A． if they are willing to retire B． if they can well su……
第三篇
Problems of the Elderly
Gerontologists (老年人问题学者) study how old people are treated within a society
and how the elderly deal with the inevitable problems of aging, particularly
those involving health and income. Health problems include normal losses in
hearing, eyesight, and memory, and the increased possibility of
chronic(慢性的)diseases. These losses are gradual and proceed at different rates
for each individual. In general, the health of old people today is better than
that of earlier generation-a condition that is likely to improve still further
as more people receive better medical care throught their lives.
Because most old people are no longer in the labor force, a steady source
of income is necessary. Systems of pensions and benefits are characteristic of
industrial societies. One example is Social Security in the U. S. , which is now
increased automatically as the cost of living rises, thus reducing somewhat the
effect of inflation. Although the income of retired people is
about half that of working people, most manage to remain financially
independent. Income needs and health are what people consider
most when they decide whether to re-tire or not. Putting an end to the limit on
the retirement age is not expected to cause many workers to stay on the job if
they can afford to retire. The need to relieve strains on the Social Security
System, however, has led to legislation that gradually raises the age at which
people can get full benefits. This might force them to work longer in the
future. Elderly people themselves often display high spirits,
satisfaction with life, and feelings of self-worth. The important factors are
health and income. The task of modern societies is to ensure that the aged have
their basic needs met and that they can continue to function in the community.
The expression "if they can afford to retire" in paragraph 4 probably means______.
A．"if they are willing to retire" B．"if they can well support themselves after retirement" C．"if they are forced to retire" D．"if they are permitted not to retire"
