Exercise 9.2: Family Descriptions – Tall, Short, and Everything in Between

Exercise 9.2: Family Descriptions – Tall, Short, and Everything in Between 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦📏 #

It’s time to put your descriptive skills to the test! In this exercise, you’ll describe your family members like a pro—without confusing alto (tall) for vecchio (old), unless your uncle happens to be both!

1. Fill in the Blanks – Who’s Who in the Family? #

Complete each sentence with the correct adjective from the list: alto, simpatica, vecchio, intelligente, divertente.

  1. Mio zio è molto ___, ma fa ridere tutti! (My uncle is very ___, but he makes everyone laugh!)
  2. Mia nonna è ___ e fa la pasta migliore del mondo. (My grandma is ___ and makes the best pasta in the world.)
  3. Mia sorella è ___ e studia all’università. (My sister is ___ and studies at the university.)
  4. Mio fratello è ___, sembra una giraffa! (My brother is ___, he looks like a giraffe!)
  5. Mio nonno è ___, ma ha ancora energia da vendere! (My grandpa is ___, but he still has lots of energy!)

2. Match the Family Member to Their Description #

Match each family member with the correct description. Write the letter next to the number.

  1. Mia madre
  2. Mio cugino
  3. Mia sorella
  4. Mio nonno
  5. Mio zio

A) È alto e gioca a basket. (He’s tall and plays basketball.)
B) È simpatica e ama cucinare. (She’s friendly and loves to cook.)
C) È vecchio ma molto attivo. (He’s old but very active.)
D) È divertente e fa sempre battute. (He’s funny and always tells jokes.)
E) È intelligente e lavora come ingegnere. (She’s smart and works as an engineer.)

3. Multiple Choice – Choose the Correct Description #

  1. Mio zio è molto divertente. What does this mean?

    • A) My uncle is very tall.
    • B) My uncle is very funny.
    • C) My uncle is very old.

  2. Mia sorella è alta. How would you describe her?

    • A) She is short.
    • B) She is old.
    • C) She is tall.

  3. Mio nonno è vecchio ma simpatico. What does this tell you about Geoff’s grandpa?

    • A) He’s young and serious.
    • B) He’s old but friendly.
    • C) He’s tall and funny.

4. Situational Practice – Describe Your Family! #

Write a few sentences describing your family members using at least three adjectives.

Example:

  • Mia sorella è alta, simpatica e molto intelligente.
  • Mio zio è divertente, ma anche un po’ pigro!

Now it’s your turn!

Answers #

Answers

1. Fill in the Blanks #

  1. Divertente (Funny)
  2. Simpatica (Friendly)
  3. Intelligente (Smart)
  4. Alto (Tall)
  5. Vecchio (Old)

2. Match the Family Member to Their Description #

  1. B) Mia madre è simpatica e ama cucinare.
  2. A) Mio cugino è alto e gioca a basket.
  3. E) Mia sorella è intelligente e lavora come ingegnere.
  4. C) Mio nonno è vecchio ma molto attivo.
  5. D) Mio zio è divertente e fa sempre battute.

3. Multiple Choice #

  1. B) My uncle is very funny.
  2. C) She is tall.
  3. B) He’s old but friendly.

4. Creative Practice – Sample #

  • Mio fratello è alto e intelligente, ma un po’ pigro! Mia cugina è simpatica e sempre divertente alle feste.
    (My brother is tall and smart, but a little lazy! My cousin is friendly and always funny at parties.)

✨ Bravo! Now you can describe your family in Italian like a pro. Keep practicing, and soon you’ll be the family storyteller at every gathering. Buona fortuna! 🎉