2007考研英语阅读解真题解析第三篇“中产阶级”.docVIP

PAGE PAGE 7 2007 Text 3 ①During 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. 在过去的十几年里，美国那些曾经可以依靠辛勤劳动和公平条件以维持其收入稳定的中产阶层家庭被经济风险和新现实改变了。如今，一份解雇通知书、一个不利的诊断结果或者配偶的去世都可能在几个月之内将一个家庭从稳定的中产阶层家庭降格成为一个新贫困家庭。 middle-class adj.中层社会的, 中产阶级的 count on v.依靠, 指望 spouse n.配偶(指夫或妻) 1、During the past generation, the American middle-class family that once could count on hard work and fair play to keep itself financially secure has been transformed by economic risk and new realities. 【译文】 在过去的一代，美国的中产阶级家庭曾经依靠努力工作和平等公正以保持财政安全，但是却被经济风险和新的现实所改变。 【析句】 句子的主干结构是the American middle-class family...has been transformed by economic risk and new realities，family后接一个定语从句。 【讲词】 generation指一代人，一般为20年。 count on表示指望，依靠，例如：You can count on my help.（你可以指望得到我的帮助。） fair play原是体育用语，意为公平比赛，转义指公正的待遇或公平竞赛的条件。 secure作形容词表示安全的,可靠的,放心的,无虑的。 transform意为转变；转换；变形，其名词是transformation。 In just one generation, millions of mothers have gone to work, transforming basic family economics. ②Scholars, 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. ③As 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. ④This “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. 在仅仅一代人的时间里，数百万母亲出去工作，改变了基本的家庭