Over the last 25 years, British society has changed a great deal-or at least many parts of it have. In some ways, however, very little has changed, particularly where attitudes are concerned. Ideas about social class— whether a person is “working-class” or “middle-class”—are one area in which changes have been extremely slow.
In the past, the working-class tended to be paid less than middle-class people, such as teachers and doctors. As a result of this and also of the fact that workers' jobs were generally much less secure, distinct differences in life-styles and attitudes came into existence. The typical working man would collect his wages on Friday evening and then, it was widely believed, having given his wife her “housekeeping”, would go out and squander the rest on beer and betting.
The stereotype of what a middle-class man did with his money was perhaps nearer the truth. He was—and still is—inclined to take a longerterm view. Not only did he regard buying a house of these provided him and his family with security. Only in very few cases did workers have the opportunity （or the education and training） to make such long-term plans.
Nowadays, a great deal has changed. In a large number of cases factory workers earn as much, if not more, than their middle-class supervisors. Social security and laws to improve century, have made it less necessary than before to worry about “tomorrow”. Working-class people seem slowly to be losing the feeling of inferiority they had in the past. In fact there has been a growing tendency in the past few years for the middleclasses to feel slightly ashamed of their position.
The changes in both life-styles and attitudes are probably most easily seen amongst younger people. They generally tend to share very similar tastes in music and clothes, they spend their money in having a good time, and save for holidays or longer-term plans when necessary. There seems to be much less difference than in previous generations. Nevertheless, we still have a wide gap between the well-paid （whatever the type of job they may have） and the low-paid. As long as this gap exists, there will always be a possibility that new conflicts and jealousies will emerge, or rather that the old conflicts will re-appear, but between different groups.
Which of the following is seen as the cause of class differences in the past?
由第一段可知，尽管社会发生了巨大的变革，但有些方面却没 有改变，尤其是“where attitudes are concerned”，后面举了社会阶级划 分的例子，由此可知过去attitude是划分阶级的一个重要原因。在第二 段第一句“In the past, the working-class tended to be paid less than middle-class people”也可看出过去金钱收入也是一个重要原因。因此 正确答案为A。
The writer seems to suggest that the description of ________ is closer to truth?
根据第二段和第三段的描述可知工人阶级的人们用钱通常比较 挥霍，而中产阶级用钱的方式就更加贴近现实，故此处指的是中产阶 级的人们的用钱方式，因此本题选C。
According to the passage, which of the following is not a typical feature of the middle -class?
根据第三段“The stereotype of what a middle-class man did with his money was perhaps nearer the truth”可知中产阶级的人处理钱的方 式会很贴近现实，由此可判断其意为很节约，因此本题选D。
Working-class people's sense of security increased as a result of all the following factors except ________?
根据倒数第二段“In a large number of cases factory workers earn as much, if not more, than their middle-class supervisors. Social security and laws to improve century, have made it less necessary than before to worry about ‘tomorrow’”即，在很多情况下，工厂工人的收入甚至比 他们的中产阶级监管者要多。提高社会保障，完善法律使得工人们不 再担心未来。也就是说社会保障还有法律的完善使得工人的安全感提 高了。而他们的生活条件也得到了改善。文章并没有提到更多的工作 机会提到了工人的安全感，因此答案为B。
Which of the following statement is incorrect?
由最后一段“The changes in both life-styles and attitudes are probably most easily seen amongst younger people”可知大多数变化发生 在年轻人身上，因此B项不正确，答案为B。