【正文】 (Line 2, Para. 1) is closest in meaning to ―_____‖.A) defy C) suffer fromB) signal D) result from 27. It is said in the passage that when the economy slides, _____.A) men would choose working women as their marriage partnersB) more women would get married to seek financial securityC) even working women would worry about their marriagesD) more people would prefer to remain single for the time being 28. If women find fulfillment through work outside the home, _____.A) they are more likely to dominate their marriage partnersB) their husbands are expected to do more houseworkC) their marriage ties can be strengthenedD)they tend to put their career before marriage 29. One reason why women with no career may seek a divorce is that _____.A) they feel that they have been robbed of their freedomB) they are afraid of being bossed around by their husbandsC) they feel that their partners fail to live up to their expectationsD) they tend to suspect their husbands’ loyalty to their marriage30. Which of the following statements can best summarize the author’s view in the passage?A) The stability of marriage and the divorce rate may reflect the economic situation of the country.B) Even when economically independent, most women have to struggle for real equality in marriage.C) In order to secure their marriage women should work outside the home and remain independentD) The impact of the growing female workforce on marriage varies from case to case.bdcad4 4. Passage Two ()Questions 16 to 20 are based on the following passage. As a wise man once said, we are all ultimately alone. But an increasing number of Europeans are choosing to be so at an ever earlier age. This isn‘t the stuff of gloomy philosophical contemplations, but a fact of Europe‘s new economic landscape, embraced by sociologists, realestate developers and ad executives alike. The shift away from family life to solo lifestyle, observes a French sociologist, is part of the ―irresistible momentum of individualism‖ over the last century. The munications revolution, the shift from a business culture of stability to one of mobility and the mass entry of women into the workforce have greatly wreaked havoc on(擾亂) Europeans‘ private lives.Europe‘s new economic climate has largely fostered the trend toward independence. The current generation of homealoners came of age during Europe‘s shift from social democracy to the sharper, more individualistic climate of American style capitalism. Raised in an era of privatization and increased consumer choice, today‘s techsavvy (精通技術(shù)的) workers have embraced a free market in love as well as economics. Modern Europeans are rich enough to afford to live alone, and temperamentally independent enough to want to do so.Once upon a time, people who lived alone tended to be those on either side of marriagetwenty something professionals or widowed senior citizens. While pensioners, particularly elderly women, make up a large proportion of those living alone, the newest crop of singles are high earners in their 30s and 40s who increasingly view living alone as a lifestyle choice. Living alone was conceived to be negativedark and cold, while being together suggested warmth and light. But then came along the idea of singles. They were young, beautiful, strong! Now, young people want to live alone.The booming economy means people are working harder than ever. And that doesn‘t leave much room for relationships. Pimpi Arroyo, a 35yearold poser who lives alone in a house in Paris, says he hasn‘t got time to get lonely because he has too much work. ―I have deadlines which would make life with someone else fairly difficult.‖ Only an Ideal Woman would make him change his lifestyle, he says. Kaufmann, author of a recent book called ―The Single Woman and Prince Charming,‖ thinks this fierce new individualism means that people expect more and more of mates, so relationships don‘t last longif they start at all. Eppendorf, a blond Berliner with a deep tan, teaches grade school in the mornings. In the afternoon she sunbathes or sleeps, resting up for going dancing. Just shy of 50, she says she‘d never have wanted to do what her mother didgive up a career to raise a family. Instead, ―I‘ve always done what I wanted to do: live a selfdetermine