The term "adopted" refers to a person who has been legally taken into another family and raised as their own child, though they are not biologically related to their adoptive parents. Adoption is a common practice in many cultures and can be a beautiful way to create or expand a family. The emotional and social aspects of adoption vary greatly, with some adoptees feeling completely integrated into their new family, while others may struggle with identity and belonging. In this topic, learners will explore vocabulary, grammar, and useful expressions related to adoption.
Grammar:
Past Simple vs. Present Perfect
When discussing events in the past, such as adoption, it's common to use the past simple and present perfect tenses.
Past Simple:
- He was adopted when he was just a baby.
- They adopted him five years ago.
Present Perfect:
- He has been adopted by a wonderful family.
- They have raised him as their own since the adoption.
Relative Pronouns
Relative pronouns are used to give more information about people in the context of family relationships.
- The family who adopted him is very loving.
- He has siblings whom he is very close to.
Vocabulary:
- Adopted – Legally taken into another family and raised as their child.
- Adoption – The legal process by which a person takes another person’s child as their own.
- Adoptive parents – The people who legally adopt a child and raise them.
- Biological parents – The child’s birth parents.
- Foster care – A temporary arrangement in which a child is placed with a family until adoption or reunification with biological parents.
- Orphan – A child whose biological parents are deceased or have abandoned them.
- Birth certificate – The official document that records the birth of a child, sometimes changed after adoption.
- Guardianship – The legal responsibility to care for a child who is not one's biological child.
- Siblings – Brothers or sisters, either biological or adopted.
- Legal process – The official procedures necessary to finalize an adoption.
Useful Expressions:
- He was adopted at birth – Indicates that the adoption took place shortly after the child's birth.
- They raised him as their own – Refers to the adoptive parents treating the adopted child as a biological one.
- A loving adoptive family – Describes a caring and supportive family that adopted a child.
- The adoption process – Refers to the steps taken to legally adopt a child.
- He’s always known he was adopted – Means the adoptee was informed about their adoption from an early age.
- She was placed in foster care – Indicates that the child was temporarily living with a family before adoption.
- A closed adoption – An adoption where no contact occurs between the biological and adoptive families.
- An open adoption – An adoption where the biological family stays in contact with the child and adoptive family.
Sentences:
- He was adopted when he was only a year old.
- His adoptive parents are very supportive and loving.
- She grew up knowing that she was adopted, and she feels proud of her adoptive family.
- They went through a long adoption process, but it was worth it in the end.
- His biological parents were unable to care for him, so he was placed in foster care before being adopted.
- The family who adopted her has been incredibly welcoming and kind.
- The adoption took place five years ago, and he has since become a part of the family.
- He has two adopted siblings, and they all get along very well.
Questions and Answers:
Q: How old was he when he was adopted?
A: He was adopted when he was just a baby, about six months old.Q: Does he know his biological parents?
A: No, it was a closed adoption, so he doesn't have any contact with his biological parents.Q: How does he feel about being adopted?
A: He’s always been open about it and feels very grateful to his adoptive parents.Q: What is the difference between adoptive parents and biological parents?
A: Adoptive parents legally raise the child, while biological parents are the child’s birth parents.Q: Was the adoption process difficult for the family?
A: Yes, it took a while to complete the adoption process, but the family was very patient.
Conversation:
A: I heard that John was adopted. Is that true?
B: Yes, he was adopted when he was a baby. His parents couldn't have biological children, so they decided to adopt.
A: That’s really great. How does he feel about it?
B: He’s always been open about it and is very close to his adoptive parents. They’ve given him a lot of love and support.
A: It’s amazing how families can be formed in different ways.
B: Absolutely. It’s all about love and care, not just biology.
Reading:
Adoption and Family Bonds
Adoption is a legal process through which a child who does not have biological ties to a family becomes a permanent member of that family. John was adopted when he was only six months old. His adoptive parents, Mark and Sarah, had always wanted children but were unable to have any of their own. After a long and thorough adoption process, they brought John into their home and raised him as their own son.
From a young age, John was told about his adoption. His parents believed in being honest with him, and John has always appreciated that. Though he doesn’t know his biological parents, he feels a deep connection to his adoptive family. John has two adoptive siblings, and they share a strong bond.
While some people find adoption challenging because of the emotional aspects or the legal process, for John and his family, it has been a source of great joy. They believe that family is not just about blood but about love, commitment, and support.
Adoption is becoming increasingly common around the world, and many children find loving homes through this process. Whether adopted at birth or later in life, the most important part of any family is the relationships that are built and nurtured over time.
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