The American Family
In the American family the husband and wife usually share important decision making. When the children are old enough, they take part______(1). Foreigners are often surprised by the permissiveness of American parents. The old rule that "children should be seen and not heard" is rarely_____(2), and children are often allowed to do what they wish without strict parental______(3). The father seldom expects his children to obey him______(4) question, and children are encouraged to be independent______(5) an early age. Some people believe that American parents carry this freedom______ (6)far. Others think that a strong father image would not______(7) the American values of equality and independence. Because Americans emphasize the importance of independence, young people are expected to break______(8) their parental families by the time they have______(9) their late teens or early twenties. ______(10), not to do so is often regarded as a failure, a kind of weak dependence.
This pattern of independence often results in serious______(11)for the aging parents of a small family. The average American is expected to live______(12)the age of 70. The job-retirement age is______(13) 65. The children have left home, married, and______(14)their own households. At least 20 percent of all people over 65 do not have enough retirement incomes. ______(15) the major problem of many elderly couples is not economic. They feel useless and lonely with neither an occupation nor a close family group.
1 A either B though C as well D also
2 A discussed B followed C seen D heard
3 A control B support C agreement D criticism
4 A for B on C without D in
5 A in B at C on D for
6 A too B almost C nearly D quite
7 A fit B meet C suit D satisfy
8 A up B into C through D away from
9 A reached B come C arrived D developed
10 A In truth B In name C Indeed D In a word
11 A questions B problems C matters D affairs
12 A on B up C from D beyond
13 A only B usually C sometimes D seldom
14 A set forth B set aside C set up D set down
15 A But B Therefore C In contrast D Even if
答案:
1. C 2. B 3. A 4. C 5. B
6. A 7. C 8. D 9. A 10. C
11. B 12. D 13. B 14. C 15. A