Happy birthday! Do birthday really make people happy? Of course they do. Birthday celebrate the day when we were born. Besides, that extra candle on the cake suggest another year of growth and maturity—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? That is a different story.
Growing old is not exactly for people in youth-oriented(以年轻人为中心) American culture. Most Americans like to look young, act young and feel young. 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. Some even experience age discrimination. 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.
Unfortunately, the elderly population in America is increasing fast. 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 ready noticing this growing group of consumer.
1. Growing up is a wonderful thing because ____________.
A. people can celebrate their birthday B. people can receive many presents
C. people can become more mature and wiser D. people will feel younger at heart
2.We can infer from the second paragraph that __________.
A. different countries have different opinions on the old age
B. American older people often joke about their old age
C. American culture is very young
D. young people lack experience and wisdom
3. What does the third paragraph mainly tell us?
A. The golden years can make the old earn lots of money.
B. American social security benefits are not good.
C. The old in America are leading a hard life.
D. The old in America have to retire at the age of 65.
4.What does the underlined word “in” in the last paragraph mean?
A. serious B. disappearing slowly C. cool D. growing fast
5. According to the text, which of the following is correct?
A. The young are often discriminated in America.
B. The young are more respected than the old in America.
C. Growing old makes people feel proud in America.
D. The old are more respected than the young in America.
“Hey, Dad, are you going to come to my award ceremony tonight?” I 36 asked my father.
“I have to work late tonight. I doubt I’ll be able to 37 it on time. I am just too busy right now,” he replied.
My mind could not 38 the idea that he would be too busy working late. He was also too busy to 39 my horse show and the 15th birthday party. He always used the same 40 . Why had I even bothered to ask? 41 , there was always a slight hope that tonight would be 42 .
As my mother and I arrived at school, two friends 43 me. “Jill, meet my dad. Dad, this is my friend Jill.” I shook the hand of a tall man. Camera flashes lit up the room, and claps filled the 44 as students accepted their awards. My name was finally called, 45 three others. I followed my classmates to the 46 . When I reached out my hand to shake the 47 , a big smile lit up her face. The blinding flash from my mother’s camera 48 my eyes and I knew my dad wasn’t there. I walked back to my seat 49 .
Back at home, seeing my dad’s car in the garage, I told myself he would not be 50 . But the strong smell of alcohol hit me as soon as I 51 inside, and I could feel my tears 52 . I followed the sound of his drunken words and saw him 53 on the couch.
54 did father lie to me? I threw my award on the floor, walked to my bedroom, and shut the door. Tears rolled down my face. I wondered if I would ever be more 55 than his whiskey bottle.
1.A. confidently B. eagerly C. proudly D. casually
2.A. reach B. keep C. take D. make
3.A. create B. support C. appreciate D. accept
4.A. watch B. avoid C. attend D. speed
5.A. excuse B. problem C. promise D. trick
6.A. Besides B. Thus C. Otherwise D. However
7.A. active B. formal C. different D. serious
8.A. recognized B. greeted C. encouraged D. showed
9.A. air B. audience C. school D. playground
10.A. up to B. other than C. out of D. along with
11.A. stage B. position C. office D. exit
12.A. Jill’s B. teacher’s C. mother’s D. father’s
13.A. fixed B. touched C. hurt D. inserted
14.A. successfully B. disappointedly C. delightedly D. hopefully
15.A. drunk B. woken C. forgiven D. hidden
16.A. stepped B. noticed C. examined D. glanced
17.A. getting off B. taking down C. building up D. turning around
18.A. leaning B. lying C. moving D. crying
19.A. How B. Where C. Why D. Whether
20.A. perfect B. comfortable C. fortunate D. important
They reached at last _______ was once a temple where the farmers used to keep cattle.
A. what B. that C. where D. which
Although cats can not see in complete darkness, their eyes are much more ______ to light than human eyes.
A. brilliant B. attractive C. available D. sensitive
Seeing the road ________ with snow, they had to stay at home, watching TV and drinking coffee.
A. blocking B. blocked C. to block D. to be blocked
Following Christianity, witnesses have to _______ on the Bible to tell the truth.
A. put B. depend C. swear D. agree
