托福写作素材：老年人的建议

　　The relationship between a grandchild and grandparent is a very special one. While grandparents act as an authority figure and provide unconditional love, they also get to spoil their grandkids in a way parents simply can't. But beyond that, grandparents also wield incredible influence. Here are ten things grandchildren can -- should -- learn from their grandparents.

　　1.History

　　Kids may hate having to learn about history in schoolbooks and from old paintings and pictures, but they may find it more interesting to learn from someone who actually lived it. Children can find out what it was like to grow up during the Great Depression or World War II from grandparents who experienced life during that time. Personal stories are much easier to remember than lists of names and dates from books.

　　2.A New Skill Set

　　When they were growing up, many senior citizens learned skills such as sewing, gardening, baking, farming or woodworking. These are great things to pass on to grandchildren, as they may not be commonly taught anymore, but are still very useful talents to possess.

　　3.Wisdom

　　Turn to grandparents for life lessons and other advice because they've often lived through the same or similar experience -- possibly more than once. "Knowing how my grandparents dealt with problems in their lives, and knowing that they got through everything just fine, makes me feel that I'll be okay, too," Bishop says.

　　4.Family History

　　Everyone has those old black and white pictures of unknown relatives, but grandma and grandpa may actually know where they were taken and who those mystery people are. Ask about your family tree -- who are their siblings, parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles? You'll know about tons of family members you didn't know existed. And maybe they can share some funny stories about your parents when they were young. "It's really interesting to learn about the people who came before me and made my family who we are today," says Katie Matza of Shreveport, Louisiana.

　　5.Humor

　　Teasing is a part of growing up, but when it comes from someone who loves you unconditionally, it's way more enjoyable. Learning jokes and pranks from your grandparents is a great way to bond with them and understand how to react if you're teased by your own peer group. Maybe your grandparents will even help you play a prank on your parents.

　　6.Listening

　　Many young children are used to their parents listening to everything they say, and they expect others will do the same. While this is often normal for young children, it's important for them to learn how to listen to others as well.

　　7.Games

　　Ever played bridge, canasta, pinochle or pitch? These card games -- staples to older generations -- are falling out of style with the advent of video games and smartphones. Let your grandparents teach you what they did for fun when they were your age and you might find you have a new favorite card game.

　　8.Emotional Support

　　Having a sounding board who doesn't spend every day with you, like a parent or guardian does, can be invaluable when you're trying to navigate the teenage years. Amy Kelly of Libby, Montana says, "Adolescents rely heavily on each other during their formative years and [grandparents] can serve as an impartial source that can help them understand which friends they can trust and which they cannot."

　　9.Don't Sweat the Small Stuff

　　Grandparents have lived long enough to realize not to get upset over the little things; life is too short. Young grandchildren think everything is hyper-important, but can learn to adjust their priorities after discussing problems with their grandparents, who have a broader world view.

　　Grandparents come with years' worth of wisdom and love to share with their grandkids. Take the time to get really get to know and learn from them while they're here. They'll cherish the time they get to spend with their grandkids and, in turn, the kids will gain insight and character they can pass onto their own children and grandchildren someday. There's no better way to pass on family traits than through time spent with one another.

　　Citation：

　　https://www.care.com/a/10-things-grandchildren-can-learn-from-their-grandparents-1210110247

　　适用的题目：

　　The advice from grandparents has no use for their grandchildren because the world has changed a lot during the past 50 years.

　　重点搭配和句子摘抄：

　　authority figure ：权威人物

　　spoil their grandkids ：溺爱他们的孙子、孙女

　　wield incredible influence：产生很大的影响

　　unconditional love：无条件的爱

　　find it more interesting to ：发现做xxx非常有趣

　　the Great Depression or World War II ：大萧条、二战

　　Personal stories are much easier to remember than lists of names and dates from books.

　　个人的故事相对于书上的人物和日期可能会更容易记忆。

　　skills such as sewing, gardening, baking, farming or woodworking：

　　像缝衣服、园艺、烘焙、耕作和木工活等技能

　　pass on to grandchildren：传给孙子们

　　lived through the same or similar experience ：

　　度过同样的或者类似的经验

　　old black and white pictures of unknown relatives：

　　不认识的亲人的古老黑白照片

　　siblings, parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles：

　　兄弟姐妹、父母、爷爷奶奶、阿姨、叔叔

　　Learning jokes and pranks from your grandparents ：

　　跟着爷爷奶奶学开玩笑和恶作剧

　　bond with ：建立关系

　　played bridge, canasta, pinochle or pitch：

　　玩桥牌、凯纳斯特纸牌、皮纳克尔

　　falling out of style with the advent of video games and smartphones：

　　随着视频游戏和智能手机的到来，xxx变得过时了

　　navigate the teenage years：度过青少年时期

　　rely heavily on ：非常依赖于

　　during their formative years ：在他们性格形成的时期

　　serve as an impartial source ：作为公平的源泉

　　adjust their priorities ：调整他们最重要的事情

　　have a broader world view：有更广阔的世界观

　　years' worth of wisdom :多年的智慧

　　cherish the time they get to spend with their grandkids ：

　　珍惜他们跟孙子们的时间

　　gain insight ：获取洞察力

　　There's no better way to pass on family traits than through time spent with one another.

　　为了发扬家庭的好传统，没有什么比在一起度过珍惜的时光更好的方式了。