Question

In the past, American families tended to be quite large. Parents raising five or more children were common. Over the years, the size of the family has decreased.

One reason for this is an increase in the cost of living. On the average, children attend schools for more years than they used to, making them financially dependent on their families longer. Moreover, children nowadays are better dressed and have more money to spend on entertainment. The parents usually take the responsibility for all the expenses. Meanwhile, families are less close than they used to

be. More and more American mothers work away from home.

The break up of the family occurs when the parents divorce. A lot of children in the U. S. live part of their young lives with only one parent. Broken families usually result in problems for children and parents alike. Children blame themselves when their parents separate. They grow up feeling

unsettled as they are moved back and forth between parents. Usually one parent is responsible for raising the children. These single parents must care for the children’s emotional and psychological needs while also supporting them financially. This is very demanding and leaves very little time for the parent’s own personal interests. Single parents often marry other single parents. In this type of family, unrelated children are forced to develop brother or sister relationship.

The situations of many American families today are not good. However, recent signs indicate that things are getting better. The divorce rate is declining. The rate of childbirth is rising. Perhaps Americans have learned how important families are.

Title	The　 _76_　 of the structure of American families.
Introduction	Nowadays the size of the family has become　 　77 　than in the past.
78　 for　　　　 the situation	◆The cost of living increases because ☆The staying of the children at school is　 79　 . ☆children like to wear better clothes ☆children pay more money for　 80　 _. ◆More mothers go out for a job because they are also 81　　 for all the family’s expenses. ◆The single-parent family increases because of parents’　 82　 , which leads to many problems. ☆Children don’t feel　　 83　 when they are brought up in broken families ☆The parents have little time for his/her own interests because one parent is too　 84　 taking care of children.
Conclusion	The situations of American families in the future may get better because Americans have learned the　　 85　 of families.

Answer 1

76. development/change 77. smaller     78. Reasons 79. longer 80. entertainment 81. responsible 82. divorce/separation 83. settled/safe 84. busy 85. importance/value。