The local council do what they can: a cooked dinner brought on weekdays, a home help on two mornings to clean up and do the shopping, a district nurse calling now and then. But most of the time they are lonely and unhappy.

“Put her in an Old People’s Home. They’ll look after her.”

They would if they could. With a garden, a room with the television, good meals, someone to see she’s all right, and, above all, company. There are some very cozy Council Old People’s Homes around.

And the flats for the more active, with central heating, a restaurant if they don’t feel like cooking for themselves, a room to get together in, a warden to give an eye.

Just what the old folks need — if they can get in. In our town there are two homes taking sixty people together and flats for about a hundred and fifty. And a waiting list of more than a thousand.

It may seem unlikely now but it’s on the cards that you’ll be old one day. Maybe one of the lucky ones with a family to live with or helpful neighbors and friends. And maybe alone, cold, even bedridden. With nobody at all to keep you company.

So won’t it be yourselves you’ll be helping if you start moving your local council to do something more for those who’ve done their bit for society and now just aren’t wanted?

More old people’s flats for the active, more homes where the nobody’s Mum can find a bit of comfort and friendship in their last but unhappy years.

36. According to the passage, which of the following statements is true?

A. Old people are the burden of the society.

B. Few people take care of their parents.

C. Old people have made contributions to the society.

D. There are enough Council Old People’s Homes around.

37. In the author’s opinion, who are considered lucky ones?

A. Old people who have comfortable homes to live in.

B. Old people who have a family to live with or helpful neighbors and friends.

C. Old people who live alone.

D. Old people who live in the Council Old People’s Homes.

38. When the author says that if you start moving your local council to do something for old people, you will be helping yourselves, what does he mean?

A. You will be old one day.

B. You will be helping your own parents.

C. You will find a lot of fun from helping others.

D. Old people will thank you.

39. What does the phrase on the cards in paragraph 8 mean?

A. Ordinary

B. Certain

C. Right

D. True

40. What is the main purpose of the author by writing this article?

A. Urging people to help old people and build more homes for old people.

B. Criticizing the local council.

C. Criticizing young people.

D. Giving a description of the Council’s Old People’s Homes.

Ⅲ . 用国际音标标出下列单词中划线字母或字母组合的读音（本大题共 20 小题，每两小题 1 分，共 10 分）（注意：使用新式或老式音标均可）