As I was reading a recent story in Slate on 20-somethings complaining about how the economy was ruining their life plans, I couldn’t help but think the 20-somethings sounded like a bunch of spoiled children who grew up expecting everything to be easy for them. As a 20-something myself, I certainly share their disappointment: my husband and I probably won’t be able to buy a house until we’re in our 40s, and we too are burdened by student loans(贷款). But why should it be any different? Being young persons in America, shouldn’t they take up all of the challenges and opportunities that this country offers? O%M

Consider some of these views shared in the Slate story: Jennifer, 29, owner of a two-bedroom apartment with her husband, worries that she won’t be able to have children for at least a decade because they can’t afford to buy a house yet.

I read that, and I thought, what planet is she living on where you need to own a house in order to have kids? Has she ever visited a developing country, or even downtown areas in this one? Home ownership is a luxury(奢华), not a fertility requirement.

A 26-year-old in the story despairs(绝望) that he can’t afford to get a Ph.D. in literature. Well, that sounds a bit like expressing disappointment that no one will pay you to write poetry on the beach in Thailand for five years.

Yes, it’s sad that these young people feel so lost. But I think the problem is their extremely high expectations, not economic reality. Beth Kobliner, author of Get a Financial Life: Personal Finance in Your Twenties and Thirties, says that she thinks people’s expectations are slowly adjusting, but today’s 20-somethings grew up at a time when everyone’s wealth appeared to be expanding. Their parents probably saw their home values rise along with their investments. “So you have people who have grown up in an environment where people had great expectations of what living well means,” says Kobliner.

This recession(衰退) will certainly play a role in forcing those expectations into more realistic group. In the meantime, it seems a lot better for our mental health to focus on being grateful-for our one-bedroom apartments, for living in modern cities, or perhaps just for being able to eat three meals a day-than on longing for some kind of luxury life.

68. What makes the author think the 20-somethings sound like a bunch of spoiled children?

A. They expect everything to be easy for them.

B. They complain that the economy is spoiling their life plans.

C. They are reluctant to face all of the challenges.

D. They are burdened by student loans.

69. The underlined word “fertility” in Paragraph 3 probably means ________.

A. baby production        B. pleasant                    C. baby comfort            D. essential

70. What’s the author’s attitude towards the 20-somthings with high expectation in Paragraph 5?

A. Intolerant.              B. Negative.               C. Unbelieving.                 D. Understanding.

71. What is the best title for this passage?

A. How Young People Afford to Continue Their Study

B. Why Young People Can’t Afford to Buy a House

C. When Young People’s High Hopes Create Despair

D. What the 20-somethings’ High Expectations Are    

Volunteers, as an essential part of a successful world exposition, are a major channel for the public to participate in, serve and share the world exposition and a means to showcase the image of the host country and city. The following information is about the volunteer for the World Exposition 2010 Shanghai China.

I. Basic Requirements for Volunteers

Be willing to participate in voluntary services of Expo 2010;

Age limit: Expo Site volunteers must be born before April 30, 1992 and Expo City Voluntary Service Station volunteers before April 30, 1994;

Obey the laws and regulations of the PRC;

Be able to participate in training and relevant activities before the opening of Expo 2010;

Possess necessary knowledge and skills needed by the position;

Be in good health to meet the requirements of corresponding voluntary positions.

II. Further Information for Volunteers

Source

Residents of Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, as well as overseas Chinese, and foreigners can all apply to be the volunteers.

Signup methods

Applicants may log in onto the official websites for online signup. They may also consult or connect with the Expo Volunteer Stations.

Time

May 1 – December 31, 2009

III. Volunteer Training

  Volunteer training includes general training, special training and position training. General training is carried out through internet, while special training and position training are provided through classroom lectures and field practice.

IV. Volunteer Types

Expo Site volunteers refer to those offering voluntary services to visitors and the Organizer in the Expo Site, mainly including information, visitor flow management, reception, translation and interpretation, assistance for the disabled, and assistance in media service, event and conference organization and volunteer management.

Information booth volunteers are stationed in the Expo’s information booths at key transportation centers, commercial outlets, tourist attractions, restaurants, hotels and cultural event places outside the Expo Site. They offer services including information, translation, interpretation and even first aid.

60. According to the passage, which one is NOT true?

       A. If you were born in April 1993, you can be a volunteer in Expo City

B. If you were born in April 1991, you can be a volunteer in Expo Site.

       C. Volunteers of the World Exposition should obey the laws and regulations of the PRC.

D. Applicants may log in onto the official websites for online signup.

61. Volunteers of the World Exposition 2010 Shanghai China have been trained well. Which of the following doesn’t belong to the Volunteer training ?

       A. Position training.                                         B. General training.      

C. Internet training.                                              D. Special training.      

62. Which of the following services is offered by information booth volunteers?

       A. Visitor flow management.                             B. Helping the disabled.

       C. Assistance in media service.                           D. Emergency First aid.  

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