How often one hears children wishing they were grown up, and old people wishing they w
ere young again.Each age has its pleasures and its pains, and the happiest person is the one who enjoys what each age gives him without wasting his time in useless regrets.
Youth is a time when there are few tasks to make life difficult.If a child has good parents, he is fed, looked after and loved.It is impossible that he will again in his life be given so much without having to do anything in return.In addition, life is always presenting new things to the child— things that have lost their interest for older people.But a child has his pains: he is not so free to do what he wishes to do; he is continually being told not to do things, or being punished for what he has done wrong.
When the young man starts to earn his own living, he can no longer expect others to pay for his food, his clothes, and his room, but has to work if he wants to live comfortably.If he breaks the laws of society as he used to break the laws of his parents, he may go to prison.If, however, he works hard, keeps out of trouble and has good health, he can have the great happiness of building up his position in society.
1.People can experience happiness if they ________.
A.always think of the past and regret it
B.value the present
C.are no longer young
D.become old and have much experience
2.When people were young, they used to _______.
A.be in charge of many business
B.have few things to think about and take on
C.look after their younger sisters and brothers
D.face a lot of difficulties
3.The pains of children lie in the fact that _______.
A.no one helps them make right decisions
B.they are not allowed to do what they like to do
C.they cannot be accepted and praised by others
D.they are often beaten by their parents
4.Children are usually happy because _______.
A.old people lose interest in them
B.they are free to do wrong
C.they are familiar with everything going on around them
D.things are new to them
5.The author presents the passage in a(n) _____ tone.
A.hostile
B.enthusiastic
C.critical
D.instructive