下面我們再作一組練習. 這組練習的作法是由老師念一些句子說明美國老年 人目前的生活情況, 比方 "我們從事志愿工作以免與社會脫節." We do volunteer work so that we don't lose contact with the society. 請你用might 把 句子改成:If we didn't do volunteer work, we might lose contact with the society.

在這組練習里, 除了復習今天教的語法你還可以學習一些有用的詞匯, 比方 "跟什么什么失去聯系" lose contact with."跟某某人交往" associate with, "團 結" united, "為了要" in order to 等等. 請你在作練習的時候特別注意. 每作完 一句老師就會念出正確答案讓你作個比較, 看你作對了沒有.

M: We do volunteer work so that we don't lose contact with the society.

F: If we didn't do volunteer work, we might lose contact with the society.

M: We are active so that we can enjoy life.

F: If we weren't active, we might not enjoy life.

M: We associate with fellow senior citizens to be able to share our interests.

F: If we didn't associate with fellow senior citizens, we might not be able to share our interests.

M: We are united in order to have social influence.

F: If we weren't united, we might not have social influence.

三.聽短文回答問題

今天我們要聽一篇談美國老年人生活的文章.

請你注意聽. 等一會兒我們要依照慣例根據文章問你三個問題.

People over the age of 65 in the U.S. are called senior citizens. Life for these people is different than for younger Americans. Most senior citizens retire, or no longer work full time.

Also it is unusual for people of this age to live with their children and grandchildren.

Grandparents tend to live in their own houses or apartments away from their families.

For many senior citizens, the years after 65 are not enjoyable. They feel unproductive when they no longer work. Their lives lose meaning. In addition, they may feel lonely being away from their families and the contacts they had in their work. Moreover, they become more concerned with their health as they grow older. If they live in big cities, they often worry about their safety.

Other senior citizens enjoy their lives. They feel free to do things they were not able to do when they were working and raising families. They now have time to enjoy hobbies and sports and travel. They associate with their fellow senior citizens who have common interests and equal free time. Many senior citizens move to retirement communities located in warm climates. Some senior citizens continue to work beyond retirement age.

Many find new careers and professional opportunities after they retire.

The number of senior citizens in the U.S. is increasing rapidly because people are living longer than before. The average life span for Americans is now more than 74 years.

Because of their larger numbers and more active life styles, senior citizens are gaining social influence in the country, both politically and economically. Their concerns are receiving a wider audience than ever before. The time may come when all Americans will look forward to becoming senior citizens.

現在請你回答三個問題. 每回答一個問題, 老師就會念出正確答案給你聽.

第一個問題是:

M: Who are senior citizens?

F: Senior citizens are people over 65 years of age.

第二個問題是:

M: What are some of the problems for senior citizens?

F: Some of them feel unproductive, lonely and unsafe.

第三個問題是:

M: Why are senior citizens gaining social influence?

F: It is because the number of senior citizens is growing and because senior citizens are more active.