12月英语六级阅读模拟试题.docx

12月英语六级阅读模拟试题

WorkisaveryimportantpartoflifeintheUnitedStates.WhentheearlyProtestantimmigrantscametothiscountry,theybroughttheideathatworkwasthewaytoGodandheaven.Thisattitude,theProtestantworkethic,stillinfluencesAmericatoday.Workisnotonlyimportantforeconomicbenefits,thesalary,butalsoforsocialandpsychologicalneeds,thefeelingofdoingsomethingforthegoodofthesociety.Americansspendmostoftheirlivesworking,beingproductive.FormostAmericans,theirworkdefinesthem;theyarewhattheydo.Whathappens,thenwhenapersoncannolongerwork?MostAmericansstopworkingatagesixty-fiveorseventyandretire.Becauseworkissuchanimportantpartoflifeinthisculture,retirementcanbeverydifficult.Retireesoftenfeelthattheyareuselessandunproductive.Ofcourse,somepeoplearehappytoretire;butleavingone’sjob,whateveritisadifficultchange,evenforthosewholookforwardtoretiring.Manyretireesdonotknowhowtousetheirtimeortheyfeellostwithoutjobs.Retirementcanalsobringfinancialproblems.ManypeoplerelyonSocialSecuritycheckseverymonth.Duringtheirworkingyears,employeescontributeacertainpercentageoftheirsalariestothegovernment.Whenpeopleretire,theyreceivethismoneyasincome.Thesechecksdonotprovideenoughmoneytoliveon,however,becausepricesareincreasingveryrapidly.Seniorcitizens,thoseoversixty-five,havetohavesavingsinthebankorotherretirementplanstomakeendsmeet.Therateofinflationisforcingpriceshighereachyear;SocialSecuritychecksalonecannotcoverMedicare(healthcare)andwelfare(generalassistance)butmanyseniorcitizenshavetochangetheirlifestylesafterretirement.Theyhavetospendcarefullytobesurethattheycanaffordtobutfood,fuel,andothernecessities.Ofcourse,manyseniorcitizensarehappywithretirement.Theyhavetimetospendwiththeirfamiliesortoenjoytheirhobbies.Somecontinuetoworkparttime;othersdovolunteerwork.Some,likethoseintheRetiredBusinessExecutivesAssociation,evenhelpyoungpeopletogetstartedinnewbusiness.Manyretiredcitizensalsobelongto“GoldenAge”groups.Theseorganizationsplantripsandsocialevents.Therearemanyopportunitiesforretirees.Americanssocietyisonlybegi