英语听力精选进阶版 6331

As China's economy has grown bigger, its population has grown older. But is China growing too old, too fast?

The one-child policy has caused a decline¹ in the birth rate, while the average age has gone up. One in four permanent residents² in Shanghai is retired³, and the rest of China will soon be just as mature. The Chinese population is no spring chicken: by the year 2050, a third of Chinese people will be over the age of 60.

A demographer⁴ from Fudan University said that "the speed of ageing in China is unique." It has only taken China 20 years to reach an age profile⁵ that took Britain or France 60 or 70 years.

But what problems are associated with living until a ripe old age? Fewer than 2% of the elderly will find a place in a state nursing home because all the beds are taken up.

China's economy also depends on a supply of cheap, young workers – and this supply is running out. "You can see the way an ageing society is affecting the labour force" says Jerry Mo, owner of a small factory. "We are becoming unprofitable."

An ancient Chinese saying sums up why this challenge is so worrying: China will become "too old to get rich." Despite its booming⁶ economy, China is still a developing country. Can it find solutions as quickly as new challenges are born?

Quiz 小测验

1. Find four words or expressions in the article that mean 'old'.

Mature, no spring chicken, ageing, elderly.

2. Is this statement true, false or not given? One in four Chinese people is retired.

False. One in four residents in Shanghai is retired, and soon the situation will be the same in the rest of China.

3. Is this statement true, false or not given? In 2050, a third of Chinese people will be in their 60s.

False. In 2050, a third of Chinese people will be over the age of 60, but not necessarily⁷ in their 60s.

4. Name two problems caused by China's ageing population and low birth rate.

1) Fewer than 2% of the elderly will find a place in a state nursing home. 2) The supply of young workers is disappearing.

5. Find two words in the article that mean 'growing'.

Booming and developing.

Glossary 词汇表

grown bigger 已经越来越大

grown older 已经越来越老

birth rate 出生率

average age 平均年龄

retired 退休的

mature 成熟的

no spring chicken 不再年轻了

demographer 人口统计学家

age profile 年龄轮廓

until a ripe old age 直到老年

elderly 老年人

nursing home 养老院

ageing society 老龄化社会

ancient 古老的

booming 蓬勃增长的

developing 发展中的

1 decline   

n.衰微，跌落，下降；vt.使降低，婉谢；vi.下降，衰落，偏斜

参考例句：

• I must decline to show favour to any of the candidates.我必须拒绝偏袒任何一位候选人。
• The birthrate is on the decline.出生率在下降。

2 residents   

n.居民( resident的名词复数 )；（旅馆的）住宿者

参考例句：

• Plans to build a new mall were deep-sixed after protests from local residents. 修建新室内购物中心的计划由于当地居民反对而搁浅。
• Local residents have reacted angrily to the news. 当地居民对这一消息表示愤怒。

3 retired   

adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的

参考例句：

• The old man retired to the country for rest.这位老人下乡休息去了。
• Many retired people take up gardening as a hobby.许多退休的人都以从事园艺为嗜好。

4 demographer   

n.人口统计学家

参考例句：

• Professor Antonio Golini is a demographer at the University of Rome. 罗马大学安东尼奥教授是位人口统计学家。 来自互联网
• Demographer William Frey says immigrants with young families will help keep the United States competitive. 人口统计学家佛瑞表示这些年轻的家庭会帮助美国保持竞争力。 来自互联网

5 profile   

n.侧面，轮廓，人物素描；概要，人物简介；v.描绘...轮廓，评论人物

参考例句：

• I turned my head and saw the profile of a man.我转过头，看见一个人的侧影。
• He drew her profile.他给她画侧面像。

6 booming   

adj.急速发展的v.激增( boom的现在分词 )；猛涨；发出隆隆声；以低沉有力的声音说话

参考例句：

• The opera singer has a deep, booming, masculine voice. 这位歌剧演唱家有一副深沉而又浑厚有力的嗓音。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
• He is booming as a teacher. 作为一位教师，他日趋成功。 来自《简明英汉词典》

7 necessarily   

adv.必要地，必需地；必定地，必然地

参考例句：

• More work does not necessarily call for more men.增加工作量不一定就要增添人员。
• A voter must necessarily be no younger than eighteen.选民必须在18岁以上。