情景英語口語對話第1期:年齡
對話:
A: How old is Keith?
B: He's 21. how old is James?
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 grandchildren.
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.
口語點撥:
'turning point'就是'轉折點,轉機'的意思.通常是指在經歷了一段時間的平庸或不順之後有了突破性的進展.
The promotion marked a turning point in her career. 這次提升標誌着她事業上的轉折點.
That game was a turning point for the team. 那場比賽是這個隊的轉折點.
對話:
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 enviroment.
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 you 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.
詞彙:
life expectancy: the number of years that a person is likely to live; the length of time that something is likely to exist or continue for 預期壽命;預計存在(或持續)的期限
Life expectancy for both men and women has improved greatly in the past 20 years. 男女的預期壽命在過去 20 年裏均有大幅度的延長.
This newspaper article talks about the problems of an aging population.
這篇報道談到了人口老齡化的問題.
這裏要提出來,talk about 在口語裏還有個很常見的用法,表示強調.
talk about:used to emphasize something (用以強調)這才叫,真是…不得了
Talk about mean! She didn't even buy me a card. 這才叫吝嗇呢!她連張賀卡都沒給我買.
Before you know it:不知不覺中
Rebellious: unwilling to obey rules or accept normal standards of behaviour, dress, etc. 反叛的;叛逆的;桀驁不馴的
rebellious teenagers 叛逆的青少年
He has always had a rebellious streak. 他總是有點倔強
Lenient: not as strict as expected when punishing somebody or when making sure that rules are obeyed(懲罰或執法時)寬大的,寬容的,仁慈的
a lenient sentence/fine 從寬的判刑╱罰款
The judge was far too lenient with him. 法官對他太寬容了.
出自:恆星英語學習網-口語頻道
