As a wise man once said, we are all ultimately alone. But an increasing number of Europeans are choosing to be so at an ever earlier age. This isn't the stuff of gloomy philosophical contemplations, but a fact of Europe's new economic landscape, embraced by sociologists, real-estate developers and ad executives alike. The shift away from family life to solo lifestyle, observes a French sociologist, is part of the "irresistible momentum of individualism" over the last century. The communications revolution, the shift from a business culture of stability to one of mobility and the mass entry of women into the workforce have greatly wreaked havoc on (扰乱) Europeans' private lives. Europe's new economic climate has largely fostered the trend toward independence. The current generation of home-aloners came of age during Europe's shift from social democracy to the sharper, more individualistic climate of American style capitalism. Raised in an era ofprivatization and increased consumer choice, today's tech-savvy (精通技术) workers have embraced a free market in love as well as economics. Modem Europeans are rich enough to afford to live alone, and temperamentally independent enough to want to do so. Once upon a time, people who lived alone tended to be those on either side of marriage--twenty something professionals or widowed senior citizens. While pensioners, particularly elderly women, make up a large proportion of those living alone, the newest crop of singles are high earners in their 30s and 40s who increasingly view living alone as a lifestyle choice. Living alone was conceived to be negative--dark and cold, while being together suggested warmth and light. But then came along the idea of singles. They were young, beautiful, and strong! Now, young people want to live alone. The booming economy means people are working harder than ever. And that doesn't leave much room for relationships. Pimpi Arroyo, a 35-year-old composer who lives alone in a house in Paris, says he hasn't got time to get lonely because he has too much work. "I have deadlines which would make life with someone else fairly difficult." Only an Ideal Woman would make him change his lifestyle, he says Kaufmann, author of a recent book called "The Single Woman and Prince Charming", thinks this fierce new individualism means that people expect more and more of mates, so relationships don't last long-- if they start at all. Eppendorf, a blond Berliner with a deep tan, teaches grade school in the mornings. In the afternoon she sunbathes or sleeps, resting up for going dancing. Just shy of 50, she says she'd never have wanted to do what her mother did--give up a career to raise a family. Instead, "I've always done what I wanted to do: live a self-determined life./
单选题
More and more young Europeans remain single because______ A. they are driven by an overwhelming sense of individualism B. they have entered the workforce at a much earlier age C. they have embraced a business culture of stability D. they are pessimistic about their economic future
【正确答案】
A
【答案解析】[解析] 根据文章第一段第二、三句“This isn’t the stuff of gloomy philosophical contemplations，but a fact of Europe’S new economic landscape，embraced by sociologists，real—estate developers and ad executives alike．The shift away from family life to solo lifestyle，observes a French sociologist，is part of the“irresistible momentum of individualism”over the last century．”可 知，正如一位法国社会学家评论道，欧洲越来越多的年轻人保持单身，从家庭生活到单身 独居的转变，是百年来势不可挡的个人主义浪潮的体现。据此判断，答案是A。
单选题
What is said about European society in the passage? A. It has fostered the trend towards small families. B. It is getting closer to American-style capitalism. C. It has limited consumer choice despite a free market. D. It is being threatened by irresistible privatization.
【正确答案】
B
【答案解析】[解析] 根据文章第二段第二句“The current generation ofhome．aloners came ofage during Europe’S shift from social democracy to the sharper,more individualistic climate of American style capitalism．”可知，如今选择独居的这代人成长于欧洲社会从民主政治向更富有朝气、更具 个性的美国资本主义生活方式的过度时期。可见，欧洲社会在靠近美国的资本主义生活方 式。据此判断，答案是B。
单选题
According to Paragraph 3, the newest group of singles are______ A. warm and lighthearted B. on either side of marriage C. negative and gloomy D. healthy and wealthy
【正确答案】
D
【答案解析】[解析] 根据文章第三段第二句“While pensioners，particularly elderly women，make up a large proportion of those living alone，the newest crop of singles are high earners in their 30s and 40s who increasingly view living alone as a lifestyle choice．”可知，过去领抚恤金的人多数是单身，而且是 年龄大的女士。而如今的单身贵族则是30到40岁的高收入群体。据此判断，答案是D。
单选题
The author quotes Eppendorf to show that______ A. some modern women prefer a life of individual freedom B. the family is no longer the basic unit of society in present-day Europe C. some professional people have too much work to do to feel lonely D. most Europeans conceive living a single life as unacceptable
【正确答案】
B
【答案解析】[解析] 根据文章最后一段最后两句“Just shy of 50，she says she'd never have wantedto do what her mother did—give up a career to raise a family．Instead．“I've always done what I wanted to do： live a self-determined life．”可知，这位女士说她从未想过要做家庭主妇，她一直都在做自己 想做的事：过自主的生活。据此判断，答案是B。
单选题
What is the author's purpose in writing the passage? A. To review the impact of women becoming high earners. B. To contemplate the philosophy underlying individualism. C. To examine the trend of young people living alone. D. To stress the rebuilding of personal relationships.