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 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 ____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 break up B break into C break through D break away from
9. A reached B come C arrived D developed
10. A In truth B In name C In summary 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 On the other hand
答案：CBACB ACDAC BDBCA