American suffers from an overdose of work.【1】who they are or what they do, they spend【2】ti

me at work than at any time since World WarⅡ. In 1950, the US had fewer working hours than any other【3】country. Today, it【4】every country but Japan, where industrial employees log 2,155 hours a year compared【5】1,951 in the US and 1,603【6】West employees. Between 1969 and 1989, employed American【7】an average of 138 hours to their yearly work schedules. The work-week【8】at about 40 hours, but people are working more weeks each year.【9】, paid time off — holidays, vacations, sick leave —【10】15 percent in the 1990s.

As Corporations have【11】stiffer competition and slower growth in productivity, they would【12】employees to work longer. Cost-cutting layoffs in the 1980s【13】the professional and managerial ranks, leaving fewer people to get the job done. In lower-paid occupations,【14】wages have been reduced, workers have added hours【15】overtime or extra jobs to【16】their living standard. The Government estimates that more than seven million people hold a second job.

For the first time, large【17】of people say they want to cut【18】on working hours, even if it means earning less money. But most employers are【19】to let them do so. The government which has stepped back from its traditional【20】as a regulator of work time, should take steps to make shorter hours possible.

(1)

A．As regards to

B．Regardless of

C．With regard to

D．In regard to