk about?
A) his first time staying in a hostel
B) his first time going out of Korea
C) his first time traveling with his cousin

B. Read the following sentences. Write the person that best matches each sentence.

C. Discuss the following questions with a partner.

1. Do you think Miguel, Marta, and Soo-Jin have different or similar personalities? In what ways?
   Answer

   Answers will vary.

2. Do you think that young people from around the world have the same idea about what are important firsts? Why, or why not?
   Answer

   Students may note that Marta and Soo-Jin were both shy, but Soo-Jin overcame his shyness; and both Miguel and Soo-Jin talked about their love of independence.

www.universityexpress.heinle.com/interviews

Firsts in Life

In this month's University Express, Lynn Zhou interviews students around the world about important firsts in their lives. Read their answers to the question:

What was an important first in life for you?

Miguel: For me, an important first was getting my driver's license. I got it the moment I turned 18! Being able to drive my father's car that summer gave me freedom, and made me feel like an adult. For example, I'm from Madrid, and my girlfriend is from a suburb about 30 kilometers away. Driving made it easy for me to see her more frequently. Also, I was able to take weekend trips with friends to other cities. I really liked being independent.

Marta: I went on my first date soon after my 16th birthday. It was with my best friend's brother. He invited· me to a movie, but we didn't talk much. We were both very shy. Two weeks, later, I went to a high school dance with him, and we had a great time. After that, we spent most of the summer together, but then he and his family migrated to France. I guess you could say he was my first boyfriend.

Soo-Jin: An important first for me was traveling from Korea to Europe. When I was 18, I spent the summer with my cousin backpacking through Europe. It was my first time out of Korea so I was nervous and reluctant to talk to people. Luckily I overcame my fears and gradually started to open up. I learned to be more independent. I made friends with other travelers at the hostels we stayed at, and I keep in touch with many of them even now.