阅读表达(共5小题;每小题3分,满分15分)阅读下面短文,并根据短文后的要求答题(请注意问题后的字数要求)。WorkisaveryimportantpartoflifeintheUnitedStates.WhentheearlyProtestantimmig
阅读表达(共5小题;每小题3分,满分15分)
阅读下面短文,并根据短文后的要求答题(请注意问题后的字数要求)。
WorkisaveryimportantpartoflifeintheUnitedStates.WhentheearlyProtestantimmigrants(新教徒移民)cametothiscountry,theybroughttheideathatworkwasthewaytoGodandheaven.Thisattitude,theProtestantWorkEthic(道德规范),stillinfluencesAmericatoday.Workisnotonlyimportantforeconomicbenefits,thesalary,butalsoforsocialandpsychologicalneed,thefeelingofdoingsomethingforthegoodofthesociety.Americansspendmostoftheirlivesworking,beingproductive.FormostAmericans,theirworkdefinesthem:theyarewhattheydo.Whathappensthen,whenapersoncannolongerwork?AlmostallAmericansstopworkingatagesixty-fiveorseventyandretire.Becauseworkissuchanimportantpartoflifeinthisculture,retirementcanbeverydifficult.Retireesoftenfeelthattheyareuselessandunproductive.Ofcourse,_______________;butleavingone’sjob,whateveritis,isadifficultchange,evenforthosewholookforwardtoretiring.Manyretireesdonotknowhowtousetheirtimeortheyfeellostwithouttheirjobs.
Retirementscanalsobringfinancialproblems.ManypeoplerelyonSocialSecuritycheckseverymonth.Duringtheirworkingyears,employeescontributeacertainpercentageoftheirsalariestothegovernment.Eachemployeralsogivesacertainpercentagetothegovernment.Whenpeopleretire,theyreceivethismoneyasincome.Thesechecksdonotprovideenoughmoneytoliveon,however,becausepricesareincreasingveryrapidly.Seniorcitizens,thoseoversixty-five,havetohavesavingsinthebankorotherretirementplanstomakeendsmeet.Therateofinflation(通货膨胀)isforcingpriceshighereachyear.SocialSecuritychecksalonecannotcoverthesegrowingexpenses.Thegovernmentofferssomeassistance,Medicareandwelfare,butmanyseniorcitizenshavetochangetheirlifestylesafterretirement.Theyhavetopspendcarefullytobesurethattheycanaffordtobuyfood,fuelandothernecessities.
Americansocietyisonlybeginningtobeconcernedaboutthespecialphysicalandemotionalneedsofitsseniorcitizens.Thegovernmentistakingstepstoeasetheproblemoflimitedincome.Theyarebuildingnewhousing,offeringdiscountsinstoresandmuseumsandon