A wedding brings the whole extended family together — and along the way, kids ask awkward questions, parents try to keep family traditions alive, and nobody can stop talking about it.
Watch with your teacher. Don't worry about understanding everything the first time.
Section 1
Warm-Up
Before you watch — talk with your teacher
👰
Think of a wedding or big family celebration you've been to. What do you remember most about it?
Section 2
Vocabulary
Words from the episode
The extended family gathers for a big wedding day, and almost everything that can happen does. Kids say things at the worst possible moments, parents try to follow old family customs, and the couple getting married just wants the day to go smoothly — with very mixed results.
M — Meaning
Read each sentence. Choose the best meaning for the highlighted word.
1. The actors had one more rehearsal before the show opened to the public.
2. There was an awkward silence after he forgot her name in front of everyone.
3. Don't embarrass me by telling that story in front of my boss!
4. She has three siblings: two brothers and one sister.
5. He tends to exaggerate how difficult his job is.
6. Eating a big dinner together on Sundays is a tradition in their family.
7. After her parents remarried, she grew up in a blended family with two stepbrothers.
8. With three kids and a new job, she felt completely overwhelmed.
"That's an exaggeration!"/ɪɡˈzædʒ.ə.reɪt/verbto describe something as bigger or worse than it really is
traditioniWord familytradition (noun) → traditional (adjective)/trəˈdɪʃ.ən/nouna custom passed down over time
blended familyiRelated termsstepfather / stepmother = parent's new partner stepbrother / stepsister = their children/ˈblɛn.dɪd ˈfæm.ə.li/noun phrasea family formed when parents with children from previous relationships join together
"I'm overwhelmed with work this week."/ˌoʊ.vɚˈwɛlmd/adjectivehaving too much to handle at once
F — Form/Fill: Fill in the Gaps
Click a word from the bank, then click the blank.
1.The wedding ___________ happened the night before the big day.
2.There was an ___________ pause when the groom forgot his vows.
3.Please don't ___________ me in front of the whole family!
4.Growing up with four ___________ meant the house was never quiet.
5.He likes to ___________ every story to make it sound more exciting.
6.Decorating the tree every December is a family ___________.
7.Their ___________ includes kids from two previous marriages.
8.Planning the entire wedding alone left her feeling ___________.
Word Bank
U — Use
Answer with your teacher, using the word in your response.
1
Have you ever had an important rehearsal before a performance, interview, or big event?
2
Tell us about a time you felt awkward in a social situation.
3
Have you ever done something that ended up embarrassing a family member?
4
Do you have siblings? What is your relationship like with them?
5
Do you know someone who likes to exaggerate their stories? Give an example.
6
What is one tradition your family always follows during holidays?
7
Do you know any blended families? What do you think are the biggest challenges?
8
What is something that makes you feel overwhelmed in daily life?
Section 3
Discussion
Talk about the episode
1
Modern Family shows several very different family structures living in the same extended family. Which family in the show do you relate to most, and why?
2
Kids in the show often say funny or surprising things without realizing it. Do you remember something funny a child once said to you?
3
The show uses a "mockumentary" style, with characters talking directly to the camera. Do you think this makes the comedy funnier? Why or why not?
4
Weddings, parties, and family traditions appear often in the show. What is your favorite family celebration?
5
If you were part of this extended family, which character do you think you would get along with best?