citizens. Hence, if we are to have consensus, it must be based on a myth ¡ª a vision about a common experience, a conquest that made us Americans, as the myth about the conquest of Troy formed the Greeks. Only a common myth can offer relief from the fear that life is without meaning or purpose. Myths permit us to examine our place in the world by comparing it to a shared idea. Myths are shared fantasies that form the tie that binds the individual to other members of his group. Such myths help to ward off feelings of isolations, guilt, anxiety, and purposelessness ¡ª in short, they combat isolation and the breakdown of social standards and values.

¡¡¡¡26.In the eyes of the author, the greatest trouble with the US society may lie in

¡¡¡¡[A] the nonª²existence of consensus on the forms of the society should take.

¡¡¡¡ the lack of divergence over the common organizations of social life.

¡¡¡¡[C] the nonª²acceptance of a society based on individual diversity.

¡¡¡¡[D] the pervasive distress caused by national morale decline.

¡¡¡¡27.The asocial personality of Americans may stem from

¡¡¡¡[A] the absence of a common religion and ancestry.

¡¡¡¡ the multiracial constituents of the US society.

¡¡¡¡[C] the want of a shared myths they possess in life.

¡¡¡¡[D] the counterbalance to narcissistic personality.

¡¡¡¡28.Homer¡¯s epics is mentioned in Paragraph 1 in order to

¡¡¡¡[A] exemplify the contributions made by ancient poets.

¡¡¡¡ illustrate the role of shared fantasies about society.

¡¡¡¡[C] show an ideal stage of eternal social progress.

¡¡¡¡[D] make known myths of what a society ought to be.

¡¡¡¡29.The author concludes that only shared myths can help Americans

¡¡¡¡[A] to bring about the uniformity of their culture.

¡¡¡¡ to regain their consensus about a common experience.

¡¡¡¡[C] to stay away from negative feelings in their life.

¡¡¡¡[D] to counteract the effects of consensus about society.

¡¡¡¡30.It can be inferred from Paragraph 2 that Christopher Lash is most probably

¡¡¡¡[A] a reform advocate. a senior psychologist.

¡¡¡¡[C] a reputed poet.[D] a social historian

Text 3

¡¡¡¡The early retirement of experienced workers is seriously harming the U.S. economy, according to a new report from the Hudson Institute, a public policy research organization. Currently, many older experienced workers retire at an early age. According to the recently issued statistics, 79 percent of qualified workers begin collecting retirement benefits at age 62; if that trend continues, there will be a labor shortage that will hinder the economic growth in the twenty-first century.

¡¡¡¡Older Americans constitute an increasing proportion of the population, according to the U. S. Census Bureau, and the population of those over age 65 will grow by 60% between 2001 and 2020. During the same period, the group aged 18 to 44 will increase by only 4%. Keeping older skilled workers employed, even part time, would incr

ÔðÈα༭:gaoyan