Directions: For each numbered blank in the following passage, fill in
a suitable word in each blank on the ANSWER SHEET.
Upon reaching an appropriate age (usually between 18 and 21
years), children are encouraged, but not forced, to "leave the nest" and
(51) an independent life. After children (52)
home they often find social relationships and financial support
outside the family. Parents do not arrange marriages for their children,
(53) do children usually ask permission of their parents to get
married. Romantic love is most often the basis for (54) in
the United States; young adults meet their future spouses (55)
other friends, at school, at jobs, and in organizations and religious
institutions. Although children choose their own spouses, they still hope their
parents will approve of their (56) . In many
families, parents feel that children should (57) major life
decisions by themselves. A parent may try to influence a child to follow a
particular profession (58) the child is free to choose
another career. Sometimes children do precisely the opposite of (59)
their parents wish in order to assert their (60) .
A son may deliberately decide not to go into his father’s business because of a
fear that he will lose his autonomy 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. Coexisting with such love in the American
family are cultural values of self reliance and independence.
Societal and familial treatment of the elderly also reflects this
independence and individualism. Their (61) support is often
provided by social security or welfare systems which decrease dependence on
their (62) . Additionally, older people may seek their own
friends rather than become too emotionally (63) on their
children. Senior citizens centers provide a means for peer-group association
within one’s own age group. There are problems, (64) with
growing old in the United States. Glorification of (65) and
indifference to the aged have left many older people alienated and
alone. Some families send their older relatives to nursing homes
rather than integrate them into the homes of the children or grandchildren. This
separation of the elderly from the (66) has contributed
(67) the isolation of an increasingly large segment of
society. (68) the other hand, there are many older people who
choose to live in retirement communities (69) they have the
companionship of (70) older people and the convenience of
many recreational and social activities close to home.