A: He's a year older than Keith, but he looks younger.
B: How's your father?
A: He's fine. He retired last week. It's a turning point in his life. Now he can
relax and enjoy his retirement.
B: He can spend more time with his grandchilden.
A: Oh, I don't think he wants to. He wants to travel to several different countries
around the world.
B: So, he wants to have a more active retirement. Good idea!
A: How do you want to spend your old age?
B: In the same way, probably.
Intermediate
A: What's the life expectancy in your country?
B: I'm not sure, but probably about 75 years. How about in your country?
A: About 70, I think. This newspaper article talks about the problems of
an aging population. It's a problem that will soon affect most of the world.
B: I heard that the government might need to increase the retirement age,
because otherwise there will not be enough workers to support the young and the elderly.
A: Perhaps we need to have more babies! Tina gave birth to a baby boy yesterday.
B: Did she? That's great. However, if we have too many children, that will have a bad effect on the environment.
A: How's your son these days?
B: Oh, he's fine. Kids seem to grow up very quickly nowadays.
A: He'll be a teenager before you know it! Teenagers are often rebellious!
When do you think it is a good age to have a child?
B: I had mine when I was 24. That's a little young.I'd suggest you wait until you
are in your late twenties, or even in your early thirties if you have a good career.
A: Yes, I think you're right. I'm thinking about having a child, but not just yet.
B: Is there a big generation gap between parents and their children in your country?
A: Yes, there is. Teenagers do not want to live traditonal lives. They want to go
out, have fun, and explore the world. They want to develop their own view of life. Parents usually try to discourage them, but they don’t often succeed.
B: Parents usually give their children more freedom in my country. Sometimes they give them too much freedom.
A: It's almost impossible to get the right balance. If you are too strict, kids might ignore you. If you are too lenient, they might go wild.
Words Ⅰ.
expectancy [iksˈpektənsi] n.( pl. expectancies ) 期望;预期/期望之事物
/Adolescent/ kid /life expectancy /21 years old /look(older)/ turning-point/ mature
Child/ youth /life/ middle /old /age /pension
adulthood [əˈdʌlthud] n. 成年(期)
Toddler : is a common term for a young child who is learning to walk or "toddle" , generally considered to be the second stage of development after infancy and before childhood occurring predominantly during the ages of 12 to 36 months old.
adolescent [ˌædəˈlesnt] n. ( pl. adolescents )青少年
( being of the age 13 through 19 )
adj. 青春期的 / 青少年的;幼稚的,未成熟的
Her remarks seemed a bit adolescent. 她的这番话似乎有点幼稚。
youth: the time of life between childhood and maturity
mature [məˈtjuə] adj. ( maturer; maturest )
1.成熟的;酿熟的 This is the most mature of his plays.
这是他最成熟的一部剧作。
2.成年人的 She has the figure of a mature woman. 她有成年女性的体型。
3.稳重的;慎重的,周到的Can't you behave in a mature way?
你的举止不能稳重一点吗?
maturity [məˈtjuəriti] n.
1. 成熟;完善 (reach maturity 成熟)
This job calls for a man with a great deal of maturity.
这个工作需由老练持重的人去做。
2. (支票等的)到期 pay at maturity 到期付款
pension [ˈpenʃən] n. ( pl. pensions )退休金;养老金;抚恤金
( A pension is a steady income given to a person (usually after retirement). Pensions are typically payments made in the form of a guarantee )
She lived on a small pension. 她以一点退休金为生。
Phrases
Grow up / have a child / become an adult / leave school / get married
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