English Vocabulary in Use Pre-Intermediate (Unit 14: Growing up)


A. Ages and stages in the UK

Age Stage
0 birth [the moment a baby is born]
Up to 12 months a baby
12 months – 3 years old a toddler
3–12 years old a child: this period is your childhood
13–18 approximately a teenager: during this period you are in your teens
18+ an adult
40+ approximately people are middle-aged [in the middle of their lives]
60 or 65 retirement [when people stop work; they are retired]
80+ old age (we usually describe people as elderly)

B. Approximate ages

I’m in my early twenties [21–23].
My parents are in their mid-fifties [54–56].
My grandmother is in her late seventies [77–79].
My grandfather is nearly/almost eighty [he’s probably 79].
My English teacher’s approximately/roughly thirty.
[about 30 / more or less 30]

Common mistakes

We can say, he’s 30 or he’s 30 years old. (NOT he has 30 or he’s 30 years) Also: a 30-year-old man (NOT a 30-years-old man)

C. Past and present

PAST AND PRESENT

My grandmother’s name was Mary. She’s dead1 now. She died about ten years ago when I was in my teens, but I remember her well. She was brought up2 on a farm in Wales, and her parents were very strict: as a teenager, they didn’t allow3 her to listen to the radio or go to parties in the village. In the end4, she decided to leave home and get a job in Cardiff. At first5 it wasn’t easy, but she managed6 to find work, and she also met the man who became her husband: my grandfather. My mother was born four years later. She had a very different childhood. She grew up in the city, she was allowed to go to parties, and when she was in her teens, her parents let7 her stay out late8. My mum is the same with me.

1 not living; opp alive 2 looked after until you are an adult 3 give permission 4 finally, after a lot of time or thought 5 at the beginning 6 was able (but it was difficult) 7 allowed 8 not go home until late

Language help

Let and allow have the same meaning. Let is slightly more informal, and allow is often used in the passive.
My dad let me drive his car. I was allowed to drive my dad’s car.
You’re not allowed to smoke in that room. (NOT It’s not allowed to smoke in that room.)

Exercise-14.1


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