The divorce rate in the United States rose steadily throughout the twentieth century．Prior to 1915， less than lo％of husbands and wives divorced．Between 1915 and 1940，the divorce climbed to almost15％．By lg65，the divorce rate eclipsed 25％．In lg85，about 35％of all marriages ended in divorce．In the year 2000。half of all marriages ended in divorce．In 2004，almost 60％of marriages with children ended in divorce，and the rate for second marriages with children was even higher．With such a high divorce rate，is it any wonder that so many American children experience adj ustment problems?④
Divorced couples point to various reasons for their marital breakup：money，sex，incompatibility， immaturity，lack of commitment，violence，unhappiness，jealousy，stress，infidelity--to name a few． These marital problems are not new，however；they affected relationships a century ago．
Many experts believe the high divorce rate is a result of dramatic social and economic changes that have altered traditional family roles and relationships．They cite how increased industrialization，urban living and many other social forces have affected the makeup and lifestyle of the American family． Families are less likely to work，participate in activities or eat meals together．Husbands and wives may both work outside the home．As a result，many American children must develop self_dependence at an early age than their ancestors did．
America’s children reflect the effects of what is happening to the American family．Never before have so many children faced so many problems：physical and sexual abuse，crime and delinquency， depression and suicide，drug and alcohol abuse，emotional and behavioral problems，learning difficulties， school problems，dropping out，poor grades，running away from home，pregnancy，abortion and venereal disease．Sometimes these problems result from unhealthy social or family relationships．They also may arise as a byproduct of an unhappy marriage or a damaging divorce．
Divorce can be a very painful and disruptive experience for children，with long-term effects．Some children manage to survive their parents’unhappy marriage and painful divorce and grow past it；other children suffer from the effects for years．④How children are affected by divorce largely depends on their personality，the circumstance surrounding the divorce and the parents’sensitivity to their children．
It is toward a better understanding of how parents can be more sensitive to their children during the divorce process that this publication is dedicated．④When parents put the needs of their children first，and are aware of how their own behavior can either harm or help their offspring during this time of turmoil，it is possible to reduce the negative effects of divorce on children．[436 words]
1．The statistics for the divorce rate in the U．S．are to show that ______．
A．its increase accelerated throughout the 2oth century
B．it has obviously affected many American children’s growth
C．it kept on increasing since the beginning of the 2oth century
D．it was much higher in the early 21st century than the previous century
2．Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the text?
A．More children in the U．S．are affected by divorce．
B．The primary reason for marital breakup is infidelity．
C．Physical and sexual abuse has harmed more children．
D．Marriages with children are most likely to end in divorce．
3．According to some experts，many American children must develop self-dependence to adjust themselves to ______．
A．their parents’unhappy marriage
B．the new lifestyle of the American family
C．the circumstance surrounding the painful divorce
D．dramatic social and economic changes in the new century
4．In order to reduce the negative effects of divorce on children，______．
A．divorce rate should be lowered considerably
B．couples with children should not seek divorce
C．there should be no children in unhappy marriage
D．parents should be more sensitive to their children
5．The text is mainly about ______．
A．the high divorce rate in the U．S．
B．primary reasons for marital breakup
C．the negative effects of divorce on children
D．various problems faced by American children[NextPage]
难句透析
①with such a high divorce rate，is it any wonder[that So many American children、experience adjustment prob lems] ” ，
【结构】本句是疑问句，其中“it”是形式主语，替代方括号所标示的主语从句“that So many…problems”。
【释义】离婚率如此之高，以至于美国那么多孩子必须去调整适应，难道有什么奇怪吗?
②Many experts believe[the high divorce rate is a result of dramatic social and economic changes(that have alteredtraditional family roles and relationships)]．
【结构】方括号所标示的“high divorce rate…relationships”是“believe”的宾语从句。圆括号所标示的“that have altered…relationships”是“changes”的后置定语从句。
【释义】众多的专家认为，高离婚率是由急剧的社会及经济变化所造成的，这些变化改变了传统的家庭角色以及婚姻关系。
③”Some children manage“’to survive their parents’unhappy marriage and painful divorce and grow past it：t”other children suffer from the effects for years．
【缩构】本句是由分号连接的两个分句组成的并列句。第一个分句的谓语动词是“manage”，后面跟有两个并列的动词不定式短语“to survive…divorce”和“grow past it”，用做“manage”的宾语。第二个动词不定式短语“grow past it”前省略了“to”，其中的代词“it”指“divorce”。
【释义】部分儿童千方百计从父母的不幸婚姻和痛苦离异中解脱出来并减少对自身的影响，而另一部分儿童会在长达几年时间里都挣扎在阴影之中。
④It is toward a better understanding of[how parents can be more sensitive to their children during the divoree process]that this publication is dedicated．
【结构】本句是“It is…that…”形式的强调句型，被强调的是用做状语的介词短语“toward a better understand— ing…divorce process”。方括号所标示的“how parents…process”是介词“of”的宾语从句。
【释义】本文旨在帮助人们进一步了解，在离婚过程中，作为父母，如何才能更加关注孩子的感受。
⑤[When parents"put the needs of their children first，and are aware of(how their own behavior can either harm or help their offspring during this time of turmoil)]，it is possible[to reduce the negative effects of divorce on children]．
【结构】第一个方括号所标示的“When parents…turmoil”是时间状语从句，其中有两个用逗号和“and”连接的谓语动词“put…”和“are aware of…”。圆括号所标示的“how their own behavior…turmoil”是介词“of，，的宾语从句。代词“it”是主句的形式主语，替代方括号所标示的真正主语．动词不定式短语“to reduce…children”。
【释义】如果父母把孩子的需要摆在首要位置，并意识到夫妻双方在离婚过程中自身行为会给孩子带来伤害还是帮助，那么就有可能降低离婚对孩子的消极影响。
全文翻译
整个20世纪期间，美国的离婚率稳步上升。1915年以前，离婚率不到10％。1915到1940年期间，离婚率攀升到了15％。截至1965年，比例超过了25％。1985年有35％的婚姻以离婚告终。2000年离婚率达到了5o％。2004年，已经育有孩子的婚姻有6o％宣告结束，丽育有孩子的二次婚姻离婚率更高。离婚率如此之高，以至于美国那么多孩子必须去调整适应，难道有什么奇怪吗?
离婚的夫妻将他们的失败婚姻归结为以下原因：经济、性生活、性格冲突、不成熟、对婚姻缺乏责任、暴力、缺乏幸福感、嫉妒、压力、对婚姻的不忠诚，等等。这些问题在婚姻中已经屡见不鲜，但是，100年以前它们就给婚姻关系产生了不利影响。
众多的专家认为，高离婚率是由急剧的社会及经济变化所造成的，这些变化改变了传统的家庭角色以及婚姻关系。专家们援引了急速的工业化、城市生活方式以及其他很多社会力量如何对美国家庭构成及生活方式产生影响的情况进行论证。家庭成员在一起工作、参加活动或者吃饭的机会越来越少。夫妻双方都可能在外工作。结果，很多美国儿童都必须比他们父辈更早学会独立。
美国儿童的状况可以反映出美国家庭经历变化后的效应。从来没有数量如此众多的儿童要面对如此多的问题：身体或者性伤害、犯罪以及少年犯罪、抑郁以及自杀、吸毒及酗酒、感情问题及行为问题、学习困难、学校问题、辍学、成绩跟不上、离家出走、怀孕、流产以及性病。这些问题间或由不顺畅的社会关系或者家庭关系所导致。也可能是不幸婚姻或婚姻破裂的副产品。
父母离婚对于儿童来说是一段痛苦而又心碎的历程，长期难以恢复。部分儿童千方百计从父母的不幸婚姻和痛苦离异中解脱出来并减少对自身的影响，而另一部分儿童会在长达几年时间里都挣扎在阴影之中。儿童受到离婚影响有多大很大程度上取决于他们的个性、离婚所造成的生活环境以及父母对孩子的关注程度。
本文旨在帮助人们进一步了解，在离婚过程中，作为父母，如何才能更加关注孩子的感受。如果父母把孩子的需要摆在首要位置，并意识到夫妻双方在离婚过程中自身行为会给孩子带来伤害还是帮助，那么就有可能降低离婚对孩子的消极影响。
超纲词汇
incompatibility 不相容性，不协调性，不能并存
infidelity n．不贞，不贞之行为，通奸
eclipse vt．超越
delinquency n．犯法，罪过
depression n．沮丧，愁苦，抑郁，失望情绪
dedicate vt．献(身)，致力
venereal adj．性交引起的
prior to在…之前
参考答案：1．C 2．A 3．B 4．D 5．C
