1. Look at the illustration on the previous page and answer the questions below.
a. What are these two people doing?
b. Do you think that they are on vacation? с How old do you think they are?
d. "Retire" means to stop working when you are old. What do you think a "retirement city" is?
2. Complete these sentences about your culture.
a. People usually retire when they are____________
b. After retirement, they spend their time__________________ ing
(verb)
B. Topic
DIRECTIONS: Before you begin to read, look at these topics. There is one topic for each paragraph. Look quickly at the reading to find these topics. Do not read every word at this point. Write the number of the paragraph next to the topic of that paragraph.
1. the financial problems of retirement
2. the value of work in America
3. answers to some problems
4. _______ the positive side of retirement
5. _______ explanation of retirement
С. Reading
DIRECTIONS: Now read.
Work is a very important part of life in the United States. 1
When the early Protestant immigrants came to this country, they 2
brought the idea that work was the way to God and heaven. This 3
attitude, the Protestant work ethic, still influences America today. 4
1 Work is not only important for economic benefits, the salary, but 5
also for social and psychological needs, the feeling of doing some – 6
thing for the good of the society. Americans spend most of their 7
lives working, being productive. For most Americans, their work 8
defines them: They are what they do. What happens, then, when a 9
person can no longer work? 10
Most Americans stop working at age sixty-five or seventy and 11
retire. Because work is such an important part of life in this culture, 12
retirement can be very difficult. Retirees often feel that they are 13
2 useless and unproductive. Of course, some people are happy to re – 14
tire; but leaving one’s job, whatever it is, is a difficult change, even 15
for those who look forward to retiring. Many retirees do not know 16
how to use their time or they feel lost without their jobs. 17
Retirement can also bring financial problems. Many people 18
rely on Social Security checks every month. During their working 19
years, employees contribute a certain percentage of their salaries 20
to the government. Each employer also gives a certain percentage 21
to the government. When people retire, they receive this money as 22
income. These checks do not provide enough money to live on, how – 23
ever, because prices are increasing very rapidly. Senior citizens, 24
3 those over sixty-five, have to have savings in the bank or other re – 25
tirement plans to make ends meet. The rate of inflation is forcing 26
prices higher each year; Social Security checks alone cannot cover 27
these growing expenses. The government offers some assistance, 28
Medicare (health care) and welfare (general assistance), but many 29
senior citizens have to change their lifestyles after retirement. They 30
have to spend carefully to be sure that they can afford to buy food, 31
fuel, and other necessities. 32
Of course, many senior citizens are happy with retirement. 33
4 They have time to spend with their families or to enjoy their hob – 34
bies. Some continue to work part time; others do volunteer work. 35
Some, like those in the Retired Business Executives Association, 36
even help young people to get started in new businesses. Many re – 37
tired citizens also belong to "Golden Age" groups. These organi – 38
zations plan trips and social events. There are many opportunities 39
for retirees. 40
American society is only beginning to be concerned about the 41
5 special physical and emotional needs of its senior citizens. The gov – 42
ernment is taking steps to ease the problem of limited income. They 43
are building new housing, offering discounts in stores and museums 44
and on buses, and providing other services, such as free courses, 45
food service, and help with housework. Retired citizens are a rapidly 46
growing percentage of the population. This part of the population 47
is very important and we must respond to their needs. After all, 48
every citizen will be a senior citizen some day. 49
React
Underline one interesting idea from the reading. Read it aloud several times to yourself to understand its meaning more fully.
DIRECTIONS: Write the line number where you find the wordfsj. Then choose the best meaning for the word as it is used in that sentence.
|
1. |
work |
line number__ |
||
|
a. material |
b. jobs |
с |
business |
|
|
2. |
influences |
line number__ |
||
|
a. changes |
b. affects |
с |
compares |
|
|
3. |
economic |
line number__ |
||
|
a. partial |
b. financial |
с |
supportive |
|
|
4. productive |
line number__ |
|||
|
a. useful |
b. unnecessary |
с |
professional |
|
|
5. |
retirement |
line number |
||
|
a. stopping work |
b. employment |
с |
taking a rest |
|
|
6. |
employer |
line number |
||
|
a. worker |
b. boss |
с |
businessman |
|
|
7. |
afford |
line number |
||
|
a. be able to buy |
b. contribute |
с |
prevents |
|
8. volunteer |
line number |
|
|
a. unpaid |
b. salaried |
с intentional |
|
9. contribute |
line number |
|
|
a. include |
b. take |
с give |
|
10. provide |
line number |
|
|
a. give |
b. prepare |
с offer |
|
Part 2 |
DIRECTIONS: Find a word in the reading which has a meaning similar to the following. The line is given.
1. belief (4)_______________________________
2. pay (5)
3. useful (8)______________________________
4. unimportant (14)________________________
5. depend on (19)__________________________
6. part (21)_______________________________
7. salary (23)_____________________________
8. needed things (32)_______________________
9. older (33)______________________________
10. worried (41)____________________________
11. reduced prices (44)______________________
12. answer (48)____________________________
E. Reading Comprehension
DIRECTIONS: Circle the letter of the choice that best completes each sentence.
1. The author believes that work first became important to Americans because of pressure.
a. economic b. religious с family
2. Protestants believed in____
a. high salaries b. America с hard work
3. Senior citizens have to have other savings because Social Security checks____
a. are not enough b. come monthly с cover growing
expenses
4. When Americans stop work, it is difficult for them to____
a. feel productive b. get Social Security с be religious
checks
5. According to the author,____ Americans stop work at age sixty-five or seventy.
a. some b. a few с most
6. The author mentions____ examples of discounts.
a. two b. three с four
7. Many retirees feel useless because they____
a. do volunteer work b. have limited incomes с aren’t working
8. The last sentence of the reading means that each person———
a. is important b. is a citizen с will grow old
9. A salary is a____ benefit.
a. psychological b. social с financial
10. Many people who retire feel unproductive because their work——
a. defined their lives b. was unimportant с was difficult
section 2
A. Vocabulary
DIRECTIONS: Circle the letter of the choice that best completes each sentence.
1.
 |
 |
Clothing is an example of a(n)____________
b. employer с employee
a percentage of my income to my church.
b. receive с contribute
to work at the school; he never gets paid.
b. volunteers с provides
6. The older children in a family always____ the younger ones.
a. establish b. influence
7. I don’t have enough money to buy a new car. I cannot_
a. demand b. provide
8. Your salary is very low. Do you have any other___ ?
a. income b. interest
9. His physical condition is unbelievable: he’s seventy and he_
a. no longer b. then с still
10. He is a—- volunteer here at the hospital; he is a big problem and no help.
a. productive b. useful с useless
В. Vocabulary/Comprehension
 |
 |
DIRECTIONS: Complete the reading summary with the words from this list. Try to complete it first without looking back at the reading.
Generally speaking, Americans (1)_______________ until they are (2)
__ Then they (3) (4)______________________ can
be very difficult for people because their work was so (5)__________
to them. Often people work so much that they do not take the time to
(6)____________ or to have a(n) (7)_____________ Then when they
retire, they don’t know what to do with all the (8)______________ time
on their hands. They also can feel (9)_____________ because they are
not being (10)_____________ Retirement isn’t easy.
1. One problem for senior citizens is financial. List some sources of income that retirees in the U. S. have.
2. Does your country have a social security system similar to the one in the United States? How does the system work? Do senior citizens have enough money to live on?
3. Another problem that retirees face is what to do with all their free time. What are some of the activities mentioned in the reading?
4. What do you think are the most serious problems of old age? Write #1 next to the most serious problem for the elderly.
In your home country
__ financial________ physical______ psychological______ housing
In the United States
__ financial________ physical______ psychological______ housing
D. Graph
DIRECTIONS: The question of growing old is different for different countries. Study the fol
lowing chart and answer the questions below.
Estimated population in selected countries for the year 1990.
|
PERCENTAGE |
PERCENTAGE |
||
|
MEDIAN |
OF POPULATION |
OF POPULATION |
|
|
AGE* |
FROM AGE 0-14 |
65 AND OLDER |
|
|
Australia |
31.8 |
22.5 |
10.8 |
|
Brazil |
22.7 |
35.2 |
4.7 |
|
France |
38.5 |
19.2 |
13.0 |
|
Greece |
36.5 |
21.1 |
13.4 |
|
Ghana |
16.5 |
47.1 |
2.8 |
|
Indonesia |
22.0 |
35.7 |
3.8 |
|
Japan |
36.8 |
19.2 |
11.4 |
|
Korea |
24.1 |
32.4 |
4.2 |
|
Lebanon |
21.5 |
35.3 |
5.1 |
|
Malaysia |
21.9 |
35.7 |
3.9 |
|
Mexico |
19.6 |
39.1 |
3.7 |
|
Sweden |
39.0 |
16.0 |
17.6 |
|
Switzerland |
38.1 |
16.6 |
14.8 |
|
U. S.S. R. |
31.5 |
25.1 |
9.4 |
|
U. S. |
32.8 |
22.1 |
12.2 |
|
Venezuela |
20.8 |
38.3 |
3.7 |
|
•median age means that 50 percent of the population is older than that age and 50 percent is younger. Source: World Population Prospectus: Estimates and Projections as Assessed in 1984. New York: United Nations, 1986. |
There are great differences in the age of the populations in the various countries.
1. Which country has the largest percentage of retired people?______
2. Which country has the largest percentage of children?___________
3. In which country is more than 50 percent of the population over 39?
4. Find two countries which have similar population trends? Explain why.
a.
b. ___________
If these population trends continue, think about what will happen in different countries, and how the number of older people and the number of children will affect life in those countries.
____________________________________
|
|
A. Background Building
Read these two opinions about retirement. Which is more positive? Which do you think your parents will have when they retire? How about you?
1. "I’ve never been happier. I finally have time to do all the things that I had always wanted to do."
2. "I have too much time and I don’t always know what to do with myself. I almost never see my friends from work."
B. Timed Reading
DIRECTIONS: Read the following point of view and answer the questions in
four minutes.
I retired about a year ago. The company had a big party for me and gave me a gold watch for more than thirty years of service. At the party, everyone said to me, "Retirement is a time to do all the things you didn’t have time to do. It’s a new beginning." I can’t say that I dislike retirement, but after working for thirty-five years, day after day, it’s hard to adjust to all this free time.
Just after I retired, Peg and I went to visit John, Jr. in Chicago and Ann in New York. We really had a good time. We enjoy being together. In fact, John, Jr. invited us to come and live with him. He knows that living on Social Security checks and a small retirement plan is not easy. But we decided not to move in with him. We have our lives and he and his wife have theirs. We are going to stay here in town. We may move to an apartment, because the house is too big for only the two of us and it’s hard to keep clean. Peg is having some trouble with her back; she’s seeing the doctor tomorrow.
Money isn’t a serious problem for us because we do have some savings, but we have to make careful decisions about what we can afford. We’re not used to living on a fixed income, but we make ends meet. I still belong to the club and I play cards there once a week, and we spend time with other retired couples in the area. My only regret is that I didn’t spend enough time thinking about retirement before it happened.
DIRECTIONS: Read each of the following statements carefully to determine whether each is true (Tj, false (F), or impossible to know (ITKj.
1. This man retired about six months ago.
2. ________ The people at the party were negative about retiring.
3. _ _ _ This man’s son is married.
4. _______ This man worked for forty years in the company.
5. ________ He and his wife are moving in with John, Jr.
6. ________ This man dislikes retirement.
7. ________ He and his wife live only on their savings and a retire
ment plan.
8. ______ This man has other children at home.
9. This man has some physical problems.
10. This man and his wife are going to move from the town.
DIRECTIONS: Fill in the blanks with vocabulary from the reading. Make necessary changes in the form of the word.
1. serious/regret/plans
I have some_____________________________________________ about my
____________________ to live away from my family.
2. in fact/begin/back/trouble
Little by little he is_____________________ to feel better.________________ ,
he has no_____________________ at all with his_____________________ now.
3. dislike/decisions/money
I_______________ making__________________ about__________________
4. limited/afford/make ends meet
I can’t__________________________ to live on a_______________ income because I can’t
DIRECTIONS: Show your opinion of the following statements by putting і next to your first preference, 2 next to your second choice, and so on through 6. Share your ideas with a classmate or the class.
When my parents grow old and retire, I hope that they live
________ with me.
________ with my brother.
________ with my sister.
________ some time with me, and some time with my brother and/or
sister.
________ near me, so I can visit them.
________ independently of the family.
Often a real problem happens when one parent dies and the other is alone. If my father died, I’m sure that my mother would
________ continue living where she is living.
________ move in with me.
live with my brother.
live with my sister.
move to a smaller residence.
move to a nursing home (a home for the elderly).
E. Word Analysis
Part 1
DIRECTIONS: Choose the appropriate word form in each sentence.
|
1. special |
1. What is the |
of this restau- |
|
specialty |
rant? |
|
|
2. pain |
2. What a |
in the neck! |
|
painful |
||
|
painless |
||
|
3. simple |
3. She is a |
child. |
|
simplicity |
||
|
4. knowledge |
4. Her |
of physics surprised me. |
|
knowledgeable |
||
|
5. beneficial |
5. It is |
to visit another country. |
|
benefit |
||
|
6. cultural |
6. Differences in |
often cause se- |
|
culture |
rious trouble. |
|
|
7. familiarity |
7. I was unaccustomed to the |
in |
|
familiar |
that society. |
|
|
8. fear |
8. He is without |
|
|
fearless |
||
|
fearful |
||
|
9. impressionable |
9. She is very young and |
|
|
impression |
||
|
10. senseless |
10. What is the real |
of this word? |
sense Part 2
1. Study the meanings of these:
Another example:
-er the subject trainer
of the stem________________________________
-ее the object of trainee_____________________
the stem
(Note: – er endings are more common than – ее endings)
|
popul- |
people |
population |
|
cent- |
hundred |
percentage |
|
psych- |
the mind |
psychological |
2. Complete the sentences with one of the above words.
a. What is the_____________________ of your city?
b. Sometimes retirement is a big_____________________ adjustment. It takes
time to get used to it.
с In the circus, an animal______________________ works very closely with the
animal to teach it tricks.
d. What____________________ of the people voted against gun control?
e. My sister is a___________________ in computer programming. She’s learn
ing a lot in her program.
3. Write the meaning of the boldfaced word on the line.
a. The city celebrated its bicentennial with a parade and other special activities.
b. The man tried to kill his family. He was psychotic.
с The manager showed the trainees around the store.
d. The law was extremely unpopular._____________________
section 4
A. Vocabulary
DIRECTIONS: Circle the letter of the choice that best completes each sentence. 1. Poverty in a wealthy society is a(n)_______________________________ problem.
|
a. mobile |
b. ethical |
с |
spacious |
|
|
2. |
She is in her last year of high school. She is a ■ |
|||
|
a. junior |
b. senior |
с |
beginner |
|
|
3. |
A car is a(n) |
in the suburbs. |
||
|
a. aspect |
b. establishment |
с |
necessity |
|
|
4. |
Don’t worry. Everything will be fine. Heaven will |
|||
|
a. produce |
b. provide |
с |
make ends meet |
|
|
5. |
This coat is |
You can have it with 15 percent off. |
||
|
a. salaried |
b. increasing |
с |
discounted |
|
|
6. |
The price of gold |
daily. |
||
|
a. costs |
b. inflates |
с |
develops |
|
|
7. |
I can with twenty dollars a day. |
|||
|
a. afford |
b. make ends meet |
с |
look for |
|
|
8. |
This hat is |
in the rain. It’s too small and doesn’t cover my head. |
||
|
a. fixed |
b. useless |
с |
casual |
|
|
9. |
Our culture |
our thoughts and actions. |
||
|
a. influences |
b. gets started |
с |
contains |
|
|
10. |
He’s a very good student. , he’s the best in the class. |
|||
|
a. For example |
b. In fact |
с |
Therefore |
DIRECTIONS: Find the word or phrase in column В which has a similar meaning to a word in column A. Write the letter of that word or phrase next to the word in column A.
|
A |
В |
|
|
1. |
afford |
a. useful |
|
2. |
provide |
b. affect |
|
3. |
necessities |
c. value |
|
4. |
influence |
d. part |
|
5. |
ethic |
e. needed things |
|
6. |
financial |
f. be able to buy |
|
7. |
growing |
g. economic |
|
8. |
percentage |
h. respond |
|
9. |
answer |
i. increasing |
|
0. |
productive |
j. give |
Visit a retirement community or an old age home. Work with your teacher to arrange your visit. Some possibilities: prepare some entertainment for the people there; become a "conversation partner" with someone there; prepare some snacks for some of the people there and have some informal discussions with them; ask to interview them about questions you have prepared.
A recent study about old age showed that older people were happy with their lives but that young people thought that senior citizens were lonely and worried. Think about a senior citizen you know. Is that person lonely or unhappy? What does this person do with his or her free time?
The United States is often criticized for being a country where everyone wants to be young, especially older people. Think about older people you have seen in the United States. Write some positive aspects of their lives and some negative aspects:
Positive Negative
4. There is a well-known expression in English: "You’re only as old as you feel." What do you think this means? Do you agree?
D. Vocabulary Preview
|
DIRECTIONS: What smaller words can you find in the following words?
|
1. What book is this from?
2. What information is listed?
F. Scanning
Answer these questions as quickly as possible.
3. Find an organization that helps seniors with health problems.
4. Find three organizations that help seniors get good food to eat.
5. Find an organization that helps a senior who cannot drive.
6. Find an organization that helps Indochinese and Chinese senior citizens.
7. Where can seniors go if they want people to socialize with?
8. What is your reaction to the information in Figure 1?
|
|
|
|
|
Senior Citizens Serv |
|
|
Organizations (Cont’d) |
_____________ ✓ |
ELM BAPTIST CHURCH-
Sun Sch 9:30 AM-Wor 11 AM & 6 PM Senior Adults-Wed 10:30 AM-7 PM Bible Study-Childrens Clubs-Youth Spanish Speaking Services Available Rev John Miller-Sr. Pastor Richard Lee-Assistant Pastor N46th & Sunnyside 491-4354
GOLDEN CARE PLUS
Associated With City Hospital
1550 N 115th…………. 365-7587
Green Senior Center 525 N 85th 447-7841
Hamption House For Senior Citizens
5225 15th NE………….. 524-0473
Hanley Nutrition Site 1210SW 136th 448-5768
Hanley Senior Center 1210 SW 136th 244-3686
HOME REPAIRS F0RTHE ELDERLY
500 30th St…………… 447-7802
HOMESHARING F0RSENI0RS
1601 2nd Ave Suite 800…. 448-5725
Independent Living 1715 E Cherry 322-3637
Indochina/Chinese Elderly Association
409 Maynard St………… 624-9577
June Valley Senior Center
105 2nd Ave NE………… 392-2381
LA EASEL RESTAURANT
252416th……………… 329-3837
Lifetime Learning Center 202 John 283-5523
Lifetime Services Inc
800 5th Ave Suite 800….. 622-8220
MEALS-ON-WHEELS
1601 2nd Ave Suite 800…. 448-5767
North Senior Center
9929 NE 180th 8th……… 487-2441
Northwest Senior Center 4429 32 NW 447-7811
Norton Day Care For Adults
9250 14th NW………….. 784-8285
Nutrition Projects for Senior Citizens
1601 2d Suite 800……… 448-5768
Pederson John Social Services
3015 37th SW………….. 935-3020
Red Cross Aid To Aging
1900 25th Av S………… 323-2345
Senior Center of Weston
4217 SW Oregon………… 932-4044
SENIOR MEAL PROGRAM
1601 2nd Ave Suite 800….. 448-5768
SENIOR INFORMATION & ASSISTANCE
1601 2nd Ave Suite 800 …. 448-3110
SENIOR REFERRAL SERVICE…… 344 5767
Senior Rights Assistance
1601 2nd Ave Suite 800…. 448-5720
SENIOR RIGHTS ASSISTANCE
1601 2nd Ave Suite 800… 448-5720
Senior Services
211 Burnett N :………… 235-2533
SENIOR SERVICES OF SEATTLE/KING COUNTY
1601 2nd Ave Suite 800…. 448-5757
Central Area
500-30th Ave S……….. 447-7816
Greenwood
525 N 85th St………… 447-7841
First Hill
800 Jefferson St……… 448-5748
Southeast Seattle
7315-39th Ave S………. 722-0317
Northwest
5429-32nd Ave NW……… 447-7811
Tallmadge Hamilton House
5225-1 5th Ave NE……… 524-0473
Wallingford
4649 Sunnyside Ave…….. N 447-7825
West Seattle
421 7 SW Oregon St…….. 932-4044
Black Diamond
6th & Lawson……….. 886-2418
Maple Valley,
22010 SE 248th………… 432-3222
Bothell
9929 NE 180th…………. 487-2441
Shoreline
835 NE 155th………….. 365-1536
Sno-Valley
Stossel & Commercial Sts.. 333-4152
Vashon-Maury
SW 176th St…………… 463-5173
Share The Ride Club P…….. О Box 80325 246 7881
Shoreline Senior Adult Multi Service Center
835 NE 155th…………… 365-1536
Southeast Seattle Senior Center
4655 S Holly St……….. 722 0317
SPECIALIZED TRANSPORTATION
1601 2nd Ave Suite 800…. 448 5740
Wallingford Senior Center
4649 Sunnyside N………. 447-7825
White Center Nutrition Program 9002 16th SW 762-8762
Figure
|