As an Alaskan fisherman, Timothy June, 54, used to think that he was safe from industrial pollutants (污染物) at his home in Haines—a town with a population of 2,400 people and 4,000 eagles, with 8 million acres of protected wild land nearby. But in early 2007, June agreed to take part in a (36)_____ of 35 Americans from seven states. It was a biomonitoring project, in which people’s blood and urine (尿) were tested for (37)_____ of chemicals—in this case, three potentially dangerous classes of compounds found in common household (38)_____ like face cream, tin cans, and shower curtains. The results—(39)_____ in November in a report called “Is It in Us?” by an environmental group—were rather worrying. Every one of the participants, (40)_____ from an Illinois state senator to a Massachusetts minister, tested positive for all three classes of pollutants. And while the (41)_____ presence of these chemicals does not (42)_____ indicate a health risk, the fact that typical Americans carry these chemicals at all (43)_____ June and his fellow participants.
Clearly, there are chemicals in our bodies that don’t (44)_____ there. A large, ongoing study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found 148 chemicals in Americans of all ages. And in 2005, the Environmental Working Group found an (45)_____ of 200 chemicals in the blood of 10 new-borns. “Our babies are being born pre-polluted,” says Sharyle Patton of Commonweal, which cosponsored “Is It in Us?” “This is going to be the next big environmental issue after climate change.”
解析：名词辨析题。空格前为不定冠词an，空格后为介词of，空格处需要填入名词。根据语义，环境工作组在10个新生儿的血液中平均发现了200种化学物质，an average of是常见的表达方式，表示“平均”。故本空应填入average。
Part III Reading Comprehension
In Hard Economy for All Ages, Older Isn’t Better... It’s Brutal
【A】Young graduates are in debt, out of work and on their parents’ couches. People in their 30s and 40s can’t afford to buy homes or have children. Retirees are earning near-zero interest on their savings.
【B】In the current listless (缺乏活力的) economy, every generation has a claim to having been most injured. But the Labor Department’s latest jobs reports and other recent data present a strong case for crowning baby boomers (二战后生育高峰期出生的人) as the greatest victims of the recession and its dreadful consequences.
【C】These Americans in their 50s and early 60s—those near retirement age who do not yet have access to Medicare and Social Security—have lost the most earnings power of any age group, with their household incomes 10 percent below what they made when the recovery began three years ago, according to Sentier Research, a data analysis company. Their retirement savings and home values fell sharply at the worst possible time: just before they needed to cash out. They are supporting both aged parents and unemployed young-adult children, earning them the unlucky nickname “Generation Squeeze”.
【D】New research suggests that they may die sooner, because their health, income security and mental well-being were battered (重创) by recession at a crucial time in their lives. A recent study by economists at Wellesley College found that people who lost their jobs in the few years before becoming qualified for Social Security lost up to three years from their life expectancy (预期寿命), largely because they no longer had access to affordable health care.
【E】Unemployment rates for Americans nearing retirement are far lower than those for young people, who are recently out of school, with fewer skills and a shorter work history. But once out of a job, older workers have a much harder time finding another one. Over the last year, the average duration of unemployment for older people was 53 weeks, compared with 19 weeks for teenagers, according to the Labor Department’s jobs report released on Friday.
【F】The lengthy process is partly because older workers are more likely to have been laid off from industries that are downsizing, like manufacturing. Compared with the rest of the population, older people are also more likely to own their own homes and be less mobile than renters, who can move to new job markets.
【G】Older workers are more likely to have a disability of some sort, perhaps limiting the range of jobs that offer realistic choices. They may also be less inclined, at least initially, to take jobs that pay far less than their old positions.
【H】Displaced boomers also believe they are victims of age discrimination, because employers can easily find a young, energetic worker who will accept lower pay and who can potentially stick around for decades rather than a few years.
【I】In a survey of older workers who were laid off during the recession, just one in six had found another job, and half of that group had accepted pay cuts. 14% of the re-employed said the pay in their new job was less than half what they earned in their previous job. “I just say to myself: ‘Why me? What have I done to deserve this?’” said John Agati, 56, whose last full-time job, as a product developer, ended four years ago when his employer went out of business. That position paid $90,000, and his resume lists jobs at companies like American Express, Disney and USA Networks. Since being laid off, though, he has worked a series of part-time, low-wage, temporary positions, including selling shoes at Lord & Taylor and making sales calls for a car company.
【J】The last few years have taken a toil not only on his family’s finances, but also on his feelings of self-worth. “You just get sad,” Mr. Agati said. “I see people getting up in the morning, going out to their careers and going home. I just wish I was doing that. Some people don’t like their jobs, or they have problems with their jobs, but at least they’re working. I just wish I was in their shoes.” He said he cannot afford to go back to school, as many younger people without jobs have done. Even if he could afford it, economists say it is unclear whether older workers like him benefit much from more education.
【K】“It just doesn’t make sense to offer retraining for people 55 and older,” said Daniel Hamermesh, an economics professor. “Discrimination by age, long-term unemployment, and the fact that they’re now at the end of the hiring queue just don’t make it sensible to invest in them.”
【L】Many displaced older workers are taking this message to heart and leaving the labor force entirely. The share of older people applying for Social Security early rose quickly during the recession as people sought whatever income they could find. The penalty they will pay is permanent, as retirees who take benefits at age 62 will receive as much as 30% less in each month’s check for the rest of their lives than they would if they had waited until full retirement age (66 for those born after 1942).
【M】Those not yet qualified for Social Security are increasingly applying for another, comparable kind of income support that often goes to people who expect never to work again: disability benefits. More than one in eight people in their late 50s is now on some form of federal disability insurance program, according to Professor Mark Duggan at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School.
【N】The very oldest Americans, of course, were battered by some of the same ill winds that tormented (折磨) those now nearing retirement, but at least the most senior were cushioned by a more readily available social safety net. More important, in a statistical twist, they may have actually benefited from the financial crisis in the most fundamental way: longer lives.
【O】Death rates for people over 65 have historically fallen during recessions, according to a November2011 study by economists at the University of California, Davis. Why? The researchers argue that weak job markets push more workers into accepting relatively undesirable work at nursing homes, leading to better care for residents.
11、46. Greater mobility puts younger people at an advantage in seeking new jobs.
A A
B B
C C
D D
E E
F F
G G
H H
I I
J J
K K
L L
M M
N N
O O
答案解析：46. Greater mobility puts younger people at an advantage in seeking new jobs.
F) Compared with the rest of the population, older people are also more likely to own their own homes and be less mobile than renters, who can move to new job markets.
解析：首先在题目中找到定位词mobility和seeking new jobs，由此可定位到F段。F段中move to new job markets其实就是去找工作，对应题目中的mobility和seeking new jobs。题目是对F段的同义转述。
47. Many of the older workers laid off during the recession had to accept lower pay in their new jobs.
I) In a survey of older workers who were laid off during the recession, just one in six had found another job, and half of that group had accepted pay cuts.
48. Those who lose their jobs shortly before retirement age live a shorter-than-average life.
D) A recent study by economists at Wellesley College found that people who lost their jobs in the few years before becoming qualified for Social Security lost up to three years from their life expectancy (预期寿命), largely because they no longer had access to affordable health care.
解析：首先在题目中找到定位词shortly before retirement age和shorter-than-average life，由此可定位到D段。D段中出现了before becoming qualified for Social Security和lost up to three years from their life expectancy，分别对应题目中的shortly before retirement age和shorter-than-average life。题目是对D段的同义转述。
49. Seniors at nursing homes could benefit from the weak job market.
O) The researchers argue that weak job markets push more workers into accepting relatively undesirable work at nursing homes, leading to better care for residents.
50. Age discrimination in employment makes it pointless retraining older workers.
K) "It just doesn't make sense to offer retraining for people 55 and older," said Daniel Hamermesh, an economics professor. "Discrimination by age, long-term unemployment, and the fact that they're now at the end of the hiring queue just don't make it sensible to invest in them."
解析：首先在题目中找到定位词age discrimination，pointless（无意义的）和retraining，由此可定位到K段。题目中的pointless（无意义的）是原文中doesn't make sense的同义替换。题目是对K段的同义转述。
51. According to recent reports and data analyses, boomers suffer most from the weak economy.
B) But the Labor Department's latest jobs reports and other recent data present a strong case for crowning baby boomers (二战后生育高峰期出生的人) as the greatest victims of the recession and its dreadful consequences.
解析：首先在题目中找到定位词boomers和suffer most from the weak economy，由此可定位到B段。B段中的recession意为“衰退”，对应题目中的weak economy。题目是对B段的同义转述。
52. Unemployed boomers are at a disadvantage in job-hunting because employers tend to hire younger workers.
H) Displaced boomers also believe they are victims of age discrimination, because employers can easily find a young, energetic worker who will accept lower pay and who can potentially stick around for decades rather than a few years.
53. People in their fifties and early sixties bear the heaviest family burdens.
C) These Americans in their 50s and early 60s... They are supporting both aged parents and unemployed young-adult children,earning them the unlucky nickname "Generation Squeeze".
解析：首先在题目中找到定位词their fifties and early sixties和the heaviest family burdens，由此定位到C段。C段中出现了in their 50s and early 60s，对应题目中的their fifties and early sixties。根据C段第二句语义，他们要支撑年迈的父母和失业的年轻子女，表示他们有着着非常重的家庭负担。题目是对C段的同义转述。
54. People who take benefits from Social Security before official retirement age will get much less for the rest of their lives.
L) The penalty they will pay is permanent, as retirees who take benefits at age 62 will receive as much as 30% less in each month's check for the rest of their lives than they would if they had waited until full retirement age (66 for those born after 1942).
解析：首先在题目中找到定位词official retirement age和get much less可定位到L段。L段中出现了retirees, receive as much as 30% less和until full retirement age。题目是对L段的同义转述。
55. Older workers' choice of jobs can be limited because of disability.
G) Older workers are more likely to have a disability of some sort, perhaps limiting the range of jobs that offer realistic choices.
12、47. Many of the older workers laid off during the recession had to accept lower pay in their new jobs.
A A
B B
C C
D D
E E
F F
G G
H H
I I
J J
K K
L L
M M
N N
O O
答案解析：46. Greater mobility puts younger people at an advantage in seeking new jobs.
F) Compared with the rest of the population, older people are also more likely to own their own homes and be less mobile than renters, who can move to new job markets.
解析：首先在题目中找到定位词mobility和seeking new jobs，由此可定位到F段。F段中move to new job markets其实就是去找工作，对应题目中的mobility和seeking new jobs。题目是对F段的同义转述。
47. Many of the older workers laid off during the recession had to accept lower pay in their new jobs.
I) In a survey of older workers who were laid off during the recession, just one in six had found another job, and half of that group had accepted pay cuts.
48. Those who lose their jobs shortly before retirement age live a shorter-than-average life.
D) A recent study by economists at Wellesley College found that people who lost their jobs in the few years before becoming qualified for Social Security lost up to three years from their life expectancy (预期寿命), largely because they no longer had access to affordable health care.
解析：首先在题目中找到定位词shortly before retirement age和shorter-than-average life，由此可定位到D段。D段中出现了before becoming qualified for Social Security和lost up to three years from their life expectancy，分别对应题目中的shortly before retirement age和shorter-than-average life。题目是对D段的同义转述。
49. Seniors at nursing homes could benefit from the weak job market.
O) The researchers argue that weak job markets push more workers into accepting relatively undesirable work at nursing homes, leading to better care for residents.
50. Age discrimination in employment makes it pointless retraining older workers.
K) "It just doesn't make sense to offer retraining for people 55 and older," said Daniel Hamermesh, an economics professor. "Discrimination by age, long-term unemployment, and the fact that they're now at the end of the hiring queue just don't make it sensible to invest in them."
解析：首先在题目中找到定位词age discrimination，pointless（无意义的）和retraining，由此可定位到K段。题目中的pointless（无意义的）是原文中doesn't make sense的同义替换。题目是对K段的同义转述。
51. According to recent reports and data analyses, boomers suffer most from the weak economy.
B) But the Labor Department's latest jobs reports and other recent data present a strong case for crowning baby boomers (二战后生育高峰期出生的人) as the greatest victims of the recession and its dreadful consequences.
解析：首先在题目中找到定位词boomers和suffer most from the weak economy，由此可定位到B段。B段中的recession意为“衰退”，对应题目中的weak economy。题目是对B段的同义转述。
52. Unemployed boomers are at a disadvantage in job-hunting because employers tend to hire younger workers.
H) Displaced boomers also believe they are victims of age discrimination, because employers can easily find a young, energetic worker who will accept lower pay and who can potentially stick around for decades rather than a few years.
53. People in their fifties and early sixties bear the heaviest family burdens.
C) These Americans in their 50s and early 60s... They are supporting both aged parents and unemployed young-adult children,earning them the unlucky nickname "Generation Squeeze".
解析：首先在题目中找到定位词their fifties and early sixties和the heaviest family burdens，由此定位到C段。C段中出现了in their 50s and early 60s，对应题目中的their fifties and early sixties。根据C段第二句语义，他们要支撑年迈的父母和失业的年轻子女，表示他们有着着非常重的家庭负担。题目是对C段的同义转述。
54. People who take benefits from Social Security before official retirement age will get much less for the rest of their lives.
L) The penalty they will pay is permanent, as retirees who take benefits at age 62 will receive as much as 30% less in each month's check for the rest of their lives than they would if they had waited until full retirement age (66 for those born after 1942).
解析：首先在题目中找到定位词official retirement age和get much less可定位到L段。L段中出现了retirees, receive as much as 30% less和until full retirement age。题目是对L段的同义转述。
55. Older workers' choice of jobs can be limited because of disability.
G) Older workers are more likely to have a disability of some sort, perhaps limiting the range of jobs that offer realistic choices.
13、48. Those who lose their jobs shortly before retirement age live a shorter-than-average life.
A A
B B
C C
D D
E E
F F
G G
H H
I I
J J
K K
L L
M M
N N
O O
答案解析：46. Greater mobility puts younger people at an advantage in seeking new jobs.
F) Compared with the rest of the population, older people are also more likely to own their own homes and be less mobile than renters, who can move to new job markets.
解析：首先在题目中找到定位词mobility和seeking new jobs，由此可定位到F段。F段中move to new job markets其实就是去找工作，对应题目中的mobility和seeking new jobs。题目是对F段的同义转述。
47. Many of the older workers laid off during the recession had to accept lower pay in their new jobs.
I) In a survey of older workers who were laid off during the recession, just one in six had found another job, and half of that group had accepted pay cuts.
48. Those who lose their jobs shortly before retirement age live a shorter-than-average life.
D) A recent study by economists at Wellesley College found that people who lost their jobs in the few years before becoming qualified for Social Security lost up to three years from their life expectancy (预期寿命), largely because they no longer had access to affordable health care.
解析：首先在题目中找到定位词shortly before retirement age和shorter-than-average life，由此可定位到D段。D段中出现了before becoming qualified for Social Security和lost up to three years from their life expectancy，分别对应题目中的shortly before retirement age和shorter-than-average life。题目是对D段的同义转述。
49. Seniors at nursing homes could benefit from the weak job market.
O) The researchers argue that weak job markets push more workers into accepting relatively undesirable work at nursing homes, leading to better care for residents.
50. Age discrimination in employment makes it pointless retraining older workers.
K) "It just doesn't make sense to offer retraining for people 55 and older," said Daniel Hamermesh, an economics professor. "Discrimination by age, long-term unemployment, and the fact that they're now at the end of the hiring queue just don't make it sensible to invest in them."
解析：首先在题目中找到定位词age discrimination，pointless（无意义的）和retraining，由此可定位到K段。题目中的pointless（无意义的）是原文中doesn't make sense的同义替换。题目是对K段的同义转述。
51. According to recent reports and data analyses, boomers suffer most from the weak economy.
B) But the Labor Department's latest jobs reports and other recent data present a strong case for crowning baby boomers (二战后生育高峰期出生的人) as the greatest victims of the recession and its dreadful consequences.
解析：首先在题目中找到定位词boomers和suffer most from the weak economy，由此可定位到B段。B段中的recession意为“衰退”，对应题目中的weak economy。题目是对B段的同义转述。
52. Unemployed boomers are at a disadvantage in job-hunting because employers tend to hire younger workers.
H) Displaced boomers also believe they are victims of age discrimination, because employers can easily find a young, energetic worker who will accept lower pay and who can potentially stick around for decades rather than a few years.
53. People in their fifties and early sixties bear the heaviest family burdens.
C) These Americans in their 50s and early 60s... They are supporting both aged parents and unemployed young-adult children,earning them the unlucky nickname "Generation Squeeze".
解析：首先在题目中找到定位词their fifties and early sixties和the heaviest family burdens，由此定位到C段。C段中出现了in their 50s and early 60s，对应题目中的their fifties and early sixties。根据C段第二句语义，他们要支撑年迈的父母和失业的年轻子女，表示他们有着着非常重的家庭负担。题目是对C段的同义转述。
54. People who take benefits from Social Security before official retirement age will get much less for the rest of their lives.
L) The penalty they will pay is permanent, as retirees who take benefits at age 62 will receive as much as 30% less in each month's check for the rest of their lives than they would if they had waited until full retirement age (66 for those born after 1942).
解析：首先在题目中找到定位词official retirement age和get much less可定位到L段。L段中出现了retirees, receive as much as 30% less和until full retirement age。题目是对L段的同义转述。
55. Older workers' choice of jobs can be limited because of disability.
G) Older workers are more likely to have a disability of some sort, perhaps limiting the range of jobs that offer realistic choices.
14、49. Seniors at nursing homes could benefit from the weak job market.
A A
B B
C C
D D
E E
F F
G G
H H
I I
J J
K K
L L
M M
N N
O O
答案解析：46. Greater mobility puts younger people at an advantage in seeking new jobs.
F) Compared with the rest of the population, older people are also more likely to own their own homes and be less mobile than renters, who can move to new job markets.
解析：首先在题目中找到定位词mobility和seeking new jobs，由此可定位到F段。F段中move to new job markets其实就是去找工作，对应题目中的mobility和seeking new jobs。题目是对F段的同义转述。
47. Many of the older workers laid off during the recession had to accept lower pay in their new jobs.
I) In a survey of older workers who were laid off during the recession, just one in six had found another job, and half of that group had accepted pay cuts.
48. Those who lose their jobs shortly before retirement age live a shorter-than-average life.
D) A recent study by economists at Wellesley College found that people who lost their jobs in the few years before becoming qualified for Social Security lost up to three years from their life expectancy (预期寿命), largely because they no longer had access to affordable health care.
解析：首先在题目中找到定位词shortly before retirement age和shorter-than-average life，由此可定位到D段。D段中出现了before becoming qualified for Social Security和lost up to three years from their life expectancy，分别对应题目中的shortly before retirement age和shorter-than-average life。题目是对D段的同义转述。
49. Seniors at nursing homes could benefit from the weak job market.
O) The researchers argue that weak job markets push more workers into accepting relatively undesirable work at nursing homes, leading to better care for residents.
50. Age discrimination in employment makes it pointless retraining older workers.
K) "It just doesn't make sense to offer retraining for people 55 and older," said Daniel Hamermesh, an economics professor. "Discrimination by age, long-term unemployment, and the fact that they're now at the end of the hiring queue just don't make it sensible to invest in them."
解析：首先在题目中找到定位词age discrimination，pointless（无意义的）和retraining，由此可定位到K段。题目中的pointless（无意义的）是原文中doesn't make sense的同义替换。题目是对K段的同义转述。
51. According to recent reports and data analyses, boomers suffer most from the weak economy.
B) But the Labor Department's latest jobs reports and other recent data present a strong case for crowning baby boomers (二战后生育高峰期出生的人) as the greatest victims of the recession and its dreadful consequences.
解析：首先在题目中找到定位词boomers和suffer most from the weak economy，由此可定位到B段。B段中的recession意为“衰退”，对应题目中的weak economy。题目是对B段的同义转述。
52. Unemployed boomers are at a disadvantage in job-hunting because employers tend to hire younger workers.
H) Displaced boomers also believe they are victims of age discrimination, because employers can easily find a young, energetic worker who will accept lower pay and who can potentially stick around for decades rather than a few years.
53. People in their fifties and early sixties bear the heaviest family burdens.
C) These Americans in their 50s and early 60s... They are supporting both aged parents and unemployed young-adult children,earning them the unlucky nickname "Generation Squeeze".
解析：首先在题目中找到定位词their fifties and early sixties和the heaviest family burdens，由此定位到C段。C段中出现了in their 50s and early 60s，对应题目中的their fifties and early sixties。根据C段第二句语义，他们要支撑年迈的父母和失业的年轻子女，表示他们有着着非常重的家庭负担。题目是对C段的同义转述。
54. People who take benefits from Social Security before official retirement age will get much less for the rest of their lives.
L) The penalty they will pay is permanent, as retirees who take benefits at age 62 will receive as much as 30% less in each month's check for the rest of their lives than they would if they had waited until full retirement age (66 for those born after 1942).
解析：首先在题目中找到定位词official retirement age和get much less可定位到L段。L段中出现了retirees, receive as much as 30% less和until full retirement age。题目是对L段的同义转述。
55. Older workers' choice of jobs can be limited because of disability.
G) Older workers are more likely to have a disability of some sort, perhaps limiting the range of jobs that offer realistic choices.
15、50. Age discrimination in employment makes it pointless retraining older workers.
A A
B B
C C
D D
E E
F F
G G
H H
I I
J J
K K
L L
M M
N N
O O
答案解析：46. Greater mobility puts younger people at an advantage in seeking new jobs.
F) Compared with the rest of the population, older people are also more likely to own their own homes and be less mobile than renters, who can move to new job markets.
解析：首先在题目中找到定位词mobility和seeking new jobs，由此可定位到F段。F段中move to new job markets其实就是去找工作，对应题目中的mobility和seeking new jobs。题目是对F段的同义转述。
47. Many of the older workers laid off during the recession had to accept lower pay in their new jobs.
I) In a survey of older workers who were laid off during the recession, just one in six had found another job, and half of that group had accepted pay cuts.
48. Those who lose their jobs shortly before retirement age live a shorter-than-average life.
D) A recent study by economists at Wellesley College found that people who lost their jobs in the few years before becoming qualified for Social Security lost up to three years from their life expectancy (预期寿命), largely because they no longer had access to affordable health care.
解析：首先在题目中找到定位词shortly before retirement age和shorter-than-average life，由此可定位到D段。D段中出现了before becoming qualified for Social Security和lost up to three years from their life expectancy，分别对应题目中的shortly before retirement age和shorter-than-average life。题目是对D段的同义转述。
49. Seniors at nursing homes could benefit from the weak job market.
O) The researchers argue that weak job markets push more workers into accepting relatively undesirable work at nursing homes, leading to better care for residents.
50. Age discrimination in employment makes it pointless retraining older workers.
K) "It just doesn't make sense to offer retraining for people 55 and older," said Daniel Hamermesh, an economics professor. "Discrimination by age, long-term unemployment, and the fact that they're now at the end of the hiring queue just don't make it sensible to invest in them."
解析：首先在题目中找到定位词age discrimination，pointless（无意义的）和retraining，由此可定位到K段。题目中的pointless（无意义的）是原文中doesn't make sense的同义替换。题目是对K段的同义转述。
51. According to recent reports and data analyses, boomers suffer most from the weak economy.
B) But the Labor Department's latest jobs reports and other recent data present a strong case for crowning baby boomers (二战后生育高峰期出生的人) as the greatest victims of the recession and its dreadful consequences.
解析：首先在题目中找到定位词boomers和suffer most from the weak economy，由此可定位到B段。B段中的recession意为“衰退”，对应题目中的weak economy。题目是对B段的同义转述。
52. Unemployed boomers are at a disadvantage in job-hunting because employers tend to hire younger workers.
H) Displaced boomers also believe they are victims of age discrimination, because employers can easily find a young, energetic worker who will accept lower pay and who can potentially stick around for decades rather than a few years.
53. People in their fifties and early sixties bear the heaviest family burdens.
C) These Americans in their 50s and early 60s... They are supporting both aged parents and unemployed young-adult children,earning them the unlucky nickname "Generation Squeeze".
解析：首先在题目中找到定位词their fifties and early sixties和the heaviest family burdens，由此定位到C段。C段中出现了in their 50s and early 60s，对应题目中的their fifties and early sixties。根据C段第二句语义，他们要支撑年迈的父母和失业的年轻子女，表示他们有着着非常重的家庭负担。题目是对C段的同义转述。
54. People who take benefits from Social Security before official retirement age will get much less for the rest of their lives.
L) The penalty they will pay is permanent, as retirees who take benefits at age 62 will receive as much as 30% less in each month's check for the rest of their lives than they would if they had waited until full retirement age (66 for those born after 1942).
解析：首先在题目中找到定位词official retirement age和get much less可定位到L段。L段中出现了retirees, receive as much as 30% less和until full retirement age。题目是对L段的同义转述。
55. Older workers' choice of jobs can be limited because of disability.
G) Older workers are more likely to have a disability of some sort, perhaps limiting the range of jobs that offer realistic choices.
16、51. According to recent reports and data analyses, boomers suffer most from the weak economy.
A A
B B
C C
D D
E E
F F
G G
H H
I I
J J
K K
L L
M M
N N
O O
答案解析：46. Greater mobility puts younger people at an advantage in seeking new jobs.
F) Compared with the rest of the population, older people are also more likely to own their own homes and be less mobile than renters, who can move to new job markets.
解析：首先在题目中找到定位词mobility和seeking new jobs，由此可定位到F段。F段中move to new job markets其实就是去找工作，对应题目中的mobility和seeking new jobs。题目是对F段的同义转述。
47. Many of the older workers laid off during the recession had to accept lower pay in their new jobs.
I) In a survey of older workers who were laid off during the recession, just one in six had found another job, and half of that group had accepted pay cuts.
48. Those who lose their jobs shortly before retirement age live a shorter-than-average life.
D) A recent study by economists at Wellesley College found that people who lost their jobs in the few years before becoming qualified for Social Security lost up to three years from their life expectancy (预期寿命), largely because they no longer had access to affordable health care.
解析：首先在题目中找到定位词shortly before retirement age和shorter-than-average life，由此可定位到D段。D段中出现了before becoming qualified for Social Security和lost up to three years from their life expectancy，分别对应题目中的shortly before retirement age和shorter-than-average life。题目是对D段的同义转述。
49. Seniors at nursing homes could benefit from the weak job market.
O) The researchers argue that weak job markets push more workers into accepting relatively undesirable work at nursing homes, leading to better care for residents.
50. Age discrimination in employment makes it pointless retraining older workers.
K) "It just doesn't make sense to offer retraining for people 55 and older," said Daniel Hamermesh, an economics professor. "Discrimination by age, long-term unemployment, and the fact that they're now at the end of the hiring queue just don't make it sensible to invest in them."
解析：首先在题目中找到定位词age discrimination，pointless（无意义的）和retraining，由此可定位到K段。题目中的pointless（无意义的）是原文中doesn't make sense的同义替换。题目是对K段的同义转述。
51. According to recent reports and data analyses, boomers suffer most from the weak economy.
B) But the Labor Department's latest jobs reports and other recent data present a strong case for crowning baby boomers (二战后生育高峰期出生的人) as the greatest victims of the recession and its dreadful consequences.
解析：首先在题目中找到定位词boomers和suffer most from the weak economy，由此可定位到B段。B段中的recession意为“衰退”，对应题目中的weak economy。题目是对B段的同义转述。
52. Unemployed boomers are at a disadvantage in job-hunting because employers tend to hire younger workers.
H) Displaced boomers also believe they are victims of age discrimination, because employers can easily find a young, energetic worker who will accept lower pay and who can potentially stick around for decades rather than a few years.
53. People in their fifties and early sixties bear the heaviest family burdens.
C) These Americans in their 50s and early 60s... They are supporting both aged parents and unemployed young-adult children,earning them the unlucky nickname "Generation Squeeze".
解析：首先在题目中找到定位词their fifties and early sixties和the heaviest family burdens，由此定位到C段。C段中出现了in their 50s and early 60s，对应题目中的their fifties and early sixties。根据C段第二句语义，他们要支撑年迈的父母和失业的年轻子女，表示他们有着着非常重的家庭负担。题目是对C段的同义转述。
54. People who take benefits from Social Security before official retirement age will get much less for the rest of their lives.
L) The penalty they will pay is permanent, as retirees who take benefits at age 62 will receive as much as 30% less in each month's check for the rest of their lives than they would if they had waited until full retirement age (66 for those born after 1942).
解析：首先在题目中找到定位词official retirement age和get much less可定位到L段。L段中出现了retirees, receive as much as 30% less和until full retirement age。题目是对L段的同义转述。
55. Older workers' choice of jobs can be limited because of disability.
G) Older workers are more likely to have a disability of some sort, perhaps limiting the range of jobs that offer realistic choices.
17、52. Unemployed boomers are at a disadvantage in job-hunting because employers tend to hire younger workers.
A A
B B
C C
D D
E E
F F
G G
H H
I I
J J
K K
L L
M M
N N
O O
答案解析：46. Greater mobility puts younger people at an advantage in seeking new jobs.
F) Compared with the rest of the population, older people are also more likely to own their own homes and be less mobile than renters, who can move to new job markets.
解析：首先在题目中找到定位词mobility和seeking new jobs，由此可定位到F段。F段中move to new job markets其实就是去找工作，对应题目中的mobility和seeking new jobs。题目是对F段的同义转述。
47. Many of the older workers laid off during the recession had to accept lower pay in their new jobs.
I) In a survey of older workers who were laid off during the recession, just one in six had found another job, and half of that group had accepted pay cuts.
48. Those who lose their jobs shortly before retirement age live a shorter-than-average life.
D) A recent study by economists at Wellesley College found that people who lost their jobs in the few years before becoming qualified for Social Security lost up to three years from their life expectancy (预期寿命), largely because they no longer had access to affordable health care.
解析：首先在题目中找到定位词shortly before retirement age和shorter-than-average life，由此可定位到D段。D段中出现了before becoming qualified for Social Security和lost up to three years from their life expectancy，分别对应题目中的shortly before retirement age和shorter-than-average life。题目是对D段的同义转述。
49. Seniors at nursing homes could benefit from the weak job market.
O) The researchers argue that weak job markets push more workers into accepting relatively undesirable work at nursing homes, leading to better care for residents.
50. Age discrimination in employment makes it pointless retraining older workers.
K) "It just doesn't make sense to offer retraining for people 55 and older," said Daniel Hamermesh, an economics professor. "Discrimination by age, long-term unemployment, and the fact that they're now at the end of the hiring queue just don't make it sensible to invest in them."
解析：首先在题目中找到定位词age discrimination，pointless（无意义的）和retraining，由此可定位到K段。题目中的pointless（无意义的）是原文中doesn't make sense的同义替换。题目是对K段的同义转述。
51. According to recent reports and data analyses, boomers suffer most from the weak economy.
B) But the Labor Department's latest jobs reports and other recent data present a strong case for crowning baby boomers (二战后生育高峰期出生的人) as the greatest victims of the recession and its dreadful consequences.
解析：首先在题目中找到定位词boomers和suffer most from the weak economy，由此可定位到B段。B段中的recession意为“衰退”，对应题目中的weak economy。题目是对B段的同义转述。
52. Unemployed boomers are at a disadvantage in job-hunting because employers tend to hire younger workers.
H) Displaced boomers also believe they are victims of age discrimination, because employers can easily find a young, energetic worker who will accept lower pay and who can potentially stick around for decades rather than a few years.
53. People in their fifties and early sixties bear the heaviest family burdens.
C) These Americans in their 50s and early 60s... They are supporting both aged parents and unemployed young-adult children,earning them the unlucky nickname "Generation Squeeze".
解析：首先在题目中找到定位词their fifties and early sixties和the heaviest family burdens，由此定位到C段。C段中出现了in their 50s and early 60s，对应题目中的their fifties and early sixties。根据C段第二句语义，他们要支撑年迈的父母和失业的年轻子女，表示他们有着着非常重的家庭负担。题目是对C段的同义转述。
54. People who take benefits from Social Security before official retirement age will get much less for the rest of their lives.
L) The penalty they will pay is permanent, as retirees who take benefits at age 62 will receive as much as 30% less in each month's check for the rest of their lives than they would if they had waited until full retirement age (66 for those born after 1942).
解析：首先在题目中找到定位词official retirement age和get much less可定位到L段。L段中出现了retirees, receive as much as 30% less和until full retirement age。题目是对L段的同义转述。
55. Older workers' choice of jobs can be limited because of disability.
G) Older workers are more likely to have a disability of some sort, perhaps limiting the range of jobs that offer realistic choices.
18、53. People in their fifties and early sixties bear the heaviest family burdens.
A A
B B
C C
D D
E E
F F
G G
H H
I I
J J
K K
L L
M M
N N
O O
答案解析：46. Greater mobility puts younger people at an advantage in seeking new jobs.
F) Compared with the rest of the population, older people are also more likely to own their own homes and be less mobile than renters, who can move to new job markets.
解析：首先在题目中找到定位词mobility和seeking new jobs，由此可定位到F段。F段中move to new job markets其实就是去找工作，对应题目中的mobility和seeking new jobs。题目是对F段的同义转述。
47. Many of the older workers laid off during the recession had to accept lower pay in their new jobs.
I) In a survey of older workers who were laid off during the recession, just one in six had found another job, and half of that group had accepted pay cuts.
48. Those who lose their jobs shortly before retirement age live a shorter-than-average life.
D) A recent study by economists at Wellesley College found that people who lost their jobs in the few years before becoming qualified for Social Security lost up to three years from their life expectancy (预期寿命), largely because they no longer had access to affordable health care.
解析：首先在题目中找到定位词shortly before retirement age和shorter-than-average life，由此可定位到D段。D段中出现了before becoming qualified for Social Security和lost up to three years from their life expectancy，分别对应题目中的shortly before retirement age和shorter-than-average life。题目是对D段的同义转述。
49. Seniors at nursing homes could benefit from the weak job market.
O) The researchers argue that weak job markets push more workers into accepting relatively undesirable work at nursing homes, leading to better care for residents.
50. Age discrimination in employment makes it pointless retraining older workers.
K) "It just doesn't make sense to offer retraining for people 55 and older," said Daniel Hamermesh, an economics professor. "Discrimination by age, long-term unemployment, and the fact that they're now at the end of the hiring queue just don't make it sensible to invest in them."
解析：首先在题目中找到定位词age discrimination，pointless（无意义的）和retraining，由此可定位到K段。题目中的pointless（无意义的）是原文中doesn't make sense的同义替换。题目是对K段的同义转述。
51. According to recent reports and data analyses, boomers suffer most from the weak economy.
B) But the Labor Department's latest jobs reports and other recent data present a strong case for crowning baby boomers (二战后生育高峰期出生的人) as the greatest victims of the recession and its dreadful consequences.
解析：首先在题目中找到定位词boomers和suffer most from the weak economy，由此可定位到B段。B段中的recession意为“衰退”，对应题目中的weak economy。题目是对B段的同义转述。
52. Unemployed boomers are at a disadvantage in job-hunting because employers tend to hire younger workers.
H) Displaced boomers also believe they are victims of age discrimination, because employers can easily find a young, energetic worker who will accept lower pay and who can potentially stick around for decades rather than a few years.
53. People in their fifties and early sixties bear the heaviest family burdens.
C) These Americans in their 50s and early 60s... They are supporting both aged parents and unemployed young-adult children,earning them the unlucky nickname "Generation Squeeze".
解析：首先在题目中找到定位词their fifties and early sixties和the heaviest family burdens，由此定位到C段。C段中出现了in their 50s and early 60s，对应题目中的their fifties and early sixties。根据C段第二句语义，他们要支撑年迈的父母和失业的年轻子女，表示他们有着着非常重的家庭负担。题目是对C段的同义转述。
54. People who take benefits from Social Security before official retirement age will get much less for the rest of their lives.
L) The penalty they will pay is permanent, as retirees who take benefits at age 62 will receive as much as 30% less in each month's check for the rest of their lives than they would if they had waited until full retirement age (66 for those born after 1942).
解析：首先在题目中找到定位词official retirement age和get much less可定位到L段。L段中出现了retirees, receive as much as 30% less和until full retirement age。题目是对L段的同义转述。
55. Older workers' choice of jobs can be limited because of disability.
G) Older workers are more likely to have a disability of some sort, perhaps limiting the range of jobs that offer realistic choices.
19、54. People who take benefits from Social Security before official retirement age will get much less for the rest of their lives.
A A
B B
C C
D D
E E
F F
G G
H H
I I
J J
K K
L L
M M
N N
O O
答案解析：46. Greater mobility puts younger people at an advantage in seeking new jobs.
F) Compared with the rest of the population, older people are also more likely to own their own homes and be less mobile than renters, who can move to new job markets.
解析：首先在题目中找到定位词mobility和seeking new jobs，由此可定位到F段。F段中move to new job markets其实就是去找工作，对应题目中的mobility和seeking new jobs。题目是对F段的同义转述。
47. Many of the older workers laid off during the recession had to accept lower pay in their new jobs.
I) In a survey of older workers who were laid off during the recession, just one in six had found another job, and half of that group had accepted pay cuts.
48. Those who lose their jobs shortly before retirement age live a shorter-than-average life.
D) A recent study by economists at Wellesley College found that people who lost their jobs in the few years before becoming qualified for Social Security lost up to three years from their life expectancy (预期寿命), largely because they no longer had access to affordable health care.
解析：首先在题目中找到定位词shortly before retirement age和shorter-than-average life，由此可定位到D段。D段中出现了before becoming qualified for Social Security和lost up to three years from their life expectancy，分别对应题目中的shortly before retirement age和shorter-than-average life。题目是对D段的同义转述。
49. Seniors at nursing homes could benefit from the weak job market.
O) The researchers argue that weak job markets push more workers into accepting relatively undesirable work at nursing homes, leading to better care for residents.
50. Age discrimination in employment makes it pointless retraining older workers.
K) "It just doesn't make sense to offer retraining for people 55 and older," said Daniel Hamermesh, an economics professor. "Discrimination by age, long-term unemployment, and the fact that they're now at the end of the hiring queue just don't make it sensible to invest in them."
解析：首先在题目中找到定位词age discrimination，pointless（无意义的）和retraining，由此可定位到K段。题目中的pointless（无意义的）是原文中doesn't make sense的同义替换。题目是对K段的同义转述。
51. According to recent reports and data analyses, boomers suffer most from the weak economy.
B) But the Labor Department's latest jobs reports and other recent data present a strong case for crowning baby boomers (二战后生育高峰期出生的人) as the greatest victims of the recession and its dreadful consequences.
解析：首先在题目中找到定位词boomers和suffer most from the weak economy，由此可定位到B段。B段中的recession意为“衰退”，对应题目中的weak economy。题目是对B段的同义转述。
52. Unemployed boomers are at a disadvantage in job-hunting because employers tend to hire younger workers.
H) Displaced boomers also believe they are victims of age discrimination, because employers can easily find a young, energetic worker who will accept lower pay and who can potentially stick around for decades rather than a few years.
53. People in their fifties and early sixties bear the heaviest family burdens.
C) These Americans in their 50s and early 60s... They are supporting both aged parents and unemployed young-adult children,earning them the unlucky nickname "Generation Squeeze".
解析：首先在题目中找到定位词their fifties and early sixties和the heaviest family burdens，由此定位到C段。C段中出现了in their 50s and early 60s，对应题目中的their fifties and early sixties。根据C段第二句语义，他们要支撑年迈的父母和失业的年轻子女，表示他们有着着非常重的家庭负担。题目是对C段的同义转述。
54. People who take benefits from Social Security before official retirement age will get much less for the rest of their lives.
L) The penalty they will pay is permanent, as retirees who take benefits at age 62 will receive as much as 30% less in each month's check for the rest of their lives than they would if they had waited until full retirement age (66 for those born after 1942).
解析：首先在题目中找到定位词official retirement age和get much less可定位到L段。L段中出现了retirees, receive as much as 30% less和until full retirement age。题目是对L段的同义转述。
55. Older workers' choice of jobs can be limited because of disability.
G) Older workers are more likely to have a disability of some sort, perhaps limiting the range of jobs that offer realistic choices.
20、55. Older workers' choice of jobs can be limited because of disability.
A A
B B
C C
D D
E E
F F
G G
H H
I I
J J
K K
L L
M M
N N
O O
答案解析：46. Greater mobility puts younger people at an advantage in seeking new jobs.
F) Compared with the rest of the population, older people are also more likely to own their own homes and be less mobile than renters, who can move to new job markets.
解析：首先在题目中找到定位词mobility和seeking new jobs，由此可定位到F段。F段中move to new job markets其实就是去找工作，对应题目中的mobility和seeking new jobs。题目是对F段的同义转述。
47. Many of the older workers laid off during the recession had to accept lower pay in their new jobs.
I) In a survey of older workers who were laid off during the recession, just one in six had found another job, and half of that group had accepted pay cuts.
48. Those who lose their jobs shortly before retirement age live a shorter-than-average life.
D) A recent study by economists at Wellesley College found that people who lost their jobs in the few years before becoming qualified for Social Security lost up to three years from their life expectancy (预期寿命), largely because they no longer had access to affordable health care.
解析：首先在题目中找到定位词shortly before retirement age和shorter-than-average life，由此可定位到D段。D段中出现了before becoming qualified for Social Security和lost up to three years from their life expectancy，分别对应题目中的shortly before retirement age和shorter-than-average life。题目是对D段的同义转述。
49. Seniors at nursing homes could benefit from the weak job market.
O) The researchers argue that weak job markets push more workers into accepting relatively undesirable work at nursing homes, leading to better care for residents.
50. Age discrimination in employment makes it pointless retraining older workers.
K) "It just doesn't make sense to offer retraining for people 55 and older," said Daniel Hamermesh, an economics professor. "Discrimination by age, long-term unemployment, and the fact that they're now at the end of the hiring queue just don't make it sensible to invest in them."
解析：首先在题目中找到定位词age discrimination，pointless（无意义的）和retraining，由此可定位到K段。题目中的pointless（无意义的）是原文中doesn't make sense的同义替换。题目是对K段的同义转述。
51. According to recent reports and data analyses, boomers suffer most from the weak economy.
B) But the Labor Department's latest jobs reports and other recent data present a strong case for crowning baby boomers (二战后生育高峰期出生的人) as the greatest victims of the recession and its dreadful consequences.
解析：首先在题目中找到定位词boomers和suffer most from the weak economy，由此可定位到B段。B段中的recession意为“衰退”，对应题目中的weak economy。题目是对B段的同义转述。
52. Unemployed boomers are at a disadvantage in job-hunting because employers tend to hire younger workers.
H) Displaced boomers also believe they are victims of age discrimination, because employers can easily find a young, energetic worker who will accept lower pay and who can potentially stick around for decades rather than a few years.
53. People in their fifties and early sixties bear the heaviest family burdens.
C) These Americans in their 50s and early 60s... They are supporting both aged parents and unemployed young-adult children,earning them the unlucky nickname "Generation Squeeze".
解析：首先在题目中找到定位词their fifties and early sixties和the heaviest family burdens，由此定位到C段。C段中出现了in their 50s and early 60s，对应题目中的their fifties and early sixties。根据C段第二句语义，他们要支撑年迈的父母和失业的年轻子女，表示他们有着着非常重的家庭负担。题目是对C段的同义转述。
54. People who take benefits from Social Security before official retirement age will get much less for the rest of their lives.
L) The penalty they will pay is permanent, as retirees who take benefits at age 62 will receive as much as 30% less in each month's check for the rest of their lives than they would if they had waited until full retirement age (66 for those born after 1942).
解析：首先在题目中找到定位词official retirement age和get much less可定位到L段。L段中出现了retirees, receive as much as 30% less和until full retirement age。题目是对L段的同义转述。
55. Older workers' choice of jobs can be limited because of disability.
G) Older workers are more likely to have a disability of some sort, perhaps limiting the range of jobs that offer realistic choices.
New Yorkers are gradually getting used to more pedaling (骑车的) passengers on those shining blue Citi Bikes. But what about local bike shops? Is Citi Bike rolling up riders at their expense?
At Gotham Bikes in Tribeca, manager W. Ben said the shop has seen an increase in its overall sales due to the bike-share program. “It’s getting more people on the road,” he said. James Ryan, an employee at Danny’s Cycles in Gramercy also said Citi Bike is a good option for people to ease into biking in a city famed for its traffic jams and aggressive drivers. “They can try out a bike without committing to buying one,” he said.
Rentals are not a big part of the business at either Gotham Bikes or Danny’s Cycles. But for Frank’s Bike Shop, a small business on Grand St., the bike-share program has been bad news. Owner Frank Arroyo said his rental business has decreased by 90% since Citi Bike was rolled out last month. Arroyo’s main rental customers are European tourists, who have since been drawn away by Citi Bikes.
However, Ben said the bike-share is good for bike sales at his shop. “People have used the bike-share and realized how great it is to bike in the city, then decide that they want something nicer for themselves,” he noted.
Christian Farrell of Waterfront Bicycle Shop, on West St. just north of Christopher St., said initially he was concerned about bike-share, though, he admitted, “I was happy to see people on bikes.”
Farrell’s early concerns were echoed by Andrew Crooks, owner of NYC Velo, at 64 Second Ave. “It seemed like a great idea, but one that would be difficult to implement,” Crooks said of Citi Bike. He said he worried about inexperienced riders’ lack of awareness of biking rules and strong negative reaction from non-cyclists. However, he said, it’s still too early to tell if his business has been impacted.
While it’s possible bike-share will cause a drop in business, Crooks allowed that the idea is a positive step forward for New York City.
21、56. What is the author's chief concern about the increasing use of Citi Bikes in New York?
A How non-cyclists will respond to it.
B Whether local bike shops will suffer.
C Whether local bike businesses will oppose it.
D How the safety of bike riders can be ensured.
答案解析：
56. B) Whether local bike shops will suffer.
解析：题干中问道作者对纽约Citi Bikes自行车使用量增加的主要关注点是什么？由题干中的the increasing use of Citi Bikes in New York定位到第一段第一句。之后作者通过提问的方式引出他担忧的对象：当地自行车店。因此选B。A、C、D选项原文中并未提到。
22、57. What happened to Gotham Bikes as a result of the bike-share program?
A It found its bike sales unaffected.
B It shifted its business to rentals.
C It saw its bike sales on the rise.
D It rented more bikes to tourists.
答案解析：
57. C) It saw its bike sales on the rise.
解析：题干问道作为自行车共享计划的结果，Gotham Bikes发生了什么？细节题，由题干中的Gotham Bikes定位到第二段第一句“At Gotham Bikes in Tribeca, manager W. Ben said the shop has seen an increase in its overall sales due to the bike-share program.” W. Ben经理表示，由于自行车共享计划，该店的整体销量有所增加。因此选C。A、B、D选项与原文不符。
23、58. Why is the bike-share program bad news for Frank's Bike Shop?
A It cannot meet the demand of the bike-share program.
B Its customers have been drawn away by Citi Bikes.
C Its bike prices have to be lowered again and again.
D It has to compete with the city's bike rental shops.
答案解析：
58. B) Its customers have been drawn away by Citi Bikes.
解析：题干问道为什么自行车分享计划对弗兰克的自行车店来说是坏消息？由题干中的bad news for Frank’s Bike Shop定位到第三段第二句。接下来的两句解释了这句话：Frank出租店里业绩减少90%，因为他的主要业务对象是欧洲游客，而他们被城市自行车吸引走了。B选项是对本段最后一句的复现，因此选B。A、C、D选项原文中没有提到。
24、59. Why did Andrew Crooks think that the bike-share program would be difficult to execute?
A Inexperienced riders might break biking rules.
B Conflicts might arise among bike rental shops.
C Traffic conditions might worsen in the downtown area.
D There are not enough lanes to accommodate the bikes.
答案解析：
59. A) Inexperienced riders might break biking rules.
解析：题干问道为什么Andrew Crooks认为自行车共享计划很难执行？由题干中的Andrew Crooks和the bike-share program would be difficult to execute可定位到第六段第二句。根据第六段第三句“He said he worried about inexperienced riders’ lack of awareness of biking rules and strong negative reaction from non-cyclists.”可知Andrew Crooks担心没有经验的骑手缺乏对骑自行车规则的认识以及非骑自行车者的强烈消极反应。因此选A。B、C、D项原文中没有提到。
25、60. What is the general attitude of local bike shops towards Citi Bike?
Various studies have shown that increased spending on education has not led to measurable improvements in learning. Between 1980 and 2008, staff and teachers at U.S. public schools grew roughly twice as fast as students. Yet students showed no additional learning in achievement tests.
Universities show similar trends of increased administration personnel and costs without greater learning, as documented in Richard Arum and Josipa Roksa’s recent book Academically Adrift: Limited Learning on College Campuses.
A survey shows that 63% of employers say that recent college graduates don’t have the skills they need to succeed and 25% of employers say that entry-level writing skills are lacking.
Some simplistically attribute the decline in our public education system to the drain of skilled students by private schools, but far more significant events were at work.
Public schools worked well until about the 1970s. In fact, until that time, public schools provided far better education than private ones. It was the underperforming students who were thrown out of public schools and went to private ones.
A prominent reason public schools did well was that many highly qualified women had few options for working outside the house other than being teachers or nurses. They accepted relatively low pay, difficult working conditions, and gave their very best.
Having such a large supply of talented women teachers meant that society could pay less for their services. Women’s liberation opened up new professional opportunities for women, and, over time, some of the best left teaching as a career option, bringing about a gradual decline in the quality of schooling.
Also around that time, regulations, government, and unions came to dictate pay, prevent adjustments, and introduce bureaucratic (官僚的) standard for advancement. Large education bureaucracies and unions came to dominate the landscape, confusing activity with achievement. Bureaucrats regularly rewrite curricula, talk nonsense about theories of education, and require ever more administrators. The end result has been that, after all the spending, students have worse math and reading skills than both their foreign peers and earlier generations spending far less on education—as all the accumulating evidence now documents.
26、61. How do some people explain the decline in public education?
A Government investment does not meet schools' needs.
B Skilled students are moving to private schools.
C Qualified teachers are far from adequately paid.
D Training of students' basic skills is neglected.
答案解析：
61. B) Skilled students are moving to private schools.
解析：题干问道有些人如何解释公共教育的衰落？由题干中的some people explain the decline in public education定位到第四段 “Some simplistically attribute the decline in our public education system to the drain of skilled students by private schools.” 可知有些人认为学生流失到私立学校是公共教育衰落的原因，the drain of students表示“学生的流失”。因此选B。A、C、D与原文不符。
27、62. What do we learn from various studies on America's public education?
A Achievement tests have failed to truly reflect the quality of teaching.
B Public schools-lack the resources to compete with private schools.
C Little improvement in education has resulted from increased spending.
D The number of students has increased much faster than that of teachers.
答案解析：
62. C) Little improvement in education has resulted from increased spending.
解析：题干问道我们从美国公共教育的各种研究中学到什么？由题干中的various studies on America’s public education可定位到第一段第一句 “Various studies have shown that increased spending on education has not led to measurable improvements in learning. ” 可知各种研究表明，教育支出的增加并没有导致学习上的显著改善。因此选C。A、B、D选项原文中没有提到。
28、63. What was a significant contributor to the past glory of public schools?
A Well-behaved students.
B Efficient administration.
C Talented women teachers.
D Generous pay for teachers.
答案解析：
63. C) Talented women teachers.
解析：题干问道什么是公立学校过去辉煌的重要贡献者？由题干中的a significant contributor to the past glory of public schools定位到第六段第一句“A prominent reason public schools did well was that many highly qualified women had few options for working outside the house other than being teachers or nurses. ”可知公立学校做得很好的一个重要原因是，许多高素质的女性除了担任教师或护士外，在外面工作的选择很少。因此选C。A、B、D项原文中没有提到。
29、64. Why did some of the best women teachers leave teaching?
A New career opportunities were made available to them by women's liberation.
B Higher academic requirements made it difficult for them to stay in their jobs.
C They were unhappy with the bureaucratic administration in their schools.
D The heavy teaching loads left them little time and energy for family life.
答案解析：
64. A) New career opportunities were made available to them by women's liberation.
解析：题干中问道为什么一些最优秀的女教师离开教学领域？由题干中的some of the best women teachers leave teaching定位至第七段第一、二句“Having such a large supply of talented women teachers meant that society could pay less for their services. Women’s liberation opened up new professional opportunities for women,”由于工资低和新的就业机会的增多，导致优秀的女老师离开了教育行业，因此答案选A。B、C、D项原文中没有提到。
30、65. What does the author think is one of the results of government involvement in education?
A Increasing emphasis on theories of education.
B Highly standardized teaching methods.
C Students' improved academic performance.
D An ever-growing number of administrators.
答案解析：
65. D) An ever-growing number of administrators.
解析：题干问道作者认为政府参与教育的结果之一是什么？由题干中的government involvement in education定位到第八段第三句“and require ever more administrators”，可知有越来越多的管理人员。因此选D。A、B、C选项原文中没有提到。
