Tick (✓) the columns to complete the following table about you. Compare your answer in pairs.

Work in groups. Add more steps or tips, and report to the whole class. Vote for the best recipe for cooking rice in a rice cooker.

Work in pairs. Read the steps in cooking rice in a rice cooker. Use the model in 2 and the tips above to give instructions.

Read the following instructions on how to do laundry. Circle the correct answers.

There are several simple steps in doing laundry. First of all, (1) sort / don’t sort your clothes by colour. You should separate them into whites and colours and wash them separately. (2) Secondly / Finally, add the washing powder or liquid. Read the instructions on the packet to make sure you use the right amount. Then, (3) load / you load the washing machine and turn it on. Make sure you place the items one at atime. Don’t put too many items as they need room to move about in the water. When the washing machine stops, (4) remove / you will remove the wet clothes. You can hang the items to dry, or put them in the dryer. Remember that air-drying clothes saves energy and money. (5) Finally / Afterwards, don’t forget to hang or fold each item. You could also iron your clothes before storing them in the wardrobe or drawer.

Work in pairs. Discuss these questions. 

a. Have you ever done your laundry? If yes, how did you do it? 

b. Below are some steps to do laundry. Put them in the correct order.

A. Hang or fold, and store your own clothes

B. Sort the clothes by colour

C. Remove the wet clothes from the washing machine and dry them

D. Add the washing powder or liquid

E. Load the washing machine and turn it on

Work in pairs. Discuss the following questions.

Which of the skills mentioned in the text do you have? What other skills do you think teenagers need fo become independent?

Read the text again. Complete the diagrams with information from the text. Use no more than TWO words for each gap.

Read the text again and match the highlighted phrases in the text with their meanings.

Read the text. Match the paragraphs (A-C) with the headings (1-5). There are TWO extra headings.

1. Manage your money

2. Relax and sleep well 

3. Develop time-management skills

4. Improve your decision-making skill 

5. Learn basic, but important life skills 

Becoming independent is important for teenagers. Below are the necessary skills you should learn to achieve independence for the future.

A. ___________________

First, make sure you can safely get around by yourself using public transport, walking, or cycling. Second, learn to communicate well and develop good relationships with people. Do some part-time jobs and get to know how to manage your money. You should also learn to cook healthy meals for your family. Finally, help your parents with household chores like cleaning and doing laundry.

B. ___________________

To begin with, identify the problem and come up with as many solutions as possible. Write down the options, so you can review the advantages and disadvantages of each one. This will help you see which option could be the best for you. Don’t base your decision on emotion only. Once you have made your choice, create a plan of specific steps to move forward. Then carry out your plan, and think about whether you have achieved the result you wanted.

C. ___________________

First of all, get into the habit of making a to-do-list every day or week. Make use of time-management tools, such as apps or diaries, to know what you need to do next. In addition, decide how much time you need for each task and always do one thing at a time to make sure you complete it. Schedule time to relax as well, and make sure you sleep at least nine hours each night. A good night's sleep is necessary for teenage brain development and good health. Becoming independent is not easy, but itis not as challenging as you may think. It’s about learning useful skills, making decisions by yourself, and knowing how to spend your time.

Tick (✓) the appropriate box to see how independent you are. Add up your points. If your total score is nine or above, you are independent. Compare with a partner.