人教版中考英语复习： 难度较大的阅读文章含答案（一）.doc

Trying to Find a Parther
　　One of the most striking findings of a recent poll in the UK is that of the people inbterviewed,one in two believes that it is becoming more difficult to meet someone to start a family with.
　　Why are many finding it increasingly difficult to start and sustain intimate relationships?Does modern life really make it harder to fall in love?Or are we making it harder for ourselves?
　　It is certainly the case today that contemporary couples benefit in different ways from relationships.Women no longer rely upon partners for economic security or status.A man doesn't expect his spouse to be in sole charge of running his household and raising his children.
　　But perhaps the knowledge that we can live perfectly well without a partnership means that it takes much more to persuade people to abandon their independence.
　　In theory,finding a partner should be much simpler these days.Only a few generations ago,your choice of soulmate （心上人） was constrained by geography,social convention and family tradition.Although it was never explicit,many marriages were essentially arranged.
　　Now those barriers have been broken down.You can approach a builder or a brain surgeon in any bar in any city on any given evening.When the world is your oyster （牡蛎）,you surely have a better chance of finding a pearl.
　　But it seems that the old conventions have b