下面我们再作一组练习. 这组练习的作法是由老师念一些句子说明美国老年 人目前的生活情况, 比方 "我们从事志愿工作以免与社会脱节." We do volunteer work so that we don't lose contact with the society. 请你用might 把 句子改成:If we didn't do volunteer work, we might lose contact with the society.

在这组练习里, 除了复习今天教的语法你还可以学习一些有用的词汇, 比方 "跟什么什么失去联系" lose contact with."跟某某人交往" associate with, "团 结" united, "为了要" in order to 等等. 请你在作练习的时候特别注意. 每作完 一句老师就会念出正确答案让你作个比较, 看你作对了没有.

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.听短文回答问题

今天我们要听一篇谈美国老年人生活的文章.

请你注意听. 等一会儿我们要依照惯例根据文章问你三个问题.

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.

现在请你回答三个问题. 每回答一个问题, 老师就会念出正确答案给你听.

第一个问题是:

M: Who are senior citizens?

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

第二个问题是:

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

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

第三个问题是:

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.