Changes in Life

A: What are you thinking about? You look so pensive.

B: I was just thinking about how much things have changed since I was a child.

A: Oh, sometimes I think about that too. What were your thoughts?

B: Nostalgic for sure. Generally I remember the best times, and then I get a bit depressed when I think about how things have changed.

Exercises:

1. To be nostalgic means to think about and miss past experience. 

2. — What was he feeling?

    — He was feeling nostalgic and thinking about how things have changed.

A: What kinds of changes depress you?

B: Well, one thing is the pace of life. Everything is so fast paced now, so there isn't enough time to think.

A: That's because you've grown up. You're not a child anymore, so you have responsibilities.

Fill in the blanks:

You're not a child anymore, so you have responsibilities.

Repeat Sentences:

1. You're not a child anymore, so you have responsibilities.

2. What were your thoughts?

3. Oh, sometimes I think about that too.

B: It's more than just having responsibilities. My parents had to work, but they also had time for other things. My dad used to go fishing on the weekends, and my mom used to work in her garden. She loved to grow flowers and vegetables.

A: Yeah, that does sound nice. Living in the city makes things like that really difficult.

Put the sentences below in order:

(1) My dad used to go fishing on the weekends, and my mom used to work in her garden.

(2) It's more than just having responsibilities.

(3) She loved to grow flowers and vegetables.

(4) My parents had to work, but they also had time for other things.

Correct Order: (2) (4) (1) (3)

B: Yes, living in the city is certainly part of the problem, right?

A: Well, that depends on you. You make things sound as if you have no choices in life. It's the choices you've made that put you where you are now.

B: Sure, that's certainly part of the problem. I guess I've changed.

Put the sentences below in order:

(1) It's the choices you've made that put you where you are now.

(2) Well, that depends on you.

(3) You make things sound as if you have no choices in life.

(4) Living in the city is certainly part of the problem, right?

Correct Order: (4) (2) (3) (1)

Repeat Sentences:

1. I guess I've changed.

2. Well, that depends on you.

3. It's more than just having responsibilities.

A: You want a lifestyle that you can't have in the city. If you really wanted those things, you could move back to the countryside.

B: No, that's not an option. If I did that my wife would divorce me.

A: Have you ever talked about it with her?

B: No, I haven't. We don't talk about things like that. We are both too busy. I think she's even busier than I am.

A: Well, maybe she would surprise you. Maybe she'd like a change too. You should talk to her.

B: Emm, I don't know.

Question:

— What hasn't he considered?

— His wife might also want a change.

Put the sentences below in order:

(1) You want a lifestyle that you can't have in the city.

(2) If I did that my wife would divorce me.

(3) If you really wanted those things, you could move back to the countryside.

(4) No, that's not an option.

Correct Order: (1) (3) (4) (2)

Repeat Sentences:

1.  I think she's even busier than I am.

2.  Maybe she'd like a change too.

3.  You want a lifestyle that you can't have in the city.

B: What about you?

A: I'm okay. My wife and I accept things as they are. We try to think positively, and we support each other.

B: It sounds like you have a good marriage.

A: Yes, we do. And one reason for that is that we share our thoughts with each other. We don't want to grow apart like so many couples.

Question:

— What don't he and his wife want to happen to their marriage?

— They don't want to grow apart like so many couples.

B: Maybe I'll surprise my wife and start sharing my thoughts with her.

A: Well if you don't do it now, nothing is going to change.

B: Yes, you're probably right. I'll think about it.

Fill in the blanks:

Maybe I'll surprise my wife and start sharing my thoughts with her.

Repeat Sentences:

1. We don't want to grow apart like so many couples.

2. If he decided to move back to the countryside, he think she would devoice him.

3. Maybe I'll surprise my wife and start sharing my thoughts with her.

4. I was just thinking about how much things have changed since I was a child.

5. It's the choices you've made that put you where you are now.