During the past generation, the American middle-class family that once could count on hard work and fair play to keep itself financially secure had been transformed by economic risk and new realties. Now a pink slip, a bad diagnosis, or a disappearing spouse can reduce a family from solidly middle class to newly poor in a few months.
In just one generation, millions of mothers have gone to work, transforming basic family economics. Scholars, policymakers, and critics of all stripes have debated the social implications of these changes, but few have looked at the side effect: family risk has risen as well. Today’s families have budgeted to the limits of theirs new two-paycheck status. As a result, they have lost the parachuted they once had in times of financial setback – a back-up earner （usually Mom）who could go into the workforce if the primary earner got laid off or fell sick. This “added-worker effect” could support the safety net offered by unemployment insurance or disability insurance to help families weather bad times. But today, a disruption to family fortunes can no longer be made up with extra income from an otherwise-stay-at-home partner.
During the same period, families have been asked to absorb much more risk in their retirement income. Steelworkers, airline employees, and now those in the auto industry are joining millions of families who must worry about interest rates, stock market fluctuation, and the harsh reality that they may outlive their retirement money. For much of the past year, President Bush campaigned to move Social Security to a saving-account model, with retirees trading much or all of their guaranteed payments for payments depending on investment returns. For younger families the picture is not any better. Both the absolute cost of healthcare and the share of it borne by families have risen – and newly fashionable health-saving plans are spreading from legislative halls to Wal-Mart workers, with much higher deductibles and a large new dose of investment risk for families’ future healthcare. Even demographics are working against the middle class family, as the odds of having a weak elderly parent – and all the attendant need for physical and financial assistance – have jumped eightfold in just one generation.
From the middle-class family perspective, much of this, understandably, looks far less like an opportunity to exercise more financial responsibility, and a good deal more like a frightening acceleration of the wholesale shift of financial risk onto their already overburdened shoulders. The financial fallout has begun, and the political fallout may not be far behind.
11. Today’s double-income families are at greater financial risk in that
[A] the safety net they used to enjoy has disappeared.
[B] their chances of being laid off have greatly increased.
[C] they are more vulnerable to changes in family economics.
[D] they are deprived of unemployment or disability insurance.
12. As a result of President Bush’s reform, retired people may have
[A] a higher sense of security.[B] less secured payments.
[C] less chance to invest. [D] a guaranteed future.
13. According to the author, health-savings plans will
[A] help reduce the cost of healthcare. [B] popularize among the middle class.
[C] compensate for the reduced pensions. [D] increase the families’ investment risk.
14. It can be inferred from the last paragraph that
[A] financial risks tend to outweigh political risks.
[B] the middle class may face greater political challenges.
[C] financial problems may bring about political problems.
[D] financial responsibility is an indicator of political status.
15. Which of the following is the best title for this text?
[A] The Middle Class on the Alert[B] The Middle Class on the Cliff
[C] The Middle Class in Conflict[D] The Middle Class in Ruins
Unit 14（2007）Part3
试题解析：
11. 【正确答案】【C】
【解析】细节题，题干中的“in that”表明本题是原因细节题。本题考查考生对文章第二段内容的理解。题干中的信号词是“doubleincome”（文中用的是“twopaycheck”），出自文章第二段第三句话中。文章第二段首先提到了家庭经济状况的变化问题，指出，如今的家庭根据其新的双收入限度安排开支，这就使得它们失去了它们在经济萧条时期曾经有过的缓解举措——如果家庭的主要挣钱者失业了或者病倒了，后备挣钱者可以出去工作，以便帮助家庭渡过难关，但现在不可能这样了。这说明，原因是家庭经济状况的变化更容易影响它们。C为正确选项。文中是说“以前可以维护失业保险或残疾保险提供的安”，但并没有说现在没有了安，所以A与文意不符；B和D属于无中生有。
12. 【正确答案】【B】
【解析】细节题，题干中的“As a result of...”表明本题是事实细节题。本题考查考生对文章第三段内容的理解。题干中的信号词是“President Bush”，出自文章第三段第三句话中。文章第三段首先提到，家庭被要求在其退休收入中承担