单选题
The age of gilded youth is over. Today's under-thirties are the first generation for a century who can expect a lower living standard than their parents. Research into the lifestyles and prospects of people who were born since 1970 shows that they are likely to face a lifetime of longer working hours, lower job security and higher taxes than the previous generation. When they leave work late in the evening, they will be more likely to return to a small rented flat than to a house of their own. When, eventually, they retire, their pensions are far lower in real terms than those of their immediate forebears. These findings are revealed in a study of the way how the ageing of Britain's population is affecting different generations. Anthea Tinker, professor of social gerontology at King's College London, who carried out much of the work, said the growth of the proportion of people over 50 had reversed the traditional flow of wealth from older to younger generations. "Today's older middle-aged and elderly are becoming the new winners, " she said. "They made relatively small contributions in tax but now make relatively big claims on the welfare system. Generations born in the last three to four decades face the prospect of handing over more than a third of their lifetime's earnings to care for them. " The surging number of older people, many living alone, has also increased demand for property and pushed up house prices. While previous generations found it easy to raise a mortgage, today's under-thirties have to live with their parents or rent. If they can afford to buy a home, it is more likely to be a flat than a house. Laura Lenox-Conyngham, 28, grew up in a large house and her mother did not need to work. Unlike her wealthy parents, she graduated with student and postgraduate loan debts of ￡13, 000. She now earns about ￡20, 000 a year, preparing food to be photographed for magazines. Her home is a one-bedroom flat in central London and she sublets the lunge sofa-bed to her brother. "My father took pity and paid off my student debts, " she said. "But I still have no pension and no chance of buying a property for at least a couple of years-and then it will be something small in a bad area. My only hope is the traditional one of meeting a rich man. " Tinker's research reveals Lenox-Conyngham is representative of many young professionals, especially in London, Manchester, Edinburgh and Bristol.
单选题
By saying "the growth of the proportion... to younger generations. " (Line 2, Para. 5), Anthea Tinker really means that ______. A. currently wealth flows from old generation to younger generation B. traditionally wealth flows from younger generation to old generation C. with the increasingly big population of over 50, the trend arises that wealth flows from younger generation to old generation D. with more and more people of over 50, traditions have been reversed
单选题
Why are today's older middle-aged and elderly becoming the new winners? A. Because they made relatively small contributions in tax, but younger generation will possibly hand over more than a third of their lifetime's earnings for the care of them. B. Because they contributed a lot in tax and now can claim much on the welfare system. C. Because they made small contributions, but now can make money easily. D. Because they outnumber younger generation and enjoy more privileges in the present society.
【正确答案】
A
【答案解析】本题为细节题。根据第六段第二句They made relatively small contributions in tax but now make relatively big claims on the welfare system和第三句Generations born in the last three to four decades face the prospect of handing over more than a third of their lifetime's earnings to care for them可知，这些老人过去在税收方面的贡献很小，而现在他们享受的社会福利却很多；在三四十年前出生的人则把他们一生中多于三分之一的所得用于照顾老年人，所以正确答案为A。
单选题
Which factor pushed up house prices? A. Many young men, who live alone, have increased demand for houses. B. Many young men need to rent more houses. C. It is easy to apply for a mortgage for young generation. D. The number of older people, many of whom live alone, becomes bigger and bigger.
【正确答案】
D
【答案解析】本题为细节题。根据第七段第一句The surging number of older people, many living alone, has also increased demand for property and pushed up house prices可知，老年人口数量越来越多且大多单独居住，他们需要更多的住房，因此促使房价上升，所以正确答案为D。
单选题
In what way does Laura Lenox-Conyngham make her living? A. By taking photographs for magazines. B. By marrying a rich man. C. By subletting the lounge sofa—bed to her brother. D. By preparing food for photographs for some magazines.
【正确答案】
D
【答案解析】本题为细节题。根据第八段第三句She now earns about ￡20, 000 a year，preparing food to be photographed for magazines可知，Laura Lenox-Conyngham年薪两万英镑，工作是为杂志准备要拍照的食物，所以正确答案为D。
单选题
We can conclude from the passage that ______. A. today's under-thirties are leading a miserable life in Britain B. Laura Lenox—Conyngbam's attitude to work and life represents that of many young professionals in Britain C. life can get harder for under-thirties in Britain D. the elders enjoy extremely high living slandards in Britain