12.Family Values
To understand a nation,you should first get to know its minimum unit-family.(71)B In the US,upon reaching an appropriate age (usually between 18and 21years),children are encouraged,but not forced,to"leave the nest"and begin an independent life.(72)DParents do not arrange marriages for their children,nor do children usually ask permission of their parents to get married.Youn g adults meet their future spouses (配偶) through other friends,at jobs,and in organizations and religious institutions.Although children choose their own spouses,
they still hope their parents will approve of their choices.
Parents feel that children should make major life decisions by themselves in many families.A parent may try to influence a child to follow a particular profession but the child is free to choose another job.(73)F A son may deliberately decide not to go into his father's business because of a fear that he will lose his independence in his father's workplace.This independence from parents is not an indication that parents and children do not love each other.Strong love between parents and children is universal and this is no exception in the American family.
(74)AIt is not like we Chinese.Parents are rulers and masters.We Chinese love our parents with fear and total respect.In America,children always have their own opinions and even can talk about some sensitive problems with their parents,like family financial situation,the relationship between mother and father,and even sex.
(75)E Therefore,it is contrary that,on one hand,Americans admire independence and equality that they don't want to make sacrifice to make up a family,but on the other hand,Americans think highly of family in their value system.
A.In the American family,children and parents are equal.
B.It can reflect the traditional values and customs of a nation.
C.When it comes to big problems,children do not have to always follow their parents'ways.
D.After children leave home,they often find social relationship and financial support outside the family.
E.Although Americans pay much attention to independence and equality,they don't believe in making sacrifice.
F.Sometimes children do precisely the opposite of what their parents wish in order to declare their independence.
G.Many of them are expected to leave what could be life's most important decision-marriage-almost entirely up to luck.
分析 本文属于说明文阅读,作者通过这篇文章主要向我们描述了家庭的重要性,美国家庭和中国家庭价值观的不同.
解答 70.B.考查句意理解和上下文串联:根据上文:To understand a nation,you should first get to know its minimum unit-family.可知:家庭可以反应一个国家传统的价值观,答案是:B.
72.D.考查句意理解和上下文串联:根据上文:In the US,upon reaching an appropriate age (usually between 18 and 21 years),children are encouraged,but not forced,to"leave the nest"and begin an independent life.可知:在孩子离开家后,他们经常在家庭以外找到社会关系和财政支持,答案是:D.
73.F.考查句意理解和上下文串联:根据上文:可知:有时孩子做的事情和父母希望的不一样,以此表明自己独立了,A parent may try to influence a child to follow a particular profession but the child is free to choose another job.答案是:F.
74.A.考查句意理解和上下文串联:根据下文:It is not like we Chinese.Parents are rulers and masters.可知:在美国,孩子和父母是平等的,答案是:A.
75.E.考查句意理解和上下文串联:根据下文:Therefore,it is contrary that,on one hand,Americans admire independence and equality that they don't want to make sacrifice to make up a family,可知:虽然美国人重视独立和平等,他们不相信牺牲,答案是:E.
点评 七选五阅读是完成性阅读,和完形填空很类似,不同的是一个选词,一个选句子.解题时,要注意上下文语境,充分考虑信息词(选项中和空格前后句子中相同或相近的词),选出最符合语境的句子.