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

　　参考答案：

　　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