While income worry is a rather common problem of the aged, loneliness is another problem that aged parents may face. Of all the reasons that explain their loneliness, a large geographical distance between parents and their children is the major one. This phenomenon(现象) is commonly known as“Empty Nest Syndrome”(空巢综合症). In order to seek better chances outside their countries, many young people have gone abroad, leaving their parents behind with no clear idea of when they will return home. Their parents spend countless lonely days and nights, taking care of themselves, in the hope that someday their children will come back to stay with them. The fact that most of these young people have gone to Europeanized or Americanized societies makes it unlikely that they will hold as tightly to the value of duty as they would have if they had not left their countries. Whatever the case, it has been noted that the values they hold do not necessarily match what they actually do. This geographical and cultural distance also prevents the grown-up children from providing response(回应) in time for their aged parents living by themselves.

The situation in which grown-up children live far away from their aged parents has been described as“distant parent phenomenon”, which is common both in developed countries and in developing countries. Our society has not yet been well prepared for“Empty Nest Syndrome”.

53. According to the passage, the loneliness of aged parents is mainly caused by      .

A. their earlier experience of feeling lonely

B. the unfavorable living conditions in their native countries

C. the common worry about their income

D. the geographical distance between parents and children

54. Many young people have gone abroad, leaving their aged parents behind, to      .

A. live in the countries with more money

B. seek a better place for their aged parents

C. continue their studies abroad

D. realize their dreams in foreign countries

55. If young people go abroad,       .

A. they do not hold to the value of duty at all

B. they can give some help to their parents back home

C. they cannot do what they should for their parents

D. they believe what they actually do is right

56. From the last paragraph, we can infer that       .

A. the situations in the developed and developing countries are different

B.“Empty Nest Syndrome”has arrived unexpectedly in our society

C. children will become independent as soon as they go abroad

D. the aged parents are not fully prepared for“Empty Nest Syndrome”

E

EVENTS

Israeli（以色列的）paintings： Israeli artist Menashe Kadishman will hold a solo show entitled“Flock of Sheep”from November 26 to December 20, at the China National Art Museum.

On show are 550 colourful oil paintings of sheep heads.

His works have been displayed（陈列）in many important galleries(美术馆)，over the past 30 years. They may be seen in the Metropolitan Museum in New York, and Tate Gallery in London.