阅读理解。

     Happy birthday! Do birthday really make people happy? Of course they do.Birthday celebrate the

day when we were born.Besides, that extra candle on the cake suggest another year of growth and

maturity (成熟)-or so we hope.We all like to imagine that we are getting wiser and not just older. Most

of us enjoy seeing the wonder of growth in others, as well. For instance, seeing our children develop and

learn new things makes us feel proud. For Americans, like people in most cultures, growing up is a

wonderful process. But growing old? That is a different story.

     Growing old is not exactly for people in youth-oriented (以年轻人为中心) American culture. Most

Americans like to look young, act young and feel young.As the old saying goes, "You're young as you

feel." Older people joke about how many years young they are, rather than how many years old. People

in some countries value the aged as a source of experience and wisdom.But Americans seem to favor

those that are young, or at least "young at heart".

     Many older Americans find the "golden years" to be anything but golden.Economically, "senior

citizens" often struggle just to get by. Retirement at the age of 65 brings a sharp decrease in personal

income.Social security benefits usually cannot make up the difference. Older people may suffer from

poor nutrition, medical care, and housing. Some even experience age discrimination(歧视).American

sociologist Pat Moore once dressed up like an older person and wandered city streets.She was often

treated rudely-even cheated and robbed.However, dressed as a young person, she received much more

respect.

     Unfortunately, the elderly population in America is increasing fast.Why? People are living longer.

Fewer babies are being born. And middle-aged "baby boomers" are rapidly entering the group of the

elderly. America may soon be a place where wrinkles(皱纹)are "in".Marketing experts are ready noticing

this growing group of consumer.

1.We can infer from the second paragraph that       .

A. young people lack experience and wisdom

B. American older people often joke about their old age

C. American culture is very young

D. different countries have different opinions on the old age

3.What does the underlined sentence in the third paragraph mean?

A. The golden years can make the old earn lots of money and receive good medical care.

B. The old in America are leading a hard life without good nutrition, medical care or housing.

C. The old in America have to retire at the age of 65.

D. American social security benefits are not good.

3.What does the underlined word "in" in the last paragraph mean?

A. serious              

B. cool

C. disappearing slowly

D. growing fast

4. According to this passage, which of the following statement is CORRECT?

A. The young are much more respected than the old in America.

B. The old are much more respected than the young in America.

C. Growing old makes people feel proud in America.

D. The young are often discriminated in America.