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_________. Foreigners are often surprised by the permissiveness of American parents. The old rule that children should be seen and not heard is rarely_________, and children are often allowed to do what they wish without strict parental_________. The father seldom expects his children to obey him_________ question, and children are encouraged to be independent_________ an early age. Some people believe that American parents carry this freedom_________ far. Others think that a strong father image would not_________ the American values of equality and independence. Because Americans emphasize the importance of independence, young people are expected to break_________ their parental families by the time they have_________ their late teens or early twenties. , not to do so is often regarded as a failure, a kind of weak dependence.
This pattern of independence often results in serious_________ for the aging parents of a small family. The average American is expected to live the age of 70. The job-retirement age is _________ 65. The children have left home, married, and_________ their own households. At least 20 percent of all people over 65 do not have enough retirement incomes. _________ the major problem of many elderly couples is not economic. They feel useless and lonely with neither an occupation nor a close family group.
51 A either B though C as well D also
52 A discussed B followed C seen D heard
53 A control B support C agreement D criticism
54 A for B on C without D in
55 A in B at C on D for
56 A too B almost C nearly D quite
57 A fit B meet C suit D satisfy
58 A up B into C through D away from
59 A reached B come C arrived D developed
60 A In truth B In name C Indeed D In a word
61 A questions B problems C matters D affairs
62 A on B up C from D beyond
63 A only B usually C sometimes D seldom
64 A set forth B set aside C set up D set down
65 A But B Therefore C In contrast D Even if
参考答案：
51. C 52. B 53. A 54. C 55. B
56. A 57. C 58. D 59. A 60. C
61. B 62. D 63. B 64. C 65. A