Exercise 2: Multiple Matching

A Colette (Sweeping leaves)

I always admired my older brother, and I knew my parents had given him some money for taking out the rubbish, so I couldn't wait to have my own job to do! My mum said I was too small to carry the rubbish, but there were lots of leaves in the back yard that I could sweep up. It wasn't as easy as I thought, but I did better after my dad suggested I used a smaller brush. After I finished, the yard looked great. I slept well that night, and in the morning, I went out to the yard. It was covered with leaves again! I was angry at first, but mum sat with me, and calmed me down, saying there are just some things you can't get upset about. She was right, and I haven't forgotten it. It's been useful in various situations since then.

B Bilal (Cutting the grass)

I started cutting the grass in our garden for my parents when I was thirteen. I'd already done other smaller jobs at home, but I'd always thought cutting the grass was important, and it looked really fun. When I started, I preferred making patterns in the grass, rather than making it nice and smooth, which my parents weren't pleased about! I didn't think they'd let me do it again, but they did. I cut the grass weekly, and also did it at my grandad's house. Although I would've done it for nothing, he insisted on paying me. So I earned quite a lot in the end! Grandad had an old machine for cutting the grass, which was always breaking down. With practice, I managed to repair it with no problems at all and since then I've been able to fix all sorts of things for my friends and family!

C Ana (Washing cars)

I got a bit of pocket money from my parents by washing their car, which I think is probably something that most kids have done at one time or another. I'm quite glad I don't have to do it anymore, though! But back then, as long as the weather was warm, I didn't mind doing it, although I always had more fun when I could persuade one of my friends to come along and help. I thought I might have to go over the bits of the car they'd missed, but they always did a good job! One summer I really wanted a new skateboard. My mum suggested that I used the money from car washing to get it, so that's what I decided to do. I remember spending every day with my sister, learning how to ride my new skateboard. In the end I was pretty good, although she's always been better than me.

D Daruiz (Doing shopping)

There are some shops right around the corner from my house. I used to love going there with my mum, as she'd always buy me a comic. My brother started going to the shops on his own when he was nine, and soon after, my mum asked him to get some things for her. She only asked for a few things so that it wouldn't be heavy. When she asked me to start doing some shopping for her though, the list seemed to be much longer. Luckily, I'm strong! I enjoyed heading off to the shops with the money my parents had given me, and I felt really grown up. When school got busier and I was also trying to improve my tennis skills, I didn't have time to do the shopping trips. My mum didn't mind; by then my little sister was keen to take over.