英语听力精选进阶版 6463（在线收听）

When Luke went to university he thought he would be embarking on a new journey in life and getting his own place. In the UK, it's common to fly the nest at a fairly young age. Many choose a flatshare; others make plans to get on the property ladder.

But the current economic situation forced Luke back to his mum's house at the age of 27. And he's not alone: a quarter of young adults in the UK now live with their parents. The Office for National Statistics said more than 3.3 million adults between the ages of 20 and 34 were living with their parents in 2013.

Lack of jobs and the high cost of renting accommodation made Luke change his plans. He's frustrated: "There's something very difficult about being an adult living in an environment where you're still a child," he says. "It limits me socially; sometimes I feel it limits me professionally."

Indeed, many young people have no choice but to stay at 'the hotel of Mum and Dad'.

Krissy had to return home after a year away and now lives in rather cramped conditions, sharing the family's three-bedroom house with her siblings. She says they end up getting on each other's nerves when it's time to use the bathroom in the morning.

Of course, residing with your parents is not unusual in some countries. Economic conditions, culture, or family traditions mean many young people stay at home until they get hitched. Even then, it can be too expensive to rent or buy a house and the married couple continue to live at one of their parents' homes.

But some parents seem to enjoy having their kids back at home. Janice's daughters are part of what's being called 'the boomerang generation'. She says: "I get to share their lives with them, and I've got to know them all as adults. We have the sort of conversations that good friends do."

So for some it's a win-win situation – spending time with your families, and saving money.

Quiz 测验

1. How many adults between 20 and 34 are living with their parents in the UK?

According to the Office for National Statistics figures in 2013, more than 3.3 million adults.

2. What is making young people in the UK go back to their parents' homes?

The lack of jobs and the high cost of renting accommodation.

3. Which 'hotel' in the text means a free place to stay?

The 'hotel of Mum and Dad'.

4. Which word means 'small and crowded'?

Cramped.

5. Why are these young people being called 'the boomerang generation'?

Because like the Australian boomerang, they come back after they fly away.

Glossary 词汇表

to embark 着手，准备开始

(his) own place 属于自己的地方

to fly the nest 离开父母家

flatshare 合租公寓

the property ladder 房地产阶梯

frustrated 感到沮丧的

the hotel of Mum and Dad 爸妈的饭店（指父母家）

cramped 拥挤的

sibling 兄弟姊妹

to get on each other's nerves 使对方心烦意乱

to reside 居住

to get hitched 结婚

boomerang 回巢（族）

a win-win situation 双赢局面