2014年ESL之就医和人际交往 08 Raising Teenagers

 

Raising Teenagers 

Carl: Hi Marla, I’m really surprised to see you here. I didn’t know you had kids attending this high school. 

Marla: I don’t – not yet. I heard about this meeting and decided¹ to attend. It’s best to be ready for those teenage years, don’t you think? 

Carl: Sure. 

Marla: I heard that the principal is going to talk about different ways to handle our teenagers as they start asserting their independence. I want to be prepared. 

Carl: That makes sense, I guess. 

Marla: I mean, more and more teenagers are rebelling by getting tattoos² and piercings and experimenting with drugs. 

Carl: You’ve clearly done a lot of thinking about this. 

Marla: I’ve read a few books on the topic, about kids having to deal with peer pressure. It’s my job as a parent to set boundaries and be stricter if it’s called for and ease up when my child needs space. 

Carl: That’s all very insightful, but you have some time before all that comes into play, right? 

Marla: My little Lucas is already four years old. Who knows when he might start hanging out with the wrong crowd and being led astray. A parent has to be vigilant³. 

 

Carl: Right. 

1 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

2 tattoos   

n.文身( tattoo的名词复数 )；归营鼓；军队夜间表演操；连续有节奏的敲击声v.刺青，文身( tattoo的第三人称单数 )；连续有节奏地敲击；作连续有节奏的敲击

参考例句：

• His arms were covered in tattoos. 他的胳膊上刺满了花纹。
• His arms were covered in tattoos. 他的双臂刺满了纹身。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 vigilant   

adj.警觉的，警戒的，警惕的

参考例句：

• He has to learn how to remain vigilant through these long nights.他得学会如何在这漫长的黑夜里保持警觉。
• The dog kept a vigilant guard over the house.这只狗警醒地守护着这所房屋。