Passage 2

　　Opportunities for rewarding work become fewer for both men and women as they grow older. After age 40, job hunting becomes even more difficult. Many workers stay at jobs they are too old for rather than face possible rejection. Our youth-oriented, throw-away culture sees little value in older people. In writer Lilian Heilman’s words, they have “the wisdom that comes with age that we can’t make use of.”

　　Unemployment and economic need for work is higher among older women,, especially minorities, than among younger white women. A national council reports these findings: older women hold a job longer with less absenteeism (缺勤), perform as well or better, are more reliable, and are more willing to learn than men or younger women. Yet many older women earn poor pay and face a future of poverty in their retirement years. When “sexism meets ageism, poverty is no longer on the doorstep—it moves in,” according to Tish Sommers, director of a special study on older women for the National Organization for Women.

　　Yet a 1981 report on the White House Conference on Aging shows that as a group, older Americans are the “wealthiest, best fed, best housed, healthiest, most self-reliant older population in our history.” This statement is small comfort to those living below the poverty line, but it does explode some of the old traditional beliefs and fears: Opportunities for moving in and up in a large company may shrink but many older people begin successful small businesses, volunteer in satisfying activities, and stay active for many years. They have few role models because in previous generations the life span was much shorter and expectations of life were fewer. They are ploughing new ground.

　　Employers are beginning to recognize that the mature person can bring a great deal of stability and responsibility to a position. One doesn’t lose ability and experience on the eve of one’s 65th or 70th birthday any more than one grows up instantly at age 21.

　　46. After the age of 40, ______.

　　A. most workers are tired of their present jobs

　　B. many workers tend to stick to their present jobs

　　C. people find their jobs more rewarding than before

　　D. people still wish to hunt for more suitable jobs

　　47. From Heilman’s remark, we can see that ______.

　　A. full use has been made of the wisdom of older people

　　B. the wisdom of older people is not valued by American society

　　C. older people are no less intelligent than young people

　　D. the wisdom of older people is of great value to American society

　　48. Tish Sommers argues that ______.

　　A. older women find it hard to escape poverty

　　B. older women usually perform better in their jobs

　　C. the major cause of the poverty of older women is sexism

　　D. more people have come to believe in sexism and ageism

　　49. According to the third paragraph, it can be seen that older Americans ______.

　　A. have more job opportunities than young people

　　B. live below the poverty line

　　C. have new opportunities to remain active in society

　　D. no longer believe in the promise of a happy life upon retirement

　　50. It can be concluded from the passage that the writer ______.

　　A. calls attention to the living conditions of older Americans

　　B. advocates that the value of older people should get increasing recognition

　　C. attempts to justify the youth-oriented, throw-away culture of the United States

　　D. argues people should not retire at the age of 65 or 70

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