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Daily Routine and Household Chores Guide

The document outlines various aspects of daily routines and household chores, including opposites of common phrases, tasks that need to be addressed, and the division of chores among household members. It also includes prompts for discussing personal habits, opinions on household responsibilities, and planning activities with a partner. Additionally, it describes a typical daily routine of a family member, detailing their responsibilities and the distribution of household chores among family members.
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
17 views4 pages

Daily Routine and Household Chores Guide

The document outlines various aspects of daily routines and household chores, including opposites of common phrases, tasks that need to be addressed, and the division of chores among household members. It also includes prompts for discussing personal habits, opinions on household responsibilities, and planning activities with a partner. Additionally, it describes a typical daily routine of a family member, detailing their responsibilities and the distribution of household chores among family members.
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Daily Routine, Household chores

What are the opposites of the following words and phrases?

 to wake up
 to get up
 a late riser
 to get dressed
 to leave home
 to get on a bus
 to take the kids to school
 on weekdays

What should be done to put the following things right.

 The dishes are dirty


 There’s mud on the floor
 The bin’s full
 The air is stale in the room
 The dishes are wet
 The furniture is dusty
 The bed’s unmade
 The clothes are wet
 Your shirt is torn
 The grass has grown too high
 there’s something wrong with the light
 there are breadcrumbs on the carpet

Imagine you and your partner share a flat, which means you must share the housework
as well. Taking your likes and dislikes into account, try and agree on a fair division of
chores. Discuss which one of you should do the following.

 watering the plants


 doing the bathroom
 cleaning the windows
 doing the hovering in the living room
 dusting the furniture in the living room
 doing the shopping
 taking out the rubbish
 making coffee in the morning
 doing the cooking
 laying and clearing the table
 washing up the dishes
 drying up the dishes

Match the verbs on the left with the correct word on the right
fall a rest
do my teeth
have the dog
play asleep
go cards
clean the ironing
feed early
get up to bed

Here are some common expressions in English. Translate them into your own language
and then decide which of these sentences you often use in your own language.

 Did you go out last night?


 I think I’m going to stay in this evening.
 I overslept this morning
 I couldn’t get to sleep last night
 Do you want to come round this evening?
 I forget o do the shopping
 What time did you get home?
 I nearly fell asleep in the lesson today.

Find out about your partner’s habits and daily routine by asking him or her questions.

gets up early
feels tired in the mornings
has a shower or takes a bath
gets dressed before or after breakfast
sometimes misses lunch
reads a daily newspaper
watches TV every evening
regularly does sports
reads before he/she goes to sleep
goes to bed before 11 o’clock
remembers his/her dreams
goes out at weekends

Find out how your partner spends his/her time. Ask about these things.

e.g. How many hours a week do you watch television?

school and homework


jobs at home
free time and hobbies
exercise
sleep
TV

What’s your opinion about the following statements?


If I were really rich and I could afford it, I would have a servant/maid in the house so that I
wouldn’t have to do any housework.

I envy the Spanish: they start work at 10a.m., they take a siesta after lunch, they go back to
work until seven or eight, and they go to bed at about one or two. It means they have a proper
morning and proper evening.

Answer the following questions.

Do you think there is anything about your daily routine that you should change
How is the housework split in your family? What are your responsibilities(if any)?
What would you say are the three most important household gadgets? Give reasons.

Act out the following situations.

Kérdezze meg barátjától, mit fog csinálni holnap. Javasolja, hogy délután menjenek el sétálni
a városba és igyanak meg valahol egy kávét. Beszéljék meg kávézás közben, este hova
tudnának elmenni szórakozni.

Barátja álladó időhiánnyal küzd, mindig csak rohan, semmire sincs ideje, és állandóan fáradt.
Reggelente mindig későn kell, mert szeret sokáig aludni, az estéit, pedig tévézéssel tölti. Ha
tanácsot kér Öntől, javasoljon neki értelmesebb időbeosztást.

Tervezzék meg házastársával a hétvégét. Meg kellene látogatni a nagyszülőket, barátokat


hívtak szombat este vacsorára, és a ház körül is sok a teendő, így valamelyik programot le kell
mondai.

On weekdays I usually get up at a quarter to seven or a bit later. Because both of my parents are out to work
then, I always set my radio-alarm so that I won't oversleep. After waking up it's about five or ten minutes until I
am wide awake, and then I jump out of bed. I very often do morning exercises for about five minutes. Since it's
my job to wake my little sister and get her ready for kindergarten, from this point on I am always in a hurry. I
rush to the bathroom, quickly wash, clean my teeth, comb my hair, put on some jewellery and get dressed. If I
have an extra two or three minutes, I take a shower but I rather do it in the evening.
Before going to work, my mum prepares our breakfast and makes one or two sandwiches for me for school. So
it's a quick work to get through breakfast. Then I wake my sister, dress her, air the room, make the beds while
she fiddles around in the bathroom and the kitchen. We leave the flat at about half past and since fortunately the
kindergarten is located almost next to my school, we take the same bus and get off at the fourth stop. In the
kindergarten I change her clothes but sometimes only her shoes and give her a kiss good-bye. I am at school at
ten or fifteen minutes before eight. I quickly look through my homework or do the written exercises if I have
forgotten some of them. I very rarely copy my classmates' homework, but they copy mine.
School is usually over at two or even later. When we get to the school canteen, it's about half past two, so it's
pretty late to have lunch. Twice a week I have optional lessons in the afternoon, and also two theatrical
workshops, so when I get home it's quite late. If my mum has to work overtime, it's my duty to collect my sister
from the nursery as well. On arriving home I relax a bit, listen to some music or switch on the TV or simply talk
to my parents. If lunch was bad I have an afternoon tea and every day I eat one apple. Then I retire into my room
and start to study which lasts till eight or nine, it depends. I never cat anything for dinner, but if I feel like talking
to my parents and my sister, I take part in this family gathering.
I rarely watch TV at night but if I do, I only watch the series. I don't know why but I like them. At ten I take a
shower, get all my things ready for the next day and go to bed. By this time my sister is fast asleep so I won't
disturb her if I read a book in bed. I always read before falling asleep

Nobody in our family likes doing the housework, not even my mum, so if we want things done at home, we have
to share the household chores. We have always thought of having a woman in but none of us would like a
stranger wandering in our house so we scrapped this idea. As both of my parents have demanding jobs with a lot
of responsibility which keep them occupied almost the whole day in their office, my sister and I have to do
household chores quite regularly.
My dad does the least but somehow everyone understands it: Dads aren’t supposed to work at home because
housework isn't considered a man's job. He cleans the garage every now and then, washes the car, which he likes
doing, and seems to enjoy, hoovers the carpets, since he used to attend a secondary school for catering, he
likes laying the table for dinner, although, he hates clearing it and doing the washing up - they are my sister's
jobs. Once or twice a year he beats the carpets as well, just for show I think, and not very often he does some
kind of maintenance work though he is not a handy man at all. If the blinds go wrong, or a lock fails to work
properly, he can repair them, but he knows nothing about mending electrical devices. He can't even replace a
fuse or a bulb. He has some tools at home, like a hammer, a saw, a screwdriver, an electric drill, some pairs of
pliers, and a chisel. He keeps all of them in a big box where he can hardly ever find the one he actually needs.
My mum's working area in the flat is the kitchen. The fact that we have quite a lot of appliances there, doesn't
always make her job easier. These devices .- the microwave oven, the grill, the dish-washer, the juicer, the
toaster, the deep-fryer, the bread slicer, the sandwich-maker and so on - have to be kept clean: taken apart, put
together, washed up. Of course they help her because they make things quicker. Besides kitchen work, it's also
my mum who waters the plants almost every other day, airs the whole flat, and does the daily shopping. I, like all
youngsters my age, can't sew or iron, so these jobs also belong to my mother.
My younger sister takes out the rubbish and dusts the furniture. Besides, she sometimes - very rarely - polishes
the floor, and washes the kitchen floor. She makes her own bed and tidies up her part of our room. Well,
sometimes she sweeps the stairs leading up to our entrance door, but that's all. She always keeps saying that
doing the housework is nothing but a waste of time, and has no sense at all.
I do the rest of the jobs. I do the washing up, the washing, I hang out the clothes to dry, I manage the family's
incoming and outgoing post, make telephone calls, call repairmen, even keep an eye on the expenses. I don't
mind doing it: in this respect I think I am an adult now, and my job will be much easier when I become a mum

Common questions

Powered by AI

The daily routine described reflects cultural attitudes towards time management, particularly the emphasis on morning efficiency due to both parents working . Cultural elements are evident in the acceptance of traditional gender roles in the division of household chores, where dads have limited involvement in housework due to societal perceptions . The narrative also touches on the fascination with Spanish customs, such as siestas and late work hours, suggesting cultural differences in prioritizing work-life balance . The overall depiction of a structured yet flexible routine punctuated by responsibilities is indicative of a cultural valuation of productivity intermixed with family duties, which can vary significantly across cultures.

The cultural significance of Spanish lifestyle elements, such as siestas and extended work hours, contrasts notably with the regimented routine described. Spanish customs, embodying relaxed mid-day breaks and late working frameworks, highlight a differing emphasis on work-life balance, allowing leisurely socialization and reduced stress . In contrast, the document's described routine is characterized by a rigid, fast-paced schedule, with minimal opportunity for extended relaxation, reflecting cultural priorities on efficiency and productivity . Such variations underline cultural differences in daily structuring, showcasing how underlying values shape lifestyle preferences and stress management strategies.

Psychological and social factors, including entrenched gender norms and individual preferences, influence decisions on chore assignments. Gender roles often lead to a default distribution, with 'male' and 'female' tasks starkly divided, affecting individual morale and participation . Personal interests may also guide who performs tasks, seen when assignments are discussed based on likes and dislikes . Social perceptions about domestic capabilities, experience, and responsibility levels can shape these decisions, as seen through assigned obligations to family members more competent or available due to personal schedules . Consequently, these factors collectively shape how household roles are perceived and executed within families.

Balanced management between chores and personal leisure is crucial for overall family well-being. As outlined, high workloads coincide with limited leisure time, potentially leading to stress and strained familial emotions . The equitable allocation of chores based on each member's capability allows for a distribution that might provide more personal time, crucial for mental health and relational bonding . Families incorporating reasonable leisure can foster a supportive environment where chores do not overshadow personal development, contributing positively to both individual and familial satisfaction, as opposed to environments where unrestricted workloads command dominant roles.

Gender norms significantly influence the distribution of household responsibilities, perpetuating traditional roles where, for instance, the father performs chores considered 'male tasks,' such as car maintenance and minor repairs, rather than routine cleaning duties . Women's contribution is highlighted in kitchen-related tasks and plant care, reflecting a standard division where domestic tasks are often feminized . Despite the involvement of all family members, underlying attitudes restrict full equality in the distribution of chores by reinforcing these stereotypical roles, creating a division that is resistant to change and suggesting cultural inertia present in domestic settings.

Dividing household chores among family members can lead to an equitable share of responsibilities, as reflected in the document, where tasks are allocated based on individual's preferences and capabilities . This can promote a sense of teamwork and fairness in a household. However, challenges such as unequal distribution of tasks due to stereotypes (e.g., housework not being considered a man's job) can result in imbalances . Furthermore, the reluctance to hire external help despite workloads can increase stress for highly-burdened individuals . Therefore, while distributing chores can enhance efficiency and fairness, it may also perpetuate gender roles and lead to inequitable task burden without careful planning.

The document highlights attitudes towards household chores that may hinder gender equality within families. Traditional expectations limit the father's role to 'male-appropriate' tasks like vehicle maintenance, while women take on diverse domestic responsibilities, perpetuating gendered division of labor . This reinforces stereotypes where women disproportionately shoulder routine chores, impacting perceptions of gender roles negatively and supporting inequal participation in household duties. The reticence to restructure these roles, despite awareness, suggests ingrained cultural norms that challenge the attainment of genuine gender equality at home, indicating a societal need for reevaluation and advocacy for equal distribution.

Household gadgets significantly enhance the efficiency of completing chores by automating and simplifying tasks. For example, devices such as the dishwasher, microwave oven, and toaster reduce the manual effort and time required for kitchen-related chores . These appliances can bear the brunt of otherwise mundane and repetitive tasks, allowing for faster and potentially more thorough cleaning processes. However, the necessity of maintaining these gadgets requires additional effort, as they need regular cleaning and occasional repair . Thus, while they provide convenience and efficiency, they also introduce new maintenance tasks into the household routine.

The reluctance to employ a housemaid arises from personal preferences and socio-economic considerations. Personally, the occupants express discomfort with having strangers frequent their private space, indicating a value placed on privacy and personal space . Socio-economically, this decision reflects a possible economic calculation where the cost of hiring help may not justify the potential benefits, especially when family members can share household chores . The choice to not hire help despite acknowledging its potential convenience suggests a broader societal attitude toward self-sufficiency and maintaining family involvement in domestic responsibilities.

The morning routine is structured to maximize efficiency and accommodate multiple concurrent responsibilities. With parents working, essential tasks such as preparing breakfast and waking a sibling are handled swiftly, potentially delegating certain chores to more convenient times . The use of an alarm clock for punctuality ensures adherence to schedule, minimizing delays . Such a routine prioritizes critical tasks first and leverages time-saving measures like quick breakfasts and bus travel to school, ensuring that both personal and familial obligations are met efficiently. However, this also indicates the necessity of such structures to cope with the absence of flexible work hours typically enjoyed in less rigid cultures.

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