Because of the stress and strains of modern life folks today would rather watch television than get together with neighbors. Their behavior doesn't mirror TV soaps like Coronation Street and East Enders.
The Street's Ashley Peacock and Toyah Battersby know all their neighbors. But the Royal Mail survey shows that real-life under35s wouldn't dream of popping next door for a chat or to borrow a cup of sugar.
Three out of ten say they wouldn't know their neighbors if they saw them in the street. The same proportion would only offer to help neighbors if absolutely necessary, while thirty-onepercent don't want to get to know them better. Twenty-six percent rarely or never speak to the person next door. Thirty-five percent only talk to neighbors occasionally, and six percent actively dislike them. The older generation are still sociable, with seventy percent of over55s taking time to chat to people next door. The report says: “In the past, the British tradition of village green gossip（闲聊）between neighbors was celebrated worldwide. But there's been a clear shift away from local links by the young generation.” Londoners are least likely to be neighbors, with a third rarely or never chatting over the garden fence. People in the Midlands—where 65 percent often speak to their neighbors are most friendly.
Sociologist Jane Blakeman said: “People are working longer hours than ever before, and are traveling further to work. It leaves them far less time at home.”
小题1:Almost a third of young people_______.
A．know their neighbours quite well
B．have no idea who lives next door to them
C．talk to their neighbours when they want to borrow something
D．spend time chatting with neighbours like their parents小题2:It can be inferred that Ashley Peacock and Toyah Battersby are both_______.
A．important roles in a popular TV series
B．famous stars in TV programmes
C．old soap operas
D．members of royal family小题3:Gossip among neighbours is still common among_______.
A．people under35s
B．people between 35 and 55
C．people over55s
D．people of different ages小题4:There is a difference between London and the rest of Britain mainly in that non-Londoners
_______.
A．would help their neighbours only when necessary
B．are less likely to have good relations with their neighbours
C．wouldn't travel far and find more time to chat with neighbours
D．are more likely to keep up the old British tradition of having a chat over garden fence
