Beginner
A: how old
Keith?
B: he’s 2
. how old
James?
A: he’s
year older than Keith, but he looks younger.
B: how’s your father?
A: he’s fine. He retired last week. It’s turning point
his life. Now he can relax
enjoy
retirement.
B: he can spend more time with
grandchilder.
A: oh,
don’t think he wants to. He wants
travel
several different countries around
world.
B: so, he wants
have
more active retirement. Good idea!
A: how do you want
spend your old age?
B:
the same way, probably.
Intermediate
A: what’s
life expectancy
your country?
B: I’m not sure, but probably about 75 years. How about
your country?
A: about 70,
think. This newspaper article talks about
problems
an aging population. It’s
problem that will soon affect most
the world.
B:
heard that
government might need
increase
retirement age, because otherwise there will not be enough workers
support
young
the elderly.
A: perhaps we need
have more babies! Tina gave birth
a baby boy yesterday.
B: did she? That’s great. However, if we have too many children, that will have
bad effect
the enviroment.
A: how’s your son these days?
B: oh, he’s fine. Kids seem
grow up very quickly nowadays.
A: he’ll be
teenager before you know it! Teenagers are often rebellious! When do you mine it
a good age
have
child?
B:
had mine when
was 24. that’s
little young. I’d suggest you wait until you are
your late twenties., or even
your early thirties if you have
good career.
A: yes,
think you’re right. I’m thinking about having
child, but not just yet.
B:
there
big generation gap between parents
their children
you country?
A; Yes, there is. Teenagers do not want
live traditonal lives. They want
go out, have fun,
explore
world. They want
develop their own view
life. Parents usually try
discourage them, but they don’t often succeed.
B:parents usually give their children more freedom
my country. Sometimes they give them too much freedom.
A: it’s almost impossible
get
right balance. If you are too strict, kids might ignore you. If you are too lenient, they might go wild.
Words
Young old middle-aged elderly childhood adulthood teenager
Generation retire early-twenties mid-thirties late-forties baby toddler
Adolescent kid life expectancy 2
years old look(older) turning-point mature
Child youth life middle old age pension
Phrases
Grow up have
child become an adult leave school get married be born become pregnant give birth