Unit 4

　　Part Ⅱ Reading Comprehension

　　(35 minutes)

　　Directions: There are 4 reading passages in this part. Each passage is followed by some questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A), B), C) and D). You should decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on the Answer Sheet with a single line through the centre.

　　Questions 21 to 25 are based on the following passage:

　　“There is a senseless notion that children grow up and leave home when they're 18, and the truth is far from that,” says sociologist Larry Bumpass of the University of Wisconsin. Today, unexpected numbers of young adults are living with their parents.“There is a major shift in the middle class,”declares sociologist Allan Schnaiberg of Northwestern University, whose son, 19, moved back in after an absence of eight months.

　　Analysts cite a variety of reasons for this return to the nest. The marriage age is rising, a condition that makes home and its pleasantness particularly attractive to young people. A high divorce rate and a declining remarriage rate are sending economically pressed and emotionally hurt survivors back to parental shelters. For some, the expense of an away-from-home college education has become so excessively great that many students now attend local schools. Even after graduation, young people find their wings clipped by skyrocketing housing costs.

　　Living at home, says Knighton, a school teacher, continues to give her security and moral support. Her mother agreed,“It's ridiculous for the kids to pay all that money for rent. It makes sense for kids to stay at home.” But sharing the family home requires adjustments for all. There are the hassles over bathrooms, telephones and privacy. Some families, however, manage the delicate balancing act. But for others, it proves too difficult. Michelle Del Turco, 24, has been home three times — and left three times. “What I considered a social drink, my dad considered an alcohol problem,” she explains. “He never liked anyone I dated, so I either had to hide away or meet them at friends' houses.”

　　Just how long should adult children live with their parents before moving on? Most psychologists feel lengthy homecomings are a mistake. Children struggling to establish separate identities, can end up with “a sense of inadequacy, defeat and failure.” And aging parents, who should be enjoying some financial and personal freedom, find themselves stuck with responsibilities. Many agree that brief visits, however, can work beneficially.

　　21. According to the author, there was once a trend in the U.S. .

　　A) for middle class young adults to stay with their parents

　　B) for young adults to leave their parents and live independently

　　C) for married young adults to move back home after a lengthy absence

　　D) for young adults to get jobs nearby in order to live with their parents

　　22. Which of the following does not account for young adults returning to the nest?

　　A) Young adults find housing costs too high.

　　B) Quite a number of young adults attend local schools.

　　C) Young adults seek parental comfort and moral support.

　　D) Young adults are psychologically and intellectually immature.

　　23. One of the disadvantages of young adults returning to stay with their parents is that .

　　A) the young adults tend to be overprotected by their parents

　　B) most parents find it difficult to keep a bigger family going

　　C) there will inevitably be inconveniences in everyday life

　　D) public opinion is against young adults staying with their parents

　　24. The word “hassles” in the passage (Para. 3, Line 4) probably means .

　　A) quarrels C) disadvantages

　　B) worries D) agreements

　　25. According to the passage what is the best for both parents and children?

　　A) They should adjust themselves to sharing the family expenses.

　　B) Children should leave their parents when they are grown up.

　　C) Adult children should visit their parents from time to time.

　　D) Parents should support their adult children when they are in trouble.