2024年1月24日发(作者：)

Directions: Read the passage carefully.阅读理解答案阅读理解Directions: Read the passage carefully. Then

answer the questions or complete the statements in the fewest

possible words.

Financial setbacks in the form of pay cuts are having a

trickle-down effect(涓滴效应) as the depression persists.

Families across America are cutting or even axing kids’allowances(零花钱) to reflect what’s going on with household

finances and the economy as a whole.

Some jobless parents are doing it out of necessity. Other

parents are using allowance adjustments to teach children about

economic realities and how to budget in learner times.

‘Try to use relevant news to explain the reasons behind the

depression and how it’s hitting home. If they see it obvious in

their own allowance, they’ll feel the impact and see how it all

ties in,’says financial consultant Antwone Harris.

Any reduction in allowance should be understood in

age-appropriate communication, says Dr. Tony Meyer, a child

psychiatrist(精神科医生) and medical director of Aurora

Psychiatric Hospi

tal. Six- to 12-year-olds are mature enough for a frank talk,

but don’t set them back with a lot of details. It’s sufficient to

say their allowance is lower because Mom or Dad is getting paid

less at work, so there’s less money for the family to spend. With

12- to 18-year-olds, you can broaden the discussion to include

the banking crisis and other factors that contributed to the

depression, Meyer says. Younger kids have the idea that they’re

at the center of things, and adolescents by mature are especially

self-concerned. ‘They’ll think they’re responsible,’Meyer

says.

A cut in allowance might seem punishing, so the message

that the child is not at fault needs to come across. Depending on

the child’s age, ‘You can also ask them to bring some income

by working a job or helping more around the house so Mom or

Dad can work more,’he says. Kids can also contribute by

means of taking over landscaping services previously done by a

paid professional. ‘You’ll pay lower rates, and the money

stays in the family,’financial consultant Antwone Harris

remarks. Meyer also suggests implementing a stimulant program

to cut household expenses. Anyone who comes up with a

cost-cutting idea get 10 percent of the savings.

That way, they’ll come to understand that a paycheck only

goes so far, and decisions and sacrifices are part of responsible

money management.

(Note: Answer the questions or complete the statements in

NO MORE THAN EIGHT WORDS.)

78. _________________ is American families’response

to the financial depression.

79. What are both jobless and other parents using

allowance adjustments to teach their children about

80. When communicating with 12-to 18-year-olds about

reduction in allowance, parents can broaden the discussion

through ________.

81. Besides ‘working a job or helping more around the

house’, what are the other two suggestions put forward by

Meyer to bring some income to kids

答案解析：78. Cutting or even axing kids’allowance

79. economic realities and budget skills in learner times

80 including/mentioning the banking crisis and other

factors

81 taking over landscaping services and contributing /

getting cost-cutting ideas