<p> 這是美國之音中文部《中級美國英語》里的一篇課文。該書于1990年11月出版發(fā)行。課文里描述的應(yīng)該是上世紀(jì)八十年代的美國老年人生活。</p> <p>People over the age of 65 in the United States are called senior citizens. Most senior citizens retire or no longer work full time. Also it is unusual for people of this age to live with their children and grandchildren. For many senior citizens, the years after age 65 are not enjoyable. They may feel unproductive when no longer work. Their lives lose meaning. In addition, they may feel lonely being away from their families. Moreover, they become more concerned about their heath as they grow older. If they live in big cities, they often worry about their safety. Other senior citizens enjoy their lives. They feel free to do things they were not able to do when they were working and raising families. They now have time to enjoy hobbies and sports and travel. They associate with their fellow senior citizens who have common interests and equal free time. Many senior citizens move to retirement communities located in warm climates. Some senior citizens continue to work beyond retirement age. Many find new careers and professional opportunities after they retire. The number of the senior citizens in the United States is increasing rapidly because people are living longer than before. The average life span for Americans is now more than 74 years. Because of their larger numbers and more active life styles, senior citizens are gaining social influence in the country both politically and economically. Their concerns are receiving a wider audience than ever before. The time may come when all Americans will look forward to becoming senior citizens.</p> <p> 這美國，超過65歲的公民被稱為老年人 大多數(shù)老年人退休或不再做全職工作。而且，這個(gè)年齡的老人很少與他們的孩子和孫子一起生活。大多老年人在65歲以后都會(huì)感到不愉快。他們可能因?yàn)椴荒茉俟ぷ骶陀X得自己沒有了價(jià)值。他們的生活失去了意義。此外，他們可能會(huì)因?yàn)檫h(yuǎn)離家人而感到孤獨(dú)，并且會(huì)隨著家人的年齡增長變得更加關(guān)心他們的健康。要是住在大城市里，他們經(jīng)常擔(dān)心自身的安全。還有一部分老人享受他們的生活。他們感到非常自由，因?yàn)樗麄兡苋プ鏊麄兿胱龅氖?，而這些事是他們當(dāng)時(shí)工作和養(yǎng)家時(shí)沒法做的。他們現(xiàn)在有時(shí)間去享受自己的興趣愛好和體育旅游所帶來的樂趣。他們覺得與年齡相同的老年人有著共同利益，同等的自由時(shí)間。許多老年人退休后會(huì)搬到氣候溫暖地區(qū)的老年公寓里去。即便超過了退休年齡，有些人還會(huì)繼續(xù)工作。還有很多老年人會(huì)在退休后去尋找新的工作和職業(yè)機(jī)會(huì)。美國老年人的數(shù)量在迅速增加，因?yàn)槿藗儸F(xiàn)在活的時(shí)間比以前更長，美國人的平均壽命已經(jīng)超過74歲。由于數(shù)量大而且有更積極的生活方式，使得老年人如今在國家政治上和經(jīng)濟(jì)上都發(fā)揮了重要的影響。現(xiàn)在他們的擔(dān)憂與煩惱比以前得到了更廣泛的社會(huì)關(guān)注，這有可能會(huì)促使所有美國人都期待成為老年人。</p>