Discussion Starters

Importance of Community
Pre-Reading Warm Up Questions
1.
2.
3.
4.

Do you belong to a community outside of your family and workplace?

What types of groups do you rely on for support?
What types of communities exist in your hometown?
Which stages in life have you experienced loneliness?

Pre-Reading Vocabulary Task

Match the words on the left with the meanings on the right.

1. community
2. necessary
3. involvement
4. tend to
5. run out of
6. count on
7. supportive
8. comes in handy
9. retire
10. crack
11. welcoming
12. clique

a. a very close group that doesnt welcome outsiders

b. usually do or have
c. the taking part in an activity or group
d. making a person feel wanted and comfortable
e. to rely or depend on
f. break open and gain access to
g. to be useful
h. to no longer have any
i. helpful and caring
j. required
k. stop working (usually due to age)
l. a group with a common interest or location

Community:
A Sense of Belonging
Getting involved in community is important. A sense of belonging is necessary for a happy life.
Joining a sports team is one example of involvement. Adults and children enjoy playing and watching
sports in groups. A book club or a theatre group can also provide community. People with common
interests tend to get along well. They never run out of things to talk about. There are times in life
when you feel more isolated than others. New parents rely on community to get through the early
years of raising children. College and university students need a supportive community too. These
are the times in life when a substitute family comes in handy. Some people find a community in the
workplace. When older people retire they need to build up their support network. Many retired people
move to a new town or city away from family and friends. Some communities are easier to crack
than others. Instead of welcoming newcomers these groups seem to form a clique. Happiness experts
suggest having a third place outside of your home and workplace to belong to. You can count on this
community for support through life's many ups and downs. Your health may depend on it.
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Discussion Starters
Importance of Community
Comprehension Questions
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

According to the reading, what do people need to be happy in life?

Name at least 3 examples of communities from the reading.
What stages in life are mentioned as times when people need community most?
According to the reading, what can a community be a substitute for?
What do happiness experts suggest having?

Vocabulary Review
A. Match the example to the correct word.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

The bowling team has been together for ten years and doesn't accept new members.
I needed a cup of milk, but I only had half a cup.
Babies usually sleep in the car.
The parent group offered advice to the new mom with twins.
When Mary turns 65 she will stop working at the office.
It is a small town where everyone knows your name.

A. tend to
B. clique
C. supportive
D. run out of
E. community
F. retire

B. Choose the word or phrase that does not belong in each group.

1.

a. cracked

2.

b. necessary

c. required

d. needed

a. depend on

b. catch on

c. rely on

d. count on

3.

a. useful

b. handy

c. welcoming

d. practical

4.

5.

a. crack



a. participation

b. access



b. involvement

c. break into

c. tending

d. retire
d. active

6.

a welcoming

b. friendly

c. supportive

d. clique

Discussion Questions
1.
2.
3.
4.

Why is it more difficult for some people to find a community to belong to than others?
Which types of communities are the most difficult to crack? Why do you think so?
Is belonging to a community one of your top priorities in life? Why or why not?
Should the importance of community be taught as a subject in school? Explain your opinion.

Copyright 2009. This eBook is produced and distributed by Red River Press Inc. All rights reserved. The contents within this e-book/document may only be
photocopied by members of ESL-Llibrary.com in accordance with membership terms and conditions. Contact info@esl-library.com for complete details.

Discussion Starters
Importance of Community

ANSWER KEY

Pre-reading Vocabulary Task

1. L

2. J

3. C

4. B

5. H

6. E

7. I

8. G

9. K

10. F

11. D

12. A

Comprehension Questions
1. Happy people require a sense of belonging to something.
2. Examples of community in the reading include: sports teams, book clubs, theatre groups, parenting groups, college
dorms, workplaces, and retirement groups.
3. The reading states that having children, going to college and university, and retiring, are stages in life when people
require community more.
4. A community can be a substitute for a family.
5. Happiness experts suggest having a third place for support, outside of the home and workplace.
Vocabulary Review
A. Matching

1. B

2. D

3. A

4. C

5. F

6. E

4. D

5. C

6. D

B. Choose the word that does not belong.

1. A

2. B

3. C

EXTRA TASK:
Class Opinion: Write these questions on the board. Have your students walk around the class and do this class survey.
Is happiness possible without
community?

Is family the most important

form of community?

Do you think a sense of

community can cure health
problems?

Copyright 2009. This eBook is produced and distributed by Red River Press Inc. All rights reserved. The contents within this e-book/document may only be
photocopied by members of ESL-Llibrary.com in accordance with membership terms and conditions. Contact info@esl-library.com for complete details.