Passage Three

Questions 11 to 15 are based on the following passage.

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 has decreased. One reason for this is an increase in the cost of living. On the average, children attend schools for more years than they used to, making them financially dependent on their families. Moreover, children nowadays are better dressed and have more money to spend on entertainment. The parents usually take the responsibility for all the expenses. Meanwhile, families are less close than they used to be. More and more American mothers work away from home.

The breakup of the family occurs when the parents divorce. A lot of children in the U.S. live part of their young lives with only one parent. Broken families usually result in problems for children and parents alike. Children blame themselves when their parents separate. They grow up feeling unsettled as they are moved back and forth between parents. Usually one parent is responsible for raising the children. These single parents must care for the children’s emotional and psychological needs while also supporting them financially. This is very demanding and leaves very little time for the parent’s own personal interests. 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 indicate that things are getting better. The divorce rate is declining. The rate of childbirth is rising. Perhaps Americans have learned how important families are.

 In the past, American families tended to be ______.

(66)

(67)

(65)

(64)

Most of us, however, take life for granted. We know that one day we must die, but usually we picture that day as far in the future. When we are in buoyant health, death is all but unimaginable. We seldom think of it. [63.The days stretch out in an endless vista. So we go about our petty task, hardly aware of our listless attitude toward life.]The same lethargy, I am afraid, characterizes the use of all our faculties and senses. [64.Only the deaf appreciate hearing, only the blind realize the manifold blessings that lie in sight.]Particularly does this observation apply to those who have lost sight and hearing in adult life. [65.But those who have never suffered impairment of sight or hearing seldom make the fullest use of these blessed faculties.][66.Their eyes and ears take in all sights and sounds hazily, without concentration, and with little appreciation.] It is the same old story of not being grateful for what we have until we lose it, of not being conscious of health until we are ill. I have often thought it would be a blessing if. each human being were stricken blind and deaf for a few days at some time during his early adult life. Darkness would make him more appreciative of sight; silence would teach him the joys of sound. Now and then I have tested my seeing friends to discover what they see. Recently I was visited by a very good friend who had just returned from a long walk in the woods, and I asked her what she had observed. “Nothing in particular.” She replied. [67.I might have been incredulous had I not been accustomed to such responses, for long ago I became convinced that the seeing see little.]

(From Three Days to See)

（63）

Why does the author state that the family is a co-operative enterprise according to the passage?

(60)

What are psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and specialists on the family aware of in Passage Four?

(59)

(57)