Question

【题目】They should be Britain’s gilded (镀金的) youth, enjoying opportunities to study, travel and start exciting careers in a way older generations could only dream about. But instead they are the “Ipod” generation —“Insecure, Pressured, Over-taxed and Debt-ridden”—according to a study by a group of experts who provide advice and ideas on social issues.

“We thought that each generation would be better off than its predecessors (前辈),” said Professor Nick Bosanquet of Imperial College London, one of its authors. “But young people today have more duties and it is much more difficult for them to raise their incomes and create wealth. This really is a very big issue for the country.”

According to the report, today’s youth don’t have enough confidence and ability to build on the economic foundations created by post-war baby boomers (生育高峰期出生的人) . Because they are in debt, they are also reluctant to take risks. Levels of entrepreneurship (企业家精神) among Britain’s youth are lower than in America, Australia, New Zealand and Ireland and have fallen over the past decade. Many choose the jobs which offer a good amount of money after they retire. Others have to take any job that is available to try to pay off their debts.

“I borrowed a lot of money from the bank to pay for my education at university, which is the biggest chain around my neck now,” said Phil Grech, 22, from Cumbria, who has a degree in maths from the University of Reading. “I’m only doing a temporary job at the moment to pay the mounting bills. I haven’t really thought about the long term. Many people think that when you leave university you can get a good job, but it’s no longer like that.”

While older generations enjoyed higher education funded by taxpayers, young people today face university tuition fees and a decreasing “return” in the salary advantage they will get from their degrees.

【1】What is the text mainly about?

A. Britain’s gilded youth.

B. The “Ipod” generation in Britain.

C. The challenges faced by the British today.

D. The career choices Britain’s youth have.

【2】What’s the biggest problem in Phil Grech’s life?

A. Low income.

B. The debt.

C. Not having a good college degree.

D. Not having job opportunities.

【3】We can infer from the text that the “Ipod” generation __________.

A. doesn’t have much determination

B. doesn’t want to have a full-time job

C. lives a harder life than the older generations

D. hasn’t realized the importance of saving money

【4】Which of the following words can best take the place of the word “reluctant” in the third paragraph?

A. Unwilling. B. Foolish.

C. Quick. D. Sorry.

Answer 1

【答案】

【1】B

【2】B

【3】C

【4】A

【解析】

试题分析：本文讲述的是英国这一代的青年人是属于IPOD世代——经济状况不稳定(economic insecurity, I)，来自年龄，身份，地位和新移民的沉重压力(pressured, P)，必须负担政府的各种过重税负(over-taxed, O)，以及公共和私人的债务(debt-ridden, D)四项压力，所形成所谓的经济不稳定、压力过大、税负过高及债务缠身的综合体。

【1】B主旨大意题。通读文章可知，本文讲述的是被称作IPOD世代的，英国的这一代青年人。故该题正确答案为B.

【2】B细节推理题。根据文章倒数第二段中“I borrowed a lot of money from the bank to pay for my education at university, which is the biggest chain around my neck now,” said Phil Grech可知，Phil Grech最大的问题就是：债务。故该题正确答案为B.

【3】C细节推理题。根据文章中提到的关于这一代的年轻人与父辈的比较today’s youth don’t have enough confidence and ability to build on the economic foundations created by post-war baby boomers.和While older generations enjoyed higher education funded by taxpayers, young people today face university tuition fees and a decreasing “return” in the salary advantage they will get from their degrees.可知，这一代的年轻人生活得比其父辈们要艰辛。故该题正确答案为C.

【4】A词义猜测题。根据语境Because they are in debt, 因为他们负债，所以他们显然是“不愿意”冒险的。故该题正确答案为A.