An ageing population 人口老龄化
全球人口正在经历老龄化，这重要吗？虽然人口老龄化意味着劳动人口比重下降，老年人更依赖政府救济，但这件事情也有积极的一面。有哪些办法可以减轻人口老龄化的影响？
Step 1:精读文本。
There’s one thing for certain – we’re all getting older. And while the older amongst(among) us may be no spring chickens不再年轻 any more, growing old gracefully(优雅地，高雅地) is no bad thing. And with age comes wisdom. However, as the world population ages, will there be enough people to replace our younger selves
A situation where there are more old people than young certainly has an effect on the world. A report by the Pew Research Center says that globally the number of people over 65 years old will triple by 2050, drastically(可替换为dramatically) altering(改变) some countries’ demographic make-up. triple adj.三倍的 v.成为三倍 n.三倍的量
This growing and dependent population means that there is an increased demand for health and social care社会关怀. Governments will struggle to provide satisfactory/satisfying pensions令人满意的养老金, which are ultimately funded by taxes paid by the working population. And long-term, a smaller population of economically-active people may be a problem for companies trying to recruit staff对于那些试图招聘员工的公司来说，经济活跃人群的减少可能是一个问题.
Attitudes to an ageing(=aging) population老龄化人口 vary around the world世界各地各不相同. The Pew Research Center survey found that 87% of Japanese people were most concerned about it, while only 26% of people from the USA were. Here, immigration is helping to boost the younger workforce移民有助于促进年轻劳动力. Some countries thought the elderly should take care of themselves, while others thought it was the responsibility of the family. Many thought the government should be responsible.
But old age shouldn’t just be seen negatively. Elderly people have knowledge and experience they can pass on(把…传给，转移给). Some have wealth which they can spend, helping the economy. And some help society by doing voluntary or charity work. Of course, solutions are needed to tackle the issue, and these include increasing the retirement age, encouraging people to save for the future, persuading skilled and educated migrants技术高超的和受过教育的移民者 to fill labour shortages填补劳动力短缺, or even convincing people to have more children.
Step 2:语法填空。
There’s one thing for certain – we’re all getting older. And while the older amongst us may be no spring chickens any more, growing old _________(graceful) is no bad thing. And with age ________(come) wisdom. However, as the world population _______(age), will there be enough people to replace our younger selves
A situation _________ there are more old people than young certainly has an effect on the world. A report by the Pew Research Center says that globally the number of people over 65 years old will triple by 2050, drastically __________(alter) some countries’ demographic make-up（人口构成）.
This ___________(grow) and dependent population means that there is _____ increased demand for health and social care. Governments will struggle to provide satisfactory pensions, ________ are ultimately funded by taxes paid by the working population. And long-term, _____ smaller population of economically-active people may be a problem for companies trying to recruit staff.
___________(attitude) to an ageing population vary around the world. The Pew Research Center survey found that 87% of Japanese people were most concerned about it, ______ only 26% of people from the USA were. Here, immigration is helping to boost the younger workforce. Some countries thought the elderly should take care of ___________(they), while others thought it was the responsibility of the family. Many thought the government should be responsible.
But old age shouldn’t just be seen negatively. Elderly people have knowledge and experience they can pass on. Some have wealth which they can spend, thus ________(help) the economy. And some help society by doing voluntary or charity work. Of course, solutions are needed ___________(tackle) the issue, and these include increasing the retirement age, encouraging people to save for the future, persuading skilled and educated migrants ___________(fill) labour shortages, or even ___________(convince) people to have more children.
Step 3: 英汉互译
1. be no spring chicken 不再年轻
2. gracefully 优雅地，体面地
3. wisdom 智慧
4. age v. 变老，老龄化
5. demographic make-up 人口构成
6. dependent 需要被赡养的，依赖他人生活的
7. social care 社会护理服务
8. pension 养老金
9. working population 劳动人口
10. ageing population 老龄化人口
11. the elderly 老人，上了年纪的人
12. old age 老龄，老年
13. pass on 传授
14. retirement age 退休年龄
Step 4: 测验与练习
1. 阅读课文并回答问题。
1. According to research, what will happen to the number of over 65-year-olds by 2050
2. Who funds the pensions paid out by governments
3. Who do people think should take care of the elderly
4. True or false Skilled migrants can help overcome the problems of a shrinking workforce.
5. What can elderly people do with the experience and knowledge they have
2. 选择意思恰当的单词或词组来完成下列句子。
1. The professor was known for her experience and _______.
pensions wisdom pass on dependant
2. I’m planning for my _______ by saving money every month.
old age elderly retirement age pass on
3. Although incredibly _______, my 90-year-old grandma has such a wonderful spirit.
depending dependable dependent depends
4. I’m going to _______ my knowledge of baking to my children.
gracefully wisdom old age pass on
5. A special grocery delivery service has been set up to help the _______ in the community.
old age elderly pension retirement age
答案
1. 阅读课文并回答问题。
1. According to research, what will happen to the number of over 65-year-olds by 2050
A report by the Pew Research Center says that globally, the number of people over 65 years old will triple by 2050.
2. Who funds the pensions paid out by governments
Governments provide pensions which are ultimately funded by taxes paid by the working population.
3. Who do people think should take care of the elderly
It varies. Some think they should take care of themselves, while others believe it should be the family’s job. Many think it’s the government’s responsibility.
4. True or false Skilled migrants can help overcome the problems of a shrinking workforce.
True. Encouraging skilled and educated migrants can fill labour shortages.
5. What can elderly people do with the experience and knowledge they have
Elderly people have knowledge and experience they can pass on.
2. 选择意思恰当的单词或词组来完成下列句子。
1. The professor was known for her experience and wisdom.
2. I’m planning for my old age by saving money every month.
3. Although incredibly dependent, my 90-year-old grandma has such a wonderful spirit.
4. I’m going to pass on my knowledge of baking to my children.
5. A special grocery delivery service has been set up to help the elderly in the community.An ageing population 人口老龄化
全球人口正在经历老龄化，这重要吗？虽然人口老龄化意味着劳动人口比重下降，老年人更依赖政府救济，但这件事情也有积极的一面。有哪些办法可以减轻人口老龄化的影响？
Step 1:精读文本。
There’s one thing for certain – we’re all getting older. And while the older amongst us may be no spring chickens any more, growing old gracefully is no bad thing. And with age comes wisdom. However, as the world population ages, will there be enough people to replace our younger selves
A situation where there are more old people than young certainly has an effect on the world. A report by the Pew Research Center says that globally the number of people over 65 years old will triple by 2050, drastically altering some countries’ demographic make-up.
This growing and dependent population means that there is an increased demand for health and social care. Governments will struggle to provide satisfactory pensions, which are ultimately funded by taxes paid by the working population. And long-term, a smaller population of economically-active people may be a problem for companies trying to recruit staff.
Attitudes to an ageing population vary around the world. The Pew Research Center survey found that 87% of Japanese people were most concerned about it, while only 26% of people from the USA were. Here, immigration is helping to boost the younger workforce. Some countries thought the elderly should take care of themselves, while others thought it was the responsibility of the family. Many thought the government should be responsible.
But old age shouldn’t just be seen negatively. Elderly people have knowledge and experience they can pass on. Some have wealth which they can spend, helping the economy. And some help society by doing voluntary or charity work. Of course, solutions are needed to tackle the issue, and these include increasing the retirement age, encouraging people to save for the future, persuading skilled and educated migrants to fill labour shortages, or even convincing people to have more children.
Step 2:语法填空。
There’s one thing for certain – we’re all getting older. And while the older amongst us may be no spring chickens any more, growing old _________(graceful) is no bad thing. And with age ________(come) wisdom. However, as the world population _______(age), will there be enough people to replace our younger selves
A situation _________ there are more old people than young certainly has an effect on the world. A report by the Pew Research Center says that globally the number of people over 65 years old will triple by 2050, drastically __________(alter) some countries’ demographic make-up（人口构成）.
This ___________(grow) and dependent population means that there is an increased demand for health and social care. Governments will struggle to provide satisfactory pensions, ________ are ultimately funded by taxes paid by the working population. And long-term, _____ smaller population of economically-active people may be a problem for companies trying to recruit staff.
Attitudes to an ageing population vary around the world. The Pew Research Center survey found that 87% of Japanese people were most concerned about it, ______ only 26% of people from the USA were. Here, immigration is helping to boost the younger workforce. Some countries thought the elderly should take care of ___________(they), while others thought it was the responsibility of the family. Many thought the government should be responsible.
But old age shouldn’t just be seen negatively. Elderly people have knowledge and experience they can pass on. Some have wealth which they can spend, thus ________(help) the economy. And some help society by doing voluntary or charity work. Of course, solutions are needed to tackle the issue, and these include increasing the retirement age, encouraging people to save for the future, persuading skilled and educated migrants ___________(fill) labour shortages, or even ___________(convince) people to have more children.
Step 3: 英汉互译
1. be no spring chicken 不再年轻
2. gracefully 优雅地，体面地
3. wisdom 智慧
4. age v. 变老，老龄化
5. demographic make-up 人口构成
6. dependent 需要被赡养的，依赖他人生活的
7. social care 社会护理服务
8. pension 养老金
9. working population 劳动人口
10. ageing population 老龄化人口
11. the elderly 老人，上了年纪的人
12. old age 老龄，老年
13. pass on 传授
14. retirement age 退休年龄
Step 4: 测验与练习
1. 阅读课文并回答问题。
1. According to research, what will happen to the number of over 65-year-olds by 2050
2. Who funds the pensions paid out by governments
3. Who do people think should take care of the elderly
4. True or false Skilled migrants can help overcome the problems of a shrinking workforce.
5. What can elderly people do with the experience and knowledge they have
2. 选择意思恰当的单词或词组来完成下列句子。
1. The professor was known for her experience and _______.
pensions wisdom pass on dependant
2. I’m planning for my _______ by saving money every month.
old age elderly retirement age pass on
3. Although incredibly _______, my 90-year-old grandma has such a wonderful spirit.
depending dependable dependent depends
4. I’m going to _______ my knowledge of baking to my children.
gracefully wisdom old age pass on
5. A special grocery delivery service has been set up to help the _______ in the community.
old age elderly pension retirement age
