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(道德规范), 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(给…下定义) 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 ine. 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(通货膨胀) is forcing prices higher each year; Social Security checks alone cannot cover these growing expenses. The government offers some assistance(补助), 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 ine. 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.
【小题1】The author believes that work first became important to Americans because of .A．religionB．economyC．psychologyD．family【小题2】The passage is mainly about .A．money and checkB．senior and juniorC．work and retirementD．Protestants and Americans【小题3】When Americans stop work, it’s difficult for them to .A．get Social Security checksB．feel productiveC．enjoy themselvesD．be religious【小题4】The author mentions examples of the government' steps to ease the problem of limited ine.A．twoB．fourC．fiveD．threeA
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(答案→)A
解析：
本文介绍了美国人退休前对工作的热爱和退休后所碰到的种种困难及政府对此所采取的措施。
【小题1】细节题。根据When the early Protestant immigrants came to this country, they brought the idea that work was the way to God and heaven 可知工作与宗教有关，故选A。
【小题2】主旨题。阅读全文得知本文讲述了人们对工作的热爱和退休时人们的各种态度，故选 C。
【小题3】细节题。根据Retirees often feel that they are useless and unproductive 可知退休者的感受是无用和无法再产出，故选B。
【小题4】细节题。根据最后一段 The government is taking steps to ease the problem of limited ine. 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 可知作者列举了 3 个例子，故选 D。