2007 T-3

文章¶

第一段¶

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 realties. 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.

count on → 依靠，指望：指在需要时期望某人或某事物提供帮助或支持
fair → adj. 公平的，合理的
diagnosis → n. 诊断，判断

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 theirs 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 Mom) 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.

stripe → n. 类型，种类；条纹，线条
side effect → 副作用
parachute → n. 降落伞（文中表示保护伞） v. 跳伞；伞降，空投；紧急任命，临危受命
back-up → 援助，后备人员
laid off/get laid off → 解雇/被解雇
weather → v. 安全渡过（困难），经受住 n. 天气，气候
disruption → n. 扰乱，中断

第三段¶

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.

第四段¶

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.

from ... perspective → 从.....角度
look far less like ..., and a good deal more like ... → 看起来远不像...，而更像 ...
wholesale → adj. 大规模的，大批的 n. 批发
overburdened → adj. 不堪重负的
fallout → n. 不良影响，后果，余波

题目¶

31¶

Today’s double-income families are at greater financial risk in that

[A] the safety net they used to enjoy has disappeared. → 原文说的保护伞（额外出去挣钱的备选人员）消失了，保险在另一句，拼凑原文+捏造信息

[B] their chances of being laid off have greatly increased. → 原文说如果，捏造信息

[C] they are more vulnerable to changes in family economics. → 整段的高度概括

[D] they are deprived of unemployment or disability insurance. → 原文只是说他们可以利用保险，但没说别剥夺，捏造信息

are deprived of → 被剥夺了

32¶

As a result of President Bush’s reform, retired people may have

[A] a higher sense of security. → 利用原文中的词误导

[B] less secured payments. → 同义改写

[C] less chance to invest. → 捏造

[D] a guaranteed future. → 偷换概念，与原文意思相反

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.

outweigh → vt. (在重要性或意义上) 超过；比 (某人) 重

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

单词记忆¶

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