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Traditional Bedouin families live in large tents about half the size of a basketball court. The tents are divided into two sections: the first is for receiving guests in true Bedouin style — they have the reputation of being the world’s most generous hosts. Visitors are always served a big meal as soon as they arrive. The second part of the tent is the family’s shared kitchen, living room, dining room, and bedroom. They don’t have tables and chairs, as the whole family sits on the floor to eat. And instead of beds, everybody sleeps on mattresses which are piled into a corner of the room

during the day.

Several generations usually share the tent. The head of the family is the mother, and she is the one who gives the orders. Her husband and her children live with her, even when the children are married and have their own children. The sons and sons-in-law

look after the animals, while the daughters and daughters-in-law clean the tent, cook the meals, and look after the younger grandchildren. The older ones are left to run around outside. There may often be as many as 30 people under the same roof.

The few young people who have left the family to live in the city visit their mothers nearly every day. It can be quite a surprise to see a shiny new Mercedes pull up outside one of the tents and watch a smart young man get out to greet his relatives.

Bedouin people do not like to be separated from their families and there is a very good reason why. If they are poor, sick, old, or unemployed, it is the family that supports them. Elderly people are never left alone, and problems are always shared. Children who work in the city are often responsible for their families financially.

In this way, Bedouin families aren’t just close; they are a lifeline.

The Bedouins prefer to live together in a big family group, because family members support and help each other.

Bedouin people do not like to be separated from their families and there is a very good reason why. If they are poor, sick, old, or unemployed, it is the family that supports them. Elderly people are never left alone, and problems are always shared.

are divided into – поделен на

receiving guests – встречать гостей

hosts — хозяева

instead of — вместо

mattresses — матрасы

are piled into  — сложены в

generations  — поколения

share делить

gives the orders – отдавать приказы

own  — владеть

sons-in-law — зятья

look after – присматривать за

while – в то время

daughters-in-law — невестки

to run around — бегать

shiny — блестящий

pull up — подтянуть

get out — выходить

relatives — родственники

to be separated from

unemployed — безработный

sick — больной

supports — поддерживает

Elderly — пожилой

alone — одинокий

shared — общий

responsible — ответственный

a lifeline – спасительный круг

b Read the article again. Choose the correct answers according to the information given.

1 In the past, most families in Southern Europe and the Middle East were …

a smaller.                      b closer.                        c richer.

2 There isn’t much … in a Bedouin tent.

a furniture                     b light                            c space

3 Bedouin … spend most of the day inside.

a  men                  b women                            c children

4 Young Bedouins who live in the city …

a hardly ever go home.            b don’t earn much money.          c don’t lose touch with their families.

5 Members of a Bedouin family help each other to …

a survive.                    b get a job.                    c choose clothes.