六、完形填空(第51～65題，每題1分，共15分)
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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_________(51). Foreigners are often surprised by the permissiveness of American parents. The old rule that "children should be seen and not heard" is rarely_________(52), and children are often allowed to do what they wish without strict parental_________(53). The father seldom expects his children to obey him_________(54) question, and children are encouraged to be independent_________(55) an early age. Some people believe that American parents carry this freedom_________(56) far. Others think that a strong father image would not_________(57) the American values of equality and independence. Because Americans emphasize the importance of independence, young people are expected to break_________(58) their parental families by the time they have_________(59) their late teens or early twenties. (60), not to do so is often regarded as a failure, a kind of weak dependence.
This pattern of independence often results in serious_________(61) for the aging parents of a small family. The average American is expected to live (62) the age of 70. The job-retirement age is _________(63) 65. The children have left home, married, and_________(64) their own households. At least 20 percent of all people over 65 do not have enough retirement incomes. _________(65) 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
