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Listen to Francis talking about his childhood and being a parent. When you have listened, answer the true or false questions below.
Click here to read what Francis said and definitions of all the keywords.Hide Transcript
"I grew up in Malta. I was brought up by my mother because my parents divorced when I was a baby. As far as I can remember, I had a happy childhood. Being an only child wasn't a problem; I never felt that I wanted brothers and sisters. My mother says that I've always loved music. Even as an infant, music would calm me down if I was crying in my cot. A little later, when I was toddler - around the time I started walking - I used to love banging on things to make a noise. Mum used to call me ' her little drummer boy.' I'm a parent myself now to two children. My kids are like chalk and cheese - they're very, very different different. My eldest son has juvenile tastes considering he's a teenager. Teenage years can be tough on adolescents so perhaps it's just a phase he's going through. On the other hand, my daughter Melissa is only ten, but she's already outgrown playing with toys. She's actually very mature for her age."
Key words
- grew up - past tense of grow up: to gradually become an adult
- brought up - past tense of bring up: to care for a child until it is an adult
- only child - a child who has no sisters or brothers
- infant - a baby or a very young child. Usually under 12 months old.
- toddler - a young child, especially one who is learning or has recently learned to walk.
- used to - used to show something that happened in the past but that doesn't happen now.
- juvenile - adjective which show a lack of maturity or something that is childish.
- adolescents - teenagers.
- outgrown - past tense of outgrow: to lose interest in something as you get older.
- mature - adjective which shows that someone's behaviour is like an adult's.
Link: Movie Lesson 'Coraline'
- Francis lived with his parents when he was growing up.
