Most Americans believe that someone isn’t grown-up until the age of 26 and they should complete their education, have a full-time job, have a family to support and be financially independent. They also believe that becoming a real grown-up is a process which begins at about the age of 20 and takes about five years, according to the report from the University of Chicago’s National Opinion Research Center.

The findings are based on a representative sample of 1,398 people over the age of 18 who were surveyed in person. The survey found that people expect the transitions to grown-up status to be completed at the following ages: age 20.9 self-supporting; age 21.1 no longer living with parents; age 21.2 having a full-time job; age 22.3 education completed; age 24.5 being able to support a family financially; age 25.7 getting married;  and age 26.2 having a child.

“There is a large degree of agreement across social groups on the relative importance of the seven transitions,” said Tom Smith, director of the survey. The only obvious pattern of differences is on views about supporting a family, having children and getting married. Older adults consider these more important than younger adults do. This probably shows in large part a change in values across generations away from traditional family values. The most valued step toward reaching adulthood, the survey found, is completing education, followed by full-time employment, supporting a family, financial independence, living independently, and marriage.

1. According to the first paragraph, someone is a grown-up when he _______.  

A.has found a full-time job

B.has finished his study in university

C.can make money and support himself after completing his education

D.can support a family and be financially independent after graduation

2. A young man of 24 may be busy ________.  

A.finding a job

B.finding a girl friend

C.making money

D.preparing for his wedding

3.The underlined word “status” in the second paragraph probably means “________”.

A.position

B.rank

C.level

D.situation

4.From the passage, we learn that _________.  

A.being grown-up is just a matter of age

B.being grown-up is a process which takes some time

C.all people think completing education means being grown-up

D.the survey found everyone had a different view about being grown-up

5. The best title for the passage should be “________”   

A.It takes a long time to grown up.

B.Are we grown-up yet?

C.Getting married means being grown-up.

D.Completing education means being grown-up.

 

阅读理解
     Tom Whittaker, born in England in 1949, is an amazing example of a Can Do person. The young man
came to the United States in 1975, where he studied for a Master's in Arts. Although studying took up
much of his time, he traveled throughout the US and Canada climbing many different types of rock walls.
Thus, he made friends with many people with the same interest.
     However, on Thanksgiving Day in 1979, a car driven by a drunk driver lost control and suddenly
turned into his lane(车道), striking the head of his vehicle. The injuries to both of his legs and feet resulted
in the removal of one of his kneecaps(膝盖骨), and the amputation(截去)of his right foot.
      It wasn't easy, but after some time, with great effort and strong will, Tom rebuilt his hope for life. The
report of his story moved the whole nation of America. Eventually he earned another master's degree and
founded the Cooperative Wilderness Handicapped Outdoor Group. This program's success sent Tom
around the world to spread his message that "it is not the falling down, but the getting back up that matters". He became a professor in Adventure Education at Prescott College in Arizona, where he taught the
top outdoor leadership program in the nation.
     After 25 years of experience as a mountaineer, on May 27, 1998, Tom achieved his greatest
accomplishment so far:reaching the peak of Mt. Everest. Tom was actually the first person with a disability to ever climb and stand on the peak of Mt. Everest. He realized that reaching the peak of Mt. Everest
could do nothing to change his disability, but it could do a lot to change attitudes. Tom Whittaker wanted
people to realize that disability is as much an attitude as it is a condition.

1. For what did Tom Whittaker go to the US?

A. To improve his climbing skills.
B. To take his master's degree.
C. To become a professional mountaineer.
D. To meet other mountaineers in the US.

2. What led to the accident that caused Tom Whittaker's disability?

A. That his car was out of control.
B. That he was driving on a wrong lane.
C. That a drunk driver ran his car into Tom's.
D. That he got drunk on Thanksgiving Day.

3. When did Tom become a mountaineer?

A. Shortly before he reached the peak of Mt. Everest.
B. Two years before he went to the US.
C. Shortly after he arrived in the US.
D. After he recovered from the car accident.

4. Which of the following events made Tom first widely noticed by the American public?

A. Teaching outdoor leadership program at college.
B. Climbing Mt. Everest in spite of his disability.
C. Founding the Cooperative Wilderness Handicapped Outdoor Group.
D. His determination to fight against his disability.

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