Question 12:

Which of the following most logically completes the passage?

Concerned about financial well-being of its elderly citizens, the government of Runagia

decided two years ago to increase by 20 percent the government-provided pension

paid to all Runagians over 65.  Inflation in the intervening period has been negligible,

and the increase has been duly received by all eligible Runagians.  Nevertheless,

many of them are no better off financially than they were before the increase, in large

part because ________.  D

A.        They rely entirely on the government pension for their income

B.        Runagian banks are so inefficient that it can take up to three weeks to cash a

pension check

C.        They buy goods whose prices tend to rise especially fast in times of inflation

D.       The pension was increased when the number of elderly Runagians below the

poverty level reached an all-time high

E.        In Runagia children typically supplement the income of elderly parents, but

only by enough to provide them with a comfortable living

 这题选E，我没看出来有什么必然联系，请大家帮忙看看

 这题选E，我没看出来有什么必然联系，请大家帮忙看看

E is right, pointing an indirect reason for the conclusion: increase in governemental support  will lead to decrease in support from children, elderly are are no better off financially.

D is not appropriate. D means in fact many elderly are still financially benefited, weakening the conclusion mentioned.

原文说政府给老人补贴，但是这样老人的生活也不会有什么改变，问为什么

E：In Runagia children typically supplement the income of elderly parents, but

only by enough to provide them with a comfortable living

在R这个变态的国家，儿女们赡养老人只是满足他们最低的生存需求（白话）

在R这个变态的国家，儿女们赡养老人只是满足他们最低的生存需求（白话）

在R这个变态的国家，儿女们赡养老人只是满足他们最低的生存需求（白话）

即：国家给了老人补贴，儿女们就少给老人钱花。

老人的钱 = 儿女给的+政府补贴  

还真难想到