情景英语口语对话第1期:年龄

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.

词汇:

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 预期寿命;预计存在(或持续)的期限
Life expectancy for both men and women has improved greatly in the past 20 years. 男女的预期寿命在过去 20 年里均有大幅度的延长.

This newspaper article talks about the problems of an aging population.
这篇报道谈到了人口老龄化的问题.
这里要提出来,talk about 在口语里还有个很常见的用法,表示强调.
talk about:used to emphasize something (用以强调)这才叫,真是…不得了
Talk about mean! She didn't even buy me a card. 这才叫吝啬呢!她连张贺卡都没给我买.

Before you know it:不知不觉中

Rebellious: unwilling to obey rules or accept normal standards of behaviour, dress, etc. 反叛的;叛逆的;桀骜不驯的
rebellious teenagers 叛逆的青少年
He has always had a rebellious streak. 他总是有点倔强

Lenient: not as strict as expected when punishing somebody or when making sure that rules are obeyed(惩罚或执法时)宽大的,宽容的,仁慈的
a lenient sentence/fine 从宽的判刑╱罚款
The judge was far too lenient with him. 法官对他太宽容了.

出自:和谐英语学习网-口语频道