第6部分：完形填空(第51～65题，每题1分，共15分)

　　阅读下面的短文，文中有15处空白，每处空白给出了4个选项，请根据短文的内容从4个选项中选择1个最佳答案，涂在答题卡相应的位置上。

　　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