Question

【题目】七选五

根据短文内容，从短文后的七个选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项。选项中有两项为多余选项。

Happy birthday! Do birthdays really make people happy? 1 Birthdays celebrate the day when we were born. Besides, that extra candle on the cake suggests another year of growth and maturity(成熟) — or so we hope. We all like to imagine that we are getting wiser and not just older. Most of us enjoy seeing the wonder of growth in others as well. For instance, seeing our children develop and learn new things makes us feel proud. For Americans, like people in most cultures, growing up is a wonderful process. But growing old? 2

Growing old is not exactly for people in youth-oriented American culture. 3 As the old saying goes, ＂You’re young as you feel.＂ Older people joke about how many years young they are, rather than how many years old. People in some countries value the aged as a source of experience and wisdom. But Americans seem to favor those that are young, or at least ＂young at heart＂.

Many older Americans find the ＂golden years＂ to be anything but golden. Economically, ＂senior citizens＂ often struggle just to get by. Retirement at the age of 65 brings a sharp decrease in personal income. Social security benefits usually cannot make up the difference. Older people may suffer from poor nutrition, medical care, and housing. 4 American sociologist Pat Moore once dressed up like an older person and wandered city streets. She was often treated rudely — even cheated and robbed. However, dressed as a young person, she received much more respect.

5 Why? People are living longer. Fewer babies are being born. And middle-aged ＂baby boomers＂ are rapidly entering the group of the elderly. America may soon be a place where wrinkles(皱纹) are ＂in＂. Marketing experts are already noticing this growing group of consumers.

A. Of course they do.

B. That is a different story.

C. Most people in America like the young.

D. Some even experience age discrimination(歧视).

E. The population in America grows larger every year.

F. Most Americans like to look young, act young and feel young.

G. Unfortunately, the elderly population in America is increasing fast.

Answer 1

【答案】

【1】A

【2】B

【3】F

【4】D

【5】G

【解析】

【语篇解读】本文讲述了美国人不愿变老及其原因。

【1】 根据下文的描述可知过生日会让人感到快乐，故选A。

【2】 根据前一句＂But growing old?＂可知，下文讲述的是与过生日让人快乐这一观点不同的说法，故选B。

【3】 根据下文可知美国人喜欢看起来年轻的感觉，故选F。

【4】 由下文所描述的Pat Moore的经历可知老年人并不受欢迎。

【5】 下文解释了老年人人口增加的原因，结合空后的＂Why?＂可知应选G。