Question

One of the most striking findings of a recent questionnaire in the UK is that of the people inter?viewed，one in two believes that it is becoming more difficult to meet someone to start a family with.

Why are many people finding it increasingly difficult to start and keep close relationships? Does modern life really make it harder to fall in love? Or are we making it harder for ourselves?

It is certainly the case today that nowadays couples benefit in different ways from relationships. Women no longer rely upon partners for economic security or status. A man doesn，t expect his wife to be in sole (唯一的)charge of running his household and raising his children.

But perhaps the knowledge that we can live perfectly well without a partnership means that it takes much more to persuade people to abandon their independence.

In theory, finding a partner should be much simpler these days. Only a few generations ago,your choice of soul mate was restricted by geography, social convention and family tradition. Although it was never clear,many marriages were essentially arranged. Now those barriers have been broken down. You can approach a builder or a brain surgeon in any bar in any city on any given evening. When the world is your oyster(牡螈)，you surely have a better chance of finding a pearl.

But it seems that the traditions have been replaced by an even tighter restriction:the limitation of choice. The expectations of partners are made greater to an unmanageable degree：good looks, impressive salary，kind to grandmother，and so on. There is no room for error in the first impression.

We think that a relationship can be perfect. If it isn't,it is intended to be thrown away. We work to protect ourselves against future heartache and don't put in the hard emotional labor needed to build a strong relationship. Twelve-hour work at the office makes relaxed after-hours dating difficult. The cost of housing and child-raising creates pressure to have a stable income and career before a life partnership.

(   ) 4. Nowadays,in a family, .

A. men are responsible for housework    B. couples share the burdens

C. men begin to depend on women    D. couples can't get along together

(   ) 5. People don't want to give up their independence because         .

A.  they think they can live happily alone

B.  they want to have more choices

C.  they can't bear arranged marriages

D.  they don't want to follow traditions

(   ) 6. People don，t bother to date because         .

A.   it needs faith to have a life partnership

B.   it takes them too much energy to work

C.   it requires luck to build a strong relationship

D.   it causes mental problems to find a life partner

(   ) 7. Which of the following can best describe the main idea of the passage?

A.   Independence is much more important than love.

B.   People should spend more money on marriage today.

C.   The expectations of partners and financial pressure may prevent a relationship.

D.   Even a perfect marriage can be given up for the sake of independence.

Answer 1

4. B逻辑推理题。从第三"Women no longer rely upon partners for economic security or status. A man doesn, t expect his wife to be in sole(唯一的)charge of running his household and raising his children"， 看出现在女性在经济上并不依靠男性„男性也不指望女性负责全部的家务劳动和抚养孩子。言下之意是：男女在挣钱和做家务方面都负有责任。

5.A细节理解题。从第四段"But perhaps the knowledge that we can live perfectly well without a partnership means that it takes much more to persuade people to abandon their independence"，看出大家不想放弃自己的单身生活是因为他们认为自己一个人也能生活得很好。 

6. B逻辑推理题。从最后一段'Twelve-hourwork at the office makes relaxed after-hours dating diffi?cult"，推断出人们不想费神地去约会，是 因为在工作12个小时后都太累了。

7. C主旨大意题。全文解释了为什么现在很难去组建一个家庭。文章从工作经济压力以及对配偶要求过高等因素进行了分析。