Unit 7 — Values
What are values?
A value is something that a person or a group of people believes is very important. Values are the ideas that guide our choices and our actions every day. They tell us what is right, what matters, and how we want to live.
Some values are personal — they belong to one person and come from their own life and family. Other values are social — they are shared by a whole community or country, because they help people live together peacefully.
Examples of values
Common personal values: honesty, kindness, hard work, family, friendship, courage, freedom.
Common social values: equality, justice, fairness, helping people in need, peace, tolerance, education for all.
Key vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| value | something a person or society believes is important |
| society | a large group of people living together with shared rules |
| honesty | telling the truth and not lying or cheating |
| respect | treating other people politely and taking their feelings seriously |
| kindness | being friendly and caring toward other people |
| equality | everyone having the same rights and the same chances |
| fairness | treating everyone the same way, without favorites |
| friendship | a close, caring relationship between friends |
| family | the people we are related to (parents, siblings, etc.) |
| freedom | the right to choose how to live your own life |
| courage | being brave even when something is difficult or scary |
| peace | a state without war or violence |
| justice | what is right and fair, especially in law and society |
| tolerance | accepting people whose ideas, religion, or culture are different from yours |
| responsibility | doing what you said you would do, taking care of your duties |
| trust | believing that someone is honest and will not hurt you |
| education | the process of learning, especially in school |
Reading: Why Values Matter
Values are the things we believe are most important in life. They are the ideas that guide our choices and our actions every day. Some values are personal — like honesty, hard work, and kindness — while others are shared by an entire community. These shared beliefs are called social values, because they help everyone in society live together peacefully.
Different people may have different values. One person might believe that family is most important. Another might say that education or freedom is the highest value. There is no single correct answer — but understanding our values helps us understand ourselves and the people around us.
Social values include ideas such as equality, justice, fairness, and helping people in need. When a society protects these values, it becomes stronger and kinder. Stopping crime, ending hunger, and giving every child the same chances at school are all examples of social values in action.
Values are not just words. We show our values by what we do — by how we treat our family, our friends, and even strangers. A person who says honesty is important must also act honestly. A society that says equality matters must give equal rights to all its people.
Thinking about your values is one of the most useful things you can do. When you know what you believe, you can make better decisions and live a life that feels meaningful.
Think and Reflect
Before you start the practice, take a moment to think about these questions. There are no right or wrong answers — just your own ideas:
- What are the three most important values in your own life?
- Which social values do you think are most important for your country or community?
- Can you think of a time when a person showed a value through their actions, not just their words?
- Are there any values that most people in the world share, no matter where they live?
Practice — Vocabulary & Reading Comprehension
This exercise mixes vocabulary questions (choose the right value word for each sentence) and reading comprehension questions (about the passage above). At the end, you’ll see your score and can retest only the questions you missed.
My Values — Personal Worksheet
Now it’s your turn. Use this worksheet to write down what is important to you. Your answers are saved automatically in your browser, so you can come back later and continue. When you’re done, you can print your worksheet or share it with your teacher.
1. Most Important Things in My World
Make a list of the things that are most important to you in life. They can be people, ideas, activities — anything that matters to you. Try to fill all six lines.
2. Values Important for My Society
Now think about your community or country, not just yourself. Which values do you think are most important for the society you live in? (For example: equality, justice, education, peace…) List six.
3. Why These Values Matter
Choose two values from your lists above and explain — in your own words — why you think they are important. Try to write at least 3–4 sentences. If you do this in class, share your ideas with a partner or with the whole group.
