Happy birthday! Do birthday really make people happy? Of course they do. Birthday celebrate the day when we were born. Besides, that extra candle on the cake suggest another year of growth and maturity—or so we hope. We all like to imagine that we are getting wiser and not just older. Most of us enjoy seeing the wonder of growth in others, as well. For instance, seeing our children develop and learn new things makes us feel proud. For Americans, like people in most cultures, growing up is a wonderful process. But growing old? That is a different story.
Growing old is not exactly for people in youth-oriented(以年轻人为中心) American culture. Most Americans like to look young, act young and feel young. As the old saying goes, “You’re young as you feel.” Older people joke about how many years young they are, rather than how many years old. People in some countries value the aged as a source of experience and wisdom. But Americans seem to favor those that are young, or at least “young at heart”.
Many older Americans find the “golden years” to be anything but golden. Economically, “senior citizens” often struggle just to get by. Retirement at the age of 65 brings a sharp decrease in personal income. Social security benefits usually cannot make up the difference. Older people may suffer from poor nutrition, medical care, and housing. Some even experience age discrimination. American sociologist Pat Moore once dressed up like an older person and wandered city streets. She was often treated rudely—even cheated and robbed. However, dressed as a young person, she received much more respect.
Unfortunately, the elderly population in America is increasing fast. Why? People are living longer. Fewer babies are being born. And middle-aged “baby boomers” are rapidly entering the group of the elderly. America may soon be a place where wrinkles(皱纹) are “in”. Marketing experts are ready noticing this growing group of consumer.
Growing up is a wonderful thing because ____________.
A. people can celebrate their birthday B. people can receive many presents
C. people can become more mature and wiser D. people will feel younger at heart
We can infer from the second paragraph that __________.
A. different countries have different opinions on the old age
B. American older people often joke about their old age
C. American culture is very young
D. young people lack experience and wisdom
What does the third paragraph mainly tell us?
A. The golden years can make the old earn lots of money.
B. American social security benefits are not good.
C. The old in America are leading a hard life.
D. The old in America have to retire at the age of 65.
What does the underlined word “in” in the last paragraph mean?
A. serious B. disappearing slowly C. cool D. growing fast
According to the text, which of the following is correct?
A. The young are often discriminated in America.
B. The young are more respected than the old in America.
C. Growing old makes people feel proud in America.
D. The old are more respected than the young in America.