Тематический курс английского языка для подростков. Чтение, лексика и развитие речи

6. How do you react when you feel someone is not treating you well?

I usually step back and observe first. If it continues, I distance myself because I think respect is important in any friendship.

7. Can friendships change from fake to real or real to fake?

Yes, I think friendships can change over time. People grow, situations change, and relationships either become stronger or weaker depending on effort and honesty.

Complete the sentences:

At first, everything looked fine on the __________, but later I noticed problems.

I started to feel like I didn’t __________ in the group anymore.

What changed everything was when they made __________ without me.

Real friends don’t make you feel __________ in important moments.

I realized that real friendship is about being __________ and supportive.

When you feel left out in a group

It’s a strange feeling when you’re physically in a group of people, but emotionally it feels like you’re standing slightly outside of it. You hear the jokes, you see everyone laughing, but somehow you’re not really part of what’s happening. At first, you try to ignore it. You tell yourself it’s just a mood, just a random moment, nothing serious.

It usually starts small.

Maybe someone tells a joke and everyone laughs, but you don’t fully get it. So you smile anyway, because that feels easier than asking. Or the conversation moves so fast that you can’t find a natural moment to join in. You wait for a gap, but the gap never really comes.

I remember one specific situation at school. We were sitting in a group during lunch — six or seven people, all talking at the same time. At first, I was part of it. I added small comments, reacted to stories, felt included. But after a while, the topic changed to something I didn’t know much about.

So I just listened.

And then I stopped even trying to speak.

Not because anyone told me to be quiet, but because it felt like my words wouldn’t really change anything in the conversation. Everyone already had their rhythm, their inside jokes, their way of talking. I was there, but not really in it.

What made it more noticeable was how natural it was for them to continue without me. No one was being rude. No one was excluding me on purpose. But that didn’t change how it felt inside.

At some point, I started checking my phone more often, not because I had anything important, but because it gave me something to do. It’s easier to look busy than to sit there feeling invisible.

Later, when I got home, I kept thinking about it. I wondered if anyone even noticed that I had been quiet. Probably not. And that thought was both comforting and a little sad at the same time.

The next day, I tried again. I told myself I would be more active in conversations. I made a few jokes, asked questions, tried to join in. It worked a bit — people responded, smiled, included me again. But I also realized something important: being included in a group is not just about speaking. It’s about feeling like your presence actually matters in that space.

Sometimes it does. Sometimes it doesn’t.

Over time, I started to understand that feeling left out doesn’t always mean people are rejecting you. Often, it’s just different energies, different interests, or moments when you don’t fully connect with what’s happening. But that doesn’t make the feeling disappear.

What helped a little was finding smaller connections inside the group — one person I could talk to more easily, or one topic where I felt more confident. Instead of trying to be part of everything, I focused on being part of something.

And I also learned that it’s okay to step back sometimes, not as a punishment to yourself, but as a way to breathe and observe. Not every moment in a group has to be perfect or fully connected.

Still, even now, when I sit quietly in a group for too long, that familiar feeling sometimes comes back for a moment — like I’m slightly on the edge of the conversation, watching it instead of living it.

But I also know it doesn’t last forever.

Here are some useful expressions you might have noticed:

physically in a group — физически в группе

emotionally outside of it — эмоционально вне этого

nothing serious — ничего серьёзного

it starts small — всё начинается с мелочей

fully get it — полностью понимать

find a natural moment — найти подходящий момент

move so fast — двигаться слишком быстро (разговор)

feel included — чувствовать себя частью

stop trying to speak — перестать пытаться говорить

change the topic — сменить тему

inside jokes — шутки, понятные только своим

not being rude — не быть грубым

exclude someone on purpose — исключать кого-то специально

check my phone — смотреть в телефон

feel invisible — чувствовать себя невидимым

think about it later — потом об этом думать

respond and smile — реагировать и улыбаться

join in — присоединиться

being included — быть включённым

presence matters — твоё присутствие важно

different energies — разная энергия людей

step back — отступить

find smaller connections — найти небольшие связи

be part of something — быть частью чего-то

breathe and observe — выдохнуть и наблюдать

on the edge of the conversation — на краю разговора

doesn’t last forever — не длится вечно

You can use patterns like these in your own speech:

I felt left out when… — Я чувствовал (а) себя лишним, когда…

At first, I tried to ignore it, but… — Сначала я пытался (лась) не обращать внимания, но…

It wasn’t that people were rude, it just… — Дело не в том, что люди были грубыми, просто…

I found it hard to join the conversation because… — Мне было трудно включиться в разговор, потому что…

I started to feel invisible when… — Я начал (а) чувствовать себя невидимым, когда…

What helped me was… — Мне помогло то, что…

Over time, I realized that… — Со временем я понял (а), что…

Now think about your own experience:

1. Have you ever felt left out in a group?

Yes, I have. It happened when I was with a group of friends talking about topics I didn’t fully understand. I was physically there, but I didn’t feel like I was part of the conversation.

2. What usually makes you feel included in a group?

I feel included when people ask me questions, react to my ideas, and give me space to speak. Even small signs of attention make a big difference.

3. What do you do when you start feeling left out?

At first, I try to join the conversation more actively. If it doesn’t work, I usually focus on one person or step back a little and observe.

4. Do you think it’s always people’s intention to exclude others?

No, I don’t think so. Most of the time it happens naturally, because people get excited or talk about shared experiences without realizing someone is left out.

5. Is it better to speak up or stay quiet in that situation?

I think it depends, but speaking up is usually better. It can help others notice and bring you back into the conversation.

6. Can feeling left out happen even with close friends?

Yes, it can. Even close friends sometimes focus on topics or moments where not everyone feels equally involved.

7. How do you deal with that feeling emotionally?

I try to remind myself that it’s usually temporary and not personal. Then I focus on people or moments where I feel more comfortable.

Complete the sentences:

I felt left out when I couldn’t __________ into the conversation.

At first, I tried to ignore it, but later I started to feel __________.

It wasn’t that people were rude, it just felt like I was on the __________ of the group.

I started to check my phone more often because I felt __________.

What helped me was finding smaller __________ inside the group.

Friendship after a big argument

A big argument with a friend feels different from a normal misunderstanding. It’s not just about words that were said in the moment — it’s about everything that comes after. The silence. The overthinking. The strange feeling of not knowing whether things can go back to normal again.

It usually starts with something small. At least, that’s how it was for us. A simple disagreement about something unimportant — plans, timing, maybe a misunderstanding in a message. Nothing that seemed serious at first. But emotions build up faster than logic, especially when both people feel misunderstood.

I remember the exact moment when the tone changed. One sentence that sounded sharper than intended. Then another reply that felt colder. And suddenly, the conversation wasn’t about the original topic anymore — it was about pride, frustration, and not wanting to step back.

After that, we stopped talking.

At first, I told myself it would pass quickly. A day or two, maybe three. But the longer it lasted, the heavier it felt. Walking past each other in school became awkward. We would look away or pretend to be busy. It’s strange how someone can go from being your closest person to someone you avoid in the hallway.

What made it worse was replaying everything in my head. I kept thinking about what I could have said differently. Or what they meant by certain words. Overthinking turns small details into big problems that didn’t even exist before.

At some point, I started missing not just the person, but the normal rhythm we had — the daily messages, the jokes, the small updates about nothing important. That silence felt louder than the argument itself.

Then one day, something changed. Not dramatically, just quietly. A short message: «Are you okay?» It wasn’t a full apology, and it didn’t fix everything instantly, but it opened a door that had been closed for too long.

I remember hesitating before replying. Because once too much time passes, even simple messages feel complicated. But I answered. And that was enough to start talking again.

When we finally met, it wasn’t like in movies. There were no perfect speeches or instant emotional breakthroughs. It was a bit awkward at first. We both avoided certain topics. But slowly, the conversation became more natural again.

We talked about what happened, but not in a dramatic way. More like trying to understand each other instead of winning the argument. And that was important — realizing that most conflicts are not about one person being right and the other being wrong, but about two perspectives that didn’t match in that moment.

What surprised me was how much of the anger had already faded with time. The distance had felt huge, but the reason behind it wasn’t as big as it seemed anymore.

Still, something changed after that argument. We became more careful with words. More aware of each other’s feelings. Not in a tense way, but in a more thoughtful one. Like we both understood that friendship isn’t something automatic — it needs attention, especially after it breaks a little.

Now, when I think about it, I don’t see that argument as just something negative. It was uncomfortable, yes, but it also showed what was worth saving. Because if a friendship survives a moment like that and still feels real afterwards, it means there is something stronger underneath the conflict.

And sometimes, after everything settles, you realize that the distance didn’t end the friendship — it just changed the way you understand it.

Here are some useful expressions you might have noticed:

big argument — сильная ссора

misunderstanding — недопонимание

overthinking — слишком много думать

build up faster — накапливаться быстрее

tone changed — тон изменился

sounded sharper — звучало резче

felt colder — казалось холоднее

step back — отступить, уступить

stop talking — перестать общаться

it will pass — это пройдёт

awkward silence — неловкое молчание

avoid each other — избегать друг друга

replay in my head — прокручивать в голове

daily messages — ежедневные сообщения

normal rhythm — привычный ритм

open a door — открыть возможность

hesitate before replying — сомневаться перед ответом

dramatic speeches — драматичные речи

emotional breakthroughs — эмоциональные прорывы

avoid certain topics — избегать тем

understand each other — понимать друг друга

win the argument — выиграть спор

different perspectives — разные точки зрения

time has passed — прошло время

anger has faded — злость прошла

feel worth saving — стоит сохранить

underneath the conflict — под конфликтом

settle down — успокоиться

change the way you see something — изменить взгляд

You can use patterns like these in your own speech:

A big argument started when… — Большая ссора началась, когда…

At first, I thought it would pass quickly, but… — Сначала я думал (а), что это быстро пройдёт, но…

We stopped talking because… — Мы перестали общаться, потому что…

I kept replaying everything in my head because… — Я постоянно прокручивал (а) это в голове, потому что…

What hurt the most was… — Больше всего задело…

It wasn’t easy to talk again because… — Было непросто снова поговорить, потому что…

Over time, I realized that… — Со временем я понял (а), что…

Now think about your own experience:

1. Have you ever had a big argument with a friend?

Yes, I have. It happened because of a misunderstanding that quickly turned into a bigger conflict. At first, I thought it was something small, but it grew into a serious argument.

2. How did you feel after the argument?

I felt confused and a bit sad. I kept thinking about what I could have said differently and whether I should have reacted more calmly.

3. Did you try to fix the friendship? What happened?

Yes, after some time we started talking again. It was awkward at first, but slowly we began to understand each other better and explained our points of view.

4. What is harder: staying silent or talking after a conflict?

I think talking after a conflict is harder because emotions are still fresh. But silence can make the situation worse over time.

5. Do you think every friendship survives big arguments?

No, not always. Some friendships end because people cannot understand each other anymore, but others become stronger after solving the conflict.

6. What helps to rebuild trust after a fight?

Honest communication, time, and willingness to listen are the most important things. Without these, it is hard to rebuild trust.

7. Can arguments actually make friendships stronger?

Yes, I think they can. If people learn from the situation and improve how they communicate, the friendship can become deeper and more mature.

Complete the sentences:

A big argument started when we had a __________ about something small.

I stopped talking to my friend because the tone of the conversation felt __________.

I kept replaying everything in my head because of overthinking and __________.

It was hard to talk again because we avoided certain __________.

Over time, I realized that some friendships are worth __________.

The friend you can’t trust anymore

It’s not always obvious when trust disappears. It doesn’t happen like a sudden break or a loud moment. Most of the time, it’s quieter than that — a series of small situations that slowly change how you see someone.

At first, everything felt normal. We talked every day, shared jokes, exchanged messages during school breaks, and spent time together like any close friends would. I never really questioned it. Trust wasn’t something I thought about — it just existed.

But then something happened. Not one big event, but a pattern.

It started with small things. Plans that were forgotten. Messages that were left without answers for hours or even days. At first, I made excuses for it. «Maybe they’re busy,» I told myself. And honestly, that was probably true sometimes.

But later, I started noticing something more uncomfortable — inconsistency. One day everything was fine, and the next day I felt ignored without any clear reason.

The real moment that changed everything wasn’t dramatic. It was simple. I shared something personal, something I didn’t usually talk about. It wasn’t a secret, but it mattered to me. I expected understanding or at least a normal reaction.

Instead, I later heard that part of what I said had been repeated to others.

Not in a cruel way, not as gossip meant to hurt me — but still, it wasn’t something I agreed to share.

And that’s when something shifted.

It wasn’t anger at first. It was more like confusion. I kept thinking, Did I misunderstand? Did I say too much? Or did they really not think it mattered?

But the feeling stayed.

After that, I started watching things more carefully. Not in a paranoid way, just more aware. And I realized this wasn’t the first time something like this had happened. Small pieces of information I had shared privately were somehow not staying private.

That’s when trust started to fade.

What makes this kind of situation difficult is that the person doesn’t become «bad.» They are still funny, still familiar, still someone you’ve shared a lot with. That’s what makes it complicated. Because you don’t suddenly stop liking them — you just stop feeling safe sharing everything.

And that creates distance.

We still talked after that, but something had changed. Conversations became more careful. I started choosing words more carefully. I stopped sharing certain thoughts. Not because I wanted to hide everything, but because I didn’t know where it might end up.

And slowly, that distance grew.

It’s strange how trust works. Once it breaks in small ways, it rarely comes back in the same form. Even if things look normal again, something inside you remembers.

Over time, I realized that trust isn’t just about what someone does once. It’s about patterns. About whether you feel secure consistently, not just occasionally.

And the hardest part is accepting that someone you still care about might not be someone you can fully rely on anymore.

There was no final conversation, no dramatic ending. Just a quiet understanding that things had changed. We still say hello sometimes. We still talk when we have to. But the closeness is no longer there.

And maybe that’s the most realistic kind of ending — not a clear goodbye, but a distance that slowly becomes normal.

Here are some useful expressions you might have noticed:

not always obvious — не всегда очевидно

sudden break — резкий разрыв

series of small situations — серия маленьких ситуаций

make excuses — находить оправдания

inconsistency — непоследовательность

left without answers — без ответа

something shifted — что-то изменилось

shared something personal — поделился личным

didn’t agree to share — не соглашался делиться

stay private — оставаться личным

confusion — растерянность

watched things more carefully — стал (а) внимательнее следить

not paranoid — не параноидально

trust started to fade — доверие начало исчезать

feel safe sharing — чувствовать себя в безопасности, делясь

choose words carefully — подбирать слова

stop sharing thoughts — перестать делиться мыслями

distance grew — расстояние увеличилось

trust works in patterns — доверие строится на повторениях

feel secure — чувствовать безопасность

rely on someone — полагаться на кого-то

quiet understanding — тихое понимание

things have changed — всё изменилось

no dramatic ending — без драматичного конца

became normal — стало нормальным

You can use patterns like these in your own speech:

At first, I didn’t notice anything wrong, but later… — Сначала я ничего не замечал (а), но потом…

It started with small things like… — Всё началось с мелочей, таких как…

I made excuses because… — Я находил (а) оправдания, потому что…

What changed everything was when… — Всё изменило то, что…

I stopped sharing because… — Я перестал (а) делиться, потому что…

Over time, I realized that… — Со временем я понял (а), что…

Even though we still talk, I feel… — Хотя мы всё ещё общаемся, я чувствую…

Now think about your own experience:

1. Have you ever stopped trusting a friend?

Yes, I have. It happened after I noticed that private things I shared were not always kept between us. It made me feel uncomfortable and careful about what I say.

2. What makes you lose trust in someone?

I usually lose trust when someone repeats personal information without permission or when their behavior is inconsistent over time. Small repeated actions matter more than one mistake.

3. Can trust be repaired once it is broken?

Sometimes yes, but it depends on the situation. If the person shows real change over time, trust can slowly return, but it is never exactly the same.

4. Do you still talk to someone you don’t fully trust?

Yes, sometimes I do. It is possible to still be polite and friendly, but I don’t share personal things anymore.

5. What is harder: losing a friend or losing trust?

Losing trust is harder in some ways because the person is still there, but the relationship changes. You have to adjust how close you can be.

6. How do you protect yourself in such situations?

I become more careful with what I share and observe actions instead of words. I try to keep some emotional distance.

7. Can someone stay in your life without full trust?

Yes, I think so. Not every relationship needs deep trust, but close friendships usually do.

Complete the sentences:

At first, I didn’t notice anything wrong, but later my trust started to __________.

It started with small things like messages being left without __________.

What changed everything was when something personal was __________ to others.

I stopped sharing my thoughts because I didn’t feel __________ anymore.