B“Will I be able to work until I’m 70? Those were my first words when I learned in 2014, at the age

【题目】B

“Will I be able to work until I’m 70?” Those were my first words when I learned in 2014, at the age of 50, that I had Parkinson’s disease. I had not planned for that question to pop out of my mouth, but it did. Perhaps I was worried about my money. The size of my retirement account makes early retirement seem impossible. But mainly I think I asked that question because work, for better or worse, has become central to my identity. The idea that my career as a historian would end soon felt truly disturbing.

As professors, we often complain about our jobs: we teach too much, we are paid too little, and the library needs more books. But I can’t imagine a better career. We teach young people, and we find the time to read and write about topics we love. We receive a degree of respect. Even my doctor calls me “Professor”.

And, most importantly, we have relative job security. When I received my diagnosis, my question about keeping my job was not ridiculous. In a market-based social system, the threat of job loss is terrifying. Imagine the pressure faced by a Parkinson’s sufferer with no job security. It could be disastrous for someone who needs manual dexterity at work, such as a construction worker.

In contrast, I am lucky: I have tenure(终身职位), which gives me a feeling of security that even popular entertainers may lack. Tenure does not guarantee me a job as long as I can perform y duties.

Will I be able to work until I’m 70? I think so. I know that my family and I will face new challenges, but I don’t expect a decline in my job performance. My students may find my appearance a bit odd, but if they do, then that will be a “teachable moment”.

【1】What did the author worry about first when he learned he was ill?

A. He didn’t have enough money for an operation.

B. The disease would ruin his career.

C. He wouldn’t live until the age of 70.

D. He would be forced to retire early.

【2】According to the passage, which of the following statements is TRUE?

A. Professors always complain about their jobs.

B. Professors have no time to do anything else but teach.

C. The author doesn’t know what he would do if he were not a professor.

D. The author thinks he is respected by others because of his work.

【3】The underlined phrase in the third paragraph, “manual dexterity” probably means _____________.

A. the ability to use one’s hands

B. the ability to see clearly

C. the ability to use one’s mind

D. the ability to solve problems

【4】 The best title for this passage is _________________________.

A. Losing My Career to Illness

B. The Threat of Job Loss

C. Keep Away from Disease

D. The Pressure of Parkinson’s

【答案】

【1】B

【2】D

【3】A

【4】A

【解析】

试题分析：本文讲述了作者在50岁时被查出患了帕金森症，刚开始担心疾病会毁了他的职业生涯，但是后来发现，他有终身职位，并不会面临失业。

【1】B 细节理解题。根据第一段的But mainly I think I asked that question because work, for better or worse, has become central to my identity.可知，作者担心的是自己的工作问题，故选择B。

【2】D 细节理解题。根据第二段的As professors, we often complain about our jobs可知选项A过于绝对，故错误。根据第二段的we find the time to read and write about topics we love.可知选项B错；根据But I can’t imagine a better career可知选项C错；而根据We receive a degree of respect. Even my doctor calls me “Professor”可知选项D正确，故选择D。

【3】A 词义猜测题。根据下文的such as a construction worker.可知，文章指的是建筑工人需要什么技能，故选择A，意为需要手的灵敏度很高这一技能。

【4】A 主旨大意题。根据文章内容可知，文章主要讲述了作者因为生病而担心自己的职业生涯会受到影响，故选择A最符合题意。