2017年職稱英語考試備考已經開始，不少考生已開始準備2017年職稱英語考試複習。為了促進大家的學習積極性，以下是yjbys網小編整理的關於職稱英語歷年真題《綜合A》閱讀理解精選，供大家備考。
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.
答案與解析
41.A。細節題。題幹：根據文章的意思，很多中年人。根據第一段第二、三句可知，當孩子長大後，中年人期望能享受努力工作創造的生活，然而，現實卻不是這樣。由此可知，很多中年人不能如願地享受生活。故本題選A(無法過上他們期望的.生活)。
42.D。細節判斷題。題幹：關於三明治一代，下列哪個描述是正確的?根據第一段第四句可知，很多中年人發現他們正肩負著兩種責任：一個是照顧日益年長的父母，另一個是幫助年輕的孩子處理生活的壓力。第一段第五句接著說，全世界有數百萬的中年人像三明治一樣夾在上一代和下一代中間。因此選項D(他們常常在贍養老人和撫養孩子的責任中左右為難)。
43.C。細節題。題幹：為什麼現在很多年輕人選擇和父母住在一起?根據第二段最後三句可知，如今一些年輕人之所以會更久地跟父母住在一起，是因為他們需要父母的經濟或情感支援。故本題答案為C(他們需要父母的支援來應對財務問題)。
44.B。細節判斷題。題幹：三明治一代面臨著下列挑戰，除了__________。根據第四段中的“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慮的問題，所以該題答案為B(決定誰來贍養家庭)。
45.D。推斷題。題幹：想度過人生中這一艱難時段，三明治一代需要__________。最後一段最後兩句中的“…they also need to pay attention to their own needs and look after the quality of thie own can’t be totally selfless.”表明，三明治一代也需要考慮自己的需求和自身的生活質量，不能完全忘我。由此可知，要度過這個人生的艱難時段，三明治一代需要考慮自身的幸福，所以該題答案為D(考慮自身的幸福)。
