In the past, American families tended to be quite large. Parents raising five or more children were common. Over the years, the size of the family is becoming smaller. One reason for this is an increase in the cost of living.

Generally children attend schools for more years than they used to, making them financially dependent on their families longer. Moreover, children nowadays are better dressed and have more money to spend on entertainment. The parents are usually responsible for all the expenses. And families are less close than they used to be. More and more American mothers work away from home. The break-up of the family appears when the parents. divorce. A lot of children in the U. S. live part of their young lives with only one parent. Children grow up feeling unsettled as they are moved between their parents. Single parents often marry other single parents. In this type of family, unrelated children are forced to develop brother or sister relationship.

The situations of many American families today are not good. However, recent signs show that things are getting better. The divorce rate is declining（降低）. Perhaps Americans have learned how important families are.

1. In the past, American families tended to be 回答



.

A. quite small

B. medium sized

C. quite large



2. To parents who take the responsibility for children.s expenses, the cost of living increases because 回答



.

A. children attend school for more years

B. children are better dressed and spend more money on entertainment

C. all of the above



3. Children whose parents divorced always feel unsettled because回答



.

A. they are moved between their parents

B. they are forced to develop brother or sister relationship

C. they have little money to spend



4. According to the author, the situations of American families in the future may 回答



.

A. get better

B. remain the same

C. become worse



5. The title of the article might be 回答



.

A. American Children

B. American Families

C. American Parents

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