Marriage nowadays is a choice people make on their own. But this has not always been the case in society. Thousands of years ago, there were fewer people living in the world. The average lifespan was shorter than it is today. There were many wars, many illnesses, and people had to protect themselves by making more children while they were still young. The parents lived through their children. Marriage was not so much a romantic love story but a business transaction. Most marriages were arranged between parents while their children were still very young. It was the customs that the fathers chose who their children were going to marry, and, most importantly, they chose the bridegroom very well. Usually, it was someone who came from a good family or who was rich. It was unlikely that people married outside their social class. The practice of arranged marriages is still common in some countries in the Middle East, such as India or Pakistan. Here, social classes are still strongly divided and very well kept. Often, however, arranged marriages are a sign that people do not want to let go of the past. The past gives them comfort and security in an ever-changing world. The 20th century saw marriages opening up. But marriage and family still played an important role in society. In the 50s, families were very closely knit and tight since the Second World War had done a lot of damage to society. A traditional nuclear family consisted of a working father and stay-at-home mother, as well as their two or three children. Divorce was frown upon, and many women stayed in an unhappy marriage out of shame to ask for a divorce. The feminist movement of the 70s brought an end to this situation. Unfortunately, a large number of marriages end in divorce nowadays. Also more children are born out of wedlock since it is no longer shameful to give birth without being married. In fact, many people choose to stay single or get married in their late thirties. Often, marriages are common-law, with two people sharing the same house and bank account without being formally married. There are a lot of single parents raising their children, while countries like Canada, Belgium, Spain and the Netherlands have recently legalized gay marriages. (Adapted from Longman’s Essence Reading 2, Chapter 15 by Rachel Lee) 1. Which of the following best serves as the title for the article? A. Women’s Liberation Movement B. Contractual versus Romantic Marriages C. Different Marriageable Ages D. Marriage in Different Societies 2. The word “transaction” in paragraph 2 most probably means ______. A. deal B. purchase C. contrast D. payment 3. The word “it” in paragraph 2 refers to ______. A. father B. bridegroom C. family D. class 4. According to the passage, which of the following arranged marriages was impossible? A. A prince marrying a noblewoman B. A tradesman marrying a peasant woman C. A merchant marrying a noblewoman D. A tradesman marrying a tradeswoman 5. The phrase “frown upon” in paragraph 4 is closest in meaning to ______. A. scary B. crucial C. shameful D. unavoidable 6. What can be inferred about marriage practices in the 50s? A. Marriages were very free and open B. Many women lived by themselves C. Divorce was not very popular D. People got married later and had fewer children 7. Which of the following is not a form of marriage in modern times according to the passage? A. common-law marriages B. early marriages C. gay marriages D. late 30s marriages