<p> 这是美国之音中文部《中级美国英语》里的一篇课文。该书于1990年11月出版发行。课文里描述的应该是上世纪八十年代的美国老年人生活。</p> <p>People over the age of 65 in the United States are called senior citizens. Most senior citizens retire or no longer work full time. Also it is unusual for people of this age to live with their children and grandchildren. For many senior citizens, the years after age 65 are not enjoyable. They may feel unproductive when no longer work. Their lives lose meaning. In addition, they may feel lonely being away from their families. Moreover, they become more concerned about their heath as they grow older. If they live in big cities, they often worry about their safety. Other senior citizens enjoy their lives. They feel free to do things they were not able to do when they were working and raising families. They now have time to enjoy hobbies and sports and travel. They associate with their fellow senior citizens who have common interests and equal free time. Many senior citizens move to retirement communities located in warm climates. Some senior citizens continue to work beyond retirement age. Many find new careers and professional opportunities after they retire. The number of the senior citizens in the United States is increasing rapidly because people are living longer than before. The average life span for Americans is now more than 74 years. Because of their larger numbers and more active life styles, senior citizens are gaining social influence in the country both politically and economically. Their concerns are receiving a wider audience than ever before. The time may come when all Americans will look forward to becoming senior citizens.</p> <p> 这美国，超过65岁的公民被称为老年人 大多数老年人退休或不再做全职工作。而且，这个年龄的老人很少与他们的孩子和孙子一起生活。大多老年人在65岁以后都会感到不愉快。他们可能因为不能再工作就觉得自己没有了价值。他们的生活失去了意义。此外，他们可能会因为远离家人而感到孤独，并且会随着家人的年龄增长变得更加关心他们的健康。要是住在大城市里，他们经常担心自身的安全。还有一部分老人享受他们的生活。他们感到非常自由，因为他们能去做他们想做的事，而这些事是他们当时工作和养家时没法做的。他们现在有时间去享受自己的兴趣爱好和体育旅游所带来的乐趣。他们觉得与年龄相同的老年人有着共同利益，同等的自由时间。许多老年人退休后会搬到气候温暖地区的老年公寓里去。即便超过了退休年龄，有些人还会继续工作。还有很多老年人会在退休后去寻找新的工作和职业机会。美国老年人的数量在迅速增加，因为人们现在活的时间比以前更长，美国人的平均寿命已经超过74岁。由于数量大而且有更积极的生活方式，使得老年人如今在国家政治上和经济上都发挥了重要的影响。现在他们的担忧与烦恼比以前得到了更广泛的社会关注，这有可能会促使所有美国人都期待成为老年人。</p>