职称英语历年真题《综合A》阅读理解
The Sandwich Generation
Today people often look forward to their middle age as a time when they will be able to take things easier. After their children are grown, they expect to enjoy the life they have worked hard to create. However the reality is often very different. In middle age, many people discover that they have two ongoing responsibilities: one is to look after their aging parents, and the other is to help their young adult children deal with the pressures of life. Around the world, there are millions of people who are "sandwiched" in between the older and the younger generations. Sometimes there may be two or three generations living in the same household -- a situation that is common in many Asian countries and in some parts of Europe. In other cases, a couple may be taking care of parents and children, but they do not live with them.
There are two important reasons for the rise of the sandwich generation. First, people are living longer than they used to. In the early nineteenth century, the average life expectancy for adults in the United States, for example, was about 40, whereas today people live to an average age of 75. Therefore, children are taking care of their parents over a longer period of time. The second reason is that these days, young adults often live with their parents for a longer time than they did in the past. This is often for financial reasons. It's also more common for today's young adults to return home during or after college if they need financial
or emotional support.
People who take care of elderly parents often face difficult issues. They may have to cover expenses that their parents cannot. They may have to manage their parents, financial and legal affairs. They may have to prepare for their parents, future needs, such as special medical care or a move to a nursing home. This can be a traumatic experience for everyone.
Caring for adult children presents challenges as well, and caregivers have to resolve important questions: How can financial responsibilities be shared among members of the household? How can household chores be shared? What is the best way to ensure everyone's privacy? Successfully coping with these issues can avoid a lot of stress for the whole family.
The financial and emotional pressures on the sandwich generation can be overwhelming.
However, this time in life also has its rewards. It can be a time to rediscover the special qualities of one's parents or children. It can also provide a valuable opportunity to spend more time with them.
However, in order to survive this difficult period in their lives, the members of the sandwich generation must remember that they also need to pay attention to their own needs and look after the quality of their own lives. They can't be totally selfless.
41. According to the first paragraph, many people in middle age
A. can't enjoy their life as they have expected.
B. are able to take things easier when their children are grown.
C. can't enjoy their life because they haven't worked hard enough.
D. are facing great pressure from their work.
42. Which is true about the sandwich generation?
A. Their parents are unable to take care of themselves.
B. Their parents are often facing the pressures of life.
C. They all have to live with their parents and children.
D. They are torn between the responsibilities for their parents and children.
43. Why do some young adults choose to live with their parents these days?
A. They are too young to be independent from their parents.
B. They want to help their parents to take care of their aging grandparents.
C. They need support from their parents to deal with their financial problems.
D. They are more emotional than the young adults in the past.
44. The sandwich generation face the following challenges EXCEPT
A. sharing household chores.
B. determining who is the caregiver of the family.
C. ensuring everyone's privacy.
D. shouldering the financial responsibilities of the household.
45. To survive the difficult period in their lives, the sandwich generation need to_________.
A. be totally selfless.
B. rediscover the merits of their children.
C. value the time spent with their parents.
D. consider their own well-being.
答案与解析
41.A。细节题。题干：根据文章的意思，很多中年人。根据第一段第二、三句可知，当孩子长大后，中年人期望能享受努力工作创造的生活，然而，现实却不是这样。由此可知，很多中年人不能如愿地享受生活。故本题选A(无法过上他们期望的生活)。
42.D。细节判断题。题干：关于三明治一代，下列哪个描述是正确的?根据第一段第四句可知，很多中年人发现他们正肩负着两种责任：一个是照顾日益年长的父母，另一个是帮助年轻的孩子处理生活的压力。第一段第五句接着说，全世界有数百万的中年人像三明治一样夹在上一代和下一代中间。因此选项D(他们常常在赡养老人和抚养孩子的责任中左右为难)。
43.C。细节题。题干：为什么现在很多年轻人选择和父母住在一起?根据第二段最后三句可知，如今一些年轻人之所以会更久地跟父母住在一起，是因为他们需要父母的经济或情感支持。故本题答案为C(他们需要父母的'支持来应对财务问题)。
44.B。细节判断题。题干：三明治一代面临着下列挑战，除了__________。根据第四段中的“caregivers have to resolve important questions：How can financial responsibilities be shared among members of the household?How can household chores be shared?What is the best way to ensure everyone’s privacy?”可知，只有B不是三明治一代要考虑的问题，所以该题答案为B(决定谁来赡养家庭)。
45.D。推断题。题干：想度过人生中这一艰难时段，三明治一代需要__________。最后一段最后两句中的“…they also need to pay attention to their own needs and look after the quality of thie own lives.They can’t be totally selfless.”表明，三明治一代也需要考虑自己的需求和自身的生活质量，不能完全忘我。由此可知，要度过这个人生的艰难时段，三明治一代需要考虑自身的幸福，所以该题答案为D(考虑自身的幸福)。
