Real-Life English: Diseases & Social Problems - Common Expressions and Dialogue in Real Life

Learning English is not just about mastering grammar and vocabulary, but being able to use it naturally in real-life situations. However, the sentences in textbooks are often too formal and far from what is actually used in real life. To speak authentic and natural English, you need to engage with dialogues in real contexts. In this article, we have selected frequently used English expressions in daily life, covering situations like socializing, work, and travel, helping you get rid of 'textbook English' and learn what natives really say. Below is the content of 'Real-Life English Unit 12: Diseases & Social Problems'. Keep practicing to make your English closer to real life! Unit 12: Diseases & Social Problems Part One: Expressions 1. You really should stop smoking. (你真的应该戒烟了.) 2. I don’t smoke too much, though. (我烟瘾不是很重。) 3. He died of lung cancer. (他死于肺癌。) 4. Did you hear about John? (听说汤姆的事情吗？) 5. Supposedly, it was the first time he did heroin. (据称，这是他第一次吸食海洛因。) 6. I suppose that’s true. (我想这是真的。) 7. We shouldn’t take any more chances. (我们不该再冒险了。) 8. I always want to do it. (我老是想这样做。) 9. Go get some work done. (去找点事情做。) 10. You know how scared we were about getting pregnant last time. (你知道上次怀孕我们是多么害怕。) Part Two: Dialogues 1. A Heavy Smoker A: You really should stop smoking, you know. B: I know. I know. I don’t smoke too much, though. A: How many cigarettes do you smoke a day? B: About a pack, more if I drink. A: Wow. You’re really a heavy smoker. B: No, I’m not. My father smoked two packs a day for forty years. A: He died of lung cancer, right? B: Yeah…you’re right. I really should stop smoking. A: You know, you really should stop smoking. B: I know, I know. My addiction isn’t that strong. A: How many cigarettes do you smoke every day? B: About one pack. I smoke more when I drink. A: Wow, you’re really a heavy smoker. B: No, I’m not. My father smoked two packs a day for forty years. A: He died of lung cancer, right? B: Yeah… that’s right. I really should quit smoking. 2. Overdose A: Did you hear about John? B: No. What happened? A: He overdosed on heroin. B: Oh my god. He used drugs? A: I guess so. Supposedly, it was the first time he did heroin. B: His poor family. A: Yeah. 3. Getting Pregnant A: I really think we should make sure we use a condom from now on. B: Why? A: You don’t know how scared we were about getting pregnant last time. B: I suppose that’s true. A: We’re really stupid not to use one. B: I got tested for AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases (STD) two months before we started dating. You know that. A: I know, but it can take up to six months for some STDs to show up on the test. We shouldn’t take any more chances. B: All right, you’re right. A: O.K. Part Three: Substitution Drills 1. A: You really should stop (smoking/ drinking/ doing drugs). B: I know. 2. A: I don’t (smoke/ drink/ eat) too much, though. B: Yes, you do. 3. A: He died of (lung cancer/ an overdose/ AIDS). B: That’s horrible. 4. A: Did you hear about (John/ that new movie/ what happened)? B: No, what happened? 5. A: (Supposedly/ I heard/ they say), it was the first time he did heroin. B: Oh, my god. 6. A: I suppose (that’s true/ you’re right/ we should.) B: We’re really stupid not to. 7. A: We shouldn’t take any more (chances/ risks). B: You’re right. 8. A: I always want to (smoke/ drink/ sleep). B: No. You can’t. 9. A: Go (get some work done/ finish your work/ do some work). B: All right. 10. A: You know how scared I am about (getting pregnant last time/ getting a heart disease/ going bungee jumping.) B: That’s true. Part Four: Monologue 'Sexually transmitted disease (STD) is a serious social problem facing the world today. Fortunately, education can do a lot to control this problem. Education is particularly important for diseases such as AIDS and herpes, for which no cure exists. We must educate society’s sexually active citizens to prevent the spread of these diseases. At the very least, we should make it clear that the use of a condom during sex will keep people from getting these diseases. We should also try to calm people’s fears. For example, we must make it clear they cannot get AIDS by doing certain things, such as kissing or sharing a meal. We cannot guarantee that people will listen, but the effort must be made to let them know what the dangers are, and how to prevent them.' — Dr. Anne Motts, U.S. Center for Disease Control Part Five: Vocabulary and Phrases - disease (病，疾病) - social (社会的；社会上的) - sexually transmitted disease (STD) (性病) - guarantee (保证；担保) - smoking (抽烟，吸烟) - cancer (癌，恶性肿瘤；癌症) - overdose (服药过量) - Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) (艾滋病，后天性免疫不全症候群) - condom (保险套)