In 1983, Cyndi Lauper reached

In 1983, Cyndi Lauper reached the top of the charts with her hit song ”Girls Just Want to Have Fun.” These
days, the same could be said for millions of men and women in their 20s, 30s, and even 40s. These so-called
“kidults” dress and behave like children. Refusing to grow up, they often live with their parents, play video
games, and watch cartoons. Observers point to positive and negative ramifications of the trend, which is all
about having fun and avoiding, at all costs, the “R” word: Responsibility.
The word “kidult” is a combination of “kid” and “adult.” Kidults often live with their parents long after
finishing high school and college. It’s a fast-growing trend. In 1970, only 11% of American 26-year-olds lived
with their parents, but by 2005, that figure had grown to 20%. Likewise, people are getting married and having
children later. In Ireland, for instance, the average marriage age rose from 30.7 in 2000 to 32.6 in 2005.
Facts like these have led some observers to suggest that people are growing up later and later. Rather than finding
a steady job, getting married, and taking out a mortgage, many people are opting for a different path. They’re staying
put, taking whatever work comes along, and devoting their disposable income to having a good time.
Though we can’t stop time, the maturation process does seem to be slowing down. As daily life becomes more complex,
it’s taking people longer to learn to live independently,
 so the traditional idea that adulthood starts
at 18 may soon be a thing of the past. That holds true for countries as diverse as Japan, Germany, and Canada. So,
to all those adults with Hello Kitty T-shirts and toy robots, take heart.
You’ve got plenty of company.

【1】46. What is the main idea of the passage?
Many adults still live a lifestyle associated with childhood.
Companies have found numerous ways to market to kidults.
More and more adult Americans are living with their peers.
Nobody wants to accept responsibility or work hard.
3【4】47. What does the word “ramifications” in paragraph 1 mean?
implications relationships consequences interactions
4【3】 48. Why are people taking longer to grow up?
Parents don’t want their children to move out.
Daily life is full of impossible challenges.
Traditions are changing in very few countries.
The world is becoming more complicated.
【1】49. Which of the following statements about kidults is NOT true?
They are working hard to buy their own homes.
They are not pressured to get married as soon as possible.
They are used to living with their parents.
They are more interested in enjoying life.
【2】50. According to this passage, what problems might kidults have?
Running out of things to purchase.
Difficulties with developing social skills.
Not learning how to avoid responsibility.
Being heavily pressured to mature.

mortgage
devote
maturation
consequence
ramification
implications
interaction
relationship