Question

Work is a very important part of life in the United States. When the early Protestant immigrants(新教徒移民) came to this country, they brought the idea that work was the way to God and heaven. This attitude, the Protestant Work Ethic(道德規范), still influences America today. Work is not only important for economic benefits, the salary, but also for social and psychological needs, the feeling of doing something for the good of the society. Americans spend most of their lives working, being productive. For most Americans, their work defines(給…下定義) them: they are what they do. What happens then, when a person can no longer work? Almost all Americans stop working at age sixty-five or seventy and retire. Because work is such an important part of life in this culture, retirement can be very difficult. Retirees often feel that they are useless and unproductive. Of course, some people are happy to retire; but leaving one’s job, whatever it is, is a difficult change, even for those who look forward to retiring. Many retirees do not know how to use their time or they feel lost without their jobs. Retirements can also bring financial problems. Many people rely on Social Security checks every month. During their working years, employees contribute a certain percentage of their salaries to the government. Each employer also gives a certain percentage to the government. When people retire, they receive this money as income. These checks do not provide enough money to live on, however, because prices are increasing very rapidly. Senior citizens, those over sixty-five, have to have savings in the bank or other retirement plans to make ends meet. The rate of inflation(通貨膨脹) is forcing prices higher each year; Social Security checks alone cannot cover these growing expenses. The government offers some assistance(補助), Medicare(health care)and welfare(general assistance), but many senior citizens have to change their life styles after retirement. They have to spend carefully to be sure that they can afford to buy food, fuel and other necessities.

Of course, many senior citizens are happy with retirement. They have time to spend with their families or enjoy their hobbies. Some continue to work part time, others do volunteer(志愿) work. Some, like those in the Retired Business Executives Association, even help young, people to get started in new business. Many retired citizens also belong to “Golden Age” groups. These organizations plan trips and social events. There are many chances for retirees.

American society is only beginning to be concerned about the special physical and emotional needs of its senior citizens. The government is taking steps to ease the problem of limited income. They are building new housing, offering discounts(折扣) in stores and museums and on buses, and providing other services such as free courses, food service, and help with housework. Retired citizens are a rapidly growing percentage of the population. This part of the population is very important and we must meet their needs. After all, every citizen will be a senior citizen some day.

The author believes that work first became important to Americans because of _______.

A. religion             B. economy           C. psychology               D. family

The passage is mainly about _______.

A. money and check                           B. senior and junior

C. work and retirement                       D. Protestants and Americans

When Americans stop work, it’s difficult for them to _______.

A. get Social Security checks               B. feel productive

C. enjoy themselves                            D. be religious

The author mentions _______ examples of the government' steps to ease the problem of limited income.

A. two            B. four           C. five            D. three

Answer 1

【小題1】A

【小題2】C

【小題3】B

【小題4】D

解析:

本文介紹了美國人退休前對工作的熱愛和退休后所碰到的種種困難及政府對此所采取的措施。

【小題1】細節題。根據 When the early Protestant immigrants came to this country, they brought the idea that work was the way to God and heaven 可知工作與宗教有關，故選 A。

【小題2】主旨題。閱讀全文得知本文講述了人們對工作的熱愛和退休時人們的各種態度，故選 C。

【小題3】細節題。根據Retirees often feel that they are useless and unproductive 可知退休者的感受是無用和無法再產出，故選 B。

【小題4】細節題。根據最后一段 The government is taking steps to ease the problem of limited income. They are building new housing, offering discounts in stores and museums and on buses, and providing other services such as free courses, food service, and help with housework 可知作者列舉了 3 個例子，故選 D。