Passage Four
Questions 26 to 30 are based on the following passage.
The age of gilded youth is over. Today’s under-thirties are the first generation for a century who can expect a lower living standard than their parents.
Research into the lifestyle and prospects of people born since 1970 shows that they are likely to face a lifetime of longer working hours, lower job security and higher taxes than the previous generation.
When they leave work late in the evening they will be more likely to return to a small rented flat than to a house of their own. When, eventually, they retire it will be on pensions far lower in real terms than those of their immediate forebears.
The findings are revealed in a study of the way the ageing of Britain’s population is affecting different generations.
Anthea Tinker, professor of social gerontology at King’s College London, who carried out much of the work, said the growth of the proportion of people over 50 had reversed the traditional flow of wealth from older to younger generations.
“Today’s older middle-aged and elderly are becoming the new winners,” she said. “They made relatively small contributions in tax but now make relatively big claims on the welfare system. Generations born in the last three to four decades face the prospect of handing over more than a third of their lifetime’s earnings to care for them”.
The surging number of older people, many living alone, has also increased demand for property and pushed up house prices. While previous generations found it easy to raise a mortgage, today’s under-thirties have to live with their parents or rent. If they can afford to buy a home it is more likely to be a flat than a house.
Laura Lenox-Conyngham, 28, grew up in a large house and her mother did not need to work. Unlike her wealthy parents, she graduated with student and postgraduate loan debts of ￡13, 000. She now earns about ￡20,000 a year, preparing food to be photographed for magazines. Her home is a one-bedroom flat in central London and she sublets the lounge sofa-bed to her brother.
“My father took pity and paid off my student debts,” she said. “But I still have no pension and no chance of buying a property for at least a couple of years—and then it will be something small in a bad area. My only hope is the traditional one of meeting a rich man.”
Tinker’s research reveals Lenox-Conyngham is representative of many young professionals, especially in London, Manchester, Edinburgh and Bristol.
26. By saying “the growth of the proportion of people over 50 had reversed the traditional flow of wealth from older to younger generations” (Lines 23, Para. 5), Anthea Tinker really means that .
A) currently wealth flows from old generation to younger generation
B) traditionally wealth flows from younger generation to old generation
C) with the increasingly big population of over 50, the trend arises that wealth flows from younger generation to old generation
D) with more and more people of over 50, traditions have been reversed
27. Why are today’s older middle-aged and elderly becoming the new winners?
A) Because they made relatively small contributions in tax, but younger generation will possibly hand over more than a third of their lifetime’s earnings for the care of them.
B) Because they contributed a lot in tax and now can claim much on the welfare system.
C) Because they made small contributions, but now can make money easily.
D) Because they outnumber younger generation and enjoy more privileges in the present society.
28. Which factor pushed up house prices?
A) Many young men, who live alone, have increased demand for houses.
B) Many young men need to rent more houses.
C) It is easy to apply for a mortgage for young generation.
D) The number of older people, many of whom live alone, becomes bigger and bigger.
29. In what way does Laura Lenox-Conyngham make her living?
A) By taking photographs for magazines.
B) By marrying a rich man.
C) By subletting the lounge sofa-bed to her brother.
D) By preparing food for photographs for some magazines.
30. We can conclude from the passage that .
A) today’s under-thirties are leading a miserable life in Britain
B) Laura Lenox-Conyngham’s attitude to work and life represents that of many young professionals in Britain
C) life can get harder for under-thirties in Britain
D) elders enjoy extremely high living standard in Britain
Part III Vocabulary (20 minutes)
Directions: There are 30 incomplete sentences in this part. For each sentence there are four choices marked A), B), C) and D). Choose the ONE answer that best completes the sentence. Then mark the corresponding letter on the Answer Sheet with a single line through the center.
31. The theory was attacked ten years ago when it was first , but gradually it was accepted.
A) promoted B) enhanced C) advanced D) conceived
32. preparations are now being made for the President’s official visit to three foreign countries.
A) Elaborate B) Graceful C) Royal D) Tedious
33. The bus is so crowded that there is sufficient room for you.
A) rarely B) seldom C) scarcely D) some
34. Poor health and lack of money may both be to educational progress.
A) restraints B) stains C) scarcities D) barriers
35. As for the Flat Earth theory, I believe I can it with my own experiences of navigation.
A). deny B) reject C) object D) refute
36. In the past decades, the farms of the world have succeeded in producing enough food to feed
all of the planet’s people.
A) relevantly B) externally C) utterly D) virtually
37. The poor girl couldn’t from her tears any more when her mother showed up.
A) withdraw B) hold C) withhold D) refrain
38. We would contact your nearest relative any accident occurring.
A) in the event of B) in the course of
C) in the place of D) in the light of
39. The doctors drew the conclusion that the young man’s blindness was .
A) consistent B) partial C) internal D) temporary
40. The Second World War, the earlier one of 1914, prompted public concern about the physical and intellectual well-being of the country’s human resources.
A) so as B) as were C) as did D) same as
41. She met with no challenge because her arguments sound facts.
A) put forward B) rested on C) made for D) conjured up
42. The teacher tried to explain the problem but her explanation did not to the students.
A) get across B) come around C) go by D) make out
43. It was such a hot day that everyone swimming in the river.
A) tended to B) was inclined to C) made for D) felt like
44. Old Mr. Brown’s condition looks very serious and it is doubtful if he will .
A) pull through B) pull up C) pull back D) pull out
45. We often advise him not to drink more wine is good for his health.
A) as B) than C) that D) but
46. Please your remarks to the topic under discussion.
A) confess B) confirm C) confuse D) confine
47. Several special programs were designed to disadvantaged youths aged 16-21 to become more responsible, employable, and productive.
A) resist B) insist C) persist D) assist
48. He was at the of his career when he was killed in a traffic accident.
A) glamour B) extreme C) bloom D) peak
49. When do you think the President will you in office?
A) locate B) confirm C）reinforce D）qualify
50. Mary went through the report carefully to all spelling mistakes from it.
A) diminish B) withdraw C) eliminate D) abandon
51. He arrived very late at night, in the early hours this morning.
A) in conclusion B) or rather C) on the whole D) by and large
52. Mother always taught me to be thrifty and not to live .
A) beyond my means B) out of place C) at my leisure D) around the clock
53. President Banda’s background as a doctor has given him into the medical problems that face the country.
A) a view B) a vision C) an insight D) a sight
54. In New York there is a shifting population of vagrants usually with an unhealthy for alcohol.
A) attitude B) aptitude C) appetite D) altitude
55. Cars and motorcycles are similar they are both privately owned means of transport.
A) so that B) in that C) for that D) in which
56. The exhibition of poor sportsmanship a sense of disgust in all who witnessed it.
A) rose B) arose C) aroused D) raised
57. When the nurse took his temperature, it was two degrees above .
A) regular B) ordinary C) average D) normal
58. The traveler looks like an Englishman, but his foreign accent gave him .
A) away B) out C) off D) over
59. We Americans do a lot of business lunch, but people here prefer to tell stories.
A) in B) over C) within D) without
60. He just cannot to the different life style here in America.
A) alter B) modify C) adapt D) adopt
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