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During the past generation，the American middle.class family that once could count on hard work and fair play to keep itself financially secure has been transformed by economic risk and new realities.Now a pink slip，a bad diagnosis，or a disappearing spouse can reduce a family from solidly middle class to newly poor in a few months.

In just one generation，millions of mothers have gone to work，transforming basic family economics.Scholars，policymakers，and critics of all stripes have debated the social implications Of these changes.but few have looked at the side effect：family risk has risen as well.Today’s families have budgeted to the limits of their new two.paycheck status.As a result，they have lost the parachute they once had in times of financial setback-a back.up earner(usually Morn)who could go into the workforce if the primary earner got laid off or fell sick.This “added worker effect” could support the safety net offered by unemployment insurance or disability insurance to help families weather。bad times.But today，a disruption to family fortunes can no longer be made up with extra income from an otherwise-stay-at-home partner.

During the same period.families have been asked to absorb much more risk in their retirement income.Steelworkers，airline employees，and now those in the auto industry are joining millions of families who must worry about interest rates，stock market fluctuation，and the harsh reality that they may outlive their retirement money.For much of the past year，President Bush campaigned to move Social Security to a Savings account model，with retirees trading much or all of their guaranteed payments for payments depending on investment returns.For younger families，the picture is not any better.Both the absolute cost of healthcare and the share of it borne by families have risen and newly fashionable health-savings plans are spreading from legislative halls to Wal-Mart workers，with much higher deductibles and a large new dose of investment risk for families’ future healthcare.Even demographics are working against the middle class family，as the odds of having a weak elderly parent—and all the attendant need for physical and financial assistance have jumped eightfold in just one generation.

From the middle class family perspective，much of this，understandably, looks far less like an opportunity to exercise more financial responsibility, and a good deal more like a frightening acceleration of the wholesale shift of financial risk onto their already overburdened shoulders.The financial fallout has begun，and the political fallout may not be far behind.

31.Today’s double income families are at greater financial risk in that____.

A. the safety net they used to enjoy has disappeared.

B. their chances of being laid off have greatly increased.

C. they are more vulnerable to changes in family economics.

D. they are deprived of unemployment or disability insurance.

32.As a result of President Bush’s reform，retired people may have____.

A. a higher sense of security. B. less secured payments.

C. less chance to invest. D. a guaranteed future.

33.According to the author, health savings plans will____.

A. help reduce the cost of healthcare. B. popularize among the middle class.

C. compensate for the reduced pensions. D. increase the families’ investment risk.

34.It can be inferred from the last paragraph that____.

A. financial risks tend to outweigh political risks.

B. the middle class may face greater political challenges.

C. financial problems may bring about political problems.

D. financial responsibility is an indicator of political status.

35.Which of the following is the best title for this text?

A. The Middle Class on the Alert B. The Middle Class on the Cliff

C. The Middle Class in Conflict D. The Middle Class in Ruins

答案解析
 

文章解析：根据中心统一原则确定，

文章首段主题句是During the past generation，the American middle.class family that once could count on hard work and fair play to keep itself financially secure has been transformed by economic risk and new realities.在上一代人中，曾经依靠勤奋工作、公平竞争保持家庭经济安全的美国中产阶级家庭由于经济风险和新的现实而发生了变化。

第二段确定段落内容方向的语句是In just one generation，millions of mothers have gone to work，transforming basic family economics.仅仅大约一代的时间，成百上千万的母亲出去工作，改变了基本的家庭经济模式。

第三段确定段落内容方向的语句是During the same period.families have been asked to absorb much more risk in their retirement income.同时，家庭在退休收入方面的风险也提高了。

第四段确定段落内容方向的语句是The financial fallout has begun，and the political fallout may not be far behind.经济的不良后果已经开始显现，政治影响可能也不远了。

不难发现，这篇文章围绕着中产阶级家庭的经济风险、退休金风险和医疗保障风险问题来展开。

题目解析：

31.细节题Today’s double income families are at greater financial risk in that_____.

选项A. the safety net they used to enjoy has disappeared.

他们过去所享受的安全网已经消失了。

B. their chances of being laid off have greatly increased.

他们下岗的机会大大提高了。

C. they are more vulnerable to changes in family economics.

他们更易受到家庭经济变化的影响。

D. they are deprived of unemployment or disability insurance.

他们被剥夺了失业险和残疾险。

该题利用定位词“double income families”和“financial risk”定位到文章第二段In just one generation，millions of mothers have gone to work，transforming basic family economics.Scholars，policymakers，and critics of all stripes have debated the social implications of these changes, but few have looked at the side effect：family risk has risen as well.Today’s families have budgeted to the limits of their new two.paycheck status.As a result，they have lost the parachute they once had in times of financial setback-a back.up earner(usually Morn)who could go into the workforce if the primary earner got laid off or fell sick.This “added worker effect” could support the safety net offered by unemployment insurance or disability insurance to help families weather。bad times.But today，a disruption to family fortunes can no longer be made up with extra income from an otherwise-stay-at-home partner.段落第一句In just one generation，millions of mothers have gone to work，transforming basic family economics.“仅仅大约一代的时间，成百上千万的母亲出去工作，改变了基本的家庭经济模式。”说明双职工家庭的出现。随后，下面第二句Scholars，policymakers，and critics of all stripes have debated the social implications Of these changes, but few have looked at the side effect：family risk has risen as well.“各行各业的学者、政策制定者和批评家们就这些变化的社会意义展开了辩论，但是很少有人看到其副作用：家庭风险也提高了。”提到了“家庭风险”，但是该句子没有提到风险发生的原因。作为细节题，定位词所在句如果没有足够信息，继续向下找答案。下面As a result，they have lost the parachute they once had in times of financial setback----a back-up earner(usually Morn)who could go into the workforce if the primary earner got laid off or fell sick.“现在的家庭预算达到了新的双薪家庭的极限。结果，他们就失去了在经济困顿时期的保护伞---作为后备力量的赚钱者(通常是妈妈)。如果家庭主要经济支柱事业了或者生病了，这个后备军可以进入劳动力市场。”选项A. the safety net they used to enjoy has disappeared.他们过去所享受的安全网已经消失了，与相关信息句动作“家庭预算达到新的双薪家庭的极限，失去了在经济困难时期的保护伞，妈妈作为后备力量的赚钱者在必要时可以进入劳动力市场”没有任何关联;选项B. their chances of being laid off have greatly increased.他们下岗的机会大大提高了，与相关信息句动作“家庭预算达到新的双薪家庭的极限，失去了在经济困难时期的保护伞，妈妈作为后备力量的赚钱者在必要时可以进入劳动力市场”没有任何关联;选项C. they are more vulnerable to changes in family economics.他们更易受到家庭经济变化的影响，与相关信息句动作“家庭预算达到新的双薪家庭的极限，失去了在经济困难时期的保护伞，妈妈作为后备力量的赚钱者在必要时可以进入劳动力市场”相关联，动作“更易受到家庭经济变化的影响”对应于“失去了在经济困难时期的保护伞”，体现“同意替换”的关系;选项D. they are deprived of unemployment or disability insurance.他们被剥夺了失业险和残疾险，与相关信息句动作“家庭预算达到新的双薪家庭的极限，失去了在经济困难时期的保护伞，妈妈作为后备力量的赚钱者在必要时可以进入劳动力市场”没有任何关联。 因此，正确答案为C. they are more vulnerable to changes in family economics.他们更易受到家庭经济变化的影响。

32.细节题As a result of President Bush’s reform，retired people may have_____.

选项A. a higher sense of security.更高的安全感。

B. less secured payments.更少的有保障的收入。

C. less chance to invest.更少的投资机会。

D. a guaranteed future.有保障的未来。

该题利用定位词“President Bush’s reform”和“retired people”定位到文章第三段……For much of the past year，President Bush campaigned to move Social Security to a Savings account model，with retirees trading much or all of their guaranteed payments for payments depending on investment returns……“在过去的大部分时间里，布什总统致力于将社会保障推广成储蓄账户模式，让退休人员将他们的大部分或者全部有保障的退休金变成依赖于回报率的投资回报。” 选项A. a higher sense of security.更高的安全感，与相关信息句动作“致力于将社会保障推广成储蓄账户模式，让退休人员将他们的大部分或者全部有保障的退休金变成依赖于回报率的投资回报” 相悖，将退休金转变成依赖于回报率的投资无疑是一种存在风险的福利形式;选项B. less secured payments.更少的有保障的收入，与相关信息句动作“致力于将社会保障推广成储蓄账户模式，让退休人员将他们的大部分或者全部有保障的退休金变成依赖于回报率的投资回报” 相符合，将退休金转变成依赖于回报率的投资无疑是一种存在风险的福利形式;选项C. less chance to invest.更少的投资机会，与相关信息句动作“致力于将社会保障推广成储蓄账户模式，让退休人员将他们的大部分或者全部有保障的退休金变成依赖于回报率的投资回报” 没有任何关联;选项D. a guaranteed future.有保障的未来，与相关信息句动作“致力于将社会保障推广成储蓄账户模式，让退休人员将他们的大部分或者全部有保障的退休金变成依赖于回报率的投资回报” 相悖，将退休金转变成依赖于回报率的投资无疑是一种没有保障的福利形式。因此，正确答案为B. less secured payments.更少的有保障的收入。

33.细节题According to the author, health savings plans will_____.

选项A. help reduce the cost of healthcare.有助于减少医疗卫生成本。

B. popularize among the middle class.在中产阶级中流行。

C. compensate for the reduced pensions.补偿减少了的退休金。

D. increase the families’ investment risk.增加了家庭投资的风险。

该题利用定位词“health savings plans”定位到文章第三段……Both the absolute cost of healthcare and the share of it borne by families have risen and newly fashionable health-savings plans are spreading from legislative halls to Wal-Mart workers，with much higher deductibles and a large new dose of investment risk for families’ future healthcare……“医疗的绝对支出和家庭需要承担的部分都在提高---新的时髦的健康储蓄计划从立法大厅流传到沃尔玛职员那里，减免的部分增加了，会出现一些新的大的家庭未来的医疗投资风险。” 选项A. help reduce the cost of healthcare.有助于减少医疗卫生成本，与相关信息句动作“医疗的绝对支出和家庭需要承担的部分都在提高，新的时髦的健康储蓄计划从立法大厅流传到沃尔玛职员那里，减免的部分增加了，会出现一些新的大的家庭未来的医疗投资风险”没有任何关联;选项B. popularize among the middle class.在中产阶级中流行，与相关信息句动作“医疗的绝对支出和家庭需要承担的部分都在提高，新的时髦的健康储蓄计划从立法大厅流传到沃尔玛职员那里，减免的部分增加了，会出现一些新的大的家庭未来的医疗投资风险”没有任何关联;选项C. compensate for the reduced pensions.补偿减少了的退休金，与相关信息句动作“医疗的绝对支出和家庭需要承担的部分都在提高，新的时髦的健康储蓄计划从立法大厅流传到沃尔玛职员那里，减免的部分增加了，会出现一些新的大的家庭未来的医疗投资风险”没有任何关联;选项D. increase the families’ investment risk.增加了家庭投资的风险，与相关信息句动作“医疗的绝对支出和家庭需要承担的部分都在提高，新的时髦的健康储蓄计划从立法大厅流传到沃尔玛职员那里，减免的部分增加了，会出现一些新的大的家庭未来的医疗投资风险”相关联，动作“增加了家庭投资的风险”对应于“出现一些新的大的家庭未来的医疗投资风险”体现“同意替换”的关系。因此，正确答案为D. increase the families’ investment risk.增加了家庭投资的风险。

34.推断题It can be inferred from the last paragraph that_____.

选项A. financial risks tend to outweigh political risks.

经济风险趋向于大于政治风险。

B. the middle class may face greater political challenges.

中产阶级可能面对更大的政治挑战。

C. financial problems may bring about political problems.

经济问题可能会导致政治问题。

D. financial responsibility is an indicator of political status.

经济责任反映政治地位。

该题目作为推断题，要明确找到指定的最后一段的主题句。根据“主题句---细节句原则”，文章尾段From the middle class family perspective，much of this，understandably, looks far less like an opportunity to exercise more financial responsibility, and a good deal more like a frightening acceleration of the wholesale shift of financial risk onto their already overburdened shoulders.The financial fallout has begun，and the political fallout may not be far behind.段落只有段首和段尾两个句子。段落首句From the middle class family perspective，much of this，understandably, looks far less like an opportunity to exercise more financial responsibility, and a good deal more like a frightening acceleration of the wholesale shift of financial risk onto their already overburdened shoulders.“从中产阶级家庭的角度来看，可以理解，前面提到的多数情况看起来并不像是一个承担更多经济责任的机会，而更像是一个将经济风险大规模转移到他们已经不堪重负的肩膀上的加速过程。”明确是细节。 因此，段落的主题句为段尾句The financial fallout has begun，and the political fallout may not be far behind.“经济的不良后果已经开始显现，政治影响可能也不远了。”选项A. financial risks tend to outweigh political risks.经济风险趋向于大于政治风险，与相关信息句动作“经济的不良后果已经开始显现，政治影响可能也不远了”相关联，但是相关信息句中没有将二者做比较;选项B. the middle class may face greater political challenges.中产阶级可能面对更大的政治挑战，与相关信息句动作“经济的不良后果已经开始显现，政治影响可能也不远了”没有任何关联;选项C. financial problems may bring about political problems. 经济问题可能会导致政治问题，与相关信息句动作“经济的不良后果已经开始显现，政治影响可能也不远了”相关联，动作“经济问题可能会导致政治问题”对应于“经济的不良后果已经开始显现，政治影响可能也不远了”，体现“同意替换”的关系;选项D. financial responsibility is an indicator of political status.经济责任反映政治地位，与相关信息句动作“经济的不良后果已经开始显现，政治影响可能也不远了”似乎有关联，但是相关信息句中叙述的是“政治和经济风险”而不是“政治和经济责任”。因此，正确答案为C. financial problems may bring about political problems. 经济问题可能会导致政治问题。

35.主旨题Which of the following is the best title for this text?

选项A. The Middle Class on the Alert 警惕着的中产阶级

B. The Middle Class on the Cliff 岌岌可危的中产阶级

C. The Middle Class in Conflict 冲突中的中产阶级

D. The Middle Class in Ruins 已经毁灭的中产阶级

作为主旨题要明确找到文章每个段落的主题句。第一段During the past generation，the American middle-class family …has been transformed by economic risk…“在上一代人中，曾经依靠勤奋工作、公平竞争保持家庭经济安全的美国中产阶级家庭由于经济风险和新的现实而发生了变化。”第二段In just one generation，millions of mothers have gone to work，transforming basic family economics.“仅仅大约一代的时间，成百上千万的母亲出去工作，改变了基本的家庭经济模式。”第三段During the same period.families have been asked to absorb much more risk in their retirement income.“同时，家庭在退休收入方面的风险也提高了。”第四段The financial fallout has begun，and the political fallout may not be far behind.“经济的不良后果已经开始显现，政治影响可能也不远了。”因此，正确答案为B. The Middle Class on the Cliff 岌岌可危的中产阶级。

全文翻译在上一代人中，曾经仰仗勤奋工作、公平竞争保持家庭经济安全的美国中产阶级家庭由于经济风险和新的现实而发生了变化。现在一纸解雇通知书、一份病中诊断或夫妻离异都可能让一个稳定的中产家庭在几个月内变成新的贫困户。

仅仅大约一代的时间，成百上千万的母亲出去工作，改变了基本的家庭经济模式。各行各业的学者、政策制定者和批评家们就这些变化的社会意义展开辩论，但是很少有人看到其副作用：家庭风险也提高了。现在的家庭预算达到了新的双薪家庭的极限。结果，他们就失去了在经济困顿时期具有的保护伞——作为后备力量的赚钱者(通常是妈妈)。如果家庭主要经济支柱失业了或者生病了，这个后备军可以进入劳动力市场。这个“附加的劳动力效果”会对由失业保险和伤残保险组成的安全网构成支持，帮助家庭渡过难关。但现在，家庭财富的中断不能再得到弥补，过去，这种弥补通过是由一个在正常情况下赋闲在家的伴侣出去工作获得的。

同时，家庭在退休收入方面的风险也提高了。钢铁工人、航空公司职员，现在还有汽车企业员工都在担心利率，股票市场的波动以及自己会在有生之年花光退休金的严酷现实，这样的家庭有成百上千万个。在过去的大部分时间里，布什总统致力于将社会保障推广成储蓄账户模式，让退休人员将他们的大部分或全部有保障的退休金变成依赖于回报率的投资回报。对于较年轻的家庭，情况没有好转。医疗的绝对支出和家庭需要承担的部分都在提高——新的时髦的健康储蓄计划从立法大厅流传到沃尔玛职员那里，减免的部分增加了，会出现一些新的大的家庭未来的医疗投资风险。甚至人口统计学的结果也对中产阶级家庭不利，因为如果有一个年老力衰的父母亲，随之而来的照料所需要的精力和财力在一代的时间内也增加了八倍。

从中产阶级家庭的角度来看，可以理解，前面提到的多数情况看起来不像是一个承担更多经济责任的机会，而更像是一个将经济风险大规模转移到他们已经不堪重负的肩膀上的加速过程。经济的不良后果已经开始显现，政治影响可能也不远了。