How often one hears children wishing they were grown-up, and old people wishing they were young
again. Each age has its pleasures and its pains, and the happiest person is the one who enjoys what each
age gives him without wasting his time in useless regrets.
Childhood is a time when there are few responsibilities to make life difficult. If a child has good
parents, he is fed, looked after and loved, whatever he may do. It is impossible that he will ever again in
his life be given so much without having to do anything in return. In addition, life is always presenting new
things to the child—things that have lost their interest for older people because they are too well-known.
But a child has his pains: he is not so free to do what he wishes to do; he is continually being told to do
things, or being punished for what he has done wrong.
When the young man starts to earn his own living, he can no longer expect others to pay for his food,
his clothes, and his room, but has to work if he wants to live comfortably. If he spends most of his time
playing about in the way that he used to as a child, he will go hungry. And if he breaks the laws of society
as he used to break the laws of his parents, he may go to prison. If, however, he works hard, keeps out
of trouble and has good health, he can have the great happiness of building up for himself his own position
in society.
1. According to Para. 2, the writer thinks that_____.
A. life for a child is comparatively easy
B. a child is always loved whatever he does
C. if much is given to a child, he must do something in return
D. only children are interested in life
2. After a child grows up, he______.
A. will have little time playing
B. has to be successful in finding a job
C. can still ask for help when in trouble
D. should be able to take care of himself
3. Which of the following statements is NOT true according to the passage?
A. People are often satisfied with their life
B. There are fewer interesting things for old people
C. Adults are freer to do what they want to
D. Adults should no longer rely on others
4. The main idea of the passage is_____.
A. life is not enjoyable since each age has some pains.
B. young men can have the greatest happiness if they work hard
C. childhood is the most enjoyable time in one's life
D. one is the happiest if he can make good use of each age in his life.
5. The paragraph following this passage will most probably discuss_____.
A. examples of successful young men
B. how to build up one's position in society
C. joys and pains of old people
D. what to do when one has problems in life
