comprehension, vocabulary and grammar

[jiang]

Dear teachers,
I have several quesions to ask.

No.1
In my view, our greatest problems will be voluntary selfdegradation, or willing dehumanization, as the unintended yet often inescapable consequence of sternly and successfully pursuing our humanization goals.
My question is: What does 'as' serve here?

No.2
As a group, the elderly are the most alienated members of our society:Not yet ready for the world of the dead, not deemed fit for the world of the living, they are shunted aside.
By saying "they are shunted aside" the author means_________.
a. they are completely isolated from the outside world
b. they are treated with extreme indifference
I think the key is 'b'. 'a' means they don't live with others in the society. Am I right?

No.3
Fewer and fewer people die in the familiar surroundings of home or in the company of family and friends. At the time of life when there is perhaps the greatest need for human warmth and comfort, the dying patient is kept company by cardiac pacemakers and defibrillators, respirators, aspirators.
Which of the following is implied, but not directly stated in Paragraph 3?
a. People used to die at home with warmth and comfort from their families.
b. The dying patient needs more human warmth and comfort.
I think both are correct. Am I right?

No.4
Scientists look for alternative opportunities and solutions instead of thinking in a straight line.
Can I use 'rather than' to replace 'instead of' and change 'thinking' to 'think'?

I am looking forward to hearing from you.

Thank you in advance.

Jiang

[Tdol]

1- As = because
2- B- the 'outside world' is the world outside your house, which doesn't really fit the context- shunted aside is not necessarily complete isolation; they are just regarded as less important.
3- They both seem OK to me.
4- You can use 'rather than'

[jiang]

:D & :?
Thank you very much for your explanation. I understand three of the m but fail to understand one.

1. If here as=because where is the subject and the predicate?

I am looking forward to hearing from you.

Thank you in advance,

Jiang

Originally Posted by tdol

1- As = because
2- B- the 'outside world' is the world outside your house, which doesn't really fit the context- shunted aside is not necessarily complete isolation; they are just regarded as less important.
3- They both seem OK to me.
4- You can use 'rather than'

[Tdol]

OK- I now think of it differently- I think In was posting too late at night. It connects back to self-degradation, like 'which is'.

[jiang]

Thank you very much for answering so many posts last night. It was too much for you.

Did you mean 'as' is a preposition? And the sentence should be 'In my view,our greatest problems will be voluntary self-degradation as the unintended yet ....'. Am I right?

I am looking forward to hearing from you.

Thank you in advance.

Jiang

Originally Posted by tdol

OK- I now think of it differently- I think In was posting too late at night. It connects back to self-degradation, like 'which is'.