B1 Preliminary - Gapped Text Exercise 14

Growing Up An Only Child

Growing up an only child was a unique experience for me. A lot of people think it must be lonely, but I never felt that way. _____1_____ I was the sole focus of my parents' attention, which had its pros and cons. _____2_____ They always had time to help me with my homework or play games with me. However, it also meant I was under constant scrutiny. Whatever I was doing, whatever I was thinking of doing, there were two pairs of eyes on me at all times!

Another advantage of being an only child was that I had a lot of time for myself. I didn't have to share my toys or fight over the TV remote. _____3_____ But at the same time, it also made me value friendship more since I didn't have siblings to play with at home. I built up a good strong group of friends that I am close to even today.

As an only child, I was often perceived as being spoilt. _____4_____ This was a stereotype I constantly had to fight against. But honestly, I was just like any other kid, my parents set boundaries and expected me to follow rules.

Finally, being an only child helped me to become independent at a young age. _____5_____ This helped me a lot when I left home to go to university.

Looking back, being an only child has shaped who I am today. While there were challenges, I enjoyed my childhood and wouldn't change it for anything.

Sentences

A. I often had to entertain myself and this led to a strong sense of imagination.

B. Yes, I had all the toys I wanted, but it didn't mean I was spoilt.

C. The house was always quiet, which was nice, but could also be a bit lonely.

D. In my case, it wasn't lonely at all.

E. Even something simple like a birthday became a problem for me.

F. I was the only one they cheered for at school events.

G. They also had high expectations for me.

H. Since I had no siblings, I often had to do things on my own.