1. Receiving money makes me uncomfortable. 曾贤国 Section1 Section2 Section3

2. If my best friend gave me a history book, I would feel
Section1
Before You Read
If my best friend gave me a history book,
I would feel
2.If my grandmother gave me some home-
made cookies, I would feel
3. Receiving a new schoolbag would make
me feel

3. Read the passage and underline the main ideas of each group. Or write
Section1
Before You Read
Read the passage and underline the
main ideas of each group. Or write
in your own words.

4. Section2
While You Read
Many books have been written about ”the art of giving“. But what about the art of receiving? Sometimes, receiving a gift can be difficult, especially when someone buys you a gift you don’t want!

5. Section2
While You Read
“I remember when I was about twelve years old, my parents bought me a purple purse ,“ laughs Guo Xiaojing. “I really made me feel embarrassed, because to be honest, I thought the purse was really ugly! Still, I pretended that I liked it because I knew it would make my parents happy!”

6. Section2
While You Read
Han Ling agrees. “That sounds like my grandparents! A few years ago, my grandparents gave me an orange sweater for my birthday. I used to wear it every time I visited them, but when I left their house, I took it off! Of course, this made me feel guilty. It was a very nice thought, but my grandparents have different taste from me! I think it’s hard to buy clothes or other personal things for people.”
Receiving a sweater makes HanLing unhappy.

7. Section2
While You Read
To make things easier, some people would rather just give money. In some cultures, however, receiving money can make people uncomfortable. “When someone gives me money, it just makes me think they’re being lazy,” says John Wilson. “In England, we have a saying: It’s the thought that counts.

8. Section2
While You Read
When someone gives me money, I feel they didn’t think at all. I prefer to receive a gift that has some thought behind it. I don’t mind if it’s something I don’t need. If someone has thought about a gift for me, it always makes me happy.”

9. While You Read Different people have very different
Section2
While You Read
Different people have very different
thoughts on this subject! So maybe the
art of receiving is even more difficult
than the art of giving! What do you think?

10. After You Read Receiving money might make
Section3
After You Read
Receiving money might make
We might pretend to like a gift because
Han Ling wore the sweater
It’s important to make people feel that
It’s sometimes easier to
people uncomfortable.
it would make the people who gives gifts happy.
but very unhappy.
different people have different taste.
just give money.

11. After You Read Choose an adjective from the reading
Section3
After You Read
Choose an adjective from the reading
that expresses a feeling. To “make the
word your own”. Write about a time
when you felt this way.

12. Section4
Go For It!
Discuss how you think the person would feel about each suggestion.
Then write down the gifts that your group decides is best
for Tina and Peter.
Name
Reason for gift
Suggestions
Best gift
Tina
She is moving to another country.
Peter
It’s his birthday.

13. Go For It! What was the gift, who gave it to you and why?
Section4
Go For It!
Make notes about a gift that you have received.
What was the gift, who gave it
to you and why?
2. How did you feel when you opened it,
and do you Think the person who gave it
thought carefully about it?