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?

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? 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.

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.

1.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(不情愿的) to face all of the challenges.

       D.They are burdened by student loans.

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

       A.baby production         B.pleasant       

       C.baby comfort                 D.essential

3.Which of the following is NOT one of the complaints of the 20-somethings?

       A.They can’t have children for at least a decade to buy a house.

       B.They have only one-bedroom apartment to live in.

       C.They can’t buy a house until 40 because of student loans.

       D.They despair at not being able to afford a Ph.D. in literature.

4.What is the author’s purpose of writing this passage?

       A.To tell us what the author’s attitude towards the 20 – somethings.

       B.To explain why young people can’t afford to buy a house.

       C.To suggest what we should do when young people’s high hopes create despair.

       D.To explain what the 20 – something’s high expectations are.

第二节  书面表达(满分25分)

假设你叫李华,你的英国笔友Jane给你写了一封信,诉说她的烦恼。请根据信的内容写封回信,内容包括:

1.对信中提及的问题表示理解;

2.鼓励Jane以积极的态度面对生活中遇到的困难。

注意:   

1.词数100左右;

2.可以适当增加细节,以使行文连贯;

3.信的开头和结尾己给出,不计入总词数。

Dear Li Hua,

I'm very worried. In school, I am not popular at all. I don't know why. Perhaps this is because I am too shy. I want to change myself to be open and sunny, but I never accomplish this. I always feel lonely at school. I am sort of thinking I had better leave school. Can you help me? Can you tell me what to do?

                                                                       Yours,

                                                                        Jane

Dear Jane,

Thank you for your trust.

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

Meanwhile, if you get lonely, write a letter to me. I'm always here for you.

Best wishes.

                                                                  Yours,

                                                                  Li Hua

 0  30561  30569  30575  30579  30585  30587  30591  30597  30599  30605  30611  30615  30617  30621  30627  30629  30635  30639  30641  30645  30647  30651  30653  30655  30656  30657  30659  30660  30661  30663  30665  30669  30671  30675  30677  30681  30687  30689  30695  30699  30701  30705  30711  30717  30719  30725  30729  30731  30737  30741  30747  30755  151629 

违法和不良信息举报电话:027-86699610 举报邮箱:58377363@163.com

精英家教网