After being laid off from her job, Ann Bauer struggled financially. She worked at several lower-paid jobs, relocated to a new city and even declared bankruptcy. Then in December, she finally moved back into her parents' home at age 52. "I'm back living in the bedroom that I grew up in," she said. Taking shelter with parents isn't uncommon for young people, especially when the job market is poor. But now the declining economy is forcing some children to do so later in life---even at middle age. Financial planners report receiving many calls from parents seeking advice about taking in their grown children after divorces and lay-offs. Kim Erickson, a financial planner in California, said she has never seen older children, even those at 50, depending so much on their parents as in the last six months. "These are 40-and-50-year-old children of my clients that they're helping out. We have a hard time saying no as a culture to our children, and they keep asking for more," she said. Bauer's parents won't take rent money. She's trying to save several hundred dollars a month for a house while working as a meeting coordinator. Bauer would prefer to live on her own, but without her parents' help, she would "probably be renting again," she said. "Buying groceries for another person isn't stretching my budget too much," said her mother, Shirley Smith, aged 80. Parents usually feel guilty if they don't offer help. But a large number of well-meaning parents must delay retirement or scale back their dreams because they have to help their children, Erickson said. And the sliding economy might threaten their jobs. "I almost have to act like a financial therapist," she said to Shirley. "Here is the line I'm drawing for you. That's fine. You can do up to this point, but at this point, now you're starting to erode ( ) your own wealth." What attitude does Erickson have towards aged parents helping their grown children? A) She thinks it unnecessary. B) She is in favor of it. C) She thinks parents should be more careful with their savings. D) Parents shouldn't feel guilty when failing to help their children.
C
(Question)
Rae and Bruce Hostetler not only work very hard,they also relax just as well. Numerous vacations help the couple to maintain their health and emotional well-being-and it's no surprise to health care professionals. "Rest,relaxation, and stress reduction are very important for people's weLl-being and health. This can be accomplished through daily activities,such as exercise and meditation,but vacation is an important part of this as well," said primary care physician Natasha Withers from One Medical Group in New York. Withers lists a decreased risk of heart disease and improved reaction time as some of the benefits from taking some time off. "We also know that the mind is very powerful and can help with healing,so a rested,relaxed mind is able to help the body heal better," said Withers. Psychologists confirm the value of vacations for the mind. " The impact that taking a vacation has on one's mental health is great," said Francine Lederer,a clinical psychologist in Los Angeles who specializes in stress and relationship management. " Most people have better life perspective and are more motivated to achieve their goals after a vacation,even if it is a 24- hour time-out. " The trips could be good for their health,good for their family and good for their .businesses. The online travel agency Expedia conducted a survey about vacation time in 2010,and according to their data the average American eamed 18 vacation days-but only used 14 0f them. France topped the list,with the average worker earning 37 vacation days and using all but two of them. Americans' responses may not be surprising in a culture where long hours on the job often are valued,but that's not always good for the individual,the family or the employer. Psychologists have also found that people who don't take enough time to relax may find it harder to relax in the future. "Without time and opportunity to do this,the nerve connections that produce feelings of calm and peacefulness become weaker,making it actually more difficult to shift into... Expedia's survey shows that Amencans _ . A) dislike family gatherings B) have the shortest vacation C) enjoy as many vacations as the French D) think much of spending long hours on the job
(Answer)
D
Ques: Easy Steam Mop PS29.99 WASPS79.99 SavePS50 Buy 2 or more and get an extra 5% off Product Description Use the power of steam to clean and disinfect your home in minutes without using expensive and harmful detergents . Perfect for use throughout the home, this steam mop heats up almost instantly and takes just eight seconds to kill bacteria from any area it targets. It works by changing water into steam using a microfiber cloth to enhance the ability to absorb liquid, and features a clever triangular mop head and swivel joint to allow it to reach into comers and other spaces that many similar cleaning tools cannot. The 1,300W motor helps the mop reach temperatures of between 90-100degC, making it suitable for all heat-resistant floors including hardwood, tiles and stone. Comes apart for easy storage. 2 x microfiber cloths included. Additional pack if three spare mop heads are also available Easy Steam Mop White/Green: D6430 Easy Steam Mop White/Blue: D7149 Spare Pads~3 packs: D6431 Standard Delivery--Only PS 3. 95 Please note standard delivery on all items is only PS 3.95;delivery charge applies per order regardless of number of items purchased. Delivery to Northern Ireland, Isle of Man, Scottish Highlands and Islands is PS 6.95. Delivery to the Channel Islands and Scilly Isles is PS 14.95. Delivery to Eire is PS 9.95 and deliveries to BFWO postal addresses are PS 6.95. Satisfaction Guaranteed For your complete piece of mind, our Home and Garden products may be returned to us within 30 days of purchase for a refund of the purchase price. Items must be returned unused. How much should you pay for a mop delivered to Isle of Man? A) PS33.94. B) PS36.94. C) PS39.94. D) PS44.94.
Ans: B
Have you ever ''Googled'' yourself? More Americans are Googling themselves-and many are checking out their friends,co-workers and romantic interests,too. In a report Sunday, the Pew Internet and American Life Project said 47 percent of U.S.adult Internet users have looked for information about themselves through Google or another search engine.That is more than twice the 22 percent of users who did in 2002,but Pew senior research specialist Mary Madden was surprised the growth wasn't higher. "Yes,it's doubled,but it's still the case that there's a large number of Internet users who have never done this simple act of plugging their names with search engines,"she said. Americans under 50 and those With more education and income were more likely to self-Google--in some cases because their jobs demand a certain online persona.Meanwhile.Pew found that 53 percent of adult Internet users admit looking up information about someone else. celebrities excluded. Often,it's to find someone they've lost touch with.But looking up information about friends, s,colleagues and neighbors was also common. Although men and women equally searched for online information about themselves.women were slightly more likely to look up information about someone they are dating. In many cases,the search is just done to find someone's contact information.But a third of those who have conducted searches on others have looked for public records,such as bankruptcies and divorce proceedings.A similar number have searched for someone else's photo. Few Internet users say they Google themselves regularly-about three quarters of self searchers say they have done so only once or twice.And most who have done so consider what they find accurate. Pew also found that teens were more likely than adults to restrict who can see their profiles at an online hangout like Facebook or news Corp's MySpace. Which conclusion can we draw from the report? A) Teens would like more people to see them online. B) Most of the women Internet users tend to make dates online. C) People are more likely to search for information of others than of themselves. D) Quite a few Internet users are much concerned about their personal security online.
C