Question

Generational differences and the economy are shifting more responsibilities for children from their parents to grandparents, according to a new survey.

More than one-third of grandparents aged 50 and older contribute financially to their grandchildren’s upbringing, and 11 percent have a grandchild living with them, the poll by AARP showed.

40 percent of people who responded to the telephone survey, whose average age was 69, reported spending more than ＄500 on grandchildren over the past year beyond traditional gifts. Education costs accounted for about 50 percent, daily expenses for about 32 percent and medical and dental costs for about 18 percent.16 percent provided daycare for grandchildren.

“They are the safety nets for American families, helping to pay for practical expenses and necessities,”said Amy Goyer, AARP’s multigenerational and family issues (问题) expert.

“We see many providing daycare services, while growing numbers even have grandchildren living with them,”she said, referring to the 16 percent who watch their grandchildren while the parents are at work or at school.

Overall, nearly 90 percent of the 1,904 grandparents questioned said they play a very or somewhat important role in their grandchildren’s lives, and about 70 percent live within 50 miles of the closest one.

The poll conducted by Woelfel Research Inc. also showed that grandparents increasingly adapted to the younger generation’s life issues and preferred ways of communicating.

More than one-third connect with their grandchildren via email, Skype or text messaging, while half said they routinely discuss topics ranging from values to drug and alcohol use.

Nearly 40 percent said they had discussed dating or sex with at least one grandchild. About 60 percent said they spoke with their grandchildren at least once a week.

Most of the grandparents said they had five or more grandchildren, while one-fourth said they have grandchildren of a different race, mixed race or different ethnicity.

1.According to Paragraph 3, what did the spending of over ＄500 last year NOT involve?

A. Traditional gifts.

B. Education cost.

C. Daily expenses.

D. Medical and dental costs.

2.When do the 16% of the grandparents polled take care of their grandchildren?

A. When the parents are retired.

B. When the parents are working or buying gifts.

C. When the parents are at work or at school.

D. When there are three generations in the family.

3.Which of the following statements is TRUE, according to the passage?

A. One-third of grandparents aged 50 and older assist in bringing up their grandchildren.

B. The grandparents surveyed offered nets to their grandchildren.

C. Many grandparents polled said they play an important role in their grandchildren’s lives.

D. A majority of the grandparents surveyed said they had five or more grandchildren.

4.What is the best title of the passage?

A. American grandparents are more responsible for grandchildren

B. Woelfel Research Inc. and AARP

C. Generational differences and the present economy

D. Grandparents and their grandchildren

Answer 1

1.A

2.C

3.D

4.A

【解析】

试题分析：根据一项新的调查表明，由于代系的不同和经济的原因，在美国越来越多的祖父母要照看自己的孙子孙女。

1.细节理解题。根据reported spending more than ＄500 on grandchildren over the past year beyond traditional gifts. Education costs accounted for about 50 percent, daily expenses for about 32 percent and medical and dental costs for about 18 percent.16 percent provided daycare for grandchildren.祖父母除了给孙子孙女们买传统礼物还会花500美元用于孩子的教育经费、日常花销、和看病。排除法选A。

2.细节理解题。根据she said, referring to the 16 percent who watch their grandchildren while the parents are at work or at school.当孩子的父母在上班或在学校时，16%的祖父母照看孙子孙女。选C。

3.细节理解题。根据Most of the grandparents said they had five or more grandchildren,大多数的受访祖父母说他们5个甚至更多的孙子孙女。 选D。

4.。最佳标题。本文主要在讲述在美国越来越多的祖父母要照看自己的孙子孙女。因此最恰当的标题选A。

考点：科研类文章