参考答案：Topic C：An Extended Family or a Nuclear Family
—Do you know now there are mainly two types of families around US
—Yes．They are extended families and nuclear families．
—What do they mean respectively
—Well...Extended family refers to those with not only parents and children，but also grandparents or even other relatives living together．Nuclear family refers to those with only parents and children，and sometimes only husband and wife．
—Ah…That sounds interesting．I know nowadays there’re not so many extended families as before since most young people are living in a city other than their original hometown where their parents are living．
—That’s true．In this way young couples will have more time and space for their own movement and could arrange time based on their own living schedules．
—But don’t you think there will also be some problems for both young couples and their aged parents
—Maybe there’re some problems，but a nuclear family is still a better choice for modern families I think．
—I don’t think SO．Maybe I’m a little traditional．but it will do good to both aged parents and working couples to live together，especially for those with children．You know, parents could help with most of the heavy and time—consuming housework．Since the aged have almost completely retired and have enough time for this, housework will not become a burden for them. At the same time, adequate house chores could be a good form of exercise for old people. And young couples could have more relaxing time.
—If housework could become good exercises for the aged, so could it for young people. Nowadays young couples mostly don’t have enough room available for their parents. And they live with the parents, and they must take some extra care for their parents every day, which will destroy the advantages of living together.
—But don’t you think that care and communication would build up the affections between the two generations or three generations
—Not at all. I think just the contrary: it will destroy the relationships among them. I have heard much about the conflicts between two generations if they live together, especially between the two mother-in-laws. And those conflicts sometimes spread to the relationship between grandchildren and their grandparents.
—That will not necessarily become a result of extended family. If both generations could develop healthy attitudes towards their relationships, without being influenced by current conflicting situations, they could get along quite well with each other after all.
—Extended family is not the best or better way to get along well with another generation. Adult children could show their care for parents in other ways too. For example, by visiting them more often, by offering financial support to them and so on.
—But that will not solve the problem at all. You know sometimes what aged parents want is far more than just money or visits from their children; they also need to feel their children around and communicate with grandchildren, which will be their greatest joy.
—That’s the traditional idea. Today’s senior people have their new ways to enjoy life, going to training classes, doing volunteer works, joining in various associations...
Topic E: Differences Between Life in a Big City and in the Country
—More and more people are pouring in the city for the sake of more opportunities or more money. That’s not a good thing actually.
—Why do you say so
—Because we all know that life in the city is not so healthy at all. If I have the chance to live in the country, I will be quite glad to.
—So you are tired of living in the city where you could enjoy all the conveniences at hand
—Probably. Living in the city might have some advantages over country life, but country life also has edges which city life could never even dream of, not to mention catching up with it.
—I often hear people say that in some countries an increasing number of people are buying houses in the suburbs and drive to work every day, just to enjoy the fresh air, spacious room and quiet surroundings or even songs from birds.
—These people are really wise, I think. But they must have a car first. Compared with life in the city, country life is more healthful.
—But city life has something so attractive that you could hardly make the decision to leave it, for example, the eye-catching skyscrapers, many places for entertainment.
—All those advantages are not a problem at all if people have determined to get rid of the disadvantages that have much stronger effect on them.
—Are you saying that people could easily be rid of so many conveniences that they have been enjoying for so long and hoping to enjoy for a lifetime Some people even have never imagined life without them!
—I don’t mean that’s easy. The fact is those advantages are no more than people’s addiction. Just like smoking, if we could live without them for quite some time, we will get used to the new life-style and enjoy it more without distractions from the outside world.
—That’s interesting. But I still doubt how many people are willing to sacrifice a modern lifestyle for one in the countryside. Anyway it is difficult for me.
—Well, it’s up to you and up to other people’s own choice too. There will be those who are quite willing to change their habits just for a higher quality of life.