13.The slow death of the American dream for middle class families has continued in the last couple of years in the wake of the financial crisis.
A study shows a shocking decline in the average net worth of US households from 2007to 2010.The average American family saw their net worth drop 40%in that three years,from﹩126,400to﹩77,300.
The loss,not surprisingly,is due in large part to falling home prices.The average homeowner saw their net worth fall more than﹩70,000from roughly﹩250,000in 2007to﹩175,000in 2010
In three years,18years of savings have been wiped away for the majority of the country and at the same time wages have fallen.The average income fell from about﹩50,000in 2007to﹩46,000in 2010.
But this negative trend does not stop there.As average families become poorer,rich Americans are growing richer.The Fed survey showed the wealthiest 10%of families actually saw their net worth rise from 2007to 2010.Over that time period,their net worth increased from﹩1.17million to﹩1.19million.
The continued decline of the American middle class has resulted in income inequality at levels not seen since the Great Depression.Many economists agree.
While the major consumer spending has historically come from the middle class,if the majority of Americans continue to suffer from falling wages and income,eventually something has got to give.There is no possible way for the superrich to buy enough stuff to float the entire US economy.
It is growing increasingly clear that we live in drastic times(非常时期)and drastic measures must be taken to save the country's middle class.One drastic measure is that more Americans are putting off retirement because they simply can't afford it.
62.Which of the following could be the title of the passage?C
A.The current situation of the Americans
B.The economic crisis'impact on the USA
C.The fading of the American middle class families'dream
D.Bad economies in the USA
63.According to the passage,which of the following is NOT affected by the financial crisis?D
A.Household. B.House prices.
C.Average income. D.Population.
64.What is the measure taken to save the country's major consumers?A
A.Putting off retirement.
B.Making the superrich buy more.
C.Reducing the working hours.
D.Providing more job opportunities.
65.What can we infer from the passage?D
A.Retirement can save America from financial crisis.
B.The middle class are the only victims of the financial crisis.
C.The American economy is floating.
D.The middle class are vital to the US economy.
分析 本文主要讲述作为消费主体的中产阶级,他们的美国梦正在破灭,工资收入在下降,资产在缩水,消费能力在萎缩,这是摆在美国政府面前的一个难题.
解答 62-65 CDAD
62 C 主旨大意题. 通读全文可知美国中产阶级的梦想在金融危机中逐渐破灭,故选C.
63 D 细节题. 根据文章第二 段a shocking decline in the average net worth of US households from 2007to 2010.第三段falling home prices和第四段The average income fell from 可知家庭,房价和平均工资受到了影响,故选D.
64 A 细节题. 根据文章最后一 段One drastic measure is that more Americans are putting off retirement because they simply can't afford it. 可知措施是推迟退休,故选A.
65 D 推理判断题. 根据文章倒数第二 段While the major consumer spending has historically come from the middle class,if the majority of Americans continue to suffer from falling wages and income,eventually something has got to give. 可知美国的消费主体是中产阶级,因此可推断中产阶级对美国经济很重要,故选D.
点评 学生需要认真阅读原文,把握文章大意,对文章脉络有整体的了解,能仔细查找文中细节,并能根据文章内容进行合理的推测判断.